Five Foodie Finds in Washington, D.C.

This blog post was updated on October 9, 2018.

After you’ve finished touring the White House, the National Mall, and the Smithsonian, surely you’ll have worked up quite the appetite.

 

Never fear, there are plenty of places to satisfy your hunger in our nation’s capital. Foodies boarding flights to Washington D.C. have their work cut out for them.

 

We suggest starting with these fab five:

 

Graffiato: Created in 2011 by Mike Isabella (yes, the same one from Top Chef), Graffiato serves Italian-inspired comfort food made from locally produced goodies such as cured hams, hand-rolled pastas and marinated vegetables.

 

Selections off the eclectic wine list pair nicely with Isabella’s inspired creations. Graffiato is located in Chinatown and reservations are strongly recommended.

 

Indique: Known for its creative, modern Indian dishes, Indique has been pleasing diners since it opened in 2002. Unique cocktails (like the lychee bubbles cocktail or the tamarind margarita) are a nice, light contrast to the rich flavors of their dishes. Be sure to save room for dessert. Reservations recommended.

 

Fusion Grill: Fusion Grill (formerly Szechuan House) serves up fresh, pan-Asian cuisine in a casual atmosphere. This local favorite is typically packed at happy hour, during which you can get great deals on food and drinks. Dinner reservations recommended.

 

Cuba Libre: Cuba Libre’s eclectic ambiance is rivaled only by Guillermo Pernot’s impressive menu of ‘Nuevo Cubano’ dishes, as well as traditional favorites. Take a seat next to a vintage Cuban art poster, order a mojito, and let yourself be transported to Cuba. Dinner reservations recommended.

 

Rogue 24: Part restaurant, part cutting-edge culinary demonstration, Rogue 24 is the brainchild of James Beard Foundation award winning Chef RJ Cooper. Guests can watch Chef Cooper and his team prepare 24 courses right before their eyes. Pair these delectable dishes with hand-crafted cocktails and sodas created by Derek Brown, and you’ve got an experience fit for even the pickiest of foodies. Reservations required.

 

CC Flickr photo credit: ShashiBellamkanda