A Local's Guide to Washington, DC
Local Faves: Food & Drinks
From intimate eateries to grand gourmet dining, DC is full of restaurant options for every occasion and craving!
Since 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has served Washington DC's original half-smoke. Locally owned, with options to suit every appetite.
288 locals recommend
Ben's Chili Bowl Mural
1213 U St NWSince 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has served Washington DC's original half-smoke. Locally owned, with options to suit every appetite.
Celebrity chef's high-end Mexican fare in a glamorous bi-level setting with killer waterfront views.
15 locals recommend
Mi Vida Restaurante
98 District Square SWCelebrity chef's high-end Mexican fare in a glamorous bi-level setting with killer waterfront views.
Hip American-Pan-Asian spot serving cocktails, sushi, noodles, sandwiches & buckets of tater tots.
118 locals recommend
Sticky Rice
1224 H St NEHip American-Pan-Asian spot serving cocktails, sushi, noodles, sandwiches & buckets of tater tots.
Dupont Italian Kitchen has been serving up fresh homemade Italian dishes since 1986. Great food and unbeatable prices.
14 locals recommend
Dupont Italian Kitchen
1637 17th St NWDupont Italian Kitchen has been serving up fresh homemade Italian dishes since 1986. Great food and unbeatable prices.
Chef Ryan Ratino's avant-garde, French influenced cooking & modern cocktails in a playful bistro.
15 locals recommend
BRESCA
1906 14th St NWChef Ryan Ratino's avant-garde, French influenced cooking & modern cocktails in a playful bistro.
The premier seafood spot in DC, with a history dating back to 1805. It’s the oldest open-air fish market in America and entices foodies from every corner of the nation’s capital.
158 locals recommend
Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf
1100 Maine Ave SWThe premier seafood spot in DC, with a history dating back to 1805. It’s the oldest open-air fish market in America and entices foodies from every corner of the nation’s capital.
Small plates menu of traditional Balkan dishes, plus regional spirits, offered in rustic-chic digs.
134 locals recommend
Ambar Capitol Hill
523 8th St SESmall plates menu of traditional Balkan dishes, plus regional spirits, offered in rustic-chic digs.
Upscale restaurant serving Ethiopian cuisine, beer & wine in a sleek, elegant setting.
147 locals recommend
Ethiopic Restaurant
401 H St NEUpscale restaurant serving Ethiopian cuisine, beer & wine in a sleek, elegant setting.
Hill Country Barbecue Market brings Texas barbecue to DC, just a 10-minute walk from the National Mall.
27 locals recommend
Hill Country Barbecue Market
410 7th Street NorthwestHill Country Barbecue Market brings Texas barbecue to DC, just a 10-minute walk from the National Mall.
Hip, bright eatery whipping up toasts, sandwiches & salads, plus weekend brunch, wine & cocktails.
Lulu’s Wine Garden
1940 11th Street NorthwestHip, bright eatery whipping up toasts, sandwiches & salads, plus weekend brunch, wine & cocktails.
Tex-Mex fare, margaritas & a patio draw college students & families to this lively, casual spot.
40 locals recommend
Cactus Cantina
3300 Wisconsin Ave NWTex-Mex fare, margaritas & a patio draw college students & families to this lively, casual spot.
Offshoot of roving flea market pie purveyor with Neapolitan pies & Argentinean bites like empanadas.
175 locals recommend
Timber Pizza Company
809 Upshur St NWOffshoot of roving flea market pie purveyor with Neapolitan pies & Argentinean bites like empanadas.
Trendy option for Japanese small plates & noodle dishes, plus sizable beer list in minimalist digs.
41 locals recommend
Izakaya Seki
1117 V St NWTrendy option for Japanese small plates & noodle dishes, plus sizable beer list in minimalist digs.
Subterranean-level bar in the Hay-Adams Hotel serving classic cocktails & upscale bar food.
7 locals recommend
Off the Record
800 16th St NWSubterranean-level bar in the Hay-Adams Hotel serving classic cocktails & upscale bar food.
Globally inspired New American share plates & cocktails in hip, edgy hotel space with courtyard.
14 locals recommend
Dirty Habit DC
555 8th St NWGlobally inspired New American share plates & cocktails in hip, edgy hotel space with courtyard.
Japanese, Chinese & Thai fare, plus sushi, is served in modern surroundings with a sidewalk patio.
27 locals recommend
Raku
7240 Woodmont AveJapanese, Chinese & Thai fare, plus sushi, is served in modern surroundings with a sidewalk patio.
Iconic tavern offering American meals, including popular oyster specials, in Victorian-style digs.
