Washington, D.C.

National Portrait Gallery

Its most popular exhibit is the Hall of Presidents. The enclosed Kogod Courtyard has received several architectural accolades. It has a small cafe and is a peaceful, quiet place to escape for a break. Free WiFi.

11:30AM-7PM daily·Free · Wi-Fi · Free entry

National Building Museum

In the Pension Building, the building itself is highly recommended for its architecture, with an expansive open interior space with massive columns. The space is used on occasion for special events, including 10 Presidential inaugural balls. There is a small cafe inside, to the right of the entrance, and places to sit and relax, as well as a gift shop. The museum features long-term exhibits on the planning and building of Washington, D.C., and on green building and communities, along with various short-term exhibits and special events.

Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-5PM·Free to enter main hall and shop. Exhibits: $10 for adults, $7 for ages 3-17 and those 60+

Kramers

A great independent bookstore and a tried and true Washingtonian experience. It's an odd bookstore, in that it has a full restaurant and bar—pick up a travel guide inferior to this one and then sit down for filet mignon, perhaps? Occasional evening author talks, and live music on weekends.

Sun-Thu 7:30AM-1AM, Fri Sat 24 hr; brunch (popular and crowded): Sat Sun 8AM-3PM·Food: $10-20 · Wi-Fi · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Black Cat

Hosts indie-rock and underground hip hop. The sound system certainly suffers compared to the 9:30 Club, but the cost is lower, and there's more to do here: in addition to the live music, they have another room for DJs and dancing, one for shooting pool, and another for a vegetarian cafe!

Sun-Thu 8PM-2AM, Fri Sat 7PM-3AM·cover: $5-30 · Limited wheelchair access

Pearl's Bagels

Tiny bagel shop serving some of the best bagels in downtown D.C. Limited seating.

Daily 8AM-2PM·Vegan options · Wi-Fi · Outdoor seating

Big Bear Café

This hipster café just outside Shaw in the neighborhood of Bloomingdale has a unique vibe - covered in moss and grape vines!

Closed · opens 8 am tomorrow·Wi-Fi · Takeaway · Outdoor seating

Belga Cafe

One of the neighborhood's longest running favorites on Barracks Row serves perfectly fine Belgian cuisine, and has at all times at least five fine Belgian beers on tap (and a host more besides). Reliable food, best for dinner, and pricey.

Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat 9AM-11PM, Sun 9AM-9:30PM·$20-50 · Limited wheelchair access · Outdoor seating

Cafe Berlin

Dinner is overpriced and not in the same league as other options on the Hill. Lunch (before 4PM), on the other hand, is a steal. And the back patio is a wonderful place to drink a few draught German beers on a warm day.

Mon-Thu 11:30AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-11PM, Sun 10AM-10PM·$8-30 · Outdoor seating · Vegetarian options

Cafe 8

Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. The mezzes oddly enough are overshadowed by the great kabobs (especially the Iskender, and good Iskender is hard to find outside of Turkey). The Turkish very thin take on pizza—pides, are also a hit, and a cheaper option.

Sun-Thu 11AM-10:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM·$9-20 · Outdoor seating

Cafe Citron

A super-crowded Latin salsa/reggaeton dance club that is one of the best bets for a good party on a weekday. Weekends are too crowded to dance. Definitely try one of their renowned mojitos. No cover, strict door policy (i.e. no shorts allowed).

Mon-Thu 11:30AM-2AM, Fri Sat 4PM-3AM·Wheelchair accessible

Cafe Divan

The standard advice for Turkish dining is to order a bunch of mezes and skip the boring kebabs altogether. This small triangular-shaped restaurant puts this advice on its head—the kebabs are fantastic, with an especial nod to the iskender and the yogurtlu kebabs, while the mezes are almost uniformly a disappointment. If you do want an appetizer regardless, get something that will go well with the great hot bread, like the taramasolata. Serves a fine cup of Turkish coffee and some great desserts.

Mon-Thu 11AM-10:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-10PM·$12-25 · Vegetarian options

DOYLE

A classy place at the bottom of the Dupont Hotel with the best people watching in town through its wall of windows right on Dupont Circle. The drinks are excellent, and the happy hour special—$5 for their signature cocktails—is quite a bargain for this location.

Mon-Thu 11:30AM-1:30AM, Fri 11:30AM-2:30AM, Sat 11AM-2:30AM, Sun 11AM-11PM·Outdoor seating

Dan's Cafe

This family run operation is a true dive bar and most colorful bars in the city. Operated since 1965 by owner Clinnie Dickens, who is now in his 80s. SoCo lime shooters are served in squeeze ketchup bottles. It's a one of a kind experience. If you want a dive on 18th St, this is it. Cash only.

Sun-Thu 7PM-2AM, Fri Sat 7PM-3AM·Limited wheelchair access

Jolt 'N Bolt

Another neighborhood outdoor seating and WiFi coffee shop, this one with a more private seating area on the side of the building. The inside is attractive, decorated with local artwork.

Mon-Fri 7AM-8:30PM, Sat 7AM-9PM, Sun 7AM-8:30PM·Outdoor seating

Lot 38 Espresso Bar

A rare sign of neighborhood life in the form of an actual family-run local business! It's a great coffeeshop with a big space, and serves as a really good meeting place pre-games, if the Bullpen isn't your thing. Free Wi-Fi.

