Guidebook for "The Embassy"

Nicole
Guidebook for "The Embassy"

H Street NE: Places to Eat

DC Visitor’s Guide describes this neighborhood as "a dynamic one-and-a-half mile stretch in Northeast DC, is known for its nightlife, restaurants, pop-ups, festivals and communal atmosphere." Here are some of my favorite places to eat in this great stretch that is totally walkable from the house.
Good mussels and frites. Fantastic Belgian beer list. Ambiance is like a cool, dark, European pub. Kids would be welcome, but I wouldn’t call it “kid friendly.”
169 locals raden deze aan
Granville Moore's
1238 H St NE
169 locals raden deze aan
Good mussels and frites. Fantastic Belgian beer list. Ambiance is like a cool, dark, European pub. Kids would be welcome, but I wouldn’t call it “kid friendly.”
Great margaritas and tacos. A cool outdoor space for lunch or dinner on a sunny day. Kids would be welcome at any time of day.
29 locals raden deze aan
Impala Cantina y Taqueria
1358 H St NE
29 locals raden deze aan
Great margaritas and tacos. A cool outdoor space for lunch or dinner on a sunny day. Kids would be welcome at any time of day.
Very cool Asian fusion restaurant. Hip, mixed-use retail/restaurant concept. Probably not great for families, but a great dinner spot for adults looking for a relaxed foodie scene. Fantastic food and creative cocktails.
284 locals raden deze aan
Maketto
1351 H St NE
284 locals raden deze aan
Very cool Asian fusion restaurant. Hip, mixed-use retail/restaurant concept. Probably not great for families, but a great dinner spot for adults looking for a relaxed foodie scene. Fantastic food and creative cocktails.
Unstuffy, relaxed French restaurant with great food. Owners are French, so it has a “real deal” vibe. It’s a quiet place, so perhaps not the best for kids, but – on the earlier side – would probably be fine.
98 locals raden deze aan
Le Grenier
502 H St NE
98 locals raden deze aan
Unstuffy, relaxed French restaurant with great food. Owners are French, so it has a “real deal” vibe. It’s a quiet place, so perhaps not the best for kids, but – on the earlier side – would probably be fine.
Really good savory and sweet pies. A good lunch spot (or late-night snack – they are open until 3:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). Not a kid place, but kids would be welcome.
102 locals raden deze aan
Pie Shop
1339 H St NE
102 locals raden deze aan
Really good savory and sweet pies. A good lunch spot (or late-night snack – they are open until 3:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). Not a kid place, but kids would be welcome.
Great taco spot for lunch on a sunny day. Has a small patio (no table service); no indoor seating. Kids welcome.
29 locals raden deze aan
Chupacabra Latin Kitchen & Taqueria
822 H St NE
29 locals raden deze aan
Great taco spot for lunch on a sunny day. Has a small patio (no table service); no indoor seating. Kids welcome.
Good, family-friendly pizza place.
92 locals raden deze aan
RedRocks H Street
1348 H St NE
92 locals raden deze aan
Good, family-friendly pizza place.

H Street NE: Bars & Nightlife

There's a lot to do at night on the H Street NE strip. Here's a smattering of what it has to offer.
A cool locals bar/dive. Has a boxing theme. Small and very casual. Fun place to watch a baseball game and meet some fans. The vending machine in the back has playing cards, fancy beef jerky, and other oddities. They do a brunch on Saturday and Sunday that is geared toward the hangover cure set.
61 locals raden deze aan
The Pug
1234 H St NE
61 locals raden deze aan
A cool locals bar/dive. Has a boxing theme. Small and very casual. Fun place to watch a baseball game and meet some fans. The vending machine in the back has playing cards, fancy beef jerky, and other oddities. They do a brunch on Saturday and Sunday that is geared toward the hangover cure set.
Adults-only indoor mini golf and skee ball. A great rainy day hangout. They have good brunch with bottomless drinks on Saturdays and Sundays.
196 locals raden deze aan
H Street Country Club
1335 H Street Northeast
196 locals raden deze aan
Adults-only indoor mini golf and skee ball. A great rainy day hangout. They have good brunch with bottomless drinks on Saturdays and Sundays.
Gets some bigger music acts. Most events are ticketed. Upstairs bar is often open for dancing. Check website for details.
188 locals raden deze aan
Rock & Roll Hotel
1353 H St NE
188 locals raden deze aan
Gets some bigger music acts. Most events are ticketed. Upstairs bar is often open for dancing. Check website for details.
Has a wide and varied scene for DJs, dancing, and karaoke nights. Check out website for details.
119 locals raden deze aan
Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar
1104 H St NE
119 locals raden deze aan
Has a wide and varied scene for DJs, dancing, and karaoke nights. Check out website for details.
A sushi spot that throws big parties after the dinner hour. Sometimes karaoke; sometimes DJs. Some info on website, but Instagram is probably best. Go for the sushi. Stay for the tater tots.
118 locals raden deze aan
Sticky Rice
1224 H St NE
118 locals raden deze aan
A sushi spot that throws big parties after the dinner hour. Sometimes karaoke; sometimes DJs. Some info on website, but Instagram is probably best. Go for the sushi. Stay for the tater tots.
An ongoing calendar of music, theatre, and other performance.
111 locals raden deze aan
Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H St NE
111 locals raden deze aan
An ongoing calendar of music, theatre, and other performance.