152 locals recommend
Old Ebbitt Grill
675 15th St NWIconic tavern offering American meals, including popular oyster specials, in Victorian-style digs.
Welcoming spot offering eclectic & classic Louisiana-style sub sandwiches & Cajun & Creole dishes.
27 locals recommend
Po Boy Jim Bar and Grill
709 H St NEWelcoming spot offering eclectic & classic Louisiana-style sub sandwiches & Cajun & Creole dishes.
Hip American eatery with late hours, plus plenty of room in a live music space downstairs.
75 locals recommend
The Hamilton
600 14th St NWHip American eatery with late hours, plus plenty of room in a live music space downstairs.
Le Diplomate pays sincere homage to French cafe culture, providing a comfortable, versatile gathering place that's become an anchor for Washington, DC.
513 locals recommend
Le Diplomate
1601 14th St NWLe Diplomate pays sincere homage to French cafe culture, providing a comfortable, versatile gathering place that's become an anchor for Washington, DC.
Eclectic New American small plates menu crafted in a cozy, converted townhouse with upstairs bar.
303 locals recommend
Rose's Luxury
717 8th St SEEclectic New American small plates menu crafted in a cozy, converted townhouse with upstairs bar.
Hearty down-home soul food such as fried chicken & collard greens presented in a no-frills setting.
25 locals recommend
Oohh's & Aahh's
1005 U St NWHearty down-home soul food such as fried chicken & collard greens presented in a no-frills setting.
Busboys and Poets is a full-service restaurant, bar, bookstore, coffee shop, and events venue in Washington, D.C., founded in 2005 by Andy Shallal.
569 locals recommend
Busboys and Poets
450 K St NWBusboys and Poets is a full-service restaurant, bar, bookstore, coffee shop, and events venue in Washington, D.C., founded in 2005 by Andy Shallal.
Sophisticated Italian seafood, plus wine & cocktails, in a luxe, modern setting with river views.
82 locals recommend
Fiola Mare
3100 K St NWSophisticated Italian seafood, plus wine & cocktails, in a luxe, modern setting with river views.
Low-key, basement-level Downtown spot offers signature wings with "mumbo" sauce & strong drinks.
13 locals recommend
Stan's Restaurant
1029 Vermont Ave NWLow-key, basement-level Downtown spot offers signature wings with "mumbo" sauce & strong drinks.
Local Faves: Coffee Shops
This community hangout serves Southern fare, displays art, sells books, hosts music & readings.
169 locals recommend
Brookland's Finest Bar and Kitchen
3126 12th Street NortheastThis community hangout serves Southern fare, displays art, sells books, hosts music & readings.
Relaxed coffeehouse offering light cafe bites plus African-focused books & film screenings.
28 locals recommend
Sankofa Video Books & Café
2714 Georgia Ave NWRelaxed coffeehouse offering light cafe bites plus African-focused books & film screenings.
Hip artisanal-coffee shop offering drip, pour-over, French press & siphon methods.
6 locals recommend
Sweet Science Coffee
35 N Street NortheastHip artisanal-coffee shop offering drip, pour-over, French press & siphon methods.
Local chain outpost featuring coffee blends from Rwanda as well as sandwiches, pastries & desserts.
22 locals recommend
Bourbon Coffee
621 Pennsylvania Ave. SELocal chain outpost featuring coffee blends from Rwanda as well as sandwiches, pastries & desserts.
Described as a “bright cafe with a walnut bar serving pour-over coffee by day and cocktails by night, with light fare,” this is the place to be for a day-to-night hangout or date. They serve coffee drinks and lunch food from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then in the evening, the modern coffee shop trades its coffee mugs for cocktail and wine glasses for a romantic happy hour setting.
60 locals recommend
Slipstream
1333 14th St NWDescribed as a “bright cafe with a walnut bar serving pour-over coffee by day and cocktails by night, with light fare,” this is the place to be for a day-to-night hangout or date. They serve coffee drinks and lunch food from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then in the evening, the modern coffee shop trades its coffee mugs for cocktail and wine glasses for a romantic happy hour setting.
In the heart of Adams Morgan, this local coffee shop has a homey, rustic vibe, providing you with the perfect ambiance to lounge on their sofas, study or work on their outdoor patio. Serving everything from coffee, teas, and frappes, they also serve brunch and lunch all day and alcoholic beverages in the evening.
252 locals recommend
Tryst
2459 18th St NWIn the heart of Adams Morgan, this local coffee shop has a homey, rustic vibe, providing you with the perfect ambiance to lounge on their sofas, study or work on their outdoor patio. Serving everything from coffee, teas, and frappes, they also serve brunch and lunch all day and alcoholic beverages in the evening.
