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$ | Georgetown |
Skip the chain bakeries and head to Baked & Wired for their legendary cupcakes (the red velvet is a must), savory scones, and chocolate chip cookies. Any D.C. native will tell you this is one of their favorite spots! Also, coffee lovers will be pleased with all the options on the menu.
1052 Thomas Jefferson St., Washington, District of Columbia, 20007, USA
Known For
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Coffee list
- Red velvet cupcakes
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$ | Penn Quarter |
From the owners of Daikaya, Bantam King is another fun option for ramen in the Penn Quarter neighborhood. Chicken broth serves as the base of their flavorful ramen with noodles sourced from Sapporo, Japan. There's also a vegetarian option on the menu. In addition to ramen, Bantam King offers crispy Nashville hot fried chicken, a favorite among regulars.
501 G St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Rich ramen bowls
- Lively dining room
- Fried chicken
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Walk-in only
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$ | U Street |
A U Street fixture for decades, Ben's serves chili—on hot dogs, on Polish-style sausages, on burgers, and on its own—to Washingtonians and visitors alike. The shiny, red-vinyl stools give the impression that little has changed since the 1950s (the original location still doesn't accept credit cards), but don't be fooled: this favorite of former President Barack Obama has rocketed into the 21st century with an iPhone app, an upscale Southern cuisine restaurant next door, and menu additions like turkey burgers and meatless chili that nod to modern times. Add cheese fries and a milkshake to your order if you dare. Southern-style breakfast is served from 6 to 10:45 on weekdays and from 7 to 10:45 on Saturday. Ben's has added spots on H Street NE and in Arlington and at Reagan Airport, too.
1213 U St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Legendary half-smoke chili bowls
- Southern-style breakfast
- Cheese fries and milkshakes
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$ | Foggy Bottom |
Craving bagels? One of the most popular bagel shops in D.C., Call Your Mother Deli, recently expanded to the West End neighborhood. A modern take on a Jewish deli, their specialty is bagels, ranging from the classic everything bagel to more unique flavors like blueberry muffin. Located in the lobby of Yours Truly DC hotel, you can find a steady line for breakfast and lunch from locals who love their bagels and creative toppings. Aside from the bagel sandwiches and flavored cream cheeses, you can also order donuts, muffins, and cookies.
1143 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20037, USA
Known For
- Bright and colorful design
- Strong coffee
- Loaded bagels
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$ | Chinatown |
For those looking for a quick Mediterranean-inspired bite, Cava is a great option. Start with a base of grains, salads, or pita and top with a selection of proteins and savory dips and spreads such as hummus, tzatziki, spicy feta, and harissa. Don't be intimated by the long line—it moves pretty fast.
707 H St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Crazy feta sauce
- Affordable Mediterranean dishes
- Lunch on the go
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | Chinatown |
Chaia started its vegetarian taco fast-casual restaurant in Georgetown and has expanded its popular concept to Downtown D.C. Guests can choose from veggie tacos featuring braised mushrooms, kale and potato, roasted eggplant, and sweet potato hash. The menu also includes enchiladas, quesadillas, and sides like rice and beans. Although the selections feature cheese, they are easily customizable to vegan.
615 I St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Vegetarian tacos
- Vegan options
- Nice decor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$ | U Street |
Escape to Cuba via a cafesito at this spot, which has a two-floor patio and is situated just off lively 14th Street. If you'd like something more potent than a coffee, there are plenty of cocktails, from piña coladas to guava frosé. For breakfast, the guava paselitos are must tries, as are the lunch menu's Cubano sandwiches, made with fresh Cuban-style bread and savory strips of roasted pork.
1405 T St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Cuban-style coffee
- Stylish decor
- Latin pastries
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$ | Chinatown |
An upscale, Southern-influenced diner with an open kitchen and lively bar, Crimson offers seating in booths to convey that diner feel. A huge breakfast menu is available all day, and dinner plates include shrimp and grits, rainbow trout, and, yes, meat loaf. The diner itself is bright and airy, with huge windows facing out to busy 7th Street. Downstairs in the basement is the large, beautifully appointed Whiskey Bar, featuring more than 200 spirits and seating more than 300, a modern take on the old speakeasy. All the way upstairs on the top floor is the Crimson View, a standalone bar–café with expansive views of the city that seems to have something for everyone.
