Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
This place serves various Balkan cuisine! One of our favorites. They usually have different deals or specials, so check out their web site before going.
134 locals recommend
Ambar Capitol Hill
523 8th St SE This place serves various Balkan cuisine! One of our favorites. They usually have different deals or specials, so check out their web site before going.
Most authentic Szechuan cuisine in all of DC! Don't let the awkward placement near a Days Inn scare you. This place is amazing!
18 locals recommend
Panda Gourmet
Most authentic Szechuan cuisine in all of DC! Don't let the awkward placement near a Days Inn scare you. This place is amazing!
This is the best fried-chicken - it's Korean style where they fry it twice. Both the soy-garlic and the spicy are great! Make sure you get the seasoned fries!
14 locals recommend
Bonchon Navy Yard
1015 Half St SEThis is the best fried-chicken - it's Korean style where they fry it twice. Both the soy-garlic and the spicy are great! Make sure you get the seasoned fries!
We love this coffee shop for its global feel and delicious coffee & teas.
120 locals recommend
Sidamo Coffee & Tea
417 H St NE We love this coffee shop for its global feel and delicious coffee & teas.
Acqua Al 2
Best Italian Spot in Capitol Hill
Great spot for families and kiddos! Cheap, fresh-made pretzels.
110 locals recommend
The Pretzel Bakery
257 15th St SEGreat spot for families and kiddos! Cheap, fresh-made pretzels.
Sol Mexican Grill
1251 H Street NortheastYou go here for the fish tacos!
If you're in the mood for decadent and fancy donuts, this place is amazing! At almost $3 a piece, this is not the spot to wolf down a dozen, but to savor one like it's the only donut you will ever eat in your life.
50 locals recommend
District Doughnut
749 8th St SEIf you're in the mood for decadent and fancy donuts, this place is amazing! At almost $3 a piece, this is not the spot to wolf down a dozen, but to savor one like it's the only donut you will ever eat in your life.
A center of culinary creativity with dozens of local vendors. Great place to grab a bite while walking around and checking out small shops with many locally-made goods.
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NEA center of culinary creativity with dozens of local vendors. Great place to grab a bite while walking around and checking out small shops with many locally-made goods.
Ethiopian food is a big part of Washington DC, and this is our personal favorite.
147 locals recommend
Ethiopic Restaurant
401 H St NEEthiopian food is a big part of Washington DC, and this is our personal favorite.
We are very particular about our pizza. Wiseguy NY Pizza is excellent and is our family's favorite pizzeria. They also have outdoor seating.
35 locals recommend
Wiseguy Pizza
300 Massachusetts Ave NWWe are very particular about our pizza. Wiseguy NY Pizza is excellent and is our family's favorite pizzeria. They also have outdoor seating.
This is definitely a secret spot for great Jamaican take-out. Well, with its high Yelp ranking and mention in the Washingtonian's annual "Best Cheap Eats" issue, it's probably not a secret spot anymore!
9 locals recommend
Pimento Grill
4405 Bowen Rd SEThis is definitely a secret spot for great Jamaican take-out. Well, with its high Yelp ranking and mention in the Washingtonian's annual "Best Cheap Eats" issue, it's probably not a secret spot anymore!
Bullfrog Bagels
317 7th St SEThis is our favorite place to grab bagels in the morning!
The 1st floor ramen is wonderful. If you've never had real ramen, you need to do it! The broth is the tastiest I've ever had and it's a full meal. Normally, you go and leave your name and then you have 10 minutes or so to claim you seat once they notify you that a spot is open. This is a block over from Verizon Center (home of Wizards, Capitals, Georgetown Hoyas) in the Chinatown neighborhood.
82 locals recommend
Daikaya The Izakaya
705 6th Street NorthwestThe 1st floor ramen is wonderful. If you've never had real ramen, you need to do it! The broth is the tastiest I've ever had and it's a full meal. Normally, you go and leave your name and then you have 10 minutes or so to claim you seat once they notify you that a spot is open. This is a block over from Verizon Center (home of Wizards, Capitals, Georgetown Hoyas) in the Chinatown neighborhood.
This is a neighborhood restaurant serving wonderful Mediterranean cuisine. It's a forerunner and is located in the middle of a developing corridor. Recently listed in Washingtonian's 100 Very Best Restaurant's 2016 Guide! Way to go, Rhode Island Ave NE!!
22 locals recommend
Nido
2214 Rhode Island Avenue NortheastThis is a neighborhood restaurant serving wonderful Mediterranean cuisine. It's a forerunner and is located in the middle of a developing corridor. Recently listed in Washingtonian's 100 Very Best Restaurant's 2016 Guide! Way to go, Rhode Island Ave NE!!
This is our go-to place for Lebanese street food. You can find it on UberEats for easy delivery to the house, or it's a quick drive over to the establishment on H St NE. We love the shish-taouk sandwich, as well as the kafta and veggie platters. Fries are great as well.
19 locals recommend
Shawafel
1322 H Street NortheastThis is our go-to place for Lebanese street food. You can find it on UberEats for easy delivery to the house, or it's a quick drive over to the establishment on H St NE. We love the shish-taouk sandwich, as well as the kafta and veggie platters. Fries are great as well.
Parks & Nature
Off the beaten path of traditional sights, this is a gorgeous park with many plant species. Don't miss the old columns of the U.S. Capitol which were transferred here. Beautiful at any time of year.
350 locals recommend
United States National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NEOff the beaten path of traditional sights, this is a gorgeous park with many plant species. Don't miss the old columns of the U.S. Capitol which were transferred here. Beautiful at any time of year.
Beautiful imported lotus plants and Amazonian waterlilies, which unfurl in late summer. Great boardwalk trail to see native plants and animals.
97 locals recommend
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
1550 Anacostia Avenue NortheastBeautiful imported lotus plants and Amazonian waterlilies, which unfurl in late summer. Great boardwalk trail to see native plants and animals.
Waterfront area with a one foot wading pool and a waterfall that kids can play in. Plenty of grass for a picnic, or eat at one of many great restaurants nearby. Free concerts on Friday nights during the summer.
145 locals recommend
The Yards Park
355 Water St SEWaterfront area with a one foot wading pool and a waterfall that kids can play in. Plenty of grass for a picnic, or eat at one of many great restaurants nearby. Free concerts on Friday nights during the summer.
Arts & Culture
Our favorite, world-class art gallery. Constantly new collections & exhibitions being rotated in.
385 locals recommend
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue NorthwestOur favorite, world-class art gallery. Constantly new collections & exhibitions being rotated in.
This is the former home of Frederick Douglass, which is now a national memorial administered by the National Park Service. There's a small museum on-site as well as his home, which is preserved as it was at the time of his death. Really unique spot for DC culture
67 locals recommend
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
1411 W St SEThis is the former home of Frederick Douglass, which is now a national memorial administered by the National Park Service. There's a small museum on-site as well as his home, which is preserved as it was at the time of his death. Really unique spot for DC culture
Essentials
An unusual, budget-friendly grocery store. Great seasonal organic fruits & veggies.
74 locals recommend
ALDI
3025 Hamilton StAn unusual, budget-friendly grocery store. Great seasonal organic fruits & veggies.
Getting Around
Minnesota Avenue station
4000 Minnesota Ave NE10-12 minute walk from our home.
Entertainment & Activities
Home of the Washington Nationals - they always have affordable tickets to see a MLB game. Great to take advantage of during baseball season (April-September).
455 locals recommend
Nationals Park
1500 S Capitol St SEHome of the Washington Nationals - they always have affordable tickets to see a MLB game. Great to take advantage of during baseball season (April-September).
Sightseeing
This is the largest church in the Western Hemisphere. A beautiful place to visit!
134 locals recommend
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Avenue NortheastThis is the largest church in the Western Hemisphere. A beautiful place to visit!
This is where Lincoln would go to escape the oppressive summers of DC. This little-known place is usually missed by visitors to DC, because it's off the beaten path. But President Lincoln's Cottage is charming and full of history. The knowledgeable NPS staff offer excellent guided tours as well. It's a really quiet and secret spot in DC that we really recommend visiting. Great for individuals or families.
126 locals recommend
President Lincoln's Cottage
140 Rock Creek Church Rd NWThis is where Lincoln would go to escape the oppressive summers of DC. This little-known place is usually missed by visitors to DC, because it's off the beaten path. But President Lincoln's Cottage is charming and full of history. The knowledgeable NPS staff offer excellent guided tours as well. It's a really quiet and secret spot in DC that we really recommend visiting. Great for individuals or families.