Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.
Learn more
On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC.
Madam's Organ Blues Bar is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

1. Madam's Organ Blues Bar

8.0
2461 18th St NW (btwn Kalorama & Columbia Rd NW), Washington, D.C.
Karaoke Bar · Adams Morgan · 90 tips and reviews

EdEd: Best place to go in DC on a weeknight. Live music every day. This is a really cool bar. Split the big meat platter with a friend. They include tip sometimes, so make sure you check your bill.

Ben's Chili Bowl is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

2. Ben's Chili Bowl

8.3
1213 U St NW, Washington, D.C.
Hot Dog Joint · U-Street · 386 tips and reviews

EdEd: During the 1968 riots following MLK's murder, Ben's stayed open to feed police and activists alike. It was untouched by violence and is still home to the best chili dog (half smoke) you'll ever have.

The Pug is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

3. The Pug

7.4
1234 H St NE (btwn 12th & 13th St NE), Washington, D.C.
Dive Bar · Capitol Hill · 49 tips and reviews

EdEd: A necessary contrast to the uber-professional DC bar scene. They'll usually be playing Flogging Molly or something similar. They carry a mix of craft beer and the cheap stuff. You can have fun here.

Red Palace is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

4. Red Palace

1212 H St NE (btwn 12th & 13th St NE), Washington, D.C.
Rock Club · Capitol Hill · 34 tips and reviews

EdEd: This bar has good beer and a collection of carnie/sideshow oddities to hold your attention. There is a nice patio outback and a friendly barcat who may join your party.

5. Biergarten Haus

1355 H St NE (btwn 13th & 14th St NE), Washington, D.C.
Beer Garden · Capitol Hill · 82 tips and reviews
Mitsitam Cafe is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

6. Mitsitam Cafe

6.7
950 Independence Ave SW (in National Museum of the American Indian), Washington, D.C.
New American Restaurant · Southwest Washington · 76 tips and reviews

Becky G.Becky G.L.: BEST museum food in America --- a cannot miss for locals and tourists!

Wok and Roll is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

7. Wok and Roll

6.8
604 H St. NW (at Gallery Pl.), Washington, D.C.
Sushi Restaurant · Chinatown · 65 tips and reviews

EdEd: $1 nigiri sushi during happy hour. $2 bottled beers. M-F 5-8pm. Best deal in town and close to the metro. This restaurant is in the house that the Lincoln assassination conspirators plotted in.

Jumbo Slice Pizza is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

8. Jumbo Slice Pizza

6.6
2341 18th St NW (btwn Kalorama & Belmont), Washington, D.C.
Pizzeria · Adams Morgan · 33 tips and reviews

EdEd: Giant delicious pizza. Best when eaten at 3am after a night at the Madame's Organ.

Granville Moore's is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

9. Granville Moore's

8.5
1238 H St NE (btwn 12th & 13th Sts. NE), Washington, D.C.
Gastropub · Capitol Hill · 106 tips and reviews
Busboys and Poets is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

10. Busboys and Poets

1025 5th St NW (at K St. NW), Washington, D.C.
New American Restaurant · Mount Vernon Square · 298 tips and reviews
NoMa Summer Screen is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

11. NoMa Summer Screen

201 L St NE (btwn K & L St NE), Washington, D.C.
Movie Theater · Near Northeast · 8 tips and reviews

EdEd: Bring a blanket and some booze. Get a pulled pork sandwich from the vendor. Relax and enjoy the show.

Landmark's E Street Cinema is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

12. Landmark's E Street Cinema

9.1
555 11th St NW (at E St NW), Washington, D.C.
Indie Movie Theater · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 88 tips and reviews

EdEd: Great theater. They serve alcohol with a one drink limit but they'll pour two drinks into a single cup. Make sure you consider how badly you don't want to miss parts of your movie for bathroom breaks.

13. Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse

7.8
2903 Columbia Pike (at S Walter Reed Dr), Arlington, VA
Movie Theater · Arlington Heights · 69 tips and reviews

EdEd: This place is fun. The food isn't great but I don't mind if it's being served with a bottle of wine or a beer while I'm watching a movie. They play second run films and fan favorites.

Taylor Gourmet is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

14. Taylor Gourmet

1116 H St NE (btwn 11th & 12th St NE), Washington, D.C.
Sandwich Spot · Capitol Hill · 60 tips and reviews

EdEd: Great sandwiches. Don't miss out on the sugar cane fountain soda while you're here.

15. Toki Underground

8.5
1234 H St NE (above The Pug), Washington, D.C.
Noodle Restaurant · Capitol Hill · 181 tips and reviews

EdEd: There is ALWAYS a wait here but you can have a drink at The Pug while you wait. They share a license so you can bring your drinks upstairs. Get the Hakata Classic (kae dama!) and pan fried dumplings.

