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Discover where to grab a bite, a beer and a sweet treat after exploring Rock Creek Park or the Smithsonian National Zoo.
North of Dupont Circle – and across Rock Creek Park from the lively Adams Morgan – Woodley Park was one of several uptown neighborhoods where 19th- and early 20th-century Washington, DC residents escaped the heat of downtown. The neighborhood still boasts historic architecture and grand hotels, but modern times have brought an array of new and buzzworthy eateries. After exploring Rock Creek Park or the Smithsonian National Zoo, you’ll likely work up quite the appetite.
Getting to the heart of the neighborhood is easy. Take the Metro’s Red Line to the Woodley Park stop.
Near (and Inside) the Zoo
Seeing lions, tigers and bears deserves to be accompanied by a memorable meal. Fortunately, the Smithsonian National Zoo offers an array of options, from restaurants to food trucks, carts and kiosks. Highlights include burgers and barbecue at Mane Grill, sandwiches and wraps at Zoo Market Café and pizza at Sbarro.
Just outside the Zoo's gates, you'll find a mix of fast-casual options, but a fan favorite on this strip is Duke’s Counter. Take a trip to foggy London town without leaving the District when you visit and get a taste of British cuisine. Liven up or wind down with a pint of English ale while you savor truffle mac and cheese or avocado toast. The Counter also offers late-night dinner on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 p.m. until midnight.
To top off your pre- or post-Zoo meal, pick up a District favorite from Baked by Yael: a cakepop (see: panda pops). The nut-free and kosher specialties are packed with sweetness and make for a fun treat before or after a long day exploring the nation’s capital. Baked by Yael also offers homemade, hand-rolled bagels that are as tasty as they sound. Open until 4 p.m. daily.
Duke's Counter
Lastly, Lillie’s Restaurant and Bar is as family friendly as it gets. The Italian eatery is owned by longtime Woodley Park residents and offers comfy environs for brunch, lunch and dinner. All the favorites are available, from tortellini and chicken parmesan to bruschetta and eggplant toscani. Parents can kick back with a specialty cocktail or a glass of wine.
Breakfast & Brunch
Rose Ave Bakery
Rose Ave Bakery honors Asian-American culinary tradition while inviting customers to try novel flavors (and colors!). Consistently selling out since 2020, Rose Ave's brioche donuts are stuffed with fluffy fillings like black sesame, passionfruit and pandan coconut. For even more adventurous options, lattes can be flavored with ube or banana.
Yours Cafe is another neighborhood-minded spot, welcoming cafe-goers and diners with all-day breakfast toasts and pastries, brunch plates, Ethiopian coffee (roasted in-house) and an inviting outside patio.
Open City attracts a large brunch crowd, but also serves as an ideal dinner destination. Even if you’re just looking for coffee or a beer, the gathering place makes it easy to come and go as you please. Breakfast is served all day, so feel free to indulge in the fried chicken and waffle dish, stuffed French toast or the Open City Royale. The lunch and dinner options are also plentiful, ranging from spicy tenders to sandwiches, burgers, pizzas and calzones to main dishes like coconut curry tofu and spinach and cheese ravioli.
Lunches and Local Staples
Donsak Thai
The culinary trip around the world you can make just by strolling down Connecticut Avenue is truly remarkable. Fresh and fun Donsak and Thai and Time Again have brought authentic Thai flavor to the Woodley neighborhood. The former includes an array of dishes from the Essan region of Thailand, and at the latter, we’d recommend not missing the banana rolls or the tom yum soup. Rajaji Curry House, which specializes in Indian curries, is another neighborhood stalwart for dine-in or takeout.
Encounter a seafood feast at Hot ‘N’ Juicy Crawfish, where you can order the namesake by the pound, as well as king crab legs, blue crabs, mussels, clams and shrimp. Choose your seasoning and spice level, then dig in.
Just over the bridge, Mama Ayesha’s has served classic Middle Eastern cuisine since opening in 1960. The iconic locale also presents its own iconic mural, featuring past presidents with Mama Ayesha on the wall. Head there for a delicious meal and a dash of DC history.
Date Night Dinners
New Heights
At Ukrainian- and woman-owned New Heights, you can try anything from borscht to Bolivian peanut soup (the chef’s – and owner’s husband’s – childhood favorite). Their happy hour is an excellent way to get a sample of the menu.
Lebanese Taverna
Lebanese Taverna brings the Mediterranean flavor like few other spots in the District. The hommus (also stylized as “hummus”) bar is not to be missed, as seven distinct choices await your taste buds. Wash it all down with any of the dozens of wine options available as you relax at the Taverna for a date night inside or on its signature patio.
Another stop to add to your dining excursion is Robert's Restaurant at the Omni Shoreham, which serves American comfort food in an elegant package. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the terrace with park views can't be beat.