Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
A few steps away from the home, this is one of DC's Michelin restaurants. We don't tend to see many kids in this restaurant and the menu is not traditional/simple. If you are looking to try something different, this is your place.
This hip bistro has colorful tiles, light-colored wood furnishings, and pastel accents which brings an easy-breezy vibe. The menu is a stimulating piece of work that starts off with some serious bread options. The handful of choices are unlike anything previously experienced-take for example the delightfully unorthodox crostini of grilled charred chocolate rye with salt-baked sardines, sweet butter, and pickled beets. This is one of DC's hottest spots
62 locals recommend
Tail Up Goat
1827 Adams Mill Rd NWA few steps away from the home, this is one of DC's Michelin restaurants. We don't tend to see many kids in this restaurant and the menu is not traditional/simple. If you are looking to try something different, this is your place.
This hip bistro has colorful tiles, light-colored wood furnishings, and pastel accents which brings an easy-breezy vibe. The menu is a stimulating piece of work that starts off with some serious bread options. The handful of choices are unlike anything previously experienced-take for example the delightfully unorthodox crostini of grilled charred chocolate rye with salt-baked sardines, sweet butter, and pickled beets. This is one of DC's hottest spots
Very close to the home, this is the place to be in D.C. Even if you don't plan to eat at one of their restaurants, we recommend checking it out.
Inspired by DC and housed inside a 110-year old historic church, the LINE DC Hotel is the product of a community effort by local chefs, bartenders, artists, and designers. Full Service Radio broadcasts live from the hotel lobby daily while celebrated local chefs embrace the region’s diversity with their culinary experiences. Amplified by Adams Morgan’s eclectic personality, the LINE delivers a richly rounded experience unlike any other in DC.
Visit https://www.thelinehotel.com/full-service-radio/ to learn more about the neighborhood!
29 locals recommend
The LINE DC
1770 Champlain St NWVery close to the home, this is the place to be in D.C. Even if you don't plan to eat at one of their restaurants, we recommend checking it out.
Inspired by DC and housed inside a 110-year old historic church, the LINE DC Hotel is the product of a community effort by local chefs, bartenders, artists, and designers. Full Service Radio broadcasts live from the hotel lobby daily while celebrated local chefs embrace the region’s diversity with their culinary experiences. Amplified by Adams Morgan’s eclectic personality, the LINE delivers a richly rounded experience unlike any other in DC.
Visit https://www.thelinehotel.com/full-service-radio/ to learn more about the neighborhood!
Philz Coffee is just around the corner. There are many great coffee shops near the home and this is one of them. Philz mission is to reinvent the coffee experience. Instead of ordering lattes or cappuccinos they help you choose a coffee blend they think you’ll like best, craft it for you and add anything you want in it (milk, sugar, black). They want you to be 100% satisfied with your drink.
If you love coffee, we recommend trying Philz! This is a San Francisco brand and there are only two Philz coffee shops in D.C.
60 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
1827 Adams Mill Rd NWPhilz Coffee is just around the corner. There are many great coffee shops near the home and this is one of them. Philz mission is to reinvent the coffee experience. Instead of ordering lattes or cappuccinos they help you choose a coffee blend they think you’ll like best, craft it for you and add anything you want in it (milk, sugar, black). They want you to be 100% satisfied with your drink.
If you love coffee, we recommend trying Philz! This is a San Francisco brand and there are only two Philz coffee shops in D.C.
Insomnia fresh baked cookies are delicious and they are open until 3:00 a.m. or 4:00 a.m. on the weekends.
Insomnia Cookies
1040 S College RdInsomnia fresh baked cookies are delicious and they are open until 3:00 a.m. or 4:00 a.m. on the weekends.
Tryst is everybody's favorite place. It's been in business from more than a decade and the place feels like a living room; it is very eclectic and represents the diversity of the neighborhood. It's great for coffee, cocktails and they serve brunch all day at reasonable prices (for D.C. standards).
252 locals recommend
Tryst
2459 18th St NWTryst is everybody's favorite place. It's been in business from more than a decade and the place feels like a living room; it is very eclectic and represents the diversity of the neighborhood. It's great for coffee, cocktails and they serve brunch all day at reasonable prices (for D.C. standards).
