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Best Local Spots in Washington, DC
La Lomita Dos is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

1. La Lomita Dos

308 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C.
Mexican Restaurant · Capitol Hill · 9 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: Best Mexican in town? Quite possibly, and it's pretty hard to get good Mexican here. Be sure to ask for some tequila shots after dinner – they know how to treat their customers.

The Park at 14th is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

2. The Park at 14th

7.9
920 14th St NW (btwn K & I St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Lounge · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 83 tips and reviews
Oohh’s & Aahh’s is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

3. Oohh’s & Aahh’s

7.4
1005 U St NW (btwn 10th & 11th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Southern Food Restaurant · U-Street · 97 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: Some of the best soul food you can get. Isn't particularly cheap, but incredibly good – especially the homemade mac & cheese.

Georgetown Cupcake is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

4. Georgetown Cupcake

8.5
3301 M St NW (at 33rd St.), Washington, D.C.
Cupcake Shop · Georgetown · 407 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: This place is very popular for a reason – incredible cupcakes. Don't go in the early evening since it's packed, go earlier or later at night and you won't even need to wait in line.

Meridian Pint is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

5. Meridian Pint

3400 11th St NW (at Park Rd. NW), Washington, D.C.
Bar · Columbia Heights · 110 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: Great place for craft beer, great selection of drinks from all over. Classy food to be had as well.

Old Glory is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

6. Old Glory

3139 M St NW (at Wisconsin Ave), Washington, D.C.
BBQ Joint · Georgetown · 134 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: Great bbq food, and half off drinks make this a spot to hit up at least once. Don't forget about their check-in special for even more savings.

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

7. Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe

8.7
1517 Connecticut Ave NW (at Q St NW), Washington, D.C.
Bookstore · Northwest Washington · 328 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: Awesome bookstore and a nice cafe inside for some classy cafe food and drinks. Great place to spend a few hours to relax or just chat with old friends.

Irish Whiskey Public House is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

8. Irish Whiskey Public House

1207 19th St NW (btwn M & N St NW), Washington, D.C.
Irish Pub · Connecticut Avenue - K Street · 43 tips and reviews
Hill Country Barbecue Market is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

9. Hill Country Barbecue Market

7.7
410 7th St NW (btwn D & E St NW), Washington, D.C.
BBQ Joint · Penn Quarter · 271 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: Live Band Karaoke every week! Also a great place for some authentic Texas food as well.

Tryst is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

10. Tryst

8.7
2459 18th St NW (btwn Columbia Rd & Belmont Rd NW), Washington, D.C.
Coffee Shop · Adams Morgan · 298 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: You want a chill coffee shop to relax in or get some work done? This is it, this is the place you're looking for in DC.

Shake Shack is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

11. Shake Shack

8.0
1216 18th St NW (at Connecticut Ave NW), Washington, D.C.
Burger Joint · Connecticut Avenue - K Street · 227 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: Awesome burgers, awesome shakes. You can't go wrong here if you like either, it's that simple

Julia's Empanadas is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

12. Julia's Empanadas

7.2
1221 Connecticut Ave NW (at 18th St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Empanada Restaurant · Connecticut Avenue - K Street · 45 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: The perfect kind of food to fill your belly after a full night of drinks with friends.

Ben's Chili Bowl is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

13. Ben's Chili Bowl

8.3
1213 U St NW, Washington, D.C.
Hot Dog Joint · U-Street · 386 tips and reviews
Dan's Cafe is one of Best Local Spots in Washington, DC.

14. Dan's Cafe

6.7
2315 18th St NW, Washington, D.C.
Dive Bar · Adams Morgan · 28 tips and reviews

Michael L.Michael Lucas: Don't mind it being a hole in the wall - shots abound here where you can get squirt bottles of liquor of your choice! Bartenders being jerks is all part of the experience, just soak it in.