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Daikaya

Where to Dine Near Verizon Center Without A Reservation

Didn't plan ahead before the Caps game? No problem.

by Travis Mitchell@travisjmitchell Updated Nov 3, 2016, 11:06am EDT

3 comments / new

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Daikaya

| R. Lopez

by Travis Mitchell@travisjmitchell Updated Nov 3, 2016, 11:06am EDT

3 comments / new

Tonight is the first Wizards' game, and dining out near Chinatown at the last minute can be a hassle, especially during peak times such as weekends before Verizon Center sporting events, concerts, or the downtown holiday market.

Tables at many of the neighborhood’s most popular restaurants, like Rasika or Oyamel, can book up days or even weeks in advance; most of the additions in the new CityCenter development nearby require a reservation or fill up quickly as well. And while fast-casual options, from Taylor Gourmet to Luke's Lobster, are plentiful, they don't always fit the bill for a night out. Thankfully, there are a number of options for savvy diners who know where to look, ranging from quick and cheap to a more substantial meal.

From no reservation spots to more off-the-radar locations, here are some good bets for getting a table in and around this busy neighborhood without too much hassle or waiting around. This map has been updated with some new choices, especially in the ramen department. We've also highlighted a few of the better fast-casual options, from Nando's Peri-Peri (good happy hour) to the newest &pizza (now with booze). Need another strategy? Try the bar and lounge areas at places like Hill Country, Penn Commons, Del Campo, The Source, or the new Dirty Habit (though they fill up quickly during peak happy hour times).

Have a favorite last-minute spot for when the neighborhood gets crowded? Share it in the comments.

—Updated by Missy Frederick and Tierney Plumb

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

&pizza

The latest joint from the hip pizza parlor team opened recently and has its most extensive bar yet.

Open in Google Maps

1005 E St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Bantam King

In Eater's experience, this new sister restaurant to Daikaya has proven to have even shorter lines than the neighborhood's original ramen haunt. Find fried chicken and chicken ramen here in a playful atmosphere.

Open in Google Maps

501 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Beef N' Bread

The team behind pizza experts Wiseguy turned its attention to sandwiches. These are Massachusetts-style beef sandwiches, mostly, and are worth a try for a quick bite.

Open in Google Maps

750 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20091

Carmine's

Carmine's takes reservations, but given it's one of the largest restaurants in D.C., the likelihood of getting a seat is pretty good. Plus, they've got a large bar area with a solid happy hour. Order some meatballs before the game, and they've even been known to "valet" your leftovers to you afterwards.

425 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Daikaya Ramen Shop

Reservations aren’t accepted here, so it’s a viable option for ramen lovers who don’t mind waiting in line for a quick, inexpensive meal. The upstairs izakaya is a possible spot to grab a drink (and even some food) in the meantime.

Open in Google Maps

705 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

District of Pi

The menu at this lively pizzeria centers around deep dish pies and an extensive list of rotating craft beers on draft. Try the Bucktown – a mix of mozzarella, roasted chicken, artichoke, red peppers, green olive, red onion, feta and sun-dried tomato. There are also thin-crust option for all the deep-dish skeptics. And don’t overlook appetizers, especially the pork and beef meatballs.

910 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Flight Wine Bar

This restaurant is the place to go to spend a meal lingering over a wine flight and a menu featuring pastas and dishes from chef Brendan Mahon.

Open in Google Maps

777 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

High Velocity

This sleek sports bar inside the Marriott Marquis keeps 48 beers on tap and serves more upscale takes on pub food like sliders, wings, and sandwiches. They also have several varieties of Moscow Mules.

901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Also featured in:

HipCityVeg

Vegetarians can try this new Philadelphia-based transplant and get some comfort food before a game.

Open in Google Maps

712 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Nando's PERi-PERi

Nandos is a reliable and quick option serving up succulent grilled chicken and a variety of tasty sides. The happy hour is an ideal pre-game meet up and includes discounted beers and sangria pitchers.

Open in Google Maps

819 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

New Big Wong

Finding a solid Chinese restaurant in Chinatown can be a challenge, but this restaurant stays open late and is known for being a favorite hangout of chefs around town.

610 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Red Apron Butchery

Red Apron has some of the best sandwiches in town. Looking for something more substantial? Peek next door into the Partisan, which is connected to the restaurant, and see if there are seats available at the bar.

