Moon Rabbit DC Menu (2026): 11 Dishes Worth Ordering

Last updated: October 18, 2026

The Moon Rabbit DC menu is a modern Vietnamese menu from Chef Kevin Tien, with Louisiana Cajun flavors mixed in. It is built around small and medium plates for sharing, plus a tasting menu that most diners recommend. Expect dishes like mochi beignets with eel, fried quail over tomato rice, and a durian dessert.

This guide walks through the 11 items people mention most, what is in them, and who will like them. You will also find the tasting menu cost, drink notes, diet options, and a few honest warnings.

Moon Rabbit at a Glance

Detail	What We Found
Cuisine	Modern Vietnamese with Cajun influence
Address	927 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004 (Penn Quarter)
Typical spend	About $50 to $100 per person (guide estimate)
Dinner for two	$201 to $299 with tax and a 20% tip (Washingtonian, 2026)
Hours	Dinner only, Monday to Saturday; closed Sunday per Michelin
Phone	(202) 525-1446
Reservations	Strongly suggested
Nearest Metro	Gallery Place/Chinatown or Metro Center
Parking	Street parking only

Hours differ a little between sources. Michelin and AAA list a 5:00 pm start, and OpenTable shows 4:30 pm. Friday and Saturday run later than weeknights. Check OpenTable before you go.

Independent Guide and How We Verified It

ManuPoint is not affiliated with Moon Rabbit, Chef Tien, or any partner. This is an independent, unofficial guide.

We built it from the Michelin Guide listing, Washingtonian’s 2026 write-up, OpenTable, Yelp, Tripadvisor, AAA and Eater DC. We cross-checked dish names and ingredients across more than one source where we could.

Moon Rabbit changes its menu with the seasons. Some dishes below are long-running favorites, and a few details come from earlier menus. Always confirm with the restaurant, since prices, hours and items shift.

How the Moon Rabbit Menu Works

The kitchen leans on shareable plates rather than big entrées. Diners on OpenTable describe many small to medium dishes, and the food is closer to tasting-menu sized than a standard dinner plate.

You have two ways to order. You can build your own meal from the à la carte list, or you can pick the tasting menu. Reviewers keep saying the tasting menu is the smarter move for a first visit. We cover the numbers in the pricing section below.

Also Read:Easy Like Sunday Menu (2026): 50+ Brunch Items and Prices

11 Must-Try Dishes on the Moon Rabbit DC Menu

1. Mochi Beignets with Freshwater Eel

This is the dish critics bring up most. It takes a New Orleans-style beignet, swaps in chewy mochi, and pairs it with caramelized eel. Michelin and Washingtonian both single it out.

It is sweet and savory in the same bite. Order it if you like adventurous plates and want to see Tien’s Louisiana roots at work.

2. Fried Quail with Tomato Rice (Chim Cút Chiên)

Quail is a popular Vietnamese street food. Tien fries it Louisiana-style, and Michelin describes it as stuffed with duck sausage and served over crispy tomato rice with clementine mustard.

It works well as a main for sharing. The crisp rice gives you texture in every spoonful. Skip it only if you avoid fried food.

3. Sweet Potato & Crab (Bánh Canh Cua)

Bánh canh is a thick-noodle dish. Here it shows up as a sweet potato dumpling with crab, tomato, crab fat and fermented sausage, based on a 2024 menu listing. Yelp and Tripadvisor reviewers rank it among the standouts.

It is rich and a little salty. One recent diner said they wanted more crab in it, so go in expecting a small plate.

4. Stuffed Leaf with Wagyu and Perilla

Wagyu beef is wrapped in perilla leaves and served with fermented honey, pickled shallots and labneh for dipping. Washingtonian highlights this one, and Yelp lists it as one of the most photographed dishes.

Perilla has a minty, herby bite that cuts through rich beef. This is a strong pick for meat lovers.

5. Pâté Chaud

Pâté chaud is a flaky Vietnamese pastry with French roots. A 2024 version at Moon Rabbit used puffed pastry filled with foie gras, wood ear mushroom and pork jus.

Diners on Tripadvisor still name it as a highlight in 2026. It is buttery and rich, so one order for two people is plenty.

