Justin’s Guidebook

Justin And Zach
Justin And Zach
Justin’s Guidebook

Local Restaurants

These are some of our favorite restaurants and cafes within walking distance of the house
Excellent Thai restaurant with an outdoor patio serving noodle bowls, rice dishes, street food & cocktails in a hip, urbane space.
43 locals recommend
BKK Cookshop
1700 New Jersey Ave NW
43 locals recommend
Excellent Thai restaurant with an outdoor patio serving noodle bowls, rice dishes, street food & cocktails in a hip, urbane space.
Great BBQ restaurant serving sandwiches & combo platters plus veggie sides, beer, wine & bourbon drinks.
114 locals recommend
DCity Smokehouse
203 Florida Ave NW
114 locals recommend
Great BBQ restaurant serving sandwiches & combo platters plus veggie sides, beer, wine & bourbon drinks.
One of the best local places to get brunch on the weekend, this casual restaurant has a great outdoor patio too. Just be aware that they are especially busy on weekends so you might need to wait a bit.
354 locals recommend
Big Bear Cafe
1700 R St NW
354 locals recommend
One of the best local places to get brunch on the weekend, this casual restaurant has a great outdoor patio too. Just be aware that they are especially busy on weekends so you might need to wait a bit.
Despite the name, this local bakery and café has some of the best breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Additionally, they always have delicious baked goods besides cookies, and their enormous cinnamon rolls are incredible. Highly recommended for breakfast or lunch
27 locals recommend
Uncle Chip's Cookies
1514 North Capitol St NW
27 locals recommend
Despite the name, this local bakery and café has some of the best breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Additionally, they always have delicious baked goods besides cookies, and their enormous cinnamon rolls are incredible. Highly recommended for breakfast or lunch
Featured in the 2018 Michelin guide, Convivial is a beautiful restaurant serving imaginative French-American fare & craft cocktails. Killer brunch on weekends.
68 locals recommend
Convivial
801 O St NW
68 locals recommend
Featured in the 2018 Michelin guide, Convivial is a beautiful restaurant serving imaginative French-American fare & craft cocktails. Killer brunch on weekends.
Perfect for a date or a business meal. Michelin-rated Italian restaurant. Reservations can be hard to come by, but they keep a walk-in list. For best bets, walk down and put your name in around 5:30. You can either hang out at the bar or go to another area restaurant for a drink and they’ll text you when your table is ready.
359 locals recommend
The Red Hen
1822 1st St NW
359 locals recommend
Perfect for a date or a business meal. Michelin-rated Italian restaurant. Reservations can be hard to come by, but they keep a walk-in list. For best bets, walk down and put your name in around 5:30. You can either hang out at the bar or go to another area restaurant for a drink and they’ll text you when your table is ready.
Consistently rated as the #1 local watering hole in DC. Pub fare and good drinks, serving local craft beer DC Brau. Live music at times throughout the week. Patio seating available, weather permitting.
262 locals recommend
Boundary Stone
116 Rhode Island Ave NW
262 locals recommend
Consistently rated as the #1 local watering hole in DC. Pub fare and good drinks, serving local craft beer DC Brau. Live music at times throughout the week. Patio seating available, weather permitting.
Japanese / Thai restaurant. Great food at a reasonable price. This is our personal go-to, with consistently delicious food. Offering sushi and other Japanese fare along with Thai, it’s hard not to find something to enjoy. Patio seating available, weather permitting.
92 locals recommend
Aroi
1832 1st St NW
92 locals recommend
Japanese / Thai restaurant. Great food at a reasonable price. This is our personal go-to, with consistently delicious food. Offering sushi and other Japanese fare along with Thai, it’s hard not to find something to enjoy. Patio seating available, weather permitting.
Artisanal pizza. With pizzas named after each of the area neighborhoods, Bacio offers a wide variety of traditional, non-tomato, and gluten-free options. This is our hands-down favorite pizza place. They don’t do delivery, but their order-out pizza is usually ready in less than 20 minutes. If you choose to dine in, they have indoor and outdoor patio seating available.
187 locals recommend
Bacio Pizzeria
81 Seaton Pl NW
187 locals recommend
Artisanal pizza. With pizzas named after each of the area neighborhoods, Bacio offers a wide variety of traditional, non-tomato, and gluten-free options. This is our hands-down favorite pizza place. They don’t do delivery, but their order-out pizza is usually ready in less than 20 minutes. If you choose to dine in, they have indoor and outdoor patio seating available.
Stylish neighborhood bistro with a southern European inspired menu and wine-focus, a popular patio great for sipping wine or a special night.
38 locals recommend
Tyber Creek Wine Bar & Kitchen
84 T St NW
38 locals recommend
Stylish neighborhood bistro with a southern European inspired menu and wine-focus, a popular patio great for sipping wine or a special night.
The neighborhood bakery and café, this is a great spot for a coffee or a sweet bite!
26 locals recommend
Sylvan Cafe
104 Rhode Island Ave NW
26 locals recommend
The neighborhood bakery and café, this is a great spot for a coffee or a sweet bite!
Take out only—but oh my word is it good! This is Korean fried chicken (similar to Bon Chon, if you’re familiar), but even better. They’re highly specialized—Korean fried chicken and wings, burgers, and cheesesteaks. You know they’re good because they don’t have sit-down and their website doesn’t work!JBut you can give them a call at (202) 232-3468 or just stop by.
21 locals recommend
KoChix Chicken
400 Florida Ave NW
21 locals recommend
Take out only—but oh my word is it good! This is Korean fried chicken (similar to Bon Chon, if you’re familiar), but even better. They’re highly specialized—Korean fried chicken and wings, burgers, and cheesesteaks. You know they’re good because they don’t have sit-down and their website doesn’t work!JBut you can give them a call at (202) 232-3468 or just stop by.