If you are looking for a nice terrace where you can have a drink and food, Perry's is a good option for dinner or drinks. Perry's does not have the best Asian food in town, however, the rooftop terrace has a great ambiance with a plethora of sakes and even tastings of Japanese whiskeys and contemporary music.
On Sundays Perry's longest running drag brunch in D.C. Cost for the buffet and entertainment is $25.95. Reservations are recommended and can be made two months in advance.
62 locals recommend
Perry's Restaurant
1811 Columbia Rd NWIf you are looking for a nice terrace where you can have a drink and food, Perry's is a good option for dinner or drinks. Perry's does not have the best Asian food in town, however, the rooftop terrace has a great ambiance with a plethora of sakes and even tastings of Japanese whiskeys and contemporary music.
On Sundays Perry's longest running drag brunch in D.C. Cost for the buffet and entertainment is $25.95. Reservations are recommended and can be made two months in advance.
Roofers Union is a couple of years old and it's beautifully designed. The food is really good and they have specials every night and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
On Mondays neighbors get 20% off their check, Tuesday is 50% off craft beers, Wednesdays all bottles of wine are 50% off, Thursdays is family night and kids under 12 dine for free with the purchase of an adult entree.
Cool views of the street below if you can snag a window seat and/or access to the rooftop. Highly recommend this place for those interested in having a good time and/or listening to good music. Check their Live Music calendar https://roofersuniondc.com/events/.
60 locals recommend
Roofers Union
2446 18th St NWRoofers Union is a couple of years old and it's beautifully designed. The food is really good and they have specials every night and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
On Mondays neighbors get 20% off their check, Tuesday is 50% off craft beers, Wednesdays all bottles of wine are 50% off, Thursdays is family night and kids under 12 dine for free with the purchase of an adult entree.
Cool views of the street below if you can snag a window seat and/or access to the rooftop. Highly recommend this place for those interested in having a good time and/or listening to good music. Check their Live Music calendar https://roofersuniondc.com/events/.
This is a very cool restaurant for dinner or brunch. Mintwood Place describes its food as modern farmhouse style with a French-influenced American menu. The restaurant has a wood-burning oven & sidewalk seats which are perfect on a nice spring or summer afternoon.
71 locals recommend
Mintwood Place
1813 Columbia Rd NWThis is a very cool restaurant for dinner or brunch. Mintwood Place describes its food as modern farmhouse style with a French-influenced American menu. The restaurant has a wood-burning oven & sidewalk seats which are perfect on a nice spring or summer afternoon.
If you love coffee and great ice cream, you can't miss a visit to Pitango. Our favorite ice cream shop now opened a more formal cafe with salads, sandwiches and even cocktails, wine and beer. Highly recommended.
10 locals recommend
Pitango Gelato
1841 Columbia Rd NWIf you love coffee and great ice cream, you can't miss a visit to Pitango. Our favorite ice cream shop now opened a more formal cafe with salads, sandwiches and even cocktails, wine and beer. Highly recommended.
You could probably spend all your time in Adams Morgan but we also like to recommend some of our favorite restaurants. Red Hen is probably our top choice. You will have to drive or take a taxi/Uber to get here but it's totally worth it. An Italian inspired restaurant, the menu changes with the season and it's always fresh and delicious. We recommend making reservations but you can always arrive when they open (5:30 pm on weekdays and 5:00 pm on weekends) and they will be able to sit you. The waiters are very knowledgeable and even passionate about their food and drink menus so I would not hesitate to ask for their recommendations.
359 locals recommend
The Red Hen
1822 1st St NWYou could probably spend all your time in Adams Morgan but we also like to recommend some of our favorite restaurants. Red Hen is probably our top choice. You will have to drive or take a taxi/Uber to get here but it's totally worth it. An Italian inspired restaurant, the menu changes with the season and it's always fresh and delicious. We recommend making reservations but you can always arrive when they open (5:30 pm on weekdays and 5:00 pm on weekends) and they will be able to sit you. The waiters are very knowledgeable and even passionate about their food and drink menus so I would not hesitate to ask for their recommendations.
