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Chicken Parm from Caruso’s Grocery.
Chicken Parm from Caruso’s Grocery.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

17 Essential Capitol Hill Restaurants for Dining Out

Where to eat and drink near Congress

by Tim Ebner and Missy Frederick Updated
View as Map
Chicken Parm from Caruso’s Grocery.
| Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.
by Tim Ebner and Missy Frederick Updated

Though the typical tourist might envision Capitol Hill as a sea of government buildings, it’s also home to a strong constituency of reliable restaurants. The charming neighborhood, which includes hyperlocal pockets of Barracks Row, Eastern Market, and Hill East, is a top destination for stellar diners, homemade pastas, tasting menus, and everything in between.

This spring, the neighborhood will add exciting new options for pizza (Della Barba Pizza), tacos (Santa Rosa Taqueria), and sandwiches (Fight Club). Meanwhile, Moroccan mainstay Mekki is on the move.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
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Manna Dosirak

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This mom-and-pop shop is a hidden gem in Kingman Park. The menu features affordable Korean dishes available for takeout or delivery, including mandu (Korean dumplings) and bulgogi bowls.

409 15th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 921-9456
(202) 921-9456
Manna Dosirak

Nostra Cucina

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This is a proper red sauce joint serving up calamari, beef lasagna, eggplant Parm, and house-made pastas. Nostra Cucina is available for online pickup or delivery via Clover.

320 D St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-4522
(202) 546-4522
Pasta in a white bowl
Noodles by Nostra Cucina
Nostra Cucina

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Bistro Cacao

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After a decade in its cozy, historic Capitol Hill location, this modern French restaurant took over the space next door and expanded its patio two-fold. It’s a destination for diners during Saturday and Sunday brunch, who say the secret words (“cheers to the weekend”) to get a free mimosa as an on-again and off-again promotion.

316 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-4737
(202) 546-4737

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Tunnicliff's Tavern

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If you’re a local you go here to eat — especially if it’s a weekend for a reliable, no-frills brunch menu that includes a standout bloody mary and seafood dishes, like a salmon BLT, crab cakes, and tuna melt sandwich.

222 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 544-5680
(202) 544-5680
Steak and eggs on a white plate
Steak and eggs at Tunnicliff’s Tavern
Tunnicliff’s Tavern/Facebook

Market Lunch

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Located inside historic Eastern Market, Market Lunch is known for serving hearty breakfast and lunch platters. The blueberry buckwheat pancakes alone are worth the trip.

225 7th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 547-8444
(202) 547-8444
People eating breakfast food
Daytime essentials at Market Lunch
R. Lopez/Eater D.C.

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eat brgz

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Inventive patties and mouthwatering milkshakes make this an excellent destination when a burger craving hits. Eat Brgz creates each patty to-order with toppings grilled into the bun. Try the Mexico City — a chorizo patty stuffed with red onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, Oaxaca cheese, and taco seasoning. A second D.C. location opens in Penn Quarter next month.

250 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 450-5074
(202) 450-5074

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The Duck & The Peach

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This restaurant evokes California’s farm-to-table spirit, alongside wines sourced from around the world. The roast chicken would make Ina Garten cry. And definitely save room for dessert. The latest addition from pastry chef Rochelle Cooper is a chocolate milk pie that looks like artwork and tastes simply divine. Consider its sleek, next-door sibling La Collina for standout Italian dishes like cacio e pepe, dry-aged beef carpaccio, and arancini bambini, along with grapefruit-accented negronis by the pitcher.

300 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 431-1913
(202) 431-1913

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Barrel

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Home to an impressive collection of whiskeys, Barrel serves hearty dishes like smoked andouille sausage and spicy peri peri wings.

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 543-3622
(202) 543-3622

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Joselito Casa de Comidas

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This restaurant from the owners of SER in Ballston specializes in Spanish cuisine, including salt cod, Iberian ham, and fried anchovies. Sidewalk dining has since been added and orders and available for pickup and takeout.

660 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 930-6955
(202) 930-6955
Joselito DC dining room R. Lopez

Beuchert’s Saloon

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This bar and restaurant offers seasonal and decadent dishes with flair, including an oversized bone marrow dish and a foie gras ice cream pie with graham cracker crust, rhubarb jam and metallic sprinkles. The bar serves satisfying whiskey and bourbon cocktails at the watch of two bison heads mounted to the backbar. Chef Andrew Markert just expanded his neighborhood reach with the opening of Newland, an elegant, prix fixe ode to his Maryland upbringing.

623 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 733-1384
(202) 733-1384

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Belga Cafe/The Betsy

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A Barracks Row pioneer, Belga Cafe attracts crowds for pots of mussels and frites. During warmer months, head to the rooftop and hit up the Betsy. Named after chef Bart Vandaele’s favorite pet chicken, the bar specializes in gin drinks.

