One of my favorites in the area is Lincoln. Should be walking distance from your hotel.
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My D and her husband lived in DC when they were in grad school (Georgetown and John Hopkins SAIS).H and I visited fairly often and were sad when they finished school and moved. We like modern/contemporary art—if that appeals to you, visit the Hirschorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the East Building at the National Gallery. (I know it was closed for construction work, but I think it’s reopened.)
It’s been over 5 years since the kids left so I’m sure there are new restaurants but we did celebrate D’s graduation at a French restaurant called 1789. It was a very old school and the food was good.
Right by the Capitol are two off the beaten path places we really enjoyed:
the library of congress (wonderful building and they have nice exhibits including a Bob Hope gallery)
the national postal museum (a Smithsonian museum)
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Air and Space will be reopening October 14 so the lines may still be nutty in November.
Highly recommend one of the tourmobiles as you can hop on and off all day and not have to deal with parking.
I also recommend a tour of the Library of Congress. (The reading room is my favorite of all of DC.) They have timed tickets you can get in advance.
Also recommend the Botanic Garden, west side of the Capitol on the House side.If you are in DC around Thanksgiving, they’ll have the outdoor train display in place.
Enjoy!
If you want some specific recommendations join the Washington Post’s Dining Critics (Tom Sietsema) weekly chats. https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2022/08/24/tom-sietsema-live-chat/
I’ve asked questions looking for very specific recommendations (a gluten free option heavy upscale French restaurant in the NW district, for example) several times and if you do so early he almost always answers.
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Loved this place
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Rasika is one of our favorites - don’t order the typical indian food that you can get at any other Indian restaurant, order one of their specials/fusion recipes. Awesome food.
But, make reservations!! Get on open table or any other booking app and make reservations, even for brunch in the Georgetown area. Couldn’t believe how packed some of these places were.
The Washington monument has recently opened up back again and you need to book tickets for this in advance - but this is a good one to go to. Great views from the top! I believe they do release some tickets every morning, but I would prefer to make advance reservations.
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I love the Hirschorn. They have a wonderful Yayoi Kusama exhibit there right now through the end of November. Free same day timed passes are available beginning at 9:30 am. One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection | Smithsonian Institution
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Thanks for this; I had forgotten about it.
I love Le Diplomate and go whenever I visit my daughter.
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My husband and I live a little outside of DC and have been picking restaurants off Eater’s 38 Essential Restaurants Around DC. We only made it to to about 8 on last year’s list but I see that our favorites - Rasika, Zaytinya, and Thip Khao - are on the current list. I don’t even like Indian or Greek food but I would go back to Rasika or Zaytinya. We had a variety of dishes at Rasika and they were all very good, but if I lived closer I would get the crispy spinach appetizer just for myself at least once a week. I’ve been to Zaytinya twice, but on our most recent visit we had the chef’s tasting menu and it was wonderful because we got to try many more dishes, some of which we’d looked at the first time but hesitated to order (avgotaraho, for instance).
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I’m currently researching the ones you’ve all mentioned. Rasika seems to be very popular, although I don’t really eat at Indian restaurants. I’m not a very adventurous eater, but I looked at their menu, and it does look like they have a lot I would like. I may have to give it a try. There are 2. Which is the most popular?
So far, the places that are most enticing to me are
The Park at 14th
Clyde’s
Fiola Mare
Doyle DuPont.
Old Ebbie Grill
I’m nit looking for French or Michelin $$$$ dinners, although they look very nice. Maybe St. Anselm for lunch.
Those choices sound good. I really liked Old Ebbits grill. I am an adventurous eater but on the relatively small list of things I don’t eat are certain spices. cumin, coriander, ginger… and coconut. Indian food no matter how well prepared is an absolute no go.
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Disagreeing with the recommendation for Clyde’s and Old Ebbitt. The history is cool but I’ve never had a meal at either that I thought was beyond mediocre.
I’m a big of DBGB (Daniel Bouland’s DC restaurant), Jaleo, Zatiyna, Medium Rare and Founding Farmers.
I found out yesterday that my favorite Italian place had closed.
Has anyone suggested the Holocaust Museum? It’s amazingly well done. The only museum I’ve ever been in where no one said a word. A very compelling place, and one I think should be seen by all.
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DBGB closed last week.
That is a bummer.
Fiola Mare is high on my list of future dining. It’s a beautiful setting on the harbor. Not sure what the weather would be like in November, but they have a nice outdoor seating area that seems extremely popular when we’ve passed by. The food gets rave reviews. I say go for it!
I’ve been into Fiola Mare in Georgetown but only for a drink and snack at the bar. Very nice setting by the harbor but in November it will be be dark early and probably chilly.
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Agree! Get a beer at Clyde’s or Old Ebbitt for the character of the spaces, but skip the food – it is terrible. Chez Billy Sud on 31st St. NW is nice for dinner if you’re planning to go to Georgetown.
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