7 Best Restaurants In Washington, DC — What To Eat
I have a personal rule while traveling to never eat at chain restaurants unless they're specific to that area (or if I'm on a budget). My goal is to experience new foods and cultures, so this prevents me from ordering something "basic" that I could get anywhere else. So, for breakfast, I went to Teaism, which is an Asian-inspired restaurant and teahouse. They have three locations in DC (the one I went to is a block away from the White House) and serve all-day breakfast. I ordered their okonomiyaki dish, which was packed with flavor.
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake that's made with shredded cabbage. The dish on its own is $11.50, but you can add turkey bacon or chicken apple sausage (which is what I did) for $15.50 total. I actually found this restaurant from several different viral videos on TikTok, and they all recommended this specific dish. It was super flavorful and VERY filling. There was also a sweet and tangy sauce layered between the Japanese pancake and fried eggs, and I desperately need it bottled up. It felt like a plate of Japanese soul food, and I can't wait to go back.
As someone who's lived in New York City for well over a decade, I've had my fair share of bagels. Call Your Mother is a neighborhood deli and bagel shop that came highlyyyyy recommended. They have savory and sweet "bangers" to match any mood you're in, like their "Jetski" (which comes with brisket, two different cheeses, Sofrito, and jalapeño) and their "Summit" (topped with peanut butter, Nutella, marshmallow fluff, and a banana). I ordered their Spicy Pastrami on a cheddar bagel and was not disappointed.
The Spicy Pastrami ($15) came with pickled veggies, jalapeño, and a jalapeño-herb mayo. I pride myself on being someone who can eat a lot, but I think most people would be able to get two meals out of this. Like, I should have paced myself better and saved the other half as a snack for later in the day because I was so full. Still, though, this was a great sandwich, and the pickled veggies were A+. The star was clearly the bagel though – it was dense without being heavy, crispy but not fluffy, and something I'd definitely order again.
Mumbo sauce (sometimes called "mambo" sauce) is a staple condiment at a lot of DC takeout spots. Most people use it to coat their chicken wings, fries, and nuggets, so I wanted to try it on all three. I scoured through every viral TikTok and Reddit thread from DC natives, and the two most-recommended places were Yum's II Carryout and Howard China. Yum's wasn't too far away from where I was staying, so that's where I ended up.
I got a three-piece order of wings, a 10-piece order of chicken nuggets, French fries, and an extra side of Mumbo sauce. In total, it cost $18.55. Mumbo sauce is pretty similar to ketchup, though it's somehow a bit more sour and sweeter. A lot of commenters stated that it's a little spicier as well, but maybe my palate isn't refined enough because I couldn't taste any spice at all. Overall, it's a fun, new sauce to try. Nothing revolutionary, but it's still very tasty.
I love a good sandwich. There's something kind of magical about a perfect ratio of meat, veggies, melted cheese, and toasted bread. My go-to spot in DC is Compliments Only, not just because their "Crunchy Boi" sandwich goes viral every month (with several videos hitting over 100k likes), but because it's genuinely so, so, so tasty.
The Crunchy Boi is topped with turkey, provolone, potato chips, garlic mayo, pickles, onions, shredded lettuce, oil, and vinegar. It cost $15. I personally don't think any sandwich should cost more than, like, $11 with tax, BUT I will say that this was massive. Still, I was so hungry that I scarfed it down within a few minutes. Even though it was more expensive than I would have liked, I'd still order it again.
DC actually has the largest Ethiopian population in the US, and my favorite authentic spot in the city is Chercher. My friend and I always split their deluxe vegan platter, which comes with ~10~ different sides. Neither of us is a vegan or vegetarian, but this platter is so freaking good that I order it every time I'm in the city.
The deluxe vegan platter is $22.99, and there's not a bad side in the bunch. All of their platters are so huge that I can't imagine anyone ever leaving hungry. Like, the table next to me had three people splitting a single platter, so, yeah, you'll be stuffed by the end of your meal.
Want to cook recipes in step-by-step mode right from your phone? Download the free Tasty app right now.
I'm 34 years old and only recently started drinking alcohol after taking a break for nearly a decade. But DC is home to a ton of great bars, so there's a lottttt to choose from. For a cheap night out, there's Cucina Morini, which offers $7 martinis during happy hour. But for inventive (and viral) drinks with a great atmosphere, my pick is Opaline Bar and Brasserie. This is the place to go to if you're trying to impress someone, your parents are in town, or you just want to treat yourself. They have a "First Ladies Cocktail" menu, and each drink is inspired by a different first lady. After all, this ~is~ DC.
All of their cocktails range from $16–$21. I ordered the Michelle Obama (the purple drink above), which is made with empress gin, lavender and blueberry essence, lemon juice, lavender leaves, and Fever-Tree club soda. My friend ordered the Dolly Madison, which is made from Jim Beam bourbon, lemon elixir, egg white, and Angostura bitters. Both were delicious. Fittingly, the Betty Ford drink is non-alcoholic.
