Convivial, Washington DC

True 5/5. Went here for a special occasion. Ask about their pre-fixe 3-course dinner special (have to ask) - it's a steal of a deal! We've been to many a fine dinning in DC - this one is of the few where *every* dish was a showstopper, including desert - try the poached pear, it has shaped vanilla mousse around it (pictured) #mindblown! The snapper was tender and delicious, and the seafood appetizers were unique but surprisingly flavorful and tasty for French cuisine - try the Cod beignets. Service was acceptable, ample parking and it has only limited tables (<20) - so do make a reservation! If this is on your list - go! - otherwise make sure to add it and enjoy!
ig: @harshaeats

Fantastic food and great value. They do not stiff you on any portions. Great service and atmosphere too. Felt very unpretentious and welcoming. Favorite restaurant in DC.

Great place to meet my friends for brunch. My meal was excellent. Best quiche I've had in a long time. And dessert was spectacular!

Great service, interesting cocktails, try the Duck Paella. Cauliflower appetizer was also a surprise hit with my brother who isn't normally into french.

I have been here for restaurant week and for cocktails. It is almost always a pleasent experience. However, I did come one time and two of the people who I ate with got severe food poisoning the next day. That has unfortunately tainted my opinion of eating here again.

The atmosphere is fun and lively, great place for a celebratory dinner, dinner with friends or a date spot. The menu was a little limited but the food was delicious and everything came out looking beautiful (loved the presentation). They did have some vegetarian options! Our server was friendly. All around a good experience!

Everything was good. Service was perfectly attentive, no more no less. Chicken and waffles were a winner. Omelette and shrimp&grits were quite nice.

I am so glad to find this hidden gem in shaw, this is the best french food I had in DC so far! Although the portions were not gigantic, I savored every bit of the pickled rockfish and the bouillabaisse that I ordered. Also they have a great choice of cocktails and wines. The overall experience was excellent and I am definitely going back there to try the rest of their menu.

I took my visiting father out yesterday for father's day brunch to Convivial and the experience was beyond our expectations. Everything was great from the food to the service to the atmosphere, we both ordered the fried chicken and waffle and freshly squeezed juices. Everything was freshly made and the chicken was crispy, juicy and well seasoned with just the right amount of fat. I would recommend that you order the gravy on the side though.

One of the best happy hours in town, a good fit for an afterwork spot, multiple options, great food and reasonable prices. They also have an extensive cocktails list (not on happy hour: -/), the bartender made us a delicious cocktail with bourbon, lemon and honey.

As someone who has the Celiac disease, the dining out experience can sometimes be tricky for me. I always have to scrutinize the menu, and make sure that whatever I order should not contain a single molecule of gluten. Convivial has a separate gluten-free menu with a lot of healthy and flavorful options. I ordered the trout and it was delicious I even had a great gluten-free dessert called the floating island.

Great atmosphere, very friendly service. Menu is quite moderate and location is upscale. The beer on tap are largely from Microbrews. If you prefer simple food, this isn't the place for you but if you have a diverse palette, you will enjoy it.

The pickled rockfish and grilled daurade were the highlights of a fantastic meal. However, the leeks dijonnaise disappointed. Soggy leeks on a plate could not be vindicated by the egg, breadcrumb, and caper topping. If you love yourself (and sugar), order the sticky toffee pudding. Our table literally gasped with delight at the first mouthful. Cherry on top: the ability to park in the Giant lot next door.

Wonderful modern French food with traditional accents. We had the poulet rouge for two which came pan cooked under a hot brick to cripiness in a tarragon gravy with side dishes of salad, potatoes and roasted carrots and onions. Honestly enough food for three people though they suggest it for 2. The steak frites, rainbow trout and escagot spring rolls were also very good. We ate at Messaria two weeks ago and felt this was better cooking for less than half the price.

The brunch food leans more towards the lunch side (mostly savory) so if you want sweets, this might not be your place. Otherwise, good menu and tasty food.

Really excellent food! Ambience is great and is truly a little gem hiding on a corner. Went past this place for years and never would have expected the quality to be what it was.

What a wonderful evening at Convival. Chef Cedric is so friendly and brilliant. I love the concept of sharing plates, so everyone in our party was able to try different dishes. Especially, because its so hard to choose just one amazing thing on the menu. You order something with an expectation of how wonderful it is going to be and when it actually comes to the table, its so beyond expectations and it will change how you think of the dish forever. The Chicken Coq au vin was perfect and one of Cedric's signature dishes you cannot find anywhere else. I also loved the take on Onions dip and Chips, Latke and the Zucchini Roulade as perfect beginning plates. I had the Steak Frite and it was so yummy and cooked perfectly, for my next visit I am going to try the Ramp Omelette, and hopefully I am going to make it for Brunch soon! Thank you Convivial for such a wonderful experience, the staff were incredible. 5 Stars!