Where to Drink and Dine in DC
Ivy City
Various locations
DC’s food scene has been booming, but so has its world of drinking. Spend an evening in one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods, the industrial-chic Ivy City. Ivy City is home to a crop of businesses crafting their own beers and spirits. Check out Other Half Brewing for their wide selection of beers, settle in for a tasting of Italian herbal liqueurs at Don Ciccio & Figli, or savor whiskies at District Made Spirits.
Union Market
NoMa
NoMa, one of the city’s fastest growing neighborhoods, is home to the historic Union Market. In recent years, the old market has been transformed into a central food hall of over 35 vendors, and it adds new vendors seemingly every week. As a result, Union Market is the place to grab a casual bite, enjoy a coffee, or meet a friend for a drink. Vendors range from counter-service spots like the Lebanese restaurant, Yasmine, to to-go dumplings from Laoban. The market’s surrounding streets offer other culinary gems like the micro-bakery Bread Alley (arrive early as they sell out quickly) and La Cosecha, a contemporary Latin-American food hall.
Rooftop Bars
Various locations
Rooftop bars with unbeatable city views are renowned here and especially a great reprieve from the fast workplace culture. Toast to the views at the Top of the Gate, the well-heeled rooftop spot at the iconic Watergate Hotel with expansive views of the Potomac, Kennedy Center, and Georgetown. For a more “downtown” vibe, try Moonraker, the hip, big-city energy rooftop restaurant at the Pendry Hotel with stunning sights of the Wharf, marina, Potomac, and monuments. For a party atmosphere, Lucha Rosa near City Center is a colorful bar that shakes up Mexican-inspired cocktails. Finally, there’s Hedy’s, an intimate rooftop with views of Thomas Circle.
Award-Winning Bars
Various locations
The city’s craft cocktail scene has exploded in recent years, which means tucking into a beverage at one of DC’s award-winning bars is a must-do. Start with a bang at Allegory, a speakeasy-style spot tucked away in the Eaton Hotel (recently named one of the best bars in North America by 50 Best). That being said, snagging a seat can be a challenge. Equally as intriguing are spots like the hip Jane Jane on 14h Street and The Wells, a gin-focused place in Capitol Hill.
Memorable Meals
Various locations
Which is growing faster, the cocktail scene or the food scene? Ask anyone in the city and you’ll receive a different answer. Explore both for yourself and make time for a meal at one of the city’s most notable restaurants like Oyster Oyster, whose chef won a 2023 James Beard Award; Gravitas, one of DC’s Michelin-starred dining rooms; Lutèce, an intimate French neo-bistro with a robust natural wine list; ilili, a bustling culinary tour-de-force of the middle east; or Daru, the H-Street Indian restaurant hailed as the best restaurant in the district.
This post was originally published on 3rd party site mentioned in the title of this site
