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A close-up of dumplings.
Shumai from China Chilcano.
Photo by Joseph Victor Stefanchik for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Where to Eat Near the National Mall in D.C.

Dine like a local, not a tourist

by Missy Frederick and Eater Staff Updated
View as Map
Shumai from China Chilcano.
| Photo by Joseph Victor Stefanchik for The Washington Post via Getty Images
by Missy Frederick and Eater Staff Updated

Tourists and locals flock to the National Mall every year to take in the cherry blossom blooms in the spring, visit the monuments, explore Smithsonian museums, take part in a school trip, or admire alfresco art at the Sculpture Garden. Here are the best dining options within walking distance of the Mall, all less than a 10-minute stroll from the monuments.

For additional ideas, venture further north into the Penn Quarter neighborhood or downtown D.C., head to the redeveloped Southwest Waterfront area, or check out the various food truck and food court options at L’Enfant Plaza.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

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Joe’s has a sense of grandeur, with its former bank building location and solicitous maitre d’s. The restaurant features a selection of stone crab, plenty of steaks, and a generous happy hour.

750 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 489-0140
(202) 489-0140
A crowded room with a hanging chandelier.
Joe’s D.C. location.
Joe’s Seafood

Sushi Gakyu

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An excellent option for lunch or dinner for those looking for high-quality seafood sushi preparations (note that lunch and dinner options are priced the same). It’s also one of the few places people can experience risk-lovers’ fugu (pufferfish) in D.C. Chirashi is a smart bet here, and the restaurant has a nice variety of vegetarian rolls.

1420 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 849-3686
(202) 849-3686
A colorful assortment of raw fish and garnishes.
Sashimi from Sushi Gakyu.
Sushi Gakyu/Facebook

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Bantam King

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Chicken ramen is the specialty of this destination ramen shop in D.C. (the owners also are behind nearby Daikaya ramen shop and izakaya) — note that if the spicy tantanmen is on the menu, it’s worth a try. Fried chicken is an additional offering here.

501 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 733-2612
(202) 733-2612
Ramen from Bantam King on a wood counter with silverware.
Ramen from Bantam King.
Farrah Skeiky/Official

Also featured in:

Astro Beer Hall

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D.C.’s go-to option for fried chicken and doughnuts expanded their downtown location next door into a beer hall and coffee shop several years back. Happy hour means $6 drinks and $1 off appetizers like loaded tots and fried pickles.

1306 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 737-1797
(202) 737-1797
A bar interior with lava lamps and black leather seating.
Glowing liquid lamps frame the bar area at Astro Beer Hall.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Old Ebbitt Grill

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D.C.’s oldest restaurant is a tourist favorite and is family-friendly to boot. But locals know the best time to visit is during the raw bar happy hour. Delivery is available through UberEats.

675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-4800
(202) 347-4800
Poached eggs on English muffins with spinach.
Eggs from Old Ebbitt Grill.
Old Ebbitt Grill

Also featured in:

Café Riggs/Silver Lyan

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This posh hotel brasserie is located in a grandiose historic bank building in Penn Quarter. This is a good place to take vegetarians, because there are always a few options, but people with traditional tastes will find whole roasted chickens, steak frites, and duck confit. The bar has an all-day cafe menu with a cardamom bun that’s worth a visit on its own. Speakeasy Silver Lyan downstairs is a stellar destination for cocktails (they recently introduced a cool private dining space called the Cabinet Room).

900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 788-2800
(202) 788-2800
A plate of fish on top of a marbled table.
An arctic char dish with couscous, saffron, and snow peas at Cafe Riggs
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Also featured in:

Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien

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Kevin Tien’s ramp of his fascinating modern Vietnamese restaurant with Cajun influences has a new glitzy home in Penn Quarter. Diners can try interesting spins on dishes like cumin lamb (accented with beet), a knockout red curry squash presentation, and gorgeous, complex and fruity desserts from pastry chef Susan Bae.

