Guidebook for Arlington
Food Scene
Cheap, fast and not fancy persian food. Their chicken kebab in particular (boneless but not minced!) is just amazing.
40 locals recommend
Moby Dick House of Kabob
3000 Washington BlvdCheap, fast and not fancy persian food. Their chicken kebab in particular (boneless but not minced!) is just amazing.
Our favorite persian restaurant in all of the DC area and it's just unbelievably good and authentic! It's more of a proper sit down place than others. Make sure to ask for tadigh.
11 locals recommend
Kabob Bazaar
3133 Wilson BlvdOur favorite persian restaurant in all of the DC area and it's just unbelievably good and authentic! It's more of a proper sit down place than others. Make sure to ask for tadigh.
People come from all over to go to this cafe/winebar probably because their coffee is excellent (unlike most american coffee!). Open early and late, it's a great spot to enjoy a coffee with friends.
94 locals recommend
Northside Social Coffee & Wine
3211 Wilson BlvdPeople come from all over to go to this cafe/winebar probably because their coffee is excellent (unlike most american coffee!). Open early and late, it's a great spot to enjoy a coffee with friends.
Absolutely fantastic Ethiopian food. We're not vegetarians but the veggie platter for two here is mind-blowingly good.
6 locals recommend
Enjera Restaurant
549 23rd St SAbsolutely fantastic Ethiopian food. We're not vegetarians but the veggie platter for two here is mind-blowingly good.
The waitstaff often aren't the friendliest folks in the world but the location down and away from crazy M street makes this a regular spot for us to relax at when we're in Georgetown.
45 locals recommend
Leopold's Kafe Restaurant
3315 Canal St NWThe waitstaff often aren't the friendliest folks in the world but the location down and away from crazy M street makes this a regular spot for us to relax at when we're in Georgetown.
Want mediocre kabob 24 hrs a day? This is your place. Not bad, not amazing, it's good if it's 3am and you just NEED kabob. Pretty sizeable portions.
47 locals recommend
Kabob Palace
2315 S Eads StWant mediocre kabob 24 hrs a day? This is your place. Not bad, not amazing, it's good if it's 3am and you just NEED kabob. Pretty sizeable portions.
We're not pros on greek food but we absolutely love this place. It's not the cheapest but we like going here for special occassions.
37 locals recommend
Cava Mezze Clarendon
2940 Clarendon BlvdWe're not pros on greek food but we absolutely love this place. It's not the cheapest but we like going here for special occassions.
Clarendon used to be known as Little Vietnam in the 80's but this restaurant is the only remaining restaurant from that period. Interesting to check out the history but we prefer 4 Sisters Grill.
Nam-Viet Restaurant
1127 N Hudson StClarendon used to be known as Little Vietnam in the 80's but this restaurant is the only remaining restaurant from that period. Interesting to check out the history but we prefer 4 Sisters Grill.
Modern, fresh and fast Vietnamese food. We like it more than the older Nam Viet restaurant down the street. This is a go to spot for us if we want a good meal quickly.
11 locals recommend
Four Sisters Grill
3035 Clarendon BlvdModern, fresh and fast Vietnamese food. We like it more than the older Nam Viet restaurant down the street. This is a go to spot for us if we want a good meal quickly.
Want a nice safe pizza place to have a sit down dinner with family? This is your place. Jared likes Goody's more but this place isn't bad at all. They even have gluten free crusts!
29 locals recommend
Pete's New Haven Style Apizza
Want a nice safe pizza place to have a sit down dinner with family? This is your place. Jared likes Goody's more but this place isn't bad at all. They even have gluten free crusts!
Arguably the best known "Peruvian" chicken in Northern Virginia (we've been to Peru and have good friends from there but have no idea what makes this Peruvian).
53 locals recommend
El Pollo Rico
932 N Kenmore StArguably the best known "Peruvian" chicken in Northern Virginia (we've been to Peru and have good friends from there but have no idea what makes this Peruvian).
Truly the best Italian-style pizza place in the whole DC area. We used to live next to it and basically brought all our friends there.
54 locals recommend
2 Amys
3715 Macomb St NWTruly the best Italian-style pizza place in the whole DC area. We used to live next to it and basically brought all our friends there.
