Mandalay Restaurant & Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (692) • $$

"The food here is stellar. I love spicy food, and they offer food that is actually spicy. Not American levels of spice. Actually spicy. Of course you can also get it not spicy, as they offer a sliding scale of spice levels. Every dish I've gotten here has been very delicious. They've got many delicious vegetarian options. Portions are large. Staff are friendly and food comes out quick. There is minimal indoor seating and the vibe is bare, so I mostly order takeout."

Ocha Thai Kitchen & Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (530) • $$

"My husband and I decided we wanted thai food for dinner and knew where to go! We were greeted with a smile and seated right away with a menu of drink and food specials along with regular menus. Water was given as we were checking out the menus. Our lovely waiter was so quick and our waters filled the entire time! Never once had to ask. We started off with edamame and tum yum soups. My soup was with tofu (no tomato) and my husband got one of their specials which was wonton Tom yum(no tomato). We both enjoyed the spicy level and the lightly salted edamame. Both got Pad Thai level 5 spicy but I got mine with soft tofu and he had chicken. Spicy level was perfect! Nice and hot when it got to us too. Dessert was an easy choice as I had seen the special on the table top before we even ordered our regular food. Fried pineapple ice cream! It was just the right amount to share and tasted sweet but not too sweet. It was a really balanced dish esp. with the mint leaf. It's always a pleasure coming here and looking at all the spider plants they have on the walls. I can't keep mine alive but they can keep 10+ alive and thriving lol Polite and friendly staff. Always ready for any questions you have or just simply asking how everything was. Delicious! Next time I'm getting the mango sticky rice dessert!"

Boulangerie Christophe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (510) • $$

"Had the most delicious pastries here while on a recent trip to DC. Their Paris-Breste was absolutely incredible and the chocolate eclair was to die for. I am so glad I stopped by."

Paramount Cafe

★★★★★ 4.8 (345) • $

"Nearly hidden on the ground floor and Bank of America side of the Paramount Apartment building is a true gem of a mom and pop convenience store. (More of the latter than a Cafe - but it serves dutifully as both.)As you walk in through a narrow seating area near the front door, your senses likely will be stimulated by the appealing aroma of fresh Expresso being brewed or the wafting, toasty notes of a grilled panini sandwich.Operated by a family - not a corporation - this small den of delights, aka snacks, notions, drinks, and sundries, is a repository for all the little things you might have forgotten at the big grocery store (or on your vacation trip). From popcorn and chips to ice cream and candy bars, seltzer to soap, and single serve headache remedies to Ben and Jerry's ice cream, this small store seems to stock a little bit of everything.Freshly made delicious sandwiches, beer, wine, and soft drinks fill the bill for folks in the apartment complex above the store and those in the hotel right around the corner. The list of what they stock is figuratively endless. Love the service, friendliness, and congeniality of Mia and Dave."

Chloez Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (410) • $$

"3rd time is the charm!!Although Last time I was here my plate had a hair and they gave me a $2 discount& the Egg Benedict - one well done,one perfect Brynn L- amazing server, attentive, polite, funny great energyWhy a 5?Ambience Food Service Employees that serve me & take the time to chat, & Joe Although I'm vanished from this place, I'll not used that to cloud this review that I was crafting.This Cafe it has the Island Vibe that I'm used to. It feels like family when you walked into the establishment. This is why I rate it a 5You get the energy that you need to go on your day!Full disclosure, It was my fault, I was a bit disrupted as I received some sad news on my way to Chloez & I didn't handle well!Grieving took a toll on me....I'll cherish my memories here & hope than I'm welcomed again!And latte is the way to go, with whipped cream & cinnamon"

Dog Tag Bakery

★★★★☆ 4.4 (354) • $

"Delicious baked goods, friendly service, amazing mission, and pleasant interior with cozy tables."

