clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

Highly Recommended Patios for Outdoor Dining Around D.C.

Great D.C. Sports Bars for Watching March Madness and Other Big Games

D.C.’s Essential Irish Pubs

More in Washington DC See more maps
Pieces of fried chicken, beers, and pickles scattered over a menu.
Chicken from Little Chicken.
Rey Lopez for Little Chicken

D.C.’s Essential Late-Night Food

From pizza to sushi, it's all out there after hours

by Missy Frederick and Eater Staff Updated
View as Map
Chicken from Little Chicken.
| Rey Lopez for Little Chicken
by Missy Frederick and Eater Staff Updated

On nightlife strips across the area, weekend crowds stumble onto the street looking for late-night eats. Seasoned drinkers know that a greasy burger — say, from Lucky Buns in Adams Morgan — or a jumbo slice of pizza will go a long way toward combating the following day’s potential hangover. In recent months, the definition of “late night” has shrunk a bit, as staffing shortages have influenced restaurants to close down earlier (24-hour joints have dwindled, too). But the places on this map are still a reliable bet for eating after 11 p.m.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

The Diner

Copy Link

Those seeking a true greasy spoon experience won’t find it at this polished modern diner in Adams Morgan, but they will find a solid spot that serves dishes like bread pudding French toast sticks and Cajun omelets. Don’t expect late hours Sunday to Wednesday, but from Thursday to Saturday, this restaurant operates 24/7.

2453 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 232-8800
(202) 232-8800

Also featured in:

Lucky Buns

Copy Link

Hulking burgers and fried chicken sandwiches are classic late-night food, and Lucky Buns has versions that incorporate a number of Australian and Southeast Asian ingredients to satisfy adventurous eaters. There are also spice bags full of fried chicken tossed with peppers, onions, chiles, and Sichuan peppercorns. Dinner runs until 11 p.m. most nights, but extends until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

2000 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 506-1713
(202) 506-1713
A cheeseburger with several patties stacked atop each other.
A burger from Lucky Buns.
Lucky Buns/

Also featured in:

El Tamarindo

Copy Link

Adams Morgan workhorse El Tamarindo serves classic Salvadoran fare such as pupusas and chicken tamales until midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends, and the margaritas here are always flowing.

1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 328-3660
(202) 328-3660

Ben's Chili Bowl

Copy Link

Ben's Chili Bowl serves iconic half-smoke sausages smothered in chili until 2 a.m. on weekends at the U Street locations; things close up earlier during the week, and its other outposts keep more standard hours.

1213 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 667-0909
(202) 667-0909
A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Also featured in:

Ducinni's Pizza

Copy Link

The undisputed champ of Eater's very scientific late-night jumbo slice crawl, Ducinni's serves up oversized slices of pizza until 4 a.m.; its Falls Church outpost is open until 5 a.m. on weekends.

1778 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
202-483-0007
202-483-0007
Ducinni’s Pizza DC slice
Jumbo Slice from Ducinni’s
R. Lopez

Astoria DC

Copy Link

The booths at this sibling cocktail bar to Copycat Co. make it feel less chaotic than its predecessor. This Dupont hangout serves Sichuan dishes like chile wontons, mapo tofu, and water-boiled beef until 1 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. weekends (closed Monday and Tuesday).

1521 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 754-0065
(202) 754-0065

Also featured in:

Chaplin's Restaurant

Copy Link

A favorite for ramen, Shaw residents know this place stays open until 1:45 a.m. on weekdays and 2:45 a.m. weekends.

1501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 644-8806
(202) 644-8806

Also featured in:

Surfside Taco Stand

Copy Link

The downtown crowd can order shrimp tacos and quesadillas to-go at Surfside Taco Stand, open 24/7 and located just south of Dupont Circle.

1800 N St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 466-1830
(202) 466-1830

Also featured in:

TallBoy

Copy Link

The bar replaced Smoked & Stacked in Shaw with a goal to cater to late-night appetites with a simple menu of smoked wings and grilled cheese sandwiches. In the latter category, there’s an OG with just cheddar and a Reuben option with pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. Food is served until last call every night of the week, open as late as anywhere between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. depending on the day.

