Guidebook for Washington
Essentials
Independent grocery store with an in-house butcher, local produce, baked goods & a deli counter.
12 locals recommend
Millie's Market
1452 D St NEIndependent grocery store with an in-house butcher, local produce, baked goods & a deli counter.
This place has a little bit of everything - a small grocery section, frozen foods, beer/wine, and toiletries.
13 locals recommend
The Cupboard Market
1504 East Capitol St NEThis place has a little bit of everything - a small grocery section, frozen foods, beer/wine, and toiletries.
Trader Joe's
750 Pennsylvania Ave. SEWhole Foods Market
600 H St NEGiant Food
1345 Park Rd NWDrinks & Nightlife
Wines by the glass & nibbles like charcuterie in a rustic-chic space with a date-night vibe.
54 locals recommend
The Pursuit Wine Bar
1025 H Street NortheastWines by the glass & nibbles like charcuterie in a rustic-chic space with a date-night vibe.
Hip, quirky lounge with a large beer list, dancing & New Orleans Saints games on the TV.
119 locals recommend
Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar
1104 H St NEHip, quirky lounge with a large beer list, dancing & New Orleans Saints games on the TV.
Better for drinks and appetizers. One of the most appealing settings, alongside Palmer’s Alley.
14 locals recommend
FIG & OLIVE
934 Palmer Alley NWBetter for drinks and appetizers. One of the most appealing settings, alongside Palmer’s Alley.
This bar is on the roof of the W hotel and has the best views of the White House in town. It's not to be missed.
73 locals recommend
POV Rooftop
515 15th St NWThis bar is on the roof of the W hotel and has the best views of the White House in town. It's not to be missed.
Taking a cue from the prohibition era, this bar functions as a speak easy. The door is unmarked and is not easy to find, but it's to the left of Aqua al 2 Italian restaurant. They have food and drinks.
56 locals recommend
Harold Black
212 7th St SETaking a cue from the prohibition era, this bar functions as a speak easy. The door is unmarked and is not easy to find, but it's to the left of Aqua al 2 Italian restaurant. They have food and drinks.
This multi-faceted Adams Morgan bar and restaurant boasts 2,600 whiskies (and counting), many of which are prominently displayed in the main dining room and saloon, which also offers craft beers and cocktails. Downstairs, Dram & Grain deals in fancy cocktails in a speakeasy vibe (reservations required on weekends). An open-air roof deck sprawls across the third floor, which serves draft beer and allows for good people watching along 18th street below. The food menu features comfort fare such as buttermilk biscuits with ham and pimento cheese.
123 locals recommend
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St NWThis multi-faceted Adams Morgan bar and restaurant boasts 2,600 whiskies (and counting), many of which are prominently displayed in the main dining room and saloon, which also offers craft beers and cocktails. Downstairs, Dram & Grain deals in fancy cocktails in a speakeasy vibe (reservations required on weekends). An open-air roof deck sprawls across the third floor, which serves draft beer and allows for good people watching along 18th street below. The food menu features comfort fare such as buttermilk biscuits with ham and pimento cheese.
Biergarten Haus
1355 H St NEA traditional German biergarten with a large patio area.
Beer lovers seek out this Shaw spot for its Munich-like atmosphere, glass boots full of German beer, and chicken schnitzel sandwiches. The taps are most loyal to Weihenstephaner, but pours from locally owned Right Proper Brewing Company and DC Brau Brewing Company, as well as imports from Leffe and Warsteiner are also in play
205 locals recommend
Dacha Cafe
1600 7th St NWBeer lovers seek out this Shaw spot for its Munich-like atmosphere, glass boots full of German beer, and chicken schnitzel sandwiches. The taps are most loyal to Weihenstephaner, but pours from locally owned Right Proper Brewing Company and DC Brau Brewing Company, as well as imports from Leffe and Warsteiner are also in play
Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s debut brewery has become part of the fabric of Navy Yard, attracting baseball fans and beer geeks alike. Bluejacket has a rotating lineup of 16 draft beers and four casks, all produced in-house. Favorites include Mexican Radio spiced sweet stout and the Lost Weekend IPA. Select cans are available for purchase starting on noon each Friday. The kitchen turns out satisfying bar fare, too. Expect dishes like a fried mumbo sauce chicken sandwich or loaded potato skins.
129 locals recommend
Bluejacket
300 Tingey St SENeighborhood Restaurant Group’s debut brewery has become part of the fabric of Navy Yard, attracting baseball fans and beer geeks alike. Bluejacket has a rotating lineup of 16 draft beers and four casks, all produced in-house. Favorites include Mexican Radio spiced sweet stout and the Lost Weekend IPA. Select cans are available for purchase starting on noon each Friday. The kitchen turns out satisfying bar fare, too. Expect dishes like a fried mumbo sauce chicken sandwich or loaded potato skins.
Locally made wine with grapes shipped in from around the world. You can go for a tasting, stay at the bar for the beautiful waterfront views, or go for the great food.
37 locals recommend
District Winery
385 Water St SELocally made wine with grapes shipped in from around the world. You can go for a tasting, stay at the bar for the beautiful waterfront views, or go for the great food.
Food Scene
Bar eats downstairs & a full menu upstairs at a Mexican cantina born from a food truck operation.
37 locals recommend
Sol Mexican Grill
1251 H Street NortheastBar eats downstairs & a full menu upstairs at a Mexican cantina born from a food truck operation.
A DC must! Offshoot of the historic spot that's famous for its spicy hot dogs, chili-cheese fries & milkshakes.
