Downtown DC is finally getting the hotel lobby restaurant it deserves.
Chef Joevel Magpantay Leads the Oribu Kitchen
Chef de Cuisine Joevel Magpantay brings over a decade of luxury hospitality experience to Oribu, opening June 26, 2026, at Grand Hyatt Washington. His background spans Park Hyatt, Jebel Ali Resorts, and Jumeirah Group. Executive Chef Gerard Spezio and General Manager Ross Boykin complete the leadership team. Johnson Studios by Cooper Carry, designed the space.
A Menu Where Japan Meets the Mediterranean
The menu features small plates such as Crisped Sushi Rice with Spicy Maguro, Hamachi Crudo with yuzu kosho, and Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Sashimi flown in from Japan. Signature mains include Octopus à la Plancha brushed with charred Kalamata olive reduction, Olive Wood-Smoked Burrata from Murray’s in NYC, and Charcoal-Grilled Hokkaido Salmon glazed in Kalamata olive miso.
The olive, a defining element, is prepared through various ways on the menu: curing, pressing, fermenting, powdering, warming, or emulsifying, anchoring the blend of Japanese precision and Mediterranean warmth. The menu is driven by seasonality, not trends.
The Design Mirrors the Maritime Silk Road
Johnson Studios by Cooper Carry designed the space to echo the Maritime Silk Road, the ancient route that linked Asia and the Mediterranean. A curving rattan chandelier winds overhead, while Mediterranean textures soften the Japanese-inspired bar.
The name Oribu comes from the Japanese word for olive, symbolizing nourishment and quiet strength. The 4,666-square-foot restaurant seats 93 in the dining room, 43 at the bar and lounge, and 24 on the patio. A private omakase table seats ten for a more intimate experience.
How to Visit Oribu at Grand Hyatt Washington
Reservations will be available soon. Lunch from 11:30 AM to 2 PM; dinner from 5 PM to 10:30 PM. The bar and lounge will open from 11:30 AM to midnight. Follow Oribu on Instagram and Facebook for updates and seasonal menu changes.
The Washington Lobbyist celebrates downtown DC dining, and Oribu brings new energy to the Grand Hyatt lobby—a space worthy of a destination restaurant. Come hungry, come curious, and enjoy a meal that spans centuries and oceans.
Oribu at Grand Hyatt Washington. 1000 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.
