DC Eats & Sightseeing
Blue Duck Tavern
You can't go wrong with any dish at Blue Duck Tavern. The atmosphere and plating will wow you with its unique style and the smells coming from the wood burning oven will immediately tell you you're in for a great meal. Favorite Dishes: Wood Oven Roasted Bone Marrow, Roasted Duck Breast, Hand Cut Triple Fries, Pomme Puree
Tiger Fork
Tiger Fork is one of our favorite restaurants in DC. It is an absolute must if you love Asian food! Favorite dishes: Cheung Fun (pictured), Whole Snapper and Fried Rice. Creative cocktails too!
Reverie
For those who want to splurge on a special dining experience, Reverie is one of the finest showcases of culinary talent in DC. Johnny Spero creates an incredible tasting menu highlighting primarily fresh seafood as well as other creative dishes. We recommend sitting at the Chef's Counter if possible, as this allows you the unique opportunity to interact with the chefs cooking your meal.
Union Market
We've eaten our way through Union Market multiple times. It's a wonderful indoor market, consisting of multiple food booths. Favorite spots include Takorean, ArepaZone, District Doughnut, Zita Rica, Al Volo and Lucky Buns. Great butchery and seafood market. They also opened up a rooftop bar! Very popular on the weekends.
Duke's Grocery
You can find two Dukes in DC: Duke's Grocery and Duke's Counter. We recommend the Duke's Grocery location in Dupont Circle as Duke's Counter is a bit removed from downtown DC. Home of one of the best burgers in DC in our opinion.
Lucky Buns
Lucky Buns is our 2nd favorite burger spot. The menu has multiple styles of burgers and a variety of delicious cocktails. You can't go wrong! We love the OG and the Dirty Bird.
St. Anselm
St. Anselm is one of the best steak restaurants in DC, as well as an amazing brunch spot! Favorite Dishes: Buttermilk Biscuits, Butcher's Steak, Ribeye, and Ice Cream Cake
Baked & Wired
Baked & Wired is Margaret's favorite DC cupcake spot. Also, offers other desserts - cookies, macaroons, pies, cakes, bars, homemade marshmallows, brownies, bars, rice krispie treats. Amazing coffee and hot chocolate. Favorite cupcakes: Red Velvet, Uniporn and Rainho, Chocolate Doom
The Wharf in DC
The Wharf is an amazing spot to visit and it's right on the water. This location just recently finishing development and is an absolute must-visit while you're here. It features bars, amazing restaurants, a huge fish market, shops, amazing views of the river, a concert theater, outdoor fire pit and boat tours. You can't go wrong spending an afternoon or evening here. Restaurants to check out: Del Mar, Hank's Oyster Bar, Mi Vida, La Vie, Kaliwa
Del Mar
Del Mar is the most delicious and authentic Spanish Cuisine in DC. We went here for dinner after getting engaged as well as for several anniversaries. Incredible cocktails! The decor of the restaurant makes you feel like you are on vacation in a coastal villa in Spain. Favorite Dishes: Croquetas de Jamón y Trufa (Ham and Truffle Croquettes) and Arroz Negro de Calamares y Morcilla (Squid Ink Paella)
Dacha Beer Garden
Dacha Beer Garden is our go-to outdoor beer garden. Wide selection of beers and delicious pretzels with dipping sauces. Dog friendly as well!
The Salt Line
Salt Line has indoor and outdoor seating available right on the water. One of our favorite seafood spots! Located right across from the World Series Champions Nationals baseball stadium! Favorite Dishes: Lobster Roll and Raw Bar
Bresca
Bresca is a Michelin-starred restaurant that has taken DC by storm since it opened a year ago. The chef, Ryan Ratino, is quickly being recognized as one of the best in DC and his food shows it. If you want to splurge, the duck press dish (only 4 available a night) is extravagance galore. The flavors are bold and direct. Favorite Dish: Foie Gras and Waffles, Perogi and Dry-Aged Steak
Honey Pig BBQ
Honey Pig is an authentic Korean BBQ restaurant open 24/7. About a 25 minute drive outside of the city. Great for group meals! We treat ourselves to Honey Pig a couple of times a year with friends. They serve a house-made sauce that Austin has tried recreating at home multiple times and has even tried bribing the staff for a bottle to take home! Favorite Dishes: Kimchi Pajeon (pancake), Kalbi (short ribs), Spicy Pork belly, Chadolbaegi (brisket)
Maydan
Maydan was recently awarded a Michelin star. A hidden gem of a restaurant with a secret entrance door for guests to find. African and Middle Eastern cuisine all cooked on an open fire. Family style and great for large groups. Favorite Dishes: All the spreads/dips and Lamb Leg
Da Hong Pao
Da Hong Pao is our favorite dim sum place. The food comes fast and delicious in carts around the room and you pick out what you want. Favorite dishes: Pork & Shrimp Shumai, Pork Bun, Steamed Shrimp Rice Crepe, Egg Tart
O-Ku
If you're looking for sushi, this is our favorite spot in DC. Located in the exciting Union Market area, this spot serves incredible sushi rolls and great cocktails in a hip, modern setting.
