WASHINGTON DC
city guide
Washington DC, my home for the past six years (yes, six! I can’t believe it’s been that long either).
Yes, this is another city guide of the hundreds (thousands?) that exist on the internet. My hope for the On Holiday city guides is that they may inspire a feeling of slowness and home, even when the city might not be home to you. These lists will be focused holistically on experiences and places that perhaps invite you to stay a little while longer.
Because I love you, I’m sharing my DC guide with all of you wonderful subscribers. Thank you for your incredible support.
Welcome to DC.
Underneath the stone buildings and manicured grass is a deep-rooted mixture of cultures. There is so much to explore through the food, (free!) art, and experiences this city has to offer. And don’t mistake it, DC has a pretty incredible creative class that is changing the world. Below are my picks for places that I go to experience slowness and connection to my soul.
Mikko Nordic Food. Mikko is a gem of a cafe and restaurant featuring Nordic specialties and a laid-back vibe. the space is cozy, and they have a great patio where I enjoy settling in in the summer months with an iced latte and a cinnamon bun or strawberry roll. I highly recommend ordering the fish soup in the winter.
Ching Ching Cha. This gem of a space in Georgetown (soon to be located in DuPont!) is a place where you really do stay a while. Getting a table here on the weekend is not for the weary, but it’s well worth the wait. Try your best to snag a table on the elevated platform where diners must remove shoes to sit at the lower tables next to the shrine. The Eight Treasures tea is delightful and will have you refilling your pot for hours to enjoy more. The bento boxes are spectacular here as well. **update: Ching Ching Cha is no longer serving food, but continues to serve lovely teas!
Misitian Cafe. & the gift shop (!) at the Native American Museum is so special. Ever since I was a kid, my favorite part of going to any museum was the gift shop. This one in particular is a treasure trove filled with books by Native American writers, sage bundles, and beautiful native crafts from around the world. So, take yourself to the cafe for a lunch of fry bread and really good chili, and then go shopping.
Wellness Center at the Eaton. On the second floor of the Eaton sits a gorgeous wellness center where therapies that are generally hard to come by in DC are part of their menu of services. Come for acupuncture, reiki, and even an astrology reading. Two infrared saunas are available for use (my personal favorite), and a myriad of sound baths, yoga classes, and workshops are offered in their studio space.
Turkish Coffee Lady. Go to The Coffee Lady in Alexandria for a traditional cup of Turkish coffee served with Turkish delights. This is the kind of coffee (and place) that asks us to settle in and enjoy a cup to stay. In the winter, try the sahlep, a beverage made from orchid flowers, for a real treat.
Bhakti Yoga. My favorite place to practice yoga in the city, hands down. Gopi, the owner, is a magician and truly understands the human body. Her adjustments feel like the deepest massage, and you’ll likely feel brand new after class. If you’re interested, Bhakti also offers marma-point therapy and other Ayurvedic services to fully align your body and spirit.
Shopkeepers. A collective shop curated by Seda Nak, Shopkeepers is a total mecca for Asian sundries, thoughtful independent fashion brands, and elevated home goods. Stay and sip on a bubble tea amongst the beautiful things.
Teaism. A favorite spot for udon noodle soup, saag paneer, and of course, really good tea. I go for the berry beauty tea almost always. I love the tanginess of the hibiscus and berries, and it’s great both hot and iced. I also love the hemp heart cookies with chocolate chunks and dried cherries. The Dupont location has a great little upstairs nook that’s quite cozy and a great reading spot.
Lapis. Afghani food and a space that smells and feels like my grandparent’s living room. all that’s missing is the open sheshbesh board and one cigarette shared between them. I go here for the aush soup, but don’t miss the beef and pumpkin bolanis and saffron-shrimp mantoo dumplings.
Bammy’s. A taste of the Caribbean set against the riverfront. It’s a total vibe and delicious, and as a Trinidadian, I stamp their menu with true approval.
Union Market district. This area has expanded so much since I moved here and is worth a visit. It’s packed during the weekend, but fun to explore. Don’t miss A.Litteri or Bread Alley, two hidden gems that are quite special experiences.
U.S. Botanical Gardens. One of my favorite places to wander around. I’ve had this dream of sitting in the gardens to read for an afternoon, but have yet to do it.
United States National Arboretum. A few years ago, my friend Anh lead a tea ceremony here under a beautiful knobby tree. We sat in meditation sipping ceremonial-grade tea and taking in the sounds of nature. The Arboretum is a treasure trove. It’s hard for me not to eat the fruits that grow off the many trees here. I hope one day there will be a hosted harvest event so I can fulfill my temptations.
Le Diplomate. This is an obvious one, but a DC staple, and I would be remiss to not have it on the list. Go anytime and feel transported to Paris.
Calabash Tea. I have so many fond memories of the now-closed Shaw location, but the newer Brookland location is still open! The chai tea is show-stopping, and I LOVE the menage e trois cookie, it fills every part of my soul.
Seylou. The best croissants in the city— in my humble opinion. I buy a lot of bread here to slice and freeze and love purchasing flour to use for my home baking. Seylou sources all of its grains hyper-locally and mills them freshly onsite, which means that all of the nutrients are ripe for our consumption.
Maketto. Maketto is a total DC staple and is a perfect place to cozy up and stay a while. With a great day menu and delicious espresso, I love sitting here to daydream and/or hang with friends.
Maydan. Maydan was designed to feel as though diners are gathering around a town square, and the square at Maydan happens to be an open fire where all of the food for the evening is cooked. Maydan is a whole experience and satiates all of my whims. Natural wines from around the world, really, really good bread that endlessly lands on the table, and plates of authentic flavors from the Middle East that are best shared makes this place one of my favorites of all time in DC.
Compass Rose. An O.G. on the amber and natural wine scene and well worth a visit to the bar. Don’t miss the spice bag either—Chinese 5 spiced potatoes, bell peppers, and chicken thighs mixed and served in a paper bag is really the perfect compliment to a glass of Georgian wine.
Yellow. The best place for pastries with Middle Eastern flavors. Also, hear me out. The best pita bread that I have had in the city. Pita bread should be fluffy and chewy, and Yellow nails it.
Chaia. The secret is to go to the Georgetown location and order your (delicious) vegetarian tacos to go. Take a sharp right out the door and another to sit in a beautiful courtyard and take in some sun by the C&O canal.
**There are so many more places I love and frequent in the district—it’s nearly impossible to fit them all into one list. I will be updating these periodically. If there’s a place you love, hit me up! I want to hear about it.