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MARCUS DC, by celebrated Chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson, blends modern American cooking with Black culinary traditions from D.C. to Ethiopia, and beyond. Inspired by heritage, the seasons and a sense of place, the menu features mambo-sauced roast chicken, grilled whole bass and dry-aged tomahawk steak. Executive Chef Anthony Jones, a true Marlyander, brings his own story with dishes like Mel’s Crab Rice with early summer mushroom, hot sauce pickled okra, and uni béarnaise, an ode to his favorite crab shack in Calvert County. Located steps from the NoMA metro, Marcus DC is both a neighborhood gathering place and destination restaurant in the greater Union Market neighborhood. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 222 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 280-2288
Website: https://marcusdc.com/marcus-dc
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
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Reviews
Jeffrey Menzer
First time dining at this lovely restaurant. Went for restaurant week with friends and had an excellent meal. 3-4 choices for first and second courses—up charge for the steak. First courses were great with unexpected flavors. Roasted cauliflower was good but needed bolded flavors. Friendly service. Great atmosphere for a hotel restaurant. Open kitchen. Spoke with chef! (Only weirdness is the fish display on ice in a nook in the corner—not for eating. Please replace with plants or art. Food for display purposes is wasteful IMO)
Highly recommend this restaurant. Great for groups—some large tables.
(Hey Marcus DC-thanks for the bot reply. And congrats Chef Anthony for the Beard nomination! Well done)
… moreHighly recommend this restaurant. Great for groups—some large tables.
(Hey Marcus DC-thanks for the bot reply. And congrats Chef Anthony for the Beard nomination! Well done)
Ephrata
Easiest 5 stars to give. Wonderful service where the waiter explains that the restaurant is a fusion of African American, Swedish and Ethiopian flavors. I wasn’t to sure how all those different cuisines could compliment each other on one plate. Well I was in for a treat!
The lamb was out of this world. So tender, seasoned well and good for those who like flavor without it being overly spicy. The lamb can EASILY feed 3 (we were a party of 2 and are still working on the leftovers over the day after). It came with a side of pickled veggies and collard greens. As someone who doesn’t like collard greens generally, these were the best I’ve ever had.
We got the chance to speak to the chef who you can tell loves his craft. The subtle addition of the Ethiopian spices and grains in the corn bread, lamb, and almond cake gives you an “oh something good is in here but I just can’t put my finger on it” feeling.
I’ve been to many great restaurants, but this is the first time I actually saw food as an art and saw all the different flavors mixed together to make something truly beautiful and unique.
… moreThe lamb was out of this world. So tender, seasoned well and good for those who like flavor without it being overly spicy. The lamb can EASILY feed 3 (we were a party of 2 and are still working on the leftovers over the day after). It came with a side of pickled veggies and collard greens. As someone who doesn’t like collard greens generally, these were the best I’ve ever had.
We got the chance to speak to the chef who you can tell loves his craft. The subtle addition of the Ethiopian spices and grains in the corn bread, lamb, and almond cake gives you an “oh something good is in here but I just can’t put my finger on it” feeling.
I’ve been to many great restaurants, but this is the first time I actually saw food as an art and saw all the different flavors mixed together to make something truly beautiful and unique.
Jennifer Carter
Our experience at Marcus DC was outstanding from start to finish. The cocktails were incredible, and the food was both unique and delicious. Chuck B’s Roast Chicken was the standout dish of the night as it was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. We were also pleasantly surprised by the seasonal cantaloupe sorbet; I’m not usually a fan of cantaloupe, but I absolutely loved it. The blue cornbread was moist and flavorful, and the yassa butter complemented it perfectly.
Our server, G, was exceptionally attentive and enthusiastic, making us feel truly celebrated during our anniversary weekend. The complimentary dessert and sparkling wine were a thoughtful touch that made the evening even more special. The restaurant’s decor was visually stunning, and I especially loved the open kitchen layout.
I’d highly recommend Marcus DC to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.
… moreOur server, G, was exceptionally attentive and enthusiastic, making us feel truly celebrated during our anniversary weekend. The complimentary dessert and sparkling wine were a thoughtful touch that made the evening even more special. The restaurant’s decor was visually stunning, and I especially loved the open kitchen layout.
I’d highly recommend Marcus DC to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.
Amal Adnan
The atmosphere of this restaurant was beautiful, warm and welcoming.
We started our evening with drinks and I decided to try this non-alcoholic drink “Addis Sol” that our waiter “G” said he put his approval stamp on and to my amazement, It was super delicious!
The flavors of the food were pronounced in every bite! The blue cornbread, scallops, crab fried rice etc. all said it all! Very delicious food!
I would love to come back and try more of the other selections on the menu.