1239 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 465-4822
(202) 465-4822
TallBoy wings
Wings at TallBoy
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Also featured in:

Julia's Empanadas (Multiple Locations)

Copy Link

Open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in Dupont and Adams Morgan, Julia’s slings $5 empanadas. A couple standbys are a Chilean style — filled with beef, raisins, and olives — and a Bolivian saltena packed with chicken, potatoes, and green peas.

1221 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 861-8828
(202) 861-8828

Little Chicken

Copy Link

Find booze and fried chicken (also, shuffleboard) until 1 a.m. on the weekends at this downtown newcomer.

1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 989-0292
(202) 989-0292
Pieces of fried chicken, beers, and pickles scattered over a menu.
Fried chicken and beer from Little Chicken.
Rey Lopez for Little Chicken

Also featured in:

Bar Chinois

Copy Link

This newcomer for French-leaning cocktails and dishes like garlic noodles and salt and pepper shrimp stays open till 1 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on the weekends (closes early on Sunday and closed Monday).

455 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 838-9633
(202) 838-9633
A blue backlit bar.
Bar Chinois.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Also featured in:

New Big Wong

Copy Link

New Big Wong dishes out late-night Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine every day of the week until 3 a.m. it’s known as a favorite hangout for chefs looking for a bite after work.

610 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 628-0491
(202) 628-0491

Also featured in:

Wiseguy NY Pizza

Copy Link

It’s not jumbo slice, but it is about as good as New York style pizza gets in D.C. (though Andy’s has been giving it some competition lately). Wiseguy serves up pizza, garlic knots, and chicken rolls until 3 a.m. on weekends. and midnight on Thursdays at its D.C. locations (Arlington closes earlier).

300 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 408-7800
(202) 408-7800
A slice of Wiseguy’s.
A slice of Wiseguy’s.
Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post via Getty Images.

Also featured in:

Old Ebbitt Grill

Copy Link

D.C.’s oldest restaurant can be relied upon for raw bar staples, Manhattans, and burgers until 2 a.m. every day of the week — they’re also known for their late night happy hour.

675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-4800
(202) 347-4800
A bartender behind Old Ebbitt’s bar.
Old Ebbitt Grill.
Rey Lopez/Old Ebbitt

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Guy Fieri's DC Kitchen + Bar

Copy Link

D.C. residents can take a trip to Flavortown for trash can nachos at this sports bar until 1 a.m. on the weekends, and until midnight most weeknights.

601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(970) 430-9631
(970) 430-9631
A loaded burger and waffle fries from Guy Fieri’s DC Kitchen + Bar.
A loaded burger and waffle fries from Guy Fieri’s DC Kitchen + Bar.
Jill Weisleder / Guy Fieri’s DC Kitchen and Bar

Also featured in:

The Hamilton

Copy Link

This sprawling restaurant in the Clyde's family boasts a late-night menu featuring everything from boozy milkshakes to sushi ($5 off rolls after 10 p.m. weeknights and 11 p.m. weekends) to carnitas, with the bar and restaurant open until 2 a.m.

600 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 787-1000
(202) 787-1000

Also featured in:

Spacebar

Copy Link

A lot of things close down early in the ‘burbs, but Spacebar, home of every grilled cheese variety imaginable and epic totchos, stays open till midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends.

709 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 992-0777
(703) 992-0777
Grilled cheese with bacon and fillings and a big pile of tater tots.
Grilled cheese and tots from Spacebar.
Spacebar

Also featured in:

Tune Inn Restaurant & Bar

Copy Link

For an assortment of bar snacks, breakfast platters, and half-pound burgers, head to Capitol Hill's iconic Tune Inn, which serves food until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (about an hour before closing), and till 1 a.m. every other night.

