Blue Duck Tavern

Blue Duck Tavern

Damn Good
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Blue Duck Tavern runs its brunch like a genuine Washington ritual, not a hotel amenity tacked onto a lobby. Inside the Park Hyatt in Foggy Bottom, the room fills with a mix of diplomats, politicians, and staffers who clearly treat it as a regular stop, not an occasion. That kind of crowd doesn't return for mediocre eggs.

The kitchen backs it up. The duck confit hash earns its billing, the cornmeal waffle is the kind of dish that anchors a table's order, and the BDT benedict — poached eggs and house-cured Canadian bacon stacked on a pretzel bun — is a smart, specific twist on a tired format rather than a gimmick. A sorbet mimosa or a jalapeño-tequila Bloody Maria fits the pace of a meal built to stretch into the afternoon.

Michelin has kept Blue Duck Tavern on its Washington list for years running, including two stints holding a star outright. That consistency tracks with what's on the plate. This isn't a restaurant chasing a moment — it's one that built a dependable, well-run version of American tavern cooking and has held the line on it.

The Spot
Blue Duck Tavern operates inside the Park Hyatt Washington, D.C., built around a tavern format rather than a formal hotel dining room. Dark oak, blue burlap, and a 29-foot Windsor bench set the tone, while an open kitchen with a custom Molteni range and a wood-burning oven anchors a market-based menu drawing on local farms and purveyors. Jean-Claude Plihon serves as Director of Culinary and Food & Beverage Operations, with Andrew Cleverdon as Chef de Cuisine and Abrham Castillo running pastry.

The whole duck has become the dish regulars point to first, alongside crab cakes, bone marrow, halibut, and a bread program that comes up often among diners. Brunch is part of the regular rotation, filled out with sides, salads, and entrees. A glass booth in the dining room has become a point of conversation for guests, and the restaurant runs a separate lounge along with private event space for larger gatherings.

Blue Duck Tavern held a Michelin star in both 2017 and 2018, and has been selected in the Michelin Guide Washington, D.C. every year since, most recently in 2025.
THE FACTS
Damn Good
AWARDMichelin Guide One Star2017–2018
AWARDMichelin Guide Selected2019–2025
RATINGS4.5 stars across 2,003 reviews4 sources
The Regulars
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Your Rating
City

Washington DC

Neighborhood

Foggy Bottom

Price

$$$

Cuisine

American

Chef

Owner

Michelin Selected 2025
Recognition