Family Fare

Austin Grill
750 E Street, NW (between 7th & 8th)
Washington, DC  20004
202/393-3776
This lively Tex-Mex roadhouse has had a following among families and singles for years. Try the chile con queso made with Shiner Bock beer.

Café Deluxe
3228 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (at Macomb Street)
Washington, DC  20016
202/686-2233
This homey American bistro gets raves for its solid fare and friendly wait staff.  Kids keep busy with the paper tablecloths and crayons.

California Tortilla
728 7th Street, NW (between F & H)
Washington, DC  20001
202/638-2233
3501 Connecticut Avenue
Washington, DC  20008
202/244-2447
Local chain specializing in burritos and other Mexican fare with a Californian twist. Kids and adults love it for the food and sense of humor (as evidenced by weekly specials, such as Monday Night Mystery Price Burrito Wheel, Pop Tart Day and Yappy Hour for dogs).

Clyde’s
707 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC  20001
202/349-3700
One of 8 locations in the greater DC area, every family member can find something satisfying on its expansive menu. 

Dolcezza
1560 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC  20007
202/333-4646
This Argentinean ice-cream parlor offers gourmet creations with specialties like blue cheese gelato and verjus sorbet. More mainstream favorites include Italian coffee chocolate chip, dulce de leche and Sorrento lemon sorbet.

ESPN Zone
555 12th Street, NW (at E)
Washington, DC  20004
202/783-3776
Food is not the main draw at this DC outpost of the nationwide chain of popular sports bar/restaurants. Televisions at each table and big screens everywhere show sports programming. Kids and sports fans go for the games area with tons of interactive basketball, air hockey, batting cages and sports related video games. Just watch the money fly out of your wallet! 

Finemondo
1319 F Street, NW
Washington, DC  20004
202/737-3100
On Saturday evenings at Finemondo, a beautiful Italian restaurant near the White House, professional magicians perform astonishing tricks right at your table: playing cards from across the room appear in your dining partner’s pocket, water disappears from a cup held over your head and cell phone numbers are deduced from a deck of cards. (Guests choose whether to participate by placing a crystal ball on their table -- a clever touch.  Best with older kids.)

Hank’s Oyster Bar
1624 Q Street, NW
Washington, DC  20009
202/462-HANK
A neighborhood spot that has all the makings of an institution: fresh food, great prices, friendly service.  This relaxed, simple fish house serves tangy ceviche, fresh oysters on ice and superb calamari and popcorn shrimp in a tin bucket.  Our kids loved their selections: a solid Caesar salad, crusty macaroni and cheese, terrific onion rings and the best cheeseburger Jamie has ever had.

Lebanese Taverna
2641 Connecticut Avenue, NW (between Calvert & Woodley)
Washington, DC  20008
202/265-8681
This family owned spot gives guests young and old a warm welcome and top-notch Middle Eastern meze, plus a  kids menu with basic chicken fingers, as well.

Old Ebbitt Grill
675 15th Street, NW (between F & G)
Washington, DC  20005
202/347-4801
Located near the White House, this DC institution dates back to 1856 and serves good American fare in a cozy setting  (kids menu includes a "finger foods sampler").

Old Glory
3139 M Street, NW (between Wisconsin & 31st)
Washington, DC  20007
202/337-3406 
This Georgetown barbecue joint has plenty of choices and a kitschy all-American décor, including a resin Elvis. Bonus: Tootsie Pops come with the check.

Pizzeria Paradiso
3282 M Street NW (between 32nd & 33rd)
Washington, DC
202/337-1245
2029 P Street NW (between 20th & 21st)
Washington, DC
202/223-1245
Offspring of a more upscale sister restaurant (Obelisk) that has been wowing DC foodies for years, this family-friendly pizzeria is popular for its fantastic wood-fired oven pizzas. Located in Dupont Circle and a newer and thankfully larger outpost in Georgetown.

Sweet Licks
1704 R Street NW
Washington, DC
202/797-2736
Traveling in DC can be tiring for both you and your pets, but dog owners can bring their pooches along for a treat at Sweet Licks. This ice-cream parlor welcomes pets with a brick courtyard complete with communal water bowl and hooks for leashes. The shop serves 21 flavors of homemade ice-cream, including one that's a blend of yogurt, banana, and peanut butter, made especially for your pets.

Tony Cheng's
619 H Street, NW (between 6th  & 7th )
Washington, DC  20001
202/842-8669
In Washington's small Chinatown, Tony Cheng's has been around forever and is still considered one of the best with reasonably priced Mongolian barbecue downstairs and seafood restaurant upstairs - dim sum heaven.

2 Amys
3715 Macomb Street, NW
Washington, DC  20016
202/885-5700
If you are up near the National Cathedral, 2 Amys demonstrates how to serve real, good, Neapolitan pizza to families, aficionados and neighbors.

Zengo 
781 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC  20001
202/393-2929
Adventuresome eaters should check out the Mexican-Asian food (no, that’s not a misprint) here, where Chef Richard Sondoval combines characteristics of both regions into a racy new cuisine.  Our kids thought the décor was hysterical and thankfully tried and liked the colorful food.

Adult Fare

Like any big city, Washington has tons of great restaurants. Here are a few suggestions for a night out alone, should you be able to nab a sitter for the evening.

Café Milano
3251 Prospect Street, NW (at Wisconsin)
Washington, DC  20007
202/333-6183
This hip Italian spot in Georgetown is the place for people watching and can get lively late night with the pretty people dancing on tables.

Ceiba
701 14th Street, NW (at G)
Washington, DC  20005
202/393-3893
This bustling downtown spot is great fun for terrific Latin American food from one of the city's more popular chefs.

Kinkeads
2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (at I)
Washington, DC  20006
202/296-7700
This New American seafood restaurant near Foggy Bottom has been one of the most popular restaurants for Washingtonians since its opening 12 years ago by hot shot chef Bob Kinkead.