Through four years of living in the Georgetown area in Washington, DC, I have had the opportunity to try a wide range of restaurants. These are my top five choices for dinner in the area:
The College Experience – The Tombs
For a classic university hangout with a great atmosphere and delicious food, this basement is an essential stop in Georgetown. Located a block away from the scenic Georgetown University campus, Tombs turns into the bar for 21+ Hoyas around 9:30pm, but as a restaurant it is family friendly for the three year old to the eighty year old. Don’t miss the delicious Tombs burger, their award-winning milkshakes, and the Tombs brownie- seriously, that’s a perfect meal right there.
Oh, and if you do go for a late dinner, their Late Night Menu starts at 10 (but you can ask for items from it around 9:30) and has amazing, huge $3 pizza slices. The Late Night menu and Sunday’s Wine Night special (bottles of wine are half off) go particularly well together!
For a Romantic Date – Café Bonaparte
Located several blocks up Wisconsin Ave from M Street, you will not find Bonaparte if you are not looking for it. But do look for it- everything they serve from their appetizers, wine, and main courses to their dessert crêpes, after dinner drinks, and coffees makes you feel as though you are in a café in France. Don’t miss their savory crêpes, mussels in white wine, garlic, and shallots, sweet crêpes, or Nutella espresso.
Authentic Pizza – Il Canale
Located in what I like to call the Italian trifecta (Paper Moon, Ristorante Piccolo, and Il Canale), Il Canale is both Emmie-certified and approved by Circolo Italiano, Georgetown’s Italian Club. I promise you, these are high commendations. The restaurant embodies the sense of a modern Italian family establishment, and the pizzas as seriously delicious and absolutely Napoletana. Make a night out of it by enjoying dinner at Il Canale, stopping in at Paper Moon for dessert (I suggest the tiramisu) and a drink at the bar, and then make your way to the M Street nightlife.
Seafood Specialty – Sea Catch
Hidden away on the same street as the Italian trifecta is the archway that leads you to Sea Catch, a hidden gem for sea food in Georgetown. Before I dined at Sea Catch and had to find it, I had walked past the entrance without a clue that a large restaurant was tucked into the courtyard. I recommend their mussels or calamari to start and their scallops or fish fillets for a main course
Their desserts are a bit heavy after a nice meal of fresh fish- stop by Häagen-Dazs, located right by the M Street entrance to the restaurant, for some refreshing sorbet or a cup of ice cream after your dinner.
All the Foods – Farmers Fishers Bakers
If you plan to sample Georgetown’s cuisine, your journey is not complete without a visit to Washington Harbour. With a good selection of restaurants, boaters in the warm seasons, and ice skating during the winter, this area is a year-round attraction. My favorite restaurant in the Harbour is Farmers Fishers and Bakers; because of their seriously extensive menu, you can get whatever you want (from sushi to steak frites) at the price point you want. Don’t miss their homemade sodas and drinks or their desserts!
anchored & adrift 