Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
Gorgeous patio, excellent people watching, awesome coffee, and a modest selection of cocktails, beer and wine. Go from 4-6PM for their happy hour specials.
On Sundays 9am-1pm there is a neighborhood Farmer's Market on R street, right out front.
354 locals recommend
Big Bear Cafe
1700 R St NWGorgeous patio, excellent people watching, awesome coffee, and a modest selection of cocktails, beer and wine. Go from 4-6PM for their happy hour specials.
On Sundays 9am-1pm there is a neighborhood Farmer's Market on R street, right out front.
Takeout-only Jamaican restaurant with delicious, authentic food and great deals. The curried goat is to die for. Check out their menu and call ahead for best service. They're closed on Sundays.
22 locals recommend
Jam Doung Style
1724 North Capitol St NWTakeout-only Jamaican restaurant with delicious, authentic food and great deals. The curried goat is to die for. Check out their menu and call ahead for best service. They're closed on Sundays.
Very popular high-end pasta joint with fresh, local fare. It's pretty much impossible to get a same-week reservation, but if you go right at 5pm you might be able to secure a walk-in or a seat at the bar. If the lamb and saffron pasta is on the menu, ORDER IT. It's so good.
359 locals recommend
The Red Hen
1822 1st St NWVery popular high-end pasta joint with fresh, local fare. It's pretty much impossible to get a same-week reservation, but if you go right at 5pm you might be able to secure a walk-in or a seat at the bar. If the lamb and saffron pasta is on the menu, ORDER IT. It's so good.
Super-authentic Japanese izakaya with uber-fresh sushi and an extensive list of sakes and Japanese beers. They don't take reservations, so go early (before 6PM) to secure a spot.
41 locals recommend
Izakaya Seki
1117 V St NWSuper-authentic Japanese izakaya with uber-fresh sushi and an extensive list of sakes and Japanese beers. They don't take reservations, so go early (before 6PM) to secure a spot.
My favorite spot in the neighborhood for brunch. Mediterranean inspired menu and excellent bottomless deal. Dog-friendly patio.
86 locals recommend
Rustik Tavern
84 T Street NorthwestMy favorite spot in the neighborhood for brunch. Mediterranean inspired menu and excellent bottomless deal. Dog-friendly patio.
Grassroots Gourmet
104 Rhode Island Avenue NorthwestFresh bread on weekends, cupcake heaven all other days.
Overpriced for dinner, IMHO, but a great spot to camp out and drink bottomless mimosas for Saturday/Sunday brunch.
176 locals recommend
Sally's Middle Name
1320 H St NEOverpriced for dinner, IMHO, but a great spot to camp out and drink bottomless mimosas for Saturday/Sunday brunch.
Converted warehouse that now houses artesian food producers and counter-service restaurants. Closed Mondays.
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NEConverted warehouse that now houses artesian food producers and counter-service restaurants. Closed Mondays.
Indigo
243 K St NEDelicious Indian food, great patio.
Bacio Pizzeria
81 Seaton Pl NWGreat handmade pizzas, nice patio
Drinks & Nightlife
Showtime Lounge
113 Rhode Island Ave NWEXCELLENT neighborhood dive bar. Cash Only.
Bloomingdale's best neighborhood joint. Local brews on tap and a massive selection of whiskeys from all over the world. Live music, open mic nights, and sports. They've also got a good food menu and an awesome bottomless brunch on Sundays.
262 locals recommend
Boundary Stone
116 Rhode Island Ave NWBloomingdale's best neighborhood joint. Local brews on tap and a massive selection of whiskeys from all over the world. Live music, open mic nights, and sports. They've also got a good food menu and an awesome bottomless brunch on Sundays.
Daily happy hour from 5-8PM at the upstairs bar where everything on the menu is just $5. Great pub food.
49 locals recommend
Crisp Kitchen + Bar
1837 1st St NWDaily happy hour from 5-8PM at the upstairs bar where everything on the menu is just $5. Great pub food.
The Pub & The People
1648 North Capitol Street NorthwestGood happy hour, nice patio, creative bar snacks.
A nice walk or bike ride up the Metro Branch Trail. Divey bar in a converted rail house. Great patio and people watching, and live music on weekends.
38 locals recommend
Dew Drop Inn
2801 8th St NEA nice walk or bike ride up the Metro Branch Trail. Divey bar in a converted rail house. Great patio and people watching, and live music on weekends.
Locally brewed craft beer right in the heart of Shaw. Good for pre-show drinks if you have tickets to an event at the Howard Theater.
124 locals recommend
Right Proper Brewing Company
920 Girard St NELocally brewed craft beer right in the heart of Shaw. Good for pre-show drinks if you have tickets to an event at the Howard Theater.
9:30
815 V St NWAmerican Ice Company
917 V St NWArts & Culture
Howard Theatre
620 T St NWEssentials
Windows Cafe & Market
101 Rhode Island Ave NWParks & Nature
Great bike trail / public park that connects Brookland/Catholic University with NOMA. Access to Rhode Island Ave. and NOMA metro stops.
41 locals recommend
Metropolitan Branch Trail
Metropolitan Branch TrailGreat bike trail / public park that connects Brookland/Catholic University with NOMA. Access to Rhode Island Ave. and NOMA metro stops.
Great public pool. Day passes are $3 for non-residents. Bring cash and your own towels. Closed on Tuesdays.
15 locals recommend
Harry Thomas Recreation Center
1743 Lincoln Rd NEGreat public pool. Day passes are $3 for non-residents. Bring cash and your own towels. Closed on Tuesdays.
Getting Around
NoMa-Gallaudet U New York Ave Station
200 Florida Ave NERed line metro stop
Shaw-Howard Univ Station
1701 8th St NW