927 F Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia 20004
Koji-marinated cumin lamb with beets and charred chicories on a blue plate.
Cumin lamb at Moon Rabbit.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Washington D.C.

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This favorite for large, family-style portions, red sauce dishes, and meatballs galore still brings in big crowds in Penn Quarter. It’s a great option for large groups and happy hour. Takeout available here.

425 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 737-7770
(202) 737-7770
Four platters of pasta at Carmine’s, all doused in red sauce.
Four plates of pasta from Carmine’s.
Carmine’s/Facebook

Also featured in:

China Chilcano by José Andrés

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When in doubt, a José Andrés restaurant is a good bet near the mall — the majority of his D.C. presence (also including such restaurants as Jaleo and Zaytinya) is clustered around this area. This particular restaurant is an excellent option for Peruvian-Chinese fare, with standout ceviches and chaufa dishes in particular.

418 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 783-0941
(202) 783-0941
The interior at China Chilcano.
China Chilcano.
R. Lopez/Eater DC

Art and Soul

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Following a multi-million dollar renovation, Yotel hotel’s lobby-level restaurant with a nice patio surfaced with a heightened focus on Mid-Atlantic ingredients. The restaurant still makes a mean fried chicken, and has an extensive bar bites menu.

415 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 393-7777
(202) 393-7777

Also featured in:

Immigrant Food

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This fast-casual restaurant with an immigrant-supporting mission serves bowls and sandwiches from chef Enrique Limardo (Seven Reasons) that mash up multiple cuisines. There’s a classic pressed Cuban with pineapple pickles, a banh mi made with adobo chicken, and tamarind-blasted barbecue ribs. — Gabe Hiatt

1701 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, DC 20006
(202) 681-3848
(202) 681-3848

Also featured in:

Hill Country

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When Hill Country first opened, it was one of the few destinations for legit barbecue in the city. Now, competition has gotten much more fierce, but the New York import still makes a good brisket and a stellar sausage. This large location is good for groups.

410 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 556-2050
(202) 556-2050

Also featured in:

Teaism (Multiple locations)

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This serene tea shop and cafe has been a favorite for a quick drink or light meal for years. It’s famous for its salty oatmeal cookies, but dishes such as chicken salad and cilantro scrambled eggs are additional options; also find bento boxes here.

400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 638-6010
(202) 638-6010

Also featured in:

Rasika

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Not only a destination near the mall, Rasika is one of D.C.’s best restaurants, period. James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Vikram Sunderam attracts regulars to the fine dining Indian restaurant with dishes such as his memorable palak chat, and keeps them there to sample thoughtful preparations of eggplant, biryani, and crab pepper masala. The same restaurant group’s fast-casual Bindaas also has a location in Foggy Bottom not too far from the mall.

633 D St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 637-1222
(202) 637-1222
A bright orange fish curry dish in a blue bowl.
Halibut curry from Rasika.
Shimmon Tamara Photography/Rasika

Also featured in:

Sweet Home Cafe

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This ambitious restaurant within the National Museum of African American History and Culture showcases the diversity of African American cuisine with dishes like gumbo, shrimp and grits, and oyster pan roast. They often host special events surrounding such occasions as Women’s History Month.

1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560
(202) 633-4751
(202) 633-4751
A colorful medely of vegetables next to a seared and stuffed fish dish.
A fish dish from Sweet Home Cafe.
Sweet Home Cafe/Facebook

Also featured in:

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Urban Roast

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This pandemic-born project for Penn Quarter offers a whirlwind of all-day options for coffees, sangrias, cocktails, and espresso martinis, plus a menu full of starters (the Buffalo chicken dip is a must), sandwiches, soups, salads, and fancier surf-and-turf mains. The maze-like space decked out in bright florals takes seasonal pop-up decor seriously. — Tierney Plumb

916 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 519-4629
(202) 519-4629

Also featured in:

The Henri

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Located right across from the Warner Theatre, this chic bistro that prides itself on barrel-aging its own red wine vinegar specializes in a rotisserie menu of squab, lamb shank, and chicken. The catch-all lineup also includes wild boar tagliatelle, lobster bisque, crudo, and endive salads. The polished bar up front is an ideal spot to sip a pre-show Manhattan. — T.P.

