In a corner of Southwest DC, you’ll be greeted with the smell of fish, the laughter of seafood sellers and the murmurs of a busy crowd. This is the Maine Avenue Fish Market, the oldest open-air fish market in the country. If you love seafood, enjoy history or just want to see a unique part of DC, then you need to stop by the Maine Avenue Fish Market.
The Maine Avenue Fish Market has been in operation 1805 and it is the best place to find the freshest seafood in DC.
During the beginning years of the market, the seafood was served directly from fishing boats on the pier. These days, the goods are moved into to the various stalls along the wharf.
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You can find almost any type of seafood you could need at the Maine Avenue Fish Market. They have plenty of crabs, oysters and clams.
You can also find all different types of fresh fish like salmon, sea bass, cod and plenty of shrimp.
At the Market, you can either choose to buy your seafood then take it home and prepare it yourself.
Or you can choose to have a vendor cook up your seafood to order.
If you do want to order cooked food and eat nearby, you won’t go hungry! The market serves fantastic fried options like hush puppies, fried shrimp or fried clams. You can get boiled shrimp or fresh crab cakes
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There’s plenty of soups like seafood gumbo, lobster bisque or clam chowder available.
Whether you choose to shop or dine at the Maine Avenue Market, you will undoubtedly enjoy experience! It’s truly one of the more authentic and vibrant outings in DC!
The Maine Avenue Fish Market is located 1100 Maine Ave SW. It's open seven days a week!
Famous Washington DC restaurants bring delightful cuisine to our lips and all of the atmosphere we can handle. But some restaurants make a bigger splash than others. We know that several places end up being hot trends that fade out quickly while others have a longer-lasting legacy and are so worth the hype. These are the 10 best famous restaurants in DC that are worth the hullabaloo.
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1. Founding Farmers
You have definitely heard of Founding Farmers, the original farm-to-table restaurant in DC. One of the classic DC restaurants does a booming business and for good reason! With fantastic food, awesome service and great ambiance, it's no wonder. Check out the menu on the Founding Farmers website.
2. Pineapple and Pearls
Pineapple and Pearls offers a four-course, large-portioned menu with delectable choices for each course. The staff makes you feel like you're at a party every night at one of the iconic DC restaurants. Discover more on the Pineapple & Pearls website.
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3. Rose’s Luxury
Rose's Luxury is from the same chef who brought us Pineapple and Pearls. Rose's is best known for not taking reservations. There is quite often a line wrapped around the block waiting to dine on delicious family-style meals. Start with the beautiful and exotic pork and lychee salad. Read the menu on the Rose’s Luxury website.
4. minibar by José Andrés
The 12-seat, a two Michelin-starred restaurant is one part kitchen, one part entertainment. The staff serves creative and inventive concoctions from a prix fixe menu. Read all about it on the minibar by José Andrés website.
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5. Ben’s Chili Bowl
This classic, always-crowded restaurant is a place where everyone should eat. It's one of the best-known restaurants in the entire district! And the half-smokes are fantastic as well as the other assorted menu options. See more photos on the Ben's Chili Bowl Facebook page.
6. Le Diplomate
Mimosa service and Macaroni Au Gratin; two things that should always go together are just a couple of delicious offerings you'll find inside this lovely historic structure. It's like walking into a Parisian brasserie with an extensive menu featuring a variety of Gallic classics, specialty cocktails, and a thoughtfully curated wine list. Check out the ambiance on the Le Diplomate Facebook page.
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7. Rasika
Rasika has one of the best chefs in DC at its helm: Vikram Sunderam who earned the 2013 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic Region. He helms the kitchen at Rasika and its little sister, Rasika West End. It's some of the best Indian food in the city. We recommend Sev Batata Puri, which is crispy biscuits with potatoes, raw mangoes, gram flour vermicelli, and chutney. Learn more on the Rasika website.
8. Capital Grille
For three decades now, this elegant experience of African mahogany paneling and Art Deco chandeliers has provided a warm dining adventure set out to impress. Who could go wrong with the tenderloin seared to perfection and lobster tails poached in buttery bliss? See more photos on the Capital Grille Facebook Page.
9. The Monocle Restaurant
Since 1960 this distinguished restaurant has served diplomats, members of Congress, tourists, and locals with one of the most professional staffs in the area. Try the vegetarian pasta with
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wilted spinach and wild mushrooms in a roasted red pepper sauce with cream. Find out more on The Monocle Restaurant website.
10. Old Ebbitt Grill
Old Ebbitt is one of the most famous restaurants in DC. It's the oldest restaurant in the city - founded in 1856 - and one of the very best. Make a reservation and enjoy one of the scrumptious meals in the sleek wood-paneled restaurant. We enjoy the Faroe Island Salmon Salad with crunchy, shaved Brussels sprouts; radicchio; Tuscan kale; Honeycrisp apples; butternut squash; pepita gremolata; and pumpkin goddess dressing.
These famous Washington DC restaurants are worth the splurge. Have you been to any of these iconic DC restaurants? If so, please share your experience in the comments below.
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While you're in the area, arrive early to experience one of these lovely state parks. And if you need a place to stay, book a room on the Expedia website.
People from all over the world flock to DC for its history. They visit the monuments and the memorials, the government buildings, and the cemeteries. But one place that you might not expect history is an incredible restaurant. That’s what you find at the Old Ebbitt Grill, which is known as the oldest saloon in Washington DC. This amazing restaurant has been serving Washingtonians incredible meals for 160 years!
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The Old Ebbitt Grill was founded in 1856 by William E. Ebbitt. The legend has it that William Ebbitt opened a boarding house and opened the saloon as part of the house.
The boarding house was once home to President McKinley when he was a member of Congress. Also, according to legend, Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Warren Harding visited the Old Ebbitt Saloon for a drink at the bar.
The Saloon moved several locations but by the 1920s, it had been turned into the Old Ebbitt Grill and was located on F Street.
In the 1970s, the Old Ebbitt Grill had fallen on hard times. The owners of the Clyde’s Group had just opened the original Clyde’s in Georgetown
and ended up purchasing the restaurant for $11,200.
In 1983, the restaurant was moved to 15th Street NW where it has remained.
Today the Old Ebbitt is a stunning display of history and gorgeous decor. There are many priceless antiques and memorabilia on display in the restaurant.
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The animal heads surrounding the bar are rumored to have been bagged by Teddy Roosevelt and the wooden bears were supposedly imported by Alexander Hamilton.
The restaurant is worth exploring for its beauty, art, and history. The marble staircase was salvaged from the old National Metropolitan Bank and there are antique chandeliers and fixtures in the Main Dining room.
The Old Ebbitt Grill is definitely worth stopping in for to enjoy the incredible menu, relax with a good drink and take in the scenery. It is truly a testament to the ever-changing nature of the city and the resilience of the district.
The Old Ebbitt is located at 675 15th Street, NW. They are open from 7:30 am - 1:00 am during the week and 8:30 am to 1:00 am on weekends. The bar remains open until 2 am on weekdays and until 3 am on the weekends.