Restaurants in downtown

Old Ebbitt Grill ★ 4.0

Classic American saloon$$$downtown

Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington DC is the city's oldest saloon, founded 1856 and now serving 1.5 million guests a year across four bars at its 15th Street home near the White House.

Signature: Crab cakes, Oyster Happy Hour

Order: The crab cake plate; the kitchen runs through 1000 cakes a week and the binder is invisibly thin.

Tip: The 15:00 to 18:00 oyster Happy Hour is the city's best seafood deal at $1.95 each; sit at the Old Bar.

675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 Book →

Casual Dining in downtown

Sweet Home Cafe ★ 4.3

Southern soul$$downtown

Sweet Home Cafe in Washington DC is the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture cafeteria on Constitution Avenue, a museum-led Black-Southern food survey.

Signature: Pan-roasted catfish, Sweet potato pie

Order: The pan-roasted catfish with cornbread and collards; the menu's most-ordered Southern plate.

Tip: Museum admission is free but requires a timed-entry pass; eat after 14:00 to skip the queue.

1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560 Book →

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