6. Water Fern Rice Cakes

Water fern rice cakes (bánh bèo) are soft, steamed little cakes. Michelin lists a version layered with caramelized king trumpet mushrooms and ginger oil.

It is a gentler plate than the quail or the beef. Good for a vegetarian-leaning table, though confirm the current ingredients with your server.

7. Lemongrass Pork Chop

Lemongrass and pork is a classic Vietnamese pairing. This chop appears in several lists of Moon Rabbit’s signature dishes and sits among the popular items on Yelp.

It is the closest thing to a familiar “entrée” on the menu. Pick it if someone in your group wants something hearty and less experimental.

8. Shrimp Thermidor

This is a Vietnamese-French spin on a classic. A 2024 listing described it with shellfish sabayon, fine herbs and Meyer lemon. AAA’s inspector also called out the shrimp Thermidor on the menu.

It tastes like a dressed-up seafood dish rather than a traditional Vietnamese one. It suits anyone who likes creamy sauces and seafood.

9. The Muffuletta Noodle Dish

The muffuletta is a famous New Orleans sandwich. Tien rebuilds it as a rice-noodle dish with housemade Vietnamese-inspired mortadella, olive tapenade and fried-egg aïoli, per Washingtonian.

It is a clear example of the Louisiana and Vietnam mix that defines the restaurant. Menus change, so ask if it is still available.

10. Durian and White Chocolate Mousse

Washingtonian named this the writer’s favorite dessert. It pairs durian mousse with passionfruit granita, white chocolate streusel and dill oil. Pastry chef Susan Bae builds the dessert menu.

Durian has a strong smell, but reviewers say the dessert is gentler than it sounds. The tart passionfruit keeps it from feeling heavy. One Oct 2026 diner told others not to skip it.

11. Pandan Panna Cotta with Seaweed

Michelin describes this as a vegan pandan panna cotta tucked with Okinawa seaweed and surrounded by chocolate cookie crumble. The seaweed adds a salty edge to the sweet pandan.

It is a good choice if you want dessert without dairy. The green curry sponge cake is another playful dessert people mention, so ask about it if it is on the menu.

Other Items Diners Mention

These did not make the top 11, but they show up often in reviews:

• Charred eggplant (canh cà bung)
• Cumin lamb
• Summer roll
• Crab rangoon
• Soft dinner rolls with vegan miso butter (Eater DC praised them)
• Cassava cornbread (Tripadvisor reviewers liked it)

Moon Rabbit Tasting Menu and Prices

Moon Rabbit does not post calorie counts that we could find, and we did not find a readable current à la carte price list. So here are the price points we could confirm:

Option	Reported Price	Source and Date
Tasting menu	About $80 per person	OpenTable diner, Oct 2026
Tasting menu	$89 per person	Tripadvisor reviewer, older visit
Typical meal	$50 to $100 per person	Dining guide estimate
Dinner for two	$201 to $299	Washingtonian, Jan 2026
Summer Restaurant Week 3 courses	$65	Aug 24 to Sep 5, 2026 (ended)
Summer Restaurant Week 5 courses	$85	Aug 24 to Sep 5, 2026 (ended)
Summer Restaurant Week 7 courses	$105	Aug 24 to Sep 5, 2026 (ended)

Tasting menu prices vary by visit, and drinks, tax and tip are extra. One OpenTable reviewer who found the meal overhyped said their bill for two came to close to $300. Plan on the higher end if you add cocktails.

During Restaurant Week, Moon Rabbit served tasting menus only. Watch for the next Restaurant Week if you want a lower entry price. There is no official “value meal” or combo here, so the tasting menu is the nearest thing.

Drinks Worth a Look

The cocktail list gets as much praise as the food. AAA’s inspector mentioned a pho cocktail, and a Tripadvisor reviewer liked a drink called the Duck Out.

You can also add wine pairings to the tasting menu. One OpenTable reviewer praised the sake. If you skip alcohol, ask your server what they can make for you.

Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free Options

OpenTable lists vegan and gluten-free options at Moon Rabbit. During Restaurant Week 2026 the kitchen said it could handle gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan requests.

The pandan panna cotta is described as vegan. For allergen details, tell your server when you book and again at the table. The restaurant does not publish a full allergen chart that we could find.

