Guidebook for Arlington and DC
Food Scene
This restaurant has influences from southern cajun cooking including New Orleans, Louisiana. It's very good American food with a classy atmosphere, but is also kid-friendly. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the ingredients and skill-level of the cooking.
A few favorites include the friend green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and steak. You really can't go wrong here. The basket of bread they serve before your order arrives is very, very good.
38 locals raden deze aan
Carlyle
4000 Campbell AveThis restaurant has influences from southern cajun cooking including New Orleans, Louisiana. It's very good American food with a classy atmosphere, but is also kid-friendly. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the ingredients and skill-level of the cooking.
A few favorites include the friend green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and steak. You really can't go wrong here. The basket of bread they serve before your order arrives is very, very good.
Bob and Edith's diner is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and has been around for over 40 years, which is a very long time for restaurants in this area. I used to eat there regularly, and its very affordably-priced. It's the classic greasy-spoon type of diner that is extremely informal.
63 locals raden deze aan
Bob & Edith's Diner
2310 Columbia PikeBob and Edith's diner is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and has been around for over 40 years, which is a very long time for restaurants in this area. I used to eat there regularly, and its very affordably-priced. It's the classic greasy-spoon type of diner that is extremely informal.
A more modern and hip diner is Busboys and Poets. It has a progressive and artsy history in the DC area. There are a number of locations, but the closest to our place is in Shirlington.
569 locals raden deze aan
Busboys and Poets
450 K St NWA more modern and hip diner is Busboys and Poets. It has a progressive and artsy history in the DC area. There are a number of locations, but the closest to our place is in Shirlington.
Open all day, every day, next to the 7-Eleven, don't get this place confused with the sister restaurant that closes late at night. It's got tasty chicken, lamb, and beef kabobs with chickpeas that are to die for. You get a good amount of food for the price. It's a no-frills place on the inside, but the food is worth it.
Call and order ahead to avoid a potentially long wait!
47 locals raden deze aan
Kabob Palace
2315 S Eads StOpen all day, every day, next to the 7-Eleven, don't get this place confused with the sister restaurant that closes late at night. It's got tasty chicken, lamb, and beef kabobs with chickpeas that are to die for. You get a good amount of food for the price. It's a no-frills place on the inside, but the food is worth it.
Call and order ahead to avoid a potentially long wait!
Delicious late night breakfast place and total hole-in-the wall. They don't know how to spell waffle.
Waffle Shop
3864 Mt Vernon AveDelicious late night breakfast place and total hole-in-the wall. They don't know how to spell waffle.
Los Tios Grill
2615 Mt Vernon AveBest Mexican food in the area, hands down.
Perhaps the best type of fried chicken ever invented... Korean fried chicken. More expensive than KFC and Popeyes, but you'll worth every penny and then some.
23 locals raden deze aan
Bonchon Arlington
2201 N Pershing DrPerhaps the best type of fried chicken ever invented... Korean fried chicken. More expensive than KFC and Popeyes, but you'll worth every penny and then some.
Just really delicious American food with some interesting twists and a killer brunch. It's not cheap, but it is excellent.
49 locals raden deze aan
The Liberty Tavern
3195 Wilson BlvdJust really delicious American food with some interesting twists and a killer brunch. It's not cheap, but it is excellent.
Eden Center is the best-known and largest Vietnamese shopping center in the area. It boasts some of the best Pho at Hai Duong, delicious and inexpensiev Banh Mi sandwiches at Banh Mi So 1, bakeries, a bubble tea and smoothie shop, an Asian supermarket, and much more!
Parking can be a bit difficult due to lots of locals eating and shopping here, so carpool whenever possible!
47 locals raden deze aan
Eden Center
6751-6799 Wilson BlvdEden Center is the best-known and largest Vietnamese shopping center in the area. It boasts some of the best Pho at Hai Duong, delicious and inexpensiev Banh Mi sandwiches at Banh Mi So 1, bakeries, a bubble tea and smoothie shop, an Asian supermarket, and much more!
Parking can be a bit difficult due to lots of locals eating and shopping here, so carpool whenever possible!
It's the only brewery I've been to in DC that I can vouch for as consistently having excellent beer and a good food truck parked outside.
49 locals raden deze aan
Port City Brewing Company
3950 Wheeler AveIt's the only brewery I've been to in DC that I can vouch for as consistently having excellent beer and a good food truck parked outside.
The best Peking Duck you'll ever eat. Period. It's got large fried garlic shrimp to die for and Chilean sea bass in black bean sauce that is a must-try. Celebrities and famous politicians have dined here over the decades.
