Our Washingtonian Recommends lists bring you the best places to eat, drink, and be entertained—all selected by Washingtonian editors.
Updated December 28, 2016.
Washington offers plenty for the über-hip visitor in search of under-the-radar gems. Here’s where locals go for fresh roasts, vintage decor, and locally designed duds.
The many boutiques in the 14th Street corridor of Northwest DC offer everything from luxury watches (Shinola, 1631 14th St., NW; 202-470-0200) to quirky vintage home wares (Miss Pixie’s, 1626 14th St., NW; 202-232-8171). GoodWood (1428 U St., NW; 202-986-3640), a vintage store that feels as if you stumbled into your most interesting friend’s apartment, is perfumed with Brooklyn’s Good candles. And Salt & Sundry (1401 S St., NW; 202-621-6647) is a go-to spot for hostess gifts and funky accessories.
Union Market (1309 Fifth St., NE; 301-347-3998;) and its environs boast more shopping opportunities. Inside you’ll find Follain, the airy beauty shop that carries only American-made products. Right across the parking lot is the Union Market offshoot Lab1270 (1270 5th St., NE), where a rotating cast of local vendors sell their wares.
The Shaw neighborhood’s rapidly expanding bar scene includes Derek Brown’s whiskey-focused Southern Efficiency (1841 Seventh St., NW; 202-316-9396), brewpub Right Proper (624 T St., NW; 202-607-2337), and the low-key saloon All Souls (725 T St., NW; 202-733-5929), which serves up solid drinks sans pretension.
The Coffee Bar’s two locations—in Golden Triangle and Logan Circle—serve delicious hard-to-find coffee varietals in a charming mix-and-match setting (1200 17th St., NW; 1201 S St., NW). And the DC branch of Philly’s La Colombe (924 Blagden Alley, NW) pours rich espressos at its tucked-away location in brick-lined Blagden Alley. Just around the corner, grab a geographically themed sandwich from SUNdeVICH (1314 Ninth St., NW; 202-319-1086)
Weekend dance parties at the Atlas District’s Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar (1104 H St., NE) are fueled by the cash-only bar’s booze-laden slushes. And the picnic tables at the always-packed BBQ hangout Garden District (1801 14th St., NW) are ideal summer perches.
This article appears in our Washingtonian Welcome Guide.
