An Insider’s Guide to Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Washington DC plays host to lots of powerful movers and shakers — but the city’s food and cocktail scene has risen beyond traditional steakhouses and three-martini lunches to satisfy a a wide variety of tastes. The district is also home to a thriving multicultural community. You’ll find flavors from the Midwest to the Middle East, Africa to Asia and Cuba to Cambodia here. And for every mouthwatering dish, there’s a bar nearby serving up tantalizing cocktails that will level up any happy hour.

Stay at Club Quarters D.C. and you’ll be well within reach of some of the city’s top restaurants and bars. Here are some of the spots we love.

Food & Drinks

Though government is at the core of DC’s DNA, the district is also a foodie melting pot. Sure, you’ll find a good number of classic steakhouses perfect for power lunches and business dinners — Stephen Starr’s St. Anselm in Union Market, old-school The Palm Washington D.C. and the James Beard Award-winning Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse in Dupont Circle come to mind, as well as elevated Indian powerhouses Rasika and Bombay Club, where many deals have been done

Visitors can also partake in their own version of culinary diplomacy with stellar eateries serving up delicious cuisine from all over the world. A strong Asian community has given rise to a healthy assortment of top-notch spots specializing in quality ramen, dim-sum, hot-pot and street food from Japan, China, Cambodia, Thailand and beyond.

We particularly love JINYA Ramen Bar and Kofuku D.C. for piping hot bowls of noodles and aromatic broth. Both are within a mile of the hotel. For some crave-worthy Cantonese cuisine, head two-and-a-half miles north to Queen’s English in Columbia Heights, where chef Henji Cheung pairs contemporary Hong Kong cooking with a natural wine list curated by co-owner Sarah Thompson.

Craving Mediterranean or Middle Eastern food? You’ve got plenty of options to choose from nearby. Zaytinya by acclaimed chef Jose Andres is iconic. Visit during their Mezze Ora Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. for specially priced bites and cocktails, or drop in on Saturday or Sunday for brunch. Just a 10-minute walk from the hotel you’ll find Greek Deli & Catering, a no-frills, totally delicious local gem where chef and owner Kostas Fostieris serves up authentic dishes from across the Aegean. And 10 minutes from the hotel by car, Maydan delivers incredible Middle Eastern dishes like shanklish, mounch and honey-soaked dates. Even the cocktails are region-inspired, like the Ottoman Old Fashioned and the Za’atar Dirty Martini.

For Latin food, make sure you visit The Royal on Florida Avenue, serving Latin snacks, cocktails and coffee all day long, seven days a week. Or try La Cosecha, a contemporary Latin American marketplace with seasonal experiences curated in partnership with Latin American embassies and artistic contributors. Merchants here range from artisan chocolatiers and coffee purveyors to master chefs creating everything from street food to Latin fusion delights.

Read more about Connections: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery If you want to go incognito, duck into Bub and Pop’s sandwich shop on M Street.

In addition to its many wow-worthy restaurants, D.C. also boasts a stellar bar scene. Grab a nightcap at The Mirror, a speakeasy-inspired haunt just half a mile from the hotel. Cocktails here play homage to tried-and-true classics like the Aviation, the Daiquiri and the Last Word. And for a real late-night scene, nothing beats the bars in colorful Adams Morgan.

Ready to start planning your visit? Browse our DC destinations page or book now.

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