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Taylor Gourmet on H Street
Taylor Gourmet on H Street
David M./Yelp

A Cheat Sheet for 19 Cheap Late Night Eats in D.C.

From waffles to falafel, this guide covers it all.

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Taylor Gourmet on H Street
| David M./Yelp

Finding a good meal in the early morning hours can be a challenging mission. Fast-food chains don't always cut it, and many other restaurant kitchens shut down before midnight, leaving hungry bar goers and night owls out of luck.

But D.C.'s bustling nightlife scene has given rise to many options for a cheap late night meal, from 24-hour greasy spoons to takeaway spots for pizza and tacos.

Here's an updated guide on where to head for food in the D.C. area, even after last call.

—Updated by Meredith Bethune

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Amsterdam Falafelshop

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Stop in for a fried falafel sandwich piled with toppings like hummus, cabbage and garlic cream sauce. Both the Adams Morgan and the 14 Street locations stays open until 3 a.m. on Thursdays and 4 a.m on Fridays and Saturdays.

[Photo: Andrew D./Yelp]

Ben's Chili Bowl

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Ben's Chili Bowl has been catering to late-night diners for decades. The D.C. institution also recently opened another location on H Street. Conquer hunger with a half-smoke, burger or perhaps a side of chili cheese fries and a milkshake.

[Photo: Eater.com>]

Compass Rose

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Compass Rose serves up late night dishes, including their beloved khachapuri, until 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. depending on the night.

Dangerously Delicious Pies

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Hearty slices of sweet pies, savory pies and quiches range in price from $6.50 to $7.50. Options run from the meaty beer brat pie, to tofu curry, to chocolate pecan and pumpkin. It's open until 3:30 a.m. everyday except Sunday when it closes at 10 p.m.

[Photo: Kaleo D../Yelp]

District Commons

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District Commons (and sister restaurant Penn Commons) offer "dinner bell" specials after 10 p.m. everyday except Sunday. For $12, diners can eat a whole meal for an affordable price with options like chicken-fried steak and huevos rancheros.

[Photo: R. Lopez]

Fast Gourmet

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Fast Gourmet turns out tasty sandwiches until 2 a.m. on Thursdays and 5 a.m on weekends. Grab a Cuban or turkey sandwich, or go for something smaller like a beef or chicken empanada.

[Photo: Vivian C./Yelp]

Hard Times Cafe

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The Clarendon Hard Times offers its full menu until closing at 12 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday, at 2 a.m. Wednesday-Thursday and at 3 a.m. Friday-Saturday. Good bets include the chili nachos or a pile of the grilled wings.

[Photo: Sarah T./Yelp ]

Julia's Empanadas

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A warm, flaky empanada is the perfect to-go meal at the end of a long night. Popular savory flavors include Chilean or Jamaican beef, saltenas, or Spanish chorizo, among others. Plus, the Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle locations are open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

[Photo: Sarah T./Yelp]

Kabob Palace

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Combat hunger at any hour with dishes like chicken, lamb or spicy beef kabob. Most plates come in at under $10 and are served with bread, rice, salad and vegetables.

[Photo: Ryan B./yelp]

Muncheez Mania

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This Georgetown spot cranks out a menu of Lebanese-inspired food like shawarma and falafel alongside snacks like pizza, fries and crepes. Closing times range from 2:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., depending on the day.

[Photo: Win S./Yelp]

Pizza Mart

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It's far from glamorous, but sometimes a giant slice of cheese pizza is the best way to finish a long night on the town. It's open until 3 a.m. during the week and until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

[Photo: Chef A./Yelp]

Satellite Room

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Bacon syrup, buffalo and poutine tots are among the more economical choices at this diner-style restaurant and bar.

[Photo: Alex S./Yelp]

Surfside Taco Stand

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This Surfside outpost is on a mission satisfying taco cravings 24/7. The Cabo San Lucas tacos– a combination of grilled steak, poblano peppers, red onions, avocado and cilantro– is just one of the options sure to hit the spot for late-night hunger.

[Photo: Official]

Tastee Diner

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This classic diner menu features favorites like meatloaf, eggs, burgers and sandwiches. There's also a location in Silver Spring.

[Photo: Facebook]

Taylor Gourmet

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Both the 14th St. and H St. locations of this hoagie shop are open late on weekends. Good bets include the 9th Street Italian sub, or the Pattison Avenue made with hot braised pork, broccoli rabe and sharp provolone.

[Photo: Matt A./Yelp ]

The Diner

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This diner is open 24/7 and ready to cater to the late-night Adams Morgan crowds. The varied menu has something for any craving, from classic breakfast dishes to comforting entrees like bacon-wrapped meatloaf or Greek pasta.

[Photo: Facebook]

The Mediterranean Spot

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The menu here ranges from kabob and shawarma to pizzas, wings and subs. The Mediterranean Spot stays open until 4 a.m. on weekdays and 5 a.m. on weekends.

[Photo: Roy L./Yelp]

The Partisan

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The Partisan's late night menu means options like chili cheese fries, a bologna and cheese sandwich and a triple stack burger with two beef patties with chorizo and cheese.

