Get To Know The Washington, D.C. Metro Area: Neighborhoods And Food Scenes
Published August 4, 2024
Welcome to my first blog post featuring Washington, D.C. and its surrounding suburbs! I’ve been to the nation’s capital at least four or five times since I was a kid, and there is always something new to discover there. This time, I met up with my friend Ismael to explore some neighborhoods I had never been to, as well as try some excellent restaurants!
The main focus of this trip wasn’t landmarks, monuments, or museums. I feel like I’ve seen enough of those on previous trips to Washington. This time, I went with the intention to wander a little more spontaneously. It definitely worked out! Below are some of the neighborhoods we walked around, plus cuisines we sampled. To skip down to any particular section, click or tap the corresponding link below!
Neighborhoods We Explored
On this trip, Ismael and I spent most of our time exploring NoVA (Northern Virginia) and D.C. beyond its downtown core. Here are the neighborhoods I found most noteworthy!
Old Town, Alexandria, VA
Alexandria is one of two major D.C. suburbs on the Virginia side of the Potomac River (the other being Arlington). Alexandria’s historic center is known as Old Town, and it’s directly across the river from Washington’s southernmost point. This district is quaint, walkable, and inviting!
My favorite thing about Old Town is its architecture. According to the city’s tourism website, “Georgian and Federal period architecture” are prominent. As a novice, I would say most of Old Town is colonial, but I don’t know if that’s the most accurate term. Regardless, I loved seeing the rows of townhouses with their pastel colors and uniform windows!
Old Town Waterfront
Because Old Town is situated on the west bank of the Potomac River, it has a lovely waterfront and harbor area. Here you’ll find parks, restaurants and bars, patios, walking trails, and much more. A visit to Old Town isn’t complete without a leisurely stroll down the public promenade on the river!
Pictured below is an art installation on the river walk reminiscent of a smoking meteorite. I’m not sure if this piece is permanent or temporary, but it was one of the many intriguing attractions we encountered in this area.
We also walked south along the river all the way to Jones Point Park. On the way, we passed by some picturesque residences. At the far end of the park, we checked out the Jones Point Lighthouse, a historic structure dating all the way back to the 1850s.
Torpedo Factory Art Center
Address: 105 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Website: https://torpedofactory.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torpedofactory/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torpedofactory/
This large, industrial building is the focal point of Old Town’s waterfront. At first, we weren’t sure what it was, but I’m glad we stepped in to find out! Torpedo Factory Art Center is free to enter, and it houses over one hundred artists’ studios. You can browse as if it were a museum, or you can purchase works that you want to bring home.
There is so much to see at Torpedo Factory Art Center that we spent at least an hour here. As you explore the various levels of the building, you will also see artists working in real time, which is part of why this is such a unique venue. Don’t miss it!
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
In addition to Old Town, another beautiful neighborhood to check out is Georgetown. Located directly west of Downtown D.C., Georgetown is easy to get to. Nonetheless, it feels like its own little village or town center. This is reason enough to spend a morning or afternoon here!
Georgetown Waterfront
Georgetown is situated on the eastern bank of the Potomac River. We walked all the way from the Embassy of Iceland to the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and the public paths here offer an abundance of scenic views.
Across the Potomac from Georgetown is the neighborhood of Rosslyn in Arlington, VA. It has a decently picturesque, modern skyline. For this reason, I find the riverfront views in Georgetown to be slightly nicer than the ones in Old Town.
Georgetown University
Address: 3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057
Website: https://www.georgetown.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgetownuniv/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgetownuniversity/
When we decided to visit this neighborhood, I knew right away that I wanted to see the university campus that shares the same name. For some reason, I always love to visit college campuses when I travel. Georgetown University did not disappoint!
Georgetown University is architecturally stunning, centered around Healy Hall, pictured in the two images above. According to Wikipedia, this building falls into the categories of “Neo-Romanesque and High Victorian Gothic.” It almost looks like a cathedral, and Georgetown is indeed a Catholic Jesuit university.