Drinks & Nightlife
If you love whiskey or bourbon you can't miss this spot. It has a stunning wall filled with whiskey bottles. You can dine, drink or both.
This “cool”, whiskey-centric saloon in Adams Morgan houses the largest whiskey collection in the Western Hemisphere with over 2,000 bottles of hand-selected single malt, blended, international and domestic scotches lining the walls. The saloon also carries an incomparable selection of bourbons & other spirits and serves uniquely hand-crafted cocktails, wines and beers from around the world.
123 locals recommend
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St NWIf you love whiskey or bourbon you can't miss this spot. It has a stunning wall filled with whiskey bottles. You can dine, drink or both.
This “cool”, whiskey-centric saloon in Adams Morgan houses the largest whiskey collection in the Western Hemisphere with over 2,000 bottles of hand-selected single malt, blended, international and domestic scotches lining the walls. The saloon also carries an incomparable selection of bourbons & other spirits and serves uniquely hand-crafted cocktails, wines and beers from around the world.
One of our favorite places. If you are looking for a very casual bar with live music, Bossa is one of the many options you have in Adams Morgan.
The atmosphere is relaxed with a live band downstairs playing old-school salsa rhythms and a DJ mixing up techno and house beats upstairs.
23 locals recommend
Bossa Bistro & Lounge
2463 18th St NWOne of our favorite places. If you are looking for a very casual bar with live music, Bossa is one of the many options you have in Adams Morgan.
The atmosphere is relaxed with a live band downstairs playing old-school salsa rhythms and a DJ mixing up techno and house beats upstairs.
Madams Organ offers live music 7 days a week. The bar features great national blues/rhythm & blues acts Friday and Saturday. Doors open at 5 p.m. live music starts at 9:00 p.m. This is a 21+ bar.
123 locals recommend
Madam's Organ
2461 18th St NWMadams Organ offers live music 7 days a week. The bar features great national blues/rhythm & blues acts Friday and Saturday. Doors open at 5 p.m. live music starts at 9:00 p.m. This is a 21+ bar.
Sightseeing
This is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution and does not charge for admission. If you can, walk to the zoo to avoid paying the $22 parking fee.
The Zoo hosts about 1,800 animals of 300 different species. About one-fifth of them are endangered or threatened. Most species are on exhibit at the Rock Creek Park campus. The best-known residents are the giant pandas, but the zoo is also home to birds, great apes, big cats, Asian elephants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, aquatic animals, small mammals and many more.
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWThis is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution and does not charge for admission. If you can, walk to the zoo to avoid paying the $22 parking fee.
The Zoo hosts about 1,800 animals of 300 different species. About one-fifth of them are endangered or threatened. Most species are on exhibit at the Rock Creek Park campus. The best-known residents are the giant pandas, but the zoo is also home to birds, great apes, big cats, Asian elephants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, aquatic animals, small mammals and many more.
Parks & Nature
If you go to the Zoo, you may want to take a walk around Rock Creek Park and if it's nice, you can also plan a picnic.
Rock Creek Park is a large urban park that bisects the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. The park was created by an Act of Congress in 1890, and today is administered by the National Park Service. Recreation facilities include a golf course; equestrian trails; sport venues, including a tennis stadium; a nature center and planetarium. Rock Creek is a popular venue for jogging, cycling, and inline skating, especially on the long, winding Beach Drive, portions of which are closed to vehicles on weekends.
584 locals recommend
Rock Creek Park
3545 Williamsburg Ln NWIf you go to the Zoo, you may want to take a walk around Rock Creek Park and if it's nice, you can also plan a picnic.
Rock Creek Park is a large urban park that bisects the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. The park was created by an Act of Congress in 1890, and today is administered by the National Park Service. Recreation facilities include a golf course; equestrian trails; sport venues, including a tennis stadium; a nature center and planetarium. Rock Creek is a popular venue for jogging, cycling, and inline skating, especially on the long, winding Beach Drive, portions of which are closed to vehicles on weekends.
We know that if you have kids, access to playgrounds is important. Kalorama Park is a great park for kids of all ages and it is located within walking distance from the house.
