Good Eats in Washington, D.C.

I’ve been lucky enough to call D.C. home at two times in my life: during my Georgetown graduate school days, and then again last summer during my legal internship at Compassion Over Killing. Visiting again just last month, I enjoyed several of my favorite spots. Washington, D.C. has so many vegan-friendly options for dining. Here are the ones that make the top of my list…

• Cafe Green
  This restaurant, owned by the same team that runs Java Green, opened up last summer while I was living in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. Yellow Curry Road to Bali and Seoul Food Platter are favorites.
• Zed’s Ethiopian
  A long-time fave for me! LOVE the Collard Greens Gomen. The Vegetarian Dinner for Two makes for a wonderful, romantic meal.
• Basil Thai
  I love this little Thai place at the top of the hill on Wisconsin. Whenever I’m wandering around D.C. and Georgetown, I usually wind up here for dinner least once during my visit.
• Harmony Cafe
  Harmony is tucked away downstairs on Georgetown’s M Street like a best-kept secret. But — trust me — it’s no secret how great this place is, especially among D.C. vegans. Harmony has some of the best pan-Asian food around, and they’ll make anything on the menu with mock meats, so there’s so much to choose from. I usually go for the Clay Pot curry.
• Asylum
  Great place in Adams Morgan for a happy hour or to hear some live music. The pub has several vegan items on the menu, and on Tuesdays you’ll get half-off a second order. I hear Asylum has a great vegan brunch on Sundays, too.
• Science Club
  This lounge/restaurant is great place to meet up with friends for drinks. The vibe reminds me of a lounge in my old NYC neighborhood, with its dim lighting and vintage chairs. Also the best vegan burger in town, made on the premises. Last time I was there, I met an old friend after work. We didn’t leave until almost midnight. Good times.
• Teaism
  So much more than a tea house (though the tea is awesome, too).  One of the three locations was conveniently located a few blocks from my apartment last summer. I’m a huge fan of their veggie bento box.
• Amsterdam Falafel
  Trivia about me: after a late night at a club when everyone wants to grab a bite, I’m most likely to steer my friends in the direction of a late-night falafel joint. In D.C., that’s Amsterdam Falafel on 18th Street.  The person at the counter will hand you a small pita with a few falafel balls, and then you get to dress it up yourself with a variety of salads and sauces from the toppings bar. Admittedly, I pile it on — you’ve never seen such a gorgeous pita!
• Sweetgreen
  This restaurant chain has several locations and last year the Dupont Circle location was a regular haunt for me. At least once each week, after an evening Bikram Yoga class across the street, I would have one of Sweetgreen’s amazing salads for dinner. I still re-create the “Chic-P” at home on a regular basis.

SO many fantastic places to check out! Check back tomorrow for the skinny on D.C.’s  ”sweets” spots!

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