21 locals raden deze aan
Peking Gourmet Inn
6029 Leesburg PikeThe best Peking Duck you'll ever eat. Period. It's got large fried garlic shrimp to die for and Chilean sea bass in black bean sauce that is a must-try. Celebrities and famous politicians have dined here over the decades.
Delicious ramen downstairs, very innovative Asian fusion upstairs. What's not to like? The upstairs ambiance and decor in particular is fantastic. I can suggest which dishes to embrace and which are too strange-tasting and perhaps not worth experiencing.
82 locals raden deze aan
Daikaya The Izakaya
705 6th Street NorthwestDelicious ramen downstairs, very innovative Asian fusion upstairs. What's not to like? The upstairs ambiance and decor in particular is fantastic. I can suggest which dishes to embrace and which are too strange-tasting and perhaps not worth experiencing.
Fantastic French food at very reasonable prices, with a great, romantic atmosphere and impeccable service to boot.
52 locals raden deze aan
Montmartre
327 7th St SEFantastic French food at very reasonable prices, with a great, romantic atmosphere and impeccable service to boot.
The original. It's a DC institution. If you go, you must try the chili half-smoke dog, which is a beef/pork combo from the gods and some chili cheese fries. It's also open pretty darn late.
288 locals raden deze aan
Ben's Chili Bowl Mural
1213 U St NWThe original. It's a DC institution. If you go, you must try the chili half-smoke dog, which is a beef/pork combo from the gods and some chili cheese fries. It's also open pretty darn late.
A tiny hole-in-the-wall place near the Verizon center to get authentic hand-pulled noodles and affordable roast duck. The things I order here are the the roast duck, fried dumplings, sauteed noodles, or noodle soup with roast duck.
107 locals raden deze aan
Chinatown
604 H St NWA tiny hole-in-the-wall place near the Verizon center to get authentic hand-pulled noodles and affordable roast duck. The things I order here are the the roast duck, fried dumplings, sauteed noodles, or noodle soup with roast duck.
Don't go here if you're not LGBT-friendly, or you will hate your life. Otherwise READ ON!
DC is known for brunch. This is the most fun and crazy brunch you'll experience in DC, and possibly in your entire life.
It's not cheap, but the food is very good. That said, this is more an experience than a brunch. I won't ruin it for you - just book it if you are looking for a fun and unpredictable time!
La Boum
1730 M Street NorthwestDon't go here if you're not LGBT-friendly, or you will hate your life. Otherwise READ ON!
DC is known for brunch. This is the most fun and crazy brunch you'll experience in DC, and possibly in your entire life.
It's not cheap, but the food is very good. That said, this is more an experience than a brunch. I won't ruin it for you - just book it if you are looking for a fun and unpredictable time!
Really, really good farm-to-table food and drinks in a darkly-lit loungy atmosphere. Their brunch is special. Don't miss the lamb burger at the bar.
20 locals raden deze aan
Copperwood Tavern
4021 Campbell AveReally, really good farm-to-table food and drinks in a darkly-lit loungy atmosphere. Their brunch is special. Don't miss the lamb burger at the bar.
Jose Andres' most famous restaurant serving tapas of the highest quality, this isn't the original in DC, but is the closest to our home and the food's just as good.
82 locals raden deze aan
Jaleo
480 7th St NWJose Andres' most famous restaurant serving tapas of the highest quality, this isn't the original in DC, but is the closest to our home and the food's just as good.
I'm Thai and can vouch for the quality of their food. Good service with nice Thai decor and a couples-worthy ambiance. This is where I would eat Thai without breaking the budget.
23 locals raden deze aan
Bangkok 54 Restaurant
2919 Columbia PikeI'm Thai and can vouch for the quality of their food. Good service with nice Thai decor and a couples-worthy ambiance. This is where I would eat Thai without breaking the budget.
The service is good, the food is affordable and much better than most Mexican restaurants in the area, and there's outdoor seating. Shirlington is a lovely area to walk around and dine in, which makes the last point a real plus.
I highly recommend the lomo saltado.
27 locals raden deze aan
Guapo's Restaurant
4028 Campbell AveThe service is good, the food is affordable and much better than most Mexican restaurants in the area, and there's outdoor seating. Shirlington is a lovely area to walk around and dine in, which makes the last point a real plus.
I highly recommend the lomo saltado.
Incredibly well-made burgers, fries and shakes from Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef fame.
These are well-regarded as some of the best burgers in DC by many a local critic, and they have a variety of dipping sauces to go with their fries. Especially beloved is their toasted marshmallow shake. If you like friend eggs with yolk, the Spike's Sunnyside burger is a must-try.
