The Ultimate Southeast Washington DC Neighborhood Dining Guide

As someone who identifies as a TCK, the idea of home as a single, permanent location is lost on me. I have lived in various homes around the world at different stages of my life and over the years have come to realize that ‘home’ is never going to be a single location, but somewhere I feel most comfortable.

One of those ‘somewheres’ was Washington…in fact, it still is. I first moved to the district as an intern at an animal welfare non-profit (which feels like a lifetime ago!) and ended up staying for a few more years and working on companion animal issues. I lived in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Southeast DC and chose to have a reverse commute to my office in Maryland because I couldn’t fathom moving here and not living in the city!

On weekend’s my morning run would be through Capitol Hill which would end at the steps of US Capitol before I walked on over to Eastern Market to get fresh produce from the local farmers market. The neighborhood has rapidly evolved since I called it home and continues to change every time I go back for a visit.

Here’s a list of the best (and some of my favorite) coffee shops, restaurants—both casual and formal— and dessert spots in Southeast Washington DC.

A family-run cafe, Lot 38 has been my neighborhood coffee staple for years. They’re on the way to the metro station and never disappoint with their lattes and refreshing iced mochas during the sweaty DC summers. For those that work from home, they have a quiet and bright space upstairs to get some work done. And, if you’re hungry try a bagel or lunch sandwich.

Address: 1001 2nd St SE, Washington, DC 20003

This local DC coffee shop chain opened up their first shop by Eastern Market in 2008 and are known for their sustainability and seriously good coffee. I love their pour-overs, but most come for their strong espressos and people-watching. If you’re spending the day exploring Eastern Market, stop here first for your coffee before walking down to the street checking out the crafts and antique stalls set up on the weekends.

Address: 660 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Before I lived in Washington, I spent six years of my life in California and was beyond stoked to discover that Philz had opened up in my neighborhood last year! The store in Navy Yard was the first one outside of California—they have since opened up another in Adams Morgan, and have a third scheduled to open in Dupont Circle. What’s unique about Philz—other than the fact that it took Phil 7 years to create his first coffee blend, Tesora—is the way the coffee station is set up; every cup of coffee or tea is made individually by the baristas one customer at a time. My favorite is their iced Mint Mojito coffee made using fresh Mint leaves…it’s gooooood!

Address: 1331 4th St SE #101, Washington, DC 20003

My neighborhood convenience store also makes a mean deli sandwich! While I normally stop by to pick up some European chocolate, or a pack of my favorite Tate’s chocolate chip cookies (they are the best and you can get them here), I have ordered their tuna sandwich, The Navy Yard, a few times and love it – they don’t skimp on ingredients and their portion sizes are large. I always end up with leftovers! Expect a line during lunch as the office workers have discovered the spot.

Address: 1000 3rd St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Growing up in a South Asian household meant I ate Indian food for most my meals and didn’t really have a reason to go to Indian restaurants when dining out. I’m very picky about Indian restaurants (I only have two other recommendations for Indian in the DMV) and RASA—a recent fast-casual addition of Indian food to the Navy Yard neighborhood—made the cut! If you’re familiar with sweetgreen’s build-a-bowl drill, then dining at RASA will be a breeze. The space is bright and airy—one of the best casual restaurants in DC to open—and the menu names, Aloo Need Is Love, are playful. They also have plenty of veggie and vegan options to boot!

Address: 1247 First St. SE, Washington, DC 20003

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The district has a ton of weekend brunch options to choose from, and one of my staples is Cava. They offer a $35 all you can eat brunch with plenty of menu options to choose from, making it a solid weekend brunching option imo. But if brunch isn’t your thing, you can’t go wrong with their lunch specials or dinner menu. Everything is served tapas-style, so you get to taste more of the menu. I highly recommend the Saganaki: it’s a plate of kefalograviera cheese with lemon and brandy that’s set aflame at the table.

Address: 527 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

I’m the sucker that pays $13 for a salad that I could have made myself for half the price. Buuuut, in my defense, sweetgreen makes some seriously good (and filling) salads or you can build your own bowl of green goodness. They focus on seasonal produce and have a special menu that changes with the seasons, so you can always guarantee freshness. My favorite go-to bowl is their hummus tahina salad, complete with herb falafel and local feta cheese.

Address: 1212 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20003 and 221 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington DC 20003

If you’re looking for all-American, comfort food dining, then Ted’s on Barracks Row is the place to go. They are most famously known for their boozy milkshakes, deliciously good homemade pop tarts, and serving breakfast all day…which I never realized was a thing until I moved to the US! Ted’s also makes for a good brunch option, but it is a popular Washingtonian choice, so go early on the weekends to avoid a long wait.

Address: 505 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

I remember when Kruba first opened and used to be one of the only restaurants at Capitol Riverfront. How times have changed! Their menu is varied—you’ll find everything from tom yum soup to the classic pad Thai, drunken noodles and red and green curries. They even have a sushi and sashimi menu. I recommend taking advantage of this Navy Yard restuarant’s lunch and happy hour specials…you won’t be disappointed.