A diner that's open late with lots of gluten free options? We're there (embarrassingly too often).
24 locals recommend
Silver Diner
4400 Wilson BlvdA diner that's open late with lots of gluten free options? We're there (embarrassingly too often).
Our favorite "modern" pizza joint. Almost like chipotle -- we love it and it's a chain so it's all over.
37 locals recommend
&pizza
1400 K St NWOur favorite "modern" pizza joint. Almost like chipotle -- we love it and it's a chain so it's all over.
There's another AF down the street from us but this place, the originial, is our favorite. Definitely get the eggplant!
125 locals recommend
Amsterdam Falafelshop
2425 18th St NWThere's another AF down the street from us but this place, the originial, is our favorite. Definitely get the eggplant!
Overrated tourist trap. Just go to the one near Courthouse in Arlington!
288 locals recommend
Ben's Chili Bowl Mural
1213 U St NWOverrated tourist trap. Just go to the one near Courthouse in Arlington!
The original super toursity one is near Howard but there's really no difference. In the end it's basically standard diner fare.
22 locals recommend
Ben's Chili Bowl
1725 Wilson BlvdThe original super toursity one is near Howard but there's really no difference. In the end it's basically standard diner fare.
A late night institution for American University students. If you want a greasy diner experience from a place that very well may not have passed health code, then you'll want to go here
6 locals recommend
Steak 'n Egg
4700 Wisconsin Ave NWA late night institution for American University students. If you want a greasy diner experience from a place that very well may not have passed health code, then you'll want to go here
Jared used to go here all the time when he worked at Dupont Circle. Not only is it a great bookstore but it's got a nice cafe where you can meet a friend after work. The restaurant is unremarkable.
151 locals recommend
Kramers
1517 Connecticut Ave NWJared used to go here all the time when he worked at Dupont Circle. Not only is it a great bookstore but it's got a nice cafe where you can meet a friend after work. The restaurant is unremarkable.
There are a couple of these in DC so it's a chain but it's a pretty reliable place to just sit and relax with a nice simple meal/drink if you need a break.
55 locals recommend
Teaism Dupont Circle
2009 R St NWThere are a couple of these in DC so it's a chain but it's a pretty reliable place to just sit and relax with a nice simple meal/drink if you need a break.
The best fine dining experience available in DC, in our opinions. We went here for our anniversary dinner and thoroughly enjoyed it.
51 locals recommend
Blue Duck Tavern
1201 24th St NWThe best fine dining experience available in DC, in our opinions. We went here for our anniversary dinner and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Domku Bar & Cafe
A scandinavian cafe that's straight out of Brooklyn.
Jared's absolute favorite Indian buffet in the neighborhood. They really go all out, especially on the weekends.
Zaika
2800 Clarendon BlvdJared's absolute favorite Indian buffet in the neighborhood. They really go all out, especially on the weekends.
One of the famous burgers in the country! President Obama famously ate here due to its excellent quality burgers.
9 locals recommend
Ray's Hell Burger
One of the famous burgers in the country! President Obama famously ate here due to its excellent quality burgers.
Want to eat next to politicians? Come for a lunch or dinner here. The food is pretty standard American fare but the people you'll see are pretty great characters.
The Caucus Room Brasserie
2350 M St NWWant to eat next to politicians? Come for a lunch or dinner here. The food is pretty standard American fare but the people you'll see are pretty great characters.
The most Parisian-like brasserie in town. This is the best DC has to offer to help those who are missing Paris.
513 locals recommend
Le Diplomate
1601 14th St NWThe most Parisian-like brasserie in town. This is the best DC has to offer to help those who are missing Paris.
A beautiful little Afghan place that is particularly remarkable for their interior but the food is great too.
53 locals recommend
Lapis
1847 Columbia Rd NWA beautiful little Afghan place that is particularly remarkable for their interior but the food is great too.
Hands down the best Chicago-style pizza available outside of Chicago itself. (Google "chicago style pizza" if you don't know what it is)
6 locals recommend
Pi Pizzeria
910 F Street NorthwestHands down the best Chicago-style pizza available outside of Chicago itself. (Google "chicago style pizza" if you don't know what it is)
Okay we find shake shack to be overrated but so many of our friends absolutely swear by it that we thought you should know this is one of two shake shacks in the DC area.