Waffle Shop

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The waffles at this small, no-frills 24-hour diner can be ordered with toppings like syrup, meat or fruit. There are other options too, like cheap eggs and simple sandwiches.

[Photo: Facebook]

Wiseguy NY Pizza

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[Photo: Facebook]

[Photo: Facebook]

Amsterdam Falafelshop

Stop in for a fried falafel sandwich piled with toppings like hummus, cabbage and garlic cream sauce. Both the Adams Morgan and the 14 Street locations stays open until 3 a.m. on Thursdays and 4 a.m on Fridays and Saturdays.

[Photo: Andrew D./Yelp]

Ben's Chili Bowl

Ben's Chili Bowl has been catering to late-night diners for decades. The D.C. institution also recently opened another location on H Street. Conquer hunger with a half-smoke, burger or perhaps a side of chili cheese fries and a milkshake.

[Photo: Eater.com>]

Compass Rose

Compass Rose serves up late night dishes, including their beloved khachapuri, until 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. depending on the night.

Dangerously Delicious Pies

Hearty slices of sweet pies, savory pies and quiches range in price from $6.50 to $7.50. Options run from the meaty beer brat pie, to tofu curry, to chocolate pecan and pumpkin. It's open until 3:30 a.m. everyday except Sunday when it closes at 10 p.m.

[Photo: Kaleo D../Yelp]

District Commons

District Commons (and sister restaurant Penn Commons) offer "dinner bell" specials after 10 p.m. everyday except Sunday. For $12, diners can eat a whole meal for an affordable price with options like chicken-fried steak and huevos rancheros.

[Photo: R. Lopez]

Fast Gourmet

Fast Gourmet turns out tasty sandwiches until 2 a.m. on Thursdays and 5 a.m on weekends. Grab a Cuban or turkey sandwich, or go for something smaller like a beef or chicken empanada.

[Photo: Vivian C./Yelp]

Hard Times Cafe

The Clarendon Hard Times offers its full menu until closing at 12 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday, at 2 a.m. Wednesday-Thursday and at 3 a.m. Friday-Saturday. Good bets include the chili nachos or a pile of the grilled wings.

[Photo: Sarah T./Yelp ]

Julia's Empanadas

A warm, flaky empanada is the perfect to-go meal at the end of a long night. Popular savory flavors include Chilean or Jamaican beef, saltenas, or Spanish chorizo, among others. Plus, the Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle locations are open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

[Photo: Sarah T./Yelp]

Kabob Palace

Combat hunger at any hour with dishes like chicken, lamb or spicy beef kabob. Most plates come in at under $10 and are served with bread, rice, salad and vegetables.

[Photo: Ryan B./yelp]

Muncheez Mania

This Georgetown spot cranks out a menu of Lebanese-inspired food like shawarma and falafel alongside snacks like pizza, fries and crepes. Closing times range from 2:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., depending on the day.

[Photo: Win S./Yelp]

Pizza Mart

It's far from glamorous, but sometimes a giant slice of cheese pizza is the best way to finish a long night on the town. It's open until 3 a.m. during the week and until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

[Photo: Chef A./Yelp]

Satellite Room

Bacon syrup, buffalo and poutine tots are among the more economical choices at this diner-style restaurant and bar.

[Photo: Alex S./Yelp]

Surfside Taco Stand

This Surfside outpost is on a mission satisfying taco cravings 24/7. The Cabo San Lucas tacos– a combination of grilled steak, poblano peppers, red onions, avocado and cilantro– is just one of the options sure to hit the spot for late-night hunger.

[Photo: Official]

Tastee Diner

This classic diner menu features favorites like meatloaf, eggs, burgers and sandwiches. There's also a location in Silver Spring.

[Photo: Facebook]

Taylor Gourmet

Both the 14th St. and H St. locations of this hoagie shop are open late on weekends. Good bets include the 9th Street Italian sub, or the Pattison Avenue made with hot braised pork, broccoli rabe and sharp provolone.

[Photo: Matt A./Yelp ]

Related Maps

The Diner

This diner is open 24/7 and ready to cater to the late-night Adams Morgan crowds. The varied menu has something for any craving, from classic breakfast dishes to comforting entrees like bacon-wrapped meatloaf or Greek pasta.

[Photo: Facebook]

The Mediterranean Spot

The menu here ranges from kabob and shawarma to pizzas, wings and subs. The Mediterranean Spot stays open until 4 a.m. on weekdays and 5 a.m. on weekends.

[Photo: Roy L./Yelp]

The Partisan

The Partisan's late night menu means options like chili cheese fries, a bologna and cheese sandwich and a triple stack burger with two beef patties with chorizo and cheese.

Waffle Shop

The waffles at this small, no-frills 24-hour diner can be ordered with toppings like syrup, meat or fruit. There are other options too, like cheap eggs and simple sandwiches.

[Photo: Facebook]

Wiseguy NY Pizza

[Photo: Facebook]

[Photo: Facebook]

Related Maps