A Vegan Guide to Washington, D.C.
Off the Beaten Path: A Vegan Guide to Washington, D.C.
By Gina Vivinetto and Dustin Garrett Rhodes
All the things to do in Washington, D.C. are obvious and numerous—the museums, monuments and places of historical importance are what makes the nation’s capital both unique and one of the most visited cities in the United States. The question is not what to do, but how will I possibly do it all?
For the vegan traveler, there are some treasures that are worth venturing away from the touristy areas near the National Mall, White House, Capitol Building, et. al. There are culturally and historically rich neighborhoods, which feature gorgeous parks, architecture and gardens, along with quaint shops and restaurants—some of the most interesting and beautiful spots in D.C.. The best vegan offerings are mostly found there, too—away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
Friends of Animals already publishes a Vegan Restaurant Guide to Washington, D.C., but below we present the sites, sounds and flavors that are, as the title suggests, off the beaten path. We hope you enjoy your stay.
Coffee: When I am traveling to an unfamiliar city, the first thing I research—always—is coffee shops. I love (read: cannot live without) soy lattes and Americanos, even though I am happy with a good great cup of coffee—preferably one that’s Fair Trade, organic and shade grown. I happen to also like coffee that’s perfectly balanced—not too acidic or bitter. (Is that too much to ask?)
If you happen to be in the wrong section of D.C., you’ll witness a Starbucks on every corner—as far as the eye can see. But there are independent, locally owned coffee shops to be found, and some of them are real treasures. Without wanting to sound hyperbolic, one of them in particular, Peregrine Espresso, located in the historic Eastern Market section of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, serves the best coffee I’ve ever tasted, period. It’s a must-stop for the coffee enthusiast.
Modern Times Coffeehouse: An excellent, though small, coffee destination that’s located in the basement of D.C.’s most amazing bookstore, Politics and Prose. Although the bookstore is not close to a Metro (it’s a one mile walk from the nearest station), you can get there by bus, car or bike. There’s plenty of parking. The bookstore features author appearances almost every day of the year, and they are almost always free. Check the calendar page on their website for listings: http://www.politics-prose.com
5015 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Tel: 202.364.1919
or: 800.722.0790
Peregrine Espresso: This comfortable and elegant coffee shop is a destination for coffee lovers. In my non-expert opinion, it’s the best coffee in Washington, D.C. and ranks among the best coffee I’ve ever experience anywhere. The espresso drinks are treated with a considered reverence. The soy latte is divine.
660 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Tel: 202.629.4381
Tryst Coffeehouse*Bar*Lounge: This large, busy coffeeshop (and more) in D.C.’s bustling Adam’s Morgan neighborhood is practically a landmark; the place is busy from the time they open until the time they close—and with good reason: the coffee, ambiance, free Wi-Fi and location are all excellent. Their soy chai is outstanding, and they have a several menu and dessert offerings that are vegan as well. There’s also plenty to do in Adam’s Morgan, with its emphasis on locally owned shops that are culturally and ethnically diverse.
2459 18th Street NW
Tel: 202-232-5500
Pizza: Pizza, like baseball, is practically an American past-time; and let’s face it: the perfect vegan pizza (emphasis on perfection) is not easy to find—anywhere. While you might be able to order a pizza sans dairy cheese at about any place that serves pizza, finding an exquisite pie with an artisanal attention to detail (think crisp dough baked in a brick oven and exquisitely prepared, fresh vegetables) coupled with a vegan cheese offering is a rare find—and cause for celebration.
Washington, D.C. has four extraordinary pizza joints, in four diverse neighborhoods worth exploring, that offer pies that are worthy of a special trip. All three offer Teese vegan cheese, and all three restaurants are Metro and/or bus accessible. Alas, for those like myself who aren’t fans of Teese, the Greek-style pizza at Astor Mediterranean, with its emphasis on chunky, marinated eggplant, olives and peppers and a thick, garlicky sauce is absolute perfection without it.
