Quick Bites
If you’re looking for affordable family-friendly dining near the National Mall, Downtown’s Penn Quarter and Chinatown are good choices. Casual eateries can be found on and around 7th Street, north of Pennsylvania Avenue. Try a kid-friendly local favorite like Clyde’s on the Walk, Five Guys or California Tortilla. Or, take Metro to the U Street station to try Ben’s Chili Bowl, offering tasty chili dogs and thick milkshakes.
On Capitol Hill, Eastern Market’s Market Lunch is a must, famous for its “Bluebucks,” or blueberry buckwheat pancakes, served up on Saturday mornings. Tip: If you’re eating lunch downtown during the week, you can avoid lines and crowds by eating early or late. Before noon and after 1:30 PM are the best times to beat the rush.
Sit-down Restaurants
You’ll find crowd-pleasing fare at reasonable prices at classic DC eateries like Clyde's, Capitol City Brewing Company, Brasserie Les Halles, Daily Grill and Pizzeria Paradiso. North of Georgetown, join local families at popular eateries like Café Deluxe, Cactus Cantina, Chef Geoff’s and Two Amys.
Try the region’s fresh seafood specialties like crab cakes and she-crab soup on the Southwest Waterfront at Phillips Seafood or Market Inn. It’s also easy to keep the kids entertained at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café near Dupont Circle, which stocks children’s books and serves kid-friendly fare on its menu.
Special Occasions
Some of DC’s top restaurants offer menus that appeal to younger palates. Make a reservation at Zola, next to the International Spy Museum, or sample the bite-size creations (and catch a live Flamenco performance) at colorful Jaleo. Steak-eaters will find succulent cuts and flavorful sides at District ChopHouse. Kids will be mesmerized by the forest-inspired décor at Firefly, where adults can enjoy fresh regional cuisine.