Oh! I actually walked to the back of the restaurant to check out one of their dining rooms that had this beautiful chandelier that kept pulling my attention from my table! Apart from the chandelier, the walls had some lovely pictures from Africa if I’m not mistaken.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Our waiter was super nice and I will highly recommend this restaurant if you’re in the Washington, DC area!♥️
… moreWe started our evening with drinks and I decided to try this non-alcoholic drink “Addis Sol” that our waiter “G” said he put his approval stamp on and to my amazement, It was super delicious!
The flavors of the food were pronounced in every bite! The blue cornbread, scallops, crab fried rice etc. all said it all! Very delicious food!
I would love to come back and try more of the other selections on the menu.
Oh! I actually walked to the back of the restaurant to check out one of their dining rooms that had this beautiful chandelier that kept pulling my attention from my table! Apart from the chandelier, the walls had some lovely pictures from Africa if I’m not mistaken.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Our waiter was super nice and I will highly recommend this restaurant if you’re in the Washington, DC area!♥️
malvina gasco
First time at Marcus and we loved it. Every dish was better than the other- don’t miss the steak tartar, tuna crudo, corn bread, and dessert pudding. Service was 10/10, we can’t wait to go back.
… moreJosh Kurnot
Feels like home. Tastes like home. Smells like home. Marcus must be home cooking elevated to the Heavens. From the kindest reception and drink recommendations from the homies, even after arriving late for our reservation, to the man G who lived to serve us, our experience was through the roof. Style and culture drips from every inch of the dining room’s interior. Chef Anthony Jones even took the time to sit with us and celebrate the flavors that adorned our table. Rumor has it, the fusion of flavors that make up home here, are always evolving with the staff and the seasons. There will never be enough kind words to write about the people that took care of us that evening.
… moreChassity Ferguson
My husband surprised me with an amazing anniversary date to Marcus DC earlier this month. I was unaware that he had opened a new restaurant in DC. My husband and I are both huge fans of Chef Marcus Samuelsson! We love how culturally rooted and unique his food is. The way his mind works when it comes to conceptualizing dishes is unmatched and you are never left disappointed!
As we were walking up to the restaurant that my husband still hadn’t mentioned that we were going to, I looked inside this restaurant from outside and said to him, “I love the vibe of this restaurant! I would love to go there!” He chuckled and looked at me and says, “That’s where we’re going.” I was ecstatic at this point! He opened the door and I walked inside and saw Marcus DC! It still hadn’t registered to me where we were going, and then he tells me, “It’s Marcus’ new restaurant!” I was thrilled and immediately thanked him while smiling so hard.
We walked inside and was greeted with the most warm welcome and the atmosphere was inviting, cozy, and comfortable. The soft lighting gave such a calming effect that made you feel at home. The design was striking and colorful! The host led us to our seat, and just within a moment of being seated, we were greeted by Marcus himself. It was so surreal and very much unexpected!
We had the pleasure of having “G” as our server and he went above and beyond. He confidently described the menu and gave us suggestions on what dishes to try. His knowledge and efficiency provided us with a top tier experience!
The menu had four courses with side dishes—they were Table Talk, Impressions, Gatherings, Nourishers, and Companions. We tried a dish from each one.
We started with the blue cornbread—it melted in our mouths and brought back such nolstagia for me from my great-grandmother’s cornbread that it brought tears to my eyes. It was comforting to my soul! We then had the seared scallops that was absolutely melt in your mouth succulent and delicious! And then our main dish being a 32 oz dry-aged tomahawk—it was so tender and juicy! And to top it all off, we finished with a decadent and delicious Plum Almond Teff Cake—and we were given a dessert on the house for our anniversary. It was the most incredible and delightful experience we’ve had in a while! I loved everything about the night that I didn’t want to leave! Marcus didn’t just open a restaurant, he opened a community, a cultural experience, and gave us food that had depth and blessed our souls. I look forward to our next dining experience!
… moreAs we were walking up to the restaurant that my husband still hadn’t mentioned that we were going to, I looked inside this restaurant from outside and said to him, “I love the vibe of this restaurant! I would love to go there!” He chuckled and looked at me and says, “That’s where we’re going.” I was ecstatic at this point! He opened the door and I walked inside and saw Marcus DC! It still hadn’t registered to me where we were going, and then he tells me, “It’s Marcus’ new restaurant!” I was thrilled and immediately thanked him while smiling so hard.
We walked inside and was greeted with the most warm welcome and the atmosphere was inviting, cozy, and comfortable. The soft lighting gave such a calming effect that made you feel at home. The design was striking and colorful! The host led us to our seat, and just within a moment of being seated, we were greeted by Marcus himself. It was so surreal and very much unexpected!
We had the pleasure of having “G” as our server and he went above and beyond. He confidently described the menu and gave us suggestions on what dishes to try. His knowledge and efficiency provided us with a top tier experience!
