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After the requisite cooing over the pandas and other cuddly creatures at the National Zoo, consider wandering around this popular neighborhood, where you'll see plenty of locals eating, drinking, and playing. Many Hill staffers, journalists, and other inside-the-Beltway types live along this hilly stretch of Connecticut Avenue. Eateries and shops line the few blocks near each of the Red Line Metro stops. Eateries in Cleveland Park range from tiny takeout spots to upscale restaurants where you stand a good chance of spying your favorite Sunday-morning talk-show guests at a nearby table. International cuisines are abundant here, especially in Cleveland Park. Lined up along the stately stretch of modern row houses are diverse dining options ranging from Afghan to Thai.
This unpretentious but intimate and stylish bistro recalls a Parisian café, with dark woods, white tablecloths, and cozy tables—not to mention the owner himself is from Paris. The main floor has two dining rooms, one of which has floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the street when weather permits. The menu is traditional French, with staples like steak frites, escargots, bouillabaisse, and crepes.
Just beyond Georgetown in the residential neighborhood of Palisades, BlackSalt is part fish market, part gossipy neighborhood hangout, part swanky restaurant. Fish offerings dominate, and vary from classics like New England clam chowder and fried Ipswich clams to more-offbeat fixings like Japanese-style seafood stew and chocolate peanut butter torte for dessert. The place can get crowded and loud, and reservations are often de rigueur for weekends. Regulars consider a meal at the bar a good fallback.
Pizza (and beer) in the front, Ping-Pong (and foosball) in the back make this pizza joint a neighborhood favorite for folks of all ages. While you can make your own pizza (including one with a gluten-free crust) from almost four dozen toppings, you'll be well served to opt for one of the kitchen's specialty pies. Comet often features live music performed by local musicians. Check the website for the schedule.
The exposed brick and warm woods may signal upscale saloon, but District Kitchen is much more, offering an eclectic, farm-to-table menu featuring the restaurant's signature dish, a large and tasty bowl of paella. Sure, there are burgers, steaks, and the like, but also ceviche, cheese plates, lamb ragù, and at least one or two tempting fish options. It's just a block from the Woodley Metro and close to the zoo.
A shabby-chic bar–restaurant directly across the street from the National Zoo has been deemed by one local paper to have the best burger in D.C. If it's not the best, it's close: a big, tasty patty made from charbroiled Angus beef that's on a pub menu with other continental options, including mum's tuna melt and pastrami on weck—check the chalkboard for the latest seasonal fare. There's a happy hour that goes from noon to 7 daily, a welcome respite after dragging kids around all day to look at giraffes and lions. There's a bright, inviting copper bar, and a sun-splashed patio.
The menu at this classic neighborhood bar–restaurant concentrates on seafood, with both Cape Cod and Baja influences, bringing a coastal dining experience to the city with a winning formula. Look for cod, lobster rolls, fish tacos, and even panfried trout. The bright, airy, nautically themed place seats about 220, and has a big, dog-friendly patio outside overlooking Massachusetts Avenue. Happy hour is popular, and there's even a takeout ice-cream stand. The only downside is that it's a mile from the nearest Metro station at Tenleytown.
