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The French onion soup on the lunch menu at Cafe du Parc.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Where to Find Fabulous French Onion Soup in D.C.

These restaurants do the melty dish justice

byVinciane NgomsiUpdated
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The French onion soup on the lunch menu at Cafe du Parc.
|Rey Lopez/Eater DC
byVinciane NgomsiUpdated

Maybe it’s the beef broth, croutons, or gloriously gooey cheese, but there’s something extremely satisfying and comforting about a giant bowl of French onion soup.

Come winter, D.C.’s French-influenced restaurants and brasseries especially turn their attention to serving stock that’s filled with onions and finished with a crust of soft melted cheese.

While plenty of D.C. restaurants offer the ubiquitous order, a few stand out of the pack. Here are 16 places to dig into a perfect bowl of French onion soup.

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L'Auberge Chez Francois

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While it’s a trek across the Potomac River and through the woods, L’Auberge offers a dining experience unlike any other. The French farmhouse-styled mainstay has been in service formore than 60 yearsunder the guidance ofchef Jacques Haeringer and his father. The menu offers a la carte and multi-course options, but always order the French onion soup as a starter or pairing dish.

332 Springvale Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066
(703) 759-3800
(703) 759-3800
chef-haeringer
L’Auberge Chez Francois chef Jacques Haeringer
Tim Ebner/Eater DC

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Primrose

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For a vegetarian French onion soup, head to this Brookland wine bar and bistro. Each bowl arrives piping hot, and rather than beef stock, Primrose’s recipe calls for a mushroom-umami broth topped with melted gruyère cheese ($14).

3000 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017
(202) 248-4558
(202) 248-4558
A look inside Primrose Primrose/official photo

Also featured in:

BistrotDu Coin

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Over the past two decades, Bistro Du Coin has risen as the go-to brasserie for Dupont Circle neighbors and French expats alike. Its Gratinée des Halles, or French onion soup, goes for $14.95 and pairs nicely with escargot or pâté.

1738 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-6969
(202) 234-6969

Also featured in:

Le Diplomate

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Whether it’s a weekend brunch, leisurely lunch, or late dinner, restaurateur Stephen Starr’s popular all-day brasserie always puts a French onion soup special on the menu. The $15 order is great for dipping with the complimentary bread.

1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-3333
(202) 332-3333
Le Diplomate/official photo

Also featured in:

Duck Duck Goose (Multiple locations)

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The cozy Dupont eatery’s French onion soup is simple on its own for $17, but diners can add duck confit for an additional $6.

2100 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 450-1591
(202) 450-1591

Also featured in:

Convivial

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The French standby in Shaw serves a stellar French onion soup with caramelized onion, gruyere, and white wine ($16).

801 O St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 525-2870
(202) 525-2870

Also featured in:

Brasserie Liberté

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The Georgetown brasserie has a French onion soupmade from a beef-mushroom broth and a three-cheese blend for $13.95.

3251 Prospect St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 878-8404
(202) 878-8404
Brasserie Liberté/official photo

Also featured in:

Ellington Park Bistro

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Located in the recently renovated St. Gregory Hotel in Dupont, veteran chef Frank Morales serves his French onion soup with garlicky toast points and Gruyere cheese.

2033 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 530-3608
(202) 530-3608

Le Clou

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Tucked inside the new Morrow Hotel in NoMa, chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s chiclobby-level brasserie Le Cloumakes soupe à l’oignon with French Comté and Gruyere cheeses and sherry, with a baguette for dipping ($14).

222 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 742-9777
(202) 742-9777

Also featured in:

La Chaumiere

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想要逃離華盛頓匆忙?輸入M馬街西北instay La Chaumiere, which feels like a lodge in Alsace, France. Try to book a table near the fireplace and order baked onion soup, the cozy restaurant’s top-selling dish ($12).

2813 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 338-1784
(202) 338-1784
La Chaumiere/official photo

Also featured in:

La Bise

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The stylish French restaurant next to the White House presents its three-onion soup with a baguette and gooey Gruyere cheese ($15).

800 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 463-8700
(202) 463-8700

Also featured in:

Café Riggs

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Cafe Riggs just debuted a new French onion soup, and it features bits of croutons and hot, melted Comté cheese ($16).

900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 788-2800
(202) 788-2800

Also featured in:

Café du Parc

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French onion soup is one of the best sellers on the lunch and dinner menus at the Willard’s Cafe du Parc. The order comes with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, and toasted croutons ($13).

1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 942-7000
(202) 942-7000
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Bistro Bis

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Located near Union Station on the Senate side of Capitol Hill, chances are there may be a politician also enjoying a warm bowl of caramelized onion soup. Swimming a rich beef broth, the soup showcases Gruyere and sourdough croutons ($16.50).

15 E St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 661-2700
(202) 661-2700
Capitol Hill favorite Bistro Bis serves a stellar French onion soup.
Bistro Bis

Also featured in:

Central Michel Richard

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Chef David Barigault has carefully updated the menu at Michel Richard’s Central on Pennsylvania Avenue with French-influenced dishes, but he hasn’t made any changes to its French onion soup. The reliable order calls for a miso stock with melted Gruyere and provolone cheeses.

