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A fully dressed burger at Duke's Counter.
A fully dressed burger at Duke’s Counter.
Duke’s Counter/Facebook

Where to Eat and Drink Near the National Zoo

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A fully dressed burger at Duke’s Counter.
| Duke’s Counter/Facebook

The National Zoo is one of the most heavily trafficked tourist spots in Washington, and those crowds get even larger when there's a marquee event like Zoolights or Brew at the Zoo happening. Crowds have only increased since the zoo re-opened its Bird House to the general public, and this summer brings new cheetah cubs and elephants to fawn over.

Here's Eater's updated guide to the best dining options within easy walking distance of the Zoo, which itself is a short stroll from the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park Metro stations. Eater has narrowed the choices to restaurants within a half a mile walk, covering everything from steak frites and Indian cuisine to barbecue spots and unassuming bars.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar

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This family-owned Italian restaurant features a weekend brunch with Zoo Specials like panda pancakes, a selection of eggs benedicts and a full Scottish breakfast served with smoked salmon, hard boiled egg, and sundried tomato served on sliced baguette bread.

Distance from Zoo: 0.2 miles

Dolan Uyghur Restaurant

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Uyghur cuisine is hard to come by in D.C., but Dolan provides a critically acclaimed taste of the culture with hand-pulled noodles called laghman, meat kebabs, dumplings dubbed manti and goshnan, a pan-fried pastry stuffed with ground beef, peppers, and sweet onions.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Open City

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Looking to fill up before getting your steps in at the Zoo? Open City Diner opens at 8 a.m., serving omelets, breakfast burritos, chicken and waffles, and their specialty hashbrown square. Their coffee counter serves coffee & espresso beverages made by sister restaurant, Tryst.

Distance to zoo: 0.5 miles

Rose Ave Bakery

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This much-anticipated standalone Korean bakery, which started as a stall in The Block DC food hall, opened its doors to the public this spring. If you want one of their specialty passion fruit and ube donuts, make sure to get early — they tend to sell out.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Indique

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This longtime family-owned business not only serves modern takes on Indian classics like lamb roganjosh and samosa chaat, but several dishes from where the chef grew up including Malabar Fish Curry, a staple from the southern state of Kerala.

Distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

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Medium Rare

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Picky eaters, rejoice: Cleveland Park is home to a location of Medium Rare, a steak-frites restaurant with a three course, prix-fixe menu. (Vegetarians have the option of grilled portobello, also served with fries.)

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Fat Pete's Barbecue (Multiple Locations)

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You’ll find all the BBQ staples at this award-winning restaurant, from pulled pork sandwiches to brisket platters to cornbread & collard greens. Feeling adventurous? Opt for the burnt end grilled cheese, made with bourbon bacon jam and served on Texas toast.

Distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

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Vace Italian Deli

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40+ year old Vace Italian Deli is a staple in the Cleveland Park neighborhood, serving pizza and Italian subs. If you’re looking to pick up a few groceries, Vace also sells an extensive selection of imported goods from rolls of polenta to specialty pasta.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Cleveland Park Business Association

Baked by Yael

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Baked by Yael has been serving nut-free and kosher baked goods right across the street from the entrance to the zoo. Their selection includes color and panda-themed cake pops, as well as bagels and Hamantaschen.

Distance from zoo: Just 105 feet.

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Duke's Counter

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Cool off after a long day at the Zoo with a pint at Duke’s Counter. The bar keeps eight draught beers on tap, and dishes range from gourmet burgers to white truffle mac & cheese.

Distance from zoo: Less than 500 feet.

Hot N Juicy Crawfish (Multiple Locations)

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Head to Hot N Juicy Crawfish for seafood boils served by the pound in a steaming hot bag. Seafood selection includes crawfish, clams, shrimp and crab when seasonal.

Distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

Lebanese Taverna (Multiple Locations)

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A D.C. area staple, family-run Lebanese Taverna offers classic Mediterranean dishes like chicken shawarma. On Monday, their mezze menu goes bottomless for $38.

Distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

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District Kitchen

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Sit down for a prix-fixe dinner at District Kitchen, where three courses (an appetizer, main and dessert) are priced at $40. Dishes include small plates like burrata salad, brussel sprouts, and tuna ceviche, and mains range from cast iron paella made with shrimp, mussels and chorizo to gnocchi & lamb sausage ragu.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Macintyre's

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After a day at the Zoo, crash at Macintyre’s to watch a Nationals or Capitals game at this sports bar from the owners of Maddy's, open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Food selection includes bar food classics like jumbo wings, pretzel sticks, potato skins and chicken tenders.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

New Heights Restaurant

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This Woodley Park veteran restaurant was recently added to the Michelin Guide for its humble atmosphere and flavorful food. Take a seat at the bar downstairs or head up to the dining room for dishes like broccolini with black garlic Caesar dressing, rack of lamb topped with salsa verde and crispy fried oysters with pickled cauliflower.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Cracked Eggery

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Whether you’re looking for a casual breakfast or just happen to be a passionate fan of egg dishes, Cracked Eggery’s menu has you covered. Get fueled for the zoo with egg-adorned sandwiches made on toasted challah bread with selections ranging from the “The Animal” stuffed with cracked bacon, scrambled eggs, tator tots, American and cheddar cheeses, or the “Paulie Cicero” with prosciutto, a fried egg, ricotta, arugula, hot honey and more.

