Places to Eat & Drink

You don’t have to spend an entire paycheck in order to eat an unforgettable meal in Washington, DC. The nation’s capital has spawned a host of successful fast-casual eateries from sweetgreen to CAVA, and is also home to affordable restaurants that have practically become institutions in the city. Check out some of our favorite cheap and budget-friendly places to eat in the District.   As you explore, use Flave to convert your foodie flexes into gift card capital! When you use the free app to post a photo or leave a review of local restaurants across the city, you can gain points and cash them in on a reward of your choice.   

As one of the country's top dining destinations, we want to show off the signature dishes and flavors at some of the city’s most popular restaurants. Of course, it’s hard to go wrong at many of these eateries, but if you’re a “what’s the dish I should try?” type of diner, we’ve got you covered.   A reminder: restaurant menus frequently change, so while these dishes are often featured, there’s no guarantee that they will be available on the night of your visit. Check with a server about the dish’s availability, or opt for another one of the restaurant’s tasty offerings.

Washington, DC's dining scene covers all the bases from international delights and local favorites to gourmet courses and hidden gems. We've picked out some high quality dining experiences that come at a reasonable price. 

DC’s strong African American history and its status as a popular landing place for talented entrepreneurs and chefs from all over the world has added to the city's already thriving community of Black chefs and Black-owned restaurants and bars. There's so much you can experience with each visit. Savor all the stellar dishes and support the community with each reservation through the EatOkra app, retrace the footsteps from a day in the life of a local Black chef and mark your calendar for the annual Black Restaurant Week, when you can take advantage of great dining deals and exclusive programming.   Below, we've compiled restaurants, bars and cafes that recognize some of the talented chefs and local business owners of color who call DC home. Some will take you on a journey to far-off nations, others will provide local DC vibes and tastes no other place can. What they all share is that they define DC's restaurant scene and they invite you to dig in.

An invitation to dinner at the White House is tough to come by, but seeking out a presidentially vetted culinary experience is easy in Washington, DC. Venture beyond monuments and memorials to discover presidents' celebratory picks, First Families' favorite restaurants, politicians’ go-to bars, stately dining rooms and more.    Looking for a full itinerary inspired by past and present commanders-in-chief? Check out our roundup of only-in-DC presidential experiences.

In its more than 200-year-history, DC has been home to hotels from humble 18th-century rooming houses to grand 19th-century overnighters. Raising a cold glass of something at a historic hotel bar is a time-honored tradition, and it’ll land you both in good company and in atmospheric surrounds.   From bars to dining to spa treatments, discover DC-area hotels that are right for you.