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 626-0015
(202) 626-0015

Also featured in:

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Parc de Ville

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The Hilton brothers’lively brasseriein Merrifield’s Mosaic District centers around classic Parisian fare like French onion soup, omelets, steak frites, and croque madame. Their Georgetown staple Chez Billy Sud is currently undergoing a renovation and will resurface in the spring (its attached wine bar is open, however).

8296 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 663-8931
(703) 663-8931
Parc de Ville’s menu items
Parc de Ville’s menu items.
Mykl Wu/Parc de Ville

Also featured in:

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L'Auberge Chez Francois

332 Springvale Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066

While it’s a trek across the Potomac River and through the woods, L’Auberge offers a dining experience unlike any other. The French farmhouse-styled mainstay has been in service formore than 60 yearsunder the guidance ofchef Jacques Haeringer and his father. The menu offers a la carte and multi-course options, but always order the French onion soup as a starter or pairing dish.

332 Springvale Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066
(703) 759-3800
(703) 759-3800
chef-haeringer
L’Auberge Chez Francois chef Jacques Haeringer
Tim Ebner/Eater DC

Primrose

3000 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017

For a vegetarian French onion soup, head to this Brookland wine bar and bistro. Each bowl arrives piping hot, and rather than beef stock, Primrose’s recipe calls for a mushroom-umami broth topped with melted gruyère cheese ($14).

3000 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017
(202) 248-4558
(202) 248-4558
A look inside Primrose Primrose/official photo

BistrotDu Coin

1738 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

Over the past two decades, Bistro Du Coin has risen as the go-to brasserie for Dupont Circle neighbors and French expats alike. Its Gratinée des Halles, or French onion soup, goes for $14.95 and pairs nicely with escargot or pâté.

1738 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-6969
(202) 234-6969

Le Diplomate

1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Whether it’s a weekend brunch, leisurely lunch, or late dinner, restaurateur Stephen Starr’s popular all-day brasserie always puts a French onion soup special on the menu. The $15 order is great for dipping with the complimentary bread.

1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-3333
(202) 332-3333
Le Diplomate/official photo

Duck Duck Goose (Multiple locations)

2100 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037

The cozy Dupont eatery’s French onion soup is simple on its own for $17, but diners can add duck confit for an additional $6.

2100 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 450-1591
(202) 450-1591

Convivial

801 O St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The French standby in Shaw serves a stellar French onion soup with caramelized onion, gruyere, and white wine ($16).

801 O St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 525-2870
(202) 525-2870

Brasserie Liberté

3251 Prospect St NW, Washington, DC 20007

The Georgetown brasserie has a French onion soupmade from a beef-mushroom broth and a three-cheese blend for $13.95.

3251 Prospect St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 878-8404
(202) 878-8404
Brasserie Liberté/official photo

Ellington Park Bistro

2033 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Located in the recently renovated St. Gregory Hotel in Dupont, veteran chef Frank Morales serves his French onion soup with garlicky toast points and Gruyere cheese.

2033 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 530-3608
(202) 530-3608

Le Clou

222 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Tucked inside the new Morrow Hotel in NoMa, chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s chiclobby-level brasserie Le Cloumakes soupe à l’oignon with French Comté and Gruyere cheeses and sherry, with a baguette for dipping ($14).

222 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 742-9777
(202) 742-9777

La Chaumiere

2813 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

想要逃離華盛頓匆忙?輸入M馬街西北instay La Chaumiere, which feels like a lodge in Alsace, France. Try to book a table near the fireplace and order baked onion soup, the cozy restaurant’s top-selling dish ($12).

2813 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 338-1784
(202) 338-1784
La Chaumiere/official photo

La Bise

800 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006

The stylish French restaurant next to the White House presents its three-onion soup with a baguette and gooey Gruyere cheese ($15).

800 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 463-8700
(202) 463-8700

Café Riggs

900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Cafe Riggs just debuted a new French onion soup, and it features bits of croutons and hot, melted Comté cheese ($16).

900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 788-2800
(202) 788-2800

Café du Parc

1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

French onion soup is one of the best sellers on the lunch and dinner menus at the Willard’s Cafe du Parc. The order comes with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, and toasted croutons ($13).

1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 942-7000
(202) 942-7000
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Bistro Bis

15 E St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Located near Union Station on the Senate side of Capitol Hill, chances are there may be a politician also enjoying a warm bowl of caramelized onion soup. Swimming a rich beef broth, the soup showcases Gruyere and sourdough croutons ($16.50).

15 E St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 661-2700
(202) 661-2700
Capitol Hill favorite Bistro Bis serves a stellar French onion soup.
Bistro Bis

Central Michel Richard

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

Chef David Barigault has carefully updated the menu at Michel Richard’s Central on Pennsylvania Avenue with French-influenced dishes, but he hasn’t made any changes to its French onion soup. The reliable order calls for a miso stock with melted Gruyere and provolone cheeses.

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 626-0015
(202) 626-0015

Related Maps

Parc de Ville

8296 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA 22031

The Hilton brothers’lively brasseriein Merrifield’s Mosaic District centers around classic Parisian fare like French onion soup, omelets, steak frites, and croque madame. Their Georgetown staple Chez Billy Sud is currently undergoing a renovation and will resurface in the spring (its attached wine bar is open, however).

8296 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 663-8931
(703) 663-8931
Parc de Ville’s menu items
Parc de Ville’s menu items.
Mykl Wu/Parc de Ville

Related Maps

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