Distance to zoo: 0.3 miles

LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar

This family-owned Italian restaurant features a weekend brunch with Zoo Specials like panda pancakes, a selection of eggs benedicts and a full Scottish breakfast served with smoked salmon, hard boiled egg, and sundried tomato served on sliced baguette bread.

Distance from Zoo: 0.2 miles

Dolan Uyghur Restaurant

Uyghur cuisine is hard to come by in D.C., but Dolan provides a critically acclaimed taste of the culture with hand-pulled noodles called laghman, meat kebabs, dumplings dubbed manti and goshnan, a pan-fried pastry stuffed with ground beef, peppers, and sweet onions.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Open City

Looking to fill up before getting your steps in at the Zoo? Open City Diner opens at 8 a.m., serving omelets, breakfast burritos, chicken and waffles, and their specialty hashbrown square. Their coffee counter serves coffee & espresso beverages made by sister restaurant, Tryst.

Distance to zoo: 0.5 miles

Rose Ave Bakery

This much-anticipated standalone Korean bakery, which started as a stall in The Block DC food hall, opened its doors to the public this spring. If you want one of their specialty passion fruit and ube donuts, make sure to get early — they tend to sell out.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Indique

This longtime family-owned business not only serves modern takes on Indian classics like lamb roganjosh and samosa chaat, but several dishes from where the chef grew up including Malabar Fish Curry, a staple from the southern state of Kerala.

Distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

Official

Medium Rare

Picky eaters, rejoice: Cleveland Park is home to a location of Medium Rare, a steak-frites restaurant with a three course, prix-fixe menu. (Vegetarians have the option of grilled portobello, also served with fries.)

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Fat Pete's Barbecue (Multiple Locations)

You’ll find all the BBQ staples at this award-winning restaurant, from pulled pork sandwiches to brisket platters to cornbread & collard greens. Feeling adventurous? Opt for the burnt end grilled cheese, made with bourbon bacon jam and served on Texas toast.

Distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

Official

Vace Italian Deli

40+ year old Vace Italian Deli is a staple in the Cleveland Park neighborhood, serving pizza and Italian subs. If you’re looking to pick up a few groceries, Vace also sells an extensive selection of imported goods from rolls of polenta to specialty pasta.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Cleveland Park Business Association

Baked by Yael

Baked by Yael has been serving nut-free and kosher baked goods right across the street from the entrance to the zoo. Their selection includes color and panda-themed cake pops, as well as bagels and Hamantaschen.

Distance from zoo: Just 105 feet.

Official

Duke's Counter

Cool off after a long day at the Zoo with a pint at Duke’s Counter. The bar keeps eight draught beers on tap, and dishes range from gourmet burgers to white truffle mac & cheese.

Distance from zoo: Less than 500 feet.

Hot N Juicy Crawfish (Multiple Locations)

Head to Hot N Juicy Crawfish for seafood boils served by the pound in a steaming hot bag. Seafood selection includes crawfish, clams, shrimp and crab when seasonal.

Distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

Lebanese Taverna (Multiple Locations)

A D.C. area staple, family-run Lebanese Taverna offers classic Mediterranean dishes like chicken shawarma. On Monday, their mezze menu goes bottomless for $38.

Distance from zoo: 0.4 miles.

Official

District Kitchen

Sit down for a prix-fixe dinner at District Kitchen, where three courses (an appetizer, main and dessert) are priced at $40. Dishes include small plates like burrata salad, brussel sprouts, and tuna ceviche, and mains range from cast iron paella made with shrimp, mussels and chorizo to gnocchi & lamb sausage ragu.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Macintyre's

After a day at the Zoo, crash at Macintyre’s to watch a Nationals or Capitals game at this sports bar from the owners of Maddy's, open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Food selection includes bar food classics like jumbo wings, pretzel sticks, potato skins and chicken tenders.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

New Heights Restaurant

This Woodley Park veteran restaurant was recently added to the Michelin Guide for its humble atmosphere and flavorful food. Take a seat at the bar downstairs or head up to the dining room for dishes like broccolini with black garlic Caesar dressing, rack of lamb topped with salsa verde and crispy fried oysters with pickled cauliflower.

Distance from zoo: 0.5 miles.

Related Maps

Cracked Eggery

Whether you’re looking for a casual breakfast or just happen to be a passionate fan of egg dishes, Cracked Eggery’s menu has you covered. Get fueled for the zoo with egg-adorned sandwiches made on toasted challah bread with selections ranging from the “The Animal” stuffed with cracked bacon, scrambled eggs, tator tots, American and cheddar cheeses, or the “Paulie Cicero” with prosciutto, a fried egg, ricotta, arugula, hot honey and more.

Distance to zoo: 0.3 miles

Related Maps