Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
Fantastic Italian-American food. Don't skip dessert here- it's always good. And try one of their "orange" wines- really unique!
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The Red Hen
1822 1st St NWFantastic Italian-American food. Don't skip dessert here- it's always good. And try one of their "orange" wines- really unique!
Coffee here is great! Their food is great too- good bagels and vegetarian options. On Sundays in the summer, enjoy a coffee and stroll through the farmers market right outside.
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Big Bear Cafe
1700 R St NWCoffee here is great! Their food is great too- good bagels and vegetarian options. On Sundays in the summer, enjoy a coffee and stroll through the farmers market right outside.
We like going to El Camino just for brunch on weekends. El Camino has bottomless mimosas at brunch, and their Chilaquiles are out of this world. Make sure you ask for some of their house-made hot sauce.
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El Camino
108 Rhode Island Avenue NorthwestWe like going to El Camino just for brunch on weekends. El Camino has bottomless mimosas at brunch, and their Chilaquiles are out of this world. Make sure you ask for some of their house-made hot sauce.
Great wine bar with awesome food. Get the avocado toast and the fries for sure, and try a flight of wine while you're at it.
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Cork Wine Bar & Market
1805 14th St NWGreat wine bar with awesome food. Get the avocado toast and the fries for sure, and try a flight of wine while you're at it.
The best ramen you will ever have in the US. Yes. It's better than Momofuku. Get there at 5 or be ready for a long wait!
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Toki Underground
1234 H St NEThe best ramen you will ever have in the US. Yes. It's better than Momofuku. Get there at 5 or be ready for a long wait!
Pie Shop
1339 H St NEFantastic pie!
Best local place for neapolitan-style pizza. Some even argue it's better than 2 Amys!
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Menomale
2711 12th St NEBest local place for neapolitan-style pizza. Some even argue it's better than 2 Amys!
Great local chef's collaborative market. The market has specialty food vendors and a couple restaurants. All upscale in price but very high quality. Don't miss a stop to Salt & Sundry, the home goods store there.
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Union Market
1309 5th St NEGreat local chef's collaborative market. The market has specialty food vendors and a couple restaurants. All upscale in price but very high quality. Don't miss a stop to Salt & Sundry, the home goods store there.
This is where Dolcezza makes all their gelato for DC. They have awesome coffee and even better gelato. Combine this with a trip to Union Market for a foodie-fun-packed afternoon.
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Dolcezza Factory
550 Penn St NEThis is where Dolcezza makes all their gelato for DC. They have awesome coffee and even better gelato. Combine this with a trip to Union Market for a foodie-fun-packed afternoon.
Great local draft beer and food (don't miss the sweet potato wedges). Nice outdoor seating area. On the third Thursday of every month they have an artist's open house on the Arts Walk next to Brookland Pint with live music.
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Brookland Pint
716 Monroe St NEGreat local draft beer and food (don't miss the sweet potato wedges). Nice outdoor seating area. On the third Thursday of every month they have an artist's open house on the Arts Walk next to Brookland Pint with live music.
They serve intelligentsia coffee, and in the evening they turn into an absinthe bar. Definitely worth checking out for a quick coffee or drink.
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Chinatown Coffee Co.
475 H St NWThey serve intelligentsia coffee, and in the evening they turn into an absinthe bar. Definitely worth checking out for a quick coffee or drink.
Wiseguy Pizza
300 Massachusetts Ave NWReal NY Style pizza in DC.
Great, real NY style bagels in DC. Don't miss their house smoked whitefish salad.
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Bullfrog Bagels
317 7th St SEGreat, real NY style bagels in DC. Don't miss their house smoked whitefish salad.
Great cheap Thai food- eat in or takeout. By the same people as Thai X-ing but without all the waiting. Definitely try their drunken noodles, penang curry, and duck rolls.
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Beau Thai
1550 7th St NWGreat cheap Thai food- eat in or takeout. By the same people as Thai X-ing but without all the waiting. Definitely try their drunken noodles, penang curry, and duck rolls.
Get in line at 5pm for some very adventuresome northern Thai food. If you have any allergies or food restrictions at all or can't handle spicy food, they will turn you away- they serve what they serve. It's absolutely delicious and quite a unique experience.
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Little Serow
1511 17th St NWGet in line at 5pm for some very adventuresome northern Thai food. If you have any allergies or food restrictions at all or can't handle spicy food, they will turn you away- they serve what they serve. It's absolutely delicious and quite a unique experience.
