Guidebook for Washington, D.C.
Food Scene
The original of this popular restaurant chain. Many events--poetry readings, movie screenings, author signings, etc.--take place here. Food is pretty good, too!
569 locals recommend
Busboys and Poets
450 K St NWThe original of this popular restaurant chain. Many events--poetry readings, movie screenings, author signings, etc.--take place here. Food is pretty good, too!
It might be a cliché, but you do have to go to Ben's--at least once! It's got the famous half-smokes and chili. The line is long, but it moves fairly quickly with the help of the lively crew inside.
288 locals recommend
Ben's Chili Bowl Mural
1213 U St NWIt might be a cliché, but you do have to go to Ben's--at least once! It's got the famous half-smokes and chili. The line is long, but it moves fairly quickly with the help of the lively crew inside.
You want fast, tasty Greek food? This is my go to spot. A creature of habit, I stick with the chicken souvlaki platter or pita. But you? Try what you want!
13 locals recommend
The Greek Spot
2017 11th St NWYou want fast, tasty Greek food? This is my go to spot. A creature of habit, I stick with the chicken souvlaki platter or pita. But you? Try what you want!
Revered soul food! Not the cheapest, but it is among the tastiest.
25 locals recommend
Oohh's & Aahh's
1005 U St NWRevered soul food! Not the cheapest, but it is among the tastiest.
Chix
2019 11th Street NorthwestOrganic chicken with interesting flavors!
A legendary U Street area diner, serving up soul food options.
27 locals recommend
Florida Avenue Grill
1100 Florida Ave NWA legendary U Street area diner, serving up soul food options.
The sister-restaurant of Busboys. Inspired by "Their Eyes Were Watching God" author Zora Neale Hurston. Good ol' Cajun food.
20 locals recommend
Mulebone
The sister-restaurant of Busboys. Inspired by "Their Eyes Were Watching God" author Zora Neale Hurston. Good ol' Cajun food.
U Street Cafe
1301 U St NWYummy breakfast. I always get a waffle of some sort.
It's a Starbucks! Outdoor seating when warm out--great for U Street people watching.
466 locals recommend
Starbucks
3100 14th St NWIt's a Starbucks! Outdoor seating when warm out--great for U Street people watching.
Sometimes McDonald's is all you want or need. I happen to have a recurring craving for nuggets...
466 locals recommend
Starbucks
3100 14th St NWSometimes McDonald's is all you want or need. I happen to have a recurring craving for nuggets...
Whoa! A BBQ place just a street behind the house. When the weather, is warm out outside.
63 locals recommend
American Ice Company
917 V St NWWhoa! A BBQ place just a street behind the house. When the weather, is warm out outside.
Izakaya Seki
1117 V St NWAuthentic (i.e., not "Americanized) Japanese food.
Sure it's a little restaurant behind a gas station...but people love their sandwiches--me included.
30 locals recommend
Fast Gourmet
Sure it's a little restaurant behind a gas station...but people love their sandwiches--me included.
Ben's Chili Bowl Mural
1213 U St NWBen's Chili Bowl's more adult spot next door.
Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
1114-1118 U St NWPossibly the most popular Ethiopian restaurant in DC.
A Hilton Brothers restaurant--inspired by DC native Marvin Gaye and Belgian food. Known for the chicken and waffles.
116 locals recommend
Marvin
2007 14th St NWA Hilton Brothers restaurant--inspired by DC native Marvin Gaye and Belgian food. Known for the chicken and waffles.
Everlasting Life Cafe
Vegan food!
Sala Thai Restaurant
1301 U St NWAdequate Thai food. Jazz music on Friday evenings.
Kapnos
2201 14th St NWA Mike Isabella restaurant.
Policy Restaurant & Lounge
1904 14th St NWGood happy hour.
Tacos El Chilango
1119 V St NWGreat, little neighborhood taco spot.
Not close by, but if you are into raw food, this is the place to get it.
25 locals recommend
Khepra's Raw Food Juice Bar/ Hempburger Cafe & Juice Bar
Not close by, but if you are into raw food, this is the place to get it.
&pizza
1118 H St NEGreat, quickly-prepared pizza.
Lovely Yogurt
1017 U St NWGet your frozen yogurt fix.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
655 Michigan Ave NEGet a toasty sandwich near Howard U.
El Rey
919 U St NWLively place to watch a game and down some tacos.
Le Diplomate
1601 14th St NWParis meets DC. Reservations are recommended.
Barcelona Wine Bar
1622 14th St NWNice place for wine and tapas, perhaps a little paella.
Alero Restaurant
1301 U St NWMexican food, margaritas.
Drinks & Nightlife
Yeah, so there is a very highly-rated lounge across the street. People love Darnell's cozy spot. The drinks and the hospitality make it one of the best "lesser known" night spots.
6 locals recommend
Darnell's
944 Florida Ave NWYeah, so there is a very highly-rated lounge across the street. People love Darnell's cozy spot. The drinks and the hospitality make it one of the best "lesser known" night spots.
