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Ice House Cafe Reviews List
Ice House Cafe
Every now and then you run across a truely memorable restaurant that delights all of your senses. The food is imaginative, the atmosphere charming, the wine list extensive, the entertainment enjoyable, and the staff make you feel so comfortable that you want to come back again and again. Nestled in historic Herndon, the Ice House Cafe has been cooking up an unforgettable dining experience since 1979. From the ceiling fans blowing a cool breeze through the cozy surroundings, to the photos lining the walls of a bygone era when life was less hectic and more relaxed, to the woodwork and brass fixtures that call attention to detail- you'll find yourself easing into a deeply satisfying evening.
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49 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Rating Breakdown 49 reviews
5 stars
(13)
4 stars
(23)
3 stars
(6)
2 stars
(6)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(30)
- fit for foodies(20)
- special occasion(15)
- romantic(12)
- great for lunch(9)
- vibrant bar scene(9)
Ice House Cafe Reviews List
Review 1 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Don't Bother
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"To say that we were disappointed in this restaurant would be an understatement. I had been passing this restaurant on my way in to work for years and had always thought that we should try it - bad mistake. Frankly, I'm surprised this restaurant is still around because most of the ones like it tend to go out of business. Food was very mediocre. In addition, we were the only ones in the place when we got there and although the waitress was attentive, it took a long time for our food to arrive. We won't be going back."
Dined on 5/25/2013
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Review 2 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Mothers Day
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is always a great place for a dinner; Mother's Day or other. Generally, there is live music Thursday through Saturday, but this was Sunday evening for Mother's Day. If you like beef or filet mignon, do not miss the Ostrich. It is fantastic as is the desert and coffee."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 3 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"With so many new restaurants in the area we had not been to the Ice House for several years. Now we wonder why we stopped? Had a great evening with surperb food, good wine and GREAT martinis. And, the service was EXCELLENT."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 4 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Tried new food with mixed results
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Our second visit in a month. Last time we had wonderful wine, oysters and entree specials. This time we had 2 adequate wines by the glass (Gruner Veltliner and Pinot) and a fabulous half bottle of Kings Estate Pinot. We started with the great calamari - unbreaded with a fantastic Greek sauce and the mussels special. The mussels were good but had large spicy chunks of sausage that overwhelmed the mussels and cream -- need to dice these. Next we had a great warm Brie salad and the shrimp and grits. The S&G were interesting and confusing. Excellent grilled shrimp surrounded stacked onion rings, came with German pickled red cabbage, snow peas and that same andouille sausage over very cheesy (&browned butter?) grits. Good, but a mess."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great for Group Meetings
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I’ve always found the Ice House accommodating for various group meetings. This specific time was for a board meeting with eight other attendees and everyone loved it. Very quiet and appropriate for business, while local enough as not to feel like a chain for the out of towners."
Dined on 11/05/2012
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I really enjoyed the jazz
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I really enjoyed the jazz combo on the weekend. The chef was willing to accommodate my needs and the sever offered tastes of various sauces before ordering. The food was good, not great."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2002
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I joined my neighbor for some
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I joined my neighbor for some drinks and raw oysters. once we saw the bar menu and got some recommendations from the bar tender, we went crazy. we ordered several other menu items that were amazing. I tried to take my wife back there two days later but it was too crowded. I might make this a regular spot for me."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This was a great dining experience.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was a great dining experience. They have a diversity of menu items. I had Chesapeake Blue Point oysters on the half shell and some of the best crab cakes I can remember. My companion had an excellent French onion soup and the Duck Oriental that left no room for dessert."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 9 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
It's alright.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The Ice House is decent. We had 2-doz oysters, salads, duck quesadilla, mahi mahi, and lamb shank. The best dish was the oysters, they were fresh and very good. It would have been nice to know where they originated, even if the Ice House only offers one kind of oysters at any given time. The duck quesadilla was over cooked and greasy as well as the rest of our dishes. They all tasted fine, but the grease factor was hard to overlook AND their prices are a little bit too high for the quality of food they're offering. We will only be back for oysters and drinks. Others really love this place though, if you go, be sure to make reservations unless you eat dinner before 6pm."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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Review 10 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great for groups
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"I went with a group of colleagues from work. Two of us ordered the Scallops Provencial and it was very good. One had the beef stroganoff and he said it was just ok. Another ordered the steak and shrimp salad and it was very good. Another ordered chicken penne pasta and he said it was dry. He said it stayed under the hot lights too long. The service was good and overall most enjoyed it. I would definitely go back again."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 11 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Very nice restaurant slightly
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very nice restaurant slightly of the beaten track, but relatively close to IAD. Unlike others in the area, this is not a nationally distributed chain with standardized fare -- all items were unique and the ones we tried were excellent. Found this on Open Table and chose it due to other reviews. Great decision."
