Washington, D.C./East End

East End is D.C.'s old downtown quarter, east of 15th St, and includes the neighborhoods of Chinatown, Penn Quarter, Judiciary Square, and Mount Vernon Square. Most D.C. natives simply call this area Downtown.

Understand

The East End, just north of the National Mall, is home to several museums and event venues, and full of restaurants, bars, and large hotels. Pennsylvania Ave, which runs through the Penn Quarter from the White House to the Capitol Building, serves as a bridge from the city center to the Mall. As you might expect, this road has nice views.

Neighborhoods

Like the nearby neighborhood of Shaw, the East End was decimated during the 1968 riots. Many buildings were destroyed and it became a haven for drug dealers.

In the early 1990s, when Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Abe Pollin arrived for the first time by limousine at the intersection of 7th and F St NW to scout out possible sites for a new arena, he was told not to get out of the vehicle. The site, then a parking lot, had drug dealers doing business, and the neighborhood was crime-ridden and deserted at night. But, he decided that was the place to build his new arena. The Capital One Arena opened in December 1997, and since then, the neighborhood has experienced a remarkable turnaround with tremendous gentrification.

Penn Quarter is the commercial center of the East End. It includes Gallery Place, the bustling entertainment area between the Capital One Arena and the National Portrait Gallery. The Pennsylvania Ave stretch, whose sidewalks and parks comprise a National Park, is a staging ground for races, large festivals, and parades. Penn Quarter is distinguished from the rest of downtown by its 19th century buildings and facades. After the opening of the Capital One Arena in 1997, and the resulting development boom, many buildings were redeveloped as the ground-floor facades of apartments and office buildings, resulting in the creation of an "arts and entertainment" district. The biggest draw for visitors, however, is theater and museums.

Chinatown is to the north of Penn Quarter. While the neighborhood was majority Asian in the early 20th century, most of the Asian population moved out after the 1968 riots. The neighborhood is lively in the evenings and features many restaurants. Chinatown resembles a miniature Times Square with activity day and night into the wee hours. The city heavily promotes the original ethnic character—businesses in the neighborhood, businesses including Starbucks, and local banks are required to post signage in Chinese. But those expecting something like New York's Chinatown will be sorely disappointed—area residents have taken to calling it Chinablock. While there are several Chinese restaurants, they are mostly tourist traps and the best Chinese food is in the suburbs.

Judiciary Square, to the east of Penn Quarter, includes the United States District Court building, along with the D.C. Superior Court building, and various other government buildings. Just north, straddling into the neighborhood of Shaw, is the massive, 2.3 million square foot (210,000 m²) Convention Center, just north of Mt Vernon Square. The Convention Center was completed in 2003, and has since been the favorite site for presidential inaugural balls.

Get in

By Metrorail

Metrorail stops at Metro Center (on the Red, Orange, Blue, and Silver lines), Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, and Silver), and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green and Yellow). The Gallery Pl-Chinatown station (Green, Yellow, and Red) is at the Capital One Arena—use the H St exit for Chinatown.

For the Convention Center, get off at Mount Vernon Square on the Green and Yellow lines. For Judiciary Square in the east, take the Red Line to Judiciary Square.

By car

The East End is probably the worst place to drive to in the city. On weekdays and during peak tourist season, street parking is either unavailable, or will take a long time to find. Most parking garages fill up by 9AM. Downtown traffic jams are frequent and awful. Take note of garage hours since you won't be able to get your car after the garages close.

The main north-south routes are 7th St (which turns into Georgia further north), as well as I-395 from Virginia, which terminates east of the Convention Center. Major east-west routes include H St, which runs through Chinatown, and Pennsylvania Ave. Crisscrossing the area on diagonals through Mt Vernon Square are New York Ave and Massachusetts Ave.

By taxi

It is possible to hail taxis from the street at almost any hour of the day or night, and they are a convenient way to travel relatively short distances.

By bus

The following are the main bus routes operating in the East End, along with links to timetables and route maps. For more information on riding buses in Washington DC, see Washington DC#Get around.

Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square Circulator Bus^{[dead link]} ($1) is a limited-stop/express bus that runs Su-Th 7AM-midnight, F Sa 7AM-3:30PM. It runs from McPherson Square, at the intersection of 14th St & K St, and goes north through Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, and then on to the Woodley Park-Zoo Metro Station in Upper Northwest.
Georgetown-Union Station Circulator Bus ($1) is a limited-stop/express bus that runs Su-Th 7AM-midnight, F Sa 7AM-3:30PM. It runs through the south end of Mount Vernon Square, heading east along Massachusetts Ave to Union Station, and west along K St through the West End and on to Georgetown.
#31, #32 and #36 run along Pennsylvania Ave northwest to Georgetown and upper Wisconsin Avenue, as well as southeast to the National Mall.
#52 and #54 head up 14th St to Shaw.

