Barrel DC is a rustic whiskey lounge in Cap Hill that delivered a brunch experience that deserves all the stars! The bottomless mimosas were flowing and our server was amazing about making sure we never had to ask for another bottle.
The menu is simple, but each dish that my friend had was delicious. Now, let's talk about the chicken and waffles – they were amazing. The crispy, golden waffle paired harmoniously with the breaded chicken breast which was seasoned very well. It's safe to say these might be the best chicken and waffles I've ever had – hands down! The ambiance was lively, the service was top-notch, and I would definitely come back here again.
Delicious brunch. Love the make your own mimosas. The kitchen was slow but that was fine with the delicious drinks. It was worth the wait the chicken and waffles as fantastic and perfectly cooked. The crab Benny was all crab meat and no filler. The music selection was our speed with 80s tunes and not too loud with college football on but silent. Highly recommend among many brunch possibilities in navy yard and eastern market.
Saminda Wijegunawardena
+5
Wide array of southern-inspired dishes, albeit uneven in quality, friendly but spotty service, solid if not epic cocktails, and a great whiskey-forward vibe make this a worthwhile visit.
We started with the polenta fritters (cheese-stuffed polenta, red pepper arrabbiata, basil) were just ok. Nothing that stood out about these, I'd pass.
The fried brussels sprouts (fish sauce, thai chilis, cilantro, peanuts, crema) in contrast were some of the best I've ever had, a symphony of flavors. Delish.
The mac n’ cheese was otherworldly good, a molten mass of creamy deliciousness. An absolute must try. I'm sure it would be even more epic with bacon but it was just superb on its own.
The barrel nachos (house-made tortillas, queso, serrano chilis, tomatoes,
braised short rib, creme fraiche) were very good. You could taste the freshness of the house made chips, and the short rib and queso paired perfectly together. Really a nice variation on traditional nachos.
The chocolate dream dessert (
walfer’s cream cheese stuffed brownie,
salted caramel sauce, vanilla gelato) was delightful, a near perfect brownie filled with some delicious cream cheese, topped with decadent caramel, and accented with a generous scoop of vanilla. Can't go wrong with that.
Our barrel-aged cocktails could have been better. The nutty professor and the chocolate city avenue were fine but nothing remarkable, no real differentiation from the base drink.
Definitely worth a stop.
Barrel is a fantastic pub with the perfect low key DC vibe. My colleagues and I were in town for a few days, so I scoped out Barrel as a good place to suit our diverse tastes. GM Matt was instantly responsive to a request for a table for 8. Our server Josh was amazing, and had to deal with multiple separate orders and a split check (and a broken glass) - we enjoyed the heck out of the specials and whiskey menu - they were the highlight of our DC business trip! Definitely worth the trip!
Came here for dessert after the ice cream place down the street was closed for a health code violation 🥴
Vibe: 6 - smelt quite like smoke
Service: 8/10
Value: 7.5/10
Brownie with ice cream: 7.5/10
Bread pudding with ice cream: 7.5/10 - it was a little hard/weird texture but the flavors were great!
Overall: 7.3/10 (3.65/5)
Came here because a friend recommended it and my expectations were definitely met. The brisket was really tender and so were the ribs, like fall off the bone tender. The sweet BBQ sauce was slightly sweeter than I usually go for but still good. The Mac and cheese was really good and baked well. The biscuit and ham appetizer was delicious, came out warm and the butter with it added a lot to it. I wasn’t in love with the creamy collard greens but it wasn’t necessarily bad, just not my preferred way of eating greens. The BBQ baked beans were super flavorful though. Would def come back.
This is by far my favorite brunch spot in DC. The food is always really really good and the endless mimosas are amazing! I have never had a bad experience or meal here. The staff is always great and friendly too! I always visit here when I am in the area.
Southern style cuisine at a buzzy neighbourhood bar with friendly service. The BBQ platters come with a pot of beans, creamed greens, a biscuit-scone, and a variety of sauces. The thick, skin on fries are fluffy and crispy under their sprinkle of cheese. Long menu of accompanying drinks.
Went to the Barrel for Brunch on Sunday and they did not disappoint. The staff was friendly and accommodating. I had the chicken and waffles, overall it was really good. (However they are heavy on the salt) My friends had shrimp and grits. They really enjoyed the dish as you can see by the pictures. The unlimited mimosas was really great. They allowed you to mix your own with orange juice, cranberry juice, or homemade strawberry vanilla simple syrup. I highly recommend you check out this spot. They also have a great selection of Bourbons. I would bet that if you are looking for a bourbon, they have it
Really good brunch spot. The style of the food is good ole Southern cooking. Reservations highly recommended as this place gets packed. Some outdoor seatings and also plenty of indoor seating. Brunch wasn’t bad wish there were more food options and also cocktails. We got the fried chicken and waffle and steak and eggs and it was delicious. The service was kind of slow and our waitress came three times because she forgot what our order was and didn’t mention to us about how they were limited on the beer selections.
This is a really solid place to grab a burger and a bourbon that offers a comfortable and cosy atmosphere without being too trendy or too expensive. Service is reliable (special shout out to Anthony at the bar) and they have a nice quiet downstairs where you can hold events or go for a more intimate atmosphere.
Went for a friends bachelor party/ private tasting and this is how we kicked off the weekend. The GM did the tasting and his passion and knowledge blew me away. Outstanding service and food. This should be a must stop for a men’s weekend:)
Great service and amazing whiskey selection. I got the sausage egg biscuit which was tasty. Great comfort food. Happy I found this place and can’t wait to come back.
Stopped thru here for happy hour after work, I really enjoyed myself. The place is comfortable & clean, service is immaculate and drinks are good. The food is good also. This is a nice place I will be back.
Excellent service and staff. The food and atmosphere is great. Weekends during brunch hours it pretty crowed and seating is limited. So you will probably be waiting. They have outdoor seating for the nice weather days. They also play pretty good music.
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