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English muffin bread service at Rose’s Luxury.
Rose’s Luxury/Instagram

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Where to snack on marinated olives, savory breads, and creamy peanut butter fudge, gratis

by Tim Ebner
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English muffin bread service at Rose’s Luxury.
| Rose’s Luxury/Instagram
by Tim Ebner
1 comment / new

Nothing in life is free — unless one is lucky enough to find a restaurant or bar that generously doles out complimentary starters and specials to whet the appetite. Some D.C. restaurants seem to go the extra mile with freebies, plying customers with freshly baked breads, relaxing aperitifs, or salty snacks, like roasted nuts, marinated olives, and popcorn.

Here’s 11 local eateries that serve delicious little extras on the house.

The featured bars and restaurants are not ranked. They are arranged geographically from north to south.

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Maydan

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Red-hot Middle Eastern restaurant Maydan has an unlimited pita policy, which means every table is privy to as much of the soft, pull-apart breads as is needed to envelop the smoky slow-roasted meats or sop up every last drop of the flavorful must-try condiments.

1346 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 370-3696
(202) 370-3696
Freshly baked pitas are part of every meal at Maydan.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Kingfisher

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Not only does this basement bar on 14th Street serve free all-you-can-eat popcorn, it also offers patrons gratis seasonings ranging from garlic powder to popular hot sauces. Enjoy a basket while sipping on a hoppy brew or a cheap light beer, like the house favorite — Narragansett Lager.

1414 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 750-6600
(202) 750-6600
Spice up the free popcorn at Kingfisher with assorted seasonings.
Dena G./Yelp

Maxwell Park

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Each day, this Shaw wine bar treats cash-strapped imbibers to “Aperitif Hour” — a two-hour block (from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) during which select aperitifs, such as vermouth, are complimentary.

1336 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 792-9522
(202) 792-9522
Customers gathered around the bar at Maxwell Park.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

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The Dabney

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The grilled ciabatta with sorghum butter is so good (and so free) at this Michelin-starred restaurant, one might be tempted to pocket a few extra jars of the distinctive spread. Just don’t let all the carbo-loading distract from sampling the local seafood, cured hams, and hearth-fired vegetables near and dear to chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s heart.

122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 450-1015
(202) 450-1015
The grilled ciabatta with spiced butter at the Dabney.
Susie D./Yelp

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Quill

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Go ahead, splurge on a seasonal cocktail for $19. Because the marinated olives and roasted nuts set out at hotel bar Quill are generously portioned and free.

3202, 1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 448-2300
(202) 448-2300
Savory bar snacks at hotel bar Quill.
Maria-Elena T./Yelp

Honeysuckle

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Chef T.C. Lumbar assembles a generous bread basket that’s on the house. While the featured offerings rotate regularly, one selection is always included: Lumbar’s banana bread. The cake-like bread is dense and loaded with ripened bananas.

1990 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 659-1990
(202) 659-1990
Gourmet breads and seasonal spreads at Honeysuckle.
Je N./Yelp

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Capital Burger

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Every meal at area newcomer Capital Burger starts out with a free mason jar brimming with semi-sweet, crunchy pickle chips that are perfect for nibbling on before lunch or dinner. Or slip a few onto a featured burger to add a funky vinegary pop to every bite.

1005 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 638-0414
(202) 638-0414
Free pickles offered at Capital Burger.
Capital Burger [Official photo]

BLT Steak

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The extra fluffy popovers at this downtown steakhouse are legendary. Every order at this expense-account favorite comes with a side of steaming hot breads loaded with cheese, butter, and salt.

1625 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 689-8999
(202) 689-8999
The fluffy popovers at Blt Steak.
Samantha M./Yelp

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Ray's the Steaks

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It’s a wonder there’s room on any table for actual entrees given all the freebies Ray’s sends customers. The parade of goodies includes spiced cashews, olive oil-brushed foccacia, mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach. And no evening its complete with a few bites of the house “tiger butter” — striped squares of peanut butter fudge.

2300 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 841-7297
(703) 841-7297
Free sides of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach accompany meals at Ray’s the Steaks.
Orquidea R./Yelp

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Rose's Luxury

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Since day one, Rose’s Luxury’s bread service has been a fun highlight to a dinner that’s often cited as one of the city’s best. Sous chef Kean McIlvaine recently switched things up, starting each dinner with complimentary sourdough-style English muffins perfect for spreading with clotted cream and citrus marmalade.

717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 580-8889
(202) 580-8889
The new sourdough English muffins that now accompany meals at Rose’s Luxury.
Rose’s Luxury/Instagram

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Hank's Oyster Bar (Multiple locations)

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Whether one pulls up a chair at the flagship restaurant in Dupont Circle or grabs a seat at the new waterfront location at the Wharf, every meal at Hank’s Oyster Bar begins with a bowl of complimentary goldfish crackers and ends with chunks of dark chocolate. Patrons of sibling establishment Hank’s Pasta Bar needn’t worry about being neglected: that restaurant gives customers seasoned oyster crackers.

