Neighborhood Guide to Dining out in Washington D.C.

This is a sample of restaurants conveniently located near the conference headquarters or in neighborhoods where the conference is sponsoring tours, offsite panels, or other events. The price range indicated is for the average price of entrée and does not include appetizer, dessert, drinks, etc.

A bullet (•) denotes reservations are recommended

Dupont Circle

City Lights of China. Chinese. $13-$20. 1721 Connecticut Ave. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 265-6688. Daily, lunch and dinner. One of the best Chinese eateries in town, the huge menu features extraordinary bargains including Peking duck, salt-baked shrimp, and outstanding vegetarian dishes.•

Restaurant Nora. American. $21-$30. 2132 Florida Ave. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 462-5143. M-Sa, dinner. This highly acclaimed restaurant was America’s first certified organic restaurant and features beef reared on organic hay and cereal grains, free-range chickens, creamy hand-made goat cheeses, heirloom tomatoes, and local applewood smoked trout.•

Teaism. International. Under $12. 2009 R St. NW. Walk from Hilton. Daily, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A two-level teahouse that serves an assortment of teas, Japanese bento boxes, kabobs, ostrich and veggie burgers, curries, and desserts.

La Tomate. Italian. $13-$20. 1701 Connecticut Ave. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 667-5505. Daily, lunch and dinner. Eat well-prepared Italian food at good prices while people-watching through the huge picture windows or dine outside.

Lauriol Plaza. Spanish/Tex-Mex. $13-$20. 1835 18^th St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 387-0035. Fajitas and Spanish offerings such as roast pork and garlic chicken await you at this very popular, lively restaurant with sidewalk terrace and rooftop dining.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Steak house. $21-$30. 1801 Connecticut Ave. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 797-0033. Daily, dinner. Heaven awaits carnivore lovers only steps away from the conference headquarters.•

Straits of Malaya. Malaysian. $13-$20. 1836 18^th St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 483-1483. Daily, dinner. Malaysian cuisine has many Chinese and Indian influences which the friendly staff will explain as they serve family-style and assist with some of the dishes that are table-assembled.•

Obelisk. Italian. $31 and up. 2029 P St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 872-1180. Tu-Sa, dinner. Obelisk is considered one of the most consistently excellent restaurants in Washington and offers a fixed-price menu including four to five courses served in a pleasantly spare room with only 36 seats.•

Pizzeria Paradiso. Italian. Under $12. 2029 P St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 223-1245. Daily, lunch and dinner. Owner/chef Peter Pastan of Obelisk also owns Pizzeria Paradiso where unforgettable gourmet pizzas are made with the freshest ingredients. No reservations are accepted, so plan to wait before being seated.

Johnny’s Half Shell. Seafood. $13-$20. 2002 P St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 296-2021. M-Sa, lunch and dinner. Expect to feast on offerings that include fried-oyster po’boy, spicy New Orleans-style gumbo, barbecued shrimp on grits, crabcakes and crab imperial at this casual but bustling seafood house.•

Pesce. Seafood. $21-$30. 2016 P St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 466-3424. M-F, lunch and dinner; Sa, Su, dinner. Pesce is a small, casual dinning restaurant decorated with whimsical fish art and menu that changes daily in order to serve the freshest ingredients. Expect to choose from entrees such as flavorful tuna tartare, grilled whole flounder, and grilled fresh sardine.•

Sala Thai. Thai. Under $12. 2016 P St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 872-1144. Daily, lunch and dinner. This neon-lit basement restaurant is one of the best buys in the city, turning out authentic dishes such as pad thai, ka prow, and flavorful curries.

Adams Morgan

Mama Ayeshsa’s Restaurant Room. Middle Eastern. Under $12. 1967 Calvert St. NW. Metro: Woodley Park-Zoo or walk from Hilton. (202) 232-5431. Daily, lunch and dinner. Formerly the Calvert Café, this inexpensive, family-run restaurant offers Middle Eastern favorites such as baba ghannouj, hummus, and stuffed grapes leaves and now has outdoor seating.

Cashion’s Eat Place. American. $21-$30. 1819 Columbia Rd. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 797-1819. Tu-Sa, dinner; Su, brunch and dinner. A casual New American eatery that bares the personal stamp of owner-chef Ann Cashion and features fresh and adventurous specialties such as lamb seared with eggplant and garlic or duck breast with sour cherries.•

Mixtec. Mexican. Under $12. 1792 Columbia Rd. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 332-1011. Daily, lunch and dinner. Spit-roasted chicken, grilled pork, soft tacos, burritos and freshly squeezed fruit drinks are sure bets at this neighborhood favorite that always features fresh food at an excellent value.

