Washington, DC Restaurants

  1. Cascade Café

    Oh what a lovely place for a bowl of stuffed tortellini or a croissant sandwich. You can dine in the shadow of IM Pei's waterfall at our pick for museum dining on the Mall. Located in the East Building of the National Gallery, it offers a range of American cuisine along with specialty menus that complement current exhibits (eg regional African American dishes in honor of the Art of Romare Beardon).

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  2. Cosi

    Get your coffee straight up in the morning, and with a few shots of booze in the evening at this friendly café where the mood is all about mellow lingering. Fresh salads and ciabatta sandwiches keep your stomach happy as you toil away on your laptop or devour the morning's Washington Post . After the place serves liquor - choose from alcoholic coffee cocktails and a range of wine, spirits and beer. There are numerous locations around the city.

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  3. Full Circle Café

    Linger on the breezy patio and people watch while downing a beer or two. The menu is loaded with soups, salads and sandwiches.

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  4. Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe

    As much a sensory experience as the exhibits themselves, this fabulous cafeteria is tucked away in the Museum of the American Indian. An airy joint with booths as modern and curvy as the museum it resides in, it features five food stations each focusing on a different Native American region and its indigenous ingredients. Menus rotate daily. If in doubt, you generally can't go wrong with the South American station near the entrance.

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  5. Pavilion Café

    Boasting a panoramic view of the National Sculpture Garden , the Pavilion Café offers specialty pizzas, sandwiches, salads, desserts and assorted beverages as well as a children's menu. The café features a seasonal tapas-style menu on Friday nights in the summer, when DC-area jazz musicians put on free concerts.

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