Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
London-inspired restaurant/bar w/ really delicious food!! Night for cocktails & laid-back atmosphere; lunch for 1 of the best burgers in DC; brunch for delicious food & bottomless mimosas/bloodies.
72 locals recommend
Duke's Grocery
1513 17th St NWLondon-inspired restaurant/bar w/ really delicious food!! Night for cocktails & laid-back atmosphere; lunch for 1 of the best burgers in DC; brunch for delicious food & bottomless mimosas/bloodies.
Delicious, quick, affordable Indian takeout w/ fresh Naan wraps. To my vegetarian friends, don't let the name scare you: my favorite item is their chana masala (chickpea) wrap!
10 locals recommend
Sacrificial Lamb Kabobs & Wraps
1704 R St NWDelicious, quick, affordable Indian takeout w/ fresh Naan wraps. To my vegetarian friends, don't let the name scare you: my favorite item is their chana masala (chickpea) wrap!
Wonderful coffeehouse! Sit on the patio to watch the crowds pass on 18th St; settle down on a comfy sofa to get some work done; or listen to live music in the evenings. Note: no wifi on weekends!
252 locals recommend
Tryst
2459 18th St NWWonderful coffeehouse! Sit on the patio to watch the crowds pass on 18th St; settle down on a comfy sofa to get some work done; or listen to live music in the evenings. Note: no wifi on weekends!
Small coffeeshop w/ fresh-baked pastries. A little expensive but the food never disappoints. Enjoy your coffee and treat on their partially-shaded small front patio.
32 locals recommend
ThreeFifty Bakery and Coffee Bar
1926 17th St NWSmall coffeeshop w/ fresh-baked pastries. A little expensive but the food never disappoints. Enjoy your coffee and treat on their partially-shaded small front patio.
My favorite bakery/coffee shop. Enjoy freshly baked goods, pastries, and breads, as well as sandwiches, salads, and soups. Limited seating.
35 locals recommend
Firehook Bakery
1909 Q St NWMy favorite bakery/coffee shop. Enjoy freshly baked goods, pastries, and breads, as well as sandwiches, salads, and soups. Limited seating.
Spanish/Basque tapas bar w/ wonderful ambiance. Classy late-night crowd most weeknights. Even if it's cold out, enjoy their patio w/ blankets, fireplaces, and heat lamps. 1/2-price wine on Mondays!
322 locals recommend
Barcelona Wine Bar
1622 14th St NWSpanish/Basque tapas bar w/ wonderful ambiance. Classy late-night crowd most weeknights. Even if it's cold out, enjoy their patio w/ blankets, fireplaces, and heat lamps. 1/2-price wine on Mondays!
All day diner. Try their freshly-made pop-tarts! Or a liquor-infused milkshake.
425 locals recommend
Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SEAll day diner. Try their freshly-made pop-tarts! Or a liquor-infused milkshake.
Java House
1645 Q St NWNot the best coffee shop ever, but very conveniently located!
Ben's Chili Bowl Mural
1213 U St NWA DC classic! Hot dogs and chili since 1958.
Neighborhood tavern focused on international street food. I actually haven't been here yet, but I have heard great things!! Try the khachapuri.
89 locals recommend
Compass Rose
1346 T St NWNeighborhood tavern focused on international street food. I actually haven't been here yet, but I have heard great things!! Try the khachapuri.
Arts & Culture
Modern/contemporary art museum. Free before five on weekdays, although access to special exhibits costs money. A great collection if you like impressionism, I think.
224 locals recommend
The Phillips Collection
1600 21st St NWModern/contemporary art museum. Free before five on weekdays, although access to special exhibits costs money. A great collection if you like impressionism, I think.
Loved by performers and patrons, the 9:30 Club is a great, intimate live music venue. Check their website to see upcoming acts and grab some tickets!
455 locals recommend
9:30
815 V St NWLoved by performers and patrons, the 9:30 Club is a great, intimate live music venue. Check their website to see upcoming acts and grab some tickets!
This beautiful, historic theater features many different acts, including a Gospel Brunch on Sundays. Check out their website to snag some tickets!
160 locals recommend
Howard Theatre
620 T St NWThis beautiful, historic theater features many different acts, including a Gospel Brunch on Sundays. Check out their website to snag some tickets!
