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Parking's a Breeze at These D.C. Area Restaurants

A night out on the town is made easier with free parking.

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D.C. drivers face enough perils as it is when they get behind the wheel of a car. Between the Beltway traffic, distracted drivers, and vigilante parking enforcement, it can be hard to move through the city on four wheels, which is why some restaurants are extending an olive branch: free parking. And recently, it seems that more and more restaurants are offering free parking as a perk to dinner.

This map chronicles hassle-free restaurants in a variety of neighborhoods, from Georgetown to Chevy Chase to the congested downtown area.

Rather than circle the block, or risk the dreaded "pink slip" from the meter maid, these places put patrons’ parking worries at ease. So stop fumbling for the loose change, and don’t get easily gouged by surge pricing, in some dining hotspots, the parking is free and plentiful.

Have another tip for a restaurant that keeps things simple for drivers? Share in the comments.

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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.

1789 Restaurant

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Complimentary valet parking makes it easy to sample chef Samuel Kim’s tasting menu options.

Bistro Bis

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Onion Soup Les Halles always tastes better knowing that your car won’t get a ticket while you dine at Bistro Bis. This downtown spot offers free parking at the garage across the street.

Comet Ping Pong

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The local community rallied behind Comet Ping Pong after the #Pizzagate fallout, and here’s one more reason to love this cozy pizza parlor — the restaurant has free parking out back.

Convivial

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It was one of the hottest restaurants to open last year, and Convivial, which means fondness to feast, also has a fondness for free parking. The garage adjacent to the restaurant validates for two hours.

El Tamarindo

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No two words conjure up the parking sweats more so than Adams Morgan. But, drivers take note: a free parking lot for El Tamarindo patrons, makes it easy to access Salvadoran staples, like a mouthwatering pupusa.

Farmers & Distillers

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The latest addition from the Founding Farmers crew is an enormous restaurant in downtown D.C. The food and drink harken back to America’s earliest days, and the parking, like our great nation, is free too. Be on the lookout for the PMI- Parking garage, located in the same building.

Green Pig Bistro

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Arlington can be a notoriously bad place for parking on a Friday or Saturday night, but the Green Pig Bistro is here to help. The restaurant offers limited free parking on level P1 of the garage inside their building.

Hot N Juicy Crawfish

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In a parking pinch? Woodley Park’s Hot N Juicy has free parking in the garage, located in the alley behind the restaurant.

MGM National Harbor

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Feeling lucky? The MGM Grand Casino opened in December, but it's not just the craps table that's pulling in a crowd. Marcus Samuelson, Jose Andres, and Bryan and Michael Voltaggio are the big names behind new restaurants located here. You'll likely need a car to visit MGM but luckily parking won't cost you a dime.

Panda Gourmet

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Some of the best Chinese food in the city is located in a Days Inn hotel off New York Avenue, just before the Baltimore Washington Parkway. Parking is also free and easy in the lot adjacent to the restaurant.

Rural Society

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Rural Society is an Argentine steakhouse, tucked inside the Loews Hotel. As an extension of the hotel hospitality, diners get free and validated parking if you self-park in the garage on 15th Street NW.

Sfoglina

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Sfoglina is the come-as-you-are option from chef Fabio Trabocchi, and the parking is come-as-you-are too. The garage beneath the restaurant validates for two hours.

Surfside

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Fresh fish tacos never seem to go out of season here at Surfside. Free parking has always hung around too. Park it at the surface lot located across the street from Surfside on 37th Street NW.

Sushiko

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Friendship Heights is no stranger to good sushi. Sushiko, and its restaurant within a restaurant, Kōbō, both come with two hours of free parking. After that, it’s just $1 per hour.

1789 Restaurant

Complimentary valet parking makes it easy to sample chef Samuel Kim’s tasting menu options.

Bistro Bis

Onion Soup Les Halles always tastes better knowing that your car won’t get a ticket while you dine at Bistro Bis. This downtown spot offers free parking at the garage across the street.

Comet Ping Pong

The local community rallied behind Comet Ping Pong after the #Pizzagate fallout, and here’s one more reason to love this cozy pizza parlor — the restaurant has free parking out back.

Convivial

It was one of the hottest restaurants to open last year, and Convivial, which means fondness to feast, also has a fondness for free parking. The garage adjacent to the restaurant validates for two hours.

El Tamarindo

No two words conjure up the parking sweats more so than Adams Morgan. But, drivers take note: a free parking lot for El Tamarindo patrons, makes it easy to access Salvadoran staples, like a mouthwatering pupusa.

Farmers & Distillers

The latest addition from the Founding Farmers crew is an enormous restaurant in downtown D.C. The food and drink harken back to America’s earliest days, and the parking, like our great nation, is free too. Be on the lookout for the PMI- Parking garage, located in the same building.

Green Pig Bistro

Arlington can be a notoriously bad place for parking on a Friday or Saturday night, but the Green Pig Bistro is here to help. The restaurant offers limited free parking on level P1 of the garage inside their building.

Hot N Juicy Crawfish

In a parking pinch? Woodley Park’s Hot N Juicy has free parking in the garage, located in the alley behind the restaurant.

MGM National Harbor

Feeling lucky? The MGM Grand Casino opened in December, but it's not just the craps table that's pulling in a crowd. Marcus Samuelson, Jose Andres, and Bryan and Michael Voltaggio are the big names behind new restaurants located here. You'll likely need a car to visit MGM but luckily parking won't cost you a dime.

Panda Gourmet

Some of the best Chinese food in the city is located in a Days Inn hotel off New York Avenue, just before the Baltimore Washington Parkway. Parking is also free and easy in the lot adjacent to the restaurant.

Rural Society

Rural Society is an Argentine steakhouse, tucked inside the Loews Hotel. As an extension of the hotel hospitality, diners get free and validated parking if you self-park in the garage on 15th Street NW.

Sfoglina

Sfoglina is the come-as-you-are option from chef Fabio Trabocchi, and the parking is come-as-you-are too. The garage beneath the restaurant validates for two hours.

Surfside

Fresh fish tacos never seem to go out of season here at Surfside. Free parking has always hung around too. Park it at the surface lot located across the street from Surfside on 37th Street NW.

Sushiko

Friendship Heights is no stranger to good sushi. Sushiko, and its restaurant within a restaurant, Kōbō, both come with two hours of free parking. After that, it’s just $1 per hour.

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