Haute American cuisine, opulent rooms, fine dining, wine cellar



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![The Inn at Little Washington by Inn at Little Washington [official] The Inn at Little Washington by Inn at Little Washington [official]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Z0ihAY8miS1FV95ZcXaStdLoOp8=/0x0:3120x2080/1200x800/filters:focal(1311x791:1809x1289)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66787258/mannequin_1.7.jpg)







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309 Middle St, Washington, VA 22747 Get directions
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"The Inn at Little Washington transforms into a storybook holiday escape, complete with more than a dozen themed Christmas trees and lavish decor curated by chef Patrick O’Connell. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feature special multi-course menus at both the Inn and Patty O’s, highlighting locally sourced ingredients and festive touches. Patty O’s also keeps the celebrations going with its Bluegrass Boxing Day Brunch the following day." - Vinciane Ngomsi

"Once the region’s only Michelin three-starred restaurant, it was downgraded to two stars in the 2025 guide." - Emily Venezky

"The iconic Chef Patrick O’Connell has long been the steward of this idyllic restaurant outside Washington, D.C. In a town whose very existence seems tied to his success, dinner here recalls another era. The dining room is a celebration of maximalist décor and stately grandeur. The menu offers an array of signature preparations, such as the vegetable-forward ratatouille from the garden with roasted garlic custard, the contemporary-minded, tomato-cured hamachi in watermelon gazpacho, and the enduring classic of lobster mousse wrapped in Savoy cabbage dressed with caviar beurre blanc. And all throughout, roaming bread and cheese carts are a reminder of a luxury that’s less and less common." - The MICHELIN Guide

"Identified as Virginia’s New American landmark, it dropped to two stars last week." - Melissa McCart

"A rural Virginia gem about 70 miles west of D.C., this dream destination for haute American cuisine—created over four decades by chef-proprietor Patrick O’Connell, a James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award winner—was just demoted from three to two Michelin stars. Known for theatrical touches (it famously seated mannequins during early social distancing), the Inn currently serves a $388 tasting menu featuring dishes like pepper-crusted duck breast with celery root and grilled figs, with optional $250 wine pairings, and recently added an extravagant “water menu” pouring ultra-rare tastes from underground glaciers around the world. In a statement, the team maintained it is “better than ever” and focused on a “restorative, magical experience,” while public reaction ranged from praise calling it the “best meal” and vows to return even with one less star to critiques about service and questions about whether prices might drop. The restaurant previously held two stars when Michelin launched its D.C. guide in 2016 before earning three in 2019." - Tierney Plumb