627 H St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Southern cooking
- Fine whiskey
- Great views
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$ | The Mall |
Popular D.C. coffee and gelato chain Dolcezza set up shop at the Hirshhorn Museum a few years ago, making it the only locally owned café in a Smithsonian museum. On a hot summer day, cool down with a heaping cone of their beloved pistachio gelato or recharge with a strong espresso. Located in the futuristic-looking lobby designed by the internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, it has stunning tables made in the shape of the roots of a medieval Japanese nutmeg tree. The café also offers freshly made sweet and savory pastries to appeal to the diverse taste of its guests.
Independence Ave. SW and 7th St. SW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20560, USA
Known For
- Small-batch gelatos
- Stunning design
- Specialty coffees
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$ | Capitol Hill |
Fans of Bravo's Top Chef will first visit this brightly colored burgers-and-shakes joint hoping to spy charismatic celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn, but they will return for the comfort-food favorites (and learn it's a family effort). The lines can be long, as it's a favorite lunch spot of congressional aides, but the Mendelsohns’ inventive burgers are worth the wait (there also are creative salads and Southern-fried chicken sandwiches). After placing your order cafeteria-style, grab several of the fresh dipping sauces for the tasty thyme-and-rosemary-seasoned hand-cut skinny fries or Vidalia onion petals. Just as important, leave room for a toasted marshmallow or Milky Way malted shake that's as thick as the ones you remember from childhood.
303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20003, USA
Known For
- Fun burgers like the "Prez" (with bacon, onion marmalade, and Roquefort cheese)
- Thick malted milkshakes
- Variety of dipping sauces for hand-cut skinny fries
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$ | The Mall |
At the edge of the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden, you can sidle up to the counter and feast your eyes on the menu items before deciding what you'll order at this casual, sit-down eatery. From pastries to anything-but-ordinary salads to hot and cold sandwiches with Southwestern or East Asian flavors, you'll have an array of choices. Salads topped with plenty of seasonal fruit, vegetables, and style. Sandwiches typically offer a twist, such as Montréal beef on whole-grain ciabatta or lemon-tarragon chicken salad on a whole-grain croissant. Enjoy your meal inside with full windows or outside in either the sun or the shade—or take it with you to sit by the fountains surrounding a pond, making something of a soothing oasis as they drown out the traffic noise. In summer, you can order carafes of sangria to take in the sounds of the popular Jazz in the Garden series. During the winter, you can enjoy some boozy hot chocolate and cider while walking around the garden's seasonal ice-skating rink. Hours change seasonally.
Constitution Ave. NW and 7th St., Washington, District of Columbia, 20408, USA
Known For
- Summer barbecue during Jazz in the Garden
- Boozy beverages during winter
- Pastries made fresh in-house
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Adams Morgan |
One of the best places for sushi in D.C., this upscale restaurant also has plenty to delight those who prefer other types of Japanese and Japanese-inspired food. The seaweed salad is delicious, as are the gyoza and hoisin buns. The rooftop bar is a very pleasant place to spend an evening, with great views over Adams Morgan and beyond—and the Happy Hour is excellent value. On Sundays, the big draw is drag brunch. It's served in two sittings, and often sells out; be sure to book at least a week in advance.
1811 Columbia Road NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Excellent-value happy hour
- All-you-can-eat drag brunch
- Great rooftop with lovely sunset views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat.
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$ | Friendship Heights |
Pete's is a locally owned, Friendship Heights landmark, serving "New Haven-style" (thin-crust, coal-fired) pizzas and offering an extensive toppings list. The spacious patio gives you enough room to spread out.
4940 Wisconsin Ave., Washington, District of Columbia, 20016, USA
Known For
- White-clam pizza
- Chef-driven
- Locally owned
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$ | U Street |
You're invited to the coolest house party in the city, where deft hands in a tiny kitchen turn out urbane plates that go down like a designer outfit hidden on the sale rack. From the roasted mushroom risotto at dinner to the perfectly assembled breakfast sandwich on a biscuit for brunch, this small wonder has a dish for every mood. The indoor space is, indeed, small, lined in bistro tile and tailor-made for knocking knees on date night, but the patio is ample and has outdoor heating in winter. Save room for the baked wonders of local pastry consortium Paisley Fig and a cocktail or two.