331 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 543-2725
(202) 543-2725

Also featured in:

Ravi Kabob House

Copy Link

The bone-in chicken karahi — a soulful Pakistani curry brimming with fresh ginger and hot peppers — provides a late-night jolt at a trusty trio of kebab houses within a couple square blocks of each other in Arlington. But hours here have shifted earlier recently; the original location, though, reliably stays open until midnight.

305 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 522-6666
(703) 522-6666
Karahi from Ravi Kabab
Karahi from Ravi Kabab
James M. Thresher for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Honey Pig BBQ

Copy Link

Though not the 24/7 joint it used to be, this Korean barbecue favorite in Annandale is open until 11:30 p.m. most weeknights and 2 a.m. on the weekends.

7220 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 256-5229
(703) 256-5229

Also featured in:

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

The Diner

2453 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Those seeking a true greasy spoon experience won’t find it at this polished modern diner in Adams Morgan, but they will find a solid spot that serves dishes like bread pudding French toast sticks and Cajun omelets. Don’t expect late hours Sunday to Wednesday, but from Thursday to Saturday, this restaurant operates 24/7.

2453 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 232-8800
(202) 232-8800

Lucky Buns

2000 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Hulking burgers and fried chicken sandwiches are classic late-night food, and Lucky Buns has versions that incorporate a number of Australian and Southeast Asian ingredients to satisfy adventurous eaters. There are also spice bags full of fried chicken tossed with peppers, onions, chiles, and Sichuan peppercorns. Dinner runs until 11 p.m. most nights, but extends until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

2000 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 506-1713
(202) 506-1713
A cheeseburger with several patties stacked atop each other.
A burger from Lucky Buns.
Lucky Buns/

El Tamarindo

1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Adams Morgan workhorse El Tamarindo serves classic Salvadoran fare such as pupusas and chicken tamales until midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends, and the margaritas here are always flowing.

1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 328-3660
(202) 328-3660

Ben's Chili Bowl

1213 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Ben's Chili Bowl serves iconic half-smoke sausages smothered in chili until 2 a.m. on weekends at the U Street locations; things close up earlier during the week, and its other outposts keep more standard hours.

1213 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 667-0909
(202) 667-0909
A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Ducinni's Pizza

1778 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

The undisputed champ of Eater's very scientific late-night jumbo slice crawl, Ducinni's serves up oversized slices of pizza until 4 a.m.; its Falls Church outpost is open until 5 a.m. on weekends.

1778 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
202-483-0007
202-483-0007
Ducinni’s Pizza DC slice
Jumbo Slice from Ducinni’s
R. Lopez

Astoria DC

1521 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

The booths at this sibling cocktail bar to Copycat Co. make it feel less chaotic than its predecessor. This Dupont hangout serves Sichuan dishes like chile wontons, mapo tofu, and water-boiled beef until 1 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. weekends (closed Monday and Tuesday).

1521 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 754-0065
(202) 754-0065

Chaplin's Restaurant

1501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

A favorite for ramen, Shaw residents know this place stays open until 1:45 a.m. on weekdays and 2:45 a.m. weekends.

1501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 644-8806
(202) 644-8806

Surfside Taco Stand

1800 N St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

The downtown crowd can order shrimp tacos and quesadillas to-go at Surfside Taco Stand, open 24/7 and located just south of Dupont Circle.

1800 N St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 466-1830
(202) 466-1830

TallBoy

1239 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The bar replaced Smoked & Stacked in Shaw with a goal to cater to late-night appetites with a simple menu of smoked wings and grilled cheese sandwiches. In the latter category, there’s an OG with just cheddar and a Reuben option with pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. Food is served until last call every night of the week, open as late as anywhere between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. depending on the day.

1239 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 465-4822
(202) 465-4822
TallBoy wings
Wings at TallBoy
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Julia's Empanadas (Multiple Locations)

1221 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in Dupont and Adams Morgan, Julia’s slings $5 empanadas. A couple standbys are a Chilean style — filled with beef, raisins, and olives — and a Bolivian saltena packed with chicken, potatoes, and green peas.

