Tunnicliff’s Tavern

The Saturday of MLK weekend, I came here w/​5 friends for an early brunch. Our ever-​lovely DC host led us here b/​c she is a genius. We were sat right away w/​no problem and our server greeted us promptly. We all had the brunch drink specials (Bloody Marys or mimosas for $ 5) and we all loved our drinks. I’m a Bloody Mary gal (check all my other brunch reviews ha) and this was probably the best I’ve ever had. So, so, so good. I also had water and coffee and our server was very prompt about refilling all drinks and making sure I had enough cream and Splenda (v. important in my coffee life). We all either had the lox or crab benedicts or the crab omelet. I, myself, had the crab omelet and it was perfect. I rarely eat everything on my plate, but I totally demolished it AND the potatoes (which were some of the better breakfast potatoes I’ve had). Perfect sized portions and well-​seasoned food. I believe the consensus among the benedict eaters was the lox benedict was better than the crab. I was definitely a happy camper after brunch here.

One of my favorite spots for a quick drink after work or posting up for brunch and football on Sunday’s. Great bartenders and a comfortable neighborhood feel

Headed here with some friends after a New Years Day morning run so we were starving. A good number of us had the blueberry pancakes and they were excellent. I also had a side of eggs, bacon, and a cup of hot tea and left feeling like I started 2016 right, haha.

We went on a Friday evening around 6. It seemed to be mostly families with young kids, which makes sense as it is the only place I’ve been lately that had a kids menu. Wait staff were friendly and attentive but not overly so. It was a good experience.
I would say that I was pleasantly surprised by this place. We went there as sort of a pre-​bar happy hour spot. I got the chicken wings which I was a little nervous about; being from upstate New York makes you a connoisseur of wings. They came out and were nice and crispy. The sauce was a little different that what I am used to but tangy and delicious. I am likely to get my wings there next time I have a craving.

This durable tavern has been a presence on Cap Hill since forever. About 2 years back, it changed the colors of its interior so that it’s less dark, but other than that, I find it to be the same joint I walked into 2 decades ago.
The regulars are very much entrenched here; am not one of them, but I (or anyone else) can still have a good time.
As for the food? Well, it’s just alright. Their Happy Hour has no food specials (at least I’ve never experienced it). The bar is full service and offers a wide selection of drinks as well as decently reduced prices for HH.
The best thing about Tunnicliff’s is the staff. They treat you like family. This is why folks return again and again. I am always made to feel like a VIP here, and stop in only occasionally per year. It’s often been stated ad nauseam in reviews that some watering hole is a «Cheers» bar. While I hate to employ such a hackneyed comparison yet again, must admit that if forced to name just one place in all of the DMV that is like the well-​beloved TV show, I’d say Tunnicliff’s wins hands down.

Stopped in for brunch here on a whim with a friend. Every other place we passed had no tables open but we were able to snag one here without a wait. Besides the $ 5 mimosa and Bloody Mary specials lured me in like a moth to a flame. The food was the normal brunch stuff, decently priced and decently tasting. Nothing very memorable but enjoyable enough. It was nice to go easy on the wallet for once and be a little conventional. Tunnicliff’s is a good neighborhood pub that isn’t fussy but doesn’t stand out either.

Nice little neighborhood bar. It gets lively on the weekends but there are definitely loyal locals here on the weekdays too so the scene is usually pretty good.
The service is usually friendly and they get to know the usual that come in frequently pretty well.
I usually stuck with their buffalo chicken sandwich but their egg hamburger for brunch was also pretty good.
Definitely a place to check out after a game or if you live in the area.

I lived, ate, and drank on Capitol Hill for almost 10 years and I’m proud to call Tunni’s one of my all time favorites. It was once the only decent outdoor seating in the neighborhood and it is still among the best. At 22 I spent hazy Saturdays with friends, enjoying farmers omelettes, bloodys and people watching. At 30 I spent less hazy Saturdays with my then-​girlfriend (now wife) and our black lab, enjoying short ribs or pizza, local IPAs, and the fact that they were always great to our pup.
The food is good. Better than bar food, but not gourmet. The menu really is varied, with options for a lot of different tastes. The beer list has one of everything, but is not spectacular. Seemed to be a lot of turnover in the service, and some folks were more helpful than others. But it really didn’t matter, because we came for the patio, the reliability, the proximity and the familiarity. And I wouldn’t change a thing. Although I wouldn’t mind if they franchised into suburban Boston.

