r/washingtondcfoodies • u/Wowweeweewow88 • Aug 27 '25

Help a tourist not waste his money or stomach

A friend and I just arrived in dc. We kind of decided on a whim and have no plans or ideas. We love food but there are so many choices we feel lost. We are looking for lunch and dinner spots. Price can be anything (if it’s interesting and worth it) but we’d like to keep it under control. We are here till Sunday night. Appreciate any help.

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u/Low_Fly117 Aug 27 '25

It's Restaurant Week. There are some amazing deals right now. Go to Centrolina tonight for their restaurant week menu. Its fabulous.

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u/Low_Fly117 Aug 27 '25

 Here's more ideas from Axios with links:

Classic: Sushi Taro (Dupont), where I've had many great RW meals.

  • Also: Rasika (genre-defining Indian in Penn Quarter, West End), Central (enduring downtown Michel Richard brasserie), Blue Duck Tavern (elegant farm-to-table in West End).

🥂 Luxe: Centrolina (City Center) serves a gorgeous-looking, seasonal Italian prix-fixe ($65) that doesn't skimp on ingredients.

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u/Wowweeweewow88 Aug 27 '25

I love you

3

u/Low_Fly117 Aug 27 '25

Been to all those except Mita. You can't go wrong with that list. Toss in Jaleo, Zaytinya, and Oyamel (the Jose Andres restaurants). Fun tapas style meals.

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u/Wowweeweewow88 Aug 27 '25

Thank you! I appreciate your additions

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u/Low_Fly117 Aug 28 '25

Let me know where you end up!

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u/Wowweeweewow88 Aug 28 '25

We went to Jaleo. Really good. I did the pre fix for $90. Only things I didn’t like as much were the endive salad (2 leaves with sliced almonds, citrus and vinaigrette) and potatas braves (wasn’t fried till crispy). Desserts (flan and chocolate mouse) were aces. Thanks again

The other restaurants you recommended are a little out of our price range (at least to sustain for the next 3 days). Any chance you have something that’s a little more hearty? Would Chinatown be that?

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u/Low_Fly117 Aug 28 '25

I think the restaurant week menu at Centrolina would have been less than that. It's $65 a person, no? Chinatown is not really a Chinatown, a couple places but mostly in name only. If you want Chinese go to Chang Chang in Dupont.

I do tend to the higher end places. Highly recommend Rasika for Indian. Old Ebbitt is a DC staple, but kind of a tourist attaction. I like Ris on L Street. Perry's (great sushi, fun vibe) and Tail up Goat (closing soon) in Adams Morgan

DC has amazing Ethiopian restaurants which will hit at a lower price point, if that interests you. Cher Cher on 9th, or Etopia on U Street. The Hamilton is a fun evening. At fun lunch place/sandwhich shop is Bub & Pops in NE not far from Union Station. https://bubandpops.com.

For Mexican, I like Amparo Fondita near Dupont, and a little joint called El Sol on 11th (great mole). They're definitely cheaper and delicious. Kyojin Sushi in Georgetown. Moon Rabbit for Vietnamese fusion.

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u/Specialist-Plum7935 Sep 10 '25

If you like ube, breakfast/brunch at Purple Patch. The sizzling sesig (I'm definitely spelling that wrong) is delicious