If you line up around 4:45PM, you can get into this amazing sushi restaurant and pay half-price for almost everything at the bar (including their sushi menu). There are only 12 bar spots, so if there are 12 people in front of you in line, you won't get in. It's worth it at full price, but if you want to save some money on the best sushi in the city, go here and line up early.
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Sushi Taro
1503 17th St NWIf you line up around 4:45PM, you can get into this amazing sushi restaurant and pay half-price for almost everything at the bar (including their sushi menu). There are only 12 bar spots, so if there are 12 people in front of you in line, you won't get in. It's worth it at full price, but if you want to save some money on the best sushi in the city, go here and line up early.
This place has amazing, cheap Peruvian food. Ridiculously good rotisserie chicken (try it with the green sauce), and a whole chicken plus three sides (more than enough for two people) is only $18.50.
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Huacatay Restaurant
2314 4th St NEThis place has amazing, cheap Peruvian food. Ridiculously good rotisserie chicken (try it with the green sauce), and a whole chicken plus three sides (more than enough for two people) is only $18.50.
This is one of the top restaurants in the city- a tiny spot with Japanese style food. Line up early and expect to pay for this, but it's worth it.
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Himitsu
828 Upshur Street NorthwestThis is one of the top restaurants in the city- a tiny spot with Japanese style food. Line up early and expect to pay for this, but it's worth it.
Rose's is one of the top restaurants in the city for many reasons. Just go. No matter what it will be an awesome meal. There are no reservations, so make sure you line up early and plan to have a drink somewhere else in the meantime while waiting for them to have space.
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Rose's Luxury
717 8th St SERose's is one of the top restaurants in the city for many reasons. Just go. No matter what it will be an awesome meal. There are no reservations, so make sure you line up early and plan to have a drink somewhere else in the meantime while waiting for them to have space.
A great local cidery with Spanish tapas-style food. Great for a lazy afternoon or a night out.
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ANXO Cidery & Pintxos Bar
711 Kennedy Street NorthwestA great local cidery with Spanish tapas-style food. Great for a lazy afternoon or a night out.
DCity Smokehouse
203 Florida Ave NWFantastic smoked meats right here in DC.
DC is known for great Ethiopian food because of the large Ethiopian population here. This place is a classic- don't miss the fried fish or the raw kitfo (if you dare). Ask for extra berbere sauce and you'll sound like you know what you're doing.
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Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
1114-1118 U St NWDC is known for great Ethiopian food because of the large Ethiopian population here. This place is a classic- don't miss the fried fish or the raw kitfo (if you dare). Ask for extra berbere sauce and you'll sound like you know what you're doing.
This fast-casual indian restaurant is kind of like a Chipotle of Indian food. A great cheap option near the national mall.
Merzi
415 7th St NWThis fast-casual indian restaurant is kind of like a Chipotle of Indian food. A great cheap option near the national mall.
Whaley's
Great upscale seafood restaurant in a gorgeous location.
Great cheap burger joint, don't miss the sweet potato fries.
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BGR The Burger Joint
1514 Connecticut Ave NWGreat cheap burger joint, don't miss the sweet potato fries.
Great bagels. Watch out for a big line on the weekends. Save yourself some time and go to Yang Market at the end of our block for awesome bagels.
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Bethesda Bagels
4819 Bethesda AveGreat bagels. Watch out for a big line on the weekends. Save yourself some time and go to Yang Market at the end of our block for awesome bagels.
Great for large groups, people with dietary restrictions, or people who can't make up their mind about what they want to eat. Great brunch.
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Founding Farmers DC
1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NWGreat for large groups, people with dietary restrictions, or people who can't make up their mind about what they want to eat. Great brunch.
Eamonn's A Dublin Chipper
728 King StReal fish and chips in a quick divey atmosphere.
This coffee shop is where everyone from the State Department grabs coffee or takes meetings outside of the State Department. Not a particularly good coffee shop, but great for interesting eavesdropping.
Casey's Coffee Inc
508 23rd St NWThis coffee shop is where everyone from the State Department grabs coffee or takes meetings outside of the State Department. Not a particularly good coffee shop, but great for interesting eavesdropping.
Delicious croissants and breakfast pastries. Great for a quick easy bite on your way walking to Shaw Metro or into the city.
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Sylvan Cafe
104 Rhode Island Ave NWDelicious croissants and breakfast pastries. Great for a quick easy bite on your way walking to Shaw Metro or into the city.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great local bar. Awesome bar food (get the wings... trust us), extensive whiskey list, and good selection of local draft beers. Go on Monday nights for open mic night and get to know the Bloomingdale neighborhood.
