You’re walking down 9th Street NW, probably dodging a rogue electric scooter or a distracted tourist, and you see it. Large windows. A warm, golden glow that looks like a hug feels. That’s Convivial restaurant in DC. It isn't just another spot in Shaw to grab a bite before a show at the 9:30 Club; it’s a masterclass in what happens when French technique stops being stuffy and starts being, well, fun.
The name isn't an accident. Cedric Maupillier, the chef-owner, chose it because it means "friendly, lively, and enjoyable." Most places in this city try too hard to be "elevated." Convivial just is.
The French-American Identity Crisis That Actually Works
Most "French" spots in DC fall into two camps. You have the butter-drenched bistros that feel like a set piece from a 1950s movie, or you have the ultra-modern tasting menus where you pay $300 to eat foam off a rock. Convivial lives in the messy, delicious middle.
Chef Maupillier grew up in France, but he’s spent enough time in the States to know that sometimes you just want a damn good burger alongside your escargot. He calls it "French-American." I call it the reason my pants are tight.
Take the Le Burger. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s just a perfect patty with Comté cheese and a brioche bun that actually holds its shape. But then, on the same menu, you have Escargot in Pastry Shells. No tiny forks. No shells rolling around on a plate. Just garlic, herbs, and puff pastry that shatters when you look at it.
Why Shaw Was the Right Move
Shaw used to be the "up-and-coming" neighborhood about ten years ago. Now, it’s just the place to be. Convivial sits right in the heart of this evolution at 801 O St NW. It’s a corner spot. High ceilings. White brick. It feels airy during the day and intimate at night.
If you’ve lived in DC for a minute, you remember when this area was mostly empty lots and a few stalwart jazz clubs. Seeing a place like Convivial thrive here—staying busy on a Tuesday night when half the city is hiding at home—tells you everything you need to know about the food.
The Dishes You’re Probably Ordering Wrong
Let’s talk about the Fried Chicken Coq au Vin.
If you go to Convivial and don't order this, did you even go? It’s arguably the most famous dish in the city for a reason. Traditional Coq au Vin is a slow-braised, purple-tinged stew of rooster and red wine. It’s heavy. It’s rustic.
Maupillier flips the script. He takes the bird, brines it, fries it until it’s crunchier than a gravel road, and then serves it with a red wine reduction that has all the depth of the original without the sogginess. It’s a brilliant bit of culinary engineering.
Then there’s the Latkes with Smoked Salmon.
People think: "Oh, brunch food."
Wrong.
It’s an any-time-of-day food. The latkes are crisp, the salmon is silky, and the horseradish crème fraîche provides that little kick in the teeth you need to keep going.
The Underappreciated Vegetable Game
I’m a meat eater. I love a steak frites as much as the next guy. But the way Convivial treats vegetables is honestly kind of rude to every other restaurant in the District.
The Brussels Sprouts Slaw with peanuts and mint? It shouldn't work. It sounds like a salad you’d find at a sad corporate retreat. Instead, it’s a bright, acidic, crunchy revelation. It cuts through the richness of the heavier dishes.
And the Cauliflower Gratin. It’s basically just a vessel for cheese and cream, but the cauliflower is cooked just enough to keep some bite. It’s comfort food for people who pretend they like vegetables.
Let's Talk About the Vibe (Without Being Cringe)
The "vibe" is a word that’s lost all meaning in 2026. Usually, it means "we have neon signs and loud music so you won't notice the food is mid."
Convivial is different. It’s loud, but not "I can't hear my date" loud. It’s energetic. You’ll see a couple on their third date next to a group of lobbyists in suits next to a family with a kid who is surprisingly well-behaved.
The service is "DC professional." That means they know the wine list (which is heavy on French gems you’ve never heard of but will love), they’re fast, but they don't linger. They aren't your best friends. They’re there to make sure your water glass is never empty and your bread is always warm.
Honestly, the bar is the best seat in the house. If you’re solo or just with one other person, skip the reservation wait and aim for the high tops. You get to watch the bartenders work, and the lighting is just a little bit moodier.