Astor Mediterranean: A small, quaint and unassuming restaurant located in Adam’s Morgan, Astor is a neighborhood favorite. There’s much to recommend on the menu for vegans at this Mediterranean establishment, but the pizza is hands-down the best thing on the menu. And Astor is completely affordable: a large vegan pizza with “the works” is only $16.
1829 Columbia Rd NW
(btw. 18th & Belmont)
Tel: 202-745-7495
Pizzeria Paradisio: Don’t take my word for it, here’s what the Washington Post has to say about it: "...Named for Paradise...Pizzeria Paradiso...warrants the honor." Pizzeria Paradisio is expensive, however. A personal-sized vegan pizza with Teese is approximately $20, but it’s worth every penny.
Two locations:
Dupont Circle
2029 P Street NW
Tel: 202.223.1245
Georgetown
3282 M Street NW
Tel: 202.337.1245
RedRocks Firebricks Pizzeria: A charming and cozy restaurant in the heart of Columbia Heights, RedRocks features classical Neapolitan style pizza with a perfect, hand-tossed crust. RedRocks is also the go-to place for micro-brews, imported beers and wines originating from around the globe.
1036 Park Road, NW
Tel: 202 506 1402
A Taste of Ehtiopia: Washington D.C. has one of the largest Ethiopian communities in the nation, which means we’re blessed with a multitude of authentic Ethiopian restaurants. If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food, get ready for an experience that’s not only tasty, it’s fun – especially for folks who like to eat with their hands. Meatless menu options are all vegan and feature spiced lentils and peas, garbanzos, cabbage, potatoes, and various greens. These are scooped up with inerja, a sponge-like sourdough “bread.” For and appetizer, order a scrumptious sambusa or pastry shell stuffed with lentils and onions. Intrigued? You’ll find Ethiopian restaurants in just about every nook and cranny of our nation’s capitol though we highly recommend two in the U Street corridor: Etete and the slightly pricier Dukem.
Dukem:
1114 – 1118 U Street NW
(202) 667-8735
Etete:
1942 9th St NW
(202) 232-7600
Sunday Brunch:
Asylum: Sunday brunch is always nice, but vegans often don’t get the chance. Not so at this hipster hangout in the trendy Adams Morgan neighborhood. Seven days and late nights a week Asylum guests choose from vegan or non-vegan menus in this biker bar/café, but it’s the super Sunday brunch that keeps the tattooed regulars coming back. Choose from a menu of vegan French toast, huevos rancheros, yummy tempeh bacon and more. The coffee flows with plenty of soy cream available. Highly recommended for the Harley Davidson set -- or those who want to get to know them.
2471 18th St. NW
(202) 319-9353.
(Very) Cheap Eats: Amsterdam Falafelshop : Located in Adams Morgan, is another inexpensive pit stop for D.C.’s vegans. It’s also home to the best falafel in town with an armload of awards to show for it. Here you’ll find perfectly crispy falafel tucked into fresh whole wheat or white pita. You’ll also find the most tantalizing toppings bar imaginable: a bounty of bright purple beets, fried eggplant, turmeric-seasoned red cabbage, and more. Committed to reducing waste, the Shop serves food street vendor style using wrapping paper instead of utensils or plates. And the French fries are unbelievable. Seven days a week, the Shop is the place for late night munchies, open as late as 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
2425 18th Street NW
(202) 234.1969
Julia’s Empanadas : Maybe it’s Latin American finger foods you crave? Popular Washington D.C. fast food chain Julia’s Empanadas offers a freshly baked vegan empanada every day. An empanada, for the uninitiated, is a delectable Latin American knish. Think: savory crust on the outside, mildly spiced veggies inside. With several locations throughout Washington D.C., Julia’s is a quick, easy, inexpensive solution for on-the-go vegans looking for a quick bite. What a bargain at $3.41! Look for Julia’s Empanadas in Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Columbia Heights, and Brightwood. Even better, they are open till 4 AM on the weekends!