Best Picks by Craving

If You Want	Order
Something rich and meaty	Stuffed leaf with Wagyu
Something crispy	Fried quail with tomato rice
Something unusual	Mochi beignets with eel
A lighter plate	Water fern rice cakes
A familiar entrée	Lemongrass pork chop
Seafood	Sweet potato and crab or shrimp Thermidor
Dessert for brave eaters	Durian and white chocolate mousse

Is It Worth It? An Honest Take

Most reviews are glowing. OpenTable shows a 4.8 average across more than 1,500 reviews, and Washingtonian and Michelin both recognize the restaurant.

Not everyone agrees. One recent diner called the flavors forced and the service weak for the price. Another liked nearly everything but found a squash dish bland.

The room matters, too. A reviewer who had the tasting menu said there are two dining rooms, and the larger one can get loud. Ask for the quieter room when you book.

Moon Rabbit Menu

Moon Rabbit Menu

The Moon Rabbit menu is modern Vietnamese cooking with a twist. Chef Kevin Tien grew up in Louisiana, so Cajun flavors sometimes sneak into Vietnamese dishes. This section explains how the menu works and what dishes stand out.

About the Restaurant

Moon Rabbit is at 927 F St NW in Penn Quarter, Washington, DC. It began at The Wharf in 2020 and moved to its current home in 2024. The name comes from a Buddhist tale about a kind rabbit, and the menu tells stories about the chef’s Vietnamese-American roots.

How the Menu Is Set Up

The dinner menu is built for sharing. Dishes are grouped under headings such as “To Start,” “From the Earth,” and “From the Sea.” Portions are small to medium, so most guests order several plates for the table instead of one big entree each.

Dishes That Stand Out

A recent menu listed these items, each with a Vietnamese name beside the English one:

• Taro Milk Bread: soft bread served with culantro butter and lemon olive oil.
• Summer Roll (Gỏi Cuốn): daikon, hearts of palm, seasonal vegetables, and sunflower hoisin sauce.
• Tomato Rice Cake: fermented green tomato, tofu cashew cream, and Vietnamese sambal.
• Mochi Beignet (Bánh Rán): freshwater eel, Vietnamese-style pickles, and chili jam.
• Sweet Potato & Crab (Bún Riêu): sweet potato tapioca gnocchi, tomato, and Maryland jumbo lump crab.
• Lemongrass Pork Chop: served with sticky rice, and often named by guests as a favorite.

Drinks

The drink list is creative. It has a “pho martini” and a spicy pho-inspired vodka cocktail, plus sparkling sake, wine, and a long list of sipping spirits. Some guests find the cocktails very fancy, so ask your server for a lighter option if you prefer simple flavors.

Menus Change Often

Dishes follow the seasons, so the menu you read online may differ from what you see at the table. Check the restaurant’s own website before you go, especially if you want a certain dish.

Moon Rabbit Tasting Menu

Many guests say the tasting menu is the best way to eat at Moon Rabbit. It gives you a guided tour of the kitchen in several courses.

What the Tasting Menu Is

The chef’s tasting menu has been called “A Chef’s Visit to Vietnam.” A guest who visited said the menu had four courses, plus a small snack of steamed buns and extra dessert bites. Another review described it as a five-course meal that included dessert.

What It Costs

Prices have changed over time. Guests have reported $75, $85, and $89 for the regular chef’s menu on different visits. The best source for the current price is the restaurant’s website or booking page. Special collaboration dinners cost more, such as one listed at $175 per guest before service charge and tax.

What Guests Say About It

Review sites are full of praise. One diner called the lemongrass pork the best thing they had ever eaten. Others loved the water fern rice cake and the mochi beignet. Many guests say the tasting menu is a good value for the amount and quality of food.

Allergies and Substitutions

Tasting menus have limits. For the collaboration dinner, the restaurant said it could not change dishes for allergies or substitutions. The Restaurant Week menu can handle several diets, but not allergies to alliums, soy, onion, or garlic, which appear in many dishes. Tell the restaurant about any needs when you book.

Is It Worth It?

If you want to try the widest range of flavors, yes. A tasting menu is less flexible than ordering à la carte, so it suits guests who like surprises.

