Located in residential Spring Valley near more visible (and more visibly attractive) neighbors like Millie’s and Pizzeria Paradiso, Pitmasters serves Carolina-style pulled pork, Austin-style brisket, and sides like mac and cheese, apple slaw, and cornbread.  

Izakaya Seki next-door is a popular draw, but people shouldn’t walk past this V Street taqueria that serves some of the best soft tacos in the city. Go for carne asada, beef tongue, or a griddled cheese and avocado taco, all topped with generous heaps of fresh onion and cilantro. 

The closest thing Kalorama has to a dining scene is a fundraising cocktail party in someone’s mansion. And yet, Sushi Ogawa stands out as one of the city’s most elegant, and unassuming, destinations for traditional omkase and à la carte sushi. Chef Minoru Ogawa’s expertise — his father, a sushi master, trained him in Japan — are reflected in this high-end, edomae sushi experience. 

Upscale retail is quickly reshaping Shaw’s image. But basement-level Appioo is a decidedly untrendy place that still deserves plenty of attention. The Ghanaian restaurant serves up flavorful West African favorites like ginger-marinated fish, egusi stew, jollof rice, and hot peanut soup — usually while a soccer match plays on the big screen.

A canopy of leafy vines conceals this quiet, laid-back café that starts the day around 7 a.m. and stays open through dinner, serving fresh American fare like egg sandwiches, salads, and burgers to locals who linger in the quiet courtyard.

This small sandwich shop in an alley in Shaw makes creative International combinations on its baguettes all day long — or until the bread runs out. Customers can choose from almost two dozen sandwiches named after cities like the Rome, Istanbul, or Seoul. There’s a second location in Georgetown — also in an alley.  

Follow the steady stream of office workers down a dim, narrow alley and through a nondescript metal door for one of the District’s top burritos. Short on ambience and only open for lunch, Well Dressed Burrito does a ton of business anyway. People wait in long lines for favorites like soft tacos, chicken and cheese enchiladas, or generous burritos and burrito bowls.

The Dabney Cellar is the purposefully-inconspicuous underground wine bar with serious culinary cred. An extension of chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s award-winning restaurant in Blagden Alley, the Dabney Cellar features oysters and charcuterie, plus a small, thoughtful menu of frequently-changing dishes like foie gras parfait and scallop crudo. 

Leopold is technically accessible from M Street, though people must pass through a dim archway and down a flight of stairs to reach it. This Cady’s Alley nook is popular for its extensive breakfast and brunch menu, plus an extensive pastry menu, coffee, and a full menu of European and traditional Austrian entrées. 

Mere steps from bustling Wisconsin Avenue and the Georgetown waterfront, Reverie still feels like it’s a million miles away. The softly lit, high-end restaurant is so hidden it requires a sign on the corner with an arrow pointing toward the door. Chef-owner Johnny Spero’s new American menu reflects his impressive resumé: He was executive sous chef at minibar, and staged at Mugaritz and Noma, among others. 

Describing Harold Black a speakeasy, while true, undersells the food. The cocktail, beer, and wine list are always interesting, but it is also worth going up the unmarked stairs and through the sliding door for dishes like watercress salad, beef short ribs, and gianduja chocolate cake.