Shaw Guidebook & Other DC Hits
Special Dinners (i.e., $$$)
These are some restaurants to check out for a special (and pricier) dinner.
This fantastic wine bar is just a short walk away. It even won the Sommelier of the Year award from Food & Wine magazine. They have a fun food menu too!
19 locals recommend
Maxwell Park
1336 9th St NWThis fantastic wine bar is just a short walk away. It even won the Sommelier of the Year award from Food & Wine magazine. They have a fun food menu too!
This is a lovely neighborhood restaurant with great food that has a very nice outdoor seating area. It's one of my top recs for a spot with nice ambiance.
32 locals recommend
Iron Gate Restaurant
1734 N St NWThis is a lovely neighborhood restaurant with great food that has a very nice outdoor seating area. It's one of my top recs for a spot with nice ambiance.
This neighborhood restaurant has a fantastic prix fixe menu for $55/person (and it's a ton of food). The menu is hyperlocal and very delicious. It's also accommodating where not everyone has to order the prix fixe menu in order for some to order it.
11 locals recommend
Nina May
1337 11th St NWThis neighborhood restaurant has a fantastic prix fixe menu for $55/person (and it's a ton of food). The menu is hyperlocal and very delicious. It's also accommodating where not everyone has to order the prix fixe menu in order for some to order it.
DC's celeb chef, Jose Andres, recently opened this restaurant in the former U.S. Postal Service building. He has many different restaurants in DC, and you can't go wrong at any of them.
The Bazaar by José Andrés
DC's celeb chef, Jose Andres, recently opened this restaurant in the former U.S. Postal Service building. He has many different restaurants in DC, and you can't go wrong at any of them.
DC has really wonderful SE Asian cuisine, and this is our favorite (not surprising since it has a Michelin star). It's a northern Thai restaurant, so it's quite spicy. It is very delicious if you're looking for a spicy prix fixe night!
55 locals recommend
Little Serow
1511 17th St NWDC has really wonderful SE Asian cuisine, and this is our favorite (not surprising since it has a Michelin star). It's a northern Thai restaurant, so it's quite spicy. It is very delicious if you're looking for a spicy prix fixe night!
Free Sightseeing in DC
This is my favorite art museum in DC. The exhibitions are world class and it's a manageable size to walk through.
230 locals recommend
Hirshhorn Museum
7th Street SouthwestThis is my favorite art museum in DC. The exhibitions are world class and it's a manageable size to walk through.
This museum is a must see. You need to plan in advance because you will either need to reserve a ticket or make an online reservation the day of at 6:00am.
451 locals recommend
National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave. NWThis museum is a must see. You need to plan in advance because you will either need to reserve a ticket or make an online reservation the day of at 6:00am.
National Portrait Gallery
The Obama portraits are truly spectacular.
This is one of the most popular museums in DC and is a must do if anyone is interested in air or space.
809 locals recommend
National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Ave SWThis is one of the most popular museums in DC and is a must do if anyone is interested in air or space.
A wonderful botanical garden, and like most sightseeing in DC, this is also free!
253 locals recommend
United States Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Ave SWA wonderful botanical garden, and like most sightseeing in DC, this is also free!
This is the place for cherry blossoms! I recommend going at sunrise to beat the crowds.
123 locals recommend
Tidal Basin
20245 National DrThis is the place for cherry blossoms! I recommend going at sunrise to beat the crowds.
Neighborhoods
This street has tons of restaurants and shopping. Good place to go to find a happy hour spot. Barcelona is a great place for tapas.
16 locals recommend
14th Street Northwest
14th Street NorthwestThis street has tons of restaurants and shopping. Good place to go to find a happy hour spot. Barcelona is a great place for tapas.
Lots of restaurants, bars, shopping, and the biggest farmer's market in DC
301 locals recommend
Dupont Circle
Lots of restaurants, bars, shopping, and the biggest farmer's market in DC
Georgetown
A posh area of town that is down by the water
Family Restaurants
Family restaurants / cheap eats in walking distance!
All-Purpose Shaw
1250 9th St NWGreat pizza and other Italian-American fare.
When in DC, you must have Ethiopian food. DC has the largest Ethiopian community outside of Ethiopia, and the food is phenomenal. Chercher is my favorite place and it's super affordable. And it's not just mine, but it also made the bib gourmand list as well. I highly recommend the Veggie Deluxe platter, the beef tibs, and the doro wat. Out of all the restaurants to check out, this is my top recommendation
23 locals recommend
Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart
1334 9th St NWWhen in DC, you must have Ethiopian food. DC has the largest Ethiopian community outside of Ethiopia, and the food is phenomenal. Chercher is my favorite place and it's super affordable. And it's not just mine, but it also made the bib gourmand list as well. I highly recommend the Veggie Deluxe platter, the beef tibs, and the doro wat. Out of all the restaurants to check out, this is my top recommendation
Pearl's Bagels
1017 7th St NWBest bagels in DC and in walking distance!
Rasika West End
1190 New Hampshire Ave NWAmazing Indian food. Must order the palak chaat!
A really fun and yummy opportunity to have Georgian food (the country), Georgian wine, and really great cocktails. I highly recommend ordering the Adjaruli (translates to something like cheese boat, so you can't go wrong).
18 locals recommend
Supra
1205 11th St NWA really fun and yummy opportunity to have Georgian food (the country), Georgian wine, and really great cocktails. I highly recommend ordering the Adjaruli (translates to something like cheese boat, so you can't go wrong).
This is a DC institution and one of the more popular restaurants in town. Although it's mostly French cafe food, they also have a great cheeseburger if that is appealing for anyone.
513 locals recommend
Le Diplomate
1601 14th St NWThis is a DC institution and one of the more popular restaurants in town. Although it's mostly French cafe food, they also have a great cheeseburger if that is appealing for anyone.
This is a big food hall in DC's warehouse district. There are tons of great options that allow everyone to get whatever they want to eat and then all come together. In the summer, they also have ping pong outside and a bar with alcoholic slushies. Not a nice walk, so only go if you want to drive over.
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NEThis is a big food hall in DC's warehouse district. There are tons of great options that allow everyone to get whatever they want to eat and then all come together. In the summer, they also have ping pong outside and a bar with alcoholic slushies. Not a nice walk, so only go if you want to drive over.
This is the best NY style pizza in DC by a long shot and it's really good. The one on V St. is pickup only. Head to the one in NOMA or Navy Yard if you want sit down (they have great happy hour specials too).
Andy's Pizza
808 9th St NWThis is the best NY style pizza in DC by a long shot and it's really good. The one on V St. is pickup only. Head to the one in NOMA or Navy Yard if you want sit down (they have great happy hour specials too).
Absolutely delicious French food. This would be where I would have breakfast every single day if I could afford such extravagance.
Petite Cerise
Absolutely delicious French food. This would be where I would have breakfast every single day if I could afford such extravagance.