Mitsitam Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.5 (541) • $$

"My 6-year-old dined with me, and of course, she went for the chicken tenders--because she's 6 and her taste buds haven't discovered adventure yet. She declared them the best chicken tenders in the history of chicken tenders. For the rest of the day, she was like a tiny town crier, announcing to everyone how these were the tenders of her dreams. She was ready to come back for round two at dinner like it was a chicken tender pilgrimage.Meanwhile, I got a taco salad in fry bread. Was it life-changing? No. But it was pretty good. While she was out there preaching the gospel of chicken tenders, I was just enjoying my salad, quietly wondering if I'd ever experience the kind of culinary joy my kid just found in fried chicken."

Rise Bakery

★★★★☆ 4.1 (384) • $

"Finding delicious gluten free bakery items is like finding buried treasure, under the sea. They are rare gems and I am glad to help spread the word, when you strike treasure. Last night, I tasted the gingerbread cookies and Yule log from Rise Bakery. I would have never known they were gluten free. The gingerbread cookies were adorable and tasted great. The Yule log was beautifully crafted and a show piece. It tasted just as delicious, as it looked. Service was great. We ordered ahead and it was ready and waiting for us. The place is cute and clean. I would highly recommend this bakery if you want gluten free items, that are tempting and tasted great."

Soho Tea & Coffee

★★★★☆ 3.7 (407) • $$

"Great service, tea was refreshing and coffee hit the spot. Very nice workers, informative and pleasant"

Sfizi Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (310) • $$

"Been here three times now. Twice has been for Father's Day and then most recently, Mother's Day. We chose it bc it has nice outdoor seating and we always bring dogs- so our choices are limited. They've improved their patio seating with comfortable cushions and large sunbrellas. The food has always been pretty good. The Bianca pizza was out of this world amazing the year prior but that seemed to have changed. It doesn't taste as good as it did before. Service is amazing- I can see they don't cut corners here. They even accommodated by making fettuccini Alfredo, which wasn't on the menu. I liked their salad but I'm going to stick to pasta- seems like that's their specialty and I love how homemade it tastes."

Le Caprice DC

★★★★☆ 3.5 (349) • $

"We had Le Caprice cater our breakfast!!!! LISTEN!!! The attention to detail was beyond my expectations. The breakfast sandwiches were HUGE!!! We all loved the sandwiches. The pastries were tasty and they are vegetarian and vegan options!!! I want to thank you for such a wonderful breakfast!!!!! You will get your monies worth!!!!!!"

Hiraya Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (212) • $$

"I recently visited Hiraya, and while the experience was pleasant, it left a bit to be desired. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, with a warm, rustic charm that really brings a sense of home. The menu features a wide array of traditional Filipino dishes, which immediately got me excited to try some classic comfort food.We came here for brunch so we ordered breakfast staples: Tosilog and Longsilog. As much as I wanted to love these dishes, it didn't hit the spot as much as I had hoped. While I understand that our cuisine often uses oil or fat to enhance flavors, the rice here felt overly heavy and greasy, almost as if it had been drenched in oil rather than lightly seasoned. The texture was soggy, and it lacked the usual fluffy, fragrant quality that you'd expect from a well-prepared batch of rice. It was definitely filling, but it didn't pair well with my already-greasy longaniza and tocino. If the kitchen could find a way to make the rice lighter to balance out the dishes, it would really elevate the whole meal.In terms of service, the staff are pleasant and welcoming. Note that service is fast but it can be a bit confusing if you're visiting for the first time. When you walk in, you'll see a counter where you place your order for take out, as well as desserts and drinks if you're dining in. But for food, you can place your order with the server waiting on your table.Overall, the food was good and it's awesome to see Filipino eateries thrive in the local area! Hiraya is worth a visit if you're nearby and craving Filipino food or desserts."

Le Bon Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.7 (237) • $$

"It was very busy and crowded at lunchtime, but we didn't wait too long after our orders. There were more tables outdoor. The service was per normal. We ordered: 4*La Combo: half of Curried Turkey.... sandwich with organic mixed green salad. It was light and healthy. 5*Le Bon Mixed Greens Salad: for less than $10, weeks got a bowl of colorful and healthy meal. I would come back for more."

