Places To Eat
Stay Local Deals Ideas
Hotels (General) “Relax and get away” spa retreat package including a discounted treatment when packaged with an overnight stay plus giveaways like a silk face mask and eye mask, hand sanitizer, a bottle of wine “Peace and quiet” kids-free getaway for couples, including a bottle of wine and discounted in-room dining “Love in the time of COVID” romantic escape for couples getting engaged or married, including engagement photos, discounted stay, deals on dining, spa packages “Birthday away” packages, with on-site discounts and experiences tailored to adults and to children “Work from vacation” or “Work from Anywhere” packages for people with roommates who want a quiet, private place to work during the day and relax in the evening. Early check-in and late check-out with in-room dining specials “Do Good” deals where your full price stay directly translates into a discounted stay for a healthcare professional, front line care giver, poll worker, etc. Free virtual concierge services, helping potential guests create a full experience including a hotel deal, timed passes to Smithsonian museums, dinner reservations at on-site restaurant, etc. Free or discounted parking for guests “Your pet stays for free” deals allowing guests to have a much-needed change of scenery without having to find a sitter for their pet Hotels with Onsite Restaurants Restaurant deals and discounts packaged with your stay Foodie experiences from the safety of your own room, with upscale in-room dining from on-site restaurants (something more than drop-and-go room service). Hotels without Onsite Restaurants Partner with nearby restaurants for unique in-room dining, including discounts or freebies (bottle of wine, free dessert, etc.). Guests could order directly through the hotel rather than a delivery service so there are no delivery fees for the guest and the hotel can control the in-room dining experience. Attractions Private museum experiences with extended hours and behind-the-scenes tours Discounts on museum food, drinks, retail and parking with your admission Two-day bundled discounted passes for museums in close proximity to each other like the International Spy Museum and Museum of the Bible. Restaurants Special 3-course deals like those offered during Restaurant Week(s) Dinner “freebies” package – your reservation comes with one free drink per person, a free appetizer, free dessert, etc. The purchase of a gift card gets you a voucher for a free bottle of wine or free round of appetizers to encourage people to support restaurants now and visit when they are comfortable Free valet parking with your reservation Retail “Give the gift of local” with deals and discounts around the holiday season, encouraging consumers to give gifts to friends and family from local artisans “Safer shopping” initiative, offering savings to consumers for pre-ordering goods for pickup Partnerships – Hotels, Attractions, Restaurants & Retail “Learn from vacation” packages – attractions, hotels and restaurants partner to create packages for families to take advantage of during off-school days (weekday or weekend). A Black history “learn from vacation” package could include a discounted overnight stay, timed tickets to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and a discounted meal at a black-owned restaurant (in-room delivery or on-site). Attractions, hotels and restaurants in close proximity partner to create a “get away in your own backyard” bundle including a discounted stay, attraction admission and dinner. For example, your discounted hotel stay includes admission to xyz attraction and 15% off dinner at xyz restaurants. Note: for restaurants and hotels near the National Mall, don’t forget to emphasize your proximity to the city’s “free” offerings as a value-add. Hotels partner with local retail shops for custom DC-branded room add-ons like face masks and hand sanitizer Retail and restaurants in close proximity partner to encourage to-go food and drink alongside sidewalk sales Retail and hotels partner to create “safe shopping” offerings where a hotel guest can choose a few clothing styles online and have them delivered to their hotel room for safe try-on.
The Best Places to Eat in Anacostia
Anacostia is full of DC cultural history. Popular attractions include Cedar Hill, the former home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, which provides an in-depth look at the neighborhood’s past and the Anacostia Arts Center, which serves as a creative cultural hub. It's no wonder, then, that Anacostia's food scene reflects the richness and diversity of the community.
