Makers Union Arlington

Delicious food, great service (shoutout to Lindsey!), wonderful atmosphere, and very picturesque! Will be going again, the hot chicken tenders were especially good, as well as the parmesan garlic butter fries!! The dog-friendly patio was also perfect for our furry friends!

I visited DC for the week for work. A few colleagues and I went to Makers Union on Monday evening, and I had the crab cake, and was very impressed. Probably one of the best (and biggest) I've had. Thursday afternoon, I needed to get some work done in my hotel room, right across the street. I picked up a crab cake and a brownie - it was ready within 15 minutes when I ordered online. The order was right, and just as delicious as Monday's version. Definitely recommend!

I live nearby and had been eyeing this place for a while. Decided to pop in for happy hour and was not disappointed! The only thing that annoyed me was finding parking lol. Uber if you can. Very fun atmosphere and playlist. Sydney was our waiter and she was AMAZING. She gave great recommendations and is also hilarious lol and attentive. We had the naked chargrilled and Phoenix rub wings with the bang bang shrimp and parm garlic butter fries. Everything was a HIT. Highly recommend this place and I look forward to exploring more of the menu!

This is our local spot where the food, service, and drinks are always amazing. I want to give a special shoutout though to when they do focused events, like Mardi Gras. There’s always decor and a special menu for themed / culturally on-point food and drinks. Was lucky enough to live in NOLA for a bit and I miss it most during Mardi Gras (not the Bourbon St stuff but the commaraderie and elevated spirits). Makers Union did such an amazing job this year! The menu with jambalaya, shrimp andouille, and a po’ boy sandwich, as well as hurricanes *almost* as good as Pat’s (would be sacrilege to say as good as) made me miss N’leans a whole lot less. It wasn’t about the drinking it was about the culture and I’m so appreciative of that. Highly recommend if you’re in town visiting, a local, or want to have some themed fun. If you’re lucky you’ll get Ms. Katrina as a waitress, who’s the absolute best and will always take care of you! (Singer in pics is Ryan Paladino, very talented local guitarist/musician). 3/17 Addition - 5 stars AND 5 shamrocks (credit to my wife for that one). Sat at the bar, incredible service and drinks thanks to Martine. Also love that the volume of the live music and stereo is the right volume so you can enjoy it but also have a conversation without raising your voice. A+ St. Patrick’s Day celebration!!!!

This is actually one of the best low key brunches in the area. Prices are fair, the food is fantastic (and comes out quick), and the service is impeccable. Lindsey is one of the best servers I’ve had in a while, and took great care of our group. I highly recommend!!

Erika and Nyga were absolutely wonderful! My husband and I sat at the bar and always had a full drink and cold water. I did not get a picture of our entrees but they were so delicious. I ordered the ahi tuna poke bowl, and my husband got the signature Mac n cheese and the Nashville tenders. For our app we got the Brussel Sprouts. I loved them, but my husband wasn't a huge fan of the mint in the dish. All in all, I give the restaurant and bar a 10/10!

Awesome food and atmosphere- Dominic our server was friendly and helpful getting us seated quickly and with great recommendations!

Neija ( i dont know how to spell her name ) and Erika were absolutely amazing! Neija made sure my drink was never empty and made amazing shooters for my wife and I. Erica made wonderful drinks and made us feel at home. These ladies are PROFESSIONALS ! My wife and I had the poke bowl, bread pudding, Brussel sprouts, mac and cheese, and Nashville tenders, and they were ALL AMAZING! the atmosphere was giving off very cool vibes and very clean. I loved the open kitchen concept. You can see the cooks preparing food and smell all the wonderful things being made. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place for just a couple wanting a drink to a 30 top wanting apps, drinks, and entrees The bad, lol, and it's not even that serious, but it's a touch warm in there, but again, it was packed, and the bathrooms were pretty dirty .. but again, very busy. We will be back again very soon!

Really delicious food! Came here for brunch yesterday and had a great experience. We sat outside since I had my dog with me, and this area is like a wind tunnel so wouldn’t recommend sitting outside til it warms up a bit more. Food was delicious, service was great, and it was a beautiful part of Crystal City. Very developed area.

The food does not disappoint here. I went three times while I was in town and enjoyed each meal. I brought others along with me the last two times and they liked their food as well. I especially enjoyed the Moroccan Impossible Kebabs.

Good food and atmosphere. We got the crab soup to share, he got the French dip and I got the Impossible skewers. Our friend got the chicken and waffles. All delicious! Got the sangria punch as well, loved it! Our server, Dominic, was fantastic!

