We have been coming to the Tabard Inn for over forty years. I made a reservation far in advance for dinner last night. This is a special occasion every year when we come from North Carolina to Washington for the holidays. When we got to the restaurant we were told that there was a special event and we would not be seated in the restaurant. Instead, tables were set up in the corners of the lounge area, which was hot and a completely different experience. Don’t get me wrong, the food was very good. But I love the atmosphere in the restaurant, which is a part of the experience. This may be a minority view, but I think a restaurant should let you know in advance if there is a change that will be a much different experience than the one you reasonably expected. They contacted me multiple times, like most restaurants do now days, to insure that I was coming. If I had known that we wouldn’t be seated in the restaurant, I would have made other plans. Notwithstanding the good food, the change made for a disappointing experience rather than the special one I had been expecting.
Service: 5
Wendy
Did an overnight trip that began on a Friday and ended on a Saturday morning. The room was charming and had a lot of personality that contrasted from the typical sterile feel of chain hotels. Despite being a historical building, the nights were warm and comfortable and also had wifi. The bathroom had a claw foot tub and the water remained hot enough to fill it fine. It was in was an open-concept bathroom style so just a wall dividing the two spaces and no door. (We booked the traditional room w/single king bed) So be comfortable with who you share a room with. We were there during some sort of reunion on a Friday so the muffled hum of conversation in the dining area was heard. As we also had a street view, the night life of pedestrians going home from the bar was also heard occasionally. Which is why I gave my review a 4/5 in location. There were multiple dining areas depending on time and the breakfast menu was delicious. It is around the corner from various bakeries and restaurants if you decide to eat out. Overall, if you are looking for a more interesting and adventurous place to stay in DC while still being surrounded by history that isn't exclusively political then the Tabard Inn is a good place to check out.
Service: 5
Sonia Teruel
Beautiful cozy place, reminds me of an English country inn. Well connected area, comfortable beds, amazing staff, and above all, the food was delicious! Chef Matthew was outstanding, one of the best dinners I had in D.C. I will be coming back!
Service: 5
Stacy Tran
Our Thanksgiving dining experience was a mixed bag. The $92 per person fixed menu had its highlights, particularly the fresh and flavorful soup and salad. However, the prime ribs fell short, arriving undercooked and consequently, difficult to cut and chew.
The turkey and desserts, while satisfactory, nothing memorable. The atmosphere, too, was unremarkable, with a small, divided dining area lacking a notable view.
While it's possible that fixed Thanksgiving menus may inherently present challenges, our experience was disappointing enough to deter a return visit. Nonetheless, it's worth acknowledging that a similar experience at a different restaurant last year was also underwhelming, suggesting that perhaps the format itself may be the limiting factor.
Service: 3
Jeffrey Thomas
As the son of Black woman from Charleston, South Carolina, I have a certain standard for grits at breakfast. The grits at the Tabard Inn did not disappoint: They were almost as good as my mama’s! The biscuits were light and fluffy and came with homemade jam, which was delicious. I particularly liked the coffee, black and strong!
Seated in the handsome dining room of Washington DC’s oldest continually operating inns adjacent to a lovely heated patio, attended to by an array of warm staff, I felt at ease in a way that rarely happens in hotel dining rooms in my travels. Other hotel guests were having breakfast there, and also locals who made it a morning meeting place.
My room contained antique furnishings and appointments alongside a few modern items like a remote-controlled ceiling fan. The towels were bright white and fluffy and plentiful. Like myself, not shiny and new and with some worn edges, I have discovered a favorite new hotel destination where I can be well looked after in our nation’s capital and it is Tabard Inn.
Service: 5
Lisa Hilmi
No heat, no blankets or comforters. No food after 7pm??? No disability access. Rude employees who don't care about the legacy of what this place was. Depressing. Don't come here.
Service: 1
Jane McManus
There's "quaint" and "charming" and then There's inconvenient. The restaurant on the first floor of the historic hotel is VERY good. The rooms are on the third and fourth floors. And there is no elevator. No television. But good wifi.
Nearby activities: Near Dupont circle. Within walking distance of the White House
Service: 4
Jens Henriksen
Nice retro old style hotel with great location. Great restaurant and service. Can recommend.