110 locals raden deze aan
Good Stuff Eatery
303 Pennsylvania Ave. SEIncredibly well-made burgers, fries and shakes from Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef fame.
These are well-regarded as some of the best burgers in DC by many a local critic, and they have a variety of dipping sauces to go with their fries. Especially beloved is their toasted marshmallow shake. If you like friend eggs with yolk, the Spike's Sunnyside burger is a must-try.
Part quality restaurant, part cheese shop, Cheesetique is a local gem offering an array of delicious cheeses from all over the country and the world.
A great place to stop in for a snack and do some cheese tasting/buying while exploring Shirlington.
11 locals raden deze aan
Cheesetique Shirlington
4024 Campbell AvePart quality restaurant, part cheese shop, Cheesetique is a local gem offering an array of delicious cheeses from all over the country and the world.
A great place to stop in for a snack and do some cheese tasting/buying while exploring Shirlington.
My favorite tacos. They have a wide variety to choose from. I recommend the surf and turf taco.
7 locals raden deze aan
Don Taco
808 King StMy favorite tacos. They have a wide variety to choose from. I recommend the surf and turf taco.
Best barbecue in the DC area I've eaten at.
All of their meats are very good, but I would show up early enough to get some ribs before they run out. Their North Carolina style pulled pork is also excellent.
Other BBQ joints in DC have gotten great reviews, like Texas Jack's, but I haven't tried those places yet.
10 locals raden deze aan
Sweet Fire Donna's
510 John Carlyle StreetBest barbecue in the DC area I've eaten at.
All of their meats are very good, but I would show up early enough to get some ribs before they run out. Their North Carolina style pulled pork is also excellent.
Other BBQ joints in DC have gotten great reviews, like Texas Jack's, but I haven't tried those places yet.
Slices of pizza the size of your head. They're cheap, tasty, and the perfect way to soak up drinks at the end of the night.
I think they only take cash.
9 locals raden deze aan
Jumbo Slice Pizza
2341 18th St NWSlices of pizza the size of your head. They're cheap, tasty, and the perfect way to soak up drinks at the end of the night.
I think they only take cash.
A great place to get some affordable, very well-made falafel and an assortment of fresh toppings for reasonable prices.
125 locals raden deze aan
Amsterdam Falafelshop
2425 18th St NWA great place to get some affordable, very well-made falafel and an assortment of fresh toppings for reasonable prices.
It's not your traditional Thai fare, but it's every bit as delicious and then some, and is worth your time to give this place a try if you like Thai cuisine.
It's located on the top floor of the Thai Tanic Restaurant and features northern specialties with a modern and unique twist I've yet to experience elsewhere.
Don't bother getting the sushi because the real stars are the Thai dishes. Much of the food is mildly spicy.
17 locals raden deze aan
Baan Thai
1326 14th St NWIt's not your traditional Thai fare, but it's every bit as delicious and then some, and is worth your time to give this place a try if you like Thai cuisine.
It's located on the top floor of the Thai Tanic Restaurant and features northern specialties with a modern and unique twist I've yet to experience elsewhere.
Don't bother getting the sushi because the real stars are the Thai dishes. Much of the food is mildly spicy.
A total dive, but the best lamb and chicken kabobs, chickpeas, and sides in Arlington (and perhaps DC).
27 locals raden deze aan
Ravi Kabob House
305 N Glebe RdA total dive, but the best lamb and chicken kabobs, chickpeas, and sides in Arlington (and perhaps DC).
Come for the award-winning tacos and tasty margaritas. Stay for more award-winning tacos and a second margarita.
33 locals raden deze aan
Taqueria el Poblano
2401 Columbia PikeCome for the award-winning tacos and tasty margaritas. Stay for more award-winning tacos and a second margarita.
Duke's Grocery
1513 17th St NWThe home of my favorite burger.
An all-around great Chinese restaurant that boasts a great peking duck and weekend dim sum.
Marks Duck House
6184-a Arlington BlvdAn all-around great Chinese restaurant that boasts a great peking duck and weekend dim sum.
Essentials
It's a block from home and things are affordably priced. What more could you ask for?
For the freshest cuts of beef, I would go to Harris Teeter or Whole Foods since there's no butcher on the premises.
129 locals raden deze aan
Giant Food
3450 Washington BlvdIt's a block from home and things are affordably priced. What more could you ask for?
For the freshest cuts of beef, I would go to Harris Teeter or Whole Foods since there's no butcher on the premises.
