Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
One of my favorites in the neighborhood -- GREAT food (including land lubber fare if you don't do seafood) and awesome cocktails/beers served by cool bartenders. TVs over the bar for catching a game.
68 locals recommend
Hank's Oyster Bar
633 Pennsylvania Avenue SoutheastOne of my favorites in the neighborhood -- GREAT food (including land lubber fare if you don't do seafood) and awesome cocktails/beers served by cool bartenders. TVs over the bar for catching a game.
Peregrine Espresso
660 Pennsylvania Ave. SEBest coffee in the city. Hands down.
Very casual Mexican & Salvadoran spot featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. Awesome papusas and breakfast burritos.
39 locals recommend
Tortilla Café
210 7th Street SoutheastVery casual Mexican & Salvadoran spot featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. Awesome papusas and breakfast burritos.
Really good, fast and cheap -- but with an inside you don't mind sitting down to enjoy!
122 locals recommend
District Taco
656 Pennsylvania Avenue SoutheastReally good, fast and cheap -- but with an inside you don't mind sitting down to enjoy!
Famous for the gourmet pop tarts -- if the line turns you off, go to the counter and get a pop tart to go!
425 locals recommend
Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SEFamous for the gourmet pop tarts -- if the line turns you off, go to the counter and get a pop tart to go!
Montmartre
327 7th St SEFabulous brunch, great dinner -- cozy French bistro
IMHO the best pizza on the Hill, though the title is disputed by fans of Spike Mendelson's We The Pizza. Walk to both!
37 locals recommend
Seventh Hill Pizza
327 7th St SEIMHO the best pizza on the Hill, though the title is disputed by fans of Spike Mendelson's We The Pizza. Walk to both!
The other great pizza on the Hill -- worth comparing against Seventh Hill.
76 locals recommend
We, The Pizza
2100 Crystal DrThe other great pizza on the Hill -- worth comparing against Seventh Hill.
Casual but delicious Mediterranean food, with a rooftop and outdoor seating.
104 locals recommend
Cava Mezze
527 8th St SECasual but delicious Mediterranean food, with a rooftop and outdoor seating.
Good pizza, salads, full entrees and cocktails in a cozy but casual setting.
226 locals recommend
matchbox
521 8th St SEGood pizza, salads, full entrees and cocktails in a cozy but casual setting.
Tio Javier
514 8th St SELively tex-mex place, with a great rooftop deck. Good margaritas!
Belga Café
514 8th St SEBelgian --good for brunch and dinner
Great spot to pick up picnic supplies or treat to a glass of wine, cheese plate, and dinner
14 locals recommend
Sona Creamery and Wine Bar
660 Pennsylvania Avenue SoutheastGreat spot to pick up picnic supplies or treat to a glass of wine, cheese plate, and dinner
Le Pain Quotidien
660 Pennsylvania Ave. SEGood bakery, good coffee, great breakfast option
sweetgreen Capitol Hill
221 Pennsylvania Avenue SoutheastGreat salads -- eat there or take to go.
Breakfast and lunch 6 days a week inside the Eastern Market building -- cash only, and be prepared to wait in line. Bluebuck pancakes are worth the trip though!
37 locals recommend
The Market Lunch
225 7th St SEBreakfast and lunch 6 days a week inside the Eastern Market building -- cash only, and be prepared to wait in line. Bluebuck pancakes are worth the trip though!
Award winning, amazing restaurant -- get in line by 4:45pm to snag a spot on the coveted dining list. No reservations but truly worth the effort & hype!
303 locals recommend
Rose's Luxury
717 8th St SEAward winning, amazing restaurant -- get in line by 4:45pm to snag a spot on the coveted dining list. No reservations but truly worth the effort & hype!
Garrison
524 8th St SEFantastic food, fantastic cocktails, take reservations --love this spot!
Greasy spoon no-nonsense diner with lots of Capitol Hill celeb sightings -- cash only
57 locals recommend
Jimmy T's Place
501 E Capitol St SEGreasy spoon no-nonsense diner with lots of Capitol Hill celeb sightings -- cash only
Pete's Diner
212 2nd St SEBreakfast counter loved by locals
Drinks & Nightlife
Also a good restaurant, but I especially recommend the drinks! Get a seat at the bar if you can--view to all the action!
56 locals recommend
Beuchert’s Saloon
623 Pennsylvania Ave. SEAlso a good restaurant, but I especially recommend the drinks! Get a seat at the bar if you can--view to all the action!
Hawk 'n' Dove
329 Pennsylvania Ave. SEDC institution with revamped menu too
Beautiful renovation of the historic boilermaker building at Navy Yard -- delicious beers brewed on site, full menu and tours available.
129 locals recommend
Bluejacket
300 Tingey St SEBeautiful renovation of the historic boilermaker building at Navy Yard -- delicious beers brewed on site, full menu and tours available.
Sightseeing
Historic fresh market, still going strong 6 days a week. Inside is Market Lunch--best breakfast/lunch counter in town! Cash only but ATMs inside the market. Fresh fish, meat, flowers, bakery too!
699 locals recommend
Eastern Market
225 7th St SEHistoric fresh market, still going strong 6 days a week. Inside is Market Lunch--best breakfast/lunch counter in town! Cash only but ATMs inside the market. Fresh fish, meat, flowers, bakery too!
Sign up online to reserve spots on a tour -- easy walk from where you're staying!
670 locals recommend
United States Capitol
First Street SoutheastSign up online to reserve spots on a tour -- easy walk from where you're staying!
One of my favorite spots on the Mall -- and a great warm up stop if you're running. Like all the Smithsonians, its free!
253 locals recommend
United States Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Ave SWOne of my favorite spots on the Mall -- and a great warm up stop if you're running. Like all the Smithsonians, its free!
Shopping
Wine, beer and liquor right at the end of the block. Don't be turned off by the rag tag outside appearance -- the owner knows his stuff!
31 locals recommend
Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Washington D.C.
E Street NWWine, beer and liquor right at the end of the block. Don't be turned off by the rag tag outside appearance -- the owner knows his stuff!
Capitol Hill Books
657 C St SERenowned book store for picking up great new or used reads
Everything Else
In case you need to drop off dry cleaning -- they're the best
6 locals recommend
The Press Dry Cleaning & Laundry
1963 Calvert St NWIn case you need to drop off dry cleaning -- they're the best
Staff really knows their stuff and can make great recommendations!
10 locals recommend
DCanter - A Wine Boutique
545 8th St SEStaff really knows their stuff and can make great recommendations!
Lincoln Park
Great spot for a picnic -- pet friendly
Stanton Park
226 4th St NEplayground, pets and space to spread out your picnic blanket
Essentials
Yes! Organic Market Capitol Hill
410 8th St SEOrganic grocery -- sells wine and beer too.
Arts & Culture
Walk along the river trail, enjoy free movies on Thursdays during the summer and free concerts on Fridays. Worth checking out, especially if the Nats are playing a home game!
38 locals recommend
Washington Navy Yard
Walk along the river trail, enjoy free movies on Thursdays during the summer and free concerts on Fridays. Worth checking out, especially if the Nats are playing a home game!
Learn the art of trapeze! Or go sit on the patio at bluejacket and watch others give it a try
19 locals recommend
Trapeze School
10 Tingey St SELearn the art of trapeze! Or go sit on the patio at bluejacket and watch others give it a try