Places To Eat
Explore Ethiopian Culture in Washington, DC
Ethiopians began immigrating to the United States in the 1970s, and many landed in the DC Metro area. They established communities in the Adams Morgan neighborhood and Shaw’s 9th Street corridor, which was abuzz with restaurants, markets and shops and became known as “Little Ethiopia.” In 2019, the DC government renewed its Sister City Agreement between Addis Ababa to enhance the collaborative partnership between the two capitals. A year later, a ceremonial resolution to officially honor the corridor as “Little Ethiopia” was approved by DC Council.
Exploring Washington, DC's Alleys & Offshoots
Blagden Alley & Naylor Court Shaw Neighborhood Shaw's neighboring alleyways were designated a historic district by the National Park Service. The photogenic and hip Blagden Alley is home to the outdoor DC Alley Museum – a series of colorful murals painted on garage doors and building walls that includes Lisa Marie Thalhammer's LOVE mural, a massive musical tribute to Sun Ra and Erykah Badu and mosaic images that pay homage to the working-class immigrants and Black families that once called the street home. There's even more to Blagden Alley than meets the eye – the redeveloped carriage homes hide some of the most revered culinary destinations in the city, the outlines of which are visible within revamped entryways, restaurant walls or decorative murals. La Colombe's first coffee-roasting outpost in the District maintained many of its original architectural features, making it a must-visit in this famous alley's lineup of hidden gems. Through contemporary farmhouse doors you'll find The Dabney's wood-fired Mid-Atlantic cuisine. Identify the black-and-white parakeet mural on the side of Causa/Amazonia, which touts award-winning Peruvian food and a low-key rooftop bar. Next door, the bar at Hong Kong-inspired Tiger Fork can be viewed through an octagonal window inserted into a former garage door. For a secret and sultry basement cocktail, you'll have to pass a loading dock and cross through a kitchen to Never Looked Better. For a secluded garden vibe with an antique greenhouse, pop in Calico. Architects’ studios and private homes are prevalent along Bladgen Alley’s tinier, U-shaped neighbor Naylor Court. Keep an eye out for a vestige of former inhabitant E.J. Adams & Co. Stables, and don't forget to stop by Sundevich, which transports customers to a different city of the world with each menu item. Cady's Alley & Blues Alley Georgetown Neighborhood If Blagden Alley and Naylor Court cater to food gurus and art lovers, Cady's Alley is for design aficionados and people-watching. This brick- and stone-lined pathway is the heart of Georgetown's Design District, where 20 showrooms and boutiques inhabit the skeletons of industrial properties. Antiques, jewelry, luxury clothing and DC-brand SCOUT bags are among the treasures you'll find. Cady's Alley also contains plenty of options to cap your shopping excursion. Step into the modern Kyojin for a high-end, sushi-sampling experience. Or, keep it quaint with the old-school Kafe Leopold, where you can spend a European afternoon sipping a specialty Austrian coffee on the courtyard. Visitors can access the walkway from 3300 M Street NW or from M and 33rd or 34th streets. The next alley over sees less foot traffic – and fewer designer shoes – but has hosted many of the greats at its namesake destination: Blues Alley Jazz Club. The other occupant of this small street is Hinckley Pottery, a locally owned and run ceramics studio and shop that lives in a 125-year-old horse stable. Bonus: just before you hit the busy intersection of Wisconsin and M, turn into the narrow alleyway beside the Abercrombie and Fitch for a Belgian beer at The Sovereign. Library Court NE+ Capitol Hill Neighborhood Take a walk through the Capitol Hill neighborhood to discover some of DC's historic alleyways, planned by Pierre L'Enfant to provide access points for working class citizens to discreetly enter the homes of their elite employers. In the shadow of the Library of Congress between 3rd and 4th Streets NE is one of the most notable – and narrow – residential streets in the area. Three courts (Library, Millers and Frederick Douglas) give way to each other, barely wide enough to fit a car and, in some spots, with just enough greenery to suggest a path less traveled. The residential homes along these passageways provide a window into life between the District's busy streets; keep wandering the quaint streets and you'll likely land on a street with landmark status. Morse Street Alley NoMa Neighborhood / Union Market Between 4th and 5th Streets NE at the center of the former wholesale hub, you'll find an easy-to-miss gem within the 200-year-old Union Market District. On first glance, there appears to be only back entrances, garage doors and overgrown walls covered in colorful graffiti. Upon closer inspection, you'll find a curly white arrow painted onto the brick that indicates the door to Bread Alley – the bakery responsible for the famous bread served at Le Diplomate. Pearl Street The Wharf Neighborhood While most of The Wharf's small streets are closed off to traffic, Pearl Street best captures the hidden gem-feel of some of DC's hippest alleyways. In the evenings, outdoor tables spill out onto the street under crisscrossing string lights and music can often be heard coming from the two venues that call the street home: Pearl Street Warehouse and Union Stage. People-watch with a Cuban sandwich or cocktail in hand at Colada Shop, which has folding tables and a covered patio. Continue your tour of DC's colorful street art and throw in some other photogenic spots while you're at it.
