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Nestled in the heart of Washington, DC, The Red Hen is a renowned farm-to-table restaurant offering a cozy dining experience. Our menu features locally sourced ingredients crafted into delicious dishes that showcase the best flavors of the region. From seasonal specialties to signature classics, every meal at The Red Hen is a culinary delight. Step into our welcoming ambiance and savor the freshness of our ingredients expertly prepared by James Beard nominated chef Mike Friedman. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner for two or a gathering with friends and family, The Red Hen provides an intimate setting perfect for any occasion. Come dine with us and discover why we are one of DC’s favorite dining destinations for those seeking e…
Creative wood-fired Italian eats in an airy, rustic-industrial space with open kitchen & large bar.
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:30–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–10 PM |
| Friday | 5–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5–10 PM |
| Sunday | 5–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1822 1st St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 525-3021
Website: https://theredhendc.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: theredhendc.comresy.com
Photo Gallery
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Reviews
Food Lover
“How good could this place possibly be? It’s just pasta,” was my exact thought when my partner suggested we try it. Turns out, it was one of the most incredible dining experiences I’ve had.
The service was exceptional—thoughtful, attentive, and genuinely personalized. They noticed that my partner and I like to share our food, so when our pasta arrived, they placed the dishes in the center and brought us smaller plates to share from. What really impressed me was that they didn’t do this for the couples seated next to us—they served each table exactly how they preferred. That level of attention to detail is rare and honestly impressive.
The food was outstanding. The ricotta toast was so good, the mushroom pasta was absolutely to die for, and the real standout was the cinnamon crunch gelato—holy cow. Easily the best gelato I’ve ever had, and weeks later I still find myself thinking about it.
Highly recommend.
… moreThe service was exceptional—thoughtful, attentive, and genuinely personalized. They noticed that my partner and I like to share our food, so when our pasta arrived, they placed the dishes in the center and brought us smaller plates to share from. What really impressed me was that they didn’t do this for the couples seated next to us—they served each table exactly how they preferred. That level of attention to detail is rare and honestly impressive.
The food was outstanding. The ricotta toast was so good, the mushroom pasta was absolutely to die for, and the real standout was the cinnamon crunch gelato—holy cow. Easily the best gelato I’ve ever had, and weeks later I still find myself thinking about it.
Highly recommend.
Mark Orebiyi
My wife and I recently went to red hen for date night. I’ve been recommended this place multiple times by multiple people so it’s only right. I enjoyed the fact that you can see the kitchen from your seat and everything was open. Our server was great and the head chef was awesome as well. Everyone was so welcoming, friendly and conversational. The Whipped Ricotta Crostini was delicious. The bread to Ricotta ratio was a bit off so we ordered some more bread to balance the ratio. The Rigatoni definitely stole the show. We loved it. They have a pretty extensive non-alcoholic menu which my wife was happy about. The menu is very simple and they do it very well. I look forward to going back. Parking wasn’t too bad but it’s street parking.
… moreYoung K
This was my third visit, and I was especially glad to return with someone dear to me this time.
We shared the whipped ricotta crostini, squid ink linguine and gnocchi. The gnocchi leaned slightly sweet for my personal taste, but the squid ink linguine remains my favourite! It’s the dish I come back for. Next time I’ll likely order the linguine again along with the rigatoni, my usual choice when I can’t quite decide.
Our server recommended a toffee pudding (I didn’t catch the exact name), which was properly rich and suited dessert perfectly. We finished with a Sussuro Bergamo, fresh and citrusy, a very clean ending to the meal.
Each visit has been pleasant thanks to the consistently warm service and reliable cooking. In DC, where dining out can quickly become pricey, it feels rather fortunate to enjoy this level of quality and hospitality at this range.
One small note: there is currently a 3% surcharge added at the end. It was a little unexpected when the bill arrived. Personally, I’d prefer if the prices were simply reflected on the menu instead, as it makes the experience feel more straightforward. Hopefully that might be adjusted in the future.
… moreWe shared the whipped ricotta crostini, squid ink linguine and gnocchi. The gnocchi leaned slightly sweet for my personal taste, but the squid ink linguine remains my favourite! It’s the dish I come back for. Next time I’ll likely order the linguine again along with the rigatoni, my usual choice when I can’t quite decide.
