The Best Restaurants Near George Washington University
George Washington University is the largest university in Washington D.C. Although it doesn’t have a defined “campus”, simply integrating into the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington D.C, it certainly has its own feel. It takes the charm of a college campus but adds the novelty of passing such landmarks as the White House and the National Mall on your way to and from class.
As you would expect from such a cultural hub, this part of town has an absolutely tremendous restaurant scene. Whether you’re in the mood for an on-campus deli or a Michelin-recognized farm-to-table experience, it’s easy to find the perfect meal for any taste or occasion in Washington D.C.
GW Delicatessen
2133 G St NW, Washington, DC 20037
While GW Delicatessen may be on-campus, it’s a far cry from the cafe you might’ve had on your college campus. That’s because they’ve been feeding hungry Washingtonians since 1945, so they’ve perfected their craft. And that craft is slinging the finest breakfast and lunch sandwiches at prices so low they might as well be from 1945.
Two staples of the GW Delicatessen menu are a bacon and egg bagel sandwich and the BLT. They’re both simple but comforting and delicious. With countless other delicious options, you need look no further for your breakfast and lunch needs (besides on Sundays, when they’re closed).
Boqueria
777 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
What’s not to love about Spanish-style tapas? Instead of settling on one dish, you can get way more and split with friends! Take one look at the menu and you’ll be thankful for this increased potential, because everything is fantastic. Luckily, Boqueria offers two samplers: The Classics, and the Boqueria Experience, which is the former plus their coveted 30-month-aged Jamón Ibérico.
For dessert, it’s all about the churros. You can get 5 or 9 churros: served with thick hot chocolate, filled with Nutella, or filled with Dulce de Leche. And whether you’re coming for lunch, dinner, or brunch, it’s all about the sangria.
Tabard Inn
1739 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036
The Tabard Inn is an institution of many hats. It’s the oldest continually running hotel in Washington DC, having opened in 1922. It’s also one of the finest restaurants in the area, serving New American favorites with a twist, like Duck Confit Salad and Quail Adobo. Whether you’re stopping by for a drink after work, a special occasion meal, or to enjoy the Famous Tabard Donut at brunch, you’ll love the atmosphere, inside or out on the patio.
Blue Duck Tavern
1201 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037
Blue Duck Tavern is one of the finest restaurants in the area. Although the food is rustic and simple, it’s creative and oh so very delicious, accentuated by the exciting open kitchen with the wood-burning oven. This is definitely a fancier spot, but the food and cocktails more than live up to the price point.
If you need proof, simply indulge in the Wood Oven-Roasted Bone Marrow Onion Bordelaise. Or maybe the Roasted Rohan Duck Breast Confit. Or the Short Rib Hash. Or the Pecan Sticky Buns. Or…
Rasika
633 D St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Executive Chef Vikram Sunderam won the 2013 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and after one bite at Rasika, you’ll see why. This Indian cuisine is modern while remaining incredibly authentic, striking that rare balance of exciting and comforting. In that classic Indian style of ordering and dining, you want to maximize the number of dishes you’re trying and sharing with your group.
The best course of action when at Rasika is simply trusting the chef: the Four Course Tasting Menu is great, but the Six Course option is even better, adding more variety and more deliciousness. If you were to only try one thing here, it’s undoubtedly their world-famous Palak Chaat: fried spinach fritters with a side of sweet yogurt, tamarind, and date chutney. The Truffle Naan is also a staple that will make your meal unforgettable.
GCDC
1730 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
It’s often said that in order to run for President of the United States, you must be clinically insane to want to do such a grueling job. However, running for president doesn’t seem like such a crazy endeavor when you know you could be moving next door to GCDC. They deliver some of the most unique and delicious gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches you’ve ever had in your life.
You can build your own grilled cheese, choosing your bread, cheeses, proteins, veggies, and spreads, or you can go for the classic Young American: American cheese, bacon, and diced tomatoes, on sourdough. Alongside your sandwich, you can add Loaded Tots, Mac & Cheese, and grilled cheese’s favorite sidekick: tomato soup.
Founding Farmers
1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
If you’re a student, this should be your go-to spot when your parents are in town. If you’re not a student…this should still be a go-to for special occasions. This restaurant is majority owned by American family farmers and is even the most booked restaurant in the nation on OpenTable. Everything you can eat or drink is made from scratch by the chefs, and you can clearly tell the difference in quality.
Uncle Buck’s Beignets are airy and melt in your mouth, whether you’re dunking them in raspberry, chocolate, or caramel sauce (or all of the above). Their handmade pastas are incredibly fresh and delicious, especially the Straw & Hay Bucatini, with bacon, mushrooms, asparagus, peas, corn, and parmesan cream sauce. And you haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Hot Crab & Artichoke Dip.
Roaming Rooster
2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Stall #6, Washington, DC 20006
This family-owned business started with a simple vision: serve fried chicken that anybody can feel good eating. Seven stores later, they’ve certainly lived up to that vision. Their sandwiches are available with a number of toppings and four levels of heat, ranging from Mild to Extra Hot.
If it’s your first visit, it’s hard to beat The Buffalo, topped with bleu cheese and buffalo sauce. Other great options include the Honey Butter, smothered with a garlicky sweet honey butter, and the OG Nashville, topped with pickles and a vinaigrette slaw. The twice-fried fries are crispy and salted to perfection, and available with a variety of dipping sauces.
Hotel Hive
2224 F St NW, Washington, DC 20037
Hotel Hive might be the coolest place around the GW campus to grab a drink. It’s located in DC’s first ever micro-hotel (one with smaller rooms), which is situated in a historic building. It’s a highly esteemed institution, even being named a Top 10 Hotel in the United States by Tripadvisor. While it’s a shoe-in for an unforgettable stay, you don’t need to be traveling to bask in its hottest feature: a rooftop bar.
Come for the breathtaking views, stay for the tasty stuff! They have a deep roster of beers and wines, as well as a few frozen cocktails. Our personal favorite is the Hive G&T, made with gin, house rosemary tonic, and lemon. The rosemary elevates the flavors to stunning levels and balances out the gin beautifully. If you’re coming hungry, they have several tasty pizzas that pair perfectly with their drinks, and even better with a gorgeous sunset.
Call Your Mother Deli
1143 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
Call Your Mother, started by Daniela Moreira and Andrew Dana in 2018, has multiple locations across the DMV (and three in Denver) yet if you go anytime after they open at 7:00 AM it feels like a neighborhood fixture with a line out the door almost immediately. It’s hard to argue that the wait is worth it, with delicious bagels falling somewhere between the iconic New York style and the sweeter Montreal style.
Their tagline is “A Jew-ish Deli”, subverting the classic bagel with toppings like Maple Salt & Pepper and Za’atar. The sandwiches are a trip as well, like the Thunderbird (maple chicken sausage, bodega-style eggs, American & Cheddar cheese, and spicy honey on the aforementioned Maple S&P bagel), The Whisper Walk (Cheez-It schmear, bacon, jalapeno, and Fritos on a cheddar bagel), and the Grandezza (turkey, mozzarella, red pepper relish, and pesto on a plain bagel). Don’t let your bagel go solo, get a side order of the Latkes or the unique Yuca Cheesy Bread.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 2, 2022 and last updated on February 26, 2024. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink around Washington D.C., check out our city page.
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