Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
1789
280Pearl PointsOccasion Dinner

About 1789
1789 is worth choosing for a formal Georgetown dinner when the occasion justifies a $$$$ spend. The American cooking and 2025 Michelin Plate recognition make it a credible special-occasion pick, but diners wanting a looser or better-value American meal should cross-shop New Heights, Opal, or Shilling Canning Company.
$$$$ is the useful starting point for 1789 in Washington, D.C.: this is a higher-spend American dinner choice, not a casual weeknight default. The clearest fit is dinner for guests who want American cuisine, a business-casual dress code, an evening reservation window. If the plan calls for a different Washington, D.C. dining room, consider New Heights, Opal, or Shilling Canning Company as comparison points.
Washington, D.C. works in its favor if the night calls for a more formal dinner
1789 is strongest when the dinner itself is the plan. The verified details point to a restaurant built around evening service: American cuisine, $$$$ pricing, business-casual dress, daily dinner hours from 5:30–9 PM. That makes it a better fit for a planned dinner than for a quick or low-commitment meal.
The Michelin Plate recognition from 2025 is a helpful trust signal, but it should not be read as a promise of any specific menu format or service style. It simply supports treating 1789 as a serious American restaurant in Washington, D.C. especially for diners who want a more polished dinner setting.
Choose it for a higher-spend American dinner, not casual value
The main tradeoff is price. At $$$$, 1789 has to make sense for diners who are comfortable with a premium dinner budget. That may make it a better fit when the priority is a more formal American dinner, while Michele's, The Imperial, Opal are useful comparison points when considering a different dining room.
Plan around dinner service rather than lunch: the verified hours are 5:30–9 PM daily. Beyond that, the safest way to evaluate 1789 is by the confirmed basics: American cuisine, $$$$ pricing, business-casual dress, Michelin Plate recognition in 2025.
What to expect if you return
Do not choose 1789 for an unverified hook such as a specific dish, beverage program, seating format, or lunch offering. The grounded appeal is simpler: American cooking in Washington, D.C. with a premium price point and an evening schedule based on the verified hours.
For a second visit, the decision is simple: return when the occasion supports a higher-spend American dinner and the business-casual tone fits the group. Choose New Heights, Shilling Canning Company, or Opal when a different comparison point feels like the better match. For broader planning, use our full Washington, D.C. restaurants guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1789 good for a special occasion?
It can be a good fit when you want a higher-spend American dinner in Washington, D.C. The $$$$ price point, business-casual dress code, evening hours, Michelin Plate recognition from 2025 all point to a more planned dinner than a casual drop-in.
Can 1789 accommodate groups?
The verified information does not specify group capacity or private-dining details. For 1789 in Washington, D.C. plan around its confirmed dinner hours of 5:30–9 PM daily and confirm any group needs directly before booking.
Can I eat at the bar at 1789?
The verified information does not confirm bar dining at 1789. If bar dining matters, check directly before planning around it; otherwise, treat 1789 primarily as a $$$$ American dinner option in Washington, D.C.
Is 1789 worth the price?
It is most likely to feel worthwhile if you want American cuisine in Washington, D.C. and are comfortable paying $$$$. The Michelin Plate recognition from 2025 is a useful recognition point, but the value depends on whether a premium dinner setting is what you want.
Is 1789 good for solo dining?
The verified information does not identify 1789 as especially solo-focused. A solo diner who wants American cuisine, business-casual dress, a $$$$ dinner in Washington, D.C. may still consider it, but the verified facts do not confirm a dedicated solo-dining format.
What are alternatives to 1789 in Washington, D.C.?
For other comparison points, consider New Heights, Shilling Canning Company, Michele's, Opal, or The Imperial. The best choice depends on whether you want American cuisine at 1789, a premium dinner, or a different Washington, D.C. dining experience.
Is lunch or dinner better at 1789?
Dinner is the verified service window. The confirmed hours for 1789 are 5:30–9 PM daily, so do not plan on lunch unless the restaurant directly confirms a separate offering.
Location
1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Washington DC, United States
Compare 1789
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1789 | Washington, D.C. | American | Michelin Plate (2025) | $$$$ |
| New Heights | Washington, D.C. | American | , | $$$ |
| The Imperial | Washington, D.C. | American | , | $$$ |
| Michele's | Washington, D.C. | American | , | $$$ |
| Opal | Washington, D.C. | American | , | $$$ |
| Shilling Canning Company | Washington, D.C. | American | , | $$$ |
How 1789 Washington, D.C. compares with similar nearby venues.
Where to go if 1789 is not the right fit
Choose Opal if the group wants American cooking with a neighborhood feel and less occasion pressure. Choose New Heights if the main concern is keeping the dinner in a lower price tier while staying within American cuisine in Washington, D.C.
How 1789 Compares
1789 sits above New Heights, The Imperial, Michele's, Opal, and Shilling Canning Company on price. That makes it the splurge choice in this American set, not the value play. Pick it when Georgetown, formality, occasion weight matter more than keeping the check moderate.
For value, New Heights and The Imperial are easier recommendations because both sit at $$$ rather than $$$$. Michele's is also a better fit for diners who want American cooking without turning dinner into a milestone event. Opal and Shilling Canning Company make sense when the priority is a neighborhood American meal at a lower tier.
Booking difficulty also pushes the decision. Treat 1789 as the harder reservation for prime dinner slots, especially for special occasions. If the group needs flexibility, start with Opal or Shilling Canning Company; if the night calls for a more formal D.C. room, stay with 1789 and plan ahead.
Recognized By
Explore Washington DC
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