Where to Eat in Washington, DC

Feb 6

Feb 6 Where to Eat in Washington, DC

Washington, DC has a multitude of cool places to eat and snap quality Instagram pictures that you can't necessarily find in the guidebooks. Whether you're planning to be in town for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, thinking about applying for a summer internship in the nation's capital, or trying to hit all the museums on your family vacation this spring break, DC's food scene has something for every variation of intrepid traveler and ambitious foodie. Having lived in DC all my life, I've compiled a list of some of my favorite restaurants, from the best late night haunts and hole-in-the-wall joints, to some of the city's most popular establishments.

2 Amys arguably serves the best Neopolitan-style you can find in the DC area. This family friendly restaurant is famous for its wood fired oven pizzas, which feature generous servings of fresh mozzarella and perfectly burnt crusts. You can't go wrong with their standard tomato and fresh mozzarella pizza, but if you're feeling adventurous there are plenty of other choices including eggplant confit, hot peppers or polpettine (meatballs).

$$ // 3715 Macomb St. NW, Washington DC 20016

Popular DC chain, Busboys and Poets, serves as a gathering place for culture and food lovers alike. The restaurant, bookstore, theater and lounge offers a combination of American and international inspired dishes along with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Their brunch and breakfast are particularly delicious but you can't go wrong with anything off the menu. The establishment also serves as an important mouthpiece for political and racial issues and has played a crucial role in revitalizing local DC neighborhoods.

$$ // multiple locations

For the adventurous foodie, Union Market's diverse fast-casual offerings feature everything from Korean tacos to BBQ kale chips. The venue houses various fresh produce from local farmers, small restaurants and pop ups and frequently hosts concerts and other interesting cultural events throughout the year.

$$ // 1309 5th St., Washington DC 20002

Tucked away on a side street in the leafy Dupont Circle neighborhood, teahouse and restaurant Teaism serves every variation of loose leaf tea imaginable, along with delicious cookies, bento boxes, salads, curries and other Asian-inspired dishes. The Dupont Circle location is definitely the most intimate with its warmly lit, wood paneled interior, making it perfect for a rainy afternoon tea.

$ // multiple locations

Without a doubt, Baked & Wired serves the best cupcakes in the DC area. Whether you want to try "Smurfette" (blueberry cake with lemon icing) or "Unicorn and Rainbows" (vanilla cake with funfetti sprinkles and cream cheese frosting), you can't go wrong with the coffeehouse and bakery's many baked goods. If cupcakes aren't your thing, B&W also serves delicious pies, ice cream cookie sandwiches, freshly baked breads, poptarts, quiches and more, all made from scratch in small batches. Make sure to jot down a note or doodle on a napkin and add it to their ever expanding wall of love letters, poems and greetings left by customers from around the world. Not convinced yet? B&W employees often wear tutus and feather boas to work, and the establishment prominently features artwork for sale by local artists.

$ // 1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, Washington DC 2007

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What are your favorite places to eat in your hometown? Let us know in the comments below!