Schneiders of Capitol Hill is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

16. Schneiders of Capitol Hill

9.0
300 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, D.C.
Liquor Store · Capitol Hill · 17 tips and reviews

The Hill is HomeThe Hill is Home: It may look like a hoarder’s attic, bu you’ll find one of the city’ best win selections here as well as some of the most helpful staff on the planet.

Dubliner Restaurant & Pub is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

17. Dubliner Restaurant & Pub

7.9
4 F St NW (at Massachusetts Ave NW), Washington, D.C.
Irish Pub · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 69 tips and reviews

EdEd: Classic. Beautiful wooden bar. Great place for a pint (or nine).

Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

18. Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater

8.1
6th St. (Independence Ave SW), Washington, D.C.
Movie Theater · Southwest Washington · 14 tips and reviews

EdEd: It's an IMAX theater in the National Air and Space Museum. Go see space.. in 3D!! Hubble 3D specifically if it's still playing.

Meridian Hill Park is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

19. Meridian Hill Park

9.3
2500 16th St NW, Washington, D.C.
Park · Columbia Heights · 70 tips and reviews

EdEd: Just a really beautiful park. Drum circles every Sunday.

Hana Japanese Market is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

20. Hana Japanese Market

9.0
2004 17th St NW (at U St NW), Washington, D.C.
Grocery Store · U-Street · 19 tips and reviews

EdEd: Great Japanese market in DC. It's filled with imported food that you can't get elsewhere. They carry sushi-grade tuna.

Eastern Market is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

21. Eastern Market

9.0
225 7th St SE (at North Carolina Ave. SE), Washington, D.C.
Farmers Market · Capitol Hill · 142 tips and reviews

22. Cafe Mozart

1331 H St NW, Washington, D.C.
German Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 60 tips and reviews

EdEd: The bar and restaurant is past the grocery in the front. Have a few liters and buy some delicious mustard or other German treat on the way out.

The Argonaut is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

23. The Argonaut

1433 H St NE (at Maryland Ave NE), Washington, D.C.
Gastropub · Capitol Hill · 86 tips and reviews

EdEd: Make your own Bloody Mary. You might have to drink a few extra ones so you can experiment and get it just right. (Eggs Benedict is on point too)

Old Ebbitt Grill is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

24. Old Ebbitt Grill

9.1
675 15th St NW (at G St NW), Washington, D.C.
American Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 690 tips and reviews

Laetitia B.Laetitia Brock: It's popular with locals & tourists alike, but visitors may not know about the great happy hour @ Old Ebbitt. Go there b4 6 or after 11pm to enjoy half price oysters, steps away from the White House.

Ted's Bulletin is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

25. Ted's Bulletin

8.8
505 8th St SE (btwn E & G St SE), Washington, D.C.
American Restaurant · Capitol Hill · 304 tips and reviews
National Cherry Blossom Kite Festival is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

26. National Cherry Blossom Kite Festival

Constitution Avenue NW (at 17th St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Field · Northwest Washington · 1 tip
Good Stuff Eatery is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

27. Good Stuff Eatery

8.3
303 Pennsylvania Ave SE (at 3rd St. SE), Washington, D.C.
Burger Joint · Capitol Hill · 279 tips and reviews

EdEd: If it's your first time here, make sure you try all of the different dipping sauce.

Kotobuki is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

28. Kotobuki

7.8
4822 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, D.C.
Sushi Restaurant · Foxhall-Palisades · 25 tips and reviews

EdEd: Best sushi in DC

Belga Cafe is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

29. Belga Cafe

8.0
514 8th St SE (at E St SE), Washington, D.C.
Belgian Restaurant · Capitol Hill · 81 tips and reviews

EdEd: There's some kind of magic in the cheese croquettes.. and in everything else. Amazing restaurant.

Le Pain Quotidien is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

30. Le Pain Quotidien

2815 M St NW (28th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Bakery · Georgetown · 50 tips and reviews

EdEd: Sit outside on a nice day. They have a great dining area out back.

United States Botanic Garden is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

31. United States Botanic Garden

8.9
100 Maryland Ave SW (Independence Ave), Washington, D.C.
Botanical Garden · Southwest Washington · 111 tips and reviews

EdEd: Come in December! They have a special holiday exhibit featuring models of famous buildings made entirely out of plant materials w/ an extensive model train running through it.

Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

32. Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro

8.5
521 8th St SE (btwn E & G St SE), Washington, D.C.
Pizzeria · Capitol Hill · 151 tips and reviews
Burrito Brothers is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

33. Burrito Brothers

7.6
205 Pennsylvania Ave SE #1, Washington, D.C.
Taco Restaurant · Capitol Hill · 23 tips and reviews
A. Litteri is one of On & Off the Beaten Path in Washington DC..

34. A. Litteri

9.3
517 Morse St NE, Washington, D.C.
Gourmet Store · Ivy City · 37 tips and reviews