Help us find good places to eat and absolute must-see's in the Capitol Wasteland (Washington, D.C.)

Ford Theater, then walk a few blocks to the Smithsonian museums. Don't know any unique restaurants or clubs.

Operation 'Throw Baby Over Fence' set in motion

now I need to visit DC!

Place is called Bucks Fishing and Camping. 15 minute Uber from White House. Order the steak. Or the Scallops. Or the Fish and Chips.

Thank me later.

Place to see? Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. I'll never forget it.

Touristy answer but Ben's Chilli Bowl is always good.

EvilChameleon said:

Place to see? Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. I'll never forget it.

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Tomb is sweet! It's not exactly visually unique, but my gf and I celebrated our anniversary at the US Botanical Gardens and dinner at The Partisan, which is walking distance from the mall. Restaurant had some of the best meat I've ever eaten, because everything is butchered in-store. The triple burger (two beef patties, one chorizo patty) was incredible.

I love eating at Sakuramen in Adams Morgan.

Go to the Newseum. Ticket are $20 and are good for 2 days.

El Tamarindo. Open until late and good cheap eats!

Some recommendations:

Daikaya - Ramen
Maydan - North African/Middle Eastern
Arroz - Spanish
Bad Saint - Filipino
Tail Up Goat - Caribbean and Mediterranean
Rasika - Indian
Colada Shop - Cuban (better for lunch)
Le Diplomate - French
Lucky Buns - Burgers

Any of those should do you well.

Toki Underground is the ramen king
Union market if you want to try a lot of cool places (and get some okonomiyaki)
Heard the Tiki Room or something is cool
On H St near Toki is a German Biergarten that has a great selection and a millions TVs/rooms/floors + a patio/rooftop area

Lot of great pubs in Alexandria
There's a steak place called extra rare? Maybe near the Capitol building, where they give you a great portion of steak and shoestring fries and then bring out a section portion of the same size as part of your order.

Also in Alexandria is an Hanks, they having amazing oysters and buck-a-shuck at happy hour. Think I've covered most of it.

From another thread:

• Ramen at Haikan or Toki Underground (Daikaya is overrated; Haikan is by the same people and better).
• Donuts at District Donut, which is in Capitol Hill, where there's not a lot to do. Mainly worth it if you plan to Eastern Market too. There's also a cool little board game store nearby called Labyrinth.
• Archipelago for drinks.
• Art at Sackler and Freer, which are often ignored Asian and African art galleries that feel like Zelda temples.
• Pies (both savory and sweet) at Dangerously Delicious Pies.
• The arboretum is an awesome day trip. There's a nice bonsai museum in grounds. Botanical Gardens are a good alternative if you want to stay near the mall.
• In Georgetown: the Exorcist stairs, Baked and Wired (bakery), Chaia (vegetarian tacos), and Thomas Sweet (ice cream)

I hear that Fogo De Chao is pretty good. It was recommend to me by my dad.

Don't go to Founding Farmers. I made this mistake unfortunately.

BoboBrazil said:

Don't go to Founding Farmers. I made this mistake unfortunately.

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Ive heard that its fallen off from other people as well :-/

I will always recommend Blacksalt - one of my favorite seafood restaurants ever.

I think Rose's Luxury is worth the wait for the lychee/sausage dish alone. YouTube the episode of F' That's Delicious where they go there.

Washington DC fish market. This place sells fresh (raw) fish that was caught the same day. Most of these places will cook it up for you too. Amazing selection, fresh as fuck, cheap as hell and it's a really unique destination right where DC becomes Virginia.

Well I know it can get a bad rap, but it's great for just the atmosphere depending on the theme, but there is a pop-up bar that changes themes every two months or so and this current month's theme will be Rick & Morty. So, if you're into the show and are interested in a bar themed like Rick & Morty with style drinks then head to the pop-up bar on 7th Street NW. The new bar theme starts Thursday. They haven't released any pictures of what the inside will look like. The last time I went there was when they did the Game of Thrones theme and they went all out with the decor. Just remember that the place will likely be packed.



EDIT:

To give an idea, this is what it looked like when they did GoT:

BoboBrazil said:

Don't go to Founding Farmers. I made this mistake unfortunately.

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True. Farmers and Distillers is great though.

Some good suggestions here, so I'll add one: Wiseguys pizza (Chinatown) for fantastic pizza by the slice.

Dirty Habit - used to be Post - is great for drinks and ambience.

Old Ebbit is pretty damn good for a traditional nice Dinning Establishment. If you're around Chinatown more then you can go to Clyde's. Also if you're in Chinatown, as someone else mentioned before, Daikaya is a great place for Ramen (at quite honestly my favorite out of all the Ramen places I've had). Fogo de Chao is a place to go if you want delicious fancy cuts of meat brought over to you over and over and over until you're sick of eating meat (it's just expensive is the only problem with that place).

