This bustling neighborhood near the convention center is home to international flavors, quick bites and everything in between.
A sea of high-rise apartment and office buildings make up Mount Vernon Triangle, a small neighborhood in Northwest DC where everyone always seems to be on the move. The area is packed with noteworthy places to eat, from fabulous, casual fare to local joints to trendy eateries.
It’s a bountiful day in the neighborhood
Part distillery and part all-day restaurant, Farmers & Distillers pays homage to George Washington, who was, as you may have guessed, both a farmer and a distiller. The menu is filled with everything from early morning classics (small-batch donuts and runny-egg breakfast sandwiches) to hand-pulled noodles and Chinese chicken that remain a delicious tribute to nearby Chinatown.
The Velazquez family (of Georgetown’s Baked & Wired fame) is baked-goods royalty in the nation’s capital. Visit their La Betty: Betty AM, the casual neighborhood cafe, serves sourdough sandwiches and brioche donuts with a side of laptop-free connection, while Betty PM converts into a natural wine and vinyl bar.
Unconventional Diner is a true DC staple. Far from your standard all-day diner, the modern space features a café area for on-the-go breakfast pastries and sandwiches, while dinner offers unique twists on your favorites. Meatloaf is dressed in a sriracha glaze and morel gravy, while cheeseburgers are made with wagyu beef and topped with tomato chutney and dijonnaise.
Busboys and Poets is Andy Shallal’s restaurant-bookstore-community gathering space that has become a DC institution since first opening its doors near U Street in 2005. The 300-plus seat Mount Vernon Triangle location makes for a great post-work happy hour (the half-off lamb sliders and mezze spread are can’t-miss) and pays special attention to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary restrictions.
The revolution will come with a pickle, or so says the rebellious folks at The Capital Burger. The gourmet burger joint's proprietary beef blend yields some serious burger masterpieces, such as the namesake patty sandwiched between Wisconsin gruyère, caramelized onions and a shallot aioli.
Just a short walk from the convention center, you can take a breather with bartaco's coastal-inspired street food and freshly-juiced cocktails. It's a perfect spot for a work lunch, end-of-day margarita or lowkey dinner with friends.
Plan a swanky night on the town
Kinship
Shaw is home to another pair of critically-acclaimed restaurants, both from Chef Eric Ziebold (who previously cooked at the world-renowned The French Laundry). Kinship lays out the menu with unique categories like “Ingredients” and “Indulgences,” while downstairs Métier features a seven-course tasting menu that includes “notes” on the backstory of each item. Gentlemen, jackets are required.
RPM Italian is a hot spot ideal for celebrities from celeb couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic, so it's no surprise that the likes of Kourtney Kardashian and Drake have enjoyed meals here. Grab a table before a show or theater performance (the Capital One Arena and Shakespeare Theatre Company are just down the street) and try a wide array of pastas made in-house, fresh seafood and even a $165 prime, dry-aged, Tuscan porterhouse steak for you and one to three of your closest friends.
Trade in tagliatelle for tandoori at the upscale Karma Modern Indian, an ambitious, contemporary take on Indian classics. Lobster masala is adorned with a halo of beet poriyal and lamb roganjosh stars tender lamb bathed in a chili-ginger-tomato sauce. Fear not, Karma dishes out classics like chicken tikka and butter chicken for the Indian cuisine traditionalist.
This Mexican cocina and mezcaleria comes from Chef Richard Sandoval. dLeña is derived from the Spanish word “leña,” which means “firewood.” As you may imagine, the restaurant features a wood-fired oven, which serves as a nod to the rustic, open-fire cooking techniques of Mexico’s past. The menu offers signature smoked entrées, several types of ceviche and unique sharing plates. If you’re planning on grabbing a drink, the bar features hand-crafted margaritas, Latin cocktails, mezcal, cervezas and vino.
Around the world in a block
2Fifty BBQ’s second location on K Street touts handcrafted and wood-smoked Texas-style BBQ with what they describe as “a pinch of the tropics.” Founded by Salvadoran couple Fernando González and Debby Portillo, 2Fifty aims to keep ethically sourced, quality BBQ affordable and communal. Guests can combine their cut of choice with American classics and Salvadoran favorites like esquites and plantains – for dine-in, take-out or catering.
Famed for its dollar-dumpling happy hour, Bar Chinois serves Chinese bites alongside stellar French cocktails and wines under its signature neon-red, lantern-inspired lighting. Awarded best bar by the local RAMMY Awards, it's a can't-miss stop in Mount Vernon Square.
At Alta Strada, chef Michael Schlow’s homage to Italian cooking, expect a no-frills menu filled with house-made pastas and thin-crust pizzas to go along with a mozzarella bar. Italy’s influence doesn’t stop there: wines and cocktails all have distinctive flavors that match the menu perfectly.
Restaurateur Hakan Ilhan’s Ottoman Taverna explores the wonders of his native Turkey with a wood charcoal grill that churns out incredible kebab, while savory flatbreads and an array of meze make for ideal accompaniments. This space serves up enough deliciousness that Michelle Obama and friends even paid it a visit.
Budget-friendly bites
Plant-based tacos are the name of the game at Chaia, which is probably the first time you’ve heard a restaurant described as “farm to taco.” Each handmade tortilla is loaded with flavorful veggies, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention its roster of fresh cocktails for under $10.
Colorful vegetarian dishes are easy to come by at fast-casual Indian spot RASA, where you can choose a pre-made meal or customize your bowl or roti wrap. With affordable prices, the concept furthers what the founders and their families have been doing in the DMV for decades: making delicious Indian cuisine accessible. One of the best items, however, comes toward the end of the menu – vegan soft serve. A tamarind margarita or spiked mango lassi isn't a bad option, either.
Head your pizza cravings at Wiseguy Pizza, where you’re likely to find the best Buffalo chicken slice (also known as “buff chick”) outside of the tri-state area. The garlic knots are also not to be missed, and with so many signature slice options you’ll find yourself back for more ‘za in a New York minute.