Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
Excellent and affordable ($10-20) American food in large portions open late on the weekend. The Mac and Cheese and burger are probably the most popular but everything is extremely good. Washingtonian's Top 100 list. Also good for brunch if you can get a seat on the outdoor patio. Casual dress.
72 locals recommend
Duke's Grocery
1513 17th St NWExcellent and affordable ($10-20) American food in large portions open late on the weekend. The Mac and Cheese and burger are probably the most popular but everything is extremely good. Washingtonian's Top 100 list. Also good for brunch if you can get a seat on the outdoor patio. Casual dress.
Amazing, vaguely Asian-themed small plates with a great drink selection. Michelin's Bib Gourmand List and Washingtonian's Top 100 list. Pricy but worth it.
26 locals recommend
Hazel
808 V St NWAmazing, vaguely Asian-themed small plates with a great drink selection. Michelin's Bib Gourmand List and Washingtonian's Top 100 list. Pricy but worth it.
Great Laotian food at affordable prices ($10-25). Michelin's Bib Gourmand List and Washingtonian's Top 100 list. Casual dress. Not small plates, which is increasingly rare for top restaurants in DC.
127 locals recommend
Thip Khao Restaurant
3462 14th St NWGreat Laotian food at affordable prices ($10-25). Michelin's Bib Gourmand List and Washingtonian's Top 100 list. Casual dress. Not small plates, which is increasingly rare for top restaurants in DC.
Large indoor and outdoor quality food hall with a few shopping stores in addition to food vendors. Perfect for brunch in nice weather.
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NELarge indoor and outdoor quality food hall with a few shopping stores in addition to food vendors. Perfect for brunch in nice weather.
Great for brunch—I recommend the banana nutella crepes or the egg cocotte (similar to shakshouka), though waffles and french toast are their mainstays and also delicious. Same place as the better-known Belga Cafe across town. Never too crowded. Overpriced for dinner though.
43 locals recommend
B Too
1324 14th St NWGreat for brunch—I recommend the banana nutella crepes or the egg cocotte (similar to shakshouka), though waffles and french toast are their mainstays and also delicious. Same place as the better-known Belga Cafe across town. Never too crowded. Overpriced for dinner though.
Great for brunch—their everything bagel pizza (it works, trust me) and french toast are excellent. Good Bloody Marys too.
6 locals recommend
Alta Strada, Mosaic
2911 District AveGreat for brunch—their everything bagel pizza (it works, trust me) and french toast are excellent. Good Bloody Marys too.
Essentials
Safeway
5101 Wilson Blvd7-Eleven
2311 2nd St SCairo Wine & Liquor
1618 17th St NWParks & Nature
Georgetown Waterfront Park
3100 K St NWThe Yards Park
355 Water St SEDrinks & Nightlife
Cobalt
1639 R St NWPopular gay club, also has brunch with drag queen shows sometimes.
Club with an outdoor patio focusing on Latin music. Usually salsa upstair and more contemporary Latin pop in the basement. Also a decent restaurant earlier in the night.
105 locals recommend
El Centro
1819 14th St NWClub with an outdoor patio focusing on Latin music. Usually salsa upstair and more contemporary Latin pop in the basement. Also a decent restaurant earlier in the night.
One of the best beer bars in the city—large, high-quality list. Very good food too though definitely more a bar than a restaurant. Casual dress but nice.
136 locals recommend
ChurchKey
1337 14th St NWOne of the best beer bars in the city—large, high-quality list. Very good food too though definitely more a bar than a restaurant. Casual dress but nice.
Cocktail bar ranked as the best in America by Esquire, Bon Appetit, and various trade publications. Classy but reasonably priced.
62 locals recommend
Columbia Room
124 Blagden Alley NWCocktail bar ranked as the best in America by Esquire, Bon Appetit, and various trade publications. Classy but reasonably priced.
Ivy and Coney
1537 7th St NWClassic dive bar, with Chicago allegiances
Sightseeing
Washington Monument
2 15th St NW
Lincoln Memorial
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NWPeople often skip this one because it's slightly out of the way but it's nice.
22 locals recommend
Jefferson Memorial
16 E Basin Dr SWPeople often skip this one because it's slightly out of the way but it's nice.
Arts & Culture
National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Ave SWNational Museum of American History
1300 Constitution Ave. NWThe Sackler and Freer Galleries (they're connected to form one museum) showcase Asian art and history. One of the more overlooked Smithsonians, they have a fantastic collection and interesting exhibitions—highly recommended.
32 locals recommend
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
1050 Independence Ave SWThe Sackler and Freer Galleries (they're connected to form one museum) showcase Asian art and history. One of the more overlooked Smithsonians, they have a fantastic collection and interesting exhibitions—highly recommended.
Not free like the Smithsonian, but there's a great exhibition on the Tomb of Christ right now in addition to one on wildlife photography and one on the history of the magazine.
56 locals recommend
National Geographic Museum
1145 17th St NWNot free like the Smithsonian, but there's a great exhibition on the Tomb of Christ right now in addition to one on wildlife photography and one on the history of the magazine.
Not free like the Smithsonian, but an excellent contemporary museum dedicated to the American news industry. Very fun and educational.
202 locals recommend
Newseum
565 Pennsylvania Avenue NWNot free like the Smithsonian, but an excellent contemporary museum dedicated to the American news industry. Very fun and educational.
Probably the best museum in the city right now. Tough to get tickets to though.
451 locals recommend
National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave. NWProbably the best museum in the city right now. Tough to get tickets to though.
Shopping
Eastern Market station
701 Pennsylvania Ave. SEGreat outdoor art + food market on the weekends