Guidebook for Washington
Drinks & Nightlife
Great vibe for grabbing a beer or very reasonably priced cocktail. Also popular for Sunday brunch. Small-scale literary events on a semi-weekly basis.
121 locals recommend
Petworth Citizen & Reading Room
829 Upshur St NWGreat vibe for grabbing a beer or very reasonably priced cocktail. Also popular for Sunday brunch. Small-scale literary events on a semi-weekly basis.
A neighborhood joint for drinks and affordable appetizers and entrees, located pretty much right at the Metro stop. Cool, laidback staff and customers.
252 locals recommend
The Pub & The People
1648 North Capitol Street NorthwestA neighborhood joint for drinks and affordable appetizers and entrees, located pretty much right at the Metro stop. Cool, laidback staff and customers.
Fun, divey spot for neighborhood folks and the frat-boy types who go there after their summertime bocce/kickball league games.
216 locals recommend
The Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon St NWFun, divey spot for neighborhood folks and the frat-boy types who go there after their summertime bocce/kickball league games.
Lyman's Tavern
3720 14th Street NorthwestGood beer selection. Plus pinball machines!
Another hearty-bar-food spot in the 16th St. Heights/Petworth/Columbia Heights area. Well-considered selection of locally brewed draft and bottled beers.
23 locals recommend
The Airedale DC
3605 14th St NWAnother hearty-bar-food spot in the 16th St. Heights/Petworth/Columbia Heights area. Well-considered selection of locally brewed draft and bottled beers.
Drink specials (Sidecar Sunday, White Russian Wednesday, etc.), and depending on the night you go, half-price burgers, and tacos. Brunch is a good deal. Great mix of neighborhood folks and young'uns from elsewhere in D.C.
127 locals recommend
Red Derby
3718 14th St NWDrink specials (Sidecar Sunday, White Russian Wednesday, etc.), and depending on the night you go, half-price burgers, and tacos. Brunch is a good deal. Great mix of neighborhood folks and young'uns from elsewhere in D.C.
Food Scene
Neighborhood micro-roasters who take coffee-brewing and -preparation very, very seriously. This spot is very, very tiny, so best to grab a cuppa and go.
149 locals recommend
Qualia Coffee
3917 Georgia Ave NWNeighborhood micro-roasters who take coffee-brewing and -preparation very, very seriously. This spot is very, very tiny, so best to grab a cuppa and go.
Warm, friendly, insanely busy cafe with free wi-fi. Popular with neighborhood regulars and the Metro transit staff who work across the street and around the city. Get there early for weekend brunch.
61 locals recommend
The Highlands
4706 14th Street NorthwestWarm, friendly, insanely busy cafe with free wi-fi. Popular with neighborhood regulars and the Metro transit staff who work across the street and around the city. Get there early for weekend brunch.
Free wifi and tasty crepes, in case you want to grab your laptop, get some work done, and do a little people-watching.
30 locals recommend
Coffy Café
3310 14th St NWFree wifi and tasty crepes, in case you want to grab your laptop, get some work done, and do a little people-watching.
Yummy, all-vegan baked goods, sandwiches, and salads. Free wifi.
90 locals recommend
Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats
314 Park Rd NWYummy, all-vegan baked goods, sandwiches, and salads. Free wifi.
Have some $4 house margaritas at happy hour (which is every day, by the way, from 4 to 6:30) with your yummy tacos and tortas.
192 locals recommend
El Chucho - Cocina Superior
3313 11th St NWHave some $4 house margaritas at happy hour (which is every day, by the way, from 4 to 6:30) with your yummy tacos and tortas.
Almost-'round-the-clock restaurant with brunch, coffee, and all the other meals of the day.
299 locals recommend
The Coupe
3415 11th St NWAlmost-'round-the-clock restaurant with brunch, coffee, and all the other meals of the day.
Cozy restaurant has a killer daytime menu and knowledgeable bartenders. If you want breakfast food, go during the week to avoid the brunch crowds.
211 locals recommend
Room 11
3234 11th St NWCozy restaurant has a killer daytime menu and knowledgeable bartenders. If you want breakfast food, go during the week to avoid the brunch crowds.
Neapolitan pizza, $10 lunch specials, and brunch rule this place.
173 locals recommend
RedRocks Columbia Heights
1036 Park Rd NWNeapolitan pizza, $10 lunch specials, and brunch rule this place.
Bringing much-needed sophistication to 11th St. in Columbia Heights, this Italian-inspired eatery has all kinds of drink and food specials during the week.