By foot

The Penn Quarter area is an easy walk from the National Mall and the museums by walking north through the courtyards of Federal Triangle, past the National Archives. From the White House, walk east on Pennsylvania Avenue to G, F, or E St.

See

38°53′55″N 77°1′26″W

Map of Washington, D.C./East End

38.906414-77.0249931 D.C. Alley Museum, 44 Blagden Alley NW (between M & N St NW, and 9th & 10th St NW). Ourdoor murals painted on several garage doors in an alley. free. (updated Apr 2023)
38.9019-77.03082 Franklin Square - Statue and Language Museum, 1350 K St NW. Franklin Square was planned to be another city block until a natural spring was discovered there. With the federal buildings built nearby, the federal government wanted to use the spring water to supply water to its workers, and it was purchased in 1832 and kept as a park. The spring is no longer there, but the park remains. The statue on the west side of Franklin Square near McPherson Square Metro is of Commodore John Barry of the Revolutionary War-era Continental Navy and later the U.S. Navy, known today as the Father of the American Navy. The striking red building at the northeast corner of the square is the Franklin School, from which Alexander Graham Bell sent his first wireless message (to 1325 L St NW). The building is being converted into a language museum.
38.8958-77.03073 Freedom Plaza, 1355 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Named in honor of Martin Luther King Jr, who penned his I have a Dream speech at the Willard Hotel on this plaza, the stone center has a huge map of Pierre L'Enfant's original plan for the City of Washington. At the west end is an equestrian statue of Kazimierz Pułaski, an American Revolutionary War general from Poland, who once saved George Washington's life, and who is known as the Father of American cavalry.

Museums

38.897-77.02274 Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th St & F St NW, ☏ +1 202-633-7970. 11:30AM-7PM daily. The collection here is a walk through encyclopedia of American Art—Gilbert Stuart's stern presidential portraits through Nam June Paik's house-sized America sculpture of neon and televisions. Free.
38.896667-77.0258335 Ford's Theatre Museum, 511 10th St NW (between E St & F St), ☏ +1 202-347-4833. A great museum detailing the life of Abraham Lincoln and the place where he was assassinated. Free.
38.9026-77.02296 DC History Center, 801 K St NW (In Mount Vernon Sq), ☏ +1 202-393-1420, info@historydc.org. Library: W 10AM-4PM; Window to Washington Exhibit: M W 10AM-4PM, Th 10AM-6PM. The DC History Center occupies the enormous building at the center of Mount Vernon Square and has a research library and exhibit on D.C. history open to the public. The building was constructed in 1903 with funding purely from Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy as the second headquarters of the D.C. Public Library. It also houses an Apple store. Free.
38.8985-77.0157 Capital Jewish Museum, 575 3rd Street NW, ☏ +1 202-789-0900. M Tu Th 1-4PM. Washington D.C.'s oldest synagogue building, built in 1876. Free. (updated Nov 2023)
38.8964-77.01958 Koshland Science Museum, 525 E St NW, ☏ +1 202-334-1201. 10AM-6PM daily except closed Tu, last admission 5PM. Koshland is very much on the small side for D.C. museums, but it's great for kids, and for those happy adults who can let loose and act like kids. Adults: $5; seniors, children, students, active duty military: $3.
38.892778-77.0230569 National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Rotunda and exhibit hall, open daily except 25 December; day after Labor Day through March 14: 10AM-5:30PM, March 15 through Labor Day: 10AM-7PM; last admission 30 minutes before closing. For history buffs, a visit is a must, as it has a display containing declassified top secret documents related to the Cold War. The original copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights are also on display, though the writing is so faded on the latter two that you will not be able to make it out. No photography of the documents is allowed. Free.
38.8975-77.01805610 National Building Museum, 401 F St NW, ☏ +1 202-272-2448. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM. In the Pension Building, the building itself is highly recommended for its architecture, with an expansive open interior space with massive columns. The space is used on occasion for special events, including 10 Presidential inaugural balls. There is a small cafe inside, to the right of the entrance, and places to sit and relax, as well as a gift shop. The museum features long-term exhibits on the planning and building of Washington, D.C., and on green building and communities, along with various short-term exhibits and special events. Free to enter main hall and shop. Exhibits: $10 for adults, $7 for ages 3-17 and those 60+. (updated May 2022)
38.9-77.02916711 National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave NW, ☏ +1 202-783-5000. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. This is the only museum devoted to art made by women. Its special exhibits can be really interesting, often featuring works from a specific part of the world. The big, beautiful building is a historic former Masonic Temple. The gift shop is extraordinary, with a collection of very unique handmade gifts from around the world. $10 adults; $8 students, ages 65+; free 18 and younger.
38.89783-77.0229512 National Portrait Gallery, 850 F St NW, ☏ +1 202-633-8300. 11:30AM-7PM daily. Its most popular exhibit is the Hall of Presidents. The enclosed Kogod Courtyard has received several architectural accolades. It has a small cafe and is a peaceful, quiet place to escape for a break. Free WiFi. Free.
38.9021-77.029313 Planet Word Museum, 925 13th St NW, ☏ +1 202-931-3139, connect@planetwordmuseum.org. W-Su 10AM-5PM. A language arts museum that has 3 floors of interactive exhibits and displays. Best for kids. Free, with a $15 suggested donation.