1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW (at 13th St NW), Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 989-5881
(202) 989-5881

Also featured in:

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Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

750 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Joe’s has a sense of grandeur, with its former bank building location and solicitous maitre d’s. The restaurant features a selection of stone crab, plenty of steaks, and a generous happy hour.

750 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 489-0140
(202) 489-0140
A crowded room with a hanging chandelier.
Joe’s D.C. location.
Joe’s Seafood

Sushi Gakyu

1420 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

An excellent option for lunch or dinner for those looking for high-quality seafood sushi preparations (note that lunch and dinner options are priced the same). It’s also one of the few places people can experience risk-lovers’ fugu (pufferfish) in D.C. Chirashi is a smart bet here, and the restaurant has a nice variety of vegetarian rolls.

1420 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 849-3686
(202) 849-3686
A colorful assortment of raw fish and garnishes.
Sashimi from Sushi Gakyu.
Sushi Gakyu/Facebook

Bantam King

501 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001

Chicken ramen is the specialty of this destination ramen shop in D.C. (the owners also are behind nearby Daikaya ramen shop and izakaya) — note that if the spicy tantanmen is on the menu, it’s worth a try. Fried chicken is an additional offering here.

501 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 733-2612
(202) 733-2612
Ramen from Bantam King on a wood counter with silverware.
Ramen from Bantam King.
Farrah Skeiky/Official

Astro Beer Hall

1306 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20005

D.C.’s go-to option for fried chicken and doughnuts expanded their downtown location next door into a beer hall and coffee shop several years back. Happy hour means $6 drinks and $1 off appetizers like loaded tots and fried pickles.

1306 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 737-1797
(202) 737-1797
A bar interior with lava lamps and black leather seating.
Glowing liquid lamps frame the bar area at Astro Beer Hall.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Old Ebbitt Grill

675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

D.C.’s oldest restaurant is a tourist favorite and is family-friendly to boot. But locals know the best time to visit is during the raw bar happy hour. Delivery is available through UberEats.

675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-4800
(202) 347-4800
Poached eggs on English muffins with spinach.
Eggs from Old Ebbitt Grill.
Old Ebbitt Grill

Café Riggs/Silver Lyan

900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

This posh hotel brasserie is located in a grandiose historic bank building in Penn Quarter. This is a good place to take vegetarians, because there are always a few options, but people with traditional tastes will find whole roasted chickens, steak frites, and duck confit. The bar has an all-day cafe menu with a cardamom bun that’s worth a visit on its own. Speakeasy Silver Lyan downstairs is a stellar destination for cocktails (they recently introduced a cool private dining space called the Cabinet Room).

900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 788-2800
(202) 788-2800
A plate of fish on top of a marbled table.
An arctic char dish with couscous, saffron, and snow peas at Cafe Riggs
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Moon Rabbit by Kevin Tien

927 F Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia 20004

Kevin Tien’s ramp of his fascinating modern Vietnamese restaurant with Cajun influences has a new glitzy home in Penn Quarter. Diners can try interesting spins on dishes like cumin lamb (accented with beet), a knockout red curry squash presentation, and gorgeous, complex and fruity desserts from pastry chef Susan Bae.

927 F Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia 20004
Koji-marinated cumin lamb with beets and charred chicories on a blue plate.
Cumin lamb at Moon Rabbit.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Washington D.C.

425 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

This favorite for large, family-style portions, red sauce dishes, and meatballs galore still brings in big crowds in Penn Quarter. It’s a great option for large groups and happy hour. Takeout available here.

