During my visit to Washington, D.C., in autumn, the cloudy and gray weather wasn’t exactly my favorite, and it left me feeling a bit down. Luckily, my local friends Heiley and Kiko came to the rescue! They took me out for a delightful beer at a German tavern and encouraged me to fully embrace the autumn vibes. Their advice? Find some cozy cafes and restaurants, treat myself to a spiced latte (so American! 😆), and dive into the city’s incredible and diverse food scene.
In this guide, I want to share with you a comprehensive list of what my local friends recommended, along with some of my own favorite cafes and restaurants to try during your stay. Without further ado, here are the 8 best restaurants and cafes you absolutely shouldn’t miss when visiting D.C.!
Washington DC Cafes and Restaurants Itinerary Map
8 Best Places to Eat/Drink in Washington DC
1. Enjoy Brunch and Books at Kramers
Kramers is another one of my favorite spots in DC, combining two of my favorite things in the world: books and coffee. Right at the entrance, you'll find Kramerbooks, an indie bookstore filled with bookshelves stocked with a variety of genres, from non-fiction to novels.
At the back, you'll find All Day by Kramers, a cozy little café and restaurant that serves delicious American food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I went there for dinner and had a really lovely cheesesteak sandwich. They also serve cocktails in the evening, which makes for a great place to hang out with friends.
Both the restaurant and bookstore are open from 8 AM to 10 PM every day. If you're looking for a cozy spot to enjoy some delicious American food while surrounded by books, be sure to check out Kramer's and its charming bookstore.
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- Best of DC Plus US Capitol and National Archives (8.5 hours)
- Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour (6 hours)
2. Chill out at Emissary
For a great social spot to enjoy both day and night, Emissary comes highly recommended. During the day, they serve brunch and coffee, while at night the place transforms into a lively bar where people can hang out, relax, and enjoy a few cocktails together.
The coffeehouse, located in the basement of a building with exposed brick and vintage decor, creates a cozy atmosphere perfect for hanging out. I went there for lunch, and both the food and coffee were excellent, definitely highly recommended. The cafe is open every day from 7 AM to 5 PM.
3. Eat at YELLOW in Georgetown
YELLOW is a fantastic little café/restaurant in Georgetown that serves some of the most delicious wood-fired chicken pita shawarmas I have ever tried. The place gets quite packed during the day which goes to show just how popular it is among the locals.
Aside from the chicken pita shawarmas, the place is also famous for its baklava croissants, which tend to sell out quickly. Unfortunately, I missed out on them, but if you're lucky enough to catch them while they're available, definitely give them a try!
This place is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in DC, and if you're spending a day in Georgetown, be sure to drop by and grab a quick bite at YELLOW. The restaurant is open from 8 AM to 3 PM every day, and from Tuesday to Saturday, they also serve dinner from 4 PM to 9 PM.
4. Compass Coffee
Compass Coffee is a locally founded coffee roaster and café chain in Washington, D.C., established in 2014 by two former Marines. What makes this café special for me, beyond supporting a local business, is its simple yet thoughtful concept: creating high-quality, "real good coffee" for people to enjoy in cozy spaces.
The cafés are thoughtfully designed to cater to every type of coffee drinker, from those seeking a quiet spot to work or study to busy business people looking for a quick grab-and-go option. You’ll find their locations across the DC metro area, but I visited one in Georgetown, and it was very cozy indeed, which was perfect as it was raining cats and dogs outside when I was there.
The café is open from 6 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 7 AM to 7 PM on weekends. If you're looking to support a local business and want a cozy spot to relax, be sure to visit one of the many Compass Coffee locations across the city. You are going to love it.
5. The Green Zone
Adams Morgan is one of the best neighborhoods to visit if you’re looking for an exciting variety of pubs, bars, and cafes to enjoy. One standout spot is the Green Zone, a cocktail bar with a distinctive Middle Eastern twist. It offers a variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, paired perfectly with hummus and falafel, an ideal combination for casual snacking and sipping.
The highlight of this bar is its craft cocktails, inspired by flavors from Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, and beyond, featuring unique ingredients rarely found in this part of the world, such as pistachios, pomegranate, and arak. The bar operates from 5 PM to 2 AM on weekdays, from 2 PM to 2 AM on weekends, and it is closed on Mondays. It’s a favorite spot among locals and an excellent place to hang out with friends and enjoy a unique cultural experience.