Landmarks and memorials

38.8931-77.018314 Embassy of Canada in Washington, 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW. The building is a striking, contemporary masterpiece, helping Vancouverite architect Arthur Erickson win some prestigious awards. Look for the small dome and columns incorporated into the exterior (in part designed as a gentle mockery of the neoclassical imperial style prevalent around the Capitol), which serves as an echo chamber of sorts, where you'll have any sounds directed right back at you from the dome.
38.896667-77.02583315 House Where Lincoln Died (Petersen House), 516 10th St NW (across the street from Ford's Theatre). 9AM-5PM daily. 1865 was perhaps the most consequential year in presidential history, when, on the 14th of April, John Wilkes Booth, a prominent actor at Ford's Theatre and Confederate sympathizer shot President Lincoln in his balcony seat. Attendants carried Lincoln across the street to a small bedroom in the small row-house across the street, but the doctors were unable to save the president. He died early morning the next day. This isn't so much a museum—it's just a small room with a few plaques, recreated to look as it did on that day. The house is operated by the National Park Service, and visited via tours from Ford's Theatre. Free.
38.8952-77.02516 J. Edgar Hoover FBI building, 935 Pennsylvania Ave NW. FBI Headquarters. This brutalist office building is in bad condition and will likely be demolished eventually.
38.896744-77.01755317 National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum, 444 E St NW, ☏ +1 202-737-3400. 10AM to 6PM daily (last entry at 5PM). The monument bears the names of nearly 20,000 officials who lost their lives on the job. The museum has many interactive experiences such as dispatching a simulated 911 call, although it has been accused of peddling "copaganda". Adults: $20; students: $18 if purchased online, otherwise add $2.
38.893978-77.02797518 Old Post Office Tower, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW (enter on 12th St. near Starbucks, follow signs to Tower elevator). 9AM-4PM. Closed on one day during the first week of each month. At the top of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel Washington DC. One of the best views of the city. Free. (updated Dec 2022)
38.893889-77.03083319 Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, ☏ +1 202-312-1300, fax: +1 202-312-1310. It's not clear whether the small-government Republican would enjoy having one of the biggest, most expensive recent federal buildings ($768 million), filled with agencies like USAID and U.S. Customs, named in his honor. But it is an impressive sight inside and out (especially inside). The building has several restaurants fast-food and otherwise, public artworks, shops, and enormous conference and party space, popular for political galas, business conferences, and expensive wedding receptions. Free WiFi.
38.89389-77.0227820 U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, ☏ +1 202-737-2300. 9:30AM-5PM daily. D.C.'s memorial to the U.S. Navy is not as jolting as the big memorials, but it is nice to walk around. Make sure to see the famous Lone Sailor statue, and who knew that Neil Armstrong was in the Navy!

Do

Capital One Arena

38.898056-77.0208331 Capital One Arena, 601 F St NW, ☏ +1 202-661-5000. The 18,277-seat arena is home to both the Washington Wizards of the NBA and the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals. The Georgetown Hoyas college basketball team also plays games here, as do the WNBA's Washington Mystics. It also hosts major concerts, WWE wrestling, and various other events throughout the year. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster or at the box office.

Convention Center

38.90494-77.022932 Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Pl NW, ☏ +1 202-249-3000. Hosts events throughout the year, including shows geared towards the public, as well as trade shows and conferences. The popular Washington Auto Show and the Washington Travel Show take place annually in late January and the National Book Festival occurs every September.

