Ari's Guidebook to Columbia Heights by the Park
Food scene
They make their own tortillas, the mole is to die for, you can eat the savory chilaquiles forever, and the habanero salsa (ask for it special) will set your night on fire. There are only four mexican restaurants in DC that I would actually take a californian, texan, or coloradan to and this is the best one. You'll often find people from the Mexican Embassy grabbing a bite here. It is a stone's throw away.
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Taqueria Habanero
3710 14th St NWThey make their own tortillas, the mole is to die for, you can eat the savory chilaquiles forever, and the habanero salsa (ask for it special) will set your night on fire. There are only four mexican restaurants in DC that I would actually take a californian, texan, or coloradan to and this is the best one. You'll often find people from the Mexican Embassy grabbing a bite here. It is a stone's throw away.
Amazing mixed drinks and phenomenal burritos. Along with Habanero, a truly authentic spot. More vegetarian choices than habanero. Great for kids.
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Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana
3714 14th St NWAmazing mixed drinks and phenomenal burritos. Along with Habanero, a truly authentic spot. More vegetarian choices than habanero. Great for kids.
Michelin Bib Gourmand recognized incredible Lao restaurant. If you are feeling adventurous, a little bored of thai food, and want to be wowed by a cuisine not common to the US, hit this spot up. Order from the jungle menu! Also, they just so happen to have a fabulous bar. Amazing spot to bring young children - they'll happily scramble a few eggs or steam some vegies with white rice for the little ones. Call ahead to see if there is room if you don't have a reservation. Also does takeout.
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Thip Khao Restaurant
3462 14th St NWMichelin Bib Gourmand recognized incredible Lao restaurant. If you are feeling adventurous, a little bored of thai food, and want to be wowed by a cuisine not common to the US, hit this spot up. Order from the jungle menu! Also, they just so happen to have a fabulous bar. Amazing spot to bring young children - they'll happily scramble a few eggs or steam some vegies with white rice for the little ones. Call ahead to see if there is room if you don't have a reservation. Also does takeout.
It doesn't look like much from the outside but the Pho is out of this world. Order the tripe - you won't regret it.
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Pho Viet Restaurant
3513 14th St NWIt doesn't look like much from the outside but the Pho is out of this world. Order the tripe - you won't regret it.
Nice family-oriented italian joint. Great pizza, great pasta, great drinks. Half priced pizza monday. $11 kids meal pizza is huge.
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Little Coco's
3907 14th St NWNice family-oriented italian joint. Great pizza, great pasta, great drinks. Half priced pizza monday. $11 kids meal pizza is huge.
The Coupe
3415 11th St NWStandard, high quality brunch spot
chic modern restaurant and coffee bar in beautiful mt. pleasant
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Ellē
3221 Mt Pleasant St NWchic modern restaurant and coffee bar in beautiful mt. pleasant
Hip cute vegan bakery with good sandwiches
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Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats
314 Park Rd NWHip cute vegan bakery with good sandwiches
Another Michelin bib gourmand. It's not in the neighborhood, and it's a bit of a walk, but we can't not tell you about our favorite family restaurant in DC. Even if you would have never thought you'd want to try eritrean food, you should (imagine if middle eastern food and ethiopian food had a baby under italian occupation). The owners are the nicest people in history, always quick to cater to children, who respond shockingly well to colorful healthy foods you can eat with your hands. Unbelievably inexpensive.
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Keren Cafe & Restaurant
1780 Florida Ave NWAnother Michelin bib gourmand. It's not in the neighborhood, and it's a bit of a walk, but we can't not tell you about our favorite family restaurant in DC. Even if you would have never thought you'd want to try eritrean food, you should (imagine if middle eastern food and ethiopian food had a baby under italian occupation). The owners are the nicest people in history, always quick to cater to children, who respond shockingly well to colorful healthy foods you can eat with your hands. Unbelievably inexpensive.
Delicious and flavorful ethiopian food. Great for families; our kids love the Kik Wot. Order the Shiro Wot for yourself.
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Letena Ethiopian Restaurant
3100 14th Street NorthwestDelicious and flavorful ethiopian food. Great for families; our kids love the Kik Wot. Order the Shiro Wot for yourself.
Widely regarded as one of the best pupuserias in the area. Come for delicious pocket of salvadorian food.
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Gloria's Restaurant
3411 14th Street NorthwestWidely regarded as one of the best pupuserias in the area. Come for delicious pocket of salvadorian food.
This is actuallly called Susana's (Airbnb listed it wrong), and also widely regarded as one of the very best in the area. Warning that truly veg fare is tough to come by at pupuserias.
Elizabeth Pupusería & Deli
3801 14th St NWThis is actuallly called Susana's (Airbnb listed it wrong), and also widely regarded as one of the very best in the area. Warning that truly veg fare is tough to come by at pupuserias.
NuVegan Café
2928 Georgia Ave NWVegan soul food at its best. Highly recommended.
A lovely bakery down the road. Great place to go with kids. Indoor and outdoor seating. Lite fare as well as coffee and bakery standards.