I live just outside of D.C. so I know more places outside of it, but if you don't mind taking the Metro out to the Arlington Area (Courthouse specifically) there's possibly the best Burger Place ever, a restaurant called Citizen Burger Bar. Can't recommend it enough.


As for places to see... eh I've lived here too long that I forget the good places to go but Ford's Theater was maybe the last thing I really toured. The Waterfront out by Georgetown is also fairly nice to take a stroll down (and it's basically on the way to the Exorcist Stairs). The Newseum is a pretty neat place to check out if you're interested in the history of news (then again I might be biased because I used to work there). In general though, I usually tell people that you can't go wrong just walking around the National Mall.


Actually I completely forgot, the brand-new(ish) National Museum of African American History and Culture, go there.



Go here. This is actually the best museum I think in DC. I've been multiple times since it first opened and it's an experience every time. If there's any single thing you do in DC make it this. Chances are you won't finish with it in one day and will have to come back a second time.

Honestly, if you just want some fun bars then head over to Adam's Morgan. Pretty much every block is a line of great bars and restaurants. The Brass Monkey is a good time for drinks and karaoke.

Super unique? Lessss go

Herald Black - a speak easy in eastern market. The kind of place Congress members go to carry on affairs/do back room deals
Atlas Arcade - an actual video game arcade. If you really want to do this, call ahead of your trip and reserve the n64 at the bar. Bring quarters.
Habesha Market - best Ethiopian in the city at present. Best style of eating
Indigo - great outdoor patio Indian food, if the weather is nice


Others that I concur with recommending:
The southwest fish market
Rose's Luxury

Lots of great places to eat in DC. I'll second the recs for Rasika and Ben's Chili Bowl; while Ben's is a bit of a tourist attraction, I used to go there all the time after shows at the 9:30 Club.

If you're looking for a unique bar - my favorite bar ever is The Saloon on U Street. No standing allowed, no cell phones at the bar, and there are no TVs in the joint. But there's an amazing beer selection and a lot of the proceeds go towards building schools in third world countries.

Also? The Ethiopian food in DC is off the hook. Etete and Zenebech in particular.

EverythingShiny said:

Lots of great places to eat in DC. I'll second the recs for Rasika and Ben's Chili Bowl; while Ben's is a bit of a tourist attraction, I used to go there all the time after shows at the 9:30 Club.

If you're looking for a unique bar - my favorite bar ever is The Saloon on U Street. No standing allowed, no cell phones at the bar, and there are no TVs in the joint. But there's an amazing beer selection and a lot of the proceeds go towards building schools in third world countries.

Also? The Ethiopian food in DC is off the hook. Etete and Zenebech in particular.

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I see that they are back this week? Oh man, this is my Ethiopian recommendation, OP. I had loved them when they were on Florida. Best in the city.

Go to the Air and Space Museum. Watch the dark matter film at the planetarium. Afterwards go to Daikaya, but eat upstairs at the bar. I've been in town for work the last few weeks, and it is by far my favorite restaurant here. The only one I've been to multiple times. Try the enoki mushrooms, pork and Brussels sprouts skewers, miso salmon, beef tongue, and pork belly. Going back tomorrow and trying what's left of the menu. I'll update with any additions to my recommendations.

Eat at The Partisan.
http://thepartisandc.com/

One of the best meals I've had (and amazing service).

abeeiamnot said:

From another thread:

• Ramen at Haikan or Toki Underground (Daikaya is overrated; Haikan is by the same people and better).

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Fight me.

Though thank you for showing me Haikan as I have never heard of it, and Daikaya is my favorite ramen place in all of NA.

Walk up and down old town till you see some place interesting.

ZenVolta said:

I hear that Fogo De Chao is pretty good. It was recommend to me by my dad.

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Fogo de Chao is great, but isn't any different from any other Brazillian churrascaria style steak houses in the US. If OP hasn't been to one, it certainly wouldn't hurt to stop by, though.

My recommendation would be Momofuku (Asian fusion). It also has a milk bar connected to it.

Try Zaytinya for lunch. Great Mediterranean food and right across the street from the museum.

i visited old ebbit since it was recommended by our hotel's concierge back then, i understand it's an old restaurant with lots of history but i don't think the food was anything really special
fogo de chao though, definitely the best brazilian steakhouse i've ever had

Greatestjediever said:

Fight me.

Though thank you for showing me Haikan as I have never heard of it, and Daikaya is my favorite ramen place in all of NA.

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Oh yeah? We had it last time we were in DC and thought it was just "ok". The izakaya at night is fun, though.

Greatestjediever said:

Fight me.

Though thank you for showing me Haikan as I have never heard of it, and Daikaya is my favorite ramen place in all of NA.

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To be fair, I'm the only person I know with this opinion and I'm probably wrong. But Haikan is really good and doesn't have the long waits.

abeeiamnot said:

To be fair, I'm the only person I know with this opinion and I'm probably wrong. But Haikan is really good and doesn't have the long waits.

