Skip to content
novovibe

Type the name of a city or a hotspot.

Fraiche: clear, professional exterior shot Fraiche: appetizing, high-quality food photography Fraiche: appetizing, high-quality food photography Fraiche: appetizing, high-quality food photography Fraiche: clear exterior shot of restaurant Fraiche: appetizing, high-quality food photography Fraiche: appetizing, high-quality food photography Fraiche: appetizing, high-quality food photography Fraiche: appetizing, high-quality food photography
9 photos

Fraiche

★ 4.6 · 771 reviews Washington, D.C. Opened March 2025

Mambo sauce meets Cajun on 14th Street

Chef Matt Price, better known online as Mr. Make It Happen, opened Fraiche on 14th Street in Columbia Heights in March 2025. The menu crosses France, Louisiana, South America and the Caribbean without apologising for it.

Cajun mussels and oxtail meatballs sit next to fried snapper marinated in mambo sauce, which is about as DC as a dish gets.

What guests say

Reviews by Google
  • Kisha Martin 57 reviews · Local Guide 28 June 2026

    Fraîche exceeded every expectation we had. The four of us shared several appetizers, including the deviled eggs, charbroiled oysters, sticky ribs, and oxtail meatballs. Every dish was beautifully presented and packed with flavor. It quickly became one of those meals where everyone at the table kept saying, “You have to try this.” For our entrées, we enjoyed the french quarter risotto, branzino, and the lamb chops. I substituted the asparagus for the Brussels sprouts, and I’m so glad I did—they were outstanding. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked, tender, and seasoned beautifully. We ended the evening with the last Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding available, and it was the perfect finish to an incredible meal. What truly elevated the experience was Chef Matt Price. He took time to visit our table, talk with us, and even take photos with our group. That level of hospitality made us feel like more than customers—it made us feel genuinely welcomed. Fraîche isn’t just a place to eat. It’s a place to celebrate, connect, and create memories over exceptional food. We’ll absolutely be back, and we’ll be recommending it to everyone we know.

  • Trae Caple 1 review 25 June 2026

    Overall, we had a good experience. We ordered the salmon risotto, the Golden Noodles for my son, and my wife had the gumbo. All three dishes were excellent and we really enjoyed them. For appetizers, we tried the oxtail meatballs. Unfortunately, they were very dry and almost tasted old. They would be much better with more of the oxtail stew reduction or sauce to keep them moist and flavorful. My biggest concerns were with the bar and checkout process. I was surprised to be charged an extra $2–3 just to add juice and ice to a Tito’s cocktail. That felt excessive for such a simple addition. Lastly, I strongly recommend bringing back printed, itemized receipts. During checkout, I noticed the gratuity had already been included, but my server presented the payment screen in a way that made it appear as though a tip had not yet been added. I only caught it because I mentally calculated the total and realized something didn’t add up. Presenting an additional tip screen without clearly pointing out that gratuity has already been included is misleading and can easily result in customers tipping twice unintentionally. Whether intentional or not, it creates a deceptive experience that takes away from what was otherwise a very enjoyable meal.

  • Jonya Smith 11 reviews · Local Guide 13 June 2026

    Fraiche was a great experience! I was in town for a conference and decided to stop by, and I’m glad I did. The drinks were all well made and definitely set the tone for the night. I had the chef’s special, oxtail with rice and peas, and it was absolutely delicious, full of flavor, and cooked perfectly. The music was also a vibe. I loved the R&B selection, which made the atmosphere even better. Great food, great drinks, and great energy. I would definitely come back next time I’m in town!

  • Kia 98 reviews · Local Guide 25 May 2026

    Kicked off my birthday shenanigans at Fraîche and loved it! The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the staff is incredibly friendly, professional, and welcoming. The food was amazing across the board. We loved the oxtail balls, sticky ribs, and the Golden Gate noodles (get them with lamb or shrimp/crab—just trust me!). The oxtail lasagna was wonderfully rich, the bayou gumbo hit the spot (especially the cornbread), and the branzino was delicious. The absolute show-stopper? The butterscotch bread pudding. Leave room for it, because you will not want to share! 10/10 vibes and flavors.

  • Tiffany 220 reviews · Local Guide 15 May 2026

    We sat in the back, saw the chef walk around and speak to some guests. Customer service was great. Nice DJ, music was at an acceptable volume with a slightly eclectic playlist to enjoy and still be able to converse with your table mates. This place is not cheap. parking is difficult. Décor could be better. Shockingly good sized Lamb was cooked(I asked for medium) and seasoned very well, shrimp was sightly under cooked, garlic noodles were nice and reheated well along with the lamb chops. Peach cobbler pancakes were good, not enough peaches. The pancakes also reheated well. chicken sausage was weak on flavour after being cooked in the deep fryer tasted like water. The French toast and the chicken were very good. the omelette was also good, but my table mate who ordered it said it could use more seafood. The mixed drink we had was great, would have had another if I had the space! The the Deviled eggs were good and the meatballs were different but nice, I wished the sauce was more savory.

People also visited

Don't miss an opening

One email a week, with the newest openings from Washington, D.C..