1. Blue Duck Tavern
8.6
1201 24th St NW, Washington, D.C.
New American Restaurant · West End · 203 tips and reviews
Stephanie Phillippy: Must order apple pie and sweet honey vanilla ice cream
Annie Jeng: Best homemade honey vanilla ice cream in the world!!!!! Honey after-taste is deliciously strong...highly recommend!!!! Pumpkin creme brûlée and apple pie are delicious too!!!
Annie Jeng: Honey vanilla ice cream, apple pie, and pumpkin creme brûlée!!
3. District Doughnut
8.3
749 8th St SE, Washington, D.C.
Donut Shop · Capitol Hill · 32 tips and reviews
Jinnie L: brown butter is the best!♥ friendly service - pb&j, vanilla bean glazed, n dulce de leche were delicious too ;)
Bitches Who Brunch: These handcrafted rounds of love come in a variety of enticing flavors like decadent (bruléed!) Dulce de Leche, PB&J, and blueberry and almond cream.
Jonathan Gormley: They open in the morning and close whenever they sell out of the day's doughnuts, so if you want some get there ideally before noon ☺
4. Curbside Cupcakes
7.4
1250 Linden Pl NE (See Twitter for current location), Washington, D.C.
Food Truck · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 28 tips and reviews
Behrad Eats: The Vanilla Bean cupcake is delicious, and even more delicious when it's free!
foodie huxtable: The best cupcakes on 4 wheels. GET snickerdoodle + vanilla bean + strawberry delight + apple strudel + carrot cake + tequila sunrise ...and then give them to ME.
Kim B.: Best cupcakes in the city! Love the classic vanilla, chocolate w/ vanilla top, cookies & cream and peanut butter! So good!
7. Compass Rose
8.2
1346 T St NW (at 14th St NW), Washington, D.C.
New American Restaurant · U-Street · 55 tips and reviews
Behrad Eats: You'll find some fantastic and unique cocktails like the Not Worth the Sin in Rome made with Michter's bourbon, averna, orange grasp berry juice, and vanilla bean.
Thrillist: Get the khachapuri. It's a Georgian dish resembling a cheese, butter, and egg calzone. It’s more addictive than Double-Stuffed Oreos. Also spring for the deep-fried baked potato. Read more.
Behrad Eats: The Khachapuri is their most popular dish for good reason! This delicious dish consists of cheese-filled bread, and organic egg, and local butter. I bet you can't order just one!
8. Ben's Upstairs
7.4
1001 H St NE (at 10th St NE), Washington, D.C.
Southern Food Restaurant · Capitol Hill · 6 tips and reviews
Reserve: If you’re looking to relive your childhood days at your local carnival or fair, the Chocolate Fudge Funnel Cake topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate fudge, and walnuts, can help you do that. Read more.
Katrina Elise: Cozy, good music and good food. I'm glad it will have a footprint in the neighborhood. Great for brunch!
Tamara Lumpkin: Rooftop deck is nice when the wearing is accommodating. The fans and mister help to cut the humidity. 😬
Abir Qasem: Beer and the best vanilla ice cream
Emily: Wonderful beer selection + ciders. Grab drinks in the large bar area while you wait for your table. Absolutely order Mac and cheese you won't regret it. They also have cheese a la carte to go.
Behrad Eats: After a few delicious beers, you're going to need to eat to continue, enter the Wood-Grilled Burger on a brioche bun with Duke's mayo and house-smoked Tillamook cheddar, add Benton's smoked bacon.
13. Bar Pilar
8.1
1833 14th St NW (btwn S & T St NW), Washington, D.C.
Cocktail Bar · U-Street · 93 tips and reviews
Washingtonian Magazine: Recent standouts on the menu have been roasted mushrooms w/ braised leeks; crispy potatoes w/ malt aïoli; honey-glazed carrots w/ shallots and thyme; strawberry-rhubarb crumb pie w/ vanilla ice cream
Prashant Patel: Slow and Low Whiskey...ON TAP!!! Delicious whiskey with a perfect sweetness due to being fermented with orange peel and honey. Makes for a wonderful Old Fashioned.
Eater: Bar Pilar is one part restaurant — with a seasonal menu that veers from classic fried chicken to the more intriguing pan-fried calves brains — and one part watering hole. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
15. dLeña
8.4
476 K St NW, Washington, D.C.
Restaurant · Mount Vernon Square · 6 tips and reviews
Bobby: Can’t go wrong with any of the guacamole options. The seafood enchiladas and empanadas were solid too.
April Armstrong: The CrabCake Tostada, Grilled Mushroom Tacos, and Wood Grilled chicken were delicious 😋
Malu Tirzell: Try the ceviche, mushroom tacos. The corn cake for dessert is amazing.