Theater and live music

38.89663-77.02573 Ford's Theatre, 511 10th St NW (between E St & F St NW), ☏ +1 202-347-4833. Tours: 9AM-5PM daily. This is where John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln in 1865, and he was taken across the street to the Petersen House where he died. Ford's Theatre is not only a historic site, but remains a working theater, with regular performances. Theater here is usually the most traditional of the downtown venues, offering dramatic work that is "as eloquent, intelligent and respectful of humanity as Mr. Lincoln." The truly coveted tickets are for the annual Christmas Eve performance of A Christmas Carol. The daily tours take you through the theater and the onsite museum, and also spill across the street to the Petersen House, where Lincoln died. Shows: $40-55, tours: free.
38.8963-77.03054 National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, ☏ +1 202-628-6161. First opened in 1835, many Presidents have come to see performances, with many famous performers back in is heyday. National Theatre is now the city's most likely host for Broadway shows and musicals, and other big-name visiting acts. $50-200.
38.895691-77.0227455 Shakespeare Theatre Company, Lansburgh Theatre: 450 7th St NW, Harman Hall: 610 F St NW, ☏ +1 202-546-9606. D.C. can't get enough Shakespeare, to the extent that the Shakespeare Theatre Company had to open a second, enormous performance venue in 2007 at the Sidney Harman Hall. Both venues are great, the Lansburgh being a long-time favorite and a smaller, intimate space, and the Harman Hall being big, flashy, and state-of-the-art. The performances here of Shakespeare, often set in present times, as well as other classics from Aeschylus to Marlowe, are almost always universally-acclaimed and top-notch. If you want to see theater in D.C., this is a great place to start. If you are in D.C. in the early fall, enter the online lottery for "Free for All" tickets. $45-100; $10 tickets usually available for the 35-and-under crowd, standing room only, on the day of the performance.
38.9006-77.02026 Sixth & I Synagogue, 600 I St NW, ☏ +1 202-408-3100. One of the oldest synagogues in DC, it was renovated in 2004 to become both a religious and entertainment venue. It hosts big-name theatrical and musical performances.
38.896511-77.0293537 Warner Theatre, 513 13th St NW (between E St & F St), ☏ +1 202-783-4000. The Warner Theatre is a gorgeous old building. A former 1920s movie palace, having long languished in disrepair, was finally reopened in 1992 following extensive restoration. The Warner Theatre hosts Broadway shows, concerts, dance, and stand-up, etc. $35-75.
38.894985-77.0215318 Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St NW (between D St & E St), ☏ +1 202-289-2443. This is the top theater company downtown for seeing new plays. Drama here is edgy, takes real risks, and is almost always memorable. $25-50.

Buy

There are plenty of souvenir shops in the East End. There are great gift shops at the museums - be sure to see the gift shop of the National Building Museum if you visit.

Seasonal markets

38.8955-77.022971 The Penn Quarter Fresh Farm Market (on 8th St between D and E). A farmers market held on Thursdays, 3-7PM, from April to November.
38.89715-77.022962 Downtown Holiday Market (On F St between 7th and 9th). Held in late November and December, this market sells an array of handcrafted items, jewelry, pottery, and food.

Clothing

38.89874-77.028793 Macy's, 1201 G St NW (on top of Metro Center), ☏ +1 202-628-6661. The most-centrally located department store in D.C.
38.90014-77.025974 CityCenter, Between 9th St. and 11th St. NW, and H St. NW to New York Ave. A large luxury shopping development built in the 2010s on the site of a former convention center. Has many very pricey shops, including Tumi, Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, Hermès, Gucci, Burberry, BOSS, Arc'teryx, and Allen Edmonds. The pedestrian-only Palmer Alley has seasonal overhead displays that make for a nice photo-op. There is also a seasonal farmer's market Tuesday afternoons, and periodic cultural events.

Artwork

38.91033-77.03175 Hemphill Fine Arts, 434 K St NW, ☏ +1 202-234-5601. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. A swanky gallery that usually exhibits contemporary works by established artists.
38.902111-77.02496 Touchstone Gallery, 901 New York Ave NW, ☏ +1 202-347-2787. W-F 11AM-6PM, Sa Su noon-5PM. This artist-cooperative owned gallery is friendly and crammed with local artwork. Prices are reasonable, and events are packed.

Eat

The East End has everything from chain restaurants to high-end dining to overpriced tourist traps. Nearly all the really nice restaurants here are relatively big, loud, cramped, and impersonal—but they'll serve great food. Chinatown, while small, supplies several budget options, as long as you can appreciate the "special charms" of Chinatown service.

