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A pot of steamed mussels at the Sovereign.
Photo:Sovereign

11 Succulent Mussel Dishes to Try Right Now

With or without frites, these moules are a treat

byTravis Mitchell
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A pot of steamed mussels at the Sovereign.
|Photo:Sovereign
byTravis Mitchell

蚌類可以很容易地馬後炮旁邊fanciful seafood options like oysters and crabs. But the plump, briny bivalves can make for just as tasty a meal — often at an affordable price.

The most traditional way to enjoy mussels is steamed in a broth of white wine, shallots, butter and herbs — a French preparation called “moules marinières.” Enjoy the dish with a stack of crispy Belgian-style “frites” or grilled bread for dipping. It’s a favorite at D.C. pubs such asGranville Moore’sorSt. Arnold’s Mussel Bar.

From there, mussels can be adapted into many cuisines. Try them cold and smoked atNeopol Savory Smokeryin Union Market, or spiced up with chorizo and chipotle atEl Sol Restaurante. Curry is another popular accent for mussels, found at spots such as Georgetown’s beer-friendlySovereign.

Whether as an entree or sharable appetizer, mussels are a fine and warming addition to any winter meal. Here are some of the best mussel dishes at bars and restaurants in and around D.C.

The featured restaurants are not ranked and are listed from north to south.

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Addie's

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WhenAddie’s reopenedin August after a lengthy hiatus, it signaled the return of Jeff Black’s flagship restaurant’s addictive mussels, which swim in a fragrant broth seasoned with garlic, shallots, tomato, and red pepper flakes. Grilled bread for dipping is a must. In D.C., find them at Black Jack, above Pearl Dive Oyster Palace. Addie’s also offers smoked mussels as an option on its customizable seafood platters.

12435 Park Potomac Ave, Potomac, MD 20854
(301) 340-0081
(301) 340-0081
A plate of mussels at Addie’s.
Photo:Addie’s

Kyirisan

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Like much of the menu at this Shaw spot, the sweet Prince Edward Island mussels here draw on flavors from around the world. The bivalves are served with garlicky sofrito, saffron-coconut, pork belly, and a Thai basil salad on crispy foccacia.

1924 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 525-2383
(202) 525-2383
A plate of mussels at Kyirisan.
Photo: Kyirisan

Also featured in:

Convivial

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Warm up for winter with an order of restaurateur Cedric Maupillier’s bouillabaisse. The traditional French stew is chock full of mussels, octopus, prawns, sea bass, and more.

801 O St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 525-2870
(202) 525-2870
Seafood-filled bouillabaisse at Convivial.
Photo:Convivial

Also featured in:

Neopol Savory Smokery

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Take home some of the smoked New Zealand mussels at this Union Market outpost. Or opt to eat them on the fly while browsing the food stalls’ other ready-to-go seafood and meat selections.

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 543-1864
(202) 543-1864
Smoked mussels at Neopol.
Photo:Neopol Savory Smokery

B Too

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Dive into Belgian fare at this Logan Circle tavern, which serves its mussels in both appetizer and larger-sized portions. Those looking to indulge can try the Brussels Mussels, with its half lobster and bisque with tomato and Cognac.

1324 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 627-2800
(202) 627-2800
Moules frites at B Too.
Photo:B Too

Also featured in:

El Sol

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Mussels get a south-of-the-border twist at El Sol courtesy of spicy chorizo and chipotle sauce.

1227 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 815-4789
(202) 815-4789
A plate of spicy mussels at El Sol.
Photo bySean H. / Yelp

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar (Multiple locations)

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Belgian-style mussels and fries are the main attraction at this subterranean hangout. One of the best preparations is the house broth made with Ommegang Abbey Dubbel beer. From there, explore spicy Thai curry or chipotle cream variations, or stick with a classic white wine sauce.

1827 Jefferson Pl NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-1321
(202) 833-1321
An order of mussels at St. Arnold’s.
Photo:St. Arnold’s Mussel Bar

Also featured in:

The Sovereign

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Browse the menu of Belgian-inspired ales at this Neighborhood Restaurant Group spot and slurp down a pile of mussels and frites. Choices include white wine with Madras curry, saffron with fennel and sausage, and more.

1206 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 774-5875
(202) 774-5875
Mussels and beer at the Sovereign.
Photo:Sovereign

Also featured in:

Rare Steak and Seafood

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Visit the tavern at this Midwestern import for a steam pot full of rope-raised mussels in smoked ham broth or a spicy shellfish curry. Or, try them off the raw bar on the tavern’s signature seafood towers.

1595 I St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 800-9994
(202) 800-9994
Chilled seafood — including mussels — at Rare Steak.
Photo:Rare Steak and Seafood

Also featured in:

Granville Moore's

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Granville Moore’s fragrant pots of steamed mussels, ranging classic “mariniere” to richer blue cheese- and pork belly-spiked preparations, are an Atlas District mainstay. They’re all offered at a discount during dinner service on Mondays.

