In my mind Washington DC has always been a place for policy, architecture, history and secret agents with fancy spy electronics, but it wasn’t really a place I’d go for the food scene, but boy was I wrong! On a recent trip to DC for a food conference, I was pleasantly surprised by the seriously good food. Everything from coffee shops, busy bars, and award-winning restaurants, they were all delicious!
Here’s a little recap of my favorite places…
Sights:
We didn’t have a ton of time for wandering, but on a sunny day you really can’t go wrong with a long walk around the National Mall to see all the sights. Bring comfy shoes because you’ll put on a lot of miles in this town. To make the most of your time, save the museums and shows for a rainy day. If you only have time to go and see one thing, you’ve got to check out Julia Child’s kitchen at the Smithsonian.
Eat and Drink:
The best days start with a really good cup of espresso, and Dolcezza knows how to make ‘em. Dark, strong and highly caffeinated, the shots here will perk you up for a day of exploring. Not to mention the gelato and sorbet pops that come in refreshing flavors like blood orange and lemon ricotta.
As long as you’re up in time for breakfast, Slipsteam is a fabulous place to pop in for a quick cup to-go, or settle in with a laptop or a book and enjoy the fun space. Be sure to order toast (or make your own!). Added bonus, this place serves cocktails in the evening!
For lunch, we stopped in at few of the newer ‘fast-casual’ restaurants that have popped up in the area. They’re quick, healthy and I totally love them! Beef Steak is a new endeavor from José Andrés that’s packed with veggies and totally delicious. Sweetgreen was another winner, they can make a mean salad that could rival even the most juicy of burgers! Our favorite was Cava Mezze, a Mediterranean build-your-own rice bowl place. I could eat a brown rice bowl with falafel, feta and spicy harissa any day!
I went on a tour of 14th Street, a hot new restaurant scene in DC. There are so many fun places in this area, if you’re hungry, this is the place to be. First stop was Doi Moi, a fresh Southeast Asian spot with spicy food and great wine.
Our next stop was Ghibellina with stiff drinks, great appetizers and a beautiful bar. This is a great place for pre-dinner drinks and apps.
It’s not called an Oyster Palace for nothing, the Pearl Dive takes their oysters very seriously, and it shows. It’s a popular place for happy hour with a great restaurant, an awesome bar with bocce ball and a packed outdoor patio.
Next up was Le Diplomate, a French brasserie with a fun bistro vibe, delicious fresh baked bread and a yummy cheese plate.
By now, you’re probably stuffed and a little tipsy. But hang in there, you’ve got a couple more places to check out… Oyamel is another José Andrés spot with fabulous guacamole, dangerously delicious margaritas and cricket tacos that are a bit out-of-the-ordinary but totally edible.
Rasika is the place for fabulous Indian food. The crispy spinach and cauliflower dishes are to die for, the service is great and the wine is perfectly paired to tone down the spice.
Finish off the night with a scoop (or two) of rich, creamy and indulgent gelato from Pitango. Yum!
Do you have a favorite spot in DC?
What a fun visit. And your photos are absolutely spectacular! Seriously. Wow.