This is literally the most important part of your trip planning, so pay attention.
Fast Casual
- You can’t go wrong with places like Pret a Manger and Le Pain Quotidian, but if you’re in town during the week, why not try a food truck?
Downtown
- Old Ebbit Grill (American upscale)
- Fiola (Italian)
- Bibiana (Italian)
- Zatinya (Mediterranean)
- Equinox (Fine dining)
- Oyamel (Mexican)
H St. NE
Chinatown
- Daikaya (Ramen)
- Graffiato (Italian)
- Busboys and Poets (American)
- Kushi (Sushi/Japanese)
- RFD (sports bar/casual)
- Rosa Mexicana (Mexican)
Adams Morgan
- Mintwood Place (French-American)
- Tryst (coffee/dessert)
- Open City or the Diner (casual American food + great coffee)
- Mama Ayesha’s (Middle Eastern)
- Jack Rose (for classy drinks)
- Cashion’s Eat Place (awesome brunch)
- Millie & Al’s (great dive bar)
- Black Squirrel (great dive bar)
- TAAN (ramen)
Dupont/West End
- Izakaya Seki (Japanese)
- Founding Farmers (Southern/Country)
- Shophouse (A test version from Chipotle of Asian fast-casual)
- Little Serrow (Thai)
- Komi (Greek)
- Rasika (Indian)
- Filter (coffee shop)
- Dolchezza Gelato (coffee shop + gelato)
- Blue Duck Tavern (American)
- Pizza Paradiso (good beer, great pizza)
Georgetown
- The Tombs (American)
- Kafe Leopold (European)
- Baked and Wired (cupcakes + coffee)
- Capitol Hill/Eastern Market
- We the Pizza (pizza)
- Good Stuff Eatery (burgers)
- Ted’s Bulletin (great for brunch)
14th Street/Logan Circle/U Street/Shaw
- Ted’s Bulletin (upscale diner)
- Ben’s Chili Bowl (kind of a DC tradition: late night chili dogs)
- Estadio (tapas)
- Busboys and Poets (American)
- Chix (healthy chicken dinners/wraps, great for lunch)
- Seasonal Pantry (a really cool supper club, reservations required)
- Sundevich (an unusual sandwich shop)
- Fast Gourmet (a sandwich shop. in a gas station.)