Bars

In addition to some of the amazing spots just around the corner listed above, DC has a huge list of amazing places to find a great drink. Some are outright bars, others serve food, but all are worth your time. This is not an all-inclusive list, simply something to whet your appetite!
Local favorite tavern with outdoor patio and gastropub fare, one of the closest within walking distance
253 locals recommend
The Pub & The People
1648 North Capitol Street Northwest
253 locals recommend
Local favorite tavern with outdoor patio and gastropub fare, one of the closest within walking distance
This two-story bar has simple, classic drinks and a low-key atmosphere, plus a tiki bar upstairs and snacks galore. To sum it up, it’s just the right amount of quirky and cool. Super friendly bartenders will even pour you samples of beer to taste before you order (if you ask nicely)!
39 locals recommend
The Passenger
1539 7th St NW
39 locals recommend
This two-story bar has simple, classic drinks and a low-key atmosphere, plus a tiki bar upstairs and snacks galore. To sum it up, it’s just the right amount of quirky and cool. Super friendly bartenders will even pour you samples of beer to taste before you order (if you ask nicely)!
Perfect for happy hour, which takes place every weekday from 4–7pm. This funky bar is decorated with old school vinyl records, maps, and train parts.
42 locals recommend
Lost & Found DC
1240 9th St NW
42 locals recommend
Perfect for happy hour, which takes place every weekday from 4–7pm. This funky bar is decorated with old school vinyl records, maps, and train parts.
If you’re from the Midwest, you’ll want to check out this bar. Memorabilia from the owners’ hometowns of Chicago and Detroit are sprinkled throughout, and the menu has offerings like a Chicago Dog and plenty of Midwestern beers. Prices here are cheap (only $4 for a microbrew!), and the rooftop deck has its own bar, perfect for those warm summer nights in the city.
37 locals recommend
Ivy and Coney
1537 7th St NW
37 locals recommend
If you’re from the Midwest, you’ll want to check out this bar. Memorabilia from the owners’ hometowns of Chicago and Detroit are sprinkled throughout, and the menu has offerings like a Chicago Dog and plenty of Midwestern beers. Prices here are cheap (only $4 for a microbrew!), and the rooftop deck has its own bar, perfect for those warm summer nights in the city.
A beer garden with a 3-story mural of Elizabeth Taylor on the wall, what’s not to love? Dacha is one of our favorite places to spend a lazy afternoon, with a HUGE selection of European beers, a long list of cocktails and wines, and a delicious menu of German pub-style food. They have umbrellas, heaters, and water misters to give the perfect amount of climate control year-round—but if it’s a beautiful day, get there early or risk a wait to get in.
205 locals recommend
Dacha Cafe
1600 7th St NW
205 locals recommend
A beer garden with a 3-story mural of Elizabeth Taylor on the wall, what’s not to love? Dacha is one of our favorite places to spend a lazy afternoon, with a HUGE selection of European beers, a long list of cocktails and wines, and a delicious menu of German pub-style food. They have umbrellas, heaters, and water misters to give the perfect amount of climate control year-round—but if it’s a beautiful day, get there early or risk a wait to get in.
Cocktail bar and lounge boasting great music and the vibe of an old study. They specialize in classic & creative drinks as well as offer trendy bites like kolaches and fancy popcorn. You may not eat a full meal here, but you certainly could spend several hours none the less!
35 locals recommend
Truxton Inn
251 Florida Ave NW
35 locals recommend
Cocktail bar and lounge boasting great music and the vibe of an old study. They specialize in classic & creative drinks as well as offer trendy bites like kolaches and fancy popcorn. You may not eat a full meal here, but you certainly could spend several hours none the less!
Super busy and incredibly popular hangout that frequently has a line around the block by midnight on Friday and Saturday nights! The first floor is a British pub offering all you’d expect from a British pub, but the upper floors and roof deck are known for guest DJs, college parties, and good drinks.
101 locals recommend
Brixton
901 U St NW
101 locals recommend
Super busy and incredibly popular hangout that frequently has a line around the block by midnight on Friday and Saturday nights! The first floor is a British pub offering all you’d expect from a British pub, but the upper floors and roof deck are known for guest DJs, college parties, and good drinks.