Meskerem. Ethiopian. $13-$20. 2434 19th St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 462-4100. Daily, lunch and dinner. Enjoy specialties such as kitfo (a spicy steak tartare) and shrimp watt (shrimp cooked in fiery spices) while sitting at woven straw tables or Ethiopian-style on leather floor-cushions. Reservations recommended on weekends.

La Fourchette. French. $13-$20. 2429 18^th St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 332-3077. M-F, lunch and dinner; Sa, Su, brunch and dinner. A longtime neighborhood favorite, this bistro with large murals features bouillabaisse daily and standbys such as duck, lobster, and rabbit.•

Grill From Ipanema. Brazilian. $13-$20. 1858 Columbia Rd. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 986-0757. M-F, dinner; Sa, Su, lunch and dinner. Excellent seafood dishes, specialties such as feijoada (black-bean stew) and tropical drinks.•

Perry’s. Japanese/American. $13-$20. 1811 Columbia Rd. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 234-6218. Daily, dinner. A stylish atmosphere that is a quiet oasis from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood, Perry’s is know for its sushi, but also serves a full dinner menu of modern American flavors and a three-course vegetarian menu.•

Bukom Café. African. Under $12. 2442 18^th St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 265-4600. Tu-Su, dinner. African pop music, palm fronds, kente cloth, and a spicy West African menu welcome you in this two-story, narrow dining room. Entrees range from egussi (goat with melon seeds) and kumasi (chicken in peanut sauce) to vegetarian dishes.

Downtown/Mall

Tony Cheng’s Mongolian Restaurant. Mongolian/Cantonese. $13-$20. 619 H St. NW. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. (202) 371-8669. Daily, lunch and dinner. Select raw ingredients from a massive buffet, then watch the chef stir-fry them on the grill. If you prefer seafood, go upstairs and have fresh fish prepared Cantonese-style.•

Zatinya. Mediterranean. $13-$20. 701 Ninth St. NW. Metro: Gallery Place. (202) 638-0800. M-Sa, lunch and dinner; Su, brunch and dinner. Imagine being transported to a sunny Mediterranean island in the enormous glass-walled dining room of this downtown restaurant that features “mezzes,” or little dishes based on both traditional and contemporary Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese cuisine.•

Café Atlantico. Latin America/Spanish. $13-$20. 405 Eighth St. NW. Metro: Archives/Navy Memorial. (202) 393-0812. M-Sa, lunch and dinner; Su, brunch and dinner. Mexican, Latin American, and Spanish cuisine come together in this spirited three-level restaurant. Expect an innovative, diverse lunch and dinner menu and a Latino Dim Sum brunch on Saturday and Sunday.•

Jaleo. Spanish. $13-$20. 480 Seventh St. NW. Metro: Archives/Navy Memorial. (202) 628-7949. M-Sa, lunch and dinner; Su, brunch and dinner. Jaleo is a stylish tapas bar that is an after-work hangout for the hip and the theater crowd. The 70-plus choices of tapas include such tasty treats as potato omelet, garlic shrimp, and figs with ham—something for every mood. No reservations accepted, so expect to wait to be seated.

TenPenh. Asian. $21-$30. 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Metro: Federal Triangle or Metro Center. (202) 393-4500. M-F, lunch and dinner; Sa, dinner. Stylish décor with Asian furnishings and feng shui-inspired art grace this downtown sensation. The menu creatively blends the cuisines of Thailand, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.•

Rosa Mexicano. Mexican. $13-$20. 575 Seventh St. NW. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. (202) 783-5522. Daily, lunch and dinner. Authentic Mexican cuisine served in a stylish and festive atmosphere should begin with guacamole prepared in a stone bowl to be followed by such enticements as tablones, pescado relleno, chile ancho relleno—all washed down with their wildly popular frozen pomegranate margarita.•

Poste-Moderne Brasserie. Contemporary American/French. $21-30. 555 Eighth St. NW. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. (202) 783-6060. M-Sa, breakfast, lunch, dinner; Su, brunch. Experience a strikingly contemporary brasserie in the historic setting of the old Tariff Building, now the Hotel Monaco. This upscale brasserie is located in the part of the building that was once the sorting room of the 1841 General Post Office and is accessed by using the carriageway portal on Eighth Street. Signature dishes include Virginia Kobe beef steak tartare, pumpkin ravioli, and striped bass.•

Burma Restaurant. Burmese. Under $12. 740 Sixth St. NW. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. (202) 638-1280. M-F, lunch and dinner; Sa, Su, dinner. A hidden treasure on the edge of Chinatown, this restaurant features such delights as mango pork and tamarind fish and an array of vegetarian entrees and noodle dishes.•

Ella’s Wood Fired Pizza. Italian. Under $12. 901 F St. NW. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. (202) 638-3434. Daily, lunch and dinner. Eat brick-oven pizzas with every imaginable topping in a casual setting.