The best food & vibes! Delicious spinach & artichoke dip! Delicious chimichurri steak! And Lindsey was an incredible server! Give him a raise!

My server Jermaine was amazing he made my experience. I don’t normally write reviews but the people had to hear about it. The food flew out the kitchen record time ‘ and was delicious . The manager tony also came by and talked to us about the neighborhood he was extremely helpful. They have a new regular.

I had an absolutely great experience while dining in at Makers Union. When I walked in the atmosphere was inviting and clean. We had the best server named Kiyah. She was very attentive and extremely knowledgeable about the menu as this was my first time visiting. Everything that she recommended was a hit! The food was amazing! I would recommend the wings, chicken tenders and the burger. For drinks the dragon fruit martini was my favorite! The drinks were well made and definitely worth the money. The manager Junae, went above and beyond to make sure our experience was perfect. She personally checked on our table and her personality was incredibly friendly and made our experience even better. Kiyah and Junae showed great hospitality. Make sure you ask for them when you visit! I will definitely be coming back and recommending this place to family and friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ask for Delawren — trust me! Delawren was absolutely AMAZING! From the moment she came to our table, her energy was warm, welcoming, and on point. She was super attentive without being overbearing, checked in on us at all the right moments, and made sure everything was exactly how we wanted it. She knew the menu, gave great recommendations, and made the whole experience feel relaxed and fun — like we were being taken care of by someone who truly enjoys what she does. Our food and drinks were perfect, and honestly, her service made the entire visit even better.

This is one of my favorite local restaurants to dine with friends and out of town visitors, and I also order take-away meals from here as well. The prices are reasonable for the area, and I am a big fan of their brunch, their cocktails (especially the Yuzu Lemondrop Martini), and their Hickory House Smoked Salmon entree. My mom visited me and we ate here, and she still talks about how much she loved the crab cakes. The portions are generous, and the food and service are consistently excellent. I also love that the have the outdoor space when the weather is warmer so I can take my dog with me. Sydney, one of the servers, is so friendly and welcoming and always takes the time to say hello and has treats for my dog. I love having a dependable local restaurant and highly recommend Maker’s Union

I LOVED LINDSEY!!! This was my first time at this venue. I had to beg my sister to come (she wanted to go to Matchbox). We were pleasantly cared for by Lindsey, whose recommendations were on point! My sister, so hard to please, was so satisfied and satiated after our respective meals. It’s so wonderful to be cared for by knowledgeable and pleasant personalities. We will be back for happy hour!!!

The food and drinks were really good I was too hungry for pictures🤗 My husband got the burger and fries it was really good with a nice brioche bun and fries were cooked crispy like beer batter… I got the chicken and waffles …delicious. I wish it was the whole Belgium Waffle and some Louisiana Hot sauce for the chicken but the skin on the chicken was delicious it came with two piece of waffles and chicken. I think the bigger piece I should have eaten there while still hot but it was still good when I got home with Louisiana . All in all a place to try and the coffee place across was a good closer. Thanks for lunch🙃

First off...the Thai She Crab Soup is incredible...delicious real crab chunks in a creamy coconut broth with a hint of cilantro. It is also gluten-free, which was another plus for me. I can't wait to go back and try this Soup again. I also enjoyed the Ahi Tuna Poke bowl and it was also very delicious. Coupled with a blood orange mule cocktail, and I was in heaven. The service was fast and the servers were friendly. I highly recommend Makers Union.

We had dinner at Makers Union and it honestly exceeded our expectations. The vibe in the evening was amazing — lively but still comfortable enough to enjoy a relaxed meal. Every dish we ordered was flavorful, beautifully presented, and came out perfectly timed. What truly made the night stand out, though, was our server, Ali. He was incredibly attentive without being intrusive, super friendly, and genuinely made us feel welcome from the moment we sat down. Ali knew the menu well, gave great recommendations, and made sure everything was exactly how we wanted it. It’s rare to come across someone who clearly cares about giving guests a great experience, but Ali absolutely does. Between the great food, the atmosphere, and Ali’s outstanding service, this turned into one of our favorite dinner spots. We’ll definitely be coming back — and asking for Ali again. Highly recommend!

Johani and Lindsey were our servers and were AWESOME!! They were both very attentive and made the night very fun. The food recommendations from Lindsey and johani were spot on. The steak and fish and chips were sooooooo good!! I will definitely be back for the service alone... the food is an awesome perk.

