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Zoo Lights
Zoo Lights
Official

A Dozen Places to Eat and Drink Before or After Zoolights

The zoo will be hopping due to the annual Christmas lights display. Make it a night out and grab something to eat or drink in the process.

by Missy Frederick
View as Map
Zoo Lights
| Official
by Missy Frederick

ZooLights is one of D.C.'s festive holiday traditions. The zoo gets completely decked out with a huge lighting display, featuring light-up animals and Christmas-inspired designs (attendees can even duck into the petting zoo or small mammals building and visit some animals while they're seeing the lights).

The event runs through January 1 from 5-9 p.m. Here are some places to grab dinner or drinks before (or after) to make a night of it. All are less than a mile walk from the National Zoo. Go even further and there are even more options, from pizza at 2Amys to whiskey at Jack Rose. And if you're really into something quick, grab a slice at Vace, one of the city's best pizza joints (but there's nowhere to sit).

Have another favorite dining or drinking destination near the zoo? Share in the comments.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Ripple

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Marjorie Meek-Bradley's Cleveland Park restaurant specializes in seasonal fare and has a great wine list. Walking distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

3417 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 244-7995
(202) 244-7995

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Medium Rare

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Enjoy a steak frites-only menu for an affordable price at this Cleveland Park destination. Walking distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

3500 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 237-1432
(202) 237-1432

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The Zoo Bar Cafe

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One of the city's true dive bars is located across the street from the Zoo. Walking distance from zoo: a whopping 92 feet.

3000 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 232-4225
(202) 232-4225

New Heights Restaurant

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Head to the charming New Heights for dishes like charcuterie and mackerel, or have a gin and tonic at the adjacent Gin Joint bar. Walking distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

2317 Calvert St NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 234-4110
(202) 234-4110

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Fat Pete's Barbecue

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Fat Pete's is one of the more promising new barbecue joints to open this year, serving up dishes like ribs and brisket. Walking distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

3407 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 362-7777
(202) 362-7777

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Open City

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No matter the hour of day, Open City is there to serve up casual diner fare. Walking distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

2331 Calvert St NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 332-2331
(202) 332-2331

St. Arnold's of Cleveland Park

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If mussels and a Belgian beer sound like a plan, St. Arnold's is a solid bet. Walking distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

3435 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste B, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 621-6719
(202) 621-6719

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Mintwood Place

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At almost a mile away, it's a bit of a hike, but it'll be worth it after the burger, escargot hush puppies and French-leaning entrees. Walking distance from zoo: 0.9 miles.

1813 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 234-6732
(202) 234-6732

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Pop's SeaBar

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Whether seeking pork roll, fried seafood or orange crush cocktails, Pop's SeaBar has it covered. Walking distance from zoo: 0.7 miles.

1817 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 534-3933
(202) 534-3933

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Donburi

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Donburi's the place to go for a quick, casual Japanese rice bowl. Walking distance from zoo: 0.7 miles.

2438 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 629-1047
(202) 629-1047

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Ardeo + Bardeo

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Ardeo +Bardeo offer New American dishes, a solid wine list and a classy atmosphere in Cleveland Park. Walking distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

3311 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 244-6750
(202) 244-6750

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Lebanese Taverna

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A D.C. classic, Lebanese Taverna offers Middle Eastern dishes like hummus and lamb.

2641 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 265-8681
(202) 265-8681

Also featured in:

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Ripple

3417 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Marjorie Meek-Bradley's Cleveland Park restaurant specializes in seasonal fare and has a great wine list. Walking distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

3417 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 244-7995
(202) 244-7995

Medium Rare

3500 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Enjoy a steak frites-only menu for an affordable price at this Cleveland Park destination. Walking distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

3500 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 237-1432
(202) 237-1432

The Zoo Bar Cafe

3000 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

One of the city's true dive bars is located across the street from the Zoo. Walking distance from zoo: a whopping 92 feet.

3000 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 232-4225
(202) 232-4225

New Heights Restaurant

2317 Calvert St NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Head to the charming New Heights for dishes like charcuterie and mackerel, or have a gin and tonic at the adjacent Gin Joint bar. Walking distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

2317 Calvert St NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 234-4110
(202) 234-4110

Fat Pete's Barbecue

3407 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Fat Pete's is one of the more promising new barbecue joints to open this year, serving up dishes like ribs and brisket. Walking distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

3407 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 362-7777
(202) 362-7777

Open City

2331 Calvert St NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

No matter the hour of day, Open City is there to serve up casual diner fare. Walking distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

2331 Calvert St NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 332-2331
(202) 332-2331

St. Arnold's of Cleveland Park

3435 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste B, Washington, D.C. 20008

If mussels and a Belgian beer sound like a plan, St. Arnold's is a solid bet. Walking distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

3435 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste B, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 621-6719
(202) 621-6719

Mintwood Place

1813 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

At almost a mile away, it's a bit of a hike, but it'll be worth it after the burger, escargot hush puppies and French-leaning entrees. Walking distance from zoo: 0.9 miles.

1813 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 234-6732
(202) 234-6732

Pop's SeaBar

1817 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Whether seeking pork roll, fried seafood or orange crush cocktails, Pop's SeaBar has it covered. Walking distance from zoo: 0.7 miles.

1817 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 534-3933
(202) 534-3933

Donburi

2438 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Donburi's the place to go for a quick, casual Japanese rice bowl. Walking distance from zoo: 0.7 miles.

2438 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 629-1047
(202) 629-1047

Ardeo + Bardeo

3311 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Ardeo +Bardeo offer New American dishes, a solid wine list and a classy atmosphere in Cleveland Park. Walking distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

3311 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 244-6750
(202) 244-6750

Lebanese Taverna

2641 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

A D.C. classic, Lebanese Taverna offers Middle Eastern dishes like hummus and lamb.

2641 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 265-8681
(202) 265-8681

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