Rooms: Had a suite, like an apartment from back in time 👍
Service: 5
Jennifer Castillo
Editing to add they canceled the reservation on OpenTable after I left to prevent a bad review. Though I clearly was there and have photos and a receipt. I have contacted open table and a few other folks to help investigate these fast practices. 🙂
Came just to eat lunch. Food was underwhelming and the service was a disaster. Unfortunate because the hotel is so very pretty inside and out.
We had a fabulous stay at The Tabard Inn! Thoughtful design in EVERY single room made it feel both cozy and elegant. The rainhead shower in our room was incredibly powerful—I don’t think my hair has ever been cleaner! Plus, it’s just a short walk to the White House and National Mall. Brunch was nice too, but the true standout was the stunning interiors, which perfectly complemented the historic atmosphere of D.C.
Service: 5
K W
My stay here was a little disappointing.
I spent the night freezing. The heater is high up on the wall, and blows down hot air directly below it, and it doesn't heat up the room. My feet were freezing the entire night, and I couldn't even sleep. I had the "heater" turned up to 80 F.
The bed had a top sheet and a thin comforter. In the early morning, I remembered that I had a thin blanket I bought at a CVS while I was traveling and had to use that, and even then I couldn't warm up.
I would have called room service, but it was in the middle of the night, and I kept hoping I would warm up. I finally got up after almost three hours of sleep and took a hot shower (which dripped all night by the way).
However, the service and food here is great, as well as the location.
UPDATE: The manager apologized sincerely and went to check out the issues so it could be fixed, so I am grateful for that!
Rooms: Cold. Creaky.
Service: 2
Donna Frehill
Great food & love the atmosphere
Service: 5
Paul Miller
We have visited the Tabard many times. It has a great history and very nice staff, but this time, the value did not seem to be there. While there is a lot of charm in the decor, it is looking worn down. The bathroom was freezing cold and poorly designed (taking a shower leaves the toilet soaking wet), the bed uncomfortable. It was always Bohemian but it also seemed luxurious in the past. Now it feels overpriced and less than gracious.
Classic, classy, tasteful, and friendly.
Service: 5
We have been coming to the Tabard Inn for over forty years. I made a reservation far in advance for dinner last night. This is a special occasion every year when we come from North Carolina to Washington for the holidays. When we got to the restaurant we were told that there was a special event and we would not be seated in the restaurant. Instead, tables were set up in the corners of the lounge area, which was hot and a completely different experience. Don’t get me wrong, the food was very good. But I love the atmosphere in the restaurant, which is a part of the experience. This may be a minority view, but I think a restaurant should let you know in advance if there is a change that will be a much different experience than the one you reasonably expected. They contacted me multiple times, like most restaurants do now days, to insure that I was coming. If I had known that we wouldn’t be seated in the restaurant, I would have made other plans. Notwithstanding the good food, the change made for a disappointing experience rather than the special one I had been expecting.
Service: 5
Did an overnight trip that began on a Friday and ended on a Saturday morning. The room was charming and had a lot of personality that contrasted from the typical sterile feel of chain hotels. Despite being a historical building, the nights were warm and comfortable and also had wifi.
The bathroom had a claw foot tub and the water remained hot enough to fill it fine. It was in was an open-concept bathroom style so just a wall dividing the two spaces and no door. (We booked the traditional room w/single king bed) So be comfortable with who you share a room with.
We were there during some sort of reunion on a Friday so the muffled hum of conversation in the dining area was heard. As we also had a street view, the night life of pedestrians going home from the bar was also heard occasionally. Which is why I gave my review a 4/5 in location.
There were multiple dining areas depending on time and the breakfast menu was delicious. It is around the corner from various bakeries and restaurants if you decide to eat out.
Overall, if you are looking for a more interesting and adventurous place to stay in DC while still being surrounded by history that isn't exclusively political then the Tabard Inn is a good place to check out.
Service: 5
Beautiful cozy place, reminds me of an English country inn. Well connected area, comfortable beds, amazing staff, and above all, the food was delicious! Chef Matthew was outstanding, one of the best dinners I had in D.C. I will be coming back!