We had a wonderful dinner experience, made even better by Charida’s outstanding service. She gave great menu recommendations, was very attentive throughout the meal, and consistently checked in to make sure everything was perfect. Our drinks were always refilled without us having to ask, and her warm, thoughtful care truly stood out. Highly recommend asking for Charida—she made our evening truly enjoyable.

My family and I went for brunch this morning and the experience and the food were amazing! Our server, Kiyah, was very attentive and super sweet. We were a party of 10 and we really appreciated all of her hard work. The all you can eat brunch is a great thing to order if you are dining with a large party. All the dishes were delicious but we especially loved the french toast. We love this place and will definitely be back!

Tasty brunch with unlimited servings of crab Benedict, French toast, Caesar salad, deviled eggs, chicken and waffles, and more. The mimosas were delicious and refills were $1 each. I didn’t think the host was appropriately dressed though - it looked liked she just finished cutting grass because her “white” athletic shoes were filthy and her outfit screamed “Quick Target Run”! I didn’t think she worked there when she offered to seat us. Our server was FANTASTIC and very helpful. She explained the all-you-can-eat concept and mimosa refills perfectly. She checked on us often to ensure we had everything. This is a great location with free parking underground for three hours with no validation required.

Had a chance to grab a bite here after work and it seems to be the place to go for post-work drinks and bites, especially if you work for the large companies nearby. This place can be absolutely packed and on this day, it was filled by 5:30. The food is decent, service is friendly, but it’s more for the social vibes that you come here. It’s quite rambunctious in a good way - so if you like that kind of spot, this is it.

Makers Union has a fantastic location and a great vibe that makes it a perfect spot to stop for a meal. I ordered the steak with asparagus, and it was absolutely delicious—tender, flavorful, and cooked just right. The presentation was also on point, which made the experience even better. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere felt welcoming and relaxed. Definitely a place I’d come back to and recommend to anyone looking for good food in a convenient spot.

Stopped in for lunch after checking out the reviews. Atmosphere was great, nice bar area and indoor seating. Outdoor areas were great, good amount of space and seating. If the weather is good, outside is the best option. We had the Brussels sprouts for app and it was very good, my favorite part. We had the impossible kebabs for the main course. The kebabs were good, but came cold and the sides were over salted. Told the waiter it was cold and he said sorry and walked away as if it did not matter. That was my main issue with this place. Wrapped it up with the bread pudding, which was average. I would consider returning per the location and to try something else.

Stopped here for some food and drinks with coworkers. I ordered the makers steak and fried medium rare. The fries were incredible and had a ton of flavor. The steak was cooked very well and met my expectations. Very fair price and the service was good. I would certainly stop here again if in the area. Very friendly staff and fast service.

In from out of state and googled nearbys. Fish and chips, Thai she soup and shrimp alfredo are all top notch! Plan on sitting in bar as they don't take walk ins for table service. Bartender ran our card for more than we signed the receipt for (which we didn't know until we got the notification from the credit card company while still sitting there). When questioned, he couldn't explain why. Manager says we will be refunded (which takes a few days from now) but it leaves us suspicious of what goes on there and whether or not we caught him trying to scam us. Wondering if anyone has had this as well and maybe didn't catch it. Left a bad taste in our mouth honestly. Will wait and see if refund comes. **UPDATE** the refund did come but TBH, we are still skeptical of the whole interaction and are concerned there are others out there with a similar experience. Thanks to the manager for the response back...we will return if we're ever back east again.

Very good experience here, sat in nice big booth area but there is bar seating in center and lots of cool mood lighting going on, along with classic sports bar TV placement. The staff was super nice and the kitchen seems run very effectively because all the food was hot and quick. Even oysters were shucked fast and icy cold, tasted great with all the side fixings included. Definitely worth a visit, lots of good cocktails and big menu with stuff for everybody. Chicken and waffles are really delicious and curry style crab soup was soooooo good.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that happy hour started at 3pm. We arrived right around 3 and were able to quickly find a seat at the bar. They have a separate Happy Hour menu that has a pretty decent number of options at a discounted price. We placed an order for drinks as well as some appetizers. The only issue we had was trying to get the bartenders attention when we wanted to order more drinks. A few times we ordered something and then had to ask about it or reorder it because it never came. During the 3+ hours we were there, it definitely got more crowded. It's definitely a nice little vibe. The weather was perfect and they had the glass walls open. I would definitely return again and try some other things on the menu.

Berkay was amazing! We had a small baby with us, and he went out his way to make sure our babe was comfortable and entertained. He was also a great server for the adults, too! Can’t recommend him enough.

