Restaurants

The nation’s political capitol might also be its dining capitol. From great holes in the wall for downtown lunch to fine dining experiences in the residential areas, Washington has flavor for all of your taste buds. 

 

·        Downtown/Capitol Hill/Foggy Bottom: Several dining guides agree that Laboratoria del Galileo is the best restaurant in DC, bar none. Its Italian food can be expensive but it’s always excellent. Another good dinner spot, according to Frommer’s, is the romantic Butterfield 9. On the other hand, Capitol Hill employees on lunch break often make a beeline for either Tortilla Coast or the greasy Ben’s Chili Bowl, which is on U Street is popular.

·        Adams-Morgan/Dupont Circle: Diversity reigns in Adams-Morgan and Dupont Circle. Meskerem, for example, offers great Ethiopian food while Zorba’s has been serving great affordable Greek food for twenty years. Southern food may not offer quite the same ethnic experience, but Vidalia is still a great option. Finally, if you just want some comfort pizza, Luigi’s is the best bet in Dupont Circle.

·        Maryland and Virginia: Fine dining is cheaper in the suburbs than it is within the district. On the Maryland side, Jackie’s is a good budget restaurant in Silver Spring. On the other hand, if you wake up in Virginia, go to the 29 Diner in Fairfax, which offers the area’s best breakfast all day long. Old Town Alexandria also has a number of character-filled eateries. You’ll also more likely to find familiar chain restaurants such as Chili’s and Applebee’s in the suburbs than you are downtown, but that rule does have its exceptions.

 

The main distinguishing point of Washington dining is diversity; several sections of the city have entire rows of ethnic restaurants. Chinatown, for example, does not have the reputation of its New York counterpart but the food is just as good. On the north side of town, near the zoo, is Woodley Park, which is highlighted by the Afghan Grill (formerly Khyber Pass). You can also find great ethnic food south of the city in Crystal City.