1221 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 861-8828
(202) 861-8828

Little Chicken

1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Find booze and fried chicken (also, shuffleboard) until 1 a.m. on the weekends at this downtown newcomer.

1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 989-0292
(202) 989-0292
Pieces of fried chicken, beers, and pickles scattered over a menu.
Fried chicken and beer from Little Chicken.
Rey Lopez for Little Chicken

Bar Chinois

455 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This newcomer for French-leaning cocktails and dishes like garlic noodles and salt and pepper shrimp stays open till 1 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on the weekends (closes early on Sunday and closed Monday).

455 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 838-9633
(202) 838-9633
A blue backlit bar.
Bar Chinois.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

New Big Wong

610 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

New Big Wong dishes out late-night Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine every day of the week until 3 a.m. it’s known as a favorite hangout for chefs looking for a bite after work.

610 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 628-0491
(202) 628-0491

Wiseguy NY Pizza

300 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

It’s not jumbo slice, but it is about as good as New York style pizza gets in D.C. (though Andy’s has been giving it some competition lately). Wiseguy serves up pizza, garlic knots, and chicken rolls until 3 a.m. on weekends. and midnight on Thursdays at its D.C. locations (Arlington closes earlier).

300 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 408-7800
(202) 408-7800
A slice of Wiseguy’s.
A slice of Wiseguy’s.
Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post via Getty Images.

Old Ebbitt Grill

675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

D.C.’s oldest restaurant can be relied upon for raw bar staples, Manhattans, and burgers until 2 a.m. every day of the week — they’re also known for their late night happy hour.

675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-4800
(202) 347-4800
A bartender behind Old Ebbitt’s bar.
Old Ebbitt Grill.
Rey Lopez/Old Ebbitt

Related Maps

Guy Fieri's DC Kitchen + Bar

601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

D.C. residents can take a trip to Flavortown for trash can nachos at this sports bar until 1 a.m. on the weekends, and until midnight most weeknights.

601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(970) 430-9631
(970) 430-9631
A loaded burger and waffle fries from Guy Fieri’s DC Kitchen + Bar.
A loaded burger and waffle fries from Guy Fieri’s DC Kitchen + Bar.
Jill Weisleder / Guy Fieri’s DC Kitchen and Bar

The Hamilton

600 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

This sprawling restaurant in the Clyde's family boasts a late-night menu featuring everything from boozy milkshakes to sushi ($5 off rolls after 10 p.m. weeknights and 11 p.m. weekends) to carnitas, with the bar and restaurant open until 2 a.m.

600 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 787-1000
(202) 787-1000

Spacebar

709 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046

A lot of things close down early in the ‘burbs, but Spacebar, home of every grilled cheese variety imaginable and epic totchos, stays open till midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends.

709 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 992-0777
(703) 992-0777
Grilled cheese with bacon and fillings and a big pile of tater tots.
Grilled cheese and tots from Spacebar.
Spacebar

Tune Inn Restaurant & Bar

331 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

For an assortment of bar snacks, breakfast platters, and half-pound burgers, head to Capitol Hill's iconic Tune Inn, which serves food until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (about an hour before closing), and till 1 a.m. every other night.

331 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 543-2725
(202) 543-2725

Ravi Kabob House

305 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203

The bone-in chicken karahi — a soulful Pakistani curry brimming with fresh ginger and hot peppers — provides a late-night jolt at a trusty trio of kebab houses within a couple square blocks of each other in Arlington. But hours here have shifted earlier recently; the original location, though, reliably stays open until midnight.

305 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 522-6666
(703) 522-6666
Karahi from Ravi Kabab
Karahi from Ravi Kabab
James M. Thresher for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Honey Pig BBQ

7220 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003

Though not the 24/7 joint it used to be, this Korean barbecue favorite in Annandale is open until 11:30 p.m. most weeknights and 2 a.m. on the weekends.

7220 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 256-5229
(703) 256-5229

Related Maps