Also Read:IHOP Senior Menu (55+) With Prices and Pictures: 2026 Guide

Moon Rabbit DC Reviews

Reviews help you decide if a restaurant matches your taste and budget. Here is a fair look at what guests and critics say.

Ratings at a Glance

The OpenTable page for Moon Rabbit showed a 4.9 rating when we checked. Washingtonian ranked it number 3 on its 2026 list of the city’s 100 best restaurants. The restaurant is also listed in the Michelin Guide.

What Guests Love

Diners often praise the tasting menu, creative cocktails, and attentive service. Many call it a great place for a date night or a special occasion. Others describe the room as bright and polished but not stuffy.

Common Criticisms

Not every review is glowing. One Tripadvisor guest called it pricey and said some cocktails were overloaded with fancy ingredients. Another reviewer mentioned a mandatory tip added to the bill. Plan for a service charge and check your receipt.

What Critics Say

Washingtonian called the food some of the best it ate in 2024. It praised dishes like a crab rangoon turned into a robiola cheese dip, and a shrimp Thermidor. It estimated dinner for two, with tax and tip, at about $201 to $299.

Who Will Enjoy It Most

Moon Rabbit suits adventurous eaters, couples, and groups who like to share. It may be less ideal if you want large entrees or a very low bill.

Moon Rabbit DC Dessert Menu

The dessert menu is one of the most famous parts of the restaurant. It is the work of pastry chef Susan Bae, who won a James Beard Award in 2026.

A Pastry Chef With a Big Award

In June 2026, Susan Bae won Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker at the James Beard Awards, often called the Oscars of the food world. It was her third year in a row as a finalist. She was the only D.C. chef to win that night.

Sweet and Savory Desserts

Bae is known for mixing sweet and savory flavors. A recent menu has included these desserts:

• Green curry sponge cake with avocado sorbet and fish sauce caramel.
• Rong Biển (seaweed): a pandan panna cotta made with seaweed and sea beans.
• Cà Phê Và Cam: Vietnamese coffee mousse with olive oil, citrus, and fennel.
• Chè: a Vietnamese snowball with pink pineapple, tapioca, pomelo, coconut, and pandan jellies.
• Quả Nho (grape): yogurt mousse, concord grape sorbet, and sesame caramel.
• Sầu Riêng (durian): a lush durian mousse that tones down the fruit’s strong smell.

What Desserts Cost

A third-party listing from earlier in the year showed dessert plates at about $18 to $19 each. Dessert items rotate, so the price list may differ now.

Why Guests Say “Always Get Dessert”

Many reviews tell visitors to save room. Bae’s pastry team is all female, and her desserts often surprise guests who expect a regular cake or ice cream. If you do the tasting menu, ask if extra dessert bites are included.

Moon Rabbit DC Photos

Photos can help you picture the room and the plates before you book. Here is what to expect and where to find them.

The Dining Room

A guest described the decor as bright and airy with a casual vibe. Another review called the space polished and cozy. The restaurant mixes elegant plating with a warm, welcoming feel.

The Food and Drinks

Expect small plates arranged with care. Dishes like the mochi beignet, summer roll, and crab-topped sweet potato gnocchi look different from standard Vietnamese food. Desserts are often the most photographed part of the meal.

Where to Find Photos

• The restaurant’s own website and social pages.
• OpenTable, which shows photos for special collaboration dinners.
• Magazine reviews, such as the Washingtonian, which feature professional shots.
• Guest photos on Tripadvisor and map sites.

How to Use Photos

Check the date on each picture, because the menu changes with the seasons. Match dish names to the current menu. A photo can show you the style, but it may not match what you get on your visit.

Moon Rabbit Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week is a smart time to try Moon Rabbit at a lower cost. Here is how it works.

What Restaurant Week Offers

During a recent Restaurant Week, Moon Rabbit offered three chef-curated menus: three courses for $65, five courses for $85, or seven courses for $105. Each included a few surprises. Prices and menu styles can change from one Restaurant Week to the next.

A Look at Past Years

The reopened restaurant launched the day before Restaurant Week began in January 2024. A review at that time noted a menu starting at $65, and food writers called Moon Rabbit’s Restaurant Week lunch a very good deal.