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Le Caprice DC Café Bakery
3456 14th St NWA lovely bakery down the road. Great place to go with kids. Indoor and outdoor seating. Lite fare as well as coffee and bakery standards.
Great burger joint with good veg options and occasional live music.
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Slash Run
201 Upshur St NWGreat burger joint with good veg options and occasional live music.
Great thai spot. Pro tip--they have a low delivery fee if you order through the restaurant.
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Pantry
3716 Georgia Ave NWGreat thai spot. Pro tip--they have a low delivery fee if you order through the restaurant.
Absolutely wonderful food. Grab a drink in the basement bar that is adjacent if you either can't get a reservation or are waiting for your table. The veg tasting menu is excellent.
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Lapis
1847 Columbia Rd NWAbsolutely wonderful food. Grab a drink in the basement bar that is adjacent if you either can't get a reservation or are waiting for your table. The veg tasting menu is excellent.
Zenebech Restaurant
2420 18th St NWSo delicious.
New neighborhood coffee shop! We are so excited about this welcome addition to the neighborhood. Coffee and light food like avocado toast and Ethiopian sambussas.
Rue Cafè
3906 14th Street NorthwestNew neighborhood coffee shop! We are so excited about this welcome addition to the neighborhood. Coffee and light food like avocado toast and Ethiopian sambussas.
Great chicken joint. Good for families and adults.
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Honeymoon Chicken
4201 Georgia Avenue NorthwestGreat chicken joint. Good for families and adults.
Tequila & Mezcal
3475 14th St NWLa Villa Pizza
4632 14th St NWThe Artemis - DC Sports Bar, Live Music, Happy Hour
Sports bar a stone's throw from the Airbnb.
Chicatana
Another excellent Mexican restaurant in the neighborhood. Offers great drinks and food.
Barrilito Bar & Restaurant
DC Corazon Fonda & Tequileria
La Tejana
Busboys and Poets
Local institution with a menu that meets practically any dietary needs
Neighborhoods
Diverse, busy, accessible, fun, and family-friendly. There is something for everyone in our dynamic neighborhood. Be sure to check out the restaurants and bars around the corner on 14th street, the restaurants and bars on 11th street, and the bustling plaza at 14th and Park Rd.
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Columbia Heights
Diverse, busy, accessible, fun, and family-friendly. There is something for everyone in our dynamic neighborhood. Be sure to check out the restaurants and bars around the corner on 14th street, the restaurants and bars on 11th street, and the bustling plaza at 14th and Park Rd.
Steps from our neighborhood is this gem nestled into rock creek park with a thriving farmers market on saturday morning and a cute restaurant/bar scene on its main strip. Admire the homes along the tree-lined streets and hop into the park from seemingly anywhere.
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Mount Pleasant
Steps from our neighborhood is this gem nestled into rock creek park with a thriving farmers market on saturday morning and a cute restaurant/bar scene on its main strip. Admire the homes along the tree-lined streets and hop into the park from seemingly anywhere.
A fun and busy neighborhood with a growing food and arts scene. Easily accessible.
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Petworth
A fun and busy neighborhood with a growing food and arts scene. Easily accessible.
Iconic DC neighborhood is just down 16th Street. Check out the farmer's markets, and Dupont Underground (tickets required). Play chess in the park, grab a coffee or drink. Take any of the 16th Street busses south.
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Dupont Circle
Iconic DC neighborhood is just down 16th Street. Check out the farmer's markets, and Dupont Underground (tickets required). Play chess in the park, grab a coffee or drink. Take any of the 16th Street busses south.
Grocery/Pharmacy
Small grocery at the end of the block but with a large selection of basics and other grocery items. Focus is on Latin American foods, and the primary language spoken is Spanish, and you can also find a wide assortment of other grocery items. Great for basics.
Panam International
3552 14th St NWSmall grocery at the end of the block but with a large selection of basics and other grocery items. Focus is on Latin American foods, and the primary language spoken is Spanish, and you can also find a wide assortment of other grocery items. Great for basics.
Small grocery store with a surprising selection of natural foods and products. Also a specialty grocery with excellent Ethiopian foods and ingredients (injera, spices, etc).
Black Lion Market
3500 14th St NWSmall grocery store with a surprising selection of natural foods and products. Also a specialty grocery with excellent Ethiopian foods and ingredients (injera, spices, etc).
Giant Food
1345 Park Rd NWMainstream grocery store.
Mainstream grocery store, (extended hours--6am-midnight). Also has a pharmacy (hours may be more limited than grocery). Good parking. Slightly better selection than Giant. Slightly less chaotic.
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Safeway
3830 Georgia Ave NWMainstream grocery store, (extended hours--6am-midnight). Also has a pharmacy (hours may be more limited than grocery). Good parking. Slightly better selection than Giant. Slightly less chaotic.
Yes! Organic Market Petworth
4100 Georgia Ave NWOrganic and natural foods market.
7-Eleven
407 8th St NEConvenience store.
In addition to your usual Target stuff, this store has a solid grocery section and a CVS inside.
