Three Fabulous DC Restaurants or Cafes
When I travel part of the fun is trying new restaurants or local foods. I enjoy trying new foods or the same old, same old prepared differently.
I don’t eat at restaurants all the time when I travel as it can get a bit expensive and, honestly, I am too tired some nights to walk or drive anywhere to get something to eat. Or reading a book or calling friends or family is more important than eating a big meal. I always have a few snacks with me for those nights.
If I’m on a road trip I always have a small bag of food, plastic silverware, water, and a microwaveable container in my car. I also try to get hotel rooms or lodging with at least a microwave in the room. Another trick I use is to eat a decent breakfast a bit later in the morning, skip lunch (or have a snack), and eat one meal around 3 or 4:00. We call that eating “lupper” in our family. It works, plus it saves money and sightseeing time.
Sometimes you can find a cute cafe inside a museum. I discovered one of those great little cafes in the Smithsonian Museum of Art. I found myself at 3:00 pm and hungry, not taking time to have lunch. I decided to stop at The Garden Cafe. I remember the food being tasty, but I remember the ambience being fantastic! I was able to find a table right next to a fountain and it was so peaceful, even though the cafe was busy.
Cafe Menu Below
One evening I needed to meet a tour in a park near the National Building Museum. I found a highly-rated Mexican restaurant on the way there called Oyamel Cocina Mexicana Restaurant. Both the food and service were excellent! I would highly recommend making dinner reservations, even during the week. Restaurant website and menu:
It was ALL delicious!!! 😋
The last restaurant I tried was recommended to me by a local. It was called Founding Farmers DC. It is self-described as a “rustic, farm-to-table restaurant.” My description - “awesome home-cooked food in a casual atmosphere.” Reservations are required. I waited at least an hour because I didn’t have a reservation for a weeknight dinner.
Being a typical Iowan, I adore cornbread, so I ordered some. It came in a cute, small skillet and was moist and delicious. I also ordered a bowl of soup, which was homemade as well. Very tasty and more than I could eat.
Funny quick story - as I was leaving I got up and started walking down the aisle between tables. I had not gotten far when my front pants pocket got caught on a coat/hat hook attached to the edge of a family’s booth and stopped me in my tracks. The family laughed and, although embarrassed, I engaged them in conversation (since the ice was already broken by my stupid pants pocket). They were celebrating a family birthday so I offered to take some photos of them, which they appreciated.
So, while I managed to do yet another stupid human trick, it ended up starting a friendly discussion with a local family. While it’s not my preferred way to meet the locals, it seems to work sometimes for me! 😉😉😉😉😉
The story above is just proof that there are friendly folks everywhere and that DC has some incredible places to eat! 😊
P.S. I’ll bet you wondered how I was going to wrap all this up together, but I managed it! 🤣🤓😏