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Boundary Stone
116 Rhode Island Ave NWGreat local bar. Awesome bar food (get the wings... trust us), extensive whiskey list, and good selection of local draft beers. Go on Monday nights for open mic night and get to know the Bloomingdale neighborhood.
Showtime Lounge
113 Rhode Island Ave NWShowtime is a classic dive bar with live music.
This is one of the best speakeasies in DC. Make a reservation- the place is small- but the cocktails are legit. And feel free to order off menu or ask the bartender to make something unique for you. You can't go wrong here.
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Harold Black
212 7th St SEThis is one of the best speakeasies in DC. Make a reservation- the place is small- but the cocktails are legit. And feel free to order off menu or ask the bartender to make something unique for you. You can't go wrong here.
Copycat Co.
1110 H St NEFantastic Drinks!
The first distillery in DC since prohibition. Great gin, laid back space. Open on the weekends for tours and cocktails. Great to combine with a trip to the arboretum.
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New Columbia Distillers/Green Hat Gin
1832 Fenwick St NEThe first distillery in DC since prohibition. Great gin, laid back space. Open on the weekends for tours and cocktails. Great to combine with a trip to the arboretum.
The best local DC brewery- combine with a trip to Green Hat Gin and the arboretum.
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Atlas Brew Works
2052 West Virginia Ave NEThe best local DC brewery- combine with a trip to Green Hat Gin and the arboretum.
This corner bar makes great classic cocktails and their own creations- the bartenders are skilled. Great happy hour options, and definitely try their arepas and their fries.
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The Royal
501 Florida Ave NWThis corner bar makes great classic cocktails and their own creations- the bartenders are skilled. Great happy hour options, and definitely try their arepas and their fries.
Wunder Garten is an outdoor beer garden open all year round (there are tents in the winter). Worth checking out for a late night and good drafts.
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Wunder Garten
1101 First St NEWunder Garten is an outdoor beer garden open all year round (there are tents in the winter). Worth checking out for a late night and good drafts.
9:30 Club is an easy walk from our place, and is one of the best small venues in the city. Check out acts performing here and book before you come.
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9:30
815 V St NW9:30 Club is an easy walk from our place, and is one of the best small venues in the city. Check out acts performing here and book before you come.
Stay at the bar downstairs- it's known locally as the gin joint. If you like gin, this place is the best place to go. They have hundreds of gins, their own tonics, and very experienced bartending staff.
New Heights Restaurant
2317 Calvert St NWStay at the bar downstairs- it's known locally as the gin joint. If you like gin, this place is the best place to go. They have hundreds of gins, their own tonics, and very experienced bartending staff.
Parks & Nature
This is a fun local park within walking distance. It's hidden in an alley, so it really feels tucked away from it all. They have a section where they don't allow dogs, so you don't have to worry about avoiding dog poop. The park is absolutely covered in gorgeous rose bushes.
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Crispus Attucks Park
23 U St NWThis is a fun local park within walking distance. It's hidden in an alley, so it really feels tucked away from it all. They have a section where they don't allow dogs, so you don't have to worry about avoiding dog poop. The park is absolutely covered in gorgeous rose bushes.
Amazing arboretum- a little off the beaten path, but a great place to enjoy nature right within the District! There is a Bonsai Museum in it that is worth checking out.
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United States National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NEAmazing arboretum- a little off the beaten path, but a great place to enjoy nature right within the District! There is a Bonsai Museum in it that is worth checking out.
This is an urban bike and walking trail that connects the NOMA neighborhood and metro all the way up to silver spring. Great bike path. Easy to stop off the trail at Union Market for a leisurely lunch.
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Metropolitan Branch Trail
Metropolitan Branch TrailThis is an urban bike and walking trail that connects the NOMA neighborhood and metro all the way up to silver spring. Great bike path. Easy to stop off the trail at Union Market for a leisurely lunch.
Great urban trail that stretches all the way from Rosslyn down to Mount Vernon. It passes through Old Town Alexandria, so you can bike there and grab lunch or brunch before heading back to DC or on to Mount Vernon.
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Mount Vernon Trail
Mount Vernon TrailGreat urban trail that stretches all the way from Rosslyn down to Mount Vernon. It passes through Old Town Alexandria, so you can bike there and grab lunch or brunch before heading back to DC or on to Mount Vernon.
