The places in Washington DC the guidebooks miss.
The places in Washington DC the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.
Mount Pleasant bakery-cafe by day, contemporary-American chef Brad Deboy by night; fermentation-driven plates, Michelin Bib Gourmand, retro-chic dining room.
Why locals goHalf a mile north of the busy 14th Street strip, this Mount Pleasant bakery and dining room runs the city's quietest tasting menu after 19:00 most weeknights.
TipWalk in before 19:30 for a counter seat; the wood-fired bread plate alone is worth the trip.
Amparo Fondita is a mexican room in Washington Dc. Cash and card both accepted; the mole rojo with chicken is the most-ordered plate on the lunch menu.
Why locals goTwo blocks east of the 14th Street boutiques in a U Street basement, this Oaxacan fondita serves $9 chilaquiles and $14 mole platters to a steady neighbourhood lunch crowd.
TipCash and card both accepted; the mole rojo with chicken is the most-ordered plate on the lunch menu.
Primrose (French bistro) in Washington Dc: The Saturday-and-Sunday 11:00-14:00 brunch is the calmer reservation; the dinner menu changes with the season.
Why locals goA modern French bistro tucked into Brookland's 12th Street row on the eastern side of the Catholic University strip.
TipThe Saturday-and-Sunday 11:00-14:00 brunch is the calmer reservation; the dinner menu changes with the season.
Heat Da Spot Cafe in Washington Dc: american diner room. A Petworth-Columbia Heights corner cafe on Georgia Avenue with a small couch-and-vintage-tee.
Why locals goA Petworth-Columbia Heights corner cafe on Georgia Avenue with a small couch-and-vintage-tee interior, where locals queue from 07:30 for the chechebsa.
TipThe berbere-spiced chechebsa (fried flatbread soaked in spiced butter) is the cafe's editorial pick; commuters take the morning line out the door before 09:00.
Thip Khao is a columbia heights laotian dining room a block off 14th street that locals keep quiet, with an off-menu jungle insert most tourists never see.
Why locals goA Columbia Heights Laotian dining room a block off 14th Street that locals keep quiet, with an off-menu jungle insert most tourists never see.
TipAsk for the off-menu jungle insert by name; the larb on it is far hotter than the standard menu.
Howard University cafe-bookstore on Georgia Ave from filmmakers Haile and Shirikiana Gerima (1997); paninis, wraps, salads, espresso with diaspora films.
Why locals goA Black-owned Georgia Avenue bookstore cafe inside the 1998 Sankofa Video Books cultural space from filmmakers Haile and Shirikiana Gerima.
TipThe cafe is open 07:00-22:00 every day; visit on Friday evenings for a film screening or author event in the bookstore room.
H Street NE bistro from Phil Coppage (2024), named for his mother; classic American-Italian plates: steak frites, croque madame, careful cocktail list.
Why locals goAn H Street neighborhood bar and bistro on the western end of the corridor at 502 H Street NE.
TipWeekend brunch 11:00-15:00 is the easier reservation slot; dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday and the bar takes walk-ins.
Queen's English is a british gastropub room in Washington Dc. The Sunday roast at 17:00 takes its own reservation list; book through Tock two weeks ahead.
Why locals goA Columbia Heights Hong Kong-British dining room from chef Henji Cheung that locals book for the Sunday roast and the wonton soup pop-ups few tourists know about.
TipThe Sunday roast at 17:00 takes its own reservation list; book through Tock two weeks ahead.
Rooster and Owl is a new american room in Washington Dc. The four-course prix fixe is the editorial value; book Tuesdays for the easiest reservation.
Why locals goA 14th Street modern American dining room that runs a $79 four-course tasting menu yet stays quieter than the Le Diplomate row a block south.
TipThe four-course prix fixe is the editorial value; book Tuesdays for the easiest reservation.
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