Markets

The closest place to buy essentials, spirits, or groceries
Closest wine/liquor/beer store. Wide variety of all, and good prices.
25 locals recommend
Bloomingdale Wine & Spirits
1836 1st St NW
25 locals recommend
Closest wine/liquor/beer store. Wide variety of all, and good prices.
Closest Grocery store within walking distance, but which also has parking available on-site.
804 locals recommend
Giant Food
1345 Park Rd NW
804 locals recommend
Closest Grocery store within walking distance, but which also has parking available on-site.
Great local mini Grocery with an all-day cafe counter, focusing on DC local foods and produce.
38 locals recommend
Union Kitchen Grocery
538 3rd St NE
38 locals recommend
Great local mini Grocery with an all-day cafe counter, focusing on DC local foods and produce.

Things to Do

Whether you’re from DC or just visiting, you’re bound to find something amazing to do! One of the resources we enjoy is a website called Things to Do DC (https://thingstododc.com). Every month there are embassies hosting cultural events, museums hosting special after-hours parties, guided tours, food and wine tastings, you name it!
Our Favorite museum in DC, it houses dinosaurs, the hope diamond, and so much more. Free like all Smithsonian museums, this one can’t be missed!
647 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW
647 locals recommend
Our Favorite museum in DC, it houses dinosaurs, the hope diamond, and so much more. Free like all Smithsonian museums, this one can’t be missed!
If you’re a fan of modern & contemporary art, this is the museum you need to visit. It also has serene sculpture gardens and is located right on the National Mall.
230 locals recommend
Hirshhorn Museum
7th Street Southwest
230 locals recommend
If you’re a fan of modern & contemporary art, this is the museum you need to visit. It also has serene sculpture gardens and is located right on the National Mall.
There are dozens of restaurants and shops in this awesome DC market. You will find every type of cuisine here; We personally love Buffalo & Bergen's knishes.
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NE
906 locals recommend
There are dozens of restaurants and shops in this awesome DC market. You will find every type of cuisine here; We personally love Buffalo & Bergen's knishes.
Screens popular new releases as well as indie and foreign flicks. Each theater is a small intimate space with reserved plush seats and state-of-the-art projectors. The front of the house has a cocktail lounge, and you can take your drinks into the theater with you.
104 locals recommend
Landmark's Atlantic Plumbing Cinema
807 V Street Northwest
104 locals recommend
Screens popular new releases as well as indie and foreign flicks. Each theater is a small intimate space with reserved plush seats and state-of-the-art projectors. The front of the house has a cocktail lounge, and you can take your drinks into the theater with you.
The largest major movie theater which is close to the house, if the Landmark doesn’t have the movie you want to see this is the theater to go to.
105 locals recommend
Regal Gallery Place & 4DX
701 7th St NW
105 locals recommend
The largest major movie theater which is close to the house, if the Landmark doesn’t have the movie you want to see this is the theater to go to.
Watch some of the biggest stars or best indie acts in this small, open-floor concert venue. Ever hear of those super up close and personal “secret performances” artists sometimes give? This is one of the venues they do it in! The 9:30 Club has been named the # 1 nightclub by Rolling Stone, Billboard and Pollstar, more than any other club in the nation, and it’s the most attended club of its size in the world. Check out their lineup and buy tickets in advance.
455 locals recommend
9:30
815 V St NW
455 locals recommend
Watch some of the biggest stars or best indie acts in this small, open-floor concert venue. Ever hear of those super up close and personal “secret performances” artists sometimes give? This is one of the venues they do it in! The 9:30 Club has been named the # 1 nightclub by Rolling Stone, Billboard and Pollstar, more than any other club in the nation, and it’s the most attended club of its size in the world. Check out their lineup and buy tickets in advance.
Owned by the 9:30 club (along with a number of other venues), The Lincoln Theatre, was a cultural center of D.C., predating and influencing Harlem’s renaissance. Washington natives Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey were joined by nationally acclaimed artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Nat King Cole, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and Sarah Vaughn who performed regularly on the storied stage. It offers a wide variety of acts, from music, to comedy, to performance art and more.
62 locals recommend
Lincoln Theatre
1215 U St NW
62 locals recommend
Owned by the 9:30 club (along with a number of other venues), The Lincoln Theatre, was a cultural center of D.C., predating and influencing Harlem’s renaissance. Washington natives Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey were joined by nationally acclaimed artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Nat King Cole, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and Sarah Vaughn who performed regularly on the storied stage. It offers a wide variety of acts, from music, to comedy, to performance art and more.
A dinner theater with an incredible history, the Howard Theater now offers music and dance parties of all kinds as well as African-American theater and a Sunday gospel brunch.
160 locals recommend
Howard Theatre
620 T St NW
160 locals recommend
A dinner theater with an incredible history, the Howard Theater now offers music and dance parties of all kinds as well as African-American theater and a Sunday gospel brunch.
Showcases contemporary art and hosts exhibitions, workshops, and performances.
Washington Project For the Arts
2124 8th St NW
Showcases contemporary art and hosts exhibitions, workshops, and performances.