Wye Oak Tavern

Wye Oak Tavern reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. B

   Bruce VIP

   Washington DC45 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was our first visit to Wye Oak Tavern. We live about an hour and a half away so we spent the night in the Visitation Hotel to make things more convenient. Restaurant lives up to all the great reviews we read about them. We shared the parmesan cheesecake for an appetizer, we each had the 45day aged rib eye steak as an entre, creamed spinach and spiced sweet potatoes as sides (all sides are a la carte) and shared a slice of wye oak for dessert. Everything was outstanding, highly recommended for a special dining experience.
   

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2. M

   Michael VIP

   Omaha108 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Our experience of the service was very good, the kitchen output was very good, the room decor very attractive, BUT...the noise level was beyond acceptable. Deafening, to the point that the server was having trouble hearing us, and we likewise hearing her. There's absolutely no sound absorption here – it's as bad as it gets. And have to add that we weren't in the noisiest part of the restaurant, which is the open chapel area. We were in a lower-ceilinged room alongside it. That level of noise is exhausting. Won't be rushing back, unfortunately.
   

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3. A

   Adam VIP

   Washington DC14 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Fantastic service , fantastic food. Mezzanine seating is a little quieter and has nice views.
   

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4. A

   Ashley VIP

   Richmond4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A fantastic meal soup to nuts with beautiful ambiance and very knowledgeable and attentive wait staff. We will be coming back again, hungry for more!
   

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5. m

   mark VIP

   Washington DC16 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   Prices were quite high (even comparing to downtown DC) for food that was simply average. Service was good but not exceptional despite the large staff that floated around constantly. The restaurant is quite loud, in fact it was so even when 80% empty (sunday at 5pm). Having never dined in Frederick I have nothing to compare it to, but I would say it's not worth the drive from the DC metro area.
   

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6. M

   Marc VIP

   Baltimore / Maryland17 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Stepping into the Wye Oak Tavern is like stepping into a beautifully realized vision. Housed within a stunningly renovated historic hotel (Visitation Hotel - a former Catholic school and monastery) in Frederick, the immediate impression is one of refined elegance and respect for the past. The care taken to blend historical charm with modern comfort is evident everywhere you look, creating an ambiance that feels both special and welcoming. And largely, the food lives up to these impressive surroundings. Our meal was a parade of culinary high points. The star, undoubtedly, was the steak. Cooked to perfection, it was a testament to a kitchen that understands its craft. Supporting this main event were the generous, family-style sides. This approach encourages sharing and adds a convivial touch to the meal; think elevated comfort classics designed to complement the mains. The signature Wye Oak Dessert was delicious (although quite small). But a critical flaw emerged as the restaurant filled: the noise. The gorgeous design, dominated by hard surfaces but lacking curtains or acoustic panels, becomes an echo chamber. Sound bounces relentlessly, creating an overwhelming cacophony. In the side room, under its lower drywall ceiling, it became impossible to hear dining companions without shouting across the table. This is Wye Oak's frustrating paradox. It nails the ambiance and delivers truly excellent food. It should be a top destination in Frederick. Yet, the unbearable noise level fundamentally mars the experience. It’s hard to savour near-perfection when you can't hold a simple conversation. Despite loving so much about our visit, the acoustic assault is a serious issue. It’s a beautiful restaurant desperately in need of sound-dampening. Sadly, the noise alone is a significant drawback and might, despite its many strengths, be enough to keep us from returning.
   

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7. L

   Lisa

   Washington DC1 review

   5.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Very interesting venue . Food and service were great! We will definitely come again.
   

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8. r

   rafael

   Washington DC2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food was fantastic, the service great, and the environment was terrific!
   

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9. A

   Andrew VIP

   Washington DC4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Really a great experience. Only complaint would be the noise. The great acoustics of the church are bad for a restaurant.
   

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10. B

    Bryan

    Philadelphia2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Phenomenal! Food, drink, atmosphere! You MUST try this place.
    

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