Budget

In addition to the restaurants listed below, there are many local and national fast food chains in the area.

38.897155-77.0272371 District of Pi (π), 910 F St NW, ☏ +1 202-393-5484. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-10PM. A St. Louis import, this big pizzeria excels with the cornmeal crust deep dish pies as well as their rotating craft beer list. It's big enough where you can actually get a table after a game at the Capital One Arena, although the service can be slow when they are busy. Pizzas: $12-25.
38.898937-77.0219372 HipCityVeg, 712 7th Street NW, ☏ +1 202-621-8057. 11AM–10PM daily. Small vegan restaurant serving sandwiches, wraps, salads, and delicious shakes.
38.896539-77.028783 Lincoln's Waffle Shop, 504 10th St NW (between E St & F St NW), ☏ +1 202-638-4008. M-F 5:30AM-7PM, Sa Su 5:30AM-3PM. A dive that serves good waffles, assorted breakfast foods, coffee, and burgers. $4-12.
38.90374-77.0217684 Pearl's Bagels, 1017 7th St NW (between New York Ave & L St NW). Daily 8AM-2PM. Tiny bagel shop serving some of the best bagels in downtown D.C. Limited seating. (updated Apr 2023)
38.905858-77.0213455 Saints Paradise Cafeteria, 601 M St NW (inside the United House of Prayer For All People), ☏ +1 202-689-2476. Delicious soul food served cafeteria style inside a church. (updated Apr 2023)
38.89506-77.0418046 Teaism, 400 8th St NW (between D St & E St NW), ☏ +1 202-638-6010. M-F 7:30AM-10PM, Sa Su 9:30AM-9PM; brunch weekends until 2:30PM. Teaism has a large selection of teas, and an adjacent tea shop where you can get some to take home. In addition to tea, they serve a variety of Asian dishes including Japanese bento boxes, udon noodle soup, ochazuke, Thai and Indian curry, and many vegetarian options. Breakfast is also delicious at Teaism, and their salty oat cookies are a must. 3 locations in DC. $3-4 for tea, $10-15 for a meal, $20 for afternoon tea.

Asian

There are several hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurants that serve both food and alcohol on H Street, between 5th and 8th Streets ("Chinatown"). The quality and prices vary; however, the food is generally subpar and the suburbs are known for having better Chinese food than DC proper.

38.89956-77.0226927 Chinatown Express, 746 6th St NW (between G St & H St NW), ☏ +1 202-638-0424. daily 10AM-11PM. You'll notice the chef in the window right away preparing Chinese noodles by hand. Express is precisely what a Chinatown restaurant should be (and what D.C.'s Chinatown sometimes seems to lack), a cheap casual place, serving solid, authentic Chinese food. The Singapore-style noodle and dumpling soups are the specialty, but it's also a great place to burn your mouth on some spicy beef entries. $4-12.

38.898607-77.0221648 Daikaya the Izakaya, 705 6th St NW (between G St & H St NW), ☏ +1 202-589-1600. Among the best ramen in D.C.

38.900012-77.02179 Momiji, 505 H St NW, ☏ +1 202-408-8110. 2-level Japanese restaurant with creative sushi rolls and cocktails.

38.899702-77.02319310 New Big Wong, 610 H St NW, ☏ +1 202-628-0491. daily 11AM-5AM. This basement Cantonese and Sichuan eatery is the place to find the weirdest dishes in Chinatown in the middle of the night. $7-22.

Mid-range

38.896969-77.02501311 Dirty Habit, 555 8th St NW (at Hotel Monaco, between E St & F St NW), ☏ +1 202-449-7095. American food and great cocktails.
38.896358-77.02842312 Hard Rock Cafe, 999 E St NW, ☏ +1 202-737-7625. Su-Th 11AM-11PM; F Sa 11AM-midnight. Tourist hell, but very popular.
38.895231-77.02344613 Hill Country Barbecue, 410 7th St NW (between Indiana St & E St NW), ☏ +1 202-556-2050. Texas barbecue—the absolute best in the District—with live music every night.
38.895928-77.0235614 Jaleo, 480 7th St NW (between D St & E St NW), ☏ +1 202-628-7949. Su M 11:30AM-10PM, Tu-Th 11:30AM-11PM, F Sa 11:30AM-midnight; brunch Sa Su until 3PM. Many credit this loud, happy restaurant in the Penn Quarter for the current boom in Spanish tapas bars. Serves tasty tapas and wonderful sangria, as well as a fantastic selection of ports and sherry. This is Jose Andrés' first restaurant, and one of the best options in the area. Expect to wait on a crowded F Sa night. $20-40.
38.895909-77.03981315 Luke's Lobster, 624 E St NW, ☏ +1 202-347-3355. Great seafood/sushi.
38.895927-77.04099116 Matchbox, 750 E St NW, ☏ +1 202-289-4441. M-Th 11AM-10:30PM, F 11AM-11:30PM, Sa 10AM-11:30PM, Su 10AM-10:30PM. Many locations in the D.C.-area, all packed with people all times of the day. Some of the food here is really good such as the charcoaled sliders and wood-fired NYC-style pizza. The rest of the menu, however, would befit a bonafide tourist trap. It's also a good place to go for a drink, especially when the weather is warm and the outdoor seating is open. $10-30.

