Ja-Rei’s guidebook
Food & drink nearby
Within 15 minute walk
One of our fav restaurants in all of DC. Rotating menu of savory dishes and fantastic cocktails. Recommend making reservations, though walk-ins are possible.
Daru
One of our fav restaurants in all of DC. Rotating menu of savory dishes and fantastic cocktails. Recommend making reservations, though walk-ins are possible.
Order the bao platter (lots of food for price) and cocktails
284 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Maketto
1351 H St NEOrder the bao platter (lots of food for price) and cocktails
Neighborhood fav for coffee, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, baked goods and deli options for lunch.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jacob's Coffee House
401 8th St NENeighborhood fav for coffee, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, baked goods and deli options for lunch.
Ethiopian family owned and operated café featuring Ethiopian coffee ground in house + Ethiopian dishes
120 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sidamo Coffee & Tea
417 H St NEEthiopian family owned and operated café featuring Ethiopian coffee ground in house + Ethiopian dishes
No trip to DC is complete without at least one Ethiopian meal! This spot is pricier than others, but it's high quality and great for dates, family visits and other gatherings.
146 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ethiopic Restaurant
401 H St NENo trip to DC is complete without at least one Ethiopian meal! This spot is pricier than others, but it's high quality and great for dates, family visits and other gatherings.
Popular Caribbean spot on the pricier side. Reservations recommended.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cane
403 H St NEPopular Caribbean spot on the pricier side. Reservations recommended.
Weekends only. Great way to see local neighborhood life, sample fresh produce and peruse flea market finds. Order a West African sandwich from the Spicy Water food stand.
698 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Imarike yase-Eastern
225 7th St SEWeekends only. Great way to see local neighborhood life, sample fresh produce and peruse flea market finds. Order a West African sandwich from the Spicy Water food stand.
20-min walk away to a ton of food options, including La Cosecha, a Latin food hall; Stellini’s (go for Happy Hour pizza, appetizers and cocktail deal for $25); Palestinian bakery Yellow
906 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Union Market
1309 5th St NE20-min walk away to a ton of food options, including La Cosecha, a Latin food hall; Stellini’s (go for Happy Hour pizza, appetizers and cocktail deal for $25); Palestinian bakery Yellow
Top eats in DC
Specializes in Japanese-Italian cuisine. Go for Happy Hour for 1/2 off pizzas (fav is corn) and cocktail deals. Order the lemon tiramisu.
Tonari
Specializes in Japanese-Italian cuisine. Go for Happy Hour for 1/2 off pizzas (fav is corn) and cocktail deals. Order the lemon tiramisu.
Hands down best Ethiopian in the area. Run by the sweetest chef-owner Tsehay Beferdu. Dining in is ideal, but the food delivers well, too.
Rohobot Ethiopian Restaurant
7833 Eastern Avenue NorthwestHands down best Ethiopian in the area. Run by the sweetest chef-owner Tsehay Beferdu. Dining in is ideal, but the food delivers well, too.
Lapis
1847 Columbia Rd NWDelicious Afghan dishes. Order the veggie sampler.
Call Your Mother – Capitol Hill
701 8th St SEEverything is good!
Little Sesame
1828 L St NWOrder the cauliflower bowl
YELLOW Georgetown
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ukuhamba-hamba
Bike rentals
Highly recommend renting a bike for sightseeing around the National Mall (monuments and museums) as well as exploring the city. Capital Bikeshare has docking stations all across the city, including one two blocks from our apartment, and offers an affordable day rental package. Recommend downloading the app to easily find docking stations and electric assist bikes.
Bhukisha ngaphambi kokuba uhambe
Popular Museums & National Zoo
Free timed-entry passes are required for the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in DC; Smithsonian African American History Museum; and the National Zoo.
Bhukisha ngaphambi kokuba uhambe
White House & U.S. Capitol Tours
White House tours require advance reservations and are much harder to book than tours of the U.S. Capitol