Best restaurants near Gaylord National
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center has a range of on-site dining from a full-service steakhouse (Old Hickory) to casual café fare (Potomac District Café & Market) and several bars (Harbor Social, Belvedere Lobby Bar, The Whiskey Revolution, Lookout 18). For more variety walk the National Harbor waterfront promenade—shops and restaurants sit adjacent to the resort.
In this guide
- On-site full-service: Old Hickory
- Casual and quick: Potomac District Café & Market
- Bars and evening spots: Harbor Social, Belvedere Lobby Bar, The Whiskey Revolution, Lookout 18
- Poolside and quick bites near the atrium
- Nearby National Harbor restaurants and waterfront options
- Practical dining tips for Gaylord National guests
On-site full-service: Old Hickory
Old Hickory is Gaylord National’s signature American steakhouse, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with menu items that include farm-fresh omelets, Wagyu steak & eggs, premium beef and Maryland seafood. The venue is on the lobby level and is listed as open daily 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Reservations are recommended for popular dinner times; Old Hickory’s phone number is listed as +1 301-965-4000. Dress code listings on third-party sites note business casual for evening dining.
- Cuisine: American steakhouse
- Hours (listed): Breakfast, lunch, dinner — Daily 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Phone: +1 301-965-4000
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Location | Lobby level, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center |
| Typical service | Breakfast, lunch, dinner |
| Cuisine focus | Premium beef and fresh Maryland seafood |
Casual and quick: Potomac District Café & Market
Potomac District Café & Market is the atrium café and market offering Starbucks coffee, light meals, and a large selection of wine and beer for guests who want a quicker or more casual option. Hours vary; the concierge can confirm current opening times.
This is a convenient spot for breakfast before meetings in the hotel’s meeting rooms or a grab-and-go lunch for a walk along the National Harbor promenade.
- Bright atrium location suited to quick meetups
- Offers Starbucks coffee and market items
- Good for takeaway and casual seating
| Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Breakfast or coffee | Starbucks beverages, pastries |
| Grab-and-go | Sandwiches, salads, snacks |
| Wine & beer selection | Retail bottles and single-serve options |
Bars and evening spots: Harbor Social, Belvedere Lobby Bar, The Whiskey Revolution, Lookout 18
Gaylord National lists several on-property bars with different vibes. Harbor Social is the sports-bar style venue with TVs and games (duckpin bowling lanes can be reserved). Belvedere Lobby Bar, The Whiskey Revolution and Lookout 18 are bar options for cocktails and spirits; The Whiskey Revolution emphasizes whiskey selections.
Hours for these bars vary and the concierge can confirm current times. Note that some rooftop/nightclub or late-night venues at the resort restrict access to guests 21+ after certain hours; check the property or concierge for the latest access rules.
- Harbor Social — sports bar with TVs, games, duckpin bowling; open listed as 4:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
- Belvedere Lobby Bar — lobby cocktails and relaxed pre-dinner drinks
- The Whiskey Revolution — whiskey-focused bar and cocktails
- Lookout 18 — low-key bar for evening drinks
| Bar | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Harbor Social | Drinks, food, TVs, games (duckpin bowling) |
| Belvedere Lobby Bar | Evening cocktails, lobby setting |
| The Whiskey Revolution | Whiskey and crafted cocktails |
Poolside and quick bites near the atrium
The resort operates a poolside bar near the indoor recreation pool, useful for drinks and light fare without leaving the pool area. The indoor atrium also has casual dining options and market displays suitable for families and groups between meetings.
If you have scheduled meetings in the hotel’s event spaces — e.g., Potomac Ballroom or Woodrow Wilson Ballroom — the café and poolside options are convenient for quick breaks and informal meals.
- Poolside bar serves drinks and light fare for registered overnight guests
- Atrium cafes and market displays offer pastries, sandwiches and coffee
- Potomac District Café & Market is the primary quick-service venue for the atrium
| Where | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Poolside bar | Registered overnight guests using the pool |
| Atrium café/market | Families, conference attendees, grab-and-go needs |
| Lobby bars | Pre-dinner drinks or meeting socializing |
Nearby National Harbor restaurants and waterfront options
The Gaylord National sits directly adjacent to National Harbor’s waterfront promenade, which has a wide range of restaurants, casual eateries and seasonal food stalls. The promenade and National Harbor shops are within a short walk of the resort.
Specific restaurant names on the promenade can change seasonally; for the current list and walking directions, ask the hotel concierge or check the National Harbor directory before you go. MGM National Harbor and the marina area also provide dining options a short drive away.
- National Harbor promenade: many independent restaurants and seasonal vendors
- MGM National Harbor: additional restaurants and entertainment (short drive)
- Ask concierge for current restaurant listings, directions and reservations.
| Nearby dining area | Notes |
|---|---|
| National Harbor promenade | Walking distance — many independent restaurants and seasonal food stalls |
| MGM National Harbor | Short drive — casino restaurants and shows |
| Marina area | Waterfront dining options and views |
Practical dining tips for Gaylord National guests
If you’re staying in a specific room type — Room (, Tub), Room (, beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds), Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom, Suite, 1 Bedroom or Grand Suite, with Sofa bed — confirm whether in-room dining is available and hours with the front desk. The hotel’s front desk operates 24 hours a day.
The resort is not all-inclusive; meals and drinks are not included with a room rate. If you need dietary accommodations (vegetarian or vegan), the property lists vegan and vegetarian options across its venues. For busy evenings, consider reserving Old Hickory in advance.
- Front desk open 24 hours — call for dining hours and reservations
- Meals and drinks are not included with room rates
- Vegan and vegetarian options are available at on-site venues
- Ask concierge about walk times to National Harbor restaurants and water taxi schedules
| Question | Advice |
|---|---|
| Are meals included with my room? | No — Gaylord National is not an all-inclusive resort |
| Can I reserve Old Hickory? | Yes — reservation recommended for dinner; call +1 301-965-4000 |
| Are there vegetarian/vegan options? | Yes — menu options are available across venues |