Good location on the Capitol Hill Farmers Market. had breakfast. Food was good and served quick. Eggs Chesapeake was a great twist on Eggs Benedict with crabmeat. Bar inside looks fun, but morning was too early to partake. Definite revisit to try the beers.

Can’t think of a more mediocre place in a city full of excellent, inventive restaurants. If you’re into overpriced bar food, this place is perfect. The staff seem to be annoyed to have to serve you. Icing on the cake was the rude waitress who made a big deal when I asked if it would be easy to split my check off from my group’s so I could leave early. I guess that’s what Venmo is for.

This is a great spot for meeting a bunch of people for brunch. They have a large dining room and patio, which can accommodate many different party sizes. The service is great, they are very attentive, friendly and quick. I had the crab omelette which was delicious. It was the perfect size portion, and I didn’t feel completely stuffed after leaving — which often happens after brunching. Though the food was great, I would not recommend coming here if you are looking for delicious boozy drinks. The Bloody Mary’s taste like salty watered down tomatoes and the mimosas are made with both the cheapest orange juice and champagne found.

The service was rushed and rude. Waiters were glorified food runners who showed no real interest in our experience– or for getting our order right. I ordered the Eggs Chesapeake with a side of fruit and whole wheat toast — I received a side of sausage and white toast! What? My friend’s side orders were also completely wrong.
The food was satisfying but not great. Not memorable. Half underdone, half crisped hash browns. The Eggs Chesapeake barely had any crab meat (surprise surprise). The French toast was good and their fruit was fresh. Okay mimosas.
Apart from the good people watching on their shaded patio, this is not a place I would recommended.

I wish I had better review to leave…
We dined outside and I had gyro, whereas rest of diners tried chicken tenders and the special: pork chops.
The tenders were ok. Nothing special, served on fries.
You know when you leave food in the fridge too long past the expiration date? And it tastes off and not quite right? That sums up the gyro. Maybe after a beer or 2 you don’t notice… Bummer. I was disappointed and server did nothing to correct.

Went here with some friends for dinner, spur of the moment seeking shelter from the rain in their awning covered patio area. Just missed the happy hour specials — go between 4−7pm for those. Good selection of beer and wine, good service. Some people started smoking in the patio with all the screens zipped closed, so we asked to be moved inside and they were fine, let us pick a table. The food was excellent. I got the black and blue salad, very tender steak, didn’t even need to cut it. Others got the tuna melt, black and blue burger, all looked good. Prices and service both good, recommended. The patio area was a bit loud and raucous, inside much quieter and relaxing…

No matter how many pizza places open on the Hill, Tunnicliffs has the best. Thin crust loaded with great ingredients. Get the Mediterranean and a Greek salad. You won’t be disappointed!
Alison

Took my parents to this place to eat an early dinner on Sunday. The service was subpar and they weren’t that busy. The fish and chips were good. The fish was a good portion but beware of young, drunk female hill staffers who have vocal fry and bitch about their privileged lives – hella annoying. Average at best but so many better places to eat in Eastern Market

Ooooooooooh Tunnicliffs!
1. It’s my favorite bar on the Hill for music. I loves me some 90’s Rock. Think the Bush pandora station.
2. The outdoor seating. They have a fairly large patio with an awning. Love it, I can be outside without frying.
3. Happy hour. It’s $ 4 rails and $ 3 miller and yuengling. Can’t beat that with a stick. Minus the jerk who though there was a scotch rail drink. WTF? No dude.
I haven’t eaten there yet because I always wonder down to tortilla café but maybe soon!

Stopped here for brunch on a Sunday and had the Breakfast pizza. I was a little hesitant at first as I had never had an egg on a pizza before, but it was good!
The service was not the greatest. It’s a pet-​peeve of mine when a waiter can’t keep up with our drinks. We only asked for water, and it took 10 minutes to come out and was never refilled while we had it. Our waiter never came to ask how we were doing, and I had to ask more than once to get a to-​go box.

Food is solid and it’s in a great location if you’re trying to enjoy a nice brunch in Eastern Market. Not terribly expensive, but the place is usually packed so expect to wait a bit for a table.

Best late night restaurant in the area. Our Folger theater group usually comes here. Excellent prices and food. Bathrooms could use some work though…