Mon-Fri 6:30AM-6PM, Sat-Sun 8AM-4PM·Wi-Fi

New Heights

New Heights is a great place for a night of complex, inventive American cuisine. Don't skip dessert. The bar has an excellent selection of gins, which is refreshing, given the number of establishments around the city with great menus of cocktails or whiskies.

Mon-Fri 5:30-10PM, Fri Sat 5:30-10:30PM·$25-50, three-course prix-fixe: $35 · Outdoor seating

Petit Monde Cafe

A French-American bistro in a city short on bistro cuisine is a nice find. The service is incredibly friendly, and the familiar bistro favorites are quite good, from the french onion soup to Boeuf Bourguignon, braised veal, pastas, and salads. In a pretty old townhouse, it's equally amenable to a romantic dinner or a casual lunch.

Open now · closes 5 pm·Outdoor seating

Breadsoda

It has all you could want of a basement-level dive bar: pool, ping pong, good sandwiches, relaxed and friendly atmosphere—except it's clean and attractive. Happy hour: 4-7PM daily.

Kitchen: noon-11PM daily; bar: Sun-Thu noon-1:30AM, Fri Sat noon-2:30AM·Sandwiches: $4-6

Bukom Cafe

The "cafe" bit refers to the food, which is fine Ghanaian cuisine (don't miss the "beer meat"). But the attraction that draws the crowds is the nightly live music—mostly reggae bands, but also West African music. The friendly crowd is mostly African, and a good deal older and more laid back than the rowdy neighbors. No cover.

Mon-Thu 4PM-1:30AM, Fri 4PM-2:30AM, Sat 2PM-2:30AM, Sun 2PM-1:30AM·Food: $8-16

Cafe Saint-Ex

The contemporary American Bistro upstairs (with good food but spotty service) is complemented by a very popular bar/lounge downstairs, where DJs spin bossa, downtempo, French lounge, 70s funk, etc. DJs usually spin starting at 10PM Tu-Sa, but check the website for details.

Sun Tue-Thu 11AM-1:30AM, Mon 5PM-1:30AM, Fri Sat 11AM-2:30AM·Mains $12-23

Cafe Twelve

This is yet another one of the many sandwich shops just south of the Mall, but Twelve stands out for its fresh, cut-to-order deli meats. A good place to grab a small sandwich.

Closed · opens 6:30 am tomorrow

Chez Billy Sud

Palatable French food at a great price. Terrace seating when the weather permits is something hard to find in Georgetown at any price. Try the Torte aux Courgettes, a flaky zucchini pie, a traditional quiche, salad, or sandwich. Brunch on the weekends includes an entree, mimosa or OJ, and fresh French pastry for dessert. Great coffee any time, and a more laid back wine bar next door.

Mon-Thu 11:30AM-midnight, Fri 11:30AM-1AM, Sat 10AM-1AM, Sun 10AM-midnight·$20-50

Dog Tag Bakery

This establishment makes a point of hiring and supporting veterans. The ambiance is patriotic and welcoming.

Closed · opens 8 am tomorrow

Patisserie Poupon

Pleasant outdoor seating on a relaxed section Wisconsin Ave, low prices, delicious croissants, quiche, and panini. This is a regular stop for just about everyone in Georgetown who knows the place.

Tue-Fri 8AM-6:30PM, Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 8AM-4PM·$2-10

Baked & Wired

Probably the city's best cupcakes and pour-over coffee. The cupcakes are huge and worth the $6-7 price. Unlike most cafes in the city, this shop eschews the local coffee supply mafia, and has a rotation of really interesting, unique coffee options. Try the homemade granola called hippie crack ($20). No Wi-Fi and limited seating at peak times.

Mon-Fri 7AM-6PM, Sat 9AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-5PM·$6-7/cupcake

Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market

Angelika Film Center

Since its opening in 1989, the Angelika Film Center in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood has become a cultural institution – one of the most well-known and highest-grossing dedicated arthouses in the US; it's now open in DC as well, with an exclusive microcinema experience. The Cafe and Concession area offers beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, popcorn, hotdogs and other snacks.

$8-11.50 for movie tickets

Atrium Cafe

There are plenty of bad sandwich shops and cafeterias in the Federal Center area, but the hard-to-find Atrium Cafe manages to be a good deli and cafeteria at the same time. The deli meats are fresh and they have plenty of good condiments. You must insist that you get the condiments you want, or this fast-moving business will give you the minimum. Cash only.

Mon-Fri 6:30AM-4PM·$4-7

Peacock Cafe

An excellent upscale breakfast option, but make sure you have reservations for dinner, or you won't get in. Contemporary American cuisine.

Mon-Thu 11:30AM-10:30PM, Fri 11:30AM-midnight, Sat 9AM-midnight, Sun 9AM-10:30PM·$12-35 · Takeaway · Outdoor seating

The Coffee Bar

Opened in 2012, this coffee shop prides itself on the best coffee and knowledgeable baristas. Try the honey badger.

Cafe Milano

Power lunches among the diplomatic and political elite, late night dinners for local and international celebrities and a real 'scene' on weekends. This Italian restaurant has excellent service and an extensive wine list, but merely average food—not that anyone cares: you come here to see and be seen, after all. It is possible to keep your bill comparatively low here if you choose your menu selections carefully and avoid the expensive alcohol on offer.

Mon-Tue 11:30AM-1AM, Wed Thu 11:30AM-2AM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-2:30AM, Sun 11:30AM-11PM·$35-100 · Outdoor seating