514 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 544-0100
(202) 544-0100
A waffle on a white plate
A sweet and savory waffle at Belga Cafe
Belga Cafe

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Ambar (Multiple locations)

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Restaurateur Ivan Iricanin’s flagship Balkan restaurant is newly renovated to the tune of a $3 million upgrade. Go for kebabs, brunch, and rakia. Ambar crowds swell on weekends for the all-you-can-eat brunch menu.

523 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 813-3039
(202) 813-3039
Flatbread from Ambar
Ambar [official site]

Also featured in:

Mangialardo & Sons

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This family-owned Italian deli has acquired a serious local following for its meaty subs. Its most famous sandwich, the “G” Man, comes with ham, salami, mortadella, pepperoni, fontina cheese, provolone cheese, and oregano.

1317 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 543-6212
(202) 543-6212

Rose's Luxury

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The Michelin-rated mainstay plays to its strengths with dishes so popular they’ve been on the menu since day one — like the pork lychee salad. Rose’s pokes fun at this fact with a “NOT the pork and lychee salad” — a Brussels and prosciutto salad topped with Campari hollandaise sauce. This is an excellent spot to book for shared plates, with a rooftop garden to boot. Each diner picks a “choose your own adventure” approach with two dishes to share for the table. Its popular “Rose’s at Home” pandemic offshoot delivers three-course dinners.

717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 742-3570
(202) 742-3570

Also featured in:

The Roost

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This culinary clubhouse is home to some amazing vendors including Cameo Coffee, Hi-Fi Taco, and Shelter — a craft beer bar featuring brews from the Navy Yard’s Bluejacket Brewery. It’s also a food hall where you can order from your phone and dishes are delivered directly to your table — making for a seamless, no-wait-in-line experience.

1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 661-0142
(202) 661-0142
A plate of sushi rolls from Ako by Kenaki Stacey Windsor/For the Roost

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Caruso's Grocery

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Even though this sit-down restaurant opened within The Roost food hall in 2021, everything — from the chicken Parmigiana to the slightly-faded red booths — is meant to feel like an old-school “red sauce joint.” Don’t miss the mozzarella in carrozza, featuring stringy cheese layered with sliced bread and a roasted garlic, lemon, and herb puree, which is battered, fried, and smothered with tomato-basil sauce.

914 14th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Chicken Parm from Caruso’s Grocery. Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

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Taco City DC

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This house that tacos built offers takeout and delivery options. Customers eating at the restaurant must try its queso fundido, which is served bubbling hot.

1102 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 629-4012
(202) 629-4012

Also featured in:

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Manna Dosirak

409 15th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Manna Dosirak

This mom-and-pop shop is a hidden gem in Kingman Park. The menu features affordable Korean dishes available for takeout or delivery, including mandu (Korean dumplings) and bulgogi bowls.

409 15th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 921-9456
(202) 921-9456
Manna Dosirak

Nostra Cucina

320 D St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Pasta in a white bowl
Noodles by Nostra Cucina
Nostra Cucina

This is a proper red sauce joint serving up calamari, beef lasagna, eggplant Parm, and house-made pastas. Nostra Cucina is available for online pickup or delivery via Clover.

320 D St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-4522
(202) 546-4522
Pasta in a white bowl
Noodles by Nostra Cucina
Nostra Cucina

Bistro Cacao

316 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

After a decade in its cozy, historic Capitol Hill location, this modern French restaurant took over the space next door and expanded its patio two-fold. It’s a destination for diners during Saturday and Sunday brunch, who say the secret words (“cheers to the weekend”) to get a free mimosa as an on-again and off-again promotion.

316 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-4737
(202) 546-4737

Tunnicliff's Tavern

222 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Steak and eggs on a white plate
Steak and eggs at Tunnicliff’s Tavern
Tunnicliff’s Tavern/Facebook

If you’re a local you go here to eat — especially if it’s a weekend for a reliable, no-frills brunch menu that includes a standout bloody mary and seafood dishes, like a salmon BLT, crab cakes, and tuna melt sandwich.

222 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 544-5680
(202) 544-5680
Steak and eggs on a white plate
Steak and eggs at Tunnicliff’s Tavern
Tunnicliff’s Tavern/Facebook

Market Lunch

225 7th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
People eating breakfast food
Daytime essentials at Market Lunch
R. Lopez/Eater D.C.

Located inside historic Eastern Market, Market Lunch is known for serving hearty breakfast and lunch platters. The blueberry buckwheat pancakes alone are worth the trip.

225 7th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 547-8444
(202) 547-8444
People eating breakfast food
Daytime essentials at Market Lunch
R. Lopez/Eater D.C.

eat brgz

250 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Inventive patties and mouthwatering milkshakes make this an excellent destination when a burger craving hits. Eat Brgz creates each patty to-order with toppings grilled into the bun. Try the Mexico City — a chorizo patty stuffed with red onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, Oaxaca cheese, and taco seasoning. A second D.C. location opens in Penn Quarter next month.