Getting Around
A 10-minute trip from the nearest bus stop. It's on the blue and yellow lines, which are cheap and fast ways to get into the city.
22 locals raden deze aan
Pentagon station
A 10-minute trip from the nearest bus stop. It's on the blue and yellow lines, which are cheap and fast ways to get into the city.
This bus stop is the ART 87 northbound and is the best way to get to the Pentagon Metro Station. It's a 2-minute walk from the basement door.
The southbound bus stop for your return trip is on the other side of the street, less than a half a block east of this one.
28th Street S, WB @ opposite 1400, MB station
This bus stop is the ART 87 northbound and is the best way to get to the Pentagon Metro Station. It's a 2-minute walk from the basement door.
The southbound bus stop for your return trip is on the other side of the street, less than a half a block east of this one.
Everything Else
Gold's Gym
3910 Wilson BlvdShopping
Virginia ABC
1922 Wilson BlvdThis is where liquor can be purchased nearby.
The Oriental Market is worth checking out for their selection of Asian snacks, spices, sauces, veggies, and more. They even offer tasty to-go food packaged up at reasonable prices.
26 locals raden deze aan
Bangkok 54 Oriental Market
2927 Columbia PikeThe Oriental Market is worth checking out for their selection of Asian snacks, spices, sauces, veggies, and more. They even offer tasty to-go food packaged up at reasonable prices.
Drinks & Nightlife
A local fave for having some beers in Chinatown. They have pool, darts, skee-ball and shuffleboard.
12 locals raden deze aan
Rocket Bar
714 7th St NWA local fave for having some beers in Chinatown. They have pool, darts, skee-ball and shuffleboard.
It's the best place on H St. to shake your moneymaker.
The good: Great decor and lighting, friendly staff, good DJs, and a laid-back, no attitude kind of crowd.
The bad: It's a very compact bar/dance floor upstairs which gets crowded and cash-only.
119 locals raden deze aan
Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar
1104 H St NEIt's the best place on H St. to shake your moneymaker.
The good: Great decor and lighting, friendly staff, good DJs, and a laid-back, no attitude kind of crowd.
The bad: It's a very compact bar/dance floor upstairs which gets crowded and cash-only.
It's like hanging out in someone's cool, modern home converted into a nightclub.
With something different on every floor like live music and sick DJs, and an outdoor patio to cool off, this used to be one of my favorite places to take a date, chill with some friends, dance, listen to live music, and have some drinks.
It's also located near several other bars and some late night eats, so it's perfect for bar-hopping.
Don't miss out on reggae night - the music is just awesome, and I'm not even a reggae devotee.
There's usually a cover charge after 10pm, so get there earlier to avoid it!
85 locals raden deze aan
Eighteenth Street Lounge
1230 9th Street NorthwestIt's like hanging out in someone's cool, modern home converted into a nightclub.
With something different on every floor like live music and sick DJs, and an outdoor patio to cool off, this used to be one of my favorite places to take a date, chill with some friends, dance, listen to live music, and have some drinks.
It's also located near several other bars and some late night eats, so it's perfect for bar-hopping.
Don't miss out on reggae night - the music is just awesome, and I'm not even a reggae devotee.
There's usually a cover charge after 10pm, so get there earlier to avoid it!
See and be seen at the W Hotel's POV lounge on the top floor, which boasts some of the best views of the city. It's a fancy place with a dark and stylish ambiance. Dress up when coming here! I hear the food's quite good.
Prepare to pay a lot for food and drinks. If you've never been, I would come here for the stunning views and a drink, stay for an hour, and then move on to someplace else.
55 locals raden deze aan
W Washington D.C.
515 15th St NWSee and be seen at the W Hotel's POV lounge on the top floor, which boasts some of the best views of the city. It's a fancy place with a dark and stylish ambiance. Dress up when coming here! I hear the food's quite good.
Prepare to pay a lot for food and drinks. If you've never been, I would come here for the stunning views and a drink, stay for an hour, and then move on to someplace else.
Entertainment & Activities
It's a nice movie theatre and is the closest one to our house.
24 locals raden deze aan
Regal Cinemas Potomac Yard
3575 Potomac AveIt's a nice movie theatre and is the closest one to our house.
The NBA's Wizards, NHL's Capitals, WNBA's Mystics and Georgetown Hoyas all play here, so unless you're looking for football or futbol, this is where you're probably going to end up.
305 locals raden deze aan
Capital One Arena
601 F St NWThe NBA's Wizards, NHL's Capitals, WNBA's Mystics and Georgetown Hoyas all play here, so unless you're looking for football or futbol, this is where you're probably going to end up.