Where to eat in D.C.?
Hello, Serious Eaters! I'm headed to Washington, D.C. for the first time ever in a few weeks and am garnering restaurant suggestions (the only place I'm absolutely certain we will try right now is the restaurant/food court at the Native American museum, which is supposed to be amazing). Where should we go and what should we eat? Thanks in advance!
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15 Comments:
Where to start and what kind of food are you looking for?
Central for French bistro fare with delicious new american twists. (Famous is their perfectly constructed lobster burger bound by scallop mousse!)
Zaytinya for some delicious new interpretations on traditional Mediterranean mezze. (Try the Kibbeh with currants)
Rasika for some of the tastiest modern Indian food you've ever had! (a must have: palaak chaat - crispy spinach with sweet yogurt and date chutney)
Ray's Hell Burger if you're looking for a burger epiphany...
Looking for anything in particular?
You can find more inspiration here and here
forksanddorks at 3:33PM on 06/30/09
If you want the DC experience, I have to say Ben's Chili Bowl and Ethiopian (I really like Almaz on U Street).
KarynMC at 4:07PM on 06/30/09
someone has already started a similar thread, but I'll just copy and paste my suggestions here for you :)
oh you are going to have a great time!
Here are some of my favorites:
1)Zaytinya: great tapas (and it is right next to the Portrait Gallery in China Town)
2)Central: upscale, but still warm atmosphere and great food and big portions
3)Amsterdam Falafel in Adams Morgan: LOVE!!!! Just as good as falafel in Israel
4)Ben's Chili Bowl; get halfsmokes! Also, in the same neighborhood (U Street) there are good Ethiopian restaurants.
orchidgirl at 4:14PM on 06/30/09
Jaleo for the best gazpacho & tapas, Good Stuff Eatery for yummy burgers, shakes and my fav fries in the city & Cedar in Penn Quarter is new & getting good reviews. Check out the Washington Post's website, it has a ton of reviews for all budgets & neighborhoods.
cookinmama at 4:17PM on 06/30/09
Amen to Amsterdam Falafel!!! Cheap and soooooo gooooood.
Good lunch places include:
The Well Dressed Burrito (down home Mexican food) on 19th and Jefferson (it is in an alleyway)
Greek Deli, 19th between L and M streets
Ray's Hell Burger (@forksanddorks: best description I have ever heard of this place!) on Wilson Blvd in Arlington, VA
Dinner, the possibilities are so endless. It really depends how much you are willing to spend. I second looking at the Washington Post and also this website could be of help http://www.dcfoodies.com/. Have a great time when you come!
decemberain27 at 5:13PM on 06/30/09
Wow -- thanks for all the great suggestions! I think we will definitely have to Central and Ray's Hell Burger, and probably also Amsterdam Falafel. I was also told by a coworker to try Emmett's Grille? Not sure about spelling -- will have to google it. I am getting very excited about this trip! Thanks, thanks, thanks!
gbania at 5:47PM on 06/30/09
And to @forksanddorks -- how good is Cafe Atlantico? I am a huge conch fritter fan -- actually haven't had any good fritters in years (last time was in the Bahamas at a little island shack on Turtle Cay -- AMAZING). Is the rest of the menu worth the trip there? Thanks!
gbania at 5:50PM on 06/30/09
Cafe Atlantico - AMAZING. period.
Luna Diner in Dupont Circle (1301 Connecticut Ave.). Great food and friendly service. Relaxing and well priced.
Sakura at 6:11PM on 06/30/09
Note that the Native American museum's food court is awesome for a museum food court. They've got good stuff, but don't get your hopes too high!
People have hit the high points well... Central's great, so is Jaleo. Up in Cleveland Park try the front cafe at Palena (they don't take reservations for the cafe part, but if your schedule is flexible, just get there when they open) or Dino (friendly, good wine prices, great food, even greater cheese).
If you can't make it down to Ray's Hell, they also serve the burgers at the bar at Ray's the Classics, which I just love. Easily accessible from Silver Spring metro.
Really thorough discussion of the DC food scene at donrockwell.com, they can tell you anything you need to know.
jm chen at 6:43PM on 06/30/09
@gbania
Cafe Atlantico's conch fritters are pretty AMAZING! Seriously one of the best bites I had in DC.
I don't know how they stack up to the ones you had in the bahamas, but my friend who also talked about his amazing conch fritter experience in the bahamas absolutely loved them! The little jicama avocado bags don't hurt either.
Beyond the conch fritters though, everything I had there was good - from skirt steak, to striped bass... and I wouldn't miss their chocolate cake! I was literally scraping the plate clean!
Happy eating in DC!
forksanddorks at 9:42AM on 07/01/09
I lived in DC for 3 years and I think I went to City Lights Over China at Dupont Circle almost every week. I think they have the best fried pork dumplings. I would order them every time.
I also love Paolo's Ristorante in Georgetown. They had this tortellini dish with sundried tomatoes, chicken and pancetta that I LOVED and a great olive tapenade with bread sticks that are complementary.
Finally if you are in Adams Morgan visit Havana Cafe. They have a great bar menu, the best mojitos, a cigar bar and salsa music.
Have fun!
meseidy at 2:46PM on 07/01/09
Oh and I second Jaleo's great tapas menu.
meseidy at 2:48PM on 07/01/09
Cork is a great small plates and winebar environment at 14 and R NW.
maxpork at 6:13PM on 07/01/09
Last year I ate at the Native American Museum on the mall and was impressed. If you go take your time before ordering and check out the vast array of foods from the different cultures and tribes.
Poultrygeist at 9:49PM on 07/08/09
Ray's Hell Burger and Amsterdam Falafel: Amen to that! And check out a few more in our Serious Eats City Guide: Washington D.C.
Erin Zimmer at 7:05PM on 07/15/09