We wandered into Healy Hall, and the interior was just as ornate as the exterior. While we were here, I also got to peek through the door of the Riggs Library, which is famous for its cast iron railings and open, multi-floor design. Unfortunately, it was not open when we were visiting.
Other buildings on the Georgetown University grounds are worth seeing, but none are as grand as Healy Hall. The campus is relatively compact, so it didn’t take too long to explore the entire thing.
M Street Northwest & Wisconsin Avenue Northwest
These two streets are Georgetown’s busiest thoroughfares. M Street Northwest runs east to west, and seems to be a hub for shopping and retail. Wisconsin Avenue Northwest runs southeast to northwest, and it has a few more restaurant and bar options than M Street. Both M Street and Wisconsin Avenue are lined with colorful storefronts and boutique shops.
National Mall, Washington, D.C.
While D.C.’s National Mall isn’t really a neighborhood, I’ve included it here because we strolled around here multiple days in a row. The National Mall refers to a giant park that houses many of Washington’s most famous landmarks. Even though I no longer feel the need to visit museums when I’m in D.C., I always end up walking through the Mall. There’s definitely an element of nostalgic charm here because I’ve been back to the National Mall on all my visits to Washington.
Lincoln Memorial
At the time of writing (summer 2024), the Lincoln Memorial is under renovation. Despite this, it was still open to the public; its front side just wasn’t as pretty as it usually is. We stepped inside for a few minutes to admire the statue of Abe Lincoln in his chair before continuing our evening walk.
Washington Monument
This iconic obelisk sits at the center of the National Mall. Directly west is the Lincoln Memorial; directly north is the White House. To the east is the United States Capitol. Because the Washington Monument is surrounded by open, grassy fields, there’s always a bunch of people nearby playing frisbee, having picnics, or just hanging out.
World War II Memorial
The World War II Memorial is between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool. There’s a beautiful fountain in the center that’s surrounded by pillars engraved with the names of states and territories.
Other Things to See
Beyond the monuments listed above, there are so many attractions in and around the National Mall. We never walked all the way over to the Capitol Building, but we got close enough to see it in the distance. If you’re planning on visiting D.C. for the first time, I highly recommend scheduling an entire day to explore everything the Mall has to offer, including at least one or two Smithsonian museums. Admission is free!
National Harbor, MD
During this visit, Ismael and I only crossed into Maryland once. We briefly explored National Harbor, which is right across the Potomac from Old Town in Alexandria. National Harbor looks like it was developed and built relatively recently. The area has lots of street art, a Ferris wheel, a pier, and a variety of restaurants. The restaurants generally seemed to be chains, so we didn’t feel like we needed to eat a meal here.
Food We Tried
One of the biggest reasons I visited the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area) was to eat! Furthermore, I was determined to enjoy a wide range of cuisines on a budget. I think we succeeded in doing that! Especially in NoVA, it is pretty easy to find excellent food for reasonable prices. Keep reading to see which meals we enjoyed the most!
Burgers: 7th Street Burger
Address: 1424 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
Website: https://7thstreetburger.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/7thstreetburger/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7thstreetburgernyc/
This burger chain from New York just opened their first store in D.C., so we went for a casual, early dinner one night in Georgetown. The menu here is pretty small, and they really only offer a couple variations on burgers and fries. I ordered their standard cheeseburger and regular fries, and both were decent.
According to their online menu, these burgers are made with Martin’s potato buns. They were noticeably softer than your typical flour buns. The single cheeseburgers here are admittedly petite, so next time I would consider ordering a double.
Cocktails
On this trip I was feeling a little under the weather, so I ordered mocktails whenever we went out. Below are two bars we tried that had mocktail offerings.