Dined on 02/26/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 12 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very good food, reasonably
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very good food, reasonably priced. The tables are a bit crowded. We were sitting in a back room so we didn't get to hear the jazz band very well, but what we heard sounded great. The Ice House Cafe is a great place to go to for a great meal and some entertainment."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 13 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Nice setting...service was
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice setting...service was good. Food was only fair."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2007
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Review 14 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great food; good service.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great food; good service. I just wish the menu was a little more varied and veggie friendly."
Dined on 02/19/2013
2005
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 15 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Got placed in a back room
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Got placed in a back room that was so cold it actually li ed up to the name ice house. The food was good; the serving was very small.;"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: late-night find, hot spot
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Review 16 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We love the Ice House Cafe.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We love the Ice House Cafe. The food is wonderful and the atmosphere can't be beat. We always go there for special occasions."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 17 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This is our fourth visit
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is our fourth visit to Ice House. Three visits were Excelent memorable occasions.One visit (about 3years ago) less so. Overall the last 2 recent visits were great. Excelent service and a diverse creative menu.. Good wine selection in a range of price ranges.
I feel that Ice House is a good value. Live music on the weekends is great too."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 18 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We were a group of six on
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We were a group of six on Valentines Day, including four people from overseas. We had a great table and everyone raved about their food. The ambience was convivial and service was reasonable given the crowded restaurant. Disappointed we couldn't take the moose home. Will definitely return!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 19 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Great food poor service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We went on Valentines day with a reservation around 8. We were taken to a table that wasn't ready so we had to stand around others eating while we waited. No big deal. The waitress said the hostess has just started. We ordered oysters which came quickly and were fantastic. The waitress offered horseradish and I said yes. She never came back. Again no big deal. The waitress told us the kitchen was backed up. We were not in a rush. Dinner came around 10. That was a long wait. When we were done we had a very apologetic waitress but no manager came to apologies and nothing was done to our bill. When we left someone said "let me get a rose for your wife". Nice touch. "We have no rose here's a carnation"!!Food was awesome service was below par."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 20 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
No point in making a reservation
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"made a reservation. even got a call back confirmation. arrived 15 min early
And they still didn't have a table. along with the 4 other couples who had an even earlier reservation than i did"
And they still didn't have a table. along with the 4 other couples who had an even earlier reservation than i did"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
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Review 21 for Ice House Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointing Valentine's Day!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We have been there on weekends a few times when they play jazz, and had enjoyed it. For Valentine's Day they had a roaming guitar player. It was so noisy in the restaurant that you could not hear unless he was right next to you for a few seconds. Music would have been nice and defused the noise. Service was slow, I had to ask for my soup that had not come out when my husband received and had already eaten his appetizer before it got cold. The waitress went to get when I asked about it, and by the time it came out, my entree had arrived. Entrees were good. The special dessert they had was fair at best, creme brulee was not finished well, and was paired with a chocolate cake and ice cream.... very weird."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Ice House Cafe
Based on the average of (28) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
7 out of 9 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic