How to Make Memories on Capitol Hill
The Restos to go to on Capitol Hill
Vanessa and I have personally been to most restaurants and spots on the hill, and these are the cream of the crop -- all visited 5 times or more. Some new, some old, some fancier, some are hole in the wall spots. Happy to answer questions!
Hole in the wall DC institution breakfast and lunch counter. The line for breakfast gets crazy long on the weekends but moves fast. Blueberry Buckwheat pancakes are the item to get. The bric sandwich (bacon/sausage, eggs, potatoes, cheese on a bun) is a fantastic if you can't decide item. Fried green tomatoes and crab cakes are a must. Hard to get a table and you'll be sharing space with others. Inside the Eastern market building in the north hall. No reservations.
37 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Market Lunch
225 7th St SEHole in the wall DC institution breakfast and lunch counter. The line for breakfast gets crazy long on the weekends but moves fast. Blueberry Buckwheat pancakes are the item to get. The bric sandwich (bacon/sausage, eggs, potatoes, cheese on a bun) is a fantastic if you can't decide item. Fried green tomatoes and crab cakes are a must. Hard to get a table and you'll be sharing space with others. Inside the Eastern market building in the north hall. No reservations.
We've eaten at every sushi place on the hill. This is the best one in the neighborhood. It's not the best one period, but good, significantly above average.
Note: Only available for take-out during COVID
20 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Sushi Capitol
325 Pennsylvania Ave. SEWe've eaten at every sushi place on the hill. This is the best one in the neighborhood. It's not the best one period, but good, significantly above average.
Note: Only available for take-out during COVID
It is an institution in DC. It's also very affordable and family friendly. Get the pop tarts, Millionaire bar, and the meatloaf. Line gets a little crazy on the weekends.
Note: Only offering take-out during COVID
426 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SEIt is an institution in DC. It's also very affordable and family friendly. Get the pop tarts, Millionaire bar, and the meatloaf. Line gets a little crazy on the weekends.
Note: Only offering take-out during COVID
A DC institution! Countless hill staffers and politicos alike have gone here for a slightly pricier than $10 lunch. Its classic, unpretentious, and steps from the House of Representatives. The Nicoise salad is very good. Sandwiches are also fantastic.
18 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Le Bon Café
210 2nd St SEA DC institution! Countless hill staffers and politicos alike have gone here for a slightly pricier than $10 lunch. Its classic, unpretentious, and steps from the House of Representatives. The Nicoise salad is very good. Sandwiches are also fantastic.
Vanessa is from NJ, so no bagel here will suffice, but these are the pretty good bagels in DC. Solid 8. Not trying to oversell it at all. Will provide a fantastic bacon, egg, and cheese when you need it for $6.99.
86 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Bullfrog Bagels
317 7th St SEVanessa is from NJ, so no bagel here will suffice, but these are the pretty good bagels in DC. Solid 8. Not trying to oversell it at all. Will provide a fantastic bacon, egg, and cheese when you need it for $6.99.
Probably the most DC coffee shop on the hill -- at least certainly on the Senate side of Capitol Hill. By that we mean a ton of staffers from Capitol Hill come here all the time. Fantastic and large coffee shop overall with a great view of Union Station and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
60 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
201 F St NEProbably the most DC coffee shop on the hill -- at least certainly on the Senate side of Capitol Hill. By that we mean a ton of staffers from Capitol Hill come here all the time. Fantastic and large coffee shop overall with a great view of Union Station and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Places to Visit
The essential hip places that locals frequent on a regular basis.
Super hip food hall showcasing all of the gastronomical innovations DC has to offer. Family-friendly, great place for meals, sight-seeing, or just checking out something cool. Free parking.
906 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Union Market
1309 5th St NESuper hip food hall showcasing all of the gastronomical innovations DC has to offer. Family-friendly, great place for meals, sight-seeing, or just checking out something cool. Free parking.
Walk through the Blagden Alley/Naylor Court Historic District in Washington, D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood these days, and you’ll step into a preservation fantasy land.
Inside the system of interior alleyways is a booming commercial core of craft cocktails and coffee, street art, and one of the city’s most popular new restaurants—not to mention a crowd of projects clamoring to get in next—and almost all of it is hosted inside beautiful historic buildings.
