Elephant & Castle

4.1
3844 reviews

About

RestaurantRecipe Unlimited
Located just two blocks from the National Mall and steps from the White House, Washington Monument, and Smithsonian Museums, Elephant & Castle on Pennsylvania Avenue is your go-to British pub in D.C. Enjoy British classics like fish and chips or bangers and mash, paired with a great selection of beers. Relax on the largest patio in downtown D.C. with scenic views of Pennsylvania Avenue. Whether you’re here for lunch, dinner, or a late-night spot to unwind, we’ve got you covered. Catch live football and soccer matches or simply enjoy the lively atmosphere. Elephant & Castle Restaurant and Pub delivers the best British hospitality right in the heart of Washington, D.C.

Details

  • Dine-inAvailable
  • DeliveryAvailable
  • TakeoutAvailable
  • Accepts reservationsAvailable

Location

Elephant & Castle
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20004, United States

Hours

Reviews

4.1
3,844 reviews
5 stars
1,976
4 stars
1,050
3 stars
445
2 stars
148
1 star
225

What are people saying?

AI-generated from recent customer reviews

Service Quality

Service quality is inconsistent; while some customers praised attentive staff like Imani and Niqo, others reported rude and unhelpful service.

Food Quality

Food received mixed reviews; some dishes like fish and chips and shepherd's pie were highly praised, while others were described as bland or below average.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is generally well-received, with many customers enjoying the pub vibe and location, especially during sports events.

Staff Recognition

Several staff members, particularly Imani and Niqo, received high praise for their service, enhancing the overall customer experience.
  • CC
    Carlee C
    2 days ago
    4.0
    Overall good food. The service wasn’t great. They also charged extra for a side of ranch which I thought was a little weird.
  • TS
    Tom Schwind
    Jan 4, 2026
    3.0
    Great Irish pub feel. Service was slow but nice. I order a Guinness, they didn't have it, ordered a Smithwick's, didn't have it. They did have my 4th choice of beer. They were out of two Irish beers in an Irish pub on a Friday. Food was slow to come out and lackluster to say the least. Chicken pot pie tasted like Campbell's soup. The prices are fair. The burgers seemed like a safe choice
  • RP
    Russ P
    Dec 29, 2025
    1.0
    Nothing special. Wait times were crap, food was bland. Had to get up and ask for everything. Everyone is running around but no one is doing what they're supposed to.
  • RN
    René Nutter
    Dec 27, 2025
    2.0
    The worst service I've ever received in DC. After 15 minutes of an initial wait for the server, I went to the bar to get glasses of water. The appetizer came in a reasonable amount of time. The entrees took 30+ minutes and arrived cold and dried out. Parties that arrived after us had completely finished and paid for their meals before our sever got the appetizer plates cleared. Really just an awful experience.
  • JF
    Joe’s Flips
    Dec 14, 2025
    4.0
    I can't speak on its qualiities as a bar, but this location serves as an adequate restaurant. Although the restaurant was pretty full, our food came out pretty quickly and the quality was pretty good. They had several interesting options on the menu, which is refreshing to see. My only downside is that it took awhile before our server greeted us and took our orders, but as stated earlier, it was a busy night. Overall, my party and I had a collectively good experience and it was worth the money (it was not cheap).

Frequently Asked Questions About Elephant & Castle

Does Elephant & Castle Penn Ave seat minors?

All our locations allow minors and serve a kid’s menu. Keep in mind we often don’t have a distinction of division between the restaurant and bar, if you want to know more give us a ring at (202) 347-7707.

Does Elephant & Castle Penn Ave have a patio?

Absolutely! Our outdoor patio in Penn Ave is where the city comes alive. Enjoy a cold pint or two on our best patio in Washington during the scorching months.