Diet Limits During Restaurant Week

The restaurant can accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan diets. It cannot change dishes for specific allergies such as alliums, soy, onion, or garlic, which are present throughout the menu.

Booking Tips

• Reserve early, since Restaurant Week tables fill fast.
• Check the official Restaurant Week list for dates.
• Ask if drinks and service charges are extra.

Also Read:Park Social Bar Menu 60+ Dishes Explained, Updated for 2026

Moon Rabbit DC Reservations

Moon Rabbit is popular, so booking ahead is wise. This section covers how to reserve and what to know before you go.

How to Book

The easiest way is through the restaurant’s page on OpenTable. You can also call (202) 525-1446. The restaurant’s website links to its booking options.

Hours

OpenTable lists dinner hours of Monday through Saturday, 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Other listings show weekday lunch hours at some times. Hours can change, so check the restaurant’s website before you go.

Dress Code and Atmosphere

The dress code is business casual. The vibe is polished but friendly, and reviewers say the room is good for dates, anniversaries, and celebrations.

Private Events and Groups

For private parties, the restaurant asks guests to email events@moonrabbitdc.com. Large groups should reach out well ahead of time.

Tips for Your Visit

• Book a week or two ahead for weekend dinners.
• Tell the restaurant about allergies when you reserve.
• Expect a service charge on some menus.

Moon Rabbit OpenTable

OpenTable is the main place people book Moon Rabbit and read diner reviews. Here is what you will find there.

What the Listing Shows

The page lists the address (927 F St NW), cuisines (Vietnamese, Contemporary Asian, and Southeast Asian), and a price range of $50 and over. It also notes the dining style as elegant dining and shows accepted cards: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.

Experiences and Special Dinners

OpenTable also lists special “experiences,” such as the Restaurant Week menus and collaboration dinners with other chefs and wineries. These events often have set prices and fixed menus, so read the details before you book.

Reviews From Real Diners

OpenTable reviews come from people who booked through the platform. Many mention the tasting menu, cocktails, and service. The page also highlights fan-favorite dishes instead of a single signature plate.

What to Check Before You Confirm

• The price and menu of the experience you picked.
• Any limits on allergies or substitutions.
• The cancellation policy.

Tips Before You Go

• Book ahead. OpenTable showed dozens of bookings for a single day.
• Go for the tasting menu on your first visit.
• Share everything. Plates are small.
• Tell them about birthdays or allergies when you reserve.
• Take the Metro. Parking is street only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is on the Moon Rabbit DC menu?

The menu has small and medium Vietnamese-Cajun plates, desserts, cocktails and a tasting menu. Popular items include mochi beignets with eel, fried quail over tomato rice, Wagyu in perilla leaves and a durian mousse.

How much does Moon Rabbit cost?

Diners report a tasting menu around $80 to $89 per person. Washingtonian puts dinner for two at $201 to $299 including tax and tip. Drinks raise the total.

Does Moon Rabbit have a tasting menu?

Yes. Reviewers describe a multi-course tasting menu with extra snacks and dessert bites, and many call it the best way to try the restaurant. Wine and cocktail pairings are available.

What are Moon Rabbit’s hours?

Moon Rabbit serves dinner Monday through Saturday. Michelin lists 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm on weeknights and until 10:00 pm Friday and Saturday, with Sunday closed. Confirm on OpenTable because sources vary slightly.

Does Moon Rabbit have vegan or gluten-free options?

Yes. OpenTable lists both vegan and gluten-free options. Tell your server about any allergy so the kitchen can plan.

Where is Moon Rabbit in DC?

Moon Rabbit is at 927 F St NW in Penn Quarter, Washington, DC. It is near the Gallery Place/Chinatown and Metro Center stations. It moved from The Wharf to this location in 2024.

Is Moon Rabbit good for a date night?

Many diners say yes. OpenTable lists it as good for special occasions, and reviewers pick it for birthdays and celebrations. The larger dining room can be noisy, so ask for the quieter space.

Conclusion

The Moon Rabbit DC menu rewards curious eaters who like to share. Start with the tasting menu, add a cocktail, and save room for the durian or pandan dessert. Book ahead, ask for the quieter room, and confirm hours and prices on the day you go. Then pick one dish from the list above and build the rest of your night around it.