Splurge

38.895094-77.02686517 Central Michel Richard, 1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, ☏ +1 202-626-0015. Lunch: M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM; dinner: M-Th 5-10:30PM, F Sa 5-11PM. Central is the showpiece restaurant of the city's great chef, Michel Richard. In this restaurant, he celebrates his love for American cuisine, serving haute and somewhat Gallicized versions of dishes as simple as burgers and fried chicken. The fried chicken is the best in the city. $30-60.
38.906453-77.02476918 The Dabney, 122 Blagden Alley NW (between M & N St NW, and 9th & 10th St NW), ☏ +1 202-240-2660. Tu-Th 5:30-9:30PM, F Sa 5:30-10PM, closed Su M. Michelin-star restaurant serving delicious, beautifully plated meals. (updated Apr 2023)
38.896511-77.02416219 District Chophouse & Brewery, 509 7th St NW, ☏ +1 202-347-3434. Su M 11AM-10PM, Tu-Sa 11AM-11PM. Location, unpretentious atmosphere, better prices than at other downtown steakhouses, and good house craft beers are the reasons to come. $18-50.
38.900215-77.02689220 Fig & Olive, 934 Palmer Alley NW (near 9th St between H St & I St NW), ☏ +1 202-559-5004. The D.C. location of the upscale Mediterranean cocktail bar that serves dishes with a variety of flavored olive oils. Dinner mains $20-40, cocktails $10-14; glass of wine $9-28.
38.893828-77.03921 Fiola, 601 Pennsylvania Ave NW (entrance on Indiana Ave NW), ☏ +1 202-628-2888. One of several D.C. restaurants by chef Fabio Trabocchi, Fiola offers upscale Italian food and great cocktails.
38.895201-77.02989522 Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, 1101 Pennsylvania Ave NW (between 11th & 12th St NW), ☏ +1 202-347-4668. Lunch: M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM; dinner: M-Th 5-10PM, F 5-10:30PM, Sa 4:30-10:30PM, Su 4-9:30PM. This international chain serves all-you-can-eat Brazilian meat and sides. Flip your green card up, and the chefs come with meat; flip it to red, and the chefs let you eat. The restaurant also has a really nice salad bar for a considerably lower price than the meat menu. Lunch $41.95; weekend brunch $43.95; dinner $60.95.
38.903444-77.02421323 Kinship, 1015 7th St NW (between K St & L St NW), ☏ +1 202-737-7700. Famous chef Eric Ziebold runs this restaurant where everything is served ala carte. Items $12-25, mains $55-60, caviar $80, foie gras $150.
38.896378-77.02617524 Minibar by José Andrés, 855 E St NW (between 8th & 9th St NW), ☏ +1 202-393-0812. Seating times Tu-Sa 6PM and 8:30PM, Su 5PM and 7:30PM. Mr. Andrés' wild culinary ride through molecular-gastronomy. One of DC's two Michelin star restaurants. This six-customer, two-chef restaurant, serves a 30-course meal of everything from cotton candy foie gras to lobster injection to beet tumbleweed. Reservations open online for the following month, and seats fill up quickly. $295 + drinks.
38.904392-77.02891725 Morrison-Clark Restaurant, 1011 L St NW (inside the Morrison-Clark Inn), ☏ +1 202-989-1200. M-Sa 7-10AM, 11:30AM-2PM, 6-9:30PM; Su 11AM-2PM. This small dining room is a lovely trip back to the Southern traditions of the mid-nineteenth century, and could be reason enough on its own to have dinner here, but the food is absolutely the cream of D.C.'s crop as well. The menu is small, with simple, but fairly exotic and expertly executed Southern dishes. Located inside a historic house built in 1864. Dinner $30-40, lunch $15-25, breakfast $10-25; weekend brunch unlimited mimosas $22.
38.895015-77.0243226 Oyamel Cocina Mexicana, 401 7th St NW (between D St & E St NW), ☏ +1 202-628-1005. Su M 11:30AM-10PM, Tu-Th 11:30AM-11PM, F Sa 11:30AM-midnight. José Andres's take on Mexican antojitos, the Mexican word for snacks (literally, "little cravings"). The mole here is outstanding and the grasshopper tacos are... interesting. Su-F 4:30-6:30PM has great happy hour deals at the bar. $30-60.
38.894926-77.03973427 Rasika, 633 D St NW, ☏ +1 202-637-1222. Possibly the best Indian restaurant in D.C., with great ambiance! Try the palak chaat - crispy fried spinach!
38.89886-77.02622128 Zaytinya, 701 9th St NW, ☏ +1 202-638-0800. Su M 11:30AM-10PM, Tu-Th 11:30AM-11PM, F Sa 11:30AM-midnight. Tapas, antojitos, and mezzes! Andrés' alphabetically last restaurant serves a variety of meat, seafood, and vegetarian Greek and Lebanese mezzes, along with large selection of wines from the same region. $20-45.