I'm a chocolate guy, and I've never met a dessert I didn't like, so when I found out that Baked & Wired created the viral "cakecups" trend, I knew I needed to try them. A little different from cupcakes, these "cakecups" are small-batched cakes with a tonnnnn of frosting. Like, you simply can't go wrong. This family-owned bakery has a sister store, A Baked Joint, that I've also been to (for a breakfast sandwich, which was great!), so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.
I ordered the Chocolate Doom (chocolate cake with a dark chocolate satin frosting). Other flavors range from Pistachio Honey to Dirty Chai to Red Velvet. Each cakecup costs $6.20, which, yeah, is more expensive than I would have liked. I was shocked that the Chocolate Doom wasn't too sweet or overpowering. My worry was that I'd only be able to handle a couple bites before getting severely overwhelmed by the sweetness, but that simply wasn't the case. I happily inhaled every single crumb.
I didn't want to make an "appetizers" category because there are simply too many to choose from, so I added a bonus "honorable mention" section for one of my favorite smaller plates in the city. I already mentioned Opaline above, but their charred octopus dish is so good that it deserves a special highlight.
The charred octopus is $19. It's served with fennel, heirloom cherry tomatoes, Castelvetrano olives, and saffron aioli. That aioli was magical. I've also had their Classic Caesar salad ($15), which thankfully did not skimp out on the parmesan cheese. I'm a firm believer that most of life's problems can be solved with a Caesar salad, and this one didn't disappoint.
Do you have a favorite DC food recommendation that didn't make the list? Feel free to share it in the comments below! If you'd like to remain anonymous, you can use this Google Form instead.
For thousands of really good recipes that you can cook from the comfort of your own home, download the free Tasty app for iOS and Android. No subscription required!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Passenger Told To Put Bag in Checker—No One Prepared for What She Does Next
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A video showing a determined passenger forcing her suitcase into an airline's baggage size checker has gone viral on TikTok, drawing attention to increasingly strict carry-on enforcement policies amid booming travel demand. The clip, shared by user Arina (@summermken_official), has amassed over 10.9 million views since it was posted on July 23. In the video, Arina is seen at an airport check-in counter vigorously pushing her suitcase into a metal frame bag checker and later struggling to extract it, both actions requiring visible force. The caption reads: "Never give up, at least not on the sake of €200 [around $235]." Arina, who did not share her last name, age or location, told Newsweek that the incident took place on a recent Vueling flight from Paris to London. The Spanish low-cost carrier had flagged her bag for size verification. "They asked me to place my bag in the checker to confirm it met size requirements," she said. "We had four of the same carry-on luggage and they told me to check three. It seemed that they were just suspicious of the size of my bag since it didn't seem like carry-on luggage." A screenshot from a viral TikTok video showing a passenger shoving a suitcase into a bag checker at the airport. A screenshot from a viral TikTok video showing a passenger shoving a suitcase into a bag checker at the airport. @summermken_official on TikTok The viral moment arrives as global air travel demand continues to rise. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported in June that May saw a 5 percent increase in travel demand compared to the previous year, along with a record-high load factor for international flights—a measure of how full flights are. "Air travel demand growth was uneven in May. Globally, the industry reported 5 percent growth with Asia-Pacific taking the lead at 9.4 percent," said IATA director general Willie Walsh in a statement. "The outlier was North America which reported a 0.5 percent decline, led by a 1.7 percent fall in the U.S. domestic market." Airlines have faced growing criticism online for inconsistent or excessive baggage fee enforcement. Though low-cost carriers like Vueling rely on ancillary fees, including baggage charges, to keep fares low. Vueling's policy permits each passenger to bring one underseat cabin bag for free, with maximum dimensions of 40x30x20 centimeters. Depending on the fare or added extras, passengers may also carry an overhead locker bag weighing up to 10 kilograms and measuring 55x40x20 centimeters. Charges for such bags range from €10 (around $12) to €59 (around $69) when added online or via the app, and from €45 (around $53) to €75 (around $88) at the airport, according to the airline's website. Arina said she had verified that her suitcase complied with Vueling's size rules before traveling. "I was 100 percent sure that it would fit [in the bag checker] as before I bought the luggage, it had the measurements required to do so written in its description, plus I measured it before buying and it fit the standards of the company," she told Newsweek. She described the airline employee's reaction as unexpectedly skeptical. "She seemed quite surprised that the suitcase actually fit, and I got the impression she was disappointed there was no reason to charge us extra," Arina said. "She said, with genuine shock, that I must be very strong to have managed to put it in and pull it out—she clearly didn't expect it to fit at all." 'She's an Icon' Viewers on TikTok praised Arina's determination to demonstrate that her bag fit the required measurements. User Vid Legradić TraVid said: "Her face, that's 'I told you' face," and @ noted: "I can understand her anger...." User gbp said: "she's so real for that," and Hassan :) said: "she's an icon." Another user, known as Someone someone, said: "Talk about the perfect fit." Lindit asked: "Are people blind? That fits, how will she get fined." User blauerpirol said: "not accepting the luggage that's like half an inch off is just petty of the airlines." User leo noted: "Bro that's small carry-on too, I hate airlines." Newsweek has contacted Vueling for comment via email. Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Business Wire