A popular naeighborhood bar. Lots of regulars. They have trivia nights and live music.
17 locals recommend
Solly's
1942 11th St NWA popular naeighborhood bar. Lots of regulars. They have trivia nights and live music.
the Gibson
2009 14th St NWA hidden little speakeasy.
Sally's Middle Name
1320 H St NEA tavern on Florida Ave NW.
A small-plates, British-inspired pub. There is a roof bar when the weather warms up.
101 locals recommend
Brixton
901 U St NWA small-plates, British-inspired pub. There is a roof bar when the weather warms up.
Vinoteca
1940 11th St NWA nice wine bar with decent food. Has a good happy hour and brunch.
Really nice, chill wine bar with great charcuterie and banh mi sandwiches! Happy hour includes half-priced wine bottles.
15 locals recommend
Dickson Wine Bar
903 U St NWReally nice, chill wine bar with great charcuterie and banh mi sandwiches! Happy hour includes half-priced wine bottles.
Cafe Saint-Ex
1847 14th St NWA quirky bar with an aviation theme.
Red Light
1401 R St NWDrinks and dessert.
Entertainment & Activities
Lounge of Three
1013 U St NWAnother popular live music venue.
Essentials
Organic grocery store. Decent beer and wine selection. Also has organic and health products. Not inexpensive...no surprises there. ;)
70 locals recommend
Yes! Organic Market 14th St.
2123 14th St NWOrganic grocery store. Decent beer and wine selection. Also has organic and health products. Not inexpensive...no surprises there. ;)
Giant Food
1345 Park Rd NWNearby large grocery store. Can get very crowded.
The much-loved quirky grocer. Great for unique, easy-to-prepare meals.
342 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1914 14th St NWThe much-loved quirky grocer. Great for unique, easy-to-prepare meals.
Arts & Culture
It's so awesome to have this very popular, concert venue in my neighborhood. It's a cool place to see a show. One of the go-to spots in DC.
455 locals recommend
9:30
815 V St NWIt's so awesome to have this very popular, concert venue in my neighborhood. It's a cool place to see a show. One of the go-to spots in DC.
A downstairs lounge. Lot of live music offerings. Usually jazz. A cool place--looks like you are entering a cave. Can't miss it with the saxophone on the building.
23 locals recommend
Bohemian Caverns
2001 11th Street NorthwestA downstairs lounge. Lot of live music offerings. Usually jazz. A cool place--looks like you are entering a cave. Can't miss it with the saxophone on the building.
Lincoln Theatre
1215 U St NWA historic theater in the heart of U Street. Beautiful inside.
Renovated, historic theater is the site of many big concerts and other events
160 locals recommend
Howard Theatre
620 T St NWRenovated, historic theater is the site of many big concerts and other events
Shakespeare Theatre Company: Lansburgh Theatre
450 7th St NWCatch a play!
The Velvet Lounge
915 U St NWCatch some up and coming bands and grab food.
A new indie movie theatre just a short distance away.
104 locals recommend
Landmark's Atlantic Plumbing Cinema
807 V Street NorthwestA new indie movie theatre just a short distance away.
Black Cat
1811 14th St NWCatch a indie band or attend a dance party.
Everything Else
CVS
645 H St NEA CVS four blocks down on 14th and W Streets NW.
A unique park with awesome architecture, fountains, and views. On the weekends, drumming circles attract all walks of life in DC...perhaps you will join in, too!
445 locals recommend
Meridian Hill Park
W Street NorthwestA unique park with awesome architecture, fountains, and views. On the weekends, drumming circles attract all walks of life in DC...perhaps you will join in, too!
The largest Catholic church in the United States.
134 locals recommend
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Avenue NortheastThe largest Catholic church in the United States.
Where the Wizards play basketball and the Capitals play hockey...and some other stuff, too.
305 locals recommend
Capital One Arena
601 F St NWWhere the Wizards play basketball and the Capitals play hockey...and some other stuff, too.
You can take the Yellow line straight to U Street!
216 locals recommend
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
2401 Smith BlvdYou can take the Yellow line straight to U Street!
Sightseeing
Where big conventions and events are held. Two Metro stops from U Street.
150 locals recommend
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt Vernon Pl NWWhere big conventions and events are held. Two Metro stops from U Street.
Go stand outside the gates...unless you have tickets to get inside.
1097 locals recommend
The White House South Lawn
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWGo stand outside the gates...unless you have tickets to get inside.
Washington Monument
2 15th St NWThe famous obelisk.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial Bookstore
16 E Basin Dr SWJefferson is standing in there.
National Mall
This is where Abe sits.
The very famous, very large park that runs through much of DC and parts of Montgomery County, MD.
59 locals recommend
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
5200 Glover Rd NWThe very famous, very large park that runs through much of DC and parts of Montgomery County, MD.
See the nation's paper currency get made. Not to be confused with the United States Mint (coins).
24 locals recommend
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
301 14th St SWSee the nation's paper currency get made. Not to be confused with the United States Mint (coins).