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    Museum Cafe

    2.6 (30 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Vegetarian
    Open 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

    Museum Cafe Photos

    MUSEUM CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Reviews With Photos - Museum Cafe

    Holocaust Museum Cafe
    Tara G.

    This is the best option for blocks if you're just getting done at the Holocaust Museum or are tired of walking out on The Mall - it's the nearest food to the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and Tidal Basin, unless you count the occasional hot-dog stand. The Holocaust Museum's (cafeteria style) Cafe is open to the public morning through afternoon, you just have to go through security entering the building - it's actually in the building right next door to the The Holocaust Museum, near the 15th Street side entrance. There is not an outdoor dining section, but there are plenty of benches and grassy areas of the National Mall nearby for a take-out picnic style lunch if you don't want to stay inside. Clean, cheery, updated, and air-conditioned. Plenty big for families, but not sure if it can accommodate large tour groups. Assorted hot & cold sandwich / wraps, knishes, soups (matzo ball / tomato), and fresh ready-to-go salads - including Kosher options. A little pricey, but I think it's normal for the anything downtown. Free refills on the soda / coffee self service station. I have a gluten sensitivity and while there's not a ton of options for me, I can still find a gluten free lunch. But it would be nice if they increased their GF options, particularly in the soups and treats. It would also be nice if they offered public WIFI and played some soft background music. The nearest parking available is the lot at the Tidal Basin.

    Moran D.

    I ate a pizza with vegetables that was reasonable even though it looked mediocre. Nice air conditioner. A little expensive. Suitable for quick stop

    rows of chairs and tables in an empty room

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    SUCKS! very small, not allot of choices and they're overpriced!!! Bathrooms are dirty and tables not clean. AVOID!

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    7 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    12 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Really expensive but it's the only option after finishing the Holocaust museum for the next couple of blocks.

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    10 years ago

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    Photo of Todd M.
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    11 years ago

    only game within blocks. service was friendly and they have BEEEEEER. split a black bean burger with wifey. it was good enough.

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    12 years ago

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    9 years ago

    A little pricey for the portion and the soup was way too salty, but the sandwiches were good. I'd come back for the sandwiches though.

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    Photo of Max S.
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    12 years ago

    Horrendous microwave food. Odd tasting water. Decent atmosphere but overall terrible value.

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

    there is a very limited selection of food at this place, but it is the only decent place to eat

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    Ask the Community - Museum Cafe

    Review Highlights - Museum Cafe

    We stopped after touring the Washington Monument.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Unconventional Diner - Lebanese Fried Rice

    Unconventional Diner

    4.4(3.5k reviews)
    1.4 miShaw, Downtown
    $$

    Yep. If you're reading this, you should just make that reservation and go... and yes, I would…read morerecommend a reservation because this place is pop-u-lar, and I see why. The space itself is bright and airy and a bit on the noisy side. But the service was very good, and the food was served quite quickly. I've been on a shakshuka kick lately, so I opted for the the Sweet Potato Shakshuka, which is described as: Sweet Potato Curry, with Chickpeas and Sunny Eggs with a the chicken add-on - gotta get that protein in, after all. This was one of the most unique shakshukas I'd ever had... It literally tasted like a curry dish you might get at your local Indian restaurant, with a bit of a brunch flair to it. The curry itself had a wee bit of spice and was a bit sweet - but that could have been from the sweet potatoes. The chicken was served in a bowl on the side, which felt a bit... odd... I would've expected it to be incorporated into the main dish. It was kind of bland and a bit lukewarm, so I don't know that I'd order that again... but I would definitely order this again!

    True to its name, Unconventional Diner is not your average brunch spot - it delivers on fun and…read moreunique dishes (available until 3:45pm). The Tikka dish with fried egg was tasty, but wish paneer or larger protein option was built-in (not an upcharge)! The creamy red Tikka curry sauce, caramelized onions, crispy brussel sprouts, and fried ere tasty and paired well, the dish felt incomplete and something was missing, maybe some paneer or naan? I paid $5 for a side of zesty naan topped with different spices and really wish it came with the dish just came with it. While I was tempted to order the falafel, I couldn't justify shelling out another $5 for another upcharge and spend $10 on them for a total of $26 for just an entree - when these 2 upcharges should have been included in the entree by default. Wish there were more fun vegetarian dishes on the menu. Might come back for drinks and to explore the menu!

    Photos
    Unconventional Diner - Space is large, bright, and contemporary.  Reservations recommended.

    Space is large, bright, and contemporary. Reservations recommended.

