The Best Places to Eat in Logan Circle & on 14th Street
Your guide to the best restaurants along Washington, DC's coolest corridor
On any night of the week, you'll find DC's hip and hungry crowding into the restaurants and bars along the 14th Street corridor – which runs through the heart of Logan Circle. The neighborhood grew up organically as pioneering Washingtonians moved in to the up-and-coming area—and signaled to chefs that it was the next hot place to set up shop. A diverse mix of restaurants serving delicious dishes and creative cocktails from morning into the night makes Logan Circle a must-visit for any true foodie.
Stroll down 14th street and you'll notice that there's a true moveable-feast vibe happening. Chefs are serving up fare from all over the world and giving even the most discerning diner a taste of something new. The full-bodied flavors of Southeast Asia are served at Doi Moi, a restaurant that juxtaposes a sleek, white dining room against the complicated flavors of Vietnam and Thailand. Estadio pays tribute to the tastes of Spain with a menu featuring contemporary takes on traditional dishes (we like the menu column dedicated to nothing but quesos).
You'll truly feel like you've left DC and landed on the Champs Élysées when you dine at Le Diplomate. The wildly popular French bistro from renowned restaurateur Stephen Starr serves authentic French fare (think: onion soup gratinée, steak frites, assorted breads – and the Grand Plateau, a multi-tiered tower of seafood) is not to be missed. The owners of Ghibellina once shared a flat on Via Ghibellina in Florence, which inspired the business partners to open this Tuscan-inspired restaurant. The menu features rustic Italian dishes, including pizza served with pinking shears to cut your own slices.
Bold Latin American flavors come to life at Seven Reasons, chef Enrique Limardo's three-story ode to the vibrant cuisines of Central and South America. The inventive cocktail menu leans heavily on rum and vodka as a vessel for imbibing these Southern flavors, while the often-changing menu has a dish for everyone. You can also try Limardo's affordable, succulent South American chicken at Chicken + Whiskey, where a rear refrigerator door leads to a not-so-secret bar with (you guessed it) an extensive whiskey collection.
At Compass Rose, the menu isn't limited to one locale, but instead serves up a dizzying array of authentic, international street foods that reflect the owners' around-the-world travels. Pair the small plates with the equally internationally inspired cocktails for a glamorous global evening. Just across the street, reasonably-priced empanadas and sandwiches bring to life the diverse flavors of Cuba at Colada Shop.
Brunch Hot Spots
Logan Circle is a popular late night spot—and many DC denizens also frequent the 14th Street strip for brunch (no doubt to gossip over the previous night's outing). There are plenty of brunch spots to linger over in Logan Circle, including B Too, chef Bart Vandaele's (of Top Chef fame) Belgian bistro with a truly creative menu of waffles – read: The Waffle of Shame, including fried dough, chorizo chunks, maple bacon syrup and chocolate chunks.
Ted's Bulletin boasts homemade pop tarts, while Pearl Dive Oyster Palace offers, you guessed it, an array of locally sourced oysters. Radiator aims to be your newest neighborhood hangout with an extensive small plates menu and crafty cocktails. For brunch, the restaurant serves up indulgent faves like Nutella French toast and bacon fat fries. And if you're looking for some hair of the dog, ChurchKey has five casks, 50 drafts and 500 bottles of beer (on the wall), along with comfort foods like house-made tater tots and chocolate pudding.
The fun and friendly vibe along 14th Street lends itself to the-more-the-merrier group outings. Luckily, there are a number of restaurants that make group dining an easy evening. Inspired by chef/owner Michael Schlow's travels around Spain, Mexico and South America, Tico offers up an inspired menu in an equally inspired space (note the larger-than-life spray painted murals on the walls). Group tip: Skip the a la carte options and go for the "Full on Tico Experience" multi-course menu selection, featuring all of Schlow's favorites for the whole table.
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