The Best Places to Eat in Columbia Heights
11th Street Eats If you’re partial to low-key neighborhood hangouts, you’ll fall for any number of 11th Street hot spots. On weekends, the brunch at El Chucho lures a local crowd of hip young professionals and stroller-pushing parents. In a two-level one-time auto body shop that’s been painted bright turquoise, dig into Mexican-fusion fare like huevos de Chesapeake (eggs and crab cakes) and masa pancakes. Its signature hibiscus margaritas go down easy, and the coffee is good and strong, too. The Queen's English, another local favorite, reflects the two specialties of the couple that owns it: fresh and fun Cantonese food inspired by Henry Cheung's childhood in Hong Kong and natural wine offerings carefully curated by sommelier Sarah Thompson. Grab a spot at the Chef's Counter and sample crispy pig ear with lychee, truffle dumplings, octopus pancakes and salted duck yolk ice cream alongside some delectable "history in a glass." Opt for a late-night casual vibe and dig into some wood-fired pizza at RedRocks – or you can settle into a booth or vintage sofa with a slaw-covered fried chicken sandwich at The Coupe. On and Around 14th As you’d expect from the main thoroughfare, you could eat every meal of the day along 14th Street. Can't-miss spot Thip Khao serves authentic Lao cuisine. This place hums in the evenings with diners ordering up flavor-packed dishes like kua khao jaew bong (fried rice with fermented chilis, radishes and zucchini) and naem khao huu muu (crispy coconut rice salad with peanuts, sour pork and pig ears). Be sure to enjoy the restaurant’s namesake: a small wicker basket full of sticky rice to be eaten with your hands. For more lauded fare on 14th, celebrate Malaysian cuisine at the Makan (or grab a bite at downstairs sports bar Thirsty Crow). For fine dining, try Rooster & Owl for a four-course, mix-and-match menu of vegetable forward fare. Don't miss highlights like Carolina-style barbecue carrots accompanied by cornbread ice cream and meatless larb with lime kissed shiitake mushrooms. Not far from what was locally known as “Little Ethiopia” – whose heyday reigned over nearby U and 9th Streets NW – you’ll find Letena, where you order at the counter for quick delivery of tenderloin tibs, spongy injera bread and vegetarian-friendly wats (think curry). In true Ethiopian fashion, Letena takes coffee service very seriously. For a more casual meal, try Vietnamese comfort food at family-run operation Pho Viet. When you need to grab a late-night bite, fill up on a must-try Salvadoran delicacy: pork pupusas from Gloria’s. You can also rely on Lou's City Bar for pub bites, 20-plus beer taps and just as many TVs. Mount Pleasant At the top of the avenue, the award-winning Ellē preserves pristine, indie coffeeshop vibes at all hours, pairing small-batch coffees with freshly baked breads and pastries by day and serving seasonal, vegetable forward (often fermented) fare and biodynamic wines by night. Their eye-popping sweets, notably the Thai iced tea tres leches, are a focal point. You don’t have to be a Bolshevik to have a good night at Marx Café Revolutionary Cuisine, a neighborhood hangout where bartenders are quick to mingle with locals and newbies alike. The restaurant-bar is known for airing international soccer matches, but you can catch most major sports on its flatscreen TVs by night, too. Dotting the avenue are Salvadoran stores like El Progreso Market and Best World Supermarket, which stock the neighborhood with imported sodas, fresh tortillas, plantains, jicama and other Latin American staples. For a sit-down meal, swing by Haydee’s. The neighborhood icon founded in 1990 by Salvadoran husband-wife duo, bartender Haydee and chef Mario, is famed for its signature sounds, from the deafening sizzling fajita platters to nightly live jazz, rock and karaoke. To satisfy your sweet tooth, pop next door for a scoop (or two) from Mount Desert Island Ice Cream. Flavors are adventurous and globally-minded, such as brigadeiro (a Brazilian dessert made with condensed milk and cocoa powder) and pistachio kulfi (South Asian spiced ice cream). Find more spots to eat and explore in Mount Pleasant. Bonus: The Ultimate Dive Bar Crawl When you want to see where the night will take you, the Wonderland Ballroom on 11th Street is your ticket. This no-frills spot has DJs upstairs on the weekends and a first-floor bar jammed with locals and memorabilia. Get more dive-bar kicks on 14th Street at Red Derby, where all the beer is served from a can. If you get lucky, you'll land a spot on the righteous rooftop, where you can enjoy an order of famous late-night sweet potato fries. Among the most historic of DC dive bars is The Raven Grill in Mount Pleasant. Drop by the ATM before you visit because cash is the only way you’re getting served at this spot, where “Natty Bo” tallboys go down smoothly and cheaply. If you want to fit in like a local, leave the suit at home and slip into a booth beside towering pictures of icons like Elvis, Marlene Dietrich and John Lennon. Oh, and don't try to order any food – the most sustenance you'll find at the Raven is a bag of Utz potato chips.