The Red Hen
The Red Hen is one of the most well known restaurants in DC and has delicious Italian cuisine. If you like pasta...go here. Favorite Dishes: Toast Dishes (Chicken Liver Mousse or Whipped Ricotta with Truffle Honey), Cacio e Pepe, Wild Mushroom Pasta
Bourbon Steak
Bourbon Steak is located inside Georgetown's Four Seasons hotel. A classic steak restaurant that serves unlimited plates of 3 different kinds of fries and 3 different dipping sauces. You can't beat that! This is a favorite of the mother of the bride. Favorite dishes: Steak & Fries duh!
2 Amy's
Located in the Glover Park neighborhood north of Georgetown, 2 Amy's is our favorite pizza spot in DC! Favorite Dishes: Zucchini croquettes with lemon, Salt cod croquettes, and all pizzas
A Baked Joint
A Baked Joint is one of our favorite casual breakfast spots. Serves amazing coffee and homemade bread. Also, serves lunch, but we mostly go for breakfast. Favorite Dishes: Biscuit Sammie, Crème Brûlée French Toast, Baked Potato Soup,
The Dabney
This Michelin-starred restaurant is one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in DC. All dishes are cooked on an open fire located in the middle of the restaurant. Menu changes daily. This restaurant is also special because Austin worked here for a year! Favorite Dishes: Sweet Potato Roll sandwiches (sometimes off menu but always available), Hearth Roasted Vegetables, Homemade Ciabatta Bread served with whipped sorghum butter, Lobster and Grits, Blackened Fish
POV Rooftop
An iconic rooftop lounge at the W Hotel, POV offers an absolutely incredible view of the White House and National Mall. Come here for an evening drink and to have your breath taken away.
The Tombs
The Tombs is a Georgetown University classic! All Hoyas have eaten here and spent most of their weekends at the Tombs. You can find Margaret's name on their 99 Days Club plaque near the bar! Favorite Dishes: Crab & Artichoke Dip, Cheeseburger, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (off the menu item), chocolate brownie and a pitcher of beer!
Crimson
The Crimson is a large three story bar in downtown DC. First floor is a whiskey bar, second floor is a cafe/diner, and top floor is a rooftop bar. Great cocktails and view of the city!
Thomas Sweet
Thomas Sweet or better known as T Sweets is our favorite ice cream spot located in the Georgetown neighborhood. It offers a huge variety of Ice cream flavors as well as house-made fudge, sundaes, ice cream cookie sandwiches, frozen yogurt, soft serve, etc.
National Mall
The DC classic sightseeing spot. The National Mall is centrally located in DC stretching over 2 miles from the Lincoln Memorial to the US Capitol. Memorials include Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, World War II, Roosevelt, Korean War, Vietnam and the White House and Capitol. The National Mall holds a special place in our hearts as we still enjoy walking the mall and playing softball with our best friends on Sundays. We got engaged at the Lincoln Memorial! Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bike and scooter rentals are available.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
We have gone back to the National Air and Space Museum multiple times and we still feel like we haven’t seen it all. The museum houses so much history and research on aviation and spaceflight. Most displays are original aircrafts. We love watching space movies together, so we really enjoy all spacecraft exhibits.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is the first museum Austin and Margaret went to together. Collectively, their favorite areas of the museum are the giant elephant in the middle of the rotunda and the marine and dinosaur exhibits. Margaret, of course, also enjoys visiting the Hope Diamond!
Georgetown Waterfront Park
On nice sunny days, we enjoy walking around the Georgetown neighborhood, particularly the waterfront. The entire neighborhood is filled with shops, boutiques, bars, restaurants, movie theaters, coffee shops, etc. Grab a coffee, lobster roll or a pastry and sit on the giant steps right on the waterfront. We enjoy feeding the ducks and watching rowers compete.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
The newest museum addition to the National Mall. A museum that seeks to understand American history through the lens of the African American experience. Our favorite exhibits include sports and music.
International Spy Museum
Margaret enjoys forensic science and all things criminal investigations. Thus, the International Spy museum is one of her favorite spots.
Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Park is DC's favorite place for biking, skating, running and even horseback riding. 32 miles of trails! Great way to have some fresh air and enjoy DC's fall red-orange foliage.
The National Aquarium
Baltimore is a quick 45min drive away for one of our favorite aquariums filled with sharks, dolphin shows and beautiful coral reefs!
Arlington National Cemetery
The most famous cemetery in the United States. This resting place for fallen soldiers and military members offers gorgeous views, beautiful architecture and a poignant reminder of the history forged by this country. A beautiful, yet solemn experience.
Old Town
Located across the river and south of Ronald Reagan airport, Old Town in Alexandria, VA is a historic and charming district with an endless variety of restaurants, shops, public art and a waterfront. On a cool sunny day, this is a must for an all day visit.
Residents Cafe & Bar
For creative cocktails in a fun setting, check out this bar in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. The outdoor patio is always beautifully decorated with a different theme every few months and the cocktails are top notch and super creative. A great bar to enjoy if it's a beautiful day weather-wise.
Le Diplomate
A DC staple. This French bistro/restaurant serves classic French dishes in a classic neighborhood vibe bistro. If you've lived in DC more than a year, you've heard of and eaten at Le Diplomate. A great place for lunch.