Outta The Way Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (218) • $$

"Cheesesteak wrap was excellent very well Seasoned! Server was very Pleasant! I suggest getting here early, place was packed!"

Blessing Cafe

★★★★★ 4.9 (119) • $

"Charming place, with delicious food and amazing service. I strongly recommend the grilled salmon dish. The salmon tasted fresh."

Timgad Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (151) • $

"Strolling around DC and need a pick me up cup of coffee - Timgad Cafe will fit the bill. The is located next to the children's museum located on the lower level of above the street. Follow the signs; you won't miss it. I ordered an iced latte and it was perfect. I didn't need to doctor it by adding sugar or anything else to it. It came with caramel and lite ice which was perfect. I definitely got my money's worth. The grounds weren't too strong or lite. The flavor was refreshing (yes, even for coffee). The staff is friendly and welcoming. They have other items on the menu however the fact I just ate, I didn't have the pleasure to try anything else. The latte was a huge win, though. The ambience is nice and cozy; even for a cafe in the city. They have a lot of branded swag that is also appealing. I'll definitely visit again when I'm in the area. Timgad is the name of an ancient Roman city in Algeria."

Carnegie Diner & Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.7 (181) • $$

"I really want to give this place 4 stars for the service and steak, but the food just wasn't it for me. The steak was surprisingly cooked to perfection at medium rare! It was juicy and soft to eat, just needed salt and pepper. The hash brown was weird, tasting like it was baked in the same pan as pastries. There was barely a crunch to it. The fries were yummy, crispy and soft at the same time. The milkshake is only good for show: the chocolate cake was comparable to a grocery store's without the extra sweetness. The milkshake itself was meh with the ice cream they used. They do have a lot of tasty sounding food here, but I would skip the desserts."

Cafe Pizzaiolo

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (294) • $$

"Stopped in since the game I wanted to watch was on. Unfortunately, they had music playing, but it wasn't bad since it wasn't too loud and music I generally enjoy. Got a chicken parm sandwich and they had a half off their bottles on Thurs. night, so it was cheaper than buying two glasses of wine. Staff is very nice and their service is casual."

LOCAVINO

★★★★★ 4.5 (120) • $$

"In the heart of downtown Silver Spring, but a bit tucked away not street facing. Free 2 hr parking around the back. Met up with friends for a late lunch and was surprised by the food offerings! Everyone got a little something different and everyone enjoyed their meal! Burgers were recommended by the cashier so I got the Frederick County Cabernet - didn't taste the wine but it was a thick patty and all the ingredients were fresh - only downside was I asked for a medium cook and it came out well done despite the thick patty. I had a bite of the jerk sandwich and it was also a bit overcooked and dry but the flavors were good. I added the Truffle Parmesan fries and they were fried perfectly and flavorful. And of course there's a large selection of vino to drink there or buy a bottle for home. Definitely a nice casual spot to catch up with friends or even a casual date! The service was also good, you pay first at the cashier but they bring your food and clean the table, so don't forget to tip when you pay! Solid 4 stars, maybe even 4.5 based on price if they didn't overcook the meat."

Mr K's Chinese Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.6 (171) • $$

"we ordered a variety of entrees and appetizers for 7 people. The order came out on time and correctly and everyone loved their food. the people are courteous and efficient. Mr. K's has definitely won my family over. we highly recommend it."

Sylvan Cafe & Bakery

★★★★☆ 4 (134) • $

"We are so glad to see this cafe do well in our neighborhood. I believe in cafes in every neighborhood. We walk our dog every morning and grab hot chocolate and coffee when we walk by this place. They have recently redid their interiors. Looks much spacious now and very welcoming. With my drinks, I often get their samosa or spinach puffs. It's so good. For lunch, my go to is their Ethiopian combo. They have 5 different veggies and recently added meat as well. Absolutely delicious! Depending on how busy they are, expect to wait for the Ethiopian entree. Worth it."