7 hours ago
- Business Wire
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Founders of National Waterpark Day, Celebrates Ninth Annual Holiday July 28 Across All U.S. Locations
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, home to America's Largest Indoor Waterparks, and the founders of National Waterpark Day, will celebrate the ninth annual holiday on July 28. The celebration will feature a fun-filled day of family-friendly festivities at all four of its award-winning resorts. Established in partnership with the National Day Calendar in 2017, this celebration spotlights the adventure, excitement and memory-making power of waterparks nationwide. 'When we started National Waterpark Day, our goal was simple: inspire families to come together, unplug and enjoy some uninterrupted fun,' said Travis Nelson, President of Kalahari Resorts. 'Watching our guests embrace that spirit year after year reminds us why we created this celebration in the first place.' On July 28, Kalahari resort locations in Wisconsin Dells, WI, Sandusky, Ohio, Pocono Mountains, PA and Round Rock, Texas will have on-site foam parties and live DJs spinning poolside tracks, exciting games and giveaways, foodie pop-ups, family poolside activities, meet-and-greets with everyone's favorite Kalahari characters, and more. On July 28 only, guests can also dive into a 24-hour flash sale offering up to 30% off overnight stays, $10 off waterpark day passes, 10% off cabana and bungalow rentals, and 30% off fall 2025 season passes when they use the promo code WATERPARK. 'Whether it's our flagship Wisconsin Dells location or our newest resort in Texas, National Waterpark Day is the perfect time for families to dive into summer,' added Nelson. 'From the sun-drenched outdoor pools that lets guests soak up every ray to the mega slides in our indoor waterpark that keep the excitement flowing, Kalahari gives families the flexibility to craft their ultimate waterpark getaway.' For more information on National Waterpark Day activities or to book your stay, please visit About Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, WI, Sandusky, Ohio, the Pocono Mountains, PA, Round Rock, Texas, and opening soon in Spotsylvania, VA, deliver a beyond-expectations waterpark resort and conference experience all under one roof. The African-inspired Kalahari Resorts, privately owned by the Nelson family, are home to America's Largest Indoor Waterparks. Todd and Shari Nelson, the founders of Kalahari Resorts, were honored with an induction into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame in 2023. All Kalahari Resorts feature well-appointed guest rooms and suites, the full-service Spa Kalahari, a fun-filled family entertainment center, on-site signature restaurants, unique retail shops and a state-of-the-art convention center. For more information, members of the media are encouraged to visit
New York Post
19 hours ago
- New York Post
There's a specific reason why those familiar double chime noises go off on airplanes, pilot says: ‘My anxiety is maxed out until I hear those'
There's a science to it. Oftentimes, as a passenger on a plane, various noises signal different things to the flight staff. Aside from the obvious seatbelt sign, passengers rarely know what communication is taking place around them – until now. While it sounds more serious than it is — the familiar double chime noise that goes off when a plane is taking off and landing is nothing of concern. The pilot, well-known on TikTok, shared the reasoning behind those random chimes. Getty Images/iStockphoto 'Those dings you hear throughout the cabin are when the pilots are climbing through or descending through 10,000 feet to significant altitude… a critical phase of flight so they double ding the flight attendants to let them know we're no longer in 'sterile'' and they can move around the aircraft, as explained by airline pilot @ in a recent TikTok video. 'Not before those double chimes and not after those double chimes when we're coming into landing,' can there be movement around the aircraft. Considering the helpful video has almost 3 million views — clearly this ding noise has piqued a lot of flyers' interest. Thankfully, this reassurance eased many anxious flyers in the comment section of the video. 'I wish you could literally talk to us the entire time; that would massively help me as an insanely nervous flyer.' Many flyers felt reassured by the pilot's explanation. Getty Images 'Every noise terrifies me, I'm constantly looking at the cabin crew to see if they look relaxed.' 'My anxiety is maxed out until I hear those first two dings and then I immediately relax. I like knowing the flight attendants are moving around and your turned on the WiFi – it gives 'we chill' vibes.' 'Thanks, explanations like this ease my flight anxiety.' This helpful pilot's TikTok account has become a go-to place for many travelers to get their flying questions answered. In another video, an inquiring mind asked what a pilot's family life is like. 'I think it's one of the best jobs because of the time you get home and the family life you can have outside. The average airline pilot works half a month…' the well-known pilot said. 'And when they're home, they're home — there are no emails to answer, there are no Zoom calls, no late-night 'Can you get this project done?''