Capitol Hill: Places to Eat

DC Visitor’s Guide describes Capitol Hill by saying... "Some of the government’s most powerful edifices – the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court and the U.S. House and Senate – make their homes on this famed incline, where Instagram-ready views of the Capitol Dome come at almost every turn. Capitol Hill is one of the city’s most popular places to live, with 19th-century rowhouses and a market plus a vibrant nightlife and dining scene. Politicos, young staffers and tourists alike head to the neighborhood both for its government buildings like the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court and the surrounding historic, walkable, restaurant-filled blocks." My interpretation: A big, beautiful neighborhood with several major areas of retail and dining. Something for everyone, including lots of very kid-friendly restaurants (especially on Barracks Row). Generally, gets more touristy/politically oriented the closer you get to the Capitol, especially along Pennsylvania Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue, where it’s not uncommon to be surrounded by young Hill staffers (and the occasional member of Congress) – especially during happy hour. My recommendations veer toward the Barracks Hill and Eastern Market areas, which have more of a local feel.
Delicious Spanish food from the Andalucian region. Beautiful ambiance, friendly service. Good for a fancier night out, but not the least bit stuffy. Highly recommend. Reservations accepted.
27 locals raden deze aan
Joselito Casa de Comidas
660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
27 locals raden deze aan
Delicious Spanish food from the Andalucian region. Beautiful ambiance, friendly service. Good for a fancier night out, but not the least bit stuffy. Highly recommend. Reservations accepted.
A more traditional French restaurant with a very pleasant ambiance. Enjoyable both inside and at one of their few outdoor tables. Reservations accepted.
52 locals raden deze aan
Montmartre
327 7th St SE
52 locals raden deze aan
A more traditional French restaurant with a very pleasant ambiance. Enjoyable both inside and at one of their few outdoor tables. Reservations accepted.
Italian restaurant with beautiful outdoor patio great for people watching at Eastern Market during the daytime or an enchanted dinner under twinkly lights. A little pricey, but outdoor ambiance makes it worth it – inside maybe not so much. Reservations accepted.
85 locals raden deze aan
Acqua Al 2
85 locals raden deze aan
Italian restaurant with beautiful outdoor patio great for people watching at Eastern Market during the daytime or an enchanted dinner under twinkly lights. A little pricey, but outdoor ambiance makes it worth it – inside maybe not so much. Reservations accepted.
Kind of impossible to get a table, but – if you’re willing to stand in line and take a chance –it’s been rated the best restaurant in the country. The Obamas went there for their birthday dinners on multiple occasions. It’s pretty special, but definitely a “foodie” scene with interesting, odd, and expensive concoctions. No reservations.
303 locals raden deze aan
Rose's Luxury
717 8th St SE
303 locals raden deze aan
Kind of impossible to get a table, but – if you’re willing to stand in line and take a chance –it’s been rated the best restaurant in the country. The Obamas went there for their birthday dinners on multiple occasions. It’s pretty special, but definitely a “foodie” scene with interesting, odd, and expensive concoctions. No reservations.
Best mussels in the city. Great beer list. If you like Belgian restaurants, this is a good one to try. The chef/owner was a Top Chef contestant (Bart Vandaele), if you’re a fan. Reservations accepted.
106 locals raden deze aan
Belga Café
514 8th St SE
106 locals raden deze aan
Best mussels in the city. Great beer list. If you like Belgian restaurants, this is a good one to try. The chef/owner was a Top Chef contestant (Bart Vandaele), if you’re a fan. Reservations accepted.
One of the country’s oldest, continuously operating city markets, this is a great place to go for breakfast (and some light grocery shopping). On the weekends, they have a market breakfast that folks line up for.
699 locals raden deze aan
Eastern Market
225 7th St SE
699 locals raden deze aan
One of the country’s oldest, continuously operating city markets, this is a great place to go for breakfast (and some light grocery shopping). On the weekends, they have a market breakfast that folks line up for.
Great local pizza spot. Gourmet, single serving pizzas. Take out or eat in. Limited bar. No delivery.
38 locals raden deze aan
Seventh Hill Pizza
327 7th St SE
38 locals raden deze aan
Great local pizza spot. Gourmet, single serving pizzas. Take out or eat in. Limited bar. No delivery.
A local chain; great for families. They take reservations and are known for their baked goods, including homemade pop tarts.
426 locals raden deze aan
Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SE
426 locals raden deze aan
A local chain; great for families. They take reservations and are known for their baked goods, including homemade pop tarts.
Awesome burger place from Top Chef favorite, Spike Mendelsohn. Casual walk-in/take out place. Limited bar (beer only).
110 locals raden deze aan
Good Stuff Eatery
303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
110 locals raden deze aan
Awesome burger place from Top Chef favorite, Spike Mendelsohn. Casual walk-in/take out place. Limited bar (beer only).
Local chain with great pizza and sandwiches. Family friendly and takes reservations.
226 locals raden deze aan
matchbox
521 8th St SE
226 locals raden deze aan
Local chain with great pizza and sandwiches. Family friendly and takes reservations.