3234 11th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20010, USA
Known For
- Intimate (read: tiny) hip space
- Brunch-time biscuit sandwich
- Outdoor patio with heating lamps in winter
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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$ | Shaw |
Skip the chains and head to this beloved local coffee shop and whole-grain bakery offering fresh sourdough creations, whole wheat almond croissants, and seasonal veggie frittatas. Grab a specialty coffee, a yerba-maté or nettle tea, and a 100% whole-wheat chocolate croissant or buckwheat muffin on your way to tour the city. Look out for the afternoon’s pastries, including the wheat-free sorghum brownies.
926 N St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Freshly made breads and whole wheat pastries
- Specialty coffees and teas
- Locally sourced ingredients
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Thurs.
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$ | Penn Quarter |
Yes, it's a chain made most famous in New York City, but if you're craving a burger, you can get your fix at the D.C. Chinatown outpost. Juicy burgers with a special sauce, classic fries (get them with cheese), and tasty shakes make it worth the short wait—especially if you're looking for a delicious, reasonably priced lunch between visits to Downtown attractions. Other D.C. Shake Shacks are in Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, Union Station, and Nationals Park.
800 F St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20004, USA
Known For
- Classic Shack Burger (and that sauce!)
- Vanilla milk shakes
- Long lines that go fast
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$ | Adams Morgan |
A restaurant unlike any other in D.C., Spoken English is tucked away within the kitchen of Brothers and Sisters. The tachinomiya-style (standing only) setup encourages adventurous eating and conversation among friends and strangers. Taste your way through the exclusive sake menu paired with a variety of Asian street-style small plates. Highlights include the chicken-skin dumplings and blood cake. If you have a large enough group, try the whole roasted duck or chicken yakitori.
1770 Euclid St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
Known For
- Small plates of Asian street food
- Standing room only
- Exclusive sake selections
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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$ | The Mall |
Sweet Home Café, located at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, continues to be on the top of the list of best museum restaurants in Washington, D.C. since opening in 2016. It offers traditional and authentic dishes that rotate based on the seasons. The culinary staff uses locally sourced ingredients and a from-scratch cooking style to showcase the rich history of African American cuisine from four distinct geographic regions. Summer brings barbecue and fish-fry special menus and offers seasonal holiday dishes. Taste the regional experiences of the South year-round with buttermilk fried chicken from the agricultural South, gumbo or shrimp and grits from the Creole coast, a Caribbean-style pepper pot from the Northern states, or pan-roasted rainbow trout from the Western range.
1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Regional food stations
- Local ingredients
- Rotating seasonal menus
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | |
Are you looking for a place featuring local vendors and affordable eats? Check out Western Market, a new food hall close to George Washington University. From Italian hoagies to Venezuelan arepas, you can get a taste of D.C.'s diverse culinary scene. The marketplace tenants consist of an exciting lineup of concepts, including Capo Deli, Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls, Onkei, RAWish, Nim Ali, Falafel Inc., Arepa Zone, Bandoola Bowl, and Roaming Rooster. The ample space, at over 12,000 square feet, is a fun meeting place, drawing crowds from GW, neighboring institutions like the World Bank, and visitors alike.
2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20006, USA
Known For
- Diverse food options
- Popular with students
- Great meet-up spot
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$ | Shaw |
You can get nearly any pizza you might want, from a classic Margherita style with the standard mozzarella, tomato, and oregano toppings to more elaborate pizzas like Enzo the Baker with smoked bacon, Calabrian chilis, and red onion. For lighter fare, try some of the hand-selected meats off the salumi menu or one of the spuntini (“little snacks") that include braised octopus and squash "hummus." There are no shortages of antipasti and salad offerings, either. Come by for happy hour, or "spritz hour," from 5:30 to 7 at the bar, and enjoy desserts from the Buttercream Bakeshop next door.
1250 9th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
Known For
- Seasonally inspired pizzas
- Delicious antipasti
- Pickup and delivery