Dining at Gaylord National: restaurants, bars and quick bites
Gaylord National’s on-site dining covers sit-down steakhouse meals, casual café fare, several bars (including a whiskey-focused lounge and an energetic sports bar), plus grab-and-go options in the atrium. For full-service dinner reservations head to Old Hickory; for quick coffee, pastries or light meals use Potomac District Café & Market or the market outlets in the atrium.
In this guide
Dining at a glance
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center offers a mix of restaurants and bars that serve breakfast through late night, plus quick-bite cafés and buffet/market-style options in the atrium.
The property names to know are Old Hickory, Harbor Social, Potomac District Café & Market, Belvedere Lobby Bar, The Whiskey Revolution and Lookout 18. Hours for slower-changing venues (Old Hickory and Harbor Social) are documented; hours for others vary and the concierge can confirm current times.
- Old Hickory — American steakhouse (serves breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- Harbor Social — American sports bar with duckpin bowling and TVs (evening into late night).
- Potomac District Café & Market — coffee, light meals, wine and beer in the atrium.
| Venue | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Old Hickory | American steakhouse | Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; reservations recommended |
| Harbor Social | Sports bar | Games, TVs; opens in the late afternoon to after midnight |
| Potomac District Café & Market | Café/market | Coffee, pastries, light meals; good for quick bites |
Old Hickory: the resort’s sit-down option
Old Hickory is Gaylord National’s full-service American steakhouse and the property’s primary sit-down restaurant. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features steakhouse-style cooking plus seafood and breakfast specialties.
If you want a formal dinner or a waterfront-view meal in a quieter setting, plan to reserve a table in advance — Old Hickory’s listed hours include daily service from early morning into the evening.
- Cuisine: Steakhouse / Contemporary American with seafood and breakfast items
- Hours listed as 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily (confirm with concierge)
- Phone (Old Hickory): +1 301-965-4000
| Why choose Old Hickory | Good for |
|---|---|
| Full menus from breakfast to dinner and a fine-wine list | Business dinners, date nights, special occasions |
| Steak and seafood focus with breakfast classics | Guests who want a traditional sit-down experience |
Bars and late-night spots
Gaylord National has multiple bars that suit different moods: a lobby bar for pre-dinner cocktails (Belvedere Lobby Bar), a whiskey-focused lounge (The Whiskey Revolution), and Lookout 18 as a low-key drinks spot. For louder, game-centered energy there’s Harbor Social with TVs and duckpin bowling.
Hours for many bars vary with events. Harbor Social’s published hours run in the late afternoon to after midnight; for other bar hours and any age policies after certain hours check with the concierge.
- Harbor Social — lively sports-bar atmosphere, duckpin lanes; listed hours 4:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
- The Whiskey Revolution — whiskey and craft cocktails in a moody setting; hours vary
- Belvedere Lobby Bar and Lookout 18 — good for pre- or post-dinner drinks; confirm hours with concierge
| Bar | Focus | Typical crowd |
|---|---|---|
| Harbor Social | Sports, games, bowling | Groups and families (evening) |
| The Whiskey Revolution | Whiskey and cocktails | Adults looking for a quieter bar |
| Belvedere Lobby Bar / Lookout 18 | Cocktails and lounge seating | Pre-dinner or late-evening drinks |
Cafés, markets and quick bites
Potomac District Café & Market is the atrium café for coffee, pastries, grab-and-go sandwiches and a selection of beer and wine — handy for breakfasts, quick lunches or a casual meeting spot in the glass atrium.
The resort also operates market-style and buffet offerings in the atrium and Pienza Marketplace (buffet/market) for breakfast and rotating lunch/brunch options; these are the best choice when you want a fast meal without leaving the property.
- Potomac District Café & Market — Starbucks coffee, light meals, and bottled beverages; hours vary, see concierge.
- Pienza Marketplace — buffet-style breakfast and seasonal lunch/brunch (hours may differ seasonally).
- Atrium markets and kiosks — pastries, snacks and drinks during the day.
| Quick option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Potomac District Café & Market | Coffee, light meals | Good atrium meeting spot; hours vary |
| Pienza Marketplace | Breakfast buffet or casual brunch | Menu and hours can change seasonally |
| Grab-and-go market stalls | Snacks and pastries | Useful between meetings or before a tour |
Poolside, in-room and event catering
The resort offers a poolside bar adjacent to the indoor recreation pool where guests can get drinks and light fare while using the pool areas (pool access is for overnight registered guests). In-room dining options are available at many large resorts; check with the front desk or concierge for current in-room dining service.
For meetings, weddings and private events the hotel provides catering across its many ballrooms and event rooms. Gaylord National’s banquet and catering teams handle plated meals, buffets and receptions in spaces such as the Potomac Ballroom and RiverView Ballroom — event menus and pricing are arranged through the hotel’s event services team.
- Poolside bar — serves swimmers and guests using the indoor pool and seasonal outdoor sundeck.
- In-room dining — confirm availability with the front desk; mobile app and concierge may provide options.
- Event catering — custom menus available for weddings, conferences and banquets; speak to event services.
| Event space | Use case | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Potomac Ballroom | Large conferences and banquets | Major ballroom space used for catered events |
| RiverView Ballroom | Waterfront ceremonies and receptions | Glass windows and outdoor terraces available |
| Smaller boardrooms | Private dinners or small-group catering | Catered breaks and working meals available |
Practical tips for dining at Gaylord National
Reservations: make reservations for Old Hickory and for larger groups or weekend dinners. Walk-ins are generally accepted at café and market outlets but dinner peaks can fill quickly.
Dietary needs and kids: the resort states it offers vegan and vegetarian options and family-friendly menus; children are welcome in most dining areas. Confirm menu items and any age-based access for specific bars (for example, some lounges and rooftop spaces restrict access after certain hours).
- Confirm current hours with the concierge; some venues’ hours vary by season and events.
- Old Hickory phone: +1 301-965-4000 for reservations and questions about service.
- If you need late-night food, Harbor Social runs late; other venues may close earlier.
| Question | What to do |
|---|---|
| Can I get breakfast on-site? | Yes — Old Hickory and Potomac District Café & Market offer breakfast options. |
| Are there vegetarian/vegan options? | Yes — the resort provides vegetarian and vegan menu options; ask staff for specifics. |
| Is poolside dining available? | Yes — a poolside bar serves swimmers; pool access is for overnight registered guests. |
Nearby dining at National Harbor
National Harbor’s waterfront promenade is steps from Gaylord National and offers many restaurants and casual eateries within a short walk — useful if you want more variety than the on-site offerings.
Nearby options include waterfront restaurants, casual chains and the MGM National Harbor complex a short drive away; the hotel’s concierge can recommend local choices and current hours or help with reservations.
- National Harbor promenade — several independent and chain restaurants within walking distance.
- MGM National Harbor — dining and entertainment a short drive from the resort.
- Water taxi and local shuttle services operate seasonally or on schedules that can take you to neighboring waterfront dining areas.
| Nearby option | Distance/notes |
|---|---|
| National Harbor promenade | Walking distance from the resort; many dining choices |
| MGM National Harbor | About a 5–7 minute drive; additional restaurants and nightlife |
| Water taxi to Old Town Alexandria / The Wharf | Seasonal service; useful for waterfront restaurants across the river |
