Danielle811

I just booked a last minute trip to Washington DC for this weekend. It will be my husband and I, and my two sons, ages 4 and 2.

I'm hoping for some recommendations for casual lunch or dinner restaurants that would be near the National Mall or the National Zoo. Our rough itinerary includes half days at the Air and Space Museum (probably Saturday a.m.), National Zoo, and the Udvar-Hazy Center in VA. We'll also spend some time (as little people allow) walking through monuments and/or the Tidal Basin. We've done similar itineraries before, but have typically have eaten at either food trucks along the Mall, or in a museum.

If anyone has any recommendations for casual and quick(ish) places in any of these areas, I'd be grateful.

The boys do fine in restaurants, and I'm not opposed to a sit-down style place. We just don't want to spend hours at meals if we can avoid it. Mexican, Asian, American, and Italian foods are all child-approved.

Thanks in advance!

tomfuller

Here's the list of restaurants inside Union Station.
http://www.unionstationdc.com/Restau...ine/2138213124

gardendiva

About 2 blocks downhill from the Zoo on the same side of Connecticut Ave is the Woodley Café. Not fancy but good food with a large menu.

If you find yourself up by the Capitol building there is Good Stuff Eatery. Burgers, fries and shakes.

oktotravel

Since opening, the American Indian Museum has had reputation among federal workers of having the best food of all the Smithsonian sites. Lunch time only if you're talking winter visit.

longhorn55

If you are at the Air and Space Museum on Saturday at lunchtime, I would definitely recommend getting out of there then. Go next door to the Mitsitam Cafe at the Museum of the American Indian or across the Mall to the Cascades Cafe in the National Art Gallery. Those two places have the best food you'll find in a museum on the Mall. I actually think the Cascades Cafe may be the better choice for your family. The kids will love the underground waterfall (thus, the name "Cascades Cafe") and the really cool installation art piece next to the cafe. I'll let that be a surprise.

The only food choice at the Udvar Hazy Museum is McDonald's. You'll have to drive about 10 - 15 minutes to get to the closest restaurants in Chantilly

kja

Another vote for Mitsitam.

Open City is a great option not far from the zoo, just steps further south than the Woodley Park Metro station:
http://www.opencitydc.com

Enjoy!

obxgirl

Near the east end of the National Mall by the Archives, Penn Quarter is swimming in good choices, fast casual and casual dining, for families. In no particular order:

Nando's (Peruvian chicken and fries)
Graffiato (wood over pizza and Italian)
Shake Shake
Plan B Burger
Grand Trunk (South Asian)
Merzi (like Chipotle for Indian)
District Taco (actually Metro Center)
Daikaya (ramen) usually very crowded though
Teasiam (asian)
Hill Country BBQ
Paul Patisserie (not so much food for kids but def. the pastries)
Red Velvet Cupcakery
Pitango Gelato

Penn Qtr is alkable from the Mall but also accessible from Chinatown/Gallery Place, Archives, and Metro Center metro stations.

Also suggest if time allows, the Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum (Penn Qtr at 7th and F Streets) are connected by an interior courtyard that is a perfect spot for a cup of coffee, glass of wine or soda and a break from the hustle and city noise. Family events are often scheduled on the weekends.

http://npg.si.edu/visit/kogod-courtyard

Danielle811

Excellent suggestions. Thank you all! I wasn't looking forward to another McDonald's lunch at the Air and Space Museum, so thank you!

Danielle811

Thank you for all who suggested Mitsitam! We walked over from the Air and Space Museum, and had a great lunch. Even my two year old, who decided that he was only going to eat dry cereal this weekend, enjoyed the fry bread!

kja

Glad you enjoyed it -- thanks for letting us know!

OneWanderingJew

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