A good meal is never hard to find around Capitol Hill Hotel, but deciding where to start can be another story. Within a few blocks, you can grab crab cakes at a counter inside Eastern Market, settle in for Balkan small plates on Barracks Row, or make a night of it at one of the neighborhood’s most in-demand dining rooms.
Capitol Hill’s restaurant scene is one of the best reasons to spend time exploring beyond the National Mall. The neighborhood has longtime local favorites alongside destination-worthy restaurants, with plenty of spots worth planning an afternoon or evening around. From a quick breakfast before sightseeing to a dinner that stretches late into the night, these restaurants near Capitol Hill, Washington DC, offer plenty of ways to get to know the city, one bite at a time.
Rose’s Luxury
Having earned one Michelin star, Rose’s Luxury has been one of Eastern Market’s most sought-after tables for years. Inside, eclectic décor, warm lighting, and an open kitchen give the dining room the energy of a particularly good dinner party.
Plates come out family-style, with a prix fixe menu that encourages everyone to dig in. Order the pork and lychee salad, which pairs rich sausage with coconut-chile sauce, herbs, peanuts, and bursts of sweetness. And be sure to save room to try one of the self-proclaimed “slightly ridiculously sized desserts.”
The Market Lunch
Head inside Eastern Market and find The Market Lunch for a more casual Capitol Hill institution. Since 1978, this counter-service spot has the kind of menu that makes choosing surprisingly difficult, especially if you’re torn between breakfast and one of its famously good crab cakes.
Pancakes, crab cake Benedict, and chicken and waffles are all tried and true, and the daily specials give regulars even more reasons to come back. Weekend lines can get long, so go early and give yourself time to wander through the market afterward.
Ambar Capitol Hill
At Ambar, ordering one entrée is not really the point. The Michelin-recognized restaurant serves Balkan cuisine through a small-plates format, and the set menu means you can skip the usual debate over what to order.
Start with freshly baked bread and dips before moving on to pepper and cheese croquettes, grilled shrimp on corn purée, and lamb medallions. Add a glass of rakija and take your time.
Belga Café
Belga Cafe is a longtime Capitol Hill spot known for Belgian classics, craft beer, and a particularly strong brunch menu.
Mussels and waffles are obvious choices, but there is plenty else worth ordering. Don’t skip the chicken and waffles, and arrive hungry if you’re going for the Belgian omelet, packed with lobster, shrimp, and crab and finished with sweet tomato-bisque sauce.
Matchbox
When everyone is in the mood for something different, Matchbox gives you plenty of room to work with.
Set inside a former warehouse on 8th Street, the restaurant turns out wood-fired pizzas and American favorites in a busy, casual setting. Order the hot honey pepperoni pizza, a reliable crowd-pleaser, or go all in on the unlimited weekend brunch when you simply can’t choose just one dish.
Pascual
Pascual opened in 2024 and wasted little time making a name for itself. Chef Isabel Coss’s wood-fired Mexican bistro has already landed in the Michelin Guide and earned a spot on Eater’s Best New Restaurants in America list.
The handmade pottery and warm interior are certainly a draw, but make no mistake; you should come hungry. Order the chile relleno at dinner or stop in for Sunday brunch and try the one-of-a-kind masa hot cakes with smoked whipped butter.
Caruso’s Grocery
If you’re looking for Italian restaurants near Capitol Hill, Caruso’s Grocery is an Italian-American red sauce joint built around big plates of comforting, familiar food. Sinatra plays in the background, the dining room stays cozy, helping you feel right at home.
The fusilli with spicy vodka sauce and housemade bucatini with spicy Neapolitan ragù are both worth your attention, but don’t leave without trying the sky-high tiramisu.
Eat Your Way Around Capitol Hill
A trip to Washington comes with plenty of things to see, but some of the best parts of a stay happen after you’ve finished with the monuments and museums. Book a table, order the tiramisu, say yes to another round, then head back to Capitol Hill Hotel when the night is over.
Consider this your excuse to plan your stay around dinner.