425 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 737-7770
(202) 737-7770
Four platters of pasta at Carmine’s, all doused in red sauce.
Four plates of pasta from Carmine’s.
Carmine’s/Facebook

China Chilcano by José Andrés

418 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

When in doubt, a José Andrés restaurant is a good bet near the mall — the majority of his D.C. presence (also including such restaurants as Jaleo and Zaytinya) is clustered around this area. This particular restaurant is an excellent option for Peruvian-Chinese fare, with standout ceviches and chaufa dishes in particular.

418 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 783-0941
(202) 783-0941
The interior at China Chilcano.
China Chilcano.
R. Lopez/Eater DC

Art and Soul

415 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Following a multi-million dollar renovation, Yotel hotel’s lobby-level restaurant with a nice patio surfaced with a heightened focus on Mid-Atlantic ingredients. The restaurant still makes a mean fried chicken, and has an extensive bar bites menu.

415 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 393-7777
(202) 393-7777

Immigrant Food

1701 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, DC 20006

This fast-casual restaurant with an immigrant-supporting mission serves bowls and sandwiches from chef Enrique Limardo (Seven Reasons) that mash up multiple cuisines. There’s a classic pressed Cuban with pineapple pickles, a banh mi made with adobo chicken, and tamarind-blasted barbecue ribs. — Gabe Hiatt

1701 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, DC 20006
(202) 681-3848
(202) 681-3848

Hill Country

410 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

When Hill Country first opened, it was one of the few destinations for legit barbecue in the city. Now, competition has gotten much more fierce, but the New York import still makes a good brisket and a stellar sausage. This large location is good for groups.

410 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 556-2050
(202) 556-2050

Teaism (Multiple locations)

400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

This serene tea shop and cafe has been a favorite for a quick drink or light meal for years. It’s famous for its salty oatmeal cookies, but dishes such as chicken salad and cilantro scrambled eggs are additional options; also find bento boxes here.

400 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 638-6010
(202) 638-6010

Rasika

633 D St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Not only a destination near the mall, Rasika is one of D.C.’s best restaurants, period. James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Vikram Sunderam attracts regulars to the fine dining Indian restaurant with dishes such as his memorable palak chat, and keeps them there to sample thoughtful preparations of eggplant, biryani, and crab pepper masala. The same restaurant group’s fast-casual Bindaas also has a location in Foggy Bottom not too far from the mall.

633 D St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 637-1222
(202) 637-1222
A bright orange fish curry dish in a blue bowl.
Halibut curry from Rasika.
Shimmon Tamara Photography/Rasika

Sweet Home Cafe

1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560

This ambitious restaurant within the National Museum of African American History and Culture showcases the diversity of African American cuisine with dishes like gumbo, shrimp and grits, and oyster pan roast. They often host special events surrounding such occasions as Women’s History Month.

1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560
(202) 633-4751
(202) 633-4751
A colorful medely of vegetables next to a seared and stuffed fish dish.
A fish dish from Sweet Home Cafe.
Sweet Home Cafe/Facebook

Related Maps

Urban Roast

916 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

This pandemic-born project for Penn Quarter offers a whirlwind of all-day options for coffees, sangrias, cocktails, and espresso martinis, plus a menu full of starters (the Buffalo chicken dip is a must), sandwiches, soups, salads, and fancier surf-and-turf mains. The maze-like space decked out in bright florals takes seasonal pop-up decor seriously. — Tierney Plumb

916 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 519-4629
(202) 519-4629

The Henri

1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW (at 13th St NW), Washington, D.C. 20004

Located right across from the Warner Theatre, this chic bistro that prides itself on barrel-aging its own red wine vinegar specializes in a rotisserie menu of squab, lamb shank, and chicken. The catch-all lineup also includes wild boar tagliatelle, lobster bisque, crudo, and endive salads. The polished bar up front is an ideal spot to sip a pre-show Manhattan. — T.P.

1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW (at 13th St NW), Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 989-5881
(202) 989-5881

Related Maps