We'll take a short trip to DC and would like some recommendations for some iconic/worthwhile dining spots. We won't be high end budget, more of a Diners, DriveIns and Dives type of places. What say you?

It's not cheap, but Old Ebbitt Grill is an iconic DC spot about a block west of the White House. My wife and I were in town for the cherry blossoms last year and checked it out, definitely worth it!

Dives
Ben's Chili Bowl
Unconventional Diner
Ted's Bulletin (Brekafast)
Martins Tavern (Georgetown)
Founding Farmers

A bit nicer:
Le Diplomat if you can get in Liberte is a good alternative
Clyde's
Anju
Italian in Georgetown (Filomena if you can get in, il Canle for pizza)
Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Not a fan of the Jose Andres places here

Let me know if you got more questions!

25+ year resident of the DMV. Old Ebbitt is the most touristy of dining establishments one could dine. Always filled with tourists. I will say that one can get a solid meal at OEG.

When I travel it is the one sign I look at when considering a restaurant.

Two places I can think of off hand that are exceptional:

Rasika
Equinox

Following.

We're also going to DC in late April. 2 Adults and 3 kids (15, 13, 9). I have a pretty good idea of what we are doing but any advice is also welcome.

Is the Union food hall any good? Are there other similar places? We always like food halls for the variety and generally good representation of what a particular city is about.

Azure! Amazing Afghan food, kind of gourmet-ish, in a beautiful setting. Yes they serve alcohol.

Edit: Lapis!

My son lived there for a couple of years. Definitely Old Ebbitt Grill. One of my favorite restaurants anywhere. Also, the Morton's Steakhouse there is really good. One of the best steaks I've ever had. There is a fairly new Turkish restaurant there that is phenomenal. Can't remember the name. DC is a great restaurant city.

FlyRod said:

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Azure! Amazing Afghan food, kind of gourmet-ish, in a beautiful setting. Yes they serve alcohol.

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I'm not finding that on Google Maps.

Maybe Lapis; i have heard lots of good things about it!

Lauriol Plaza probably has the most legit TexMex on the east coast in my opinion.

Also a fan of Old Ebbitt, no doubt it is touristy but it's a cool ambiance and the food is good.

Ugh Lapis is what I meant re Afghan! Thanks for whoever mentioned that!

Also Union Market! Lots of food and beverage vendors, cool local stuff…Chesapeake oysters, local beer, fun ethnic foods. It's a treat.

If you want one of the most legit Sicilian places in the US, there is a place called Ristorante La Perla downtown that is my absolute favorite. It's not crazy expensive and if you're there for a while the proprietor (must be mid 80s) will come by and talk to you, probably bringing limoncello to try. Very fun experience.

The menu is more like an encyclopedia - if it's a seafood(ish) Italian food, they'll make it for you and it will be amazing.

hijakeroo123 said:

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It's not cheap, but Old Ebbitt Grill is an iconic DC spot about a block west of the White House. My wife and I were in town for the cherry blossoms last year and checked it out, definitely worth it!

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Ate there last week. Will go back.

Also recommend Vue Rooftop Bar. Great views of the White House, Washington Monument. Watch the sunset over DC. Also very close to Ebbitt restaurant.

FlyRod said:

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Ugh Lapis is what I meant re Afghan! Thanks for whoever mentioned that!

Also Union Market! Lots of food and beverage vendors, cool local stuff…Chesapeake oysters, local beer, fun ethnic foods. It's a treat.

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We're staying in Penn Quarter without a car so Lapis may be a bit too far for us. Looks great though.

Tune Inn Restaurant & Bar ... https://tuneinndc.com/

Went here a few years back ... I actually think it was featured on one of those TV shows at one time

It's about a 10-minute walk from the Capitol. Tiny joint, but the food was great and it was an interesting mix of construction workers in yellow safety vests sitting next to guys in $1,000 suits with Capitol ID badges.

Seconding all the Old Ebbitt Grill recommendations. Historic and fun. Solid American food and drinks. Easy for anyone to like.

The Hamilton on the same block is slightly fancier but easier to get into if OEG is too busy. Hit a concert in the basement too.

Bammy's in Navy Yard for great jerk chicken and river views.

Jose Andres has a bunch of places that are good with very different styles, all in the same area downtown.

Maydan if you are adventurous. Crazy fire pit in the middle of the bar area where they cook most stuff.

A bunch of Ethiopian places if you are really adventurous. Largest Ethiopean diaspora. Das. Ethiopic. Chercher. Zenebech.

There are some good recommendations here (although lots are pretty pricy) and I'll add to the list.

Old Ebbitt Grill is iconic and good. It's not cheap, but it's also about as reasonable on price as you'll find at a seated restaurant (not fast casual) downtown. I love the place and take out of town guests and business clients there all the time.

Union Market area has a ton of DDD type good spots and there's a Latin counterpart market (La Cosecha) across the street. In addition to the stalls in the market, there are lots of restaurants around the actual market area.

In the downtown area, we love Astro Fried Chicken and Doughnuts.

You'd have to jump on Metro or in an Uber, but maybe the place that fits your criteria is the new Whitlows DC at 9th and U. Whitlows originally opened in DC, closed, reopened In Virginia, closed again and has somewhat recently reopened in DC. Loved the VA version - family run, solid food,
https://dc.eater.com/2023/6/6/23751247/whitlows-dc-returns-to-shaw-in-massive-new-digs-reopenings