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Circle Bistro

3.8
3.8
798 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Top tags:
Circle Bistro, located in the heart of the Foggy Bottom Neighborhood, offers a casual yet chic bar and restaurant atmosphere serving American comfort fare including a wide selection of sandwiches, salads and sharing plates. The extensive beverage program showcases over 12 wines by the glass, domestic and imported beer, and a seasonal cocktail list. Our pet-friendly outdoor patio is the perfect oasis to escape the hustle and bustle of the Nation’s Capital. Circle Bistro is the ideal place for breakfast meetings, business lunches, and happy hour gatherings.

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Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, American
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 293-5390
  • Website
    http://www.circlebistro.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Ashley Olexa
  • Catering
    Ask us about Bistro To Go our newest to-go style catering option to fit your office meeting needs! <br /><br />We are the number one venue for your social and corporate events. Customize your event with one of several options tailored to fit your needs. We’ve got all ends covered from the moment you arrive. <br /><br />Contact our Catering Manager, Annie Schmidt at 202.730.1246 or avschmidt@modushotelsdc.com for more information and to receive your custom proposal.<br /><br />
  • Private party facilities
    In partnership with One Washington Circle Hotel, Circle Bistro has the ability to cater a multitude of events. Our Catering Manager and Executive Chef are happy to work with you on a tailored menu to fit your event needs in one of our state of the art banquet rooms, lounge or private dining room.
  • Private party contact
    Annie Schmidt: (202) 730-1246
  • Location
    One Washington Circle, Washington, DC 20037
  • Neighbourhood
    Downtown
  • Cross Street
    23rd, New Hampshire &amp; L
  • Parking Details
    Street Parking
  • Public Transit
    Foggy Bottom Metro Station
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 798 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

3.8
3.8 based on all time ratings
  • 3.9Food
  • 3.8Service
  • 3.6Ambience
  • 3.5Value

Noise • Moderate

798 Reviews

  1. jbac

    Washington DC

    72 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    72 reviews

    Dined on February 8, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    We arrived at Circle Bistro on a freezing night and were met at the door by a gracious gentleman who showed us to a table by the fire. From then on the dinner proceeded faultlessly. My only caveat is that the menu is very limited.

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  2. Benjy

    Washington DC

    56 reviews

    4.0

    56 reviews

    Dined on February 27, 2020

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Circle Bistro was much quainter than I expected and much more low key than you typically see on Open Table. Was ok though. Service was great.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    65 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    65 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2020

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Much enjoy lunches especially salads topped with salmon.

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    65 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    65 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2019

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Go-to place for lunch meetings. Staff always helpful. Menu items always appealing and well prepared. Great choice of salads. Top one with salmon...great start and the sweet potato fries have graduated to top of class!

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a very quiet side room — perfect for our business meeting! John

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  6. DanielaD

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 25, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Great quiet space in the center of tow. Easy access. Good food.

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  7. stephaniep

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 4, 2019

    overall1food1service4ambience1
    It’s not a stand alone restraunt, it’s in the basement of a hotel. Not a great meal.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    65 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    65 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2019

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Reliable, enjoyable though limited selections. Perfect for quiet meetings and get togethers. Definitely a top choice for convenience and easy dining.

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  9. JosephP

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2018

    overall1food1service2ambience3
    Our muffin was moldy! It was disgusting, so we left. It also smelt like old hotels that used to allow smoking. Not pleasant to smell that while eating. The waitresses were friendly.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    65 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    65 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2018

    overall3food3service5ambience4
    Food is better than average although very limited choices. My go to place for quiet meetings. Very accommodating staff.

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  11. andreapendleton

    Washington DC

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food & service are great and it’s a treat to find a place where you can actually talk to friends without shouting at them!

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2018

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Quiet location. Nice, fresh food. Attentive service. Kitchen was able to modify items to suit all our needs.

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    65 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    65 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2018

    overall4food3service4ambience3
    Staff is always great. Downsized menu is a challenge since I like to use this quiet and pleasant location for biweekly lunch meetings. Food is good. Never have or hear complaints.

