Summary
Where are the best restaurants and places to dine on the National Mall in Washington, DC?
The National Mall
serves as the focal point for most visits to Washington, DC; however, finding dining options in this area can be challenging.
You can enjoy a picnic on the grassy areas when the weather is pleasant. For a low price, vendors offer hotdogs and sodas. Refreshment stands operated by the National Park Service are also available, located in front of the Natural History Museum, near the National Mall Carousel, close to the Lincoln Memorial, and at the Tidal Basin, adjacent to the paddle boat rentals.
Another choice is the museum cafés, providing a convenient option for lunch, although they tend to be pricey and often crowded. Most of Washington, DC’s museum cafés maintain the same hours as the museums themselves.
Best Restaurants on the National Mall
Cascade Café
For a diverse selection, visit the National Gallery of Art and the Cascade Café. Located in the East Building, this café features soups, salads, specialty entrées, wood-fired pizzas, sushi, sandwiches, and freshly baked desserts. The Espresso and Gelato Bar offers homemade gelato along with panini and sweets. In the West Building, the Garden Café is a French-style bistro serving an à la carte menu and buffet, while the Pavilion Café boasts a panoramic view of the Sculpture Garden with a menu of specialty pizzas, sandwiches, salads, desserts, and assorted beverages.
Mitsitam Café
If you are in search of unique cuisine, the Mitsitam Café is a must-try. Situated within the National Museum of the American Indian, this restaurant showcases native-inspired sandwiches, entrées, soups, desserts, and drinks from five Native American regions.
Other Museum Dining Options
- National Air & Space Museum: Experience the Wright Place Food Court, which includes McDonald’s, Donatos Pizza, and Boston Market. Additionally, the Mezzanine Café offers sandwiches, soups, and salads, with an outdoor kiosk operating in spring and summer.
- National Museum of American History: Choose from the Constitution Cafe, providing sandwiches, salads, soups, and hand-dipped ice cream, or the Stars and Stripes Cafe, which serves traditional American fare.
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden: Enjoy the Outdoor Café, which serves sandwiches and salads with pleasant views during the warmer months.
- Natural History Museum: The Atrium Café offers fast food options, while Fossil Café serves soups, sandwiches, salads, Gelato, and has an Espresso Bar, with live music at IMAX & Jazz Café most Friday evenings.
- Capitol Visitor Center: The cafeteria-style restaurant on the lower level operates Monday through Saturday, featuring a menu of soups, salads, specialty entrées, pizzas, sandwiches, desserts, and beverages.
More Dining Options Nearby
- Union Station: The Food Court at Union Station offers a fantastic venue for a quick snack or an affordable meal for the whole family. Among the full-service restaurants are America’s Spirit, East Street Café, Station Grill, Thunder Grill, and Uno Chicago Grill.
- Best Capitol Hill Restaurants: For a fine dining experience, discover some of the best restaurants within walking distance of the Capitol.
- Eastern Market: Situated in Capitol Hill, this bustling farmers market and flea market features local produce, flowers, fresh fish, as well as arts and crafts.
- The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center: This iconic building houses a food court and an outdoor atrium that is open during the spring and summer.
- L’Enfant Plaza: This recently remodeled shopping and dining area showcases a variety of casual eateries.