Chit Chaat Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (110)

"We've heard a lot about this place from colleagues and decided to check it out ourselves! When we walked in and obviously looked a little lost, the person behind the register asked "Are you here for Indian food?" Indeed, we were :) We got some samosas, chicken tikka masala, samosa burrito, and some pain puri. All the food is made to order, so we passed the time by playing some (free) video games in the back corner (the only free chairs there, the other little corner with chairs was taken). Like others have said, it's definitely a to-go place (or an eat-in-the-car place).I thought the food was delicious - especially the pain puri! I wish the portion size was a little bit bigger for the tikka masala. Samosas were self-serve and also similarly delicious. I'm not sure if it's mind-blowing Indian food, but honestly it was pretty good Indian food for a gas station pit-stop. It's not a gas station that I would normally frequent so I'm not sure if I will be back, but a solid choice if you happen to be passing by!"

Open City At the National Cathedral

★★★★☆ 3.7 (154) • $$

"Open city is the only way to start my morning here at work gotta love the Coffee and breakfast here. I service is always quick and easy even when they have a line this place has a nice warm feeling like you're in a small little cottage out in the woods. Love this place."

Uptowner Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.5 (163) • $

"Excellent coffee selection. Bubble tea was excellent as well. Terrific experience. Looking forward to trying lunch next time."

Piccolina

★★★★☆ 3.9 (124)

"Feeling such exuberance after my first experience at Piccolina that I'm going to have to break my rule about not writing a review for a restaurant in the city I live in until I've had a second try. I organized a happy hour event for a nonprofit group I lead, and in looking for a woman-run business with a sustainability focus, I discovered Amy Brandwein and Piccolina - by the end of the night I was wondering how I've never heard of the restaurant before for the pure in general!First off, I have to express sincere appreciation for the service - when I arrived at the restaurant on a Wednesday evening shortly after 5, I was quickly greeted by the host, who seated me at exactly the table I wanted, which happened to be the best table in the restaurant. The server for my party was Vidal, and from the beginning, when he assured me that it was totally fine that I was expecting maybe 10ish people? and I don't know what time they're arriving? to when I paid my check at the end of the evening, he was fantastic. Flexible, attentive, friendly and just so darn nice AND cool - give this man a promotion!I arrived in time to get the happy hour menu, which meant I got a great price on the delicious Hugo spritz, as well as the option of the delicious piatto misto appetizer platter. I had a hungry crew so I only got to taste the fungi skewer, but it was super good. And many others in my party ordered delicious looking pizzas that I absolutely have to return for.The restaurant interior is elegant and minimalist - it's kind of got a bakery aesthetic while also projecting low-key romantic-casual restaurant vibes (that's why I'll be coming back with my partner). I'm so happy to have had a reason to discover Piccolina, definitely one of my new DC favorites!"

Zeleno

★★★★☆ 4.3 (97) • $$

"This is a gem! The shop is small but has a good assortment of smoothies, açaí bowls, coffees, etc. the staff welcomed me quickly and took my order. They let me take the pumpkin bread and drink to a table right away, which I appreciated. They delivered the island refresh bowl a few minutes later and it's delicious!"

Feta Bakery and Cafe

★★★★★ 4.7 (80) • $$

"Excellent dining options and service.Clean place and would come back again for sure!!Great customer service to accommodate dietary restrictions. (Vegan and GF)"

Tasty Nook Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (76)

"Tasty Nook Cafe lived up to their name. Everything was very tasty and delicious. We ordered a variety of breakfast dishes. I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely they were packed for traveling and each dish was still warm, when we opened the containers at home. My personal favorite was the pancakes. They were light and fluffy. The syrup was really good too. My daughter in law ordered the strawberry pancakes. They were delicious and had a whipped cream and strawberry topping. We ordered the corned beef omelette and it was packed with tons of corned beef. I ordered sunny-side eggs. The eggs were fresh and cooked well. Lastly, we ordered French toast and that was wonderful. The service was great, we ordered over the phone, and it was ready and waiting, when we arrived. Even, the butter was creamy and rich. Sometimes, the small extras can make a difference, and in this case they truly did. I won't hesitate to order from them again. Lastly, the price point was affordable. So, win-win, for a great breakfast!"

