During the COVID-19 pandemic, D.C. area restaurants quickly adapted to introduce new safety procedures that limit interactions between customers and workers. One of the most noticeable examples has been a rise in “contactless” — or “contact-free,” or “zero-contact” — options for pickup and delivery. While online pre-ordering has become commonplace, several businesses have taken the extra step of adding windows or tables as pickup zones. QR code ordering for outdoor dining allows food runners to whisk by tables in lieu of servers who linger to jot down diner preferences. Here are a dozen options to secure a meal while keeping face-time to a minimum, whether it’s bagels for breakfast, a crunchy chicken sandwich for lunch, or a braised lamb shank for dinner.
D.C. allows indoor dining at 25 percent capacity. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating, but this should not be taken as endorsement for dining out, as there are still safety concerns. The Washington Post is tracking coronavirus cases and deaths in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. More information can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.
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