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  14. JoAnnM

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 9, 2018

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    No one up front at the desk. Had to knock on the kitchen door before someone noticed we were there. Tiny menu. Left for a better place.

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  15. KEIFER

    Washington DC

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Definitely one of Washington's best-kept secrets, yet has been around for years and is appreciated by those who know about it; enjoy the creative, delicious menu (and beautiful presentation); calming ambience to be able to appreciate the food; and the courteous, excellent, unobtrusive service--all of which equals a five-star rating!

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My husband and I had breakfast here on Sunday, February 18th but I neglected to mention Open Table to the restaurant and would like to receive my dining points. We stayed in Room 317. The service was great and the food was delicious. Thank you, Sandra Callahan

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2018

    overall1food1service4ambience1
    No one was there for a reason

    Is this helpful?

  18. andreapendleton

    Washington DC

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful to find a quiet spot for downtown dining! Definitely a hidden gem.

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  19. Bert

    Washington DC

    82 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    82 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2017

    overall4food5service3ambience5
    Circle Bistro is a neighborhood go-to for lunch, happy hour, dinner, or setting up a meeting for friends. The food is excellent and innovative. The staff is excellent, although from time to time inattentive. It is reliably good.

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2017

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    We made a reservation for 11:45 on Sunday for brunch. When we arrived at 11:45 we were told they were closing at noon. Why on earth take an 11:45 reservation to only close at noon? Also, not a good way to welcome a guest. Needless to say, we left and went elsewhere because of this.

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  21. Cylia

    Baltimore

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2017

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Wonderful hidden gem! Service was great and we truly enjoyed our meals. The bar area has a wonderful fireplace. It was a very quiet location which was great for a lunch. Will definitely be back!

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  22. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 3, 2017

    overall2food2service1ambience3
    I visited Circle Bistro for Restaurant Week due to the flexibility of their menu. The options were varied and the food was pretty good. However, the service was terrible. I'm not sure if they were short staffed or what, but the maitre'd seemed to be serving as a waiter and the busser seemed to also serve as a waiter. It took nearly 20 minutes from when we were seated and received water to when someone came to take our order. Then it was another 15 minutes before the first course arrived. I had the hummus and pita. The hummus was a bit too salty and pasty, and the pita was a bit too chewy. I had ravioli for the entree and pineapple upside down cake for dessert. The ravioli was the best part of the meal and the cake was a bit too dry. I had to attend a meeting so I had to get my entree and dessert to go.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 27, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Second visit. Good place to talk. Salad was good and prices are reasonable. It is sort of unknown in Foggy bottom.

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  24. KathleenJ

    Washington DC

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on December 20, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love this restaurant for the ability to have a conversation and be heard. They do not bother to leave after one has eaten. Delightful.

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  25. SRQMark

    Tampa

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    There were four of us there for Sunday brunch. All liked their meal. Service was attentive and setting was very nice. Location in D.C. West End is great - right on Washington Circle, across the circle from the Foggy Bottom Metro stop. Although I generally do not like hotel restaurants, this one is an exception. Just what we were looking for. Pricing was great in general; but especially for the area and a hotel restaurant. It may not win awards, but it is a solid choice for a comfortable, good quality meal at a great value. Nice view of the area. All were quite glad that we ate there.

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  26. BillS

    Washington DC

    14 reviews

    4.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2016

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    Good location and good variety of lunch selections. All three of us were pleased with our choices.

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  27. Justme

    Richmond

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2016

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    We walked to this place before packing up to leave another hotel. Very nice, we made reservations but they weren't needed at 9:45 on this particular Sunday. Pleasant waiter, 5 of us. Several had the banana buckwheat pancakes which were good. (I would have thought they would have put a strawberry or a small piece of fruit on the plate; it seemed sorta naked with 3 pancakes dusted with sugar!) The others had French toast. We all used the blueberry compote, yum. My brother got a ton of bacon with his. It was all tasty; no complaints.