Les Halles. French. $21-30. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Metro: Federal Triangle. (202) 347-6848. Daily, lunch and dinner. Beef is the specialty of this Parisian-inspired brasserie with high tin ceilings, wood floors, and burgundy leather banquettes. The crown jewel of the menu is the cote de boeuf but don’t overlook the pork, chicken, or lamb.•

Zola. American. $13-$20. 800 F St. NW. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. (202) 654-0999. M-F, lunch and dinner; Sa, Su, dinner. Named after author and alleged spy, Emile Zola, this restaurant is adjacent to the new Spy Museum and occupies the historic, restored Le Droit Building. While seated in a red velvet booth watching the long, curving bar, you can choose from items such as duck breast, artichoke and goat cheese tart, and seared scallops.•

Garden Café/National Gallery of Art. American. $13-$20. West Building, National Gallery of Art, Constitution Ave. NW (between Fourth and Seventh Streets) Metro: Archives/Navy Memorial. (202) 842-6043. M-Sa, lunch; Su afternoon. The Garden Café provides a serene spot for lunching on traditional American fare à la carte or from the buffet.

Mitsitam Café/National Museum of the American Indian. Native American. Under $12. Fourth St. and Independence Avenue SW. Metro: L’Enfant Plaza. (202) 633-7044. Mitsitam means “let’s eat” in the Piscataway and Delware language. With a fire-pit-equipped kitchen, the museum’s café serves Indian-inspired food, including quahog clam chowder, Peruvian mashed potato cakes, smoked seafood, and bison chili.

U Street/Howard University/Logan Circle

Ben’s Chili Bowl. American. Under $12. 1213 U St. NW. Metro: U St./Cardozo. (202) 667-0909. M-Sa, breakfast, lunch, dinner; Su, lunch and dinner. Famous for its chili dogs and chili that ranges from mild to extremely hot and spicy, this hangout is a favorite of Howard University students, civil rights leaders, and musicians. No credit cards accepted.

Florida Avenue Grill. Southern. Under $12. 1100 Florida Ave. NW. Metro: U St./Cardozo. (202) 265-1586. Tu-Sa, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At this down-home Southern diner you can get scrapple, fries, grits, and biscuits for breakfast and fried chicken, spare ribs, ham hocks, with homemade corn muffins, greens, cabbage, and sweet potatoes for lunch and dinner.

U-Topia. International. $13-$20. 1418 U St. NW. Metro: U St./Cardozo. (202) 483-7669. M-F, lunch and dinner; Sa, dinner; Su, brunch and dinner. The unique U Street atmosphere pervades this eatery that features an eclectic menu of lamb, couscous, and New York sirloin that go well with the live music.

Café Saint-Ex. American. $13-$20. 1847 Fourteenth St. NW. Metro: U St/Cardozo. (202) 265-7839. M-Su dinner; Sa, Su, brunch. This American-style bistro, named after The Little Prince author Antoine de Saint-Exupery, features wild mushroom and leek tart, herb crusted pork chops, and mussels in garlic broth.

Logan Tavern. American. $13-$20. 1423 P St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 332-3710. M-Th, dinner; F, lunch and dinner; Sa, Su, brunch and dinner. This friendly neighborhood diner serves dishes with an Asian influence such as wasabi-crusted meat loaf and a roasted pork in sweet Asian mustard.•

15 Ria. American. $21-$30. 1515 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 232-7000. M-Sa, breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Su, breakfast, brunch, and dinner. This stylish, edgy restaurant with a sleek bar attracts a diverse crowd that samples a menu that creatively intermingles seasonal favorites with traditional American classics.•

Thai Tanic. Thai. Under $12. 1236 14^th St. NW. Walk from Hilton. (202) 588-1795. M-Su, lunch and dinner. This popular retro-style neighborhood restaurant with metallic accents and lighting in lurid colors offers a large menu that mixes the traditional and the innovative. Main course offerings include a crispy whole flounder with chili based sauce, a splendid yellow curry, and beef stir fried with chili garlic sauce and topped with fried basil.

Capitol Hill

B. Smith’s. Southern. $21-$30. 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Metro: Union Station. (202) 289-6188. M-Sa, lunch and dinner; Su, brunch and dinner. Dine beneath soaring 30-foot ceilings and hear live jazz Friday and Saturday evenings and during Sunday brunch. The restaurant occupies Union Station’s former Presidential Suite.•

Monocle on Capitol Hill. American. $13-$20. 107 D St. NE. Metro: Union Station. (202) 546-4488. M-F, lunch and dinner. This popular, Senate-side after-work watering hole is crammed with political memorabilia and serves great crab-cakes, grilled fresh fish, steaks and chops.•

La Colline. French. $13-$20. 400 N. Capitol St. NW. Metro: Union Station. (202) 737-0400. M-F, breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Sa, dinner. Known for offering quality prix-fixe dinners at a reasonable price and an excellent wine-by-the-glass selection.•

