Nina May

I am a foodie that has lived in DC for nearly four years. Nina May is my new favorite restaurant, maybe ever.I came for restaurant week and had the chef's choice with the wine pairing. My table wasn't ready and I received a complementary glass of champagne.I was solo, and called ahead of time to ask if I could do the chefs choice with only one person. The manager said yes! Although, I personally think it is too much food for one person and I thought they'd just reduce the portions.Anyway, my favorites were by beer battered fish, gnocchi, carrot cake, and the cannolis. The chicken was a bit dry, but still tasty!I have been shouting from the rooftops about Nina May since I visited! I'm looking forward to returning.

Ate here Sunday night for restaurant week.The good:Food was generally tasty. The three of us ate the $55 RW menu, which featured:- baked oysters served with kimchi and lettuce wraps. Odd, but also oddly good! I was surprised how much I liked the oyster/kimchi combo.- mozzarella and roasted pumpkin was quite delicious. Came with bread, but the bread didn't come with the best part of the meal (you had to ask)): the churned butter. You have to order it. So good.- Cod Loin was perfectly fried and steaming hot inside, and the tartar sauce accompanying it was delicious.- Cacio e pepe agnolotti was interesting but surprisingly bland (too much cacio, not enough pepe) and it was served lukewarm, which was disappointing.- lemon + thyme toasted chicken was decently flavored but overcooked and dry. Otherwise not terribly memorable.- carrot cake was delicious - moist and flavorful.The bad:- Service started off slow, and disappeared at key times through the evening, even though it was by no means busy in the restaurant.The ugly:- Another DC restaurant still charging a 3% "service fee" 5 years after COVID. Shameful. As with the other restaurants I've visited still fleecing their customers in this way, I will not return to Nina May due to this policy. Treat your customers with respect and tell them the true price of your menu IN the menu. If it's worth it, they'll pay (see, for example Steven Starr's many wonderful establishments that don't play these games).Restaurant was pretty empty and the ambiance was quiet, allowing for easy conversation.

I made a brunch reservation the day before on open table.When I first arrived I was unsure. They sat me downstairs (I was the only diner down there) and it sounded like all the fun was upstairs. Being by myself, I was missing some ambiance/noise.But, that quickly changed as more diners arrived. Soon it was bustling all around.The service was impeccable. Slightly formal in tone, similar to fine dining, which I appreciate.But the real highlight of Nina May is the food quality. Flawless.I had the cacio e pepe cauliflower risotto, some bacon, toast, and a cup of coffee.You can absolutely taste the freshness and quality of the ingredients. The risotto was absolutely amazing. Maybe the best risotto I've ever had. It was unbelievable. I don't care about cauliflower normally. But this could not have been better. Had the flavor of Romano (not sure if that's what it was though). These taste bomb breadcrumb crispy things. Peppery but not too peppery. This dish alone is worth the visit. If you like cacio e pepe or even Alfredo, and like black pepper, you will love this dish. Creamy, cheesy, indulgent, perfect.The bacon was fresh high quality meat. Cooked perfectly crispy without burning.Fresh sourdough toast with amazing fresh jam. They brought out butter and it looked like they just made it.Everything was just flawless. I cannot think of a criticism.

This review is closer to 3.5 stars than 3! Ok so I came back here in 2025 and the follow up was a little less impressive than my first time around. I, of course did the chefs table again with the multiple rounds of food, because it's such a delight having several rounds of food lol. The price obviously has increased, but the options haven't changed much and the taste was cool whereas the first time I had this (pre-pandemic) I was blown away! The service was friendly but pretty slow, we did go on a Saturday night so maybe that's why. The interior is still welcoming and clean!

Exceptionally fresh and flavorful New American cuisine! Ambiance & Service: Cozy interior with a rustic-modern vibe. Our server was friendly and attentive!Food:- Blistered Shishito Peppers: Perfectly spicy and smoky, with candied olives adding a balanced tart/sweet touch. - Butternut Squash + Taleggio Agnolotti: A standout dish! Sweet squash, crunchy and savory pumpkin seeds, and incredible flavor. Must-order! TL;DR: Cozy spot with attentive service. Must-try the Butternut Squash Agnolotti!

The food was beyond great. You truly will enjoy every bite. I really enjoyed the rockfish. Definitely take time to order. You'll want more after each bite. Service was so quick. Plus, each person is so personable. You'll enjoy the customer service. The atmosphere is beyond adorable. Perfect place for any occasion.

Nina May's brunch is still one of my top favorites in the city! They keep things fresh by changing up their menu with the seasons, so it's always worth checking what's new before you go. I visited for a friend's birthday weekend and everything was fantastic. Our table kicked things off with the seasonal margaritas and apple mimosas (a great twist). A few of us went with the burger, which was amazing, and we shared the French toast--super delicious--and a side of crispy hash browns and fries. The service was on point too; our waitress was attentive and friendly, making sure we had everything we needed. Two of my friends went for the chef's tasting menu and loved most of it, though the duck didn't quite hit the mark for them (but that's usually an acquired taste). Overall, a solid brunch spot that never disappoints! The heated patio was just right. Cozy and warm.

This is definitely one of my favorite spots for an upscale brunch in Washington DC! The atmosphere is really pleasant, as is the staff, and the food menu has a narrow but delicious selection of options.Both times I've visited, we've gotten the chefs menu and although it hadn't changed since I visited several months ago, it was still delicious! The star of the meal , though, was their French toast! It was a last minute addition to our table, but it more than satisfied our sweet tooth! Their cocktails were great as well!It's definitely on the pricier side of brunch spots in the city, but in my opinion, it is worth every penny!

Service was great, our waiter was friendly. Decor was comfortable but chic. Blue ocean theme feels like a seaside restaurant almost. Food and drinks were amazing! Really the standout of the experience. Both filling and flavorful. We split 3 plates between two people and were stuffed. Our favorite was definitely the French toast. But the omelette and chicken were also memorable. I think it was a bit pricey but it's DC and seems like a farm to table restaurant so I get it. Spent about $120 for two drinks, and 3 plates during Brunch. Would definitely comeback as the menu rotates each season. Honorable mention to the watermelon margarita and espresso martini!

I had a wonderful brunch here with a friend. We made reservations for a Saturday around noon, though there were a lot of open tables for walk-ins. The restaurant is more spacious than expected, with a charming upstairs and cute patio area. We opted for the Chef's Choice menu.Heirloom Tomato Salad - I'm not usually a big fan of tomatoes and didn't love the cherry tomatoes in this dish, but the heirloom tomatoes were excellent. The sumac-pickled red onions added a nice acidity, while the rice crisp brought a nice texture. The smoked tofu added a subtle smokiness that tied the dish together. (4/5)Yukon Gold Hash Browns + Smoked Salmon - This was a delicious and well-balanced dish. The smoked salmon tasted fresh, and the pickled shallots brought a bright acidity. The herbed cream cheese complimented the salmon, while the hash browns and pistachio dukkah provided a nice textural balance to the other components of the dish. (5/5)Braised Short Rib Eggs Benedict - The poached eggs were perfect, and the short rib was rich and flavorful. This was a well-executed take on eggs benedict. (4/5)Lemon + Thyme Rosted Pennsylvania Chicken - The chicken was roasted to perfection, tender and juicy, with the lemon providing a nice acidity that brightened the dish. This hearty brunch option is perfect if you're still recovering from the night before. (5/5)