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  28. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 18, 2016

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Chose this venue for a business lunch as I knew the noise level would be low. Like it because there are a limited number of table for lunch which it makes it's ideal for doing business as well as enjoying the company.

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  29. loves2eatout

    Washington DC

    27 reviews

    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on July 5, 2016

    overall4food3service4ambience4
    Very average food. Good service. Too many other restaurants in that area so I probably wouldn't bother to return.

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  30. PaulaH

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 24, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great location if you are heading to the Kennedy Center for a show. They have valet parking and from there it is a quick trip to the Center. All our food choices were very good as were our wine choices. Service was quick and responded to our need to get to the evening show. Staff were helpful and attentive. The Bistro was a great choice for us!

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  31. MonciaG

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 21, 2016

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    We sat in the patio area, which most of us enjoyed. Unfortunately, service was not coming to our table as often as we wished, although our table (5 people) was the only one in the outdoor area.

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  32. Scar

    Central Coast

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is an exceptional place to eat. The food was excellent and presented quite pleasingly. Out waiter was very helpful and even chased us down outside when we forgot our left over bag.

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  33. Kee1

    Dallas

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Nice and quiet place.

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2016

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The mussels appetizers was more than ample for us to share, very well seasoned. We both had fish, salmon and swordfish. Each was just a tad overcooked for our taste, but not dry. The vegetable accompaniments were ok, but unimaginative. Still, the service was expert and no extra charge for sparkling, rather than still, water. We'd go back.

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  35. FeliciaB

    Washington DC

    156 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    156 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service!

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  36. Tish

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2016

    overall3food3service4ambience5
    Took my mom and sister for Mother's Day brunch. My sister had to send all of her food back and my Mom's waffles were burnt. Drink menu was very scarce and the waiter was unsure of our drink selection. But it was a really quiet and peaceful environment. I would go again on an informal occasion maybe

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  37. Jerry

    Baltimore

    132 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    132 reviews

    Dined on April 7, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    My wife and I enjoyed a very nice lunch following a NSO event. The special turkey club was loaded with interesting ingredients on a nice bread. Salad consisted of a variety of fresh spring vegetables with a light dressing.

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    A good menu selection, courteous and friendly service. An intimate dining room but they also have a larger area that was closed off for a private event (good to know they provide that service.) I will be back.

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  39. Langacre

    Washington DC

    45 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2016

    overall4food3service3ambience4
    There are not that many places to get a good lunch near Washington Circle. I was meeting a colleague who was staying at the hotel in which the restaurant is located, so it seemed like a good option. But service was confused and slow, and the fish and chips was pretty low end, especially for the price being charged. My colleague's salmon looked better. We were really there to talk, so the iffy service and mediocre food was not much of a problem, but if you are looking for a good meal, you should look elsewhere.

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2016

    overall5food3service3ambience5
    Food was okay, crab dip was the best part of the meal

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FAQs

Circle Bistro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 293-5390.

Circle Bistro is rated 3.8 stars by 798 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Circle Bistro

One Washington Circle, Washington, DC 20037

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    23rd, New Hampshire &amp; L
  • Neighbourhood
    Downtown
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking Details
    Street Parking
  • Public Transit
    Foggy Bottom Metro Station
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Ashley Olexa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.circlebistro.com/
  • Phone number
    (202) 293-5390
  • Catering
    Ask us about Bistro To Go our newest to-go style catering option to fit your office meeting needs! <br /><br />We are the number one venue for your social and corporate events. Customize your event with one of several options tailored to fit your needs. We’ve got all ends covered from the moment you arrive. <br /><br />Contact our Catering Manager, Annie Schmidt at 202.730.1246 or avschmidt@modushotelsdc.com for more information and to receive your custom proposal.<br /><br />
  • Private party facilities
    In partnership with One Washington Circle Hotel, Circle Bistro has the ability to cater a multitude of events. Our Catering Manager and Executive Chef are happy to work with you on a tailored menu to fit your event needs in one of our state of the art banquet rooms, lounge or private dining room.
  • Private party contact
    Annie Schmidt: (202) 730-1246
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