Two Quail. Nouvelle American. $13-$20. 320 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Metro: Union Station. (202) 543-8030. M-F, lunch and dinner; Sa, Su, dinner. Nestled into three Victorian rowhouses, this restaurant is known for its romantic atmosphere and offers a seasonally changing menu consisting of rock Cornish hen with chipotle sauce, herb encrusted rack of lamb, and quail with brie and raspberry stuffing.•

Café Berlin. German. $13-$20. 322 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Metro: Union Station. (202) 543-7656. M-Sa, lunch and dinner; Su, dinner. Café Berlin offers traditional German dishes with a light touch. Seasonally changing menus feature fresh produce in the spring and tempting desserts including apple strudel, black forest cake, and luscious cream tortes.•

Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar. Contemporary American, California, Italian. $13-$20. 223 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Metro: Capitol South. (202) 544-8088. M-F lunch and dinner; Sa, Su dinner. This bustling bistro-wine bar is packed with the after-work Hill crowd and has a menu consisting of four parts: cheese and charcuterie, pasta and pizza, wood-grilled meats, and organic produce.•

Taverna The Greek Islands. Greek. $13-$20. 305 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Metro: Capitol South. (202) 547-8360. M-Sa, lunch and dinner. Try moussaka, lamb pie, kabobs, and other traditional favorites with a selection of Greek wines.

Eastern Market Lunch. American. Under $12. 225 Seventh St. SE. Metro: Eastern Market. (202) 547-8444. Tu-Sa, breakfast and lunch; Su, lunch. Feast on crab cakes served on homemade bread inside the Adolph Cluss-designed 1873 structure that is home to Washington’s oldest market. No credit cards accepted.

Montmartre. French. $13-$20. 327 Seventh St. SE. Metro: Eastern Market. (202) 544-1244. Tu-Su, lunch and dinner. This very popular, lively neighborhood restaurant features bistro classics like stamp-sized ravioli appetizers, hanger steak and frites, braised rabbit, and a dessert tray of handcrafted tortes.•

Café Belga. Belgian. $13-$20. 514 Eighth St. SE. Metro: Eastern Market. (202) 544-0100. Tu-Su lunch and dinner. Enjoy traditional Belgian and contemporary “Eurofusion” dishes at this restaurant located on the newly-restored Barrack Row (Eighth St. SE).•

Georgetown

Sea Catch. Seafood. $21-$30. 31^st St. NW. (202) 337-8855. M-Sa, lunch and dinner. Dine overlooking the C&O Canal in a building that became “the birthplace of the original computer” when the structure was converted into a factory for manufacturing and printing the punched card tabulating machines. The restaurant is noted for its soft-shell crabs, gulf shrimp, extensive selection of shellfish, and hard-to-find seasonal fish.•

Café Le Ruche. French. $13-$20. 1039 31^st St. NW. (202) 965-2684. M-F, lunch and dinner; Sa, Su, brunch and dinner. This hangout of French nationals in Washington serves well-priced mussels, grilled chicken with garlic, trout amandine, and fresh fruit tarts, chocolate mousse, and delicious cakes for dessert.•

Dean & DeLuca Café. Café. Under $12. 3276 M St. NW. (202) 628-8155. Daily, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After browsing the magnificent food emporium next door, stop for a cup of espresso, delightful sandwiches, and pastries at this café located in a former Victorian market.

Aditi. Indian. Under $12. 3299 M St. NW. (202) 625-6825. Daily, lunch and dinner. Tasty curries, tandoori chicken, stir-fried lamb, and an excellent selection of vegetarian entrees await you at this Indian restaurant.

1789. American. $21-$30. 1226 36^th St. NW. (202) 965-1789. Daily, dinner. This is the restaurant for those seeking the quintessential Washington, D.C. dining experience in a massive Federal townhouse furnished with American antiques, period equestrian and historical prints, and Limoges china. Expect impeccably prepared rack of lamb in Merlot sauce, salmon ravioli, and pistachio cannoli with bitter-orange sauce for dessert. Jacket required.•

Café Bonaparte. French. Under $12. 1522 Wisconsin Ave. NW. (202) 333-8830. M-F, breakfast, lunch, dinner; Sa, Su, brunch and dinner. Enjoy the charm of a sidewalk café in Paris while you try a variety of savory crepes, imported gourmet coffees, teas, and a delicious selection of pastries, homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches.

Japan Inn. Japanese. $13-$20. 1715 Wisconsin Ave. NW. (202) 337-3400. M-F, lunch and dinner; Sa, dinner. Dine in a spacious room with traditional folk-style architecture where expert chefs cook teppanyaki at your communal table or reserve a table upstairs in the more private tatami room where you’ll sit at low tables and try sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, or other entrees prepared by a kimonoed waitress.