Dine at the White House
Dine at the White House Mess
As President Obama likes to say, "This is the People's House". In a spirit of openness and transparency, the Obama Administration is proud to invite the American people to eat at the White House Mess. Normally reserved for senior level White House Staff, Cabinet Members, and selected guests, the White House Mess is now open to the general public one weekend per month. Advanced reservations are required.
The White House Mess
The White House Mess consists of three small dining rooms located in the basement of the White House next door to the Situation
Room. This exclusive dining facility is run by the US Navy. The Mess is decorated with
handsome wood paneling, nautical trim, and ship paintings. The largest of the three dining rooms
seats about 50 people at a dozen tables adorned with elegant table linens, fresh flowers, and
official White House china.
During the work week, the White House Mess is widely used by senior staff. Breakfast and lunch are
served in the Mess dining room; dinner is available for take-out orders only.
Dine at the White House Program
On the first weekend of each month, the White House Mess is open to the public for breakfast and lunch. Guests with advanced reservations will enter the White House via the Visitors Entrance and will be escorted down to the Mess and to their assigned tables. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to your assigned reservation time.
Breakfast
Breakfast will be served at 9:00 AM. The menu includes fresh fruits, cereal, a selection of pastries, and grilled-to-order breakfast items. Beverages include coffee, tea, milk, and juice. Below is the standard White House Mess breakfast menu.
Lunch
Lunch will be served at 11:45 AM. The menu varies and includes a selection of salads, sandwiches, and entree items. The lunch menu also includes a Soup of the Day which can be a traditional favorite such as Navy Bean or the recently-introduced Chicken Spinach. Beverages include soft drinks, milk, iced tea, and juice. Below is a sample White House Mess lunch menu.
What's included in White House Dining Package
- Breakfast or lunch at the White House Mess
- Commemorative photo taken by Official White House Photographer
- Souvenir White House Mess menu and assorted items including official napkin, sugar packets, and candy
Reservations
Dining reservations can be made up to one year in advance. Breakfast costs $50 per person. Lunch is $65 per person. Tipping is not allowed. Prices include commemorative photo and souvenirs. In order to maximize the number of guests served, singles and couples may be combined to form complete tables.Reservations are accepted on a first come first served basis by clicking here. Additional information regarding parking and check-in will be sent out upon confirmation.
Security Information
All guests will be required to go through a security screening process. The following items are prohibited:
- Outside food and beverages of any kind
- Cigars, pipes, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, chewing gum
- Cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device
- Knives of any size
- Aerosols
- Extraordinarily strong perfume
- Fireworks/smoke bombs
- Animals
- Real or simulated guns/ammunition
- Mace, electric stun guns, martial arts weapons, slingshots
History of the White House Mess
The interesting history of the White House Mess is printed on the back of every menu:
