Good Eats in Washington DC

by Matthew Ciszek and Local Arrangements Committee

Not only is Washington DC our nation’s capital, but it is also an international city filled with a plethora of restaurants able to meet any budget or palate. This guide breaks down some of the best places to eat in DC by neighborhood and is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dining in the city.

One of the most eclectic of DC’s neighborhoods,
Chinatown/Gallery Place, is the home of the National Portrait Gallery, the Verizon Center and many restaurants ranging from Asian to national chains. Chinatown/Gallery Place is an easy walk (10 minutes) from the Convention Center or is accessible on the Metro at the Gallery Place/Chinatown station on the Green, Yellow, and Red Lines.

Penn Quarter is the home of the National Archives, the Newseum and a multitude of government agencies, including the FBI. Penn Quarter is a moderate walk (20-25 minutes) from the Convention Center and is accessible by Metro at the Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station on the Green and Yellow Lines.

  • Zatinya
  • 701 9th St NW
  • (202) 638-0800
  • Jaleo
  • 480 7th St NW
  • (202) 628-7949
  • Teaism
  • 400 8th St NW
  • (202) 638-6010

The
U Street/Shaw neighborhood is one of the traditional centers of African-American life in DC and has become an area of trendy eateries and night clubs in recent years. It is accessible by Metro on the Green Line at either the U Street or Shaw/Howard University stations.

Home to the District’s GLBT community,
Dupont Circle is also host to many foreign embassies (and some conference hotels as well). It is accessible by Metro at the Dupont Circle station on the Red Line.

Primarily a residential area,
Adams Morgan has become a trendy destination in the past few years. Not the best neighborhood for Metro accessibility, but is easily walkable (10-15 minutes) at the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan station on the Red Line.

  • Diner
  • 2453 18th St NW
  • (202) 232-8800
  • Tryst
  • 2459 18th St NW
  • (202) 232-5500