The Capitol Visitor Center Restaurant

I would be remiss if I didn't write about one of my more peculiar but fun dining experiences from 2024 which was eating at the visitor center for the us capitol building. I know thar that sounds really funny but we were in a pinch before our tour of the Capitol (free to set up) and this place was a perfect spot to grab some grub. How often do you get to eat with visitors from around the country or even the world and congregational staffers and interns in one location.The place is clean and well lit and service is fast and efficient. Pick what you want and go. For me, the big winner on value and taste was the special dish they served which I think is served at previous house innagurations? This time it was a stuffed quail with wild rice and veggies for like 17 bucks and it was solid and tasty too. This dish probably costs more at a restaurant so ima add this as a federal tax refund of sorts, but I digress. Five stars for coming in clutch. Is it something I would drop my plans in DC to go visit? No. But is it worth checking out and for grabbing a meal if you are touring the capitol and around the area? Yes indeed

Good to visit for convenience. Lots of options for different tastes and wants. The salad bar wasn't labelled so I accidentally put tuna on my salad.

We had breakfast here before a tour of the Capitol. It was standard American fare - scrambled eggs, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, waffle, potatoes - of standard quality and flavor. Good service and affordable prices. Full review at https://www.marga.org/foodblog/2025/02/dining-in-dc-capitol-cafe/

Not bad for a tourist cafeteria, simple classics with plenty of options. I had a hot dog and fries, my wife had a cheeseburger. I didn't try the desert bar but it looked appetizing.

The food is mediocre and over priced,however the employees work very fast.I would recommend if you are in a hurry and don't care about the prices.

2 stars for allowing us to use free cups for ice water. what a lifesaver! Went down for dessert treat and they all looked so decadent and artistic! Seemed very promising! We were about to grab a fruit tart and a Capitol shaped white chocolate sculpture thing but immediately changed our minds when we saw tons of fruit flies over every single dessert on the display. Apparently the bananas on the counter above was the cause. So sadly my kid just grabbed a smooshed ice cream cone from the freezer and we called it a day.

Better than expected and staff very friendly. Not to mention a clean orderly operation. They are family friendly. They are located behind the ticketing are on the first level which is really the basement. My visit was over the Summer and it was very busy. The set up is cafeteria style and they have a lot of variety including dessert. Drinks are bottled and fountain. Checkout was smooth in a central area. Restrooms are nearby. I had a roast beef sandwich that was just ok, but a ton of meat. My wife had bbq and macaroni and it was reported as great! I tried and agreed. Yelp has them under category fast food which is not the correct description. Cafeteria is best fit. Prices are fair which seems like a theme in most of the DC museums. 3.5 rounding down with my sandwich being weak. Recommend not skipping in you are hungry and already there.

Located inside the Visitor Center of the Capitol, this is a cafeteria style restaurant. Plenty of food options in here including pastas, salad bar, pizza, hot dog, burgers, espresso, ice cream, pies and desserts, and many other foods. The food is a bit expensive for cafeteria food, but your getting charged for the convenience. My family and I decided to pay because we were starving and we had so much more to see after touring Congress. My mother got to pasta with some pie for dessert. My brother got a hot dog and fries. I got two slices of pepperoni pizza and a Hershey's chocolate bar (you know because I am an adult but I decided once I reached adult hood I would eat like I wanted to back at 7 years of age ). Was the food good, sure but it was standard cafeteria grade... we paid over 30 dollars for this meal....a bit much. Still it got the job done.

The Congress and the Capitol Architect created the best food experience on the mall. Fresh food, many options available, reasonably priced. When compared to the Smithsonian food offerings ... The Smithsonian should come see how to feed people.

Excellent food and service. Love the capitol dome white chocolate dessert. Our favorite place to stop while on the tour.