27 locals recommend
Kalorama Park
1865 Kalorama Rd NWWe know that if you have kids, access to playgrounds is important. Kalorama Park is a great park for kids of all ages and it is located within walking distance from the house.
Arts & Culture
This is a great museum, one of our favorites. Check out their calendar to see all their free activities for toddlers, kids, teens and adults! http://npg.si.edu/whats-on/events. The building itself and visiting the courtyard is worth the visit, too.
In the museum you will find the greatest icons in American history as they come to life through the art of portraiture. It paints a picture of the many influential people throughout America's history, the National Portrait Gallery is a must-see for pop culture fans, history buffs and art lovers alike. You can also find the Obama's new portraits.
365 locals recommend
National Portrait Gallery
This is a great museum, one of our favorites. Check out their calendar to see all their free activities for toddlers, kids, teens and adults! http://npg.si.edu/whats-on/events. The building itself and visiting the courtyard is worth the visit, too.
In the museum you will find the greatest icons in American history as they come to life through the art of portraiture. It paints a picture of the many influential people throughout America's history, the National Portrait Gallery is a must-see for pop culture fans, history buffs and art lovers alike. You can also find the Obama's new portraits.
This is great for the kids and fans of spies or spy movies. It's entertaining for kids and adults. Unfortunately, you will have to pay for this one but this is a good activity on a rainy day or if your kids say they are tired of walking! Before or after your visit you can have lunch or dinner at Shake Shack, the famous burger place which is right outside the museum.
231 locals recommend
International Spy Museum
700 L'Enfant Plaza SWThis is great for the kids and fans of spies or spy movies. It's entertaining for kids and adults. Unfortunately, you will have to pay for this one but this is a good activity on a rainy day or if your kids say they are tired of walking! Before or after your visit you can have lunch or dinner at Shake Shack, the famous burger place which is right outside the museum.
There's something for everybody in the museum. You can also watch an IMAX. The Q?rius interactive exhibition on the ground floor is great for the 10 and under crowd. The cafeteria is closed for renovations and there's a limited cafe menu available.
647 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NWThere's something for everybody in the museum. You can also watch an IMAX. The Q?rius interactive exhibition on the ground floor is great for the 10 and under crowd. The cafeteria is closed for renovations and there's a limited cafe menu available.
Shopping
We love this store! You will want to buy everything from home goods, to bitters, to furniture. If you want to buy a sophisticated DC branded gift, you will find great options here - including district inspired glasses and cutting boards.
Hudson & Crane
2001 13th St NWWe love this store! You will want to buy everything from home goods, to bitters, to furniture. If you want to buy a sophisticated DC branded gift, you will find great options here - including district inspired glasses and cutting boards.
This is a must! The store has been in business since the early 80's. They have about 50,000 quality used, recent and out-of-print books, as well as greeting cards, newspapers, records and CDs. The store has three floors of books, and comfortable chairs. A member of the Washington Antiquarian Booksellers Association.
19 locals recommend
Walls of Books
3325 Georgia Ave NWThis is a must! The store has been in business since the early 80's. They have about 50,000 quality used, recent and out-of-print books, as well as greeting cards, newspapers, records and CDs. The store has three floors of books, and comfortable chairs. A member of the Washington Antiquarian Booksellers Association.
Essentials
Yes! Organic is a great, family-owned local grocery chain offering fresh, natural and organic foods. This is one of the closest grocery stores near the home.
The quality of the products is great but if you are budget conscious and do not particularly care about organic products, you may be better off going to a regular super market like Safeway.
48 locals recommend
Yes! Organic Market Adams Morgan
1825 Columbia Rd NWYes! Organic is a great, family-owned local grocery chain offering fresh, natural and organic foods. This is one of the closest grocery stores near the home.
The quality of the products is great but if you are budget conscious and do not particularly care about organic products, you may be better off going to a regular super market like Safeway.
This is a regular supermarket. Prices are better than at the organic supermarket. Go midday to avoid the crowds.
855 locals recommend
Safeway
3830 Georgia Ave NWThis is a regular supermarket. Prices are better than at the organic supermarket. Go midday to avoid the crowds.