Barmini by José Andrés
Address: 501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Website: https://www.minibarbyjoseandres.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barminibyJose/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barminibyjose/
José Andrés is an award-winning chef with a massive following and an impressive portfolio of restaurants and bars throughout the US. Ismael suggested we visit Barmini, and it was an excellent idea! I tried a couple different mocktails, including a “2 Stops to Montilla” and a “Ticket to Nowhere.” Despite being nonalcoholic, both drinks were phenomenal! I liked how the first one had some bitterness to it, and the second one was unapologetically spicy.
We also tried some wagyu tartare, pictured above. It was only a small bite’s worth of food for each of us, but it was incredibly tender. The “shiso leaf tempura” it was served on provided a slight crunch to offset the texture of the beef.
Alice Cocktail Bar
Address: 724 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Website: https://alicecocktailbar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alice_cocktailbar/
As we were walking around Old Town, we happened to pass by Alice Cocktail Bar. Their colorful menu piqued our curiosity, so we stopped in for a round of drinks. The interior is cute, with lots of references to Alice in Wonderland. The cocktails we ordered were sweet and refreshing! We didn’t get any food here, but it looks like they offer Thai and other Asian plates.
Coffee
With a name like “Caffeinated Excursions,” you already know this blog is going to include some coffee recommendations! Read this section to see some of the places we tried in D.C. and Virginia.
Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.
Address: 3400 Payne St, Falls Church, VA 22041 (There are also other locations around the US)
Website: https://www.qamariacoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qamariacoffee/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qamariacoffee/
As a coffee enthusiast, I have to admit that I’m not as familiar with Yemeni coffee as I should be. Qamaria was an excellent introduction to it though! They have locations far and wide (I think they even have some near Chicago where I live). The address listed above is a food truck, and when we arrived, we ordered two Iced Qamaria Lattes. According to their online menu, these include espresso, milk, cardamom, cinnamon, and honey.
I normally order all my lattes with oat milk, but I found that dairy milk really worked with all the strong flavors present in this drink. We also tried a couple of pastries from Qamaria, which were rich and moist.
Gute Leute
Address: 800 N Glebe Rd Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gute_leute_usa/
I think most people would be intrigued by a Korean coffee shop with a German name. (Apparently it means “Good People.”) Gute Leute is indeed making waves on social media, especially for their coffee omakase experience (read more about what that is here or book the experience on OpenTable here).
We didn’t do the omakase experience, but we did go to Gute Leute one morning to try a few espresso drinks and some pastries. Everything was pretty sweet, and I’d say the espresso drinks were more interesting than the cakes, which were good but not especially memorable.
Misha's Coffee House
Address: 6 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314 and 917 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314 (we visited the Prince Street location)
Website: https://mishascoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mishas-Coffeehouse-and-Roaster/100067162970721/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishas4coffee/
With two locations in Alexandria, Misha’s is a nice spot to visit if you’re spending the day in Old Town. Ismael and I ordered a few lattes and a slice of cake here. The chocolate layer cake was better than the flavored latte I got, which was just a little too sweet for my taste.
Cortado Cafe
Address: 4543 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22304
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CortadoCafe.VA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortadocafeva/
This cute little spot with a multilingual coffee mural in its dining room was right up my alley! I ordered a cold drink with foam on top, and I appreciated how rich and smooth the coffee was. It also wasn’t too sweet, which is a major plus in my book.
Japanese: Daikaya Izakaya
Address: 705 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Website: https://www.daikaya.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Daikaya/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daikaya_izakaya/
Izakaya refers to Japanese small plates, often served with alcohol. After exploring the National Mall one early evening, we walked to Daikaya Izakaya for dinner. I would say most of the items we ordered here were good, but not amazing. The best one without a doubt was their cold ramen, which I believe was a special that night. The savory broth had notes of both wasabi spice and a slightly sweet aftertaste, which really rounded out the soup’s overall flavor.