18 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Blagden Alley Northwest
Blagden Alley NorthwestWalk through the Blagden Alley/Naylor Court Historic District in Washington, D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood these days, and you’ll step into a preservation fantasy land.
Inside the system of interior alleyways is a booming commercial core of craft cocktails and coffee, street art, and one of the city’s most popular new restaurants—not to mention a crowd of projects clamoring to get in next—and almost all of it is hosted inside beautiful historic buildings.
It is THE dive bar on Capitol Hill. This isn't universal anymore, but the Tune Inn is known as the Democrat's bar, and is next to Hawk 'N Dove, which is the Republicans bar. Naturally, the Hawk 'N Dove is much fancier, so it fits that narrative if that's your jam.
35 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Tune Inn
331 1/2 Pennsylvania Ave. SEIt is THE dive bar on Capitol Hill. This isn't universal anymore, but the Tune Inn is known as the Democrat's bar, and is next to Hawk 'N Dove, which is the Republicans bar. Naturally, the Hawk 'N Dove is much fancier, so it fits that narrative if that's your jam.
It is the place that used to be a dive bar on Capitol Hill, but was remodeled and is much nicer now. This isn't universal anymore, but the Hawk 'N Dove is known as the Republican bar, and is next to the Tune Inn, which is known as the Democrat's bar. Naturally, the Tune Inn is falling apart and shotty at times, so it fits that narrative if that's your jam.
27 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Hawk 'n' Dove
329 Pennsylvania Ave. SEIt is the place that used to be a dive bar on Capitol Hill, but was remodeled and is much nicer now. This isn't universal anymore, but the Hawk 'N Dove is known as the Republican bar, and is next to the Tune Inn, which is known as the Democrat's bar. Naturally, the Tune Inn is falling apart and shotty at times, so it fits that narrative if that's your jam.
Probably the most picturesque park in all of Washington. Nestled in the heart of Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park is actually designated a National Park! Lovely place to have a picture, let your dog run around, have fun with the kids with the two separate playgrounds, take a jog around the perimeter.
106 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Parque Lincoln
Probably the most picturesque park in all of Washington. Nestled in the heart of Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park is actually designated a National Park! Lovely place to have a picture, let your dog run around, have fun with the kids with the two separate playgrounds, take a jog around the perimeter.
Expanding just a tiny bit further
Vanessa is bonafide real New Jersey Italian. This is her favorite Italian restaurant in DC. Menu changes, but the lamb ragu is usually on the menu and is the best item.
Note: Only doing take-out during COVID.
359 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Red Hen
1822 1st St NWVanessa is bonafide real New Jersey Italian. This is her favorite Italian restaurant in DC. Menu changes, but the lamb ragu is usually on the menu and is the best item.
Note: Only doing take-out during COVID.
Food scene
The BEST bagels in DC, without a doubt. Also, surprisingly run by a bunch of Korean ladies. No fluff, just a little hole in the wall, but very good bagels. Cash only and very affordable.
18 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Bagels Etc.
2122 P St NWThe BEST bagels in DC, without a doubt. Also, surprisingly run by a bunch of Korean ladies. No fluff, just a little hole in the wall, but very good bagels. Cash only and very affordable.
Consejos sobre la ciudad
Costumbres y cultura
Walk on the left, stand on the right on escalators
People are on the move in Washington! If you'd like to stand on the escalator, move to the right and let people pass.
No te lo pierdas
Best View of Washington
It's actually in The Waldorf Astoria. Well, kind of. The Waldorf resides inside the old post office building. The hotel leased most of the space, but the bell tower is still owned and operated by the National Park Service, and accessible to the public. There is almost never a crowd and the view is breathtaking. Enter in the back of the hotel near the Starbucks. Was the former Trump Hotel
Frases útiles
Happy to provide restaurant recommendations!
Gary and I are about as DC as you can get and we are happy to provide a restaurant recommendation! If you give us the info below, we'll spit back a few recs:
1. Cuisine
2. Price per person
3. How far you're willing to go
4. Fanciness level
5. Occasion or reason for going out