The menu had four courses with side dishes—they were Table Talk, Impressions, Gatherings, Nourishers, and Companions. We tried a dish from each one.
We started with the blue cornbread—it melted in our mouths and brought back such nolstagia for me from my great-grandmother’s cornbread that it brought tears to my eyes. It was comforting to my soul! We then had the seared scallops that was absolutely melt in your mouth succulent and delicious! And then our main dish being a 32 oz dry-aged tomahawk—it was so tender and juicy! And to top it all off, we finished with a decadent and delicious Plum Almond Teff Cake—and we were given a dessert on the house for our anniversary. It was the most incredible and delightful experience we’ve had in a while! I loved everything about the night that I didn’t want to leave! Marcus didn’t just open a restaurant, he opened a community, a cultural experience, and gave us food that had depth and blessed our souls. I look forward to our next dining experience!
Elsa Alvarado
Marcus had been on my list for a while after seeing it featured among D.C.’s top new restaurants, so I went in with pretty high expectations. While I wouldn’t call it a 5/5 experience, there were definite highlights: especially the cornbread and both desserts, which were absolute standouts.
That said, some dishes felt a bit underwhelming in portion size. The tuna tartare and Parmesan gnocchi were good but disappeared in just a couple of bites, and since this isn’t a tasting menu, I expected a bit more. The fish dishes, particularly the salmon, were solid but not exceptional.
On the positive side, the Blushing Root cocktail was fantastic: bright, balanced, and memorable. Overall, a good experience with some real highs, but a few details kept it from being truly great.
… moreThat said, some dishes felt a bit underwhelming in portion size. The tuna tartare and Parmesan gnocchi were good but disappeared in just a couple of bites, and since this isn’t a tasting menu, I expected a bit more. The fish dishes, particularly the salmon, were solid but not exceptional.
On the positive side, the Blushing Root cocktail was fantastic: bright, balanced, and memorable. Overall, a good experience with some real highs, but a few details kept it from being truly great.
Regina Easley
We had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday at Marcus DC, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s newest restaurant is a masterclass in culinary storytelling—each dish beautifully crafted with depth, heritage, and imagination.
We began with the blue corn bread served with yassa butter—a simple-sounding starter that was anything but. The butter melted effortlessly into the warm bread, setting a perfect tone for what was to come. Next was the Swediopian, a stunning fusion of Chef Samuelsson’s Ethiopian and Swedish roots. The smoked salmon was delicately balanced by teff crisps, goldenberries, and a bright sauce—truly a standout.
For our main, we shared Mel’s crab rice, a comforting, flavor-packed dish with mushrooms, okra, and peppers. Every bite was rich and hearty. On our server’s recommendation, we added the crispy sweet potatoes, expecting something typical—but these were extraordinary. Roasted with the skin on, they offered a complex texture and came topped with crème fraîche and salmon roe. Easily the most memorable sweet potatoes I’ve ever had.
Dessert did not disappoint. The team brought out a celebratory orange panna cotta, and we also tried the Plum Almond Teff Cake. It was gluten-free, subtly sweet, and paired perfectly with cardamom ice cream—a unique and satisfying finish.
The service was outstanding. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing the origins of each dish and suggesting combinations that elevated our experience.
I can’t wait to return. Marcus DC is more than a meal—it’s a culinary journey worth taking.
… moreWe began with the blue corn bread served with yassa butter—a simple-sounding starter that was anything but. The butter melted effortlessly into the warm bread, setting a perfect tone for what was to come. Next was the Swediopian, a stunning fusion of Chef Samuelsson’s Ethiopian and Swedish roots. The smoked salmon was delicately balanced by teff crisps, goldenberries, and a bright sauce—truly a standout.
For our main, we shared Mel’s crab rice, a comforting, flavor-packed dish with mushrooms, okra, and peppers. Every bite was rich and hearty. On our server’s recommendation, we added the crispy sweet potatoes, expecting something typical—but these were extraordinary. Roasted with the skin on, they offered a complex texture and came topped with crème fraîche and salmon roe. Easily the most memorable sweet potatoes I’ve ever had.
Dessert did not disappoint. The team brought out a celebratory orange panna cotta, and we also tried the Plum Almond Teff Cake. It was gluten-free, subtly sweet, and paired perfectly with cardamom ice cream—a unique and satisfying finish.
The service was outstanding. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing the origins of each dish and suggesting combinations that elevated our experience.
I can’t wait to return. Marcus DC is more than a meal—it’s a culinary journey worth taking.
Candice Grizer
We sat at the bar for our meal. The service was amazing. Quick, friendly, and informative. The blue cornbread should be a requirement! For a main course, definitely try the drum fish. The accompanying sides were stellar. The restaurant itself is beautiful and cozy. We will definitely be back.
… more