Sleek coffeehouse dispensing caffeine drinks made with single-origin beans roasted on site.
17 locals recommend
Corridor Coffee
1665 Wisconsin Ave NWSleek coffeehouse dispensing caffeine drinks made with single-origin beans roasted on site.
Ethiopian coffee beans roasted in-house plus gourmet teas, breakfast, lunch & some desserts.
120 locals recommend
Sidamo Coffee & Tea
417 H St NEEthiopian coffee beans roasted in-house plus gourmet teas, breakfast, lunch & some desserts.
Tiny eatery with outdoor seating & a simple menu of sandwiches, salads & breakfast items.
18 locals recommend
Le Bon Café
210 2nd St SETiny eatery with outdoor seating & a simple menu of sandwiches, salads & breakfast items.
Local Faves: Family-Friendly
Always free of charge, the Smithsonian's National Zoo is one of Washington DC's most popular tourist destinations and one of the oldest zoos in the United States.
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWAlways free of charge, the Smithsonian's National Zoo is one of Washington DC's most popular tourist destinations and one of the oldest zoos in the United States.
United States Botanic Garden (USBG), established by the U.S. Congress is 1820, is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America.
253 locals recommend
United States Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Ave SWUnited States Botanic Garden (USBG), established by the U.S. Congress is 1820, is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America.
Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum is a leading voice for contemporary art and culture and provides a national platform for the art and artists of our time.
230 locals recommend
Hirshhorn Museum
7th Street SouthwestSmithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum is a leading voice for contemporary art and culture and provides a national platform for the art and artists of our time.
This school playground with creative play structures & a zip line is open to the public on weekends.
Beauvoir Playground
3500 Woodley Rd NWThis school playground with creative play structures & a zip line is open to the public on weekends.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a place where all Americans can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American culture.
451 locals recommend
National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave. NWThe National Museum of African American History and Culture is a place where all Americans can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American culture.
From on-the-water revelry to dining accompanied by spectacular scenery to highly anticipated annual events, the Georgetown waterfront presents an array of activities for you to explore.
219 locals recommend
Georgetown Waterfront Park
3100 K St NWFrom on-the-water revelry to dining accompanied by spectacular scenery to highly anticipated annual events, the Georgetown waterfront presents an array of activities for you to explore.
Visit the International Spy Museum in Washington DC and step into the shoes of a spy. Experience DC's most immersive museum.
231 locals recommend
International Spy Museum
700 L'Enfant Plaza SWVisit the International Spy Museum in Washington DC and step into the shoes of a spy. Experience DC's most immersive museum.
Neighborhoods
This culturally diverse neighborhood is known for its nightlife and eclectic dining scene thanks to all the bars and restaurants dotting the 18th Street corridor.
287 locals recommend
Adams Morgan
This culturally diverse neighborhood is known for its nightlife and eclectic dining scene thanks to all the bars and restaurants dotting the 18th Street corridor.
Venture into southeast DC and discover Anacostia, a vibrant neighborhood with museums, bike paths and a rich African American history.
14 locals recommend
Anacostia
Venture into southeast DC and discover Anacostia, a vibrant neighborhood with museums, bike paths and a rich African American history.
DC’s "Little Rome" is awash in Catholic churches and sites, plus a lively arts zone and charming, bungalow-filled streets.
33 locals recommend
Brookland
DC’s "Little Rome" is awash in Catholic churches and sites, plus a lively arts zone and charming, bungalow-filled streets.
Some of the government’s most powerful edifices – the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court and the U.S. House and Senate – make their homes on this famed incline, where views of the Capitol Dome come at almost every turn.
190 locals recommend
Capitol Hill
Some of the government’s most powerful edifices – the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court and the U.S. House and Senate – make their homes on this famed incline, where views of the Capitol Dome come at almost every turn.
Just south of the U.S. Capitol, this vibrant neighborhood on the Anacostia River is home to Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals, watery diversions like kayaking and a booming restaurant scene.
17 locals recommend
Capitol Riverfront
Just south of the U.S. Capitol, this vibrant neighborhood on the Anacostia River is home to Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals, watery diversions like kayaking and a booming restaurant scene.
Hispanic culture, a jumbo city park plus cool bars and restaurants draw locals and visitors to this upper northwest hot zone.
89 locals recommend
Columbia Heights
Hispanic culture, a jumbo city park plus cool bars and restaurants draw locals and visitors to this upper northwest hot zone.