250 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 450-5074
(202) 450-5074

The Duck & The Peach

300 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

This restaurant evokes California’s farm-to-table spirit, alongside wines sourced from around the world. The roast chicken would make Ina Garten cry. And definitely save room for dessert. The latest addition from pastry chef Rochelle Cooper is a chocolate milk pie that looks like artwork and tastes simply divine. Consider its sleek, next-door sibling La Collina for standout Italian dishes like cacio e pepe, dry-aged beef carpaccio, and arancini bambini, along with grapefruit-accented negronis by the pitcher.

300 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 431-1913
(202) 431-1913

Barrel

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

Home to an impressive collection of whiskeys, Barrel serves hearty dishes like smoked andouille sausage and spicy peri peri wings.

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 543-3622
(202) 543-3622

Joselito Casa de Comidas

660 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
Joselito DC dining room R. Lopez

This restaurant from the owners of SER in Ballston specializes in Spanish cuisine, including salt cod, Iberian ham, and fried anchovies. Sidewalk dining has since been added and orders and available for pickup and takeout.

660 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 930-6955
(202) 930-6955
Joselito DC dining room R. Lopez

Beuchert’s Saloon

623 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003

This bar and restaurant offers seasonal and decadent dishes with flair, including an oversized bone marrow dish and a foie gras ice cream pie with graham cracker crust, rhubarb jam and metallic sprinkles. The bar serves satisfying whiskey and bourbon cocktails at the watch of two bison heads mounted to the backbar. Chef Andrew Markert just expanded his neighborhood reach with the opening of Newland, an elegant, prix fixe ode to his Maryland upbringing.

623 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 733-1384
(202) 733-1384

Belga Cafe/The Betsy

514 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
A waffle on a white plate
A sweet and savory waffle at Belga Cafe
Belga Cafe

A Barracks Row pioneer, Belga Cafe attracts crowds for pots of mussels and frites. During warmer months, head to the rooftop and hit up the Betsy. Named after chef Bart Vandaele’s favorite pet chicken, the bar specializes in gin drinks.

514 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 544-0100
(202) 544-0100
A waffle on a white plate
A sweet and savory waffle at Belga Cafe
Belga Cafe

Ambar (Multiple locations)

523 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
Flatbread from Ambar
Ambar [official site]

Restaurateur Ivan Iricanin’s flagship Balkan restaurant is newly renovated to the tune of a $3 million upgrade. Go for kebabs, brunch, and rakia. Ambar crowds swell on weekends for the all-you-can-eat brunch menu.

523 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 813-3039
(202) 813-3039
Flatbread from Ambar
Ambar [official site]

Mangialardo & Sons

1317 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

This family-owned Italian deli has acquired a serious local following for its meaty subs. Its most famous sandwich, the “G” Man, comes with ham, salami, mortadella, pepperoni, fontina cheese, provolone cheese, and oregano.

1317 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 543-6212
(202) 543-6212

Rose's Luxury

717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

The Michelin-rated mainstay plays to its strengths with dishes so popular they’ve been on the menu since day one — like the pork lychee salad. Rose’s pokes fun at this fact with a “NOT the pork and lychee salad” — a Brussels and prosciutto salad topped with Campari hollandaise sauce. This is an excellent spot to book for shared plates, with a rooftop garden to boot. Each diner picks a “choose your own adventure” approach with two dishes to share for the table. Its popular “Rose’s at Home” pandemic offshoot delivers three-course dinners.

717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 742-3570
(202) 742-3570

The Roost

1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
A plate of sushi rolls from Ako by Kenaki Stacey Windsor/For the Roost

This culinary clubhouse is home to some amazing vendors including Cameo Coffee, Hi-Fi Taco, and Shelter — a craft beer bar featuring brews from the Navy Yard’s Bluejacket Brewery. It’s also a food hall where you can order from your phone and dishes are delivered directly to your table — making for a seamless, no-wait-in-line experience.

1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 661-0142
(202) 661-0142
A plate of sushi rolls from Ako by Kenaki Stacey Windsor/For the Roost

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Caruso's Grocery

914 14th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Chicken Parm from Caruso’s Grocery. Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Even though this sit-down restaurant opened within The Roost food hall in 2021, everything — from the chicken Parmigiana to the slightly-faded red booths — is meant to feel like an old-school “red sauce joint.” Don’t miss the mozzarella in carrozza, featuring stringy cheese layered with sliced bread and a roasted garlic, lemon, and herb puree, which is battered, fried, and smothered with tomato-basil sauce.

914 14th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Chicken Parm from Caruso’s Grocery. Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Taco City DC

1102 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

This house that tacos built offers takeout and delivery options. Customers eating at the restaurant must try its queso fundido, which is served bubbling hot.

1102 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 629-4012
(202) 629-4012

Related Maps