6. Tryst
Photos by Adam Fagen
Another awesome spot you shouldn't miss in Adams Morgan is Tryst, a chill coffeehouse decorated with colorful and eclectic furniture. They offer live music that you can enjoy. They serve a mix of coffee, tea, cocktails, and comfort food, making it a great place to hang out both during the day and at night.
Out of all the cafes, this one is probably the coziest, with its chill and relaxed vibe, and a crowd of mostly locals just hanging out without laptops, a rarity in U.S. cafes today. The coffeehouse is open from 7 AM to 12 AM every day, making it an excellent spot to hang out with friends at any time of day.
7. La Tejana
If you are looking for awesome breakfast tacos in DC, La Tejana comes highly recommended. I didn't get to visit the place personally, but my friends really recommend it and they said it's probably one of the best breakfast tacos they had here.
The place is famous for its homemade tortillas and a breakfast menu that's perfect for any morning person looking to enjoy a slow and delicious meal. Tacos are priced from $4.50 each to $24 for a set of six, and you can mix and match different toppings to your liking.
The place is open from 7:30 AM to 1 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.
8. Prost DC
Prost DC is where my friends took me to cheer me up from the gloomy weather I was experiencing due to Hurricane Milton down in the Southeast. The bar is very popular among locals and tends to fill up with people right after work, from 7 PM to about 10 PM.
As the name suggests, Prost DC serves German beers and classic German dishes like currywurst, schnitzel, and snacks like pretzels that pair perfectly with beer. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, with the indoor décor reminding me of so many beer houses in Munich. They’ve truly nailed the vibe with this one.
The bar is open from 4 PM to 10 PM on weekdays, and they open for brunch on the weekends from 10 AM to 10 PM. If you love German beer and food, be sure to check out Prost DC while you are here.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Northeast USA
If you are looking for more articles about the Northeast USA, here are a few articles that might help you plan your trip:
- First time visiting the USA and looking for a complete itinerary? Check this out: First Time USA: 2 Weeks Itinerary Without Cars.
- Planning to visit Washington DC for 3 days? Here's an itinerary for you: 3 Days in Washington DC: A Backpacking Itinerary.
- First time visiting the US? Why not start Washington DC, its capital city known for its world-class museums and iconic landmarks like the White House and the Capitol. Here are the 10 best things to do in Washington DC.
- Here's a quick guide on how to get from Dulles Airport to Washington DC Downtown: How to Get From Dulles Airport to Downtown Washington DC.
- Want to visit world-class museums in Washington DC, but not sure where to begin? This is the article for you: 8 Best Museums to Visit in Washington DC.
- Have a day to spare in Washington DC? I highly recommend you check out Georgetown. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Georgetown, DC.
- Looking to visit Philly for the weekend? Here is the ultimate 2-day Backpacking Itinerary for Philly.
- If you’re a fan of food and history, Philadelphia offers the perfect blend with its incredible museums and some of the best food scenes in the country. Check out the 12 Best Things to Do in Philadelphia (Philly).
- Philly is best explored with your stomach and taste buds. Here are the 7 Best Places to Eat and Drink in Philadelphia (Philly).
- New York City is truly one of the best cities in the world and if you are planning to visit the city, here are the 15 Best Things to Do in New York City.
- Planning to visit New York City, but not sure where to begin? Check out our 4 Days New York City's Backpacking Itinerary.
- Looking for the best places to eat and drink in NYC? You might want to check out: Places to Eat & Drink in New York City: My 9 Favorite Places.
- Chelsea, one of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC, is one awesome place to explore. Here are the 8 Awesome Things to Do in Chelsea, NYC.
- Central Park deserves an entire day of exploration. Here is a complete travel guide to Central Park.
- Should you go up the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock? Let's find out: Empire State Building vs Top of the Rock: Which One is Better for You?.
- Is it worth buying the CityPass for your trip to New York City? Let's find out: NYC CityPass: Is it worth it?.
- Want to visit Boston? Here are some of the things you do not want to miss! 15 Best Things to Do in Boston.
- Wondering how long to spend in Boston? Check this out: 3 Days in Boston: A Backpacking Itinerary.
- Want to walk the Freedom Trail in Boston, but not sure where to begin? Check out: Boston's Freedom Trail: A Walking Guide.
- Planning to visit Salem? Here's a travel guide for you: Discover Salem: 10 Highlights You Can't Miss.
- To see all articles about the United States of America, be sure to check out our USA travel guide page.
- For a complete itinerary of both the US and Canada, check out: One Month in USA & Canada: A Backpacking Itinerary without Cars.
- Looking for more travel guides for North America? You will find more over at our North America page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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