Address: 301 Tingey St, SE, Retail-B, Washington, DC 20003

If you had to ask me to pick a favorite restaurant in Washington, Rose’s would be at top of my list! This one star Michelin restaurant took the district’s restaurant scene by storm when it first opened in 2014. All the rave reviews by critics and its no-reservation policy led to seriously long lines—people would line up 2-3 hours before they opened every evening just to get a table. But it’s worth the effort and wait because the ambiance is cozy (I’d consider it to be part of my romantic restaurants in DC list) and the food is innovative and comforting. If you made me choose a restaurant from this guide, Rose’s would be the one I recommend you try!

Address: 717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

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This is one the most underrated sushi spots in the city, which is a shame frankly, because the sushi is incredible. It definitely makes my top ten restaurants in DC list! The restaurant gets fish in every morning from Japan, Canada, California and Spain, so you’re always guaranteed fresh sashimi. On my first visit, I tried the five-course omakase—there are several to choose from—which did not disappoint.

Address: 735 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

If you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, The Salt Line has your name written all over it! Located right on the DC waterfront, The Salt Line with its popular riverfront patio, serves up delicious New England-style dishes and has raw bar with plenty of fresh oyster choices from the DMV. For starters, the seafood charcuterie platter is a must — it’s super inventive (swordfish bacon, say whaaaat?!), and as a pescatarian, is a charcuterie board I can thoroughly enjoy!

Address: 79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Before Sushi Hachi appeared on 8th street, my go-to choice for great sushi and sashimi in the neighborhood was Sushi Capitol. In fact, it’s one of my top three sushi spots in the city—the other two are Sushi Hachi and Sushi Taro in Dupont Circle. The restaurant only has a few tables and a couple of seats at the sushi counter, making for a memorable and intimate experience.

Address: 325 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

If you get reservations to Rose’s Luxury and need a recommendation on where to grab drinks while you wait, here it is: head across the street to the Garrison. While the restaurant focuses on a fresh, seasonal menu sourcing ingredients from local farms in the area, the cozy bar serves up strong cocktails and lets you order appetizers.

Address: 524 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

The spot on Capitol Hill is the third Hank’s location in the DMV by chef and restaurateur, Jamie Leeds. I did not realize until I started writing about food just how serious Washingtonians feel about their oysters. And on Capitol Hill, there’s no better place to indulge in the bivalves than at Hank’s Oyster Bar. Ordering from the raw bar is a must—if you’re indecisive, the seafood plateau is a good option to split— the  po’boys with old bay seasoned fries and coleslaw are not to be missed.

Address: 633 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington DC 20003

I love the diversity of Washington’s growing culinary scene, and Balkan restaurant, Ambar, is the perfect example of unique restaurants in DC. I remember going to Ambar when I first moved to Washington as an intern because a) I was poor and on a budget and b) they had a great $5 happy hour special. Four years later and their happy hour is still one of my favorites in the city—in addition to drinks, they also have a number of delicious happy hour food choices. And, if you’re looking for a weekend brunch option, their unlimited selection of plates and drinks for $39 at this Barracks Row restaurant is sooooo worth it.

Address: 523 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

I remember when Osteria Morini was one of the first restaurant’s to open at Yard’s Park on the Capitol Riverfront —a neighborhood Italian restaurant that really hits the spot, especially in the fall and winter. Some even considers it to be one of the best Italian restaurants in DC. There’s nothing better than digging in to a hearty, comforting plate of handmade tagliatelle or rigatoni pasta. And, please, please save some room for dessert.

Address: 301 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Winners of Cupcake Wars in 2012, The Sweet Lobby is where you go when you’re craving dessert on Barracks Row. The tiny bakery, operated by Timothy McIntosh and his sister Winnette McIntosh Ambrose (they have a fascinating backstory, btw), are known for their cupcakes—after all, they are what helped them win first place and walk away with $10,000—but I always crave their macarons. My only advice is to go early because by the end of the day most of the flavors are sold out.
 
Address: 404 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

I really don’t need to say much about District Doughnut, except they are a local DC-owned company with freshly made donuts in a variety of flavors (my favs are salted dulce de leche and vanilla creme brulee) that are the BOMB.com. The only caveat I have is that they do not offer any vegan donuts…yet.

 

Address: 749 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Located right next to Peregine Espresso on Pennsylvania Ave, Pitango is the go-to neighborhood gelato spot. Gelato—while creamier due to the way its churned—contains a lower fat content than regular ice cream and imo is just better. I remember my summer in Italy in 2011 when I consumed gelato like it was going out of fashion. All the gelato’s at Pitango are churned in-house, so they are as fresh as can be. For the lactose-intolerant, such as myself, they have number of sorbet flavors to satisfy your craving. And, in the winter don’t rule them out—they offer a mean affogato made with hot chocolate.

Address: 660 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Who doesn’t love a good founders story? The reason behind ice cream jubilee’s conception by owner Victoria Lai is truly heart warming and reaffirms my belief that if you’re passionate about something, the universe conspires to make it happen. Made using all-natural cream and milk sourced from South Mountain Creamery in Maryland, the flavors are bold and unique, especially boozy ones: the Banana Bourbon Caramel and Gin & Tonic Sorbet are a must!

Address: 301 Water St SE #105, Washington, DC 20003