The Price Point Reality Check
Look, we need to be real. Dining out in DC has become expensive. With the 10% tax and the various service fees (Initiative 82 has changed the landscape, let’s be honest), a "casual" dinner can easily hit $100 per person.
Convivial isn't cheap, but it’s fair.
Entrees mostly hover in the $28 to $45 range. Considering the quality of ingredients and the fact that Cedric is actually in the kitchen more often than not, it’s a better value than the "trendy" spots in the Wharf where you pay for the view and get frozen shrimp.
Brunch: The Sunday Savior
If you can’t get a dinner reservation—and you should try at least a week out—go for brunch.
The Quiche Lorraine is about four inches tall. It’s wobbly. It’s custardy. It’s everything a quiche is supposed to be but rarely is in America. Most American quiches are just dry egg pies. This is a dream.
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Also, the Cinnamon Rolls. They come out warm, dripping in glaze, and large enough to share, though you probably won't want to.
What Most People Get Wrong About Convivial
People think it’s a "special occasion" place.
It can be. I’ve seen engagement toasts there. But it’s really a neighborhood joint that happens to have world-class food. If you treat it like a museum, you’re doing it wrong. It’s meant to be messy. You’re supposed to dip your bread in the leftover sauce. You’re supposed to order that third glass of Rose.
Another misconception: that French food is inherently "heavy."
While there is plenty of butter involved, the acidity in Maupillier’s cooking is what saves it. He uses vinegar, citrus, and fermented notes to keep the palate awake. You don't leave feeling like you need a nap; you leave feeling like you want to walk through Logan Circle and talk about your life.
A Note on the Chef
Cedric Maupillier isn't some TV celebrity chef who just puts his name on the door. He’s a protégé of Michel Richard (the late, great legend of Citronelle). You can see Richard’s influence in the playfulness of the menu. There’s a sense of humor here.
When you eat at a place where the owner is actually invested in the day-to-day, you feel it. The consistency at Convivial is arguably the best in the city. I’ve been going for years, and the Fried Chicken Coq au Vin tastes exactly the same today as it did in 2016. That is incredibly hard to pull off in the restaurant industry.
Logistics and How to Actually Get a Table
DC is a reservation city. If you show up at 7:00 PM on a Friday without a plan, you’re going to be eating a jumbo slice down the street instead.
- Resy is your friend. They open slots up a few weeks in advance.
- The 5:30 PM slot. It’s underrated. You get the best service, the kitchen is fresh, and you’re out in time to actually do something with your night.
- Parking is a nightmare. It’s Shaw. Just take an Uber or the Metro to Mt Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center. It’s a five-minute walk.
- Dietary restrictions. They are surprisingly good with gluten-free and vegetarian options for a French-heavy place. Just tell them.
The Final Verdict
There are sexier restaurants in DC. There are more expensive ones. There are ones with better "Instagrammable" walls.
But there aren't many that are better.
Convivial restaurant in DC succeeds because it remembers that at the end of the day, a restaurant is a place to eat and talk. It’s not a gallery. It’s not a boardroom. It’s a dining room.
The wood tables are scarred from years of use. The air smells like garlic and toasted flour. The wine pours are generous. In a city that can often feel transactional and stiff, Convivial is a reminder that hospitality is an art form.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
- Order the Leek Mimosa. It’s a classic French starter—steamed leeks with chopped egg and vinaigrette—that Convivial does better than most bistros in Paris.
- Share everything. The menu is designed for it. Get two appetizers, two mains, and a side for two people.
- Don't skip dessert. The Sticky Toffee Pudding isn't French, but it's phenomenal. Or go for the Île Flottante (Floating Island) if you want to stay on theme.
- Check the specials. They often have seasonal seafood or game meats that aren't on the standard printed menu.
- Walk the neighborhood after. Head south toward the Convention Center or north toward U Street to see how much the area has changed while Convivial has remained a constant.