DCReview

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Hank's Oyster Bar image
7.7

Hank's Oyster Bar

Seafood

Dupont Circle

$$$$Perfect For:Happy HourCasual Weeknight DinnerLunch
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For some reason, Goldfish taste better at Hank’s Oyster Bar. As soon as you’re seated, a bowl of the cheesy crackers appears, like a twist on chips and salsa. It might be confusing at first, but you’ll find yourself popping those bad boys one by one, and sooner rather than later, you’ll clear the bowl. That's the thing about Hank’s—it grows on you. The food is consistently good, the atmosphere is laid back, and over time there's a good chance that it'll become one of your go-to neighborhood spots. 

Hank's Oyster Bar image

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Hank's Oyster Bar image

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Hank's Oyster Bar image

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Hank's Oyster Bar image
Hank's Oyster Bar image
Hank's Oyster Bar image

The Dupont Circle restaurant is divided into two sections. Out front, you can pull up to the long marble island that serves as the bar and join the crowds of people coming off of work, dining in for Happy Hour where drinks and bites start at $5. In the main dining room, you'll find awkward family gatherings and third dates crowded around wooden tables set against exposed brick and chalkboard signs with the week’s specials. Depending on the mood you’re in, choose your seat wisely. 

There’s a super casual air at Hank's. It’s what you expect from a place that serves bowls of Goldfish, but it’s also what you’ll come to love from a staff that’s incredibly friendly and a menu that requires you to roll up your sleeves, and slurp and crack your way through oysters, mussels, and lobster.

It’s not a traditional family-style menu, but that's the best way to enjoy a meal here.

Oysters aren't meant to be eaten alone (we stand by this), and you might as well keep the party going by splitting the rest of your order. Their small plates like lobster bisque come in big portions and sides like the mac and cheese, Old Bay french fries, and deconstructed street corn (get all three if you can) are things you’ll want to chomp on endlessly. 

Grab one of their cheekily named cocktails, like the Holy Spritz, That's Good, made with vodka, aperol, lemon, and club soda, which are refreshing and fruity. And for dessert, the key lime pie.

It’s all very satisfying. That’s the beauty of Hank’s—it’s the type of place you can count on, same way you do a bag of Goldfish. It’s a lighthearted escape to a time when that snack felt like a treat. And while dining at Hank’s won't give you back your rapidly disappearing youth, it will make for a fun, chill night out.

Food Rundown

Hank's Oyster Bar image

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Oysters On The Half Shell

Since the oyster selection frequently changes, it’s best to order a little bit of everything. And for Happy Hour, oysters are $2 a pop, so why not?

Hank's Oyster Bar image

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Lobster Bisque

The amount of soup you get in this dish is enough to serve as a meal on its own, so split it if you’re trying to make space. But if you really like lobster bisque, you might not want to. It’s a creamy soup that will warm you from the inside out.

Hank's Oyster Bar image

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Steamed Mussels

The steamed mussels at Hank’s are the thing of dreams—if your dreams are drenched in butter. The small plate is a standout dish on the menu and the heaped pile is enough to share. The mussels are coated in an herb-infused marinade that will drip down your fingers and hug your tongue.

Hank's Oyster Bar image

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Deconstructed Corn

This dish is teeming with flavor. Creamed corn sits in a bed of red pepper, jalapeno, shallots, garlic, and old bay. The flavors balance each other well, the cream pacifies the spice, and the peppers and shallots give crunch.

Hank's Oyster Bar image

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Crab Cake Dinner

If you like crab cake, you’ll like this dish. It’s that simple. The entree is seasoned well and the coleslaw and old bay fries for sides are a welcome addition.

Hank's Oyster Bar image

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Hank's Lobster Roll

Tender pieces of lobster sit on a buttered roll, which makes for a great sandwich (though we’re still on the hunt for the best lobster roll in DC). Swap out the side of fries for coleslaw, and you’ll have a hit on your hands.

Hank's Oyster Bar image

photo credit: Nina Palazzolo

Key Lime Pie

The ideal end to a great meal is a dessert that compliments the experience, and the key lime pie does just that. Made with a graham cracker crust that’s sweet enough to balance that subtle bitters of the lime and the richness of the cream, it’s a refreshing palate cleanser, and an all around great dish.

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FOOD RUNDOWN

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