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 817-3055
(202) 817-3055
A bowl of goldfish crackers at Hank’s/
Lisa L./Yelp

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Maydan

1346 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

Red-hot Middle Eastern restaurant Maydan has an unlimited pita policy, which means every table is privy to as much of the soft, pull-apart breads as is needed to envelop the smoky slow-roasted meats or sop up every last drop of the flavorful must-try condiments.

1346 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 370-3696
(202) 370-3696
Freshly baked pitas are part of every meal at Maydan.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Kingfisher

1414 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Not only does this basement bar on 14th Street serve free all-you-can-eat popcorn, it also offers patrons gratis seasonings ranging from garlic powder to popular hot sauces. Enjoy a basket while sipping on a hoppy brew or a cheap light beer, like the house favorite — Narragansett Lager.

1414 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 750-6600
(202) 750-6600
Spice up the free popcorn at Kingfisher with assorted seasonings.
Dena G./Yelp

Maxwell Park

1336 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Each day, this Shaw wine bar treats cash-strapped imbibers to “Aperitif Hour” — a two-hour block (from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) during which select aperitifs, such as vermouth, are complimentary.

1336 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 792-9522
(202) 792-9522
Customers gathered around the bar at Maxwell Park.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

The Dabney

122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

The grilled ciabatta with sorghum butter is so good (and so free) at this Michelin-starred restaurant, one might be tempted to pocket a few extra jars of the distinctive spread. Just don’t let all the carbo-loading distract from sampling the local seafood, cured hams, and hearth-fired vegetables near and dear to chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s heart.

122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 450-1015
(202) 450-1015
The grilled ciabatta with spiced butter at the Dabney.
Susie D./Yelp

Quill

3202, 1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Go ahead, splurge on a seasonal cocktail for $19. Because the marinated olives and roasted nuts set out at hotel bar Quill are generously portioned and free.

3202, 1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 448-2300
(202) 448-2300
Savory bar snacks at hotel bar Quill.
Maria-Elena T./Yelp

Honeysuckle

1990 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Chef T.C. Lumbar assembles a generous bread basket that’s on the house. While the featured offerings rotate regularly, one selection is always included: Lumbar’s banana bread. The cake-like bread is dense and loaded with ripened bananas.

1990 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 659-1990
(202) 659-1990
Gourmet breads and seasonal spreads at Honeysuckle.
Je N./Yelp

Capital Burger

1005 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Every meal at area newcomer Capital Burger starts out with a free mason jar brimming with semi-sweet, crunchy pickle chips that are perfect for nibbling on before lunch or dinner. Or slip a few onto a featured burger to add a funky vinegary pop to every bite.

1005 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 638-0414
(202) 638-0414
Free pickles offered at Capital Burger.
Capital Burger [Official photo]

BLT Steak

1625 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

The extra fluffy popovers at this downtown steakhouse are legendary. Every order at this expense-account favorite comes with a side of steaming hot breads loaded with cheese, butter, and salt.

1625 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 689-8999
(202) 689-8999
The fluffy popovers at Blt Steak.
Samantha M./Yelp

Ray's the Steaks

2300 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

It’s a wonder there’s room on any table for actual entrees given all the freebies Ray’s sends customers. The parade of goodies includes spiced cashews, olive oil-brushed foccacia, mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach. And no evening its complete with a few bites of the house “tiger butter” — striped squares of peanut butter fudge.

2300 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 841-7297
(703) 841-7297
Free sides of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach accompany meals at Ray’s the Steaks.
Orquidea R./Yelp

Rose's Luxury

717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Since day one, Rose’s Luxury’s bread service has been a fun highlight to a dinner that’s often cited as one of the city’s best. Sous chef Kean McIlvaine recently switched things up, starting each dinner with complimentary sourdough-style English muffins perfect for spreading with clotted cream and citrus marmalade.

717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 580-8889
(202) 580-8889
The new sourdough English muffins that now accompany meals at Rose’s Luxury.
Rose’s Luxury/Instagram

Hank's Oyster Bar (Multiple locations)

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Whether one pulls up a chair at the flagship restaurant in Dupont Circle or grabs a seat at the new waterfront location at the Wharf, every meal at Hank’s Oyster Bar begins with a bowl of complimentary goldfish crackers and ends with chunks of dark chocolate. Patrons of sibling establishment Hank’s Pasta Bar needn’t worry about being neglected: that restaurant gives customers seasoned oyster crackers.

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 817-3055
(202) 817-3055
A bowl of goldfish crackers at Hank’s/
Lisa L./Yelp

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