Drink

There are plenty of places to drink in the East End. Most restaurants here have excellent bars, particularly if you like high-end cocktails surrounded by fashionable clientéle.

For a really unpretentious spot, try one of the Chinese places on H St, which stay open late, and serve "low-end" stiff tiki drinks, Chinese beers, and plentiful cheap sake late into the night.

38.899673-77.0236751 618 Cocktail and Whiskey Lounge, 618 H St NW, Second Floor, ☏ +1 202-510-9604. Offers social events such as roommate networking and speed dating.
38.898972-77.0380192 Bar Deco, 717 6th St NW, ☏ +1 202-774-5867. A huge bar and restaurant in a former industrial site.
Calico, 50 Blagden Alley NW (between M & N St NW, and 9th & 10th St NW), ☏ +1 202-791-0134. Tu-Th 4PM-midnight, F 4PM-1AM, Sa 2PM-1AM, Su 2-10PM, closed M. Gastropub serving tasty grilled food and mixed drinks on an outdoor patio. (updated Apr 2023)
38.898941-77.023883 Clyde's of Gallery Place, 707 7th St NW (between G St & H St NW), ☏ +1 202-349-3700. M-Th 11AM-2AM, F 11AM-3AM, Sa 10AM-3AM, Su 10AM-2AM. One of 8 locations in the D.C. area, this enormous bar/restaurant is very attractive, wooden and dimly lit in a sort of Victorian grand-old-hotel fashion. It's a great after-dinner or after-theater option, though, to sit at one of its three lovely bars and have a few drinks. Or finagle a table and have those drinks with a little dessert, or something off the fantastic oyster menu $15-35.
38.897089-77.0228094 Denson Liquor Bar, 600 F St NW, ☏ +1 202-499-5018. Old-school basement bar with art deco design. Beer $8-9.
38.899486-77.0222635 Flight Wine Bar, 777 6th St NW (between G St & H St NW), ☏ +1 202-864-6445. Wines and wine-based cocktails. Knowledgeable staff and 70 wines available. Four beers on tap. Beer $8.
38.898598-77.0217876 Free State Atlantic Bar, 501b G St NW, ☏ +1 202-601-7216. Maryland-themed drinks & nostalgic snacks such as Jerkface jerky & Utz chips.
38.899338-77.0405447 Jackpot, 726 7th St NW (between G St & H St NW), ☏ +1 202-628-5225. A great cocktail bar that offers free popcorn (to make you thirsty). Beer $7-16, wine $8-12, cocktails: $8-12.
38.906522-77.0251968 La Colombe Coffee Roasters, 924 Blagden Alley NW (between M & N St NW, and 9th & 10th St NW), ☏ +1 202-289-4850. M-F 7AM-6PM, Sa Su 8AM-6PM. Serves some of the best coffee in the district. (updated Apr 2023)
38.894285-77.0240139 Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, 639 Indiana Ave NW, ☏ +1 202-347-6666. Su-Th 11AM-1AM; F Sa 11AM-2AM. A good place to watch sports games.

38.896309-77.02586410 Penn Social, 801 E St NW, ☏ +1 202-697-4900. A popular bar that offers live music and trivia nights.

38.899021-77.02465411 Rocket Bar, 714 7th St NW (between G St & H St NW), ☏ +1 202-628-7665. A funky basement bar decorated with a rocket-theme where you can play billiards, darts, shuffleboard & video games.