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Target
3100 14th St NWIn addition to your usual Target stuff, this store has a solid grocery section and a CVS inside.
Standard CVS. There are LOTS of CVS stores in the area, so if having a prescription called in, make sure you're clear on which store.
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CVS
1418 P St NWStandard CVS. There are LOTS of CVS stores in the area, so if having a prescription called in, make sure you're clear on which store.
Farmers Markets
Saturday farmers market: https://www.freshfarm.org/markets/columbia-heights-sat
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Columbia Heights Farmers Market
1400 Park Rd NWSaturday farmers market: https://www.freshfarm.org/markets/columbia-heights-sat
Sunday year-round farmers market: https://www.freshfarm.org/markets/dupont-circle
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FRESHFARM Dupont Circle Market
1600 20th St NWSunday year-round farmers market: https://www.freshfarm.org/markets/dupont-circle
Very cute farmers market with lots of prepared foods too. Often has music.
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Mount Pleasant Farmer's Market
3213 Mt Pleasant St NWVery cute farmers market with lots of prepared foods too. Often has music.
Bar Scene and liquor stores
If you're a pinball wizard or just looking for a 30/40-something chill vibe, this bar with an amazing whiskey selection is for you.
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Lyman's Tavern
3720 14th Street NorthwestIf you're a pinball wizard or just looking for a 30/40-something chill vibe, this bar with an amazing whiskey selection is for you.
The best dive bar in the District. Beer in cans, cheap shots, board games that are missing pieces, burgers and fries, local vibe, roof deck. Awesome place to drink and hang with locals. Often packed. Early in the day there's an older crowd, in the evening a 20-something joint.
127 os moradores locais recomendam
Red Derby
3718 14th St NWThe best dive bar in the District. Beer in cans, cheap shots, board games that are missing pieces, burgers and fries, local vibe, roof deck. Awesome place to drink and hang with locals. Often packed. Early in the day there's an older crowd, in the evening a 20-something joint.
Toro Bar
3708 14th Street NorthwestRecently renovated pool hall with regular characters and cheap drinks.
a bit of a walk to the other corner of our neighborhood but the beating heart of CoHi's bar scene. Drink in the garden huge steins of beer and gorge on sweet potato fries. You'll meet a lot of new friends at the long picnic tables.
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The Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon St NWa bit of a walk to the other corner of our neighborhood but the beating heart of CoHi's bar scene. Drink in the garden huge steins of beer and gorge on sweet potato fries. You'll meet a lot of new friends at the long picnic tables.
If you want a nice bottle of wine or a craft six pack, a great wine and beer shop with very knowledgeable attendants
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D'Vines
3103 14th St NWIf you want a nice bottle of wine or a craft six pack, a great wine and beer shop with very knowledgeable attendants
The Midlands Beer Garden
3333 Georgia Ave NWGood place to watch sports and drink beer
playgrounds
Powell Elementary School
1350 Upshur St NWAmazing playground
Great playground. The park is open to all. There is an adjacent public pool, but there are entry requirements for people without DC IDs.
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Upshur Park
4300 Arkansas Ave NWGreat playground. The park is open to all. There is an adjacent public pool, but there are entry requirements for people without DC IDs.
Cute playground kitty corner from a great brunch joint
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11 & Monroe Playground - Trolley Turnaround Park
1101 Monroe St NWCute playground kitty corner from a great brunch joint
Bancroft Elementary School
1755 Newton St NWTwo amazing playgrounds right next to the park
Another good playground and field
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Raymond Recreation Center and Playground
3725 10th St NWAnother good playground and field
Fantastic playground and splash park for kids. Sometimes they have jazz concerts. Bathrooms on site. Free to enter. No residency required. Let us know if you need to borrow a pool towel for your littles.
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Petworth Recreation Center
801 Taylor St NWFantastic playground and splash park for kids. Sometimes they have jazz concerts. Bathrooms on site. Free to enter. No residency required. Let us know if you need to borrow a pool towel for your littles.
Not actually a playground but a great alternative for families on a rainy day. Amazing children’s section with a slide between floors. Affordable (by dc standards) cafe with good kids choices). Take transit. Parking near there is hard.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G St. NWNot actually a playground but a great alternative for families on a rainy day. Amazing children’s section with a slide between floors. Affordable (by dc standards) cafe with good kids choices). Take transit. Parking near there is hard.
Spa/beauty
Great spot to get a massage or other spa services right at the end of the block. They can usually accommodate bookings on short notice. All providers are vaccinated and there is a HEPA filter in each treatment room.
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Bluebell Spa DC
3705 14th St NWGreat spot to get a massage or other spa services right at the end of the block. They can usually accommodate bookings on short notice. All providers are vaccinated and there is a HEPA filter in each treatment room.
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Another great option for massage and spa.
TuSuva Body & Skin Care: Massage, Facials & Skincare Products Shop
2701 Ontario Rd NWAnother great option for massage and spa.
SEPHORA
1000 F StreetYou would not be the first to do an "emergency" run to Sephora before an event.