Our server recommended a toffee pudding (I didn’t catch the exact name), which was properly rich and suited dessert perfectly. We finished with a Sussuro Bergamo, fresh and citrusy, a very clean ending to the meal.
Each visit has been pleasant thanks to the consistently warm service and reliable cooking. In DC, where dining out can quickly become pricey, it feels rather fortunate to enjoy this level of quality and hospitality at this range.
One small note: there is currently a 3% surcharge added at the end. It was a little unexpected when the bill arrived. Personally, I’d prefer if the prices were simply reflected on the menu instead, as it makes the experience feel more straightforward. Hopefully that might be adjusted in the future.
Andrew Suri
Have always wanted to try the Red Hen but reservations are always booked! Luckily we were walking by and got sat in as they opened at 5! Excellent food, fresh options and great atmosphere. The pasta option all sounded delicious but we went with the short rib pasta and it was delicious. Glad we crossed it off the list!
… moreAshley Morris
Ambiance – 5/5
Red Hen has such a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a date night or an evening out with friends. Sitting at the bar is an experience in itself—you get a front-row view of the staff preparing everything to order, which adds an exciting, behind-the-scenes feel to the night. The energy is vibrant without being overwhelming, striking just the right balance for an enjoyable evening.
Service – 5/5
On my first visit, I sat at the bar and had such a great experience with our bartender, Sara (apologies if I’m misspelling). She was superb—knowledgeable, informative, and refreshingly honest with her recommendations. I enjoyed it so much that I brought my fiancé back two days later just to sit on the same side of the bar to have Sara again. The entire staff radiates professionalism and care, but Sara’s attentive service really elevated our experience.
Food – 5/5
Every dish at Red Hen is beautifully crafted and bursting with flavor. We started with the Grilled Crostini Bread and Charred Broccolini—the whipped butter was absolute perfection, and the toasted hazelnuts with golden raisins gave the broccolini a radiant mix of textures and flavors, good to the very last bite.
For entrées, we had the Spaghetti Pomodora and the Gnocchetti—both meatless options that didn’t miss a beat. The spaghetti, made with golden tomatoes, offered a lighter, creamy twist on a traditional red sauce, while the Gnocchetti highlighted a perfect balance of flavors with just the right richness.
Dessert was the ultimate finish. The Roasted Maple Panna Cotta was silky smooth, with the hazelnut crumble adding the perfect textural contrast. The Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart, on the other hand, was a true chocolate lover’s dream—rich, decadent, and deeply satisfying.
… moreRed Hen has such a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a date night or an evening out with friends. Sitting at the bar is an experience in itself—you get a front-row view of the staff preparing everything to order, which adds an exciting, behind-the-scenes feel to the night. The energy is vibrant without being overwhelming, striking just the right balance for an enjoyable evening.
Service – 5/5
On my first visit, I sat at the bar and had such a great experience with our bartender, Sara (apologies if I’m misspelling). She was superb—knowledgeable, informative, and refreshingly honest with her recommendations. I enjoyed it so much that I brought my fiancé back two days later just to sit on the same side of the bar to have Sara again. The entire staff radiates professionalism and care, but Sara’s attentive service really elevated our experience.
Food – 5/5
Every dish at Red Hen is beautifully crafted and bursting with flavor. We started with the Grilled Crostini Bread and Charred Broccolini—the whipped butter was absolute perfection, and the toasted hazelnuts with golden raisins gave the broccolini a radiant mix of textures and flavors, good to the very last bite.
For entrées, we had the Spaghetti Pomodora and the Gnocchetti—both meatless options that didn’t miss a beat. The spaghetti, made with golden tomatoes, offered a lighter, creamy twist on a traditional red sauce, while the Gnocchetti highlighted a perfect balance of flavors with just the right richness.
Dessert was the ultimate finish. The Roasted Maple Panna Cotta was silky smooth, with the hazelnut crumble adding the perfect textural contrast. The Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart, on the other hand, was a true chocolate lover’s dream—rich, decadent, and deeply satisfying.