Sleep

The East End is a good location, close to both the National Mall and the nightlife-centered districts of Shaw and Dupont Circle.

Budget

Mid-range

38.90185-77.019431 Hampton Inn - Washington DC Convention Center, 901 6th St NW (between Massachusetts Ave & K St), ☏ +1 202-842-2500. Small indoor pool, Jacuzzi, fitness center, free breakfast, free coffee in lobby. From $180.
38.89956-77.019072 Fairfield Inn & Suites Washington, DC/Downtown, 500 H St NW, ☏ +1 202-289-5959. Next to the Capital One Arena. From $130.
38.90317-77.025693 Henley Park Hotel, 926 Massachusetts Ave NW, ☏ +1 202-638-5200. A nice, small, historic, non-chain hotel amidst the big chain monsters. Its amenities are fewer, but its charm obviously greater. Free WiFi. From $160.
38.882944-77.0364294 Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall, 400 E Street SW, ☏ +1 202-803-6110.
38.89944-77.027755 Marriott at Metro Center, 775 12th St NW (between G St & H St), ☏ +1 202-737-2200. Nice lobby, large rooms, a really good gym, and a small pool + Jacuzzi. From $189.
38.90156-77.023616 Renaissance by Marriott Washington, DC Downtown, 999 9th St NW, ☏ +1 202-898-9000. From $179.
38.90443-77.032287 Residence Inn Washington, DC Downtown, 1199 Vermont Ave NW (at 14th St & L St NW), ☏ +1 202-898-1100. Suites with pull-out sofas, and desks with ergonomic chairs. Breakfast is included daily and a basic dinner is also included on weeknights. From $179.
38.89717-77.024198 Riggs Hotel, 900 F St NW, ☏ +1 202-638-4600. This location caters more to business travelers than the other options in the area. Free lobby coffee, 24-hr fitness center, small pool, & Jacuzzi. Rooms are a little small. From $169.

Splurge

38.899439-77.0262939 Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H St NW, ☏ +1 202-582-1234. Full-service business center, 32 meeting rooms, in-lobby Metro Center access, and a nice fitness center are the pluses. A rather absurd downside, though, is that they make you pay to use their gym. Another hotel that you should only use if you get a good deal. From $290.
38.896428-77.03158810 JW Marriott Washington, DC, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW, ☏ +1 202-393-2000. From $199.
38.896957-77.02251611 Kimpton Hotel Monaco, 700 F St NW, ☏ +1 202-628-7177. Kimpton hotels are almost always lovely, and this one benefits from its location in a grand 19th-century building (though this means the halls are a bit old), weirdly mixed with very modern decor. Huge pool and Jacuzzi. Free wine-cocktails hour. And don't forget to request your free in-room goldfish! From $279.
38.9036-77.024712 Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, 901 Massachusetts Ave NW (Just south of L St), ☏ +1 202-824-9200. A very chic hotel at the convention center with 105,000 square feet of event space. From $199.
38.904392-77.02891713 The Morrison-Clark Inn, 1015 L St NW, ☏ +1 202-989-1200. An independent hotel with a little Southern flair in a Civil War-era mansion. This is a charming, unique place to stay. Sip a mint julep on the porch. Located inside two historic houses built in 1864. From $210.

Connect

Most restaurants, cafes, museums, government buildings, and the metro station offer free WiFi. If you need to use a computer terminal, head to the MLK library.

38.8986-77.02471 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St NW, ☏ +1 202-727-0321. M-Th 9:30AM-9PM, F Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 1-5PM. D.C.'s central public library is enormous, and, designed by modern legend Mies van der Rohe, is one of the best examples of modern architecture in the city. As with all libraries, it offers free WiFi & public computer terminals.

Go next

The National Mall, is just to the south of the East End and is where you will find many of the city's museums and main attractions.
The nightlife here is plentiful and very visitor-friendly, but it is very much divorced from real Washingtonian culture. Head up to Shaw, Dupont Circle, and Adams Morgan to see how the locals like to wine, dine, and party.

Routes through East End

Springfield ← West End ←	W E	→ National Mall → Largo
Greenbelt ← Shaw ←	N S	→ Waterfront → Suitland
Vienna ← West End ←	W E	→ National Mall → New Carrollton
Gaithersburg ← West End ←	W E	→ Capitol Hill → Wheaton
END ←	N S	→ Waterfront → Huntington
Ashburn ← West End ←	W E	→ National Mall → Largo

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