Sometimes you get the best meal at the most unassuming restaurants. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or go to the most elegant place in town to have a delicious dinner. Most of the time, the best food comes from the family-owned hidden gems. Make sure to try one of these surprising Washington D.C. holes in the wall the next time you want good food without all the fuss.
Well Dressed Burrito
If you are not from the D.C. area, you will most likely walk right by Well Dressed Burrito without giving it a thought. But this would be a big mistake. Situated in the alley between N Street and 19th Street, this place serves up some of the most delicious burritos in the area. The servings are enormous whether you get the burrito, the enchilada, or any of the other Tex-Mex options on the menu, and you won’t break the bank. There is a small dining area, but many customers order their food to go. Just make sure to get there early if you don’t want to wait in line.
Granville Moore’s
Granville Moore’s offers a rustic atmosphere with Belgian inspired dishes such as gnocchi mac and cheese. Situated in the H Street Corridor, this gastropub is a local favorite where you can go to relax and enjoy good food. The menu includes whole market fish, several different mussel dishes, and some traditional pub fare such as the double burger, steak and cheese, and the chicken sandwich. The hand-cut fries come with a choice of sauces including truffle mayo or pesto mayo, and there are always daily specials.
Dama Pastry & Cafe
Fans of Ethiopian food will enjoy Dama Pastry & Cafe. This local place in the Arlington area doesn’t look like much from the outside but step inside and its another story. Its quiet, laid-back atmosphere is perfect for a date or a group. All the dishes come out on traditional injera bread, served family style for everyone to share. The menu has something for everyone including beef, lamb, chicken, and some vegetarian dishes. After you eat, Dama serves delicious ginger tea, and you can get something from the bakery.
Dumplings and Beyond
Head to Dumplings and Beyond for some of the best dumplings in the D.C. area. You can get them steamed or pan-fried, and they are huge. This place sits in the Glover Park area and is not accessible by Metro, so if you can get there, it’s never too busy. In addition to the dumplings, the menu also includes a variety of Chinese dishes. Just leave plenty of time for a meal at Dumplings and Beyond, the servers keep the pace slow and laid back, so you have plenty of time to consider what you want and enjoy it when it gets to the table.
Try one of these D.C. holes in the wall the next time you want excellent food without all the fuss that comes with going to a high-end restaurant.
Image “steamed dumplings” by stu_spivack, used under CC BY-SA 2.0
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