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Until recently, tourists who trekked north from the Mall hungry for something more than Smithsonian cafeteria food were stranded Downtown with little but high-end options. Now, young Washingtonians are taking advantage of residential development and moving off Capitol Hill to Downtown, Penn Quarter, and Chinatown, where nothing short of a restaurant revolution has taken shape in the last decade.
Crispy Chick’n, juicy burgers, creamy shakes, and legendary sweet potato fries—HipCityVeg makes it easy for people to eat plant-based by presenting it in a way they already know and love. Created by Latina plant-based powerhouse Nicole Marquis, HipCityVeg is a 100% plant-based, fast-casual restaurant serving American Classics. Don't be intimidated by the line, it moves pretty fast. Make sure to order one of their decadent milkshakes. You will forget they're vegan!
Make a meal of the long list of tapas at celebrity chef José Andrés's lively Spanish bistro, although the five types of handcrafted paella are the stars of the ample entrée menu. Tapas highlights include the gambas al ajillo (sautéed garlic shrimp), tender piquillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese, and the grilled homemade chorizo, which also comes draped in creamy mashed potatoes. Cocktail specialties range from sweet and fruity sangria to a half-dozen herbal riffs on the gin and tonic.
Just a couple of blocks from the White House, this enormous space (a century-old bank building), with a towering second-floor terrace, centers on a vast black-granite bar adorned with marble columns and leather stools. Affiliated with the legendary Joe's Stone Crab in Miami, the D.C. Joe's distinguishes itself with steaks. Sure they have seafood, but this is a steak house. A 30-ounce porterhouse tops the price list, at about $95. Everything is big here—the place, the portions, the prices—but you get the upscale feel with the beautifully appointed room, waiters in tuxedos, and impeccable service. The restaurant seats more than 450, and there are also large rooms for private parties.
A mix of old and new, Karma Modern Indian offers a fresh perspective on Indian cuisine. The dining room is bright, stylish, and colorful, which pairs well with its beautifully plated dishes and cocktails. Executive chef Ajay Kumar combines traditional Indian spices with nontraditional ingredients such as octopus, lobster, and quinoa for a fresh take on the long-established perception of Indian cuisine.
Traditional Japanese cooking is combined with often inspired improvisations ("freestyle Japanese cuisine," in the words of chef-owner Kaz Okochi) at this serene location. For a first-rate experience, sit at the sushi bar and ask for whatever is best—you're in good hands. But the unique arrangements on the regular menu, from tuna with roasted almonds to salmon with mango puree, are just as memorable. It's not all raw here; the cast of small plates served warm might include local puffer fish with baby bok choy or grilled avocado.
Nestled in a hidden alley between L and M streets (Midtown Center), Little Chicken is a fun spot serving all things fried chicken. Start with a locally brewed beer or a glass of champagne if you're feeling fancy. You can order cocktails like margaritas and hard cider by the pitcher, perfect for lingering around and playing shuffleboard on the patio. The restaurant offers crispy fried chicken, either bone-in or boneless, and spicy or regular. From waffle fries to mac and cheese, there's a long list of sides to choose from.
Visitors and employees from surrounding offices flock here to drink at the several bars, which seem to go on for miles, and enjoy well-prepared buffalo wings, hamburgers, and hearty sandwiches (the Reuben is a must). Old Ebbitt also has one of Washington's best-known raw bars, a 160-year-old institution (it claims Teddy Roosevelt may have "bagged animal heads" at the main bar). Pasta is homemade, and the late-night menu runs from hummus to tacos until 1 am seven days a week. Despite the crowds, the restaurant never feels cramped, thanks to its well-spaced, comfortable booths. Nevertheless, service can be slow at lunch and during happy hour when the oysters are half-price.
The specialty at chef José Andrés's Mexican stunner are antojitos, literally translated as "little cravings." But the high ceilings, gracious service, and gorgeous Frida Kahlo–inspired interior are anything but small, and even the smallest of dishes is larger than life when doused with chocolate mole poblano sauce or piquant lime-cilantro dressing. Standouts include homemade margaritas topped with a clever salt foam, the seared Chesapeake perch with serrano and cilantro, and grasshopper tacos—yes, those are bugs basted in tequila and chili sauce, and they're delightful. Museumgoers shouldn't miss the filling and fanciful lunch specials.
This Parisian-style café is fast and casual yet sophisticated. The puff of its cheese gougeres, the heft of its salty-sweet croque monsieur sandwiches, and the delicate crunch of its almond-flour macaron cookies will leave you craving more. Although there can be lengthy lines, when you compare the prices and quality here to other Downtown lunch options, nothing else comes close.
Bright, loud, raucous, and fun, with a brightly lit bar and long, communal tables, this branch of the New York City original makes it hard not to meet people. An "American" brasserie, it's an ample space with an even bigger menu. Bright hanging chandeliers and smoked mirrors accent the dining room. High ceilings and tile everywhere raise the decibel level, but this is not the spot you come to for a quiet, intimate conversation. The dinner menu is ravenously eclectic, offering everything from a skirt steak to pastas to Korean bibimbap to a lobster roll. It's also open for breakfast at 8 am daily.
For those craving authentic Italian pizza, head to Stellina Pizzeria. The latest outpost of this locally owned company is the work of native Italians Antonio Matarazzo and chef Matteo Venini. Start your meal with Italian starters like arancini (fried rice balls) and fried artichokes. The pizzas based on Italian classics such as cacio e pepe and amatriciana are always in demand. Try to grab a seat at the lively bar for more intimate service and a closer look at the bar and kitchen.
This informal teahouse stocks more than 50 imported teas (black, white, and green) and also serves light and delicious Japanese, Indian, and Thai food. You can mix small dishes—like udon noodle salad and grilled avocado—to create meals or snacks. There's also a Korean brisket sandwich or the winter-beating ochazuke, hot green tea poured over seasoned rice with a protein. Save room for tea-friendly sweets like the locally famous chocolate salty oat cookies. The smaller Connecticut Avenue branch, tucked neatly on a corner adjacent to Lafayette Park and the White House, is a perfect spot to grab lunch after touring the nation's power center. Another outpost, in Dupont Circle, caters to locals looking for a quick bite.