This park is in the middle of the Potomac. It has a golf course in the middle of it, which is open to the public (make a reservation and you can rent everything you need there). One of the golf courses ends with your final shot lining up with the Washington Monument.
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Hains Point
This park is in the middle of the Potomac. It has a golf course in the middle of it, which is open to the public (make a reservation and you can rent everything you need there). One of the golf courses ends with your final shot lining up with the Washington Monument.
This challenging trail includes rock scrambles right on the Potomac River. Best to go on a weekday- weekends are packed anytime of year. Not great for solitude, but has awesome views and is a great workout.
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Billy Goat Trail Section C
Billy Goat Trail Section CThis challenging trail includes rock scrambles right on the Potomac River. Best to go on a weekday- weekends are packed anytime of year. Not great for solitude, but has awesome views and is a great workout.
Check out Hiking Upward's version of the Difficult Run Hike- it takes you along the Potomac River, and is less crowded than the Billy Goat Trail despite being right across the river from it with the same views. This one peaks at Great Falls, with a great view of the large falls there.
Difficult Run Trail
Difficult Run TrailCheck out Hiking Upward's version of the Difficult Run Hike- it takes you along the Potomac River, and is less crowded than the Billy Goat Trail despite being right across the river from it with the same views. This one peaks at Great Falls, with a great view of the large falls there.
Essentials
This is an upscale local, seasonal grocery market in DC. Great for sandwiches (get the mushreuben) and beer ($4 local drafts all day). If you want to bring back a taste of DC for friends and family, pick up some Mambo sauce- a classic DC-style wing and barbecue sauce.
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Glen's Garden Market
1924 8th Street NorthwestThis is an upscale local, seasonal grocery market in DC. Great for sandwiches (get the mushreuben) and beer ($4 local drafts all day). If you want to bring back a taste of DC for friends and family, pick up some Mambo sauce- a classic DC-style wing and barbecue sauce.
Yang's is great for essentials- it's right around the corner from our place and has the basics (toiletries, craft and regular beer, soda, canned foods, cleaning supplies). They also make and sell delicious Italian-style sandwiches and nitro cold brew. Try the "Two Youts" or the "Jerry Gallo".
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Yang Market
138 U St NEYang's is great for essentials- it's right around the corner from our place and has the basics (toiletries, craft and regular beer, soda, canned foods, cleaning supplies). They also make and sell delicious Italian-style sandwiches and nitro cold brew. Try the "Two Youts" or the "Jerry Gallo".
Giant Food
1345 Park Rd NWFull service grocery store- plenty of parking.
Getting Around
Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood station
919 Rhode Island Ave NEShaw-Howard Univ Station
1701 8th St NWArts & Culture
Check out this local indie movie theater. They show lots of unique films not shown anywhere else in the city.
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Landmark's E Street Cinema
555 11th St NWCheck out this local indie movie theater. They show lots of unique films not shown anywhere else in the city.
Great local museum focused on news throughout history. You could get lost in here for a whole day. One of the only paid museums in DC, but worth the ticket price. Don't miss the view from upstairs- they have a gorgeous view looking out over the national mall and the capitol building.
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Newseum
565 Pennsylvania Avenue NWGreat local museum focused on news throughout history. You could get lost in here for a whole day. One of the only paid museums in DC, but worth the ticket price. Don't miss the view from upstairs- they have a gorgeous view looking out over the national mall and the capitol building.
Great market- on weekends the parking lot across from the market fills with flea shop vendors (vintage prints, cookware, furniture, art). The market itself has a great selection of vegetables and meats, mostly from local farms.
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Eastern Market
225 7th St SEGreat market- on weekends the parking lot across from the market fills with flea shop vendors (vintage prints, cookware, furniture, art). The market itself has a great selection of vegetables and meats, mostly from local farms.
Entertainment & Activities
Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market
550 Penn St NEGreat indie movie theater.
This fancy movie theater has wine, beer, liquor and food you can take in to enjoy in your movie, along with plush leather seats. It's also not much more expensive than a usual theater.
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Landmark's Atlantic Plumbing Cinema
807 V Street NorthwestThis fancy movie theater has wine, beer, liquor and food you can take in to enjoy in your movie, along with plush leather seats. It's also not much more expensive than a usual theater.
Huge new music venue. Definitely check out acts performing here and book in advance.
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The Anthem
901 Wharf St SWHuge new music venue. Definitely check out acts performing here and book in advance.