Family-Friendly Restaurants & Places to Eat in Washington, DC
Here’s a guide to some of our favorite family-friendly restaurants, where you’re sure to find a menu that pleases both you and your kids. Quick family-friendly spots There is so much to see and do on a visit to Washington, DC, and for that reason, fast food often fits best into your touring schedule. Fortunately, there are many high quality food options near the National Mall. Locations of Le Pain Quotidien serve delicious options for breakfast and lunch. Cava Grill offers a Mediterranean mix customized just for your taste buds. The steps are easy: you begin with a base, throw in a few delicious dips and spreads, stack it with a protein like braised beef or lamb, then top it off with crumbled feta, pita crisps, cucumber salad. After visiting the National Zoo, stop in Baked by Yael. Kids adore the rainbow of cake pops, delicious cookies and the freshly made bagels. Take a seat in the colorful shop and sample one of their many cake pop flavors at this nut-free and kosher bakery. Shake Shack has become a national sensation with its perfectly grilled burgers, adorned with soft potato rolls, crisp lettuce, ruby red tomatoes and legendary Shack Sauce. You can order yours at any of its DC locations. Kid-friendly sit-down restaurants A favorite of tourists and locals alike is Founding Farmers. The Foggy Bottom restaurant serves up a healthy, seasonal menu inspired by and sourced from family farms in neighboring Maryland and Virginia. While the name conjures signers of the Declaration of Independence, the dishes are all modern comfort food. Make sure to check out Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown, too. Speaking of Georgetown: Pinstripes boasts bocce and bowling to supplement your delicious dining experience. The iconic Old Ebbitt Grill is one of the oldest restaurants in DC. Established in 1856, this DC institution is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with to-go sandwiches, shareable desserts and signature raw bar. Not too far away in Penn Quarter is Carmine’s, an ideal gathering place for families serving heaping plates of pasta and Italian favorites. Formerly a pharmacy with a soda fountain, Tonic at Quigley’s Pharmacy is located in a historic building in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood near the George Washington University campus. The restaurant specializes in hearty comfort food, and in good weather, Tonic serves meals on an outdoor patio and garden. Oyamel Cocina Mexicana is one of local celebrity chef José Andrés' most popular restaurants, located in Penn Quarter. Specializing in fine Mexican cuisine, kids are enchanted by the tableside preparation of guacamole, while parents will relish the margaritas and mojitos. Dining here will elevate your experience with Latin American food. There’s something reassuring about finding a Hard Rock Cafe in a new town. The menu, filled with American classics, is sure to satisfy a hungry family. The Hard Rock in DC is no exception. Kids will also be dazzled by the fun, star-filled decorations and memorabilia all over the restaurant. Originating in Maryland, and expanding to Virginia, Silver Diner has touched down in DC's Navy Yard to deliver a classic diner experience, elevated with locally sourced ingredients. Standout menu categories include all-day breakfast, seasonal selections, hand-spun milkshakes and an award-winning kid's menu. For a similar experience downtown, grab a burger or rocket dog at the 1950s-inspired Johnny Rockets. And if you like pageantry and lance-shattering action with your feast, visit Medieval Times in Hanover, Md. Museum cafes for everyone For something altogether unique and memorable, have a Mediterranean-inspired lunch or coffee and cake at the Courtyard Cafe at the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum. The breathtaking architecture and expansive open space provides room to explore for the little ones. Located in the lower level of the National Museum of the American Indian, the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe provides a stellar view and cuisine from different regions of the Americas. Native American chefs showcase distinctive food cultures with seasonally inspired dishes; try the fried bread, chili or buffalo burgers. The National Museum of American History has a very bright and busy cafeteria called the America's Table Cafe on the lower level. Open for lunch only, the cafe uses sustainable food products to make their pizza, barbecue and desserts. During the winter season, the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden offers meals at the lively Pavilion Cafe. Settle in to watch the spinning skaters while you enjoy pizza, pasta, sandwiches and soup. During the summer, the Pavilion has panoramic views of the fountain and gardens, and on Friday evenings in the summer, hosts live jazz for free. Washington’s historic markets Love exploring local farmers markets? If you do, plan to visit the famous Eastern Market, a historic community hub located on Capitol Hill. Inside, you will find vendors selling fresh seafood, flowers, produce and meats. Pick up a spicy empanada, a custom-made deli sandwich or sample local cheeses. Find a table at Market Lunch and order their beloved blueberry pancakes. On weekends, the Flea Market at Eastern Market opens to include more locally sourced products and artisans selling handmade crafts. Kids will love the street performers, too. And don't forget about Union Market, DC’s hippest feasting ground. This revived mid-century produce- and meat-selling bazaar is home to food stalls and informal restaurants with everything from Asian-inspired tacos and dumplings to made-in-DC sausages and Chesapeake oysters. Notable hotel restaurants Article One American Grill in the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill has a sunny five-story atrium and serves a deluxe breakfast buffet. In the evening, the Grill fires up the steaks and fresh seafood, but they also offer vegetarian and “Stay-Fit” healthy options. The Marriott Marquis Washington DC, near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, has multiple dining venues. BeerLab DC is their family-friendly sports bar that serves casual fare. A good meal and local brews The District has many beer-centric pubs where kids feel welcome, and adults get to sample from an impressive selection of local, national and international brews. City Tap House in Chinatown is known as a gastropub, because the dining room serves top-notch, family friendly fare along with 40 draft beers. On the Capitol Riverfront, Bluejacket provides beer lovers with an expansive range of lagers and ales, as well as kid-friendly starters and sandwiches.
