Sara’s guidebook
Food scene
Italian-influenced American restaurant. Food and atmosphere is phenomenal - great date spot.
359 locals recommend
The Red Hen
1822 1st St NWItalian-influenced American restaurant. Food and atmosphere is phenomenal - great date spot.
Food inspired from the cuisines of Greece, Sicily, Sardinia, and Southern Italy. Another wonderful date spot with a phenomenal wine selection.
32 locals recommend
Iron Gate Restaurant
1734 N St NWFood inspired from the cuisines of Greece, Sicily, Sardinia, and Southern Italy. Another wonderful date spot with a phenomenal wine selection.
Fantastic Thai restaurant that serves a set, family-style dinner of northern Thai dishes for $54 per person. Note that their food is spicy and almost always includes pork, seafood, and nuts. The meal is pre-set and they don’t allow changes. No reservations.
55 locals recommend
Little Serow
1511 17th St NWFantastic Thai restaurant that serves a set, family-style dinner of northern Thai dishes for $54 per person. Note that their food is spicy and almost always includes pork, seafood, and nuts. The meal is pre-set and they don’t allow changes. No reservations.
Belga Café
514 8th St SEBelgian cafe that serves a great brunch and excellent Bloody Marys.
One of the most popular restaurants in DC and close by! It serves eclectic “New American” small plates menu crafted in a cozy, converted townhouse with upstairs bar. No reservations, so we recommend going early or, if there’s a way, putting your name on the list and grabbing a drink nearby.
303 locals recommend
Rose's Luxury
717 8th St SEOne of the most popular restaurants in DC and close by! It serves eclectic “New American” small plates menu crafted in a cozy, converted townhouse with upstairs bar. No reservations, so we recommend going early or, if there’s a way, putting your name on the list and grabbing a drink nearby.
A rustic whiskey lounge featuring a menu of Southern small plates and a cozy feel. This is one of our top go-to spots for weekend brunches.
68 locals recommend
Barrel
613 Pennsylvania Ave. SEA rustic whiskey lounge featuring a menu of Southern small plates and a cozy feel. This is one of our top go-to spots for weekend brunches.
A classic DC breakfast/brunch/lunch spot that is one of the few places to open early (generally 7:30am) even on weekends.
425 locals recommend
Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SEA classic DC breakfast/brunch/lunch spot that is one of the few places to open early (generally 7:30am) even on weekends.
Casual but delicious spot that describes itself as modern Chinese and Korean. Prices are reasonable and the food is fantastic.
32 locals recommend
CHIKO
423 8th St SECasual but delicious spot that describes itself as modern Chinese and Korean. Prices are reasonable and the food is fantastic.
Pretty new spot that quickly became a go-to date night spot for us.
33 locals recommend
Bombay Street Food
1413 Park Rd NWPretty new spot that quickly became a go-to date night spot for us.
New food court just a few blocks away with outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a table and order from any of the vendors - tacos, sushi, pizza, drinks, and more.
40 locals recommend
The Roost
1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SENew food court just a few blocks away with outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a table and order from any of the vendors - tacos, sushi, pizza, drinks, and more.
Safeway
3830 Georgia Ave NWNew supermarket just half a block away!
Beer, wine, and cocktails
If you’re looking for a wine bar, look no further. Maxwell is a wine bar that with a seriously extensive wine program that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It was started by a sommelier who (as he has explained to me) wanted people in DC to have the option to try excellent wines without having to buy a $300 dinner. Maxwell offers an upscale but relaxed atmosphere, with some light fare and the option for outdoor patio seating.
19 locals recommend
Maxwell Park
1336 9th St NWIf you’re looking for a wine bar, look no further. Maxwell is a wine bar that with a seriously extensive wine program that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It was started by a sommelier who (as he has explained to me) wanted people in DC to have the option to try excellent wines without having to buy a $300 dinner. Maxwell offers an upscale but relaxed atmosphere, with some light fare and the option for outdoor patio seating.
A neighborhood stable, with a bar fashioned from a school bus, pub grub, and a diverse beer selection and patio.
77 locals recommend
Trusty's
1420 Pennsylvania Ave. SEA neighborhood stable, with a bar fashioned from a school bus, pub grub, and a diverse beer selection and patio.
DC’s Ivy City neighborhood is a warehouse district that has become ground zero for DC’s growing spirits industry, where you can enjoy a self-guided walking distillery tour. Some of our favorites include Jos. A Magnus, Republic Restoratives, and One Eight Distillery. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon!
22 locals recommend
Ivy City
DC’s Ivy City neighborhood is a warehouse district that has become ground zero for DC’s growing spirits industry, where you can enjoy a self-guided walking distillery tour. Some of our favorites include Jos. A Magnus, Republic Restoratives, and One Eight Distillery. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon!
Mr. Henry's Restaurant
601 Pennsylvania Ave. SEGreat local bar that often has live jazz music.