Daikaya is located in D.C.’s Chinatown, so after dinner, we walked around for a bit. I loved seeing the ornate “Friendship Archway” which is built over H Street NW.
Kenyan: Swahili Village Bar and Grill
Address: 1990 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Website: https://swahilivillages.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwahiliVillageDC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swahili_village_dc/
I’m so glad we found this fun spot south of Dupont Circle! We were looking for a sit-down place that stayed open late in D.C., and Swahili Village was one of the first results we found online. We started off with drinks and then ordered an appetizer sampler and a marinated goat plate to share.
For my main dish, I got goat stew with plantains and jollof rice. Ismael got one of the beef options (I forget exactly which one), also with rice and plantains. These entrees were very large portions, and everything was cooked to perfection! I’m a big fan of Caribbean-style goat stew; I’d say my dinner was pretty similar. The plantains here were also fantastic, and these meals came with a very generous portion of them!
Korean: K Market International in Annandale
Address: 4239 John Marr Dr, Annandale, VA 22003
Website: https://www.kmarketusa.com/
If you’re looking for Korean food, your best bet is to head to Annandale. Here you’ll find the DMV’s Koreatown. It’s further west than Arlington and Alexandria, but I’m glad we went the few extra miles to visit one day for lunch! After browsing a few options, we settled on the food court at K Market International. This Korean grocery store has multiple restaurant vendors and cafeteria-style seating. The stall we ordered from was called K STREET (K 분식).
For lunch, we got bulgogi tteokbokki, a cold ramen dish, and a kimbap roll. I found the ramen to be refreshing, and the kimbap was also very satisfying. If you’ve never had tteokbokki before, consider getting it in Annandale. It’s a very unique dish made of rice cakes in a spicy sauce. These long, cylindrical pieces of rice cake have a spongy texture. I’ll admit, a written description of it doesn’t really do it justice. However, I think most foodies would be pleasantly surprised by it!
Mediterranean: Agora DC
Address: 1527 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Website: https://www.agorarestaurants.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgoraDC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agoradc/
Dinner at Agora DC was one of the most memorable meals of this trip! According to their website, this restaurant draws inspiration from a number of different cuisines, including those from Greece, Lebanon, and Turkey. Agora serves mainly small plates, so you’ll be able to try a wide variety of things here without getting uncomfortably full.
We started off with drinks, and I decided to try a non-alcoholic beer. I was pleasantly surprised by how similar the flavor was to regular beer. Ismael ordered a few cocktails that were light and refreshing.
Our first set of plates that came out included saganaki, taramosalata (cod roe mousse), and bread. Agora flames their saganaki tableside, which is always fun to watch!
Next, we got a sucuklu pide (flatbread with spicy Turkish beef sausage and mozzarella cheese). It was reminiscent of a pizza for sure, but the unique shape and lack of tomato sauce made this a uniquely satisfying finger food.
At the same time, manti (beef dumplings) arrived to the table. I was very curious what these would be like since many different cultures in Asia have their own version of this dish. The manti from Agora DC were small, almost like ravioli. They were also drizzled with garlic yogurt and tomato sauce. I’ve had Afghan-style manti before with a similar dip, as well as manti from Central Asia (which are typically larger and don’t come with sauce). Nonetheless, these Turkish manti were excellent!
Our final set of dishes included grilled octopus, grilled kalamar (calamari), and grilled chicken served on pita. The chicken was juicy and went so well with the toum (a Lebanese garlic sauce) it came with. The octopus and kalamar were both phenomenal. Despite similar textures, the dishes had very different flavor profiles. The squid was prepared with garlic, roasted peppers, ginger, olives, and lemon. It had a summery, citrusy flavor. Meanwhile, the octopus was served in slightly sweet, viscous sauce. I highly recommend ordering both!