86 locals recommend
Shake Shack
1216 18th St NWOkay we find shake shack to be overrated but so many of our friends absolutely swear by it that we thought you should know this is one of two shake shacks in the DC area.
This used to be our go to place for persian food before we moved to Arlington. It's still great and open pretty late on the weekends.
40 locals recommend
Moby Dick House of Kabob
3000 Washington BlvdThis used to be our go to place for persian food before we moved to Arlington. It's still great and open pretty late on the weekends.
As old school fancy DC as you can get! This is the type of restaurant where the waiters are often older men who know the menu, city, and locals better than anyone else.
27 locals recommend
1789
1226 36th St NWAs old school fancy DC as you can get! This is the type of restaurant where the waiters are often older men who know the menu, city, and locals better than anyone else.
Yes, we realize this is a chain but it's an excellent one that's great for a quick delicious meal if you're walking around the city.
45 locals recommend
Roti Modern Mediterranean
1275 First St NEYes, we realize this is a chain but it's an excellent one that's great for a quick delicious meal if you're walking around the city.
Essentials
Best quality for price grocery store in the neighborhood. Very friendly and helpful staff.
328 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1109 N Highland StBest quality for price grocery store in the neighborhood. Very friendly and helpful staff.
Our least favorite grocery store in the neighborhood -- go there and you'll see why! -- but they're usually open until midnight, which can be useful at times.
129 locals recommend
Giant Food
3450 Washington BlvdOur least favorite grocery store in the neighborhood -- go there and you'll see why! -- but they're usually open until midnight, which can be useful at times.
We don't shop here regularly but they just have SO MANY types of healthy (albeit expensive) foods that it's hard to pick some fun thing up every so often.
376 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
2201 I St NWWe don't shop here regularly but they just have SO MANY types of healthy (albeit expensive) foods that it's hard to pick some fun thing up every so often.
Arts & Culture
See fun indie films or blockbuster films a bit later than others for way cheaper.
70 locals recommend
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse
2903 Columbia PikeSee fun indie films or blockbuster films a bit later than others for way cheaper.
Our favorite DC cinema closed this year so this has now become our go-to DC spot for films that aren't available at most other cinemas.
110 locals recommend
Landmark's E Street Cinema
555 11th St NWOur favorite DC cinema closed this year so this has now become our go-to DC spot for films that aren't available at most other cinemas.
Dirty, dingy and cramped but if you're lucky enough to know a band playing there, it's an amazing venue that allows you to get pretty close to the artists.
136 locals recommend
Black Cat
1811 14th St NWDirty, dingy and cramped but if you're lucky enough to know a band playing there, it's an amazing venue that allows you to get pretty close to the artists.
Well known for its reclining leather seats and ability to reserve seats beforehand. Doesn't hurt that it's in walking distance to our apartment!
67 locals recommend
AMC Courthouse Plaza 8
2150 Clarendon BlvdWell known for its reclining leather seats and ability to reserve seats beforehand. Doesn't hurt that it's in walking distance to our apartment!
Sightseeing
Fantastic place to sit and grab a drink when you're downtown. Ask where the sitting area is and just relax under the beautiful roof with calming water and green all around you.
365 locals recommend
National Portrait Gallery
Fantastic place to sit and grab a drink when you're downtown. Ask where the sitting area is and just relax under the beautiful roof with calming water and green all around you.
Regularly ranked as one of the best museums in the country for good reason. Absolutely fantastic place for the whole family. Jared could pretty much live here.
202 locals recommend
Newseum
565 Pennsylvania Avenue NWRegularly ranked as one of the best museums in the country for good reason. Absolutely fantastic place for the whole family. Jared could pretty much live here.
Pretty well hidden -- Jared loves this place because tourists are rarely there and it the statue is so huge that it makes you think he's a communist icon.
104 locals recommend
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
1850 West Basin Dr SWPretty well hidden -- Jared loves this place because tourists are rarely there and it the statue is so huge that it makes you think he's a communist icon.
