Submitted by straightlined t3_125h9i1 in washingtondc
Hi guys! I'll be visiting DC end July as a solo female traveller, staying in the Penn Quarter. I'm pretty adventurous with food but a bit shy, so would love recommendations for casual/upmarket places to have dinner at which are good for solo diners. My budget is flexible and can stretch for a really good meal, but if at all possible ideally not more than USD50-100 per meal? Thank you everyone.
Fig and Olive
I love Rasika every time. Never had an issue with food quality
Immigrant Food (either location) would probably fit the bill. Very DC.
Any of the Jose Andres restaurant, although if you want to go to China Chilcano, I’d suggest an early dinner, as it can get pretty noisy in there later in the evening (which is my advice to anyone, not just solo guests). Zaytinya’s bar area is super chill for those who prefer to dine at the bar, but they also have that fantastic patio setup, and Oyamel has a big communal table in the bar area if that’s your style, along with lots of standard seating choices. Spanish Diner is delightful if you feel like making the trek out to Bethesda; it’s an easy walk from the Red Line metro stop.
...and salmonella.
For solo dining, I personally love Daikaya's first-floor Ramen shop. You can sit inside if you want to potentially talk to people while sharing a table or sitting at the bar, or you can sit at a picnic table outside for a more personal experience. The ramen is freakin' delicious.
Rasika is worth the hype imo, but it can be quite pricy.
I was there a few days ago, it's starting to show its age and not in a good way. Our experience was average. Easy pass.
Centrolina is supposed to be fantastic and right in City Center.
🤔 a couple of thoughts:
1: I don’t think either Rasika or Filomena are highly hyped restaurants. Rasika gets more attention than Filomena, but it’s not mentioned much on social media or the “Best of” lists. I love Filomena, but only ever see/hear it brought up in context of where to bring family. Maybe I’m missing some foodie buzz, not being on Instagram 🤷♂️
2: Filomena is no where near city center.
3: Food poisoning? C’mon. You’re absolutely no more likely to get sick at these places than anywhere else.
Rasika will give you food poisoning? On what grounds?
Literally never heard a bad thing about Rasika
FYI, city centre is not the term anyone in DC uses (although most will probably understand what you mean). Downtown is really the best word for the general area. More specifically people typically say the neighborhood, so for you telling people you're staying in Penn Quarter.
thank you! the ramen looks amazing, will definitely look to check it out
this is a great recommendation, all the restaurants look so good. will try to visit!
walked in to a war in the comments 😂 they all look good though, thank you for the recs!
DC is a small city, I see no reason to limit yourself to eating in the “center”. I’d recommend Revelers Hour which had great vibes and bar seating. Couple other ideas: Market lunch in eastern market for breakfast, Joes Stone Crab
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ADANA LAMB
Bulgur & Currants, Roasted Cauliflower & Tomatoes, Chimichurri Sauce.
Misleading description under entrees . So I asked shoulder or lamb chops?
Meatballs as in cheap ground lamb .So the dish should be called Adana lamb Meatballs.
Priced around $30 (lunch).
My typical reaction would be to get upset, but instead, I think it has to do with insane rent costs.
But then again, they open for lunch and dinner. Most only dinner.
Causa is a short walk and your best bet for upmarket and adventurous Chercher Ethiopian Agree with all of Jose Andre’s, Daikaya, Rasika suggestions
Rasika 633 D st NW - sit at the bar! Best Indian food in the US
Yeah I'm sure. I've just never heard anyone reference it as a neighborhood.
Agreed! I’d add Greenzone in Admo!
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I know you didn’t ask for breakfast recs, but I’d chime in that Baked Joint, Emissary, or Tryst are casual breakfast spots that are comfortable for solo diners! Same with Call Your Mother bagels in West End (nice open seating in hotel lounge area).
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Their smaller, bit more casual sister restaurant Bantam King, has a tightly curated menu with ramen or fried chicken. The ramen is good but I love their Nashville fried chicken. It has a communal table, doesn’t take reservations and is just enough off the beaten path that you can often get in when you can’t get a table or find a spot at the bar at the larger restaurants in Penn Quarter.
I solo travel to DC all the time and see if you can trek over to Ambar (there's a new-ish location in Shaw just up the Green Line from Penn Quarter)
$35 all you can eat brunch and $50 all you can eat dinner - small Balkan tapas, just get a reservation at the bar and order as much food as you can possibly eat.
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Causa was on the James Beard list that just came out!
I love Rasika, they have a tasting course menu that I recommend. I also like Tosca downtown for Italian.
Central -11h and Penn
Brasserie Beck - 11th & K
The Hamilton -14 th & F (get a reservation and ask for a seat in the Atrium)
So make reservations now or just pop over to tiger fork in the alley! Well deserved!!
We featured Dauphine's, a New Orleans-style restaurant near McPherson Square, in our local restaurant show. I've been there myself, and while I didn't get the Duck Jambalaya featured on Signature Dish, I thought the Blackened Bluefish Creole was delicious.
I eat alone all time. It’s ok…
klubkouture t1_je47r8j wrote
You can eat anywhere solo here--it isn't a big deal. Filomena and Rasika are waaaaaaay overrated and you might get food poisoning. Try Tortino or Haad Thai.