To end the meal, we ordered a spicy tuna tartare. I have to admit, this was the one item here that missed the mark. It was just kind of bland. It was made with avocados, the texture of which didn’t really complement the fish. This tartare might’ve been better if it had a little more acidity, like a ceviche. Service was generally good throughout the meal, but it took a while to get our check. Despite these minor issues, Agora was a fun culinary experience that I won’t soon forget!
Mexican
On this trip, we tried two different Mexican eateries. Learn more about them below!
Taco Bamba
Locations: various (we went to the Shirlington one)
Website: https://www.tacobamba.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TacoBamba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacobamba/
Taco Bamba has locations around the DMV, plus a few in places like North Carolina and Tennessee. They offer an extensive menu of unique taco creations. We ordered about half a dozen, including their Small Biggie Smashburger, Spicy ‘Shroom, Taco Bamba (skirt steak and chorizo), Bird’s Hit (Peruvian chicken), and Blackfeesh (black tempura grouper with ink aioli). We also tried an order of Bamba Fries, which can be seen in the top right of the picture below.
All of these tacos were delicious, and I loved the variety and creativity. If you’re having trouble choosing, the signature Taco Bamba is a great place to start. The Small Biggie Smashburger really does taste like a burger on a soft taco tortilla, and I’d say it worked. Taco Bamba also has “tacos tradicionales” such as carne asada and al pastor for a slightly cheaper price than their original menu items like the ones listed above.
El Centro
Address: 1218 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
Website: https://www.eatelcentro.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elcentrodc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elcentrodc/
While we were walking around Georgetown, we stopped into this Mexican restaurant to cool down for a bit. We got a few drinks, and I ordered their happy hour nachos. It was a light snack that had bold flavors, thanks to the melted cheese, beans, and pickled veggies.
Peruvian: Super Pollo Charcoal Chicken
Address: 550 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22203
Before this trip, I was not aware that Peruvian rotisserie chicken was a local favorite in the D.C. metro area! There are many places to get it, but Ismael recommended trying Super Pollo in Arlington. They offer quarter-chicken combo plates with a choice of two sides, so I got fried rice and fries. When compared to regular American rotisserie chicken, I’d say this one had more spice and flavor. It was also very tender and juicy, so I can see why people in the DMV love this Peruvian dish!
Pizza: &pizza
Locations: various (we went to the D.C. Chinatown one)
Website: https://andpizza.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LikeAndPizza/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andpizza/
This fast casual pizza chain has locations as far north as New York and as far south as Virginia. I discovered &pizza many years ago on a previous trip to the East Coast. It’s sort of like Subway or Chipotle, but for pizza. By that I mean that they offer some set combo options, but you can customize your order however you like. If you’ve ever been to MOD Pizza or Blaze Pizza, you’ll find &pizza to be a similar concept.
The thing that sets &pizza apart from its competitors is the shape of their pies. They’re long and rounded; the crust is thin, but not paper thin. On this trip, we split a single pie with pepperoni, olives, and hot dog slices. This place is great for a late night snack!
Spanish: Barca Pier & Wine Bar
Address: 2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314
Website: https://www.barcaalx.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barcaalx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barca_alx/
If you’re craving tapas in Old Town, be sure to check out Barca! They have two locations next to one another: a wine bar (which includes an indoor, sit-down dining room) and a pier (semi-covered patio vibes on the water). Since the weather was good, we reserved a spot out on the pier.
We ordered a bunch of different plates, including calamari, scallops, bacon-wrapped dates, and a bread that I’m pretty sure came topped with a mushroom-based spread. I loved all of these plates, but their seafood should not be missed. Both the fried calamari and the scallops were mouthwatering, especially with the latter served over a succulent “piquillo romesco” pepper sauce.
Uyghur: Dolan Uyghur Restaurant
Address: 3518 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Website: https://www.dolanuyghur.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dolandc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dolan_dc/
I will never pass up the opportunity to enjoy Uyghur food, and that’s because it’s not super easy to find in the US! I’ve featured two Uyghur restaurants in Chicago on my blog so far (learn more about Café Alif in West Ridge and Faiza Chicago in North Park), so Dolan is my third!
