People do not come to Siam House for the décor or the view of the Exxon station across the street. They come for the flavorful menu of Thai standbys and specials, from kaprow to clay pot shrimp. Be prepared for Thai-level spiciness. The chef does not edit the heat down for American palates unless asked.

Dolan specializes in Uyghur cuisine, food from Northwestern China that incorporates a range of Middle Eastern influences. Find dishes ranging from kebabs to stir-fries to goshnan, a Uyghur-style pizza. Dolan’s menu reflects the diversity of this Central Asian community’s role as culinary melting pot.

Indique offers a traditional Indian menu with features from the coastal Kerala region in the south. With a menu that includes a mix of street snacks, classic curries, tandoor specials, and a variety of vegetarian dishes, this standby works as a casual date night spot (grab a table on the second floor terrace) or a post-work pop-in. Don’t miss the Kerala fish curry.

Moules frites are the most popular dish at St. Arnold’s, but there are plenty of other Belgian classics on the menu as well. That includes hearty stews like waterzooi (chicken in a creamy sauce), and beer-infused beef carbonade. St. Arnold’s features 20 mussel dishes, each served up in steaming cast-iron pots, plus a selection of 60 Belgian beers. Happy hour features $11 mussel pots and other drink and food specials.

The Italian duo behind the quickly-expanding Al Volo collection of restaurants oversees a casual menu of house-made pastas — most of which hover around $20 — and more. The restaurant also has a stand-alone counter for buying fresh pasta, and offers frequent cooking classes.

The Cleveland Park location of Fat Pete’s was the first for this burgeoning local chain. The restaurant has something for everyone. Pork ribs, pulled chicken, brisket burnt ends, and even tofu go with a large selection of house sauces that represent major barbecue regions including Texas and the Carolinas.

Byblos is one of the few local spots to get a quick bite to eat in the neighborhood. Find all the typical Greek deli items like gyros, shawarma, souvlaki, spanakopita, and falafel. Then dig in under the large, covered front patio.

Spices does a big take-out and delivery business for people living along Connecticut Avenue. Its pan-Asian menu boasts a wide variety, offering up Malaysian food, sushi, and Korean fried chicken. Be sure to check out the curry laksa and mee goreng (stir-fried egg noodles).

Nanny O’Brien’s is one of the closest things to a genuine dive bar in the D.C. area. While it may look like a place where Guinness is the only beer on tap, it has a rotating menu of drafts and specialty brews in cans. Don’t sleep on the wings, which come in a variety of styles (nuclear, D.C. with mumbo sauce) and frequently appear on local “best of” lists.

Vace has served as Northwest D.C.’s go-to Italian store since the 1970s. This neighborhood deli sells imported cheese and semi-obscure DeCecco pasta shapes (racchette, anyone?). But Vace is best known for is its pizza, a favorite among locals and those grabbing a quick slice before seeing a movie at the historic Uptown theater across the street. Try the plain-looking onion pizza — a sleeper hit.

Prolific D.C. restaurateur Ashok Bajaj opened this casual, modern Israeli restaurant in March 2018 to strong reviews, and its popularity continues apace with next-door sibling spot Bindaas. Sababa features seasonal salatim, extensive small plates, and large plates like kibbeh pie and vegetable bastilla. Stand-out small plates include roasted halloumi cheese and kushari, and Egyptian-style blend of chickpeas, reice, lentils, pasta, fried onions, and tomato sauce.