A free zoo! Pandas! Elephants! Perfect to spend a day. In Christmas they do a "light show" that draws a ton of people for some reason -- it's really not that impressive.
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWA free zoo! Pandas! Elephants! Perfect to spend a day. In Christmas they do a "light show" that draws a ton of people for some reason -- it's really not that impressive.
DO NOT GO HERE. IT'S OVERRATED AND THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PLACES YOU CAN ENJOY AND NOT HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE FOR!!!
162 locals recommend
Georgetown Cupcake
3301 M St NWDO NOT GO HERE. IT'S OVERRATED AND THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PLACES YOU CAN ENJOY AND NOT HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE FOR!!!
National Geographic Museum
1145 17th St NWExcellent exhibits here.
Shopping
This is the closest you can get to NY-style pizza in Arlington and Jared loves it. Grimy and not very friendly, just like home! (Bronx Pizza across the street doesn't compare)
Goody's Pizza
3125 Wilson BlvdThis is the closest you can get to NY-style pizza in Arlington and Jared loves it. Grimy and not very friendly, just like home! (Bronx Pizza across the street doesn't compare)
Entertainment & Activities
After living in dirty East London, this park's tennis courts, basketball court, and clean baseball diamonds were such a pleasant surprise. Arlington parks in general are kept in excellent condition.
20 locals recommend
Quincy Park
1021 N Quincy StAfter living in dirty East London, this park's tennis courts, basketball court, and clean baseball diamonds were such a pleasant surprise. Arlington parks in general are kept in excellent condition.
Everything Else
This is actually on the Washington-Lee High School campus and is AMAZING. The man that runs it is super passionate about space and you can't help but leave feeling inspired. Oh and it's like $2.
David M. Brown Planetarium
1426 N Quincy StThis is actually on the Washington-Lee High School campus and is AMAZING. The man that runs it is super passionate about space and you can't help but leave feeling inspired. Oh and it's like $2.
Want cheap American shopping? The Pentagon City mall is your place. Nordstrom Rack in particular is a place that our friends from overseas love.
319 locals recommend
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
1100 S Hayes StWant cheap American shopping? The Pentagon City mall is your place. Nordstrom Rack in particular is a place that our friends from overseas love.
The most controversial war memorial and, in our opinions, the most moving one.
115 locals recommend
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
5 Henry Bacon Dr NWThe most controversial war memorial and, in our opinions, the most moving one.
Very underrated park in the heart of DC that can easily make you forget your in a city.
584 locals recommend
Rock Creek Park
3545 Williamsburg Ln NWVery underrated park in the heart of DC that can easily make you forget your in a city.
After Georgetown, this is one of the best known architectural areas in the area. Lovely to walk around and sight see.
393 locals recommend
Old Town
After Georgetown, this is one of the best known architectural areas in the area. Lovely to walk around and sight see.
Billy Goat Trail Section C
Billy Goat Trail Section CA great little hike that's not too strenuous.
A weekly market that has become very popular -- and therefore packed with people -- but it still has plenty to offer.
699 locals recommend
Eastern Market
225 7th St SEA weekly market that has become very popular -- and therefore packed with people -- but it still has plenty to offer.
LeoNora Gourmet Bakery
1108 N Irving StOur local bakery! They do great desserts and and open at 7am on weekdays.
A whole mall filled with Vietnamese restaurants, stores, cafes -- this place is one of our favorite spots to go to in all of the DC area. So much to see, eat and do!
47 locals recommend
Eden Center
6751-6799 Wilson BlvdA whole mall filled with Vietnamese restaurants, stores, cafes -- this place is one of our favorite spots to go to in all of the DC area. So much to see, eat and do!
See all sorts of fun antiques and historical artifacts from all over the world. We actually picked up a few things from here when we lived up the road from it a few years ago.
7 locals recommend
Georgetown Flea Market
1819 35th St NWSee all sorts of fun antiques and historical artifacts from all over the world. We actually picked up a few things from here when we lived up the road from it a few years ago.
Great (and under-appreciated) museum with a very unique cafe that features excellent.
196 locals recommend
National Museum of the American Indian
4th Street SouthwestGreat (and under-appreciated) museum with a very unique cafe that features excellent.