Adams Morgan
2452 18th St NW
Tel: (202) 328-6232
Brightwood
6232 Georgia Ave
Tel: (202) 387-4100
Columbia Heights
14th St & Park Rd NW
Tel: (202) 328-0008
Dupont Circle
1221 Connecticut Ave NW
Tel: (202) 861-8828
Peace Loving Social Activist Hang Outs:
Busboys and Poets: The socially conscious crowd should check out Busboys and Poets in D.C.’s lively U Street corridor. The bustling four-year-old establishment, founded by anti-war activist Andy Shallal, is a bookstore, a restaurant, a performance arts space and more. Shallal also painted Busboy’s famed mural of civil rights crusaders. The name’s a nod to Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes, a busboy before he found literary fame. Fittingly, contemporary poets and writers – as well as published political and historical authors like Howard Zinn – stop by Busboys to read their work. The menu features several vegan entrées and desserts delivered fresh from the infamous Vegan Treats Bakery, including a delicious tofu cheesecake. Good news: A second Washington D.C. Busboys and Poets recently opened at 1025 5th St. NW in the Mount Vernon area.
2021 14th Street NW
Tel: (202)-387-7638.
Museum Eats
Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian: Even if your D.C. days are filled with touristy trips to the city’s famous museums, you can still find good vegan food. In fact, some of D.C.’s most interesting vegan cuisine is found at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. Unlike most museum cafeteria’s typical burger and fries fare, the American Indian museum, located at Fourth Street and Independence Avenue S.W., is home to the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe featuring authentic native foods representing several different geographic regions. Mitsitam means, “Let’s eat” in the Piscataway language and you’ll want to once you get an eyeful of the cafe’s vegan vittles: wild rice, corn salads, blue potatoes, squash casseroles, and more. Enjoy the cafe’s gigantic, brightly colored dining area decorated in traditional Native patterns.
Fancy Eats/Memorable Night Out on the Town:
Marrakesh Palace: Washington D.C. is home to so many ethnic cuisines, but for a truly memorable night, experience a slice of Morocco at Marrakesh Palace in Dupont Circle. The Palace not only offers countless vegan entrees (couscous, lentils and legumes, saffron-flavored vegetables, and wonderful exotic salads), dinner guests are treated to beautiful Casablanca-esque décor, nightly belly dancers, and a staff costumed in fully Moroccan attire. Bring your fez!
2147 P Street NW
Tel: (202) 775-1884
Zaytinia : A restaurant specializing in mezze, the small plates of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, Zaytinia is outstanding. Many items on the menu are vegan, and the wait-staff are impeccable. Zaytinia is pricey, but not outrageously so, and reservations are recommended, though not required. Located in D.C.’s historic Chinatown neighborhood, this restaurant is destined to be a favorite.
701 9th Street NW (corner of 9th and G Streets)
Tel: (202) 638-0800
Tel: (202) 638-6969
Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too
The best vegan desserts in D.C. aren’t served in restaurants. They’re found prepackaged in single serving plastic containers on grocery shelves throughout the city. Baked in nearby Glenn Dale, Maryland, Sweet –N-Natural brand vegan cakes, cookies, and pies are moist, rich and flavorful enough to knock the socks off the most dairy-dependent pastry chef. Our favorites (if we were forced to choose): the amazing coconut cream and lemon cream cakes. Though we also love the cookies-n-cream. And the double chocolate. And the carrot cake. Get the picture?
Look for Sweet –N-Natural in Yes! Organic Markets throughout the city and at vegetarian eateries Java Green and Soul Vegetarian Café.
Sweet-N-Natural:
Glenn Dale, Maryland
(301-) 805-0007
Yes! Organic Market
Brookland
3809 12th Street NE
(202) 832-7715
Yes! Organic Market
Capitol Hill
658 Pennsylvania Ave SE
(202) 546-9850
Yes! Organic Market
Petworth
4100 Georgia Avenue . N.W
(703-)927-9507
Yes! Organic Market
Adams Morgan
825 Columbia Rd. NW
(202) 462-5150
Yes! Organic Market
Cleveland Park
3425 Connecticut Ave. NW
(202) 363-1559
Yes! Organic Market
14th Street
2123 14th ST. N.W
(202) 232-6603
Java Green
1020 19th St NW
(202) 775-8899
Soul Vegetarian Café
2606 Georgia Ave NW
(202) 328-7685