8 Iconic Food Experiences to Try in Washington DC
Half smokes, mambo sauce, and more must-try dishes in DC.
Washington DC may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of destination dining. It was once known as a steak and potatoes town, catering to power-lunching politicians and even boasting more than 50 steakhouses at one point. But the city has done a lot to shake off its suit-and-tie dining reputation, and in recent years has become known for its food scene alongside the requisite monuments and museums.
From dishes and condiments you’ll only find within the District’s boundary stones, like mambo sauce and the half-smoke, to some of the best Ethiopian food in the country, cupcakes worth traveling for, and fresh seafood from a historic fish market, your next trip to the capital should be planned around restaurants, not just the National Mall. Here are eight bucket list-worthy dishes you must try on your next trip to DC.
A Crab Feast
The Wharf
These days, The Wharf may be known as a splashy new neighborhood that is popular with an out-of-town crowd looking to see and be seen. But true Washingtonians know the gem of The Wharf is the historic fish market, which is the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the country. Head to the last remaining stall in the market, Jessie Taylor Seafood, where you can score steamed Chesapeake crabs doused in Old Bay by the dozen. The seafood here is arranged into display cases that span the length of the shop and is open from sun up to sundown, leaving you ample opportunities to pay them a visit.
Half Smokes
U Street
Ben’s Chili Bowl is the legendary landmark for the half smoke, DC’s version of a hot dog doused in chili and cheese, but along U Street there are several more spots where you can try this iconic dish that are beloved by tourists and locals alike. It rose to fame at Ben’s, but you can also find the part pork, park beef sausage at Florida Avenue Grill, Half Smoke, and Meats & Foods. All four restaurants are located within a short half-mile distance of each other, which means you can easily plan a “half-smoke shuffle” for weekend fun.
Cupcakes
Georgetown
Georgetown Cupcake became such a big thing that the M Street bakery branched out throughout the country and even earned its own TV show. On any given day, you’ll still find a line wrapping around the block and you better arrive early if you want one of their sweet creations. But true Washingtonians know that while tourists and Georgetown parents flock to Georgetown Cupcake, the bake shop isn’t the only joint in town. Some even say the cakes at Baked and Wired—which come in playful flavors like Pretty Bitchin’ (chocolate with peanut butter frosting) and a colorful Uniporn and Rainhos variety—are far more line worthy.
Jumbo-Sized Pizza
Adams Morgan
Anyone who has had a few too many in Adams Morgan knows that Jumbo Slice is the spot for pizza so enormous you’ll need two paper plates to hold a slice. While this certainly isn’t DC’s best pizza, it’s a part-nostalgia, part-novelty dish that can easily feed a small family or cure a super-sized hangover. For the very best in jumbo slices, skip the namesake and head to Duccini’s where U Street meets Florida Avenue NW. If you can stomach even more carbs, meander up 18th Street in Adams Morgan to Pizza Mart and Passato Pizza for other jumbo-sized options.
Ethiopian Food
Silver Spring
The DMV has the largest Ethiopian community in the US so it’s no wonder the Ethiopian cuisine here is second to none. While there are plenty of great options in DC proper, head to Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, Maryland which houses one of the largest concentrations of Ethiopian eateries in not just the area, but in America. Let injera, a spongy textured bread, be your guide as you nosh your way through platters filled of doro wat, coffee ceremonies, and markets filled with imported goods. Restaurants along Georgia and Colesville Avenue, including the vegan Beteseb, Shalla Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar, and Bete Ethiopian Cuisine & Cafe, are all great stops.
Oysters
Downtown
Old Ebbitt Grill is the epitome of old-school DC, where you’ll find oysters, steaks, and martinis served just right. But today, Old Ebbitt Grill, which is just steps away from the White House, is as popular with tourists as it is with the suit-and-tie crowd. First opened way back in 1856, the restaurant and bar underwent extensive renovations during the height of the pandemic, and in its new era is a bigger, better iteration for patrons eager to dine in the throw-back dark wood paneled, low lit interiors. They take their oysters very seriously and even have a dedicated bar just for shucking.
Various locations
Not quite a barbecue sauce and not quite buffalo sauce, fiery red-orange mambo sauce is its own unique condiment beloved for its sweet and sour flavor. Its most popular served alongside fried chicken or a pile of wings, but locals also douse French fries, fried rice, and just about anything else in the condiment as well. Although KFC made their own version, trying mambo sauce in its home town of DC just feels right. Stop in some of the city’s most legendary take-out places like Jerry’s Carry-Out, Smokey’s, and Stan’s Restaurant to try it.
An Iconic Michelin-Starred Meal
Washington, Virginia
As the only three-Michelin-star restaurant in the area, The Inn at Little Washington is a dining destination worth traveling for. Located about 70 minutes west of the District in the other Washington (this one is in Virginia), this tasting menu experience with a nearly $400 per person price tag (not including taxes, tip, or drinks) is a once-in-a-lifetime eating experience. The mastermind behind it is chef Patrick O’Connell, who creates a whimsical menu blending French and American cuisine—everything from lobster mousse to tuna and foie gras, washed in black truffle vinaigrette. There’s even a cow cheese cart named Faira that’s pushed around the dining room by The Inn’s own maître du fromage.