DC has good food. Period. Locals will tell you that you can get any cuisine in the world in DC and they would be right. We have Afghan, Italian, Mexican, Ethiopian, Honduran, Uyghur, Japanese, Korean, you get the idea. If you’re willing to venture outside of the city some of the best Korean BBQ in the country can be found in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs. A little further out, the Inn at Little Washington, though wildly expensive, has received so many Michelin stars it put a small Virginia town on the map. However, we also have a plethora of restaurants that seem to exist solely in service of the corporate card – expensive, middling, bland food served in cavernous restaurants that feel like an operating model built on volume. I try to avoid those where I can as I don’t have a corporate card and even if I did I wouldn’t want to use them there.

I want to admit up front that I’m not a food critic. I know very little about fine dining and I am as subject to the recommendations of the Tik Tok algorithm as anyone else. But, these are the places that I keep on going back to, or find myself recommending over and over and over again. The one thing I’ll add: there are so many restaurants that I love in DC and this list doesn’t even begin to cover them. However, for the sake of brevity I kept it to 9 total, 3 to a section, which should be a good place to start.

Nice Restaurants:

Criteria: Probably where you go if you’re celebrating something big, just got your annual bonus, or your rich uncle wants to take you out to dinner.  These places are worth it but will definitely put a dent in your wallet.

Maydan– Located right off 14th street, you need to get a reservation about a month in advance. The restaurant is lightly Lebanese based but spans a variety of cuisines across continents. The visit alone is worth watching them grill on the open flame hearth that sits in the center of the restaurant. Get the Tawle (best deal on the menu) and come hungry.

Le Diplomate – Is it overpriced? Definitely. Are there a lot of tourists? Also yes. But, there is great people watching, it’s beautifully decorated, and the service is fantastic. They make a mean Steak Frites and the profiteroles for dessert are worth saving a bit of room. Make sure they don’t seat you outside – inside is where the vibes are.

Elle– Elle is up in Mount Pleasant and has a daytime café menu (great breakfast sandwich) and an evening menu that sits closer to fine dining than you might expect. Get a bottle of wine and definitely try the split pea toast. The best approximation to Elle is Lula Café in Chicago or Heirloom Cafe in San Francisco. Both are well worth the visit.

Date Night!:

Criteria: It’s a Friday night, it’s been a long week, and you’re looking for a slightly upscale spot that has a fun, busy atmosphere, but won’t be impossible to to find a table. 

Lapis – Right on the border between expensive and good for date night, Lapis is fantastic Afghan food in a fun setting. The dumplings, in my opinion, are the best part.  I would skip the flatbreads. If you eat meat, anything with lamb is killer good.

Daru – Located in Southeast, Daru doesn’t necessarily have the vibiest atmosphere but the food is spectacular and easily paired with their incredibly warm hospitality. Try as much as you can, and definitely take some home for the next day’s lunch.  

Anju – Again, probably right on the border between too expensive and fun date night, Anju is located just down the street from Bar Charley at the base of Adams Morgan. I promise you, their Korean fried chicken is amazing (and they give you way more than you might expect). Anju is a tiny restaurant that’s always packed and good for taking new friends or just a nice night out.

Value Focused:

Criteria: Not necessarily cheap, but definitely cheap(er) than the other restaurants listed earlier.

Habesha Market – What this place lacks in aesthetics it makes up for in taste. Habesha Market, located right off U Street, is Ethiopian cuisine that is inexpensive, tasty, and filling. Get the meat platter and take your tray over to the cafeteria style counter where you can pick whatever meat and sides you want.  $20 gets you a massive meal complete with an extra side of injera (already the base of course), the spongy bread used as the perfect vessel for getting the meat from the tray to your mouth.

Two Amy’s – Located up Wisconsin Avenue, Two Amy’s is Neapolitan style pizza at its finest. With a warm atmosphere and no reservations, this is where everyone with a young kid seems go on a Friday night. Get a glass of wine and your own pizza (plus the deviled eggs). As a side note, the owners just opened a new spot, called Bar Del Monte, in Mount Pleasant, that’s supposed to be fantastic.

La Tejana – La Tejana is a breakfast taco spot that has been getting lots of press and really deserves the hype. All tacos are more or less the same price and come with a green and red salsa. Come early and be prepared to wait in line. If you visit on a Saturday morning you can walk around the Mount Pleasant Farmer’s Market right after eating your fill of tacos.

DC is one of those places where it can feel weirdly difficult to find the right place to drink. Some people want a place with cheap beer and a long wooden bar with coat hooks underneath. A shot and a beer special or at least a snack mix they throw in front of you is ideal. Sometimes it’s more fun to get dressed up and go somewhere that’s fancy and dimly lit. A good cocktail, even if it is $16 and made by a guy with a mustache and a leather apron can hit the spot. Whenever I am picking places there are two things I look for. First off, I just want other people to be there. People talking, people drinking, people laughing. An empty bar feels stale and a bit sad, like a seedy hotel lobby at the wrong hour. I also look for a cheap(ish) lite beer. If I’m at a fancy cocktail spot I’m never getting the beer, that would be like going to an Indian spot and asking for chicken fingers. However, a cheap(ish) beer on the menu tells me that if I want to get something low key I can, and I like it when places make it easy to do so.

Nice Bars:

Criteria: Probably a cocktail or wine spot. Maybe you dress up a bit, maybe you don’t. General take is that things will cost a bit more here, good for an upscale night out.

Gemini – Gemini has a little bit of everything. Located on 17th street. It has DINK, natural wine, chore coat vibes. They have some of the best pizza in the city, and a well curated, well thought out, natural wine selection. It’s always busy and people will buy a bottle of wine and sit on the small stools outside when the weather is nice.

Easy Bars:

Criteria: Everyone has a different feel for what easy means, but in this case it means that it’s not too divey, not too pricey, and you could probably go here on a Saturday afternoon, a Tuesday evening, or a Friday night, and enjoy it each time.

Commodore – Undervalued in DC, Commodore has $5 Narraganset on tap, great appetizers (get the brussels sprouts) and really good burgers. It’s always a bit crowded but I’ve never not been able to find somewhere to sit.

Bar Charley– Everyone here feels like they are going on a first date. Really good cocktails and the bar is always packed. The Sunday evening special - Steak Frites and a Cocktail for $30 feels like a pre-inflation number.

American Ice – I am cheating a bit since it’s only a couple of blocks from me, but American Ice is just plain fun. There is lots of seating, a good draft list, and it’s always a bit busy. I like playing cards here and snacking on something in the afternoon or after work on a Friday.

Dive Bars:

Criteria: Cheap, maybe cash only, definitely has quirky regulars, not creepy.

Red Derby– Red Derby should not be a surprise recommendation. It shows up in every “DC Dive Bar Hit List” and for good reason. Great beer and shot combos, two levels, and inexpensive domestic lite beer. What’s not to like. Quick tip – if you’re in the area you should also stop by Lyman’s Tavern (a pinball dive bar) right next door then go to Taqueria Habanero for tacos.

Wonderland Ballroom– Wonderland Ballroom is best about 3-5 drinks deep after 10pm (but is always fun at any time). I was talking to a coworker who is maybe 16 years older than me and most of the spots she could remember had since closed, except for Wonderland Ballroom. It’s nice to know there’s a thread that connects the past, present, and future generations of DC yuppies. With BOGO deals on Fireball right when you walk in the door and an insanely packed upstairs dance room, Wonderland Ballroom is where you go to feel like you’re partying in a college house again.

Ivy & Coney – I haven’t spent nearly enough time here but can tell you that they serve cheap Malort and Old Style, both very Chicago things. Anywhere that sells Chicago dogs and Chicago liquor gets points in my book, and Ivy & Coney fits that bill. If you want to watch a game on a Sunday, this is a good spot.

Baked Goods

I love all baked goods, but am extremely passionate about all types chocolate chip cookies. Over the course of my last year in Chicago I slowly worked my way through a number of the cities’ bakeries, attempting to identify the “best” chocolate chip cookie among the lot. From a structural perspective, I lean towards a slightly thicker cookie that has crisp edges but quickly recedes into a soft, chewy, buttery blend of chocolate and dough. It needs to be able to be broken up into two or three pieces without crumbling into miniscule granules I have to pinch together to eat, and there has to be a strong chocolate to dough ratio. If you think about the best version of the pre-made cookie dough versions from Tollhouse, that’s what I seek. Since moving, I have diligently continued my quest, and shoulder the burden of finding the best cookie in DC. This section covers both bakeries that specialize in sweet as well as bakeries that specialize in traditionally baked breads, think fresh sourdough or the perfect backed baguette. There isn’t really anything else like fresh bread with a big dollop of butter. Good bread, well made bread, can nourish you in a way that mass produced factory bread never could. You know the difference, I know the difference, almost everyone does. Of course, here at twozerotwo, we focus on the former.

Criteria:

Locally owned bakeries, started in The District. There are two sides to this coin – on one hand is what I would describe as “sweet bakeries” – i.e. bakeries that really focused on sweet baked goods like cookies and cakes. The other side is a “bread bakery” which focuses on the craft of breadmaking. I love both types of bakeries and think that you can easily visit both in one day with no compunction about doing so.

The Cakeroom – Open weirdly late (till 10pm) Cakeroom sits at the bottom of the hill leading up to Adams Morgan. They have really excellent baked goods and desserts, across the spectrum, but I think they do a particularly nice job on their chocolate chip cookie. If you’re not in the market for a cookie, try their hummingbird cake, also fantastic. 

Rose Ave Bakery – Located in Woodley Park, right on top of Rock Creek Park. Known for their Asian-American inspired donuts, Rose Ave Bakery is a bit of a hidden gem. The Matcha Chocolate Chip Cookie is amazing – brown butter, a little interesting flavor from the matcha, and dark chocolate chunks which is the only type of chunk I want.

Seylou – Jonathan and Jessica from Seylou have built something incredibly special in Logan Square. They did the hard work up front, identifying a truly local network of suppliers that they rely on for their grain. They are thoughtful about seasonality, and their menu and grain assortment reflects that intentionality. These things are hard, imagine being asked to build a new bakery from scratch that was profitable. Now, imagine then being asked to go out an identify the farmers that were going to grow the grain going into your flour. Instead of being 100 Ib bags of King Arthur that gets delivered on the same Sysco truck like clockwork, you have to coordinate deliveries of smaller shipments that change with the seasons. Now, put it all together and produce bread that nourishes and feeds, and do it every day for 10 years. That is Seylou.

Breadfurst – Breadfurst has a bit of a crazy backstory. It’s the brainchild of Mark Furstenberg. Mark Furstenberg has a resume that has had at least 3 separate careers, all of them disparate. He worked for The Washington Post, was a White House Official in the Kennedy Administration working on what at the time was known at the “War on Poverty” and then started multiple bakeries. Today’s iteration is Breadfurst. Even after starting a café, he never really stopped writing. If you go to the Breadfurst blog you can find post after post from Mark, oftentimes lampooning customers for doing things he thought were rude. It would be hard to identify another person that has contributed as much to the DC bread scene as Mark.

Whisked – Whisked is part of the new generation of cookie companies. Started by Jenna Huntsberger, a former food blogger turned Farmers Market worker turned CEO. Jenna is maybe best known for launching her cookies in Whole Foods across the region and has developed a great tasting vegan cookie. As an individual she’s also incredibly impressive, building the business from scratch. Her business now has its own Direct Store Delivery program and a tiny manufacturing facility out in Maryland. They just launched a new cookie that can go on shelves. Watch out for Jenna and the Whisked team, they’re crushing it.

Below are three coffee shops that I really like – some also have fantastic baked goods. If you’re in town or looking for somewhere new each of these places will take you to a different part of the city. If you’re looking for the “top 10 places to study” or the “top 10 coffee shops in DC” I would check out Eater or The Infatuation, as they both have (solid) listicles that are helpful to review.

Criteria: Good coffee, nice people, not a corporate chain.

Doubles – Located a bit North of Howard University, in a kind of nondescript neighborhood, Doubles serves good espresso drinks and funky lattes. They have a lot of seating and are connected to a pizza joint. If you swing by in the afternoon you can get a coffee and a slice of pizza while you hang out.

Baked & Wired– When you go to Baked & Wired you’re really going for a double whammy - the coffee and the baked goods. The beverage program is run by the son of the founders. He started learning through the Counter Culture coffee program and has only gone deeper down the rabbit hole. He picks their rotating espresso selection and makes his own milks from a wide variety of nuts and oats. The espresso they serve has a nice bright, sharp, quality and is pulled from their custom La Marzocco set up. When you visit, even if you don’t want coffee, you have to get a cupcake. Just trust me and do it.

The Coffee Bar (TCB) – The ideal location: near but not directly on 14th street. With lots of outdoor seating, this place feels maximally neighborhoody (not technically a word) in a good way.  They have some baked goods and the coffee is solid, relatively inexpensive, and it is easy to walk around the neighborhood after grabbing a cup. Come here on a Friday early afternoon to see everyone “working” on their patio.

Random

Random is a bit of a catch all for places I want to recommend but aren’t exactly categorically aligned to any of the above.

Shop/Market Criteria: Locally owned, well cared for, and thoughtfully merchandised.

Dent Place Market – All the way over in Georgetown, Dent Place market is extremely small, roughly the size of a bedroom. They have great coffee they make in the mornings, and are carry a small selection of everything someone could want to snack on. Do yourself a favor and get a beer or a bottle of wine and camp out at their small table right outside the shop in early fall.

Each Peach Market – A mainstay in Mount Pleasant, Each Peach Market has everything from fresh produce, new up and coming brands, great baked goods, and a made to order sandwich and prepared food section. On Friday nights people are constantly cycling through to snag a fun bottle of wine or cheese and crackers to share with friends. If you want an activity, sign up for one of their wine and cheese tastings, they don’t disappoint.

Odd Provisions – Located near Columbia Heights, Odd Provisions has a great patio and a variety of prepared foods, dry goods, and a strong wine section. It’s in a fun small block of great restaurants and bars, and is worth walking around.

Domestique - Domestique is a natural wine shop located off Florida Ave and New Jersey. They have a great website, a bunch of wine tastings, and a cool side project/Mag called SANS SOUFRE that highlights some other founders and creators.

Ice Cream/Gelato Criteria: Locally owned, well made. Pretty simple criteria: must taste good.

Dolcezza– Dolcezza is really a gelateria, not an ice cream spot. They have locations across the city and used to be in Whole Foods (not currently however). I’ve met one of the co-founders and the attention they pay to local ingredients and well-made food is just incredible. Get some gelato and a shot of espresso for that double whammy caffeine + sugar rush. I love their peanut butter gelato, maximum peanut butter.

Local CPG: Locally owned brands that you can find in a grocery store/can be defined as a CPG (Consumer Packaged Good).

Whisked - Started by Jenna Huntsberger (Founder/CEO) a number of years ago, Whisked has traditional and vegan cookies and can be found at most small shops, natural grocers, and Whole Foods in the area. Their cookies are seriously good. Jenna is amazing, and has led the growth of a farmers market stand into a business with its own distributor network and manufacturing facility. The best part is that she still lives in an apartment in DC and goes out to sample her products herself, despite having a whole team.