96 locals recommend
Maple
3418 11th St NWBringing much-needed sophistication to 11th St. in Columbia Heights, this Italian-inspired eatery has all kinds of drink and food specials during the week.
An experimental pop-up spot where different chefs from around the city try out all kinds of dishes and cuisines.
EatsPlace
3607 Georgia Ave NWAn experimental pop-up spot where different chefs from around the city try out all kinds of dishes and cuisines.
Laid-back sports bar and grill that's focused on soccer. Balcony patio on the top floor. About half a dozen flavors of chicken wings for those who've gotta have beer 'n' wings while they cheer on D.C. United.
16 locals recommend
The Pitch Tavern
4015 Georgia Ave NWLaid-back sports bar and grill that's focused on soccer. Balcony patio on the top floor. About half a dozen flavors of chicken wings for those who've gotta have beer 'n' wings while they cheer on D.C. United.
This Hong Kong cuisine and hot pot spot doesn't take reservations, so get there early.
15 locals recommend
Queen’s English
3410 11th St NWThis Hong Kong cuisine and hot pot spot doesn't take reservations, so get there early.
This little market sells fresh prepared foods, including sandwiches and salads.
40 locals recommend
Odd Provisions
3301 11th St NWThis little market sells fresh prepared foods, including sandwiches and salads.
This deli mashes up latkes, bagels, and other bubbe-approved faves with such internationally inspired comfort foods as tacos and fried rice.
91 locals recommend
Call Your Mother
3301 Georgia Ave NWThis deli mashes up latkes, bagels, and other bubbe-approved faves with such internationally inspired comfort foods as tacos and fried rice.
Sleek coffee shop with teas, pastries, and other light food and drink, plus free wifi.
90 locals recommend
Doubles
3118 Georgia Ave NWSleek coffee shop with teas, pastries, and other light food and drink, plus free wifi.
From Ethiopian style coffee and breakfast(!) to sandwiches and pastries, this cozy, family-owned spot is beloved by Yelpers and neighborhood regulars alike.
17 locals recommend
Büna Coffeehouse
4400 Georgia Ave NWFrom Ethiopian style coffee and breakfast(!) to sandwiches and pastries, this cozy, family-owned spot is beloved by Yelpers and neighborhood regulars alike.
Lovers of Italian food, this is your neighborhood spot: House-made ciabatta and pastas, a three-course prix-fixe for $35, regularly rotating specials, and a prosecco and pasta special for $30.
57 locals recommend
Little Coco's
3907 14th St NWLovers of Italian food, this is your neighborhood spot: House-made ciabatta and pastas, a three-course prix-fixe for $35, regularly rotating specials, and a prosecco and pasta special for $30.
Cuban-inspired, pan-Latin eats from the co-owner of Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana, just a few doors up.
8 locals recommend
Little Havana
3704 14th St NWCuban-inspired, pan-Latin eats from the co-owner of Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana, just a few doors up.
Mexican street food from the co-owner of Little Havana, just a few doors down the block, and his sister.
44 locals recommend
Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana
3714 14th St NWMexican street food from the co-owner of Little Havana, just a few doors down the block, and his sister.
Sauces, marinades, and tortillas made from scratch early every morning complement the hella-tasty Pueblo cuisine.
93 locals recommend
Taqueria Habanero
3710 14th St NWSauces, marinades, and tortillas made from scratch early every morning complement the hella-tasty Pueblo cuisine.
This taco, empanada, and other delicious-hand-held-foods restaurant comes from the owners of DC Empanadas.
31 locals recommend
Taqueria del Barrio
821 Upshur St NWThis taco, empanada, and other delicious-hand-held-foods restaurant comes from the owners of DC Empanadas.
Get here EARLY for Bon Appetit-recommended wood-fired pizza. Yeah, it's that good. Same thing for weekend breakfast: set your alarm so you can beat the crowds.
175 locals recommend
Timber Pizza Company
809 Upshur St NWGet here EARLY for Bon Appetit-recommended wood-fired pizza. Yeah, it's that good. Same thing for weekend breakfast: set your alarm so you can beat the crowds.
Arts & Culture
Beautifully restored public library has free wi-fi. The best place to work is on the 2nd floor; take the stairs and go to the room on the right and grab a seat at one of the tables there.