    Unconventional Diner - Tip-Top Chop

    Tip-Top Chop

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    The Smith - Chicken

    The Smith

    3.9(1.8k reviews)
    0.9 miPenn Quarter
    $$

    We stopped in for Happy Hour. Or as they call it "Martini Happy Hour."…read moreWe enjoyed a dirty vodka martini and a dirty blue Martini - made with bleu cheese stuffed olives and a bleu cheese vermouth. Nicely priced at $12 each. Also served with the cocktails were a bottle of still and a bottle of sparkling water - very welcomed on our August 20,000 step sight-seeing tour. We ordered the $12 shrimp cocktail - 5 decent shrimp with two sauces. The $7 fries were insane! If we're in the area again on this trip, we'll definitely stop in again for Martini Happy Hour.

    Dined in restaurant on a Saturday around 8pm. When I approached the hostess table, she asked "table…read morefor 2?" even though I was by myself. She was most likely on auto pilot and appeared embarrassed when she realized it. I politely smiled and said (confidently), table for 1. We solo diners need to be loud and proud! I digress... Before being seated I found the restroom. I found it odd that it was extremely dim. The main dining room was brighter than the restroom! I also saw the Photo Booth. Interesting addition. $5 for pictures. I was seated at a small round table with two chairs by the window. The restaurant was plenty busy, and I'm just glad I wasn't asked if I wanted to sit at the bar (I didn't). My server Noel brought two bottles of water: still and sparkling. I requested lemon slices, which he brought. And I proceeded to finish the entire bottle of sparkling by the end of the meal...guess I was thirsty! But I appreciated the option of both. I forgot to ask for a straw, but saw them in a container at the register right behind my table, so I got one myself. After ordering I noticed a nearby table had some bread so I asked Noel if they served complimentary bread. He said yes and apologized for not bringing it initially. Not that I needed it, but I don't eat bread with butter often and this was a night out to indulge a bit. There were two slices, nothing special. My food arrived within about 10-15 minutes and looked so scrumptious. I ordered the lamb and short rib meatballs and Brussels sprouts. The meatballs were pretty good, but what made them even better was the tzatziki sauce. I didn't realize the green rice was on one side of the plate until I was almost done. That tzatziki sauce was really all I needed to go with the meatballs. It was cool and creamy to go with the dry, meatiness of the meatballs. I honestly wish there had been more of it! I did not finish the rice, which didn't look super appetizing because of the intense green color. I will say though, I'm not a fan of spicy food but the tzatziki had a kick. I think perhaps due to chopped jalapeños. I tried to avoid them once I realized. The Brussels were delicious! Roasted to perfection, not too charred and not too mushy. I requested the green goddess sauce on the side because I'm not a huge sauce person, but once I tried it, I couldn't stop. Again, the combination of the creaminess of the sauce with the flakiness of the Brussels was a genius pairing. During the meal the beverage manager stopped by. I didn't have any drinks with the meal, but perhaps I will return to see what they have. Noel brought the bill at my request, then brought over the portable device so I could pay at the table. While that process is efficient, it's always awkward leaving a tip when the server is standing right there. Anyhow, overall it was a good experience and a delicious meal!

    Photos
    The Smith - 3/27/25 At the bar!

    3/27/25 At the bar!

    The Smith - Potato Chips

    Potato Chips

    The Smith - Restaurant space

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    Restaurant space

    Willowsong - Hamachi Tartare

    Willowsong

    4.2(49 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Only here for the drinks and desserts. And they are phenomenal. Service is wonderful couldn't ask…read morefor a better server. Beautiful atmosphere. Sits on the wharf. I ended up getting the crispy prawns and calamari got greedy. Definitely get them. The icebow cheesecake was different. The sweet potato pie was a little too soft for me but it had good flavor. The warm butter cake phenomenal. These were all shared at a table of 10.

    Went to Willowsong for a dinner with a friend and had lovely service. We sat inside as it was…read morestarting to get steamy outside and the temperature inside was just right, comfy seating, spacious table, good ambiance for a long dinner conversation. - milk bread - 4/5, a little underdone but otherwise quite delicious served in a skillet with three buns and a yummy butter with a small amount of salmon roe on top - nectarine salad - 4/5, a little overdressed but a solid salad with blackberries, goat cheese, pecans, and nectarine slices - duck ragu burrata fusilli - 4/5, a solid offering. I did ask for the burrata on the side which they forgot to do. Duck a little bit salty, pasta was not standard fusilli which was sort of nice - squid ink orechiette - 4/5, my friend ordered this and I did not taste it, she thought the orechiette was a little too al dente but if we were not staying at a hotel for a work conference she said she would have taken the leftovers home Overall a solid offering on the Wharf with great service.

    Photos
    Willowsong - Old fashioned

    Old fashioned

    Willowsong - Yummy 'birthday' cheesecake

    Yummy 'birthday' cheesecake

    Willowsong - Outside

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    Outside

    Museum Cafe - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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