Downtown DC is considered the center of the nation’s capital because of its close proximity to popular attractions, a wide range of cultural experiences, national retail chains and noteworthy dining options.
23 locals recommend
Downtown
Downtown DC is considered the center of the nation’s capital because of its close proximity to popular attractions, a wide range of cultural experiences, national retail chains and noteworthy dining options.
You might find impromptu yoga, pick-up games of chess and dog-walking locals at this social circle, which anchors its neighborhood namesake.
301 locals recommend
Dupont Circle
You might find impromptu yoga, pick-up games of chess and dog-walking locals at this social circle, which anchors its neighborhood namesake.
Culture vultures, diplomats and outdoor enthusiasts dig this riverside neighborhood best known as home to the Kennedy Center and the State Department.
13 locals recommend
Foggy Bottom
Culture vultures, diplomats and outdoor enthusiasts dig this riverside neighborhood best known as home to the Kennedy Center and the State Department.
The perfect intersection of historic charm and upscale modernity happens where M Street meets Wisconsin Avenue in the heart of picturesque Georgetown.
664 locals recommend
Georgetown
The perfect intersection of historic charm and upscale modernity happens where M Street meets Wisconsin Avenue in the heart of picturesque Georgetown.
A dynamic one-and-a-half mile corridor, this neighborhood promises a memorable night out, funky shops and chill cafés.
171 locals recommend
H Street Northeast
H Street NortheastA dynamic one-and-a-half mile corridor, this neighborhood promises a memorable night out, funky shops and chill cafés.
You’ll find a high concentration of craft distilleries, unique concert venues and even agricultural wonders in this historic industrial zone that is experiencing a modern-day renaissance.
22 locals recommend
Ivy City
You’ll find a high concentration of craft distilleries, unique concert venues and even agricultural wonders in this historic industrial zone that is experiencing a modern-day renaissance.
Alluring for residents who dig the neighborhood’s old-timey charms and new shops and eateries, and for visitors who will find walkable blocks packed with things to do.
60 locals recommend
Logan Circle
Alluring for residents who dig the neighborhood’s old-timey charms and new shops and eateries, and for visitors who will find walkable blocks packed with things to do.
This historic city square and neighborhood masterfully blends DC’s past and present, perfect for business and pleasure.
Mount Vernon Square
This historic city square and neighborhood masterfully blends DC’s past and present, perfect for business and pleasure.
In this up-and-coming zone, find food hall Union Market, trendy restaurants and historic sites like Gallaudet University.
11 locals recommend
NoMa
In this up-and-coming zone, find food hall Union Market, trendy restaurants and historic sites like Gallaudet University.
Satisfy your appetite for hip restaurants and culture in this diverse ’hood where museums like the National Portrait Gallery and the International Spy Museum keep company with eateries by celebrity chefs.
107 locals recommend
Chinatown
604 H St NWSatisfy your appetite for hip restaurants and culture in this diverse ’hood where museums like the National Portrait Gallery and the International Spy Museum keep company with eateries by celebrity chefs.
Take a look inside Petworth, a close-knit residential neighborhood with local draws that beckon for you to explore.
36 locals recommend
Petworth
Take a look inside Petworth, a close-knit residential neighborhood with local draws that beckon for you to explore.
Shaw is hip, trendy and edgy. From the live rock and roll music to the African-American Civil War Memorial, you’ll get plenty of excitement and culture here.
32 locals recommend
Shaw
Shaw is hip, trendy and edgy. From the live rock and roll music to the African-American Civil War Memorial, you’ll get plenty of excitement and culture here.
The Southwest & The Wharf neighborhood is a must-visit for experiencing the arts and local history, as well as The Wharf's many restaurants, shops, concert venues and on-the-water activities.
56 locals recommend
Southwest Waterfront
The Southwest & The Wharf neighborhood is a must-visit for experiencing the arts and local history, as well as The Wharf's many restaurants, shops, concert venues and on-the-water activities.
The part of the city that never sleeps, U Street stays up late and knows how to have a good time.
98 locals recommend
U Street Northwest
U Street NorthwestThe part of the city that never sleeps, U Street stays up late and knows how to have a good time.
Enjoy the great outdoors in the middle of DC. With the National Zoo and Rock Creek Park, this neighborhood houses everything from giant pandas to breathtaking waterways. Click below to learn more about what you’ll see in Woodley Park.
Woodley Park
Enjoy the great outdoors in the middle of DC. With the National Zoo and Rock Creek Park, this neighborhood houses everything from giant pandas to breathtaking waterways. Click below to learn more about what you’ll see in Woodley Park.