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Honestly, that wait never bothered me. It's maybe ever gotten 30 minutes at the worst and usually I wait that out by having a drink across the street at Penn Commons.

Contramann said:

Actually I completely forgot, the brand-new(ish) National Museum of African American History and Culture, go there.

Go here. This is actually the best museum I think in DC. I've been multiple times since it first opened and it's an experience every time. If there's any single thing you do in DC make it this. Chances are you won't finish with it in one day and will have to come back a second time.

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Seconding this. It is absolutely the best museum in DC. It might be hard to get a timed pass but it would be worth it. The large restaurant in the museum has several African American dishes from different regions of the US. I've been there 3 times and everything I tried has my Black seal of approval, nothing tastes like Becky made it.

The Agricultural South

• Buttermilk Fried Chicken, served with 2 sides
• Lexington Style BBQ Pork Sandwich, Slaw, Pickled Watermelon Rind, Potato Salad
• Slow Cooked Collards, Cornbread Sticks & Potlikker
• Sweet Corn Pudding
  

The Creole Coast

• Duck, Andouille & Crawfish Gumbo, Carolina Rice, Green Onions
• Gulf Shrimp & Stone Ground Grits, Smoked Tomato Butter, Caramelized Leeks, Crispy Tasso
• BBQ All Natural Chicken, Alabama White Sauce
• Pan-fried Louisiana Catfish Po'boy, Smoked Red Pepper Rémoulade, Green Bean Pickles
• Louisiana-style Catfish, served with 2 sides
• Red Beans & Rice
• Candied Yams
• House Pickled Vegetables, Okra, Green Beans, Chow Chow, Green Tomatoes, B&B

The North States *Except during seasonal promotions

• "Smoking Hot" Pepper Pot
• Smoked Haddock & Corn Croquettes, Gribiche Sauce, House Made Brown Bread
• Smothered Turkey Grillades, Fried Apple, Sage Gravy, Johnny Cakes
• Thomas Downing Inspired NYC Oyster Pan Roast
• Yankee Baked Beans, Smokey Molasses Sauce
• Roast Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Walnut Vinaigrette
  

The Western Range

• BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich, Sweet Potato Bun, Charred Peach & Jalapeno Chutney
• Pan Roast Rainbow Trout, Cornbread & Mustard Green Stuffing, Hazelnut Brown Butter
• Black Eye Pea, Golden Corn & Chanterelle Empanada
• Sweet Tendril Salad, Shaved Radish & Crisp Carrot
• Skillet Cornbread
• High Mesa Peach & Blackberry Cobbler

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Bonus points if you can recommend some good spicy food.

littleworm said:

Bonus points if you can recommend some good spicy food.

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Both Zenebech (from their old location) and Indigo have great spicy food - although both are genuinely family made. So the spiciness can vary day-to-day.

Oh!

Thai Crossing My wife's favorite Thai food, after Thai street food in Thailand. Recommend a reservation. The food is spicy, and is brought until you can eat no more.

Founding Farmers is nice Applebees, skip it.

Go to Jack Rose Dining Saloon, Oyamel, or Iron Gate.

WedgeX said:

I see that they are back this week? Oh man, this is my Ethiopian recommendation, OP. I had loved them when they were on Florida. Best in the city.

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Yeah, I ate there before I left DC back in 2012 and it was incredible. I have not had Ethiopian that rivals the stuff I ate in DC.

DrEvil said:

I honestly don't think I've ever seen such varied and numerous responses to a thread like this.

Keep 'em coming, gonna have to curate a list over the next few days though, holy shit.

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DC has the best food out of any major city I've lived/visited extensively (except maybe Chicago.) It's such a diverse place so it's a real treat to be able to get authentic food.

Also, if you want to be depressed, the US Holocaust Museum is incredible. I've been twice and it's a very somber/sobering experience but 100% worth it. If you had to pick and choose, though (since I think you guys only have 2 days?) then I'd recommend the African American museum over it.

Minibar / Bar Mini

Columbia Room

Contramann said:

Actually I completely forgot, the brand-new(ish) National Museum of African American History and Culture, go there.

Go here. This is actually the best museum I think in DC. I've been multiple times since it first opened and it's an experience every time. If there's any single thing you do in DC make it this. Chances are you won't finish with it in one day and will have to come back a second time.

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Thirding this. The gumbo is fantastic, but everything looked amazing when I went a couple years ago.

Also will recommend Grace's Mandarin in National Harbor

FLEABttn said:

Founding Farmers is nice Applebees, skip it.

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Someone once told me that Founding Farmers is basically a more upscale Cheese Cake Factory.

Mount Vernon

Contramann said:

Honestly, that wait never bothered me. It's maybe ever gotten 30 minutes at the worst and usually I wait that out by having a drink across the street at Penn Commons.

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Damn. I've always had to wait over 1 hour, usually 3.