DC Eats | Jane Lien

DC Eats

Jane Lien

Best food places in DC from $ to $$$

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Call Your Mother Deli – Barracks Row / Capitol Hill D.C.

@janelien

Call Your Mother has multiple locations around DC and is a local favorite for good reason. There are so many creative and tasty bagel (or gluten-free yuca bread) sandwich options.

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Shouk

@janelien

Plant based pita sandwiches and bowls. The "shawarma" in a pita is delicious and made from oyster mushrooms! There are multiple locations around town so great for a quick, cheap eat.

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Mexican Fruits LLC

@janelien

This place is technically a grocery store, but they also sell homemade tamales, pupusas, and empanadas at the checkout counter. While La Cosecha, a lovely Latin American food hall, is just across the street, it'd be hard to find a $2 tamale there.

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Honeymoon Chicken

@janelien

Even if you're not close by, it's worth a trip to get their fried chicken tenders and honey butter rolls. Their vegetable sides, like the brussels sprouts or cauliflower, and salads are also good for some greens in your meal.

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Ethiopic Restaurant

@janelien

The vegetarian sampler is a great way to try a bunch of the veg dishes. The awaze tibs are also so good. If you're gluten-free, you can order gluten-free injera (the bread that you use to scoop up the other dishes).

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Lapis

@janelien

Amazing Afghani food. If they have the cardamom cake (not on the menu) available, get it.

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Tonari

@janelien

A unique wafu (Japanese-style) Italian place where you can get pizza topped with kewpie-cod roe cream and corn or pasta with Japanese curry and tomato sauce (tastes better than it sounds)!

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Pappe

@janelien

Indian food that's full of flavor but doesn't feel too heavy. In particular, the winter squash kofta curry, grilled paneer achari, and rabdi tres leches are standout.

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All-Purpose Riverfront

@janelien

There are a few locations around town but this one has a nice view of the river. If the weather is nice, try to get a seat outside. Really any of their pizzas are a good choice!

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$$$

Maydan

@janelien

Get the tawle menu, which is basically their tasting menu. Everything is delicious and it is a feast! Pro tip: the chicken shish taouk is particularly tasty and if you ask nicely, you may be able to get a larger portion as a main dish/center plate. Make sure you put it on your calendar to look for a reservation 21 days ahead of time. This place books up quick.

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Tail Up Goat

@janelien

Creative tasting menu that changes often. Cozy atmosphere and fantastic service (they're also great at accommodating food allergies). Fantastic local place for a special dinner.

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Oyster Oyster

@janelien

Vegetable forward restaurant (only non-veg dish is oyster that can be swapped with a veg option) that values sustainability. Really creative tasting menu, such as pressed pumpkin seeds, beet bread, and marigold "butter," that changes seasonally. Make sure you book ahead of time. Reservations are tricky to snag.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jane Lien

Hi, I'm Jane! I'm a researcher and maximizer. I enjoy creating itineraries that make the most of my time and include the "best of's," and I'm excited to be able to share them with you! From making a special trip to Chicago to eat at Alinea to booking a ticket to teamLab in Tokyo months in advance, my partner and I will travel for exceptional food and unique experiences. I usually spend hours researching to find a good deal, but tend of have expensive taste. Fun fact, I once participated in a blind mayo tasting. Of course my favorite one was the organic, fancy one. No one else picked it. That's when I realized I have expensive taste.

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Washington D.C., DC, USA