Moon Rabbit
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✨ Vibe
Located in the heart of Penn Quarter, Moon Rabbit blends sophisticated modern elegance with warm, personal decor that creates the intimate feel of an upscale dinner party hosted by a close friend.
🍸 Best For
Adventurous foodies, celebratory tasting menus, world-class pastry exploration, and impressive date nights.
🔥 Highlights
- Acclaimed Culinary Innovation: Ranked #17 on the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Chef Kevin Tien’s menu masterfully reimagines Vietnamese cuisine through a creative lens, featuring standout dishes like wagyu beef with perilla leaves and mochi beignets with freshwater eel.
- World-Class Pastry Program: Indulge in the boundary-pushing desserts of Susan Bae—named North America’s Best Pastry Chef—whose signature creations like seaweed pandan and savory-sweet chocolate mousse have garnered international praise.
- Award-Winning Mixology: Enjoy the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Exceptional Cocktails Award-winning beverage program by Bar Director Thi Nguyen, which features both expertly crafted cocktails and sophisticated zero-proof options that elicit nostalgic flavors.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Reservations are highly recommended and can be booked via their website for either the "Chef’s Visit to Vietnam" tasting menu or a la carte dining.
- A 20% service charge is included on all checks to ensure equitable wages and benefits for the entire hospitality team.
📅 Upcoming Events & Specials
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📰 In the News
The Vietnamese Restaurant in Penn Quarter That Keeps You Circling Back
Moon Rabbit features an inventive take on Vietnamese cuisine led by chef Kevin Tien in Washington D.C.’s Penn Quarter. The restaurant highlights a menu that balances traditional flavors with contemporary techniques, serving as a standout destination in the city's dining scene.
These Three Washington, D.C. Restaurants Ranked Highly On The Inaugural 50 Best Restaurants In North America List
Moon Rabbit has been recognized as one of the top dining destinations in the country, earning a high ranking on the inaugural 50 Best Restaurants in North America list. This prestigious accolade highlights the restaurant's significant culinary impact within Washington, D.C.
Moon Rabbit | Restaurants in Washington DC
Moon Rabbit is a modern Vietnamese restaurant in Washington, D.C., known for Chef Kevin Tien's playful manipulation of texture and Susan Bae's inventive desserts. The venue offers a relaxed, bright atmosphere with a menu focused on seasonal ingredients, a creative cocktail program, and an accessible $35 three-course lunch deal.
Moon Rabbit | North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 | Ranked No. 17
Moon Rabbit, ranked No. 17 on North America's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2025, serves cutting-edge Vietnamese cuisine reimagined through a Cajun lens in downtown Washington DC. Led by chef-owner Kevin Tien and acclaimed pastry chef Susan Bae, the restaurant features innovative dishes like mochi beignets with freshwater eel and green curry sponge cake.
Moon Rabbit
Moon Rabbit, a personal project by chef Kevin Tien, offers a fine-dining approach to Vietnamese cuisine in a bright space decorated with the chef's personal collectibles. The menu features creative fusions like Italian-inspired pastas with Vietnamese flavors and a "Chef’s Visit to Vietnam" tasting menu, complemented by innovative desserts from pastry chef Susan Bae.
Recent Reviews from Google
First time here but loved it. Service was warm and very personal. Decor is homely and I like how there are personal effects and other personal touches everywhere you look. Pacing of the food is...
Exciting food, great flavors and nicer presentation. I tried the set menu and loved everything. My favorite was the crab with potato dumplings, and the wagyu kebabs were surprisingly good. The fish...
We recently tried the chef’s tasting menu at Moon Rabbit DC, and the experience was a mix of highs and lows. The meal started out strong—every starter we tried was excellent. The Summer Roll and...
$364 after tax + tip for 2 tasting menus ($89 each) and two wine pairings ($49 each). Great overall. We got one vegan tasting menu and one regular. The vegan one was just as great. Got one cocktail...
We were very excited to try out this place and were lucky enough to get a reservation last minute on a Monday night. We went as a group of 3 and got the Chef's Visit to Vietnam - which is 5 courses,...