Britton Burdick (Britton T. Burdick)
The Red Hen is a victim of its own success. The rave reviews and famous dishes set the bar high — but it underwhelmed on my visit. After hearing so much about the place, I was certain the food would be phenomenal. It was not a bad meal, but neither was it memorable. The word that comes to mind is “decent.”
The mezzi rigatoni you’ve heard so much about? It’s good. But it’s not $28 good. It’s definitely not wait-a-week-for-a-reservation good. It’s a solid 3.75 out of 5.
While the unfussy neighborhood feel lends it a quaint atmosphere, the tables can be quite close together, making it easy to peek at what your neighbors are ordering and potentially feel like every word you utter is being eavesdropped on.
If our neighbors had been listening in on us, they might have heard us express tepidity. If a friend desperately wanted to visit, I’d allow myself to tag along for their sake — but it’s not on my list of must-try Italian joints in DC.
… moreThe mezzi rigatoni you’ve heard so much about? It’s good. But it’s not $28 good. It’s definitely not wait-a-week-for-a-reservation good. It’s a solid 3.75 out of 5.
While the unfussy neighborhood feel lends it a quaint atmosphere, the tables can be quite close together, making it easy to peek at what your neighbors are ordering and potentially feel like every word you utter is being eavesdropped on.
If our neighbors had been listening in on us, they might have heard us express tepidity. If a friend desperately wanted to visit, I’d allow myself to tag along for their sake — but it’s not on my list of must-try Italian joints in DC.
Derin Ertek
After years of waiting I finally got into The Red Hand, and it was worth it. The Irish chef/owner puts his heart into Italian cooking—no pizza here, just amazing pasta, rich flavors, and desserts you can’t miss. A truly unique dining experience!”
… moreN. R.
Just two of us, we arrived early evening without reservations. We grabbed seats at the bar and we were quickly offered drinks and menus. Food options are excellent, for an app we ordered the whipped ricotta crostini – beyond delicious! For entrees we enjoyed the squid ink linguini and mezzi rigatoni. The combination of excellent service, cool vibe, and great food can’t be beat.
… moreAndy
What a nice wonderful place is this one! Makes me wish I lived in DC. I was visiting and chose this restaurant for dinner. Boy, am I glad I came! It was worth the whole trip. Food was not only delicious but interesting, drinks were fabulous and the service was nothing but perfect.
… moreJennifer Lee
Red Hen is one of those rare hidden gems in DC that truly lives up to the hype—especially if you’re a pasta lover. Having dined at most of the top-rated pasta spots around the city, I keep coming back to Red Hen. It consistently delivers some of the best pasta dishes you’ll find anywhere in the area.
The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, with a warm, rustic charm that makes it perfect for date nights or relaxed evenings with friends. While parking in the area can be tricky (we typically opt for an Uber), it’s well worth the minor hassle.
I’ve never made a reservation but have always found a spot at the bar, which I actually prefer. The bartenders are friendly, attentive, and make the overall experience even better with great service and solid recommendations.
The standout dish for me is the squid ink linguine with calamari—rich, briny, and perfectly balanced. I also can’t visit without ordering the whipped ricotta crostini. It’s simple but exceptional, with creamy ricotta and just the right amount of seasoning on toasted bread.
If you’re looking for a top-tier pasta experience in DC without the pretension, Red Hen is the place. It’s a spot I recommend time and again, and it never disappoints.
… moreThe atmosphere is cozy and intimate, with a warm, rustic charm that makes it perfect for date nights or relaxed evenings with friends. While parking in the area can be tricky (we typically opt for an Uber), it’s well worth the minor hassle.
I’ve never made a reservation but have always found a spot at the bar, which I actually prefer. The bartenders are friendly, attentive, and make the overall experience even better with great service and solid recommendations.
The standout dish for me is the squid ink linguine with calamari—rich, briny, and perfectly balanced. I also can’t visit without ordering the whipped ricotta crostini. It’s simple but exceptional, with creamy ricotta and just the right amount of seasoning on toasted bread.
If you’re looking for a top-tier pasta experience in DC without the pretension, Red Hen is the place. It’s a spot I recommend time and again, and it never disappoints.