Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
The coffee is just amazing. No Wifi though - Better if you want to grab a cup on the go.
62 locals recommend
Filter Coffeehouse and Espresso Bar
The coffee is just amazing. No Wifi though - Better if you want to grab a cup on the go.
This is my favorite spot (3 floors). It's a bit upscale on level 1 but the food is incredible and you'll be surrounded by the largest library of whiskey in the United States. Head down to Dram & Grain in the basement for phenomenal craft cocktails or head up to the rooftop bar for some open air and a more casual setting.
123 locals recommend
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St NWThis is my favorite spot (3 floors). It's a bit upscale on level 1 but the food is incredible and you'll be surrounded by the largest library of whiskey in the United States. Head down to Dram & Grain in the basement for phenomenal craft cocktails or head up to the rooftop bar for some open air and a more casual setting.
GREAT brunch spot. Get the Chive biscuits. Enjoy mimosas and bloodys. Just a block away.
43 locals recommend
Bar Charley
1825 18th St NWGREAT brunch spot. Get the Chive biscuits. Enjoy mimosas and bloodys. Just a block away.
Low key but delicious Greek food. I go here all the time. And they do take out!
25 locals recommend
Zorba's Café
1612 20th St NWLow key but delicious Greek food. I go here all the time. And they do take out!
This place is famous - You gotta try the pops. It's a Dupont staple. It also has great coffee and healthy lunch food at a decent price. Try the beet salad!
36 locals recommend
Pleasant Pops
1781 Florida Ave NWThis place is famous - You gotta try the pops. It's a Dupont staple. It also has great coffee and healthy lunch food at a decent price. Try the beet salad!
Drinks & Nightlife
This is my all time fav place in DC. It has something for everyone. It's 3 floors - a lounge, a bar, a live music venue, and a club. Every room is different but all are awesome. You can spend hours here and feel like you went to 3 different bars.
85 locals recommend
Eighteenth Street Lounge
1230 9th Street NorthwestThis is my all time fav place in DC. It has something for everyone. It's 3 floors - a lounge, a bar, a live music venue, and a club. Every room is different but all are awesome. You can spend hours here and feel like you went to 3 different bars.
This place is great. It's where the locals go - a low key pirate bar, naturally. Indoor and outdoor seating. Great spot.
19 locals recommend
Rebellion
1836 18th St NWThis place is great. It's where the locals go - a low key pirate bar, naturally. Indoor and outdoor seating. Great spot.
Great drinks, right off Dupont Circle. Walk straight down 19th for 3 minutes and it's right there when you hit the circle.
24 locals recommend
Doyle
1500 New Hampshire Ave NWGreat drinks, right off Dupont Circle. Walk straight down 19th for 3 minutes and it's right there when you hit the circle.
Known as “The Diner” to regular patrons, is a proper restaurant by day, serving delicious greasy spoon fare. At night, however, the tables are cleared away for the drinking crowds. Perhaps the most under-the-radar gay bar to outsiders, as well as the most political of Washington’s gay bars, the Diner is home to high-profile Democratic and Republican operatives who regularly put aside politics when they arrive for the party. Grab a Lemon Squeeze (the bar’s mainstay cocktail), a pile of tater tots and nestle into a booth to see and be seen.
11 locals recommend
18th & U Duplex Diner
2004 18th St NWKnown as “The Diner” to regular patrons, is a proper restaurant by day, serving delicious greasy spoon fare. At night, however, the tables are cleared away for the drinking crowds. Perhaps the most under-the-radar gay bar to outsiders, as well as the most political of Washington’s gay bars, the Diner is home to high-profile Democratic and Republican operatives who regularly put aside politics when they arrive for the party. Grab a Lemon Squeeze (the bar’s mainstay cocktail), a pile of tater tots and nestle into a booth to see and be seen.
Parks & Nature
This is a great place to bike, run, or walk. It's a huge park with lots of trails and beautiful scenery if you want to escape the city. It's a half mile walk from my house. To get to the entrance (which is a little tricky), walk down to the circle, make a right on the circle until you get to P street and then head West on P, Cross the bridge, and then walk for a few more seconds and you'll see the entrance on your left.
112 locals recommend
Rock Creek Trail
1730 Juniper St NWThis is a great place to bike, run, or walk. It's a huge park with lots of trails and beautiful scenery if you want to escape the city. It's a half mile walk from my house. To get to the entrance (which is a little tricky), walk down to the circle, make a right on the circle until you get to P street and then head West on P, Cross the bridge, and then walk for a few more seconds and you'll see the entrance on your left.
Sightseeing
This beautiful street (big sidewalks on both sides) is a great place to run or just walk and take in the architecture of the embassies. If you go far enough, You'll reach the Naval Observatory (atomic clock).
28 locals recommend
Embassy Row
This beautiful street (big sidewalks on both sides) is a great place to run or just walk and take in the architecture of the embassies. If you go far enough, You'll reach the Naval Observatory (atomic clock).
You'll love to people watch on the benches in the circle or curl up with a good book. There's a farmer's market here on Sundays!
301 locals recommend
Dupont Circle
You'll love to people watch on the benches in the circle or curl up with a good book. There's a farmer's market here on Sundays!
Arts & Culture
This is a stunning mansion owned by the Anderson family. It is the meeting place for the Society of Cincinnati and definitely worth walking into. You can just step in, go on a 1 hour free tour, or look up the musical events here at night.
8 locals recommend
The Society of the Cincinnati
2118 Massachusetts Ave NWThis is a stunning mansion owned by the Anderson family. It is the meeting place for the Society of Cincinnati and definitely worth walking into. You can just step in, go on a 1 hour free tour, or look up the musical events here at night.
Shopping
Lou Lou Boutiques
1802 14th St NWGreat accessories and clothes - reasonably priced!
LOFT
707 7th St NWEssentials
BEST spot to grab lunch and a beer or a glass of wine. It's also Dupont's local organic grocery store. I go here for everything because it's so close but it's definitely not cheap. Head to the Safeway on 17th and Corcoran for a bigger, cheaper selection.
81 locals recommend
Glen's Garden Market
2001 S St NWBEST spot to grab lunch and a beer or a glass of wine. It's also Dupont's local organic grocery store. I go here for everything because it's so close but it's definitely not cheap. Head to the Safeway on 17th and Corcoran for a bigger, cheaper selection.
Wine is an essential for me! This is a good spot to pick up a bottle, if you're keen.
Universal Wine & Liquor
2018 Florida Ave NWWine is an essential for me! This is a good spot to pick up a bottle, if you're keen.
This gym is clean, close, and local and I believe they still do a free 5 day trial.
13 locals recommend
MINT health club & studio- Dupont
1724 California St NWThis gym is clean, close, and local and I believe they still do a free 5 day trial.