Capitol Hill: Bars, Music, and Entertainment

Beyond all of the standard sights (The Capitol, The Supreme Court, The Library of Congress) here are some fun, local-y things to do in Capitol Hill.
Great dive bar. Has been there forever. Stick to drinks and heavily fried, non-perishable food. Trust me. The fried pickles are tasty.
35 locals raden deze aan
Tune Inn
331 1/2 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
35 locals raden deze aan
Great dive bar. Has been there forever. Stick to drinks and heavily fried, non-perishable food. Trust me. The fried pickles are tasty.
A restaurant/bar that sometimes has live music. An old-school Capitol Hill haunt. A decent spot for a casual lunch/brunch/dinner. Outdoor seating available.
31 locals raden deze aan
Mr. Henry's Restaurant
601 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
31 locals raden deze aan
A restaurant/bar that sometimes has live music. An old-school Capitol Hill haunt. A decent spot for a casual lunch/brunch/dinner. Outdoor seating available.
A family-friendly movie theater on 8th Street SE in the heart of the Barracks Row section of Capitol Hill.
21 locals raden deze aan
The Miracle Theatre
535 8th St SE
21 locals raden deze aan
A family-friendly movie theater on 8th Street SE in the heart of the Barracks Row section of Capitol Hill.
Regular performances of Shakespeare’s plays.
Folger Theatre
201 E Capitol St SE
Regular performances of Shakespeare’s plays.

Capitol Hill: Sights & Experiences

Here are some of my favorite things to do in/from Capitol Hill.
Walk to Lincoln Park and then take East Capitol straight to the Capitol. It’s a beautiful and not long walk. Along the way, you’ll pass by: Folger Shakespeare Theater, the Library of Congress, and the Supreme Court. The visitor’s center website has detailed information about how to tour the Capitol, but it’s worth the walk/view even if you’re not planning to go inside. From the Capitol, you can continue to walk down the mall, which extends all the way to the Washington Monument. Along the way, there are lots of Smithsonian museums (all free!). My favorites are the Hirshhorn, the National Gallery (East Wing) and the Museum of the American Indian, but there is definitely something for everyone.
671 locals raden deze aan
Capitool
First Street Southeast
671 locals raden deze aan
Walk to Lincoln Park and then take East Capitol straight to the Capitol. It’s a beautiful and not long walk. Along the way, you’ll pass by: Folger Shakespeare Theater, the Library of Congress, and the Supreme Court. The visitor’s center website has detailed information about how to tour the Capitol, but it’s worth the walk/view even if you’re not planning to go inside. From the Capitol, you can continue to walk down the mall, which extends all the way to the Washington Monument. Along the way, there are lots of Smithsonian museums (all free!). My favorites are the Hirshhorn, the National Gallery (East Wing) and the Museum of the American Indian, but there is definitely something for everyone.
One of the oldest, continuously running city markets, Eastern Market is definitely worth a visit. It’s open every day except Monday for groceries, and on the weekend it has a year-round, outdoor flea market and farmer’s market. Check it out for local art, jewelry, antiques, and lots of other stuff. A really fun activity on a sunny day, particularly if you are sick of more “touristy” things to do. It’s a nice walk from the house. You can grab a coffee at Wine & Butter at the west end of Lincoln Park and enjoy a nice stroll to the market.
699 locals raden deze aan
Eastern Market
225 7th St SE
699 locals raden deze aan
One of the oldest, continuously running city markets, Eastern Market is definitely worth a visit. It’s open every day except Monday for groceries, and on the weekend it has a year-round, outdoor flea market and farmer’s market. Check it out for local art, jewelry, antiques, and lots of other stuff. A really fun activity on a sunny day, particularly if you are sick of more “touristy” things to do. It’s a nice walk from the house. You can grab a coffee at Wine & Butter at the west end of Lincoln Park and enjoy a nice stroll to the market.
A great place to go if you’ve had your fill of museums. Beautiful inside and out, and easily walkable from the house. If you’re a fan of sculpture, don’t miss the Dale Chihuly glass sculptures in the outdoor gardens.
253 locals raden deze aan
Botanische Tuin van de Verenigde Staten
100 Maryland Ave SW
253 locals raden deze aan
A great place to go if you’ve had your fill of museums. Beautiful inside and out, and easily walkable from the house. If you’re a fan of sculpture, don’t miss the Dale Chihuly glass sculptures in the outdoor gardens.