709 D St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Reren Lamen & Bar

See the Chinese version of ramen at this new addition to Chinatown.

817 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Shake Shack

The tasty burgers and concretes at this NYC export have amassed quite a following, and this location has enough seating to accommodate the crowds. Beer and wine is available too.

800 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Teaism

The Penn Quarter location of this local teahouse and restaurant is an ideal place for a light meal. The Asian-inspired dishes include udon noodles, Indian palak paneer and a selection of bento boxes. As a bonus, the restaurant serves beer, wine and cocktails in addition to a large selection of teas.

400 8th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Wiseguy NY Pizza

The seating in Wiseguys is pretty barebones, but it's a great quick option. Plus, they have garlic knots and some of the best pizza by the slice in D.C.

300 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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&pizza

1005 E St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The latest joint from the hip pizza parlor team opened recently and has its most extensive bar yet.

Open in Google Maps

1005 E St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Bantam King

501 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

In Eater's experience, this new sister restaurant to Daikaya has proven to have even shorter lines than the neighborhood's original ramen haunt. Find fried chicken and chicken ramen here in a playful atmosphere.

Open in Google Maps

501 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Beef N' Bread

750 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20091

The team behind pizza experts Wiseguy turned its attention to sandwiches. These are Massachusetts-style beef sandwiches, mostly, and are worth a try for a quick bite.

Open in Google Maps

750 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20091

Carmine's

425 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Carmine's takes reservations, but given it's one of the largest restaurants in D.C., the likelihood of getting a seat is pretty good. Plus, they've got a large bar area with a solid happy hour. Order some meatballs before the game, and they've even been known to "valet" your leftovers to you afterwards.

425 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Daikaya Ramen Shop

705 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Reservations aren’t accepted here, so it’s a viable option for ramen lovers who don’t mind waiting in line for a quick, inexpensive meal. The upstairs izakaya is a possible spot to grab a drink (and even some food) in the meantime.

Open in Google Maps

705 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

District of Pi

910 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The menu at this lively pizzeria centers around deep dish pies and an extensive list of rotating craft beers on draft. Try the Bucktown – a mix of mozzarella, roasted chicken, artichoke, red peppers, green olive, red onion, feta and sun-dried tomato. There are also thin-crust option for all the deep-dish skeptics. And don’t overlook appetizers, especially the pork and beef meatballs.

910 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Flight Wine Bar

777 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

This restaurant is the place to go to spend a meal lingering over a wine flight and a menu featuring pastas and dishes from chef Brendan Mahon.

Open in Google Maps

777 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

High Velocity

901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

This sleek sports bar inside the Marriott Marquis keeps 48 beers on tap and serves more upscale takes on pub food like sliders, wings, and sandwiches. They also have several varieties of Moscow Mules.

901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

HipCityVeg

712 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Vegetarians can try this new Philadelphia-based transplant and get some comfort food before a game.

Open in Google Maps

712 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Nando's PERi-PERi

819 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Nandos is a reliable and quick option serving up succulent grilled chicken and a variety of tasty sides. The happy hour is an ideal pre-game meet up and includes discounted beers and sangria pitchers.

Open in Google Maps

819 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

New Big Wong

610 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Finding a solid Chinese restaurant in Chinatown can be a challenge, but this restaurant stays open late and is known for being a favorite hangout of chefs around town.

610 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Red Apron Butchery

709 D St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Red Apron has some of the best sandwiches in town. Looking for something more substantial? Peek next door into the Partisan, which is connected to the restaurant, and see if there are seats available at the bar.

709 D St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Reren Lamen & Bar

817 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

See the Chinese version of ramen at this new addition to Chinatown.

817 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Shake Shack

800 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The tasty burgers and concretes at this NYC export have amassed quite a following, and this location has enough seating to accommodate the crowds. Beer and wine is available too.

800 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Teaism

400 8th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The Penn Quarter location of this local teahouse and restaurant is an ideal place for a light meal. The Asian-inspired dishes include udon noodles, Indian palak paneer and a selection of bento boxes. As a bonus, the restaurant serves beer, wine and cocktails in addition to a large selection of teas.

400 8th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Related Maps

Wiseguy NY Pizza

300 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

The seating in Wiseguys is pretty barebones, but it's a great quick option. Plus, they have garlic knots and some of the best pizza by the slice in D.C.

300 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Related Maps