I recently visited Makers Union in Crystal City and had a mixed experience. The location is fantastic—easy to get to and in a lively part of town. The atmosphere is trendy and inviting, with a modern vibe that initially got me excited for a great night out. The drinks were great. Unfortunately, the food and service didn’t quite live up to the setting. We ordered a variety of dishes: Chicken Alfredo Pasta, Lamb Chops, Steak, Wings, and the kids’ Chicken Strips with Fries. The Alfredo pasta and the kids’ meal were actually pretty good—flavorful and well-prepared. But the rest of the dishes were a letdown. The lamb chops were oddly sweet and disappointingly small, and the steak cubes were just as tiny. For the price, you'd expect more. The wings lacked seasoning and were almost flavorless. Service was another issue. Our server seemed to forget about us multiple times, and it took a while to get our orders and refills. To top it off, the music inside was so loud we could barely hear each other talk. There was a live DJ, which sounded like a fun idea, but the music selection just didn’t hit the mark. That said, the restaurant does have a cool vibe and a great location, which could make it a fun spot for drinks or a casual hangout—especially if you're not too focused on the food. With a few improvements, Makers Union could definitely become a go-to spot in Crystal City.

beware!! If you make a reservation via the business page Google Maps directly, you will be mistakenly booked to the WHARF location. My friends and I made a last min reservation only to arrive and see that error :( Management should fix this issue soon. Thankfully we only had to wait 15 mins before getting seated because it’s past peak dinner time. The food was delicious and server was very friendly and attentive. I’m glad they had mocktails.

The fries served with the steak were oily and soggy. The cheese cake was excellent. Have the chefs be consistent as I heard some days, the fries are cooked correctly. Next time I go there and the fries are oily and soggy, I will return the food.

While the location is pretty good, located near the Pentagon and several office centers, the price absolutely reflects that. The cost WAAAAY outpaces the quality of the food. Our server was really nice, but the appetizer was pretty lame (there were five absolutely tiny pieces of lettuce to 'wrap' seven normal small shrimp) and the fish and chips were basically two fish fingers that were almost entirely breading.

Went to Makers for dinner. The menu looked great. We ordered the grilled old bay wings, which were delicious. The fish and chips were very good, but the rib was overcooked. Our waitress was nice and attentive even though she had quite a few tables to attend. The restaurant has an open kitchen concept, but unfortunately, the smoke inside and outside the restaurant is awful. The smoke was so bad that it started to hurt our throat and eyes, and it also made it very hot inside. They really need to invest in better ventilation. It is also extremely loud, even with the doors open. The design of the restaurant makes it hard to enjoy a meal.

UPDATE: When I got home with my takeout order and discovered the burger was RAW, I called to inform them only because it was about the principle that they had gotten my order wrong THREE TIMES. They offered to refund the order, asked my name on the ticket and said they'd refund. Not a surprise, they NEVER DID. This burger cost ~$25 not a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, but the situation is such that this is just a slap in the face. I've eaten here plenty of times as I live in the neighborhood and my office is right upstairs, but this recent order was a disaster. My order was wrong three times - first just a plain bun and patty & wrong side order, second time - missing bacon, and by the time I finally got my order home it was raw inside despite ordering medium well (photos attached). Instead of apologizing, taking accountability and correcting the mistake, they flipped the issue on me like I was the problem. Poor customer service. Mistakes happen - own it, make it right and move on.

We visited this restaurant last night 1/10/26 with friends after reading several positive reviews, which is what led us to choose this spot. We arrived around 9:30 p.m., fully aware that the restaurant closes at 11:00, and we were comfortable with that. While the food itself was good and well prepared, the overall experience was disappointing. Around 10:30 p.m., we began to feel rushed. The waiter appeared hurried, and another staff (female) member started stacking chairs around us, which felt unprofessional and disruptive. We were still eating and enjoying our drinks when chairs were flipped onto tables and the lights were turned up very brightly, clearly signaling that guests should leave. This approach came across as rude and detracted significantly from the dining experience. Dining out isn’t just about the quality of the food—it’s also about the atmosphere and the ability to enjoy time with friends. Unfortunately, despite the good food, the rushed environment overshadowed the experience. We didn’t notice a manager on site at the time, and because of this, we likely won’t return. We did call to speak to a manager a day after and the manager, even though listened to our issue really did not do much to ameliorate the situation!!

I rarely leave reviews, but this brunch was extremely disappointing. Service was poor—no one checked on us once. The pancakes were raw inside, the crab benedict’s muffin was hard like a cookie, the potatoes were over-fried and greasy, and the coffee looked and tasted awful. I’m shocked a 4.7-star restaurant could serve brunch this bad.