84 locals recommend
Ben's Chili Bowl
1001 H St NEA DC must! Offshoot of the historic spot that's famous for its spicy hot dogs, chili-cheese fries & milkshakes.
Acqua Al 2
Incredible Italian food with a warm, inviting atmosphere
Eastern Market offers a food hall and, on the weekends, there are farmers markets, local vendors, a flea market, and more. Inside the food hall is a fast-casual brunch spot that never fails to disappoint.
699 locals recommend
Eastern Market
225 7th St SEEastern Market offers a food hall and, on the weekends, there are farmers markets, local vendors, a flea market, and more. Inside the food hall is a fast-casual brunch spot that never fails to disappoint.
Amazing food and a cozy scene. Named the best new restaurant by Bon Appetite in 2015 and is listed as a Michelin Star restaurant. They do not take reservations.
303 locals recommend
Rose's Luxury
717 8th St SEAmazing food and a cozy scene. Named the best new restaurant by Bon Appetite in 2015 and is listed as a Michelin Star restaurant. They do not take reservations.
From the heart of America, circa 1950s. They offer classic, comfort foods, breakfast all day, and homemade poptarts
425 locals recommend
Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SEFrom the heart of America, circa 1950s. They offer classic, comfort foods, breakfast all day, and homemade poptarts
Balkan restaurant that offers endless tapas and mimosas at brunch.
134 locals recommend
Ambar Capitol Hill
523 8th St SEBalkan restaurant that offers endless tapas and mimosas at brunch.
matchbox
521 8th St SEAmerican food that offers excellent, wood-fired pizzas.
Mediterranean tapas, offering a wide selection of meat and seafood dishes, along with Mediterranean classics.
104 locals recommend
Cava Mezze
527 8th St SEMediterranean tapas, offering a wide selection of meat and seafood dishes, along with Mediterranean classics.
French food and known as one of the best restaurants in D.C. They also have been voted to have one of the best cheeseburgers in D.C. (they grind their own beef in-house). Reservations are encouraged
513 locals recommend
Le Diplomate
1601 14th St NWFrench food and known as one of the best restaurants in D.C. They also have been voted to have one of the best cheeseburgers in D.C. (they grind their own beef in-house). Reservations are encouraged
Fiola Mare
3100 K St NWItalian seafood and one of the most popular restaurants in the city.
Fiola
601 Pennsylvania Avenue NWHigh end Italian and the recipient of a Michelin star.
Classic American venue in the heart of Georgetown. It’s best known for where President John Kennedy proposed to Jackie Onassis.
54 locals recommend
Martin's Tavern
1264 Wisconsin Ave NWClassic American venue in the heart of Georgetown. It’s best known for where President John Kennedy proposed to Jackie Onassis.
Upscale steakhouse with some of the best cuts available. Business attire, more expensive.
55 locals recommend
The Capital Grille
1861 International DrUpscale steakhouse with some of the best cuts available. Business attire, more expensive.
Mediterranean tapas with a menu that changes regularly and one of the main dining areas is under overgrown grape vines.
32 locals recommend
Iron Gate Restaurant
1734 N St NWMediterranean tapas with a menu that changes regularly and one of the main dining areas is under overgrown grape vines.
Well prepared American food and extremely close to the U.S. Treasury and the White House. Go for lunch, happy hour (specials on food and drinks), dinner, or late night.
152 locals recommend
Old Ebbitt Grill
675 15th St NWWell prepared American food and extremely close to the U.S. Treasury and the White House. Go for lunch, happy hour (specials on food and drinks), dinner, or late night.
For the adventurous, pig-loving patrons. Everything on the menu includes at least one ingredient from a pig – yes, even the desserts.
30 locals recommend
the pig
1320 14th St NWFor the adventurous, pig-loving patrons. Everything on the menu includes at least one ingredient from a pig – yes, even the desserts.
Recently voted as the best restaurant in DC and is the recipient of a Michelin star. The dishes are smaller, but they pack big flavor. Business casual to dressy; on the expensive side.
109 locals recommend
The Dabney
122 Blagden Alley NWRecently voted as the best restaurant in DC and is the recipient of a Michelin star. The dishes are smaller, but they pack big flavor. Business casual to dressy; on the expensive side.
Very casual and also known for one of the best burgers in DC. They also have brunch and late night options (until 2am).
72 locals recommend
Duke's Grocery
1513 17th St NWVery casual and also known for one of the best burgers in DC. They also have brunch and late night options (until 2am).
Indian food in an upscale, modern venue. Their kabobs, chicken tikki masala, and the lamb chops are favorites. Business to dressy; on the expensive side.
104 locals recommend
Rasika
633 D St NWIndian food in an upscale, modern venue. Their kabobs, chicken tikki masala, and the lamb chops are favorites. Business to dressy; on the expensive side.
Lauriol Plaza
1835 18th St NWDelicious Mexican food and margaritas
Zaytinya
701 9th St NWGreek tapas brought to you by Chef José Andrés.
Sightseeing
Iconic, domed classical building housing the U.S. Senate & House of Representatives, open for tours.
670 locals recommend
United States Capitol
First Street SoutheastIconic, domed classical building housing the U.S. Senate & House of Representatives, open for tours.
There are free tours open to the public and, when the court is in session, you can sit in on oral arguments.
159 locals recommend
Supreme Court of the United States
1 First St NEThere are free tours open to the public and, when the court is in session, you can sit in on oral arguments.