Zen Press Juice Bar & Cafe

★★★★★ 5 (63) • $$

"This treasure was right by our Airbnb and it was an absolute gem! Friendly service, cute ambiance and decor, and amazing food and drinks. Definitely recommend stopping by, you won't regret it and will make it a staple. They offer an array of breakfast foods, pastries, coffees and fresh juices, so there's something for everyone. There's also a patio area out front and in back!"

AHRA Cafe & Sandwich Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (77) • $

"One of the BEST sandwich places I have ever been to in my life. I've had both their breakfast and lunch sandwiches and they are amazing. I normally get the bacon and egg sandwich on sourdough and it's so much sandwich that I am normally super full. Also, they serve iced coffee with coffee ice cubes! It's amazing!My favorite lunch sandwich to get is the turkey club with pepper jack cheese! The turkey is freshly craved in store and very moist. The sandwiches are always fully loaded with meat. Also, they are very well priced. I never feel like I am over paying for a great sandwich. Please check them out!"

Tatte Bakery & Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (92) • $$

"We ate at this Tatte Bakery by mistake. I was tired and tapped on this one on the map instead of the one near Farragut Square. We laughed and figured we could try a different location to see if they are the same or not. For the most part, they are the same quality food but the service is definitely different at this location. The staff we encountered were very nice and they were trying so hard to get things right. It wasn't just us that were getting our orders correct from the start, but it wasn't for a lack of effort. It only added a few minutes and a little patience went a long way towards getting it all sorted out. We ended up not getting our drinks and we were given an incorrect pastry. Once we had the right drinks and the correct pastry things were pretty good. My wife has fallen in love with the passion fruit krembo and I agree, it was really good. The breakfast sandwich was great and a nice change from pastries every morning. I really need it and it didn't disappoint. We really enjoyed our visit to this Tatte Bakery & Cafe and would happily come back."

Puro Gusto Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (96) • $

"I like the overall vibe of Puro Gusto. This is a great place to host a happy hour, which I actually do on a regular basis. The management is very accommodating to the needs of a group, providing drink or food specials as needed."

Pirouette Restaurant & Wine Shop

★★★★☆ 4.2 (77)

"Small restaurant & wine shop with a small but delicious menu of American foodI came here with my GF for dinner on a Friday night. Our waitress was very friendly, the service was fast, and we really enjoyed everything that we ate. This included a bread & butter appetizer (which was a steep $12), a pasta dish for her, and a chicken dish for me.No cocktail menu, but a fair amount of wine options along with a few beers as well"

Filo Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (61) • $$

"It was my first time in person ordering, I usually order on uber. I recommend both options. Some items are limited on uber so I do recommend in person but both options are great to try their amazing food. The cashier was so nice and informative. I subscribe to their instagram for menu updates and I got to meet the lady in all the videos. She was very sweet in person. I am in love with everything on their menu from the turon, strawberry matcha, and the lechon. I continue to be loyal regular and never once got disappointed. I highly recommend giving them a try if you like Filipino food or haven't tried such cuisine."

Le Café Market

★★★★☆ 4 (71) • $

"Great food and great prices. I've walked by this place so many times and never thought to go in. One day I checked out the menu and was blown away by the options and mad I had never come here. They have everything you need for breakfast, especially a hungover breakfast, with breakfast sandwiches on bagels and croissants, as well as avocado toast. For lunch they have burgers and a range of Asian bowls which bulgolgi, chicken and curry. They have cookies for dessert and to drink, coffee and bubble tea options. They are nice, super quick and have a market to buy stuff as well. There's limited seating inside and about 3 tables outside."