Uyghur cuisine is rich and hearty, incorporating ingredients such as lamb, beef, tomatoes, cumin, and onion. If you visit Dolan, be ready for a savory feast! Try a couple appetizers and share main plates to get the full experience. To start, we ordered a kawa (veggie) samsa and a regular (beef) samsa, as well as a wood ear mushroom salad.
After enjoying our appetizers, we split three entrees: korma chop (fried noodles), arlash korma (stir-fried lamb and veggies), and a goshnan (beef and lamb meat pie). All three were phenomenal, but the noodles were probably my favorite. The arlash korma was almost like a stew, with cooked tomatoes that went so well with the lamb.
If you look at Dolan’s menu, you’ll notice that another very prominent offering is laghman. This thick hand-pulled noodle can be prepared in many ways (I think Dolan offers five or six different varieties). I didn’t order it here because I’ve already had it a few times in Chicago. With that said, the fried laghman (“boso laghman”) I’ve had at other Uyghur restaurants seemed pretty similar to the korma chop at Dolan.
Vietnamese
If you’re visiting the DMV in summer like I did, chances are it is hot and humid! There’s no better cuisine for the heat than Vietnamese, which is always fresh and healthy. Check out a few places to get it below.
Hoang Viet Restaurant in Eden Center
Address: 6795 Wilson Blvd #32, Falls Church, VA 22044
Eden Center is a massive Vietnamese marketplace with dozens of restaurants and stores. I had fun walking around and browsing all the food options, but I found the number of choices to be a little overwhelming. Ultimately, we picked one called Hoang Viet Restaurant, and it was pretty good.
I ordered bún chả, one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes. It’s made up of rice noodles, a ton of herbs and veggies, and a dipping sauce that contains grilled pork. This version from Hoang Viet Restaurant was a little different from the bún chả I’ve had from other places, but it was still very tasty! Ismael ordered a rice combo plate, and we shared some fried spring rolls as an appetizer. After eating, we continued to explore the many vendors at Eden Center.
Pho 75
Address: 1721 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209
As a foodie, I am absolutely obsessed with phở! I will savor this Vietnamese noodle soup anywhere I can find it, regardless of time or place. With this in mind, we simply had to get lunch at Pho 75, one of the DMV’s most famous spots.
From the moment we stepped inside, it was clear that this bustling restaurant runs like a well-oiled machine. The dining room was at capacity the entire time we were eating, with a long line of people waiting to be seated. Even though they were packed, I’m pretty sure there was only one waiter for the whole dining room! Despite that, he clearly had his process down to a science. We didn’t have to wait long for our food to come out.
What sets excellent phở apart from merely good phở? I tend to think it’s the broth, as well as the meat. The broth here was delicious, and I’d say it leaned a little more towards the sour/acidic end of the scale. (Sometimes phở broth is more aromatic or fragrant, and sometimes the saltiness is the most prominent flavor.) The cuts of meat at Pho 75 were good quality, which is another important thing for me. A casual lunch here was one of the culinary highlights of my visit!
Conclusion
Washington, D.C. is perfect for a long weekend trip in summertime! The city has a very unique character, unlike any other part of the United States. From quaint neighborhoods to a truly global food scene, the DMV has it all. Even riding the city’s Metro is an experience, with its signature underground platforms like the one pictured below.
At the very end of my trip, as I was waiting to board my plane at Reagan National Airport, I was treated to one of the most vibrant rainbows I’ve ever seen! It was the perfect way to say farewell to our nation’s capital (until next time)!
Have you been to Washington or NoVA before? Have you tried any of the restaurants, bars, or cafes mentioned in this post? If you have, leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading, and have fun in D.C. if you’re about to embark on a trip!
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This post was published on Aug 4, 2024
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