25 locals recommend
Petworth Neighborhood Library
4200 Kansas Ave NWBeautifully restored public library has free wi-fi. The best place to work is on the 2nd floor; take the stairs and go to the room on the right and grab a seat at one of the tables there.
Parks & Nature
Outdoor pool is open during the summer! For non-residents, a day pass runs $7, a 30-day pass is $52, and a 90-day pass is $149.
7 locals recommend
Upshur Recreation Center
4300 Arkansas Ave NWOutdoor pool is open during the summer! For non-residents, a day pass runs $7, a 30-day pass is $52, and a 90-day pass is $149.
Everything Else
In case the rack at 14th & Crittenden is empty, head a little further down 14th to rent some wheels.
6 locals recommend
Capital Bikeshare - 14th & Spring Rd NW
In case the rack at 14th & Crittenden is empty, head a little further down 14th to rent some wheels.
The closest Bikeshare rack, and it always has bikes available. Sign up online to get started.
7 locals recommend
Capital Bikeshare - 14th St Heights station
The closest Bikeshare rack, and it always has bikes available. Sign up online to get started.
Free outdoor concerts throughout the summer. Nearby are a half-mile track for running/walking, exercise bars around it, and tennis courts. Easy, green escape from the city.
9 locals recommend
Carter Barron Amphitheatre
4850 Colorado Ave NWFree outdoor concerts throughout the summer. Nearby are a half-mile track for running/walking, exercise bars around it, and tennis courts. Easy, green escape from the city.
Yoga Heights
3506 Georgia Ave NWFriendly instructors, class passes and drop-in classes.
Capital Bikeshare
After an Upshur St. brunch, whisk yourself away on a CB bike.
Friendly neighborhood yoga studio with affordable prices for class packages and drop-ins.
Yoga District - Petworth
3905 Georgia Ave NWFriendly neighborhood yoga studio with affordable prices for class packages and drop-ins.
This workshop space hosts art shows and all manner of creative, crafty classes, including illustration, block printing, flower-arranging, food art, plant care, and glass mosaics, along with sessions on homeownership and storytelling.
The Lemon Collective
808 Upshur St NWThis workshop space hosts art shows and all manner of creative, crafty classes, including illustration, block printing, flower-arranging, food art, plant care, and glass mosaics, along with sessions on homeownership and storytelling.
Shopping
Just about any basic household, electronics, or food item you could possibly need is right here, and it's all Metro-accessible!
364 locals recommend
Target
3100 14th St NWJust about any basic household, electronics, or food item you could possibly need is right here, and it's all Metro-accessible!
Do you need travel-size toiletries, an air purifier, or an extra set of linens? Here's the housewares super-store, right at the Columbia Heights Metro station.
28 locals recommend
Bed Bath & Beyond
3100 14th St NWDo you need travel-size toiletries, an air purifier, or an extra set of linens? Here's the housewares super-store, right at the Columbia Heights Metro station.
DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse
3100 14th St NWRows and rows of discounted shoes.
Marshalls
3100 14th St NWDiscounted fashion, accessories, and housewares.
Women's, and a small selection of men's, clothing at gentle prices, plus accessories and an urban-rustic vibe.
34 locals recommend
Willow
4203 Upshur St NWWomen's, and a small selection of men's, clothing at gentle prices, plus accessories and an urban-rustic vibe.
She Loves Me
721 8th Street SoutheastNeed a housewarming gift, especially for someone who loves plants? This is the place.
Essentials
From the first weekend in May to the weekend before Thanksgiving, a great Saturday-morning farmer's market where you can buy produce, meats, bread, baked goods, and more.
9 locals recommend
Petworth Market
4148 9th St NWFrom the first weekend in May to the weekend before Thanksgiving, a great Saturday-morning farmer's market where you can buy produce, meats, bread, baked goods, and more.
Healthy food options galore, and really friendly, helpful staff. They know a lot of their customers, too. ATM on-site, in case you need to grab some cash.
161 locals recommend
Yes! Organic Market Petworth
4100 Georgia Ave NWHealthy food options galore, and really friendly, helpful staff. They know a lot of their customers, too. ATM on-site, in case you need to grab some cash.
Open 24 hours, this is one of the larger Safeways for all the supermarket items you want or need.
855 locals recommend
Safeway
3830 Georgia Ave NWOpen 24 hours, this is one of the larger Safeways for all the supermarket items you want or need.