1238 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 399-2546
(202) 399-2546
An order of mussels at Granville Moore’s.
Photo:Granville Moore’s

Also featured in:

Fish

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José Andrés’ ode to all things seafood is one of the brightest dining destinations at the luxe MGM casino. Fans of mussels will find them here in near pure form, sauteed simply with garlic, celery, and butter sauce.

MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino, 101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
(301) 971-6050
(301) 971-6050
An order of mussels at Fish.
Photo:Fish

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Addie's

12435 Park Potomac Ave, Potomac, MD 20854

WhenAddie’s reopenedin August after a lengthy hiatus, it signaled the return of Jeff Black’s flagship restaurant’s addictive mussels, which swim in a fragrant broth seasoned with garlic, shallots, tomato, and red pepper flakes. Grilled bread for dipping is a must. In D.C., find them at Black Jack, above Pearl Dive Oyster Palace. Addie’s also offers smoked mussels as an option on its customizable seafood platters.

12435 Park Potomac Ave, Potomac, MD 20854
(301) 340-0081
(301) 340-0081
A plate of mussels at Addie’s.
Photo:Addie’s

Kyirisan

1924 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Like much of the menu at this Shaw spot, the sweet Prince Edward Island mussels here draw on flavors from around the world. The bivalves are served with garlicky sofrito, saffron-coconut, pork belly, and a Thai basil salad on crispy foccacia.

1924 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 525-2383
(202) 525-2383
A plate of mussels at Kyirisan.
Photo: Kyirisan

Convivial

801 O St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Warm up for winter with an order of restaurateur Cedric Maupillier’s bouillabaisse. The traditional French stew is chock full of mussels, octopus, prawns, sea bass, and more.

801 O St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 525-2870
(202) 525-2870
Seafood-filled bouillabaisse at Convivial.
Photo:Convivial

Neopol Savory Smokery

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Take home some of the smoked New Zealand mussels at this Union Market outpost. Or opt to eat them on the fly while browsing the food stalls’ other ready-to-go seafood and meat selections.

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 543-1864
(202) 543-1864
Smoked mussels at Neopol.
Photo:Neopol Savory Smokery

B Too

1324 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Dive into Belgian fare at this Logan Circle tavern, which serves its mussels in both appetizer and larger-sized portions. Those looking to indulge can try the Brussels Mussels, with its half lobster and bisque with tomato and Cognac.

1324 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 627-2800
(202) 627-2800
Moules frites at B Too.
Photo:B Too

El Sol

1227 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Mussels get a south-of-the-border twist at El Sol courtesy of spicy chorizo and chipotle sauce.

1227 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 815-4789
(202) 815-4789
A plate of spicy mussels at El Sol.
Photo bySean H. / Yelp

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar (Multiple locations)

1827 Jefferson Pl NW, Washington, DC 20036

Belgian-style mussels and fries are the main attraction at this subterranean hangout. One of the best preparations is the house broth made with Ommegang Abbey Dubbel beer. From there, explore spicy Thai curry or chipotle cream variations, or stick with a classic white wine sauce.

1827 Jefferson Pl NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-1321
(202) 833-1321
An order of mussels at St. Arnold’s.
Photo:St. Arnold’s Mussel Bar

The Sovereign

1206 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Browse the menu of Belgian-inspired ales at this Neighborhood Restaurant Group spot and slurp down a pile of mussels and frites. Choices include white wine with Madras curry, saffron with fennel and sausage, and more.

1206 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 774-5875
(202) 774-5875
Mussels and beer at the Sovereign.
Photo:Sovereign

Rare Steak and Seafood

1595 I St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Visit the tavern at this Midwestern import for a steam pot full of rope-raised mussels in smoked ham broth or a spicy shellfish curry. Or, try them off the raw bar on the tavern’s signature seafood towers.

1595 I St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 800-9994
(202) 800-9994
Chilled seafood — including mussels — at Rare Steak.
Photo:Rare Steak and Seafood

Granville Moore's

1238 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Granville Moore’s fragrant pots of steamed mussels, ranging classic “mariniere” to richer blue cheese- and pork belly-spiked preparations, are an Atlas District mainstay. They’re all offered at a discount during dinner service on Mondays.

1238 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 399-2546
(202) 399-2546
An order of mussels at Granville Moore’s.
Photo:Granville Moore’s

Fish

MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino, 101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

José Andrés’ ode to all things seafood is one of the brightest dining destinations at the luxe MGM casino. Fans of mussels will find them here in near pure form, sauteed simply with garlic, celery, and butter sauce.

MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino, 101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
(301) 971-6050
(301) 971-6050
An order of mussels at Fish.
Photo:Fish

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