Everything Else
Kayaking and paddleboarding on the Potomac! Very fun and reasonably affordable. Catch the G2 heading West from 17th & P (one block from the house) or bike/walk the two miles if you're up for it!
75 locals recommend
Boating in DC at Key Bridge Boathouse
3500 Water St NWKayaking and paddleboarding on the Potomac! Very fun and reasonably affordable. Catch the G2 heading West from 17th & P (one block from the house) or bike/walk the two miles if you're up for it!
Beautiful urban park. If you are lucky enough to be in town on a Sunday, check out the all-day drum circle! Bring a picnic if the weather's nice enough.
445 locals recommend
Meridian Hill Park
W Street NorthwestBeautiful urban park. If you are lucky enough to be in town on a Sunday, check out the all-day drum circle! Bring a picnic if the weather's nice enough.
Walk, bike, or catch the G2 from 17th & P to this historic neighborhood. Enjoy the beautiful homes and architecture, spend some time at the waterfront, and check out locally-owned boutiques.
664 locals recommend
Georgetown
Walk, bike, or catch the G2 from 17th & P to this historic neighborhood. Enjoy the beautiful homes and architecture, spend some time at the waterfront, and check out locally-owned boutiques.
Essentials
Safeway
5101 Wilson BlvdBasic grocery store, only a block away.
Grocery store specializing in organic food. Expensive, but it has a great prepared foods section.
581 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
1440 P St NWGrocery store specializing in organic food. Expensive, but it has a great prepared foods section.
Drinks & Nightlife
Cool and unique lounge/bar/nightclub with multiple levels and live music. Founded by Thievery Corporation, if you are a fan!
85 locals recommend
Eighteenth Street Lounge
1230 9th Street NorthwestCool and unique lounge/bar/nightclub with multiple levels and live music. Founded by Thievery Corporation, if you are a fan!
Lounge/nightclub with great music. Strict dress code for guys and drinks are very expensive, but from my experience, it's the best dance music you can get without a cover!
11 locals recommend
Heist Night Club
1802 Jefferson Pl NWLounge/nightclub with great music. Strict dress code for guys and drinks are very expensive, but from my experience, it's the best dance music you can get without a cover!
A DC classic. Blues bar with live music every night! Multiple levels including a roof deck.
123 locals recommend
Madam's Organ
2461 18th St NWA DC classic. Blues bar with live music every night! Multiple levels including a roof deck.
Roofers Union
2446 18th St NWRooftop bar with a great view of DC.
A favorite dive bar for dancing. DJs on both floors and a patio outback. Feel free to bounce up and down U St to check out all the other bars, too!
20 locals recommend
Dodge City
917 U St NWA favorite dive bar for dancing. DJs on both floors and a patio outback. Feel free to bounce up and down U St to check out all the other bars, too!
Do you love to dance? Are you not too weirded out by creepy men trying to dance with you? Then this place is for you.
14 locals recommend
Tropicalia Lounge
2001 14th St NWDo you love to dance? Are you not too weirded out by creepy men trying to dance with you? Then this place is for you.
I work here!! Great Bavarian-style biergarten with German biers, pretzels, and live music on the weekends.
17 locals recommend
Sauf Haus Bier Hall
1216 18th St NWI work here!! Great Bavarian-style biergarten with German biers, pretzels, and live music on the weekends.
Sightseeing
Less than a mile's walk, or catch the S2/S4 south from 16th & P.
1097 locals recommend
The White House South Lawn
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWLess than a mile's walk, or catch the S2/S4 south from 16th & P.
Bike/walk the two miles to get here, or catch the 52 bus south from 14th St.
790 locals recommend
Washington Monument
2 15th St NWBike/walk the two miles to get here, or catch the 52 bus south from 14th St.
Walk/bike here while you're visiting the Washington Monument or on the Mall! Enjoy the beautiful reflecting pool.
697 locals recommend
Lincoln Memorial
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NWWalk/bike here while you're visiting the Washington Monument or on the Mall! Enjoy the beautiful reflecting pool.
Shopping
DC's famous designer cupcake bakery. The line goes out the door, but it's worth the wait!
162 locals recommend
Georgetown Cupcake
3301 M St NWDC's famous designer cupcake bakery. The line goes out the door, but it's worth the wait!