Service: 5
Our Thanksgiving dining experience was a mixed bag. The $92 per person fixed menu had its highlights, particularly the fresh and flavorful soup and salad. However, the prime ribs fell short, arriving undercooked and consequently, difficult to cut and chew.
The turkey and desserts, while satisfactory, nothing memorable. The atmosphere, too, was unremarkable, with a small, divided dining area lacking a notable view.
While it's possible that fixed Thanksgiving menus may inherently present challenges, our experience was disappointing enough to deter a return visit. Nonetheless, it's worth acknowledging that a similar experience at a different restaurant last year was also underwhelming, suggesting that perhaps the format itself may be the limiting factor.
Service: 3
As the son of Black woman from Charleston, South Carolina, I have a certain standard for grits at breakfast. The grits at the Tabard Inn did not disappoint: They were almost as good as my mama’s! The biscuits were light and fluffy and came with homemade jam, which was delicious. I particularly liked the coffee, black and strong!
Seated in the handsome dining room of Washington DC’s oldest continually operating inns adjacent to a lovely heated patio, attended to by an array of warm staff, I felt at ease in a way that rarely happens in hotel dining rooms in my travels. Other hotel guests were having breakfast there, and also locals who made it a morning meeting place.
My room contained antique furnishings and appointments alongside a few modern items like a remote-controlled ceiling fan. The towels were bright white and fluffy and plentiful. Like myself, not shiny and new and with some worn edges, I have discovered a favorite new hotel destination where I can be well looked after in our nation’s capital and it is Tabard Inn.
Service: 5
No heat, no blankets or comforters. No food after 7pm??? No disability access. Rude employees who don't care about the legacy of what this place was. Depressing. Don't come here.
Service: 1
There's "quaint" and "charming" and then There's inconvenient. The restaurant on the first floor of the historic hotel is VERY good. The rooms are on the third and fourth floors. And there is no elevator. No television. But good wifi.
Nearby activities: Near Dupont circle. Within walking distance of the White House
Service: 4
Nice retro old style hotel with great location. Great restaurant and service. Can recommend.
Rooms: Had a suite, like an apartment from back in time 👍
Service: 5
Editing to add they canceled the reservation on OpenTable after I left to prevent a bad review. Though I clearly was there and have photos and a receipt. I have contacted open table and a few other folks to help investigate these fast practices. 🙂
Came just to eat lunch. Food was underwhelming and the service was a disaster. Unfortunate because the hotel is so very pretty inside and out.
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
This hotel was nice
Service: 4
We had a fabulous stay at The Tabard Inn! Thoughtful design in EVERY single room made it feel both cozy and elegant. The rainhead shower in our room was incredibly powerful—I don’t think my hair has ever been cleaner! Plus, it’s just a short walk to the White House and National Mall. Brunch was nice too, but the true standout was the stunning interiors, which perfectly complemented the historic atmosphere of D.C.
Service: 5
My stay here was a little disappointing.
I spent the night freezing. The heater is high up on the wall, and blows down hot air directly below it, and it doesn't heat up the room. My feet were freezing the entire night, and I couldn't even sleep. I had the "heater" turned up to 80 F.
The bed had a top sheet and a thin comforter. In the early morning, I remembered that I had a thin blanket I bought at a CVS while I was traveling and had to use that, and even then I couldn't warm up.
I would have called room service, but it was in the middle of the night, and I kept hoping I would warm up. I finally got up after almost three hours of sleep and took a hot shower (which dripped all night by the way).
However, the service and food here is great, as well as the location.
UPDATE: The manager apologized sincerely and went to check out the issues so it could be fixed, so I am grateful for that!
Rooms: Cold. Creaky.
Service: 2
Great food & love the atmosphere
Service: 5
We have visited the Tabard many times. It has a great history and very nice staff, but this time, the value did not seem to be there. While there is a lot of charm in the decor, it is looking worn down. The bathroom was freezing cold and poorly designed (taking a shower leaves the toilet soaking wet), the bed uncomfortable. It was always Bohemian but it also seemed luxurious in the past. Now it feels overpriced and less than gracious.
Service: 5
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