Submitted by straightlined t3_125h9i1 in washingtondc

Hi guys! I'll be visiting DC end July as a solo female traveller, staying in the Penn Quarter. I'm pretty adventurous with food but a bit shy, so would love recommendations for casual/upmarket places to have dinner at which are good for solo diners. My budget is flexible and can stretch for a really good meal, but if at all possible ideally not more than USD50-100 per meal? Thank you everyone.

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klubkouture t1_je47r8j wrote

You can eat anywhere solo here--it isn't a big deal. Filomena and Rasika are waaaaaaay overrated and you might get food poisoning. Try Tortino or Haad Thai.

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lufthavnen t1_je4g536 wrote

Immigrant Food (either location) would probably fit the bill. Very DC.

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MoreCleverUserName t1_je4go58 wrote

Any of the Jose Andres restaurant, although if you want to go to China Chilcano, I’d suggest an early dinner, as it can get pretty noisy in there later in the evening (which is my advice to anyone, not just solo guests). Zaytinya’s bar area is super chill for those who prefer to dine at the bar, but they also have that fantastic patio setup, and Oyamel has a big communal table in the bar area if that’s your style, along with lots of standard seating choices. Spanish Diner is delightful if you feel like making the trek out to Bethesda; it’s an easy walk from the Red Line metro stop.

https://joseandres.com/

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FancyRatFridays t1_je4ptd0 wrote

For solo dining, I personally love Daikaya's first-floor Ramen shop. You can sit inside if you want to potentially talk to people while sharing a table or sitting at the bar, or you can sit at a picnic table outside for a more personal experience. The ramen is freakin' delicious.

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gopoohgo t1_je4smus wrote

Centrolina is supposed to be fantastic and right in City Center.

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GenericReditAccount t1_je4ugkw wrote

🤔 a couple of thoughts:

1: I don’t think either Rasika or Filomena are highly hyped restaurants. Rasika gets more attention than Filomena, but it’s not mentioned much on social media or the “Best of” lists. I love Filomena, but only ever see/hear it brought up in context of where to bring family. Maybe I’m missing some foodie buzz, not being on Instagram 🤷‍♂️

2: Filomena is no where near city center.

3: Food poisoning? C’mon. You’re absolutely no more likely to get sick at these places than anywhere else.

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greetedworm t1_je4xhwm wrote

FYI, city centre is not the term anyone in DC uses (although most will probably understand what you mean). Downtown is really the best word for the general area. More specifically people typically say the neighborhood, so for you telling people you're staying in Penn Quarter.

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EducationalMoose3366 t1_je4y7tk wrote

DC is a small city, I see no reason to limit yourself to eating in the “center”. I’d recommend Revelers Hour which had great vibes and bar seating. Couple other ideas: Market lunch in eastern market for breakfast, Joes Stone Crab

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NPRjunkieDC t1_je51wk4 wrote

ADANA LAMB

Bulgur & Currants, Roasted Cauliflower & Tomatoes, Chimichurri Sauce.

Misleading description under entrees . So I asked shoulder or lamb chops?

Meatballs as in cheap ground lamb .So the dish should be called Adana lamb Meatballs.

Priced around $30 (lunch).

My typical reaction would be to get upset, but instead, I think it has to do with insane rent costs.

But then again, they open for lunch and dinner. Most only dinner.

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foreverurgirl t1_je572oi wrote

Causa is a short walk and your best bet for upmarket and adventurous Chercher Ethiopian Agree with all of Jose Andre’s, Daikaya, Rasika suggestions

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strictscrutiny415 t1_je5xtvk wrote

I know you didn’t ask for breakfast recs, but I’d chime in that Baked Joint, Emissary, or Tryst are casual breakfast spots that are comfortable for solo diners! Same with Call Your Mother bagels in West End (nice open seating in hotel lounge area).

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selfcarebouquet t1_je6diau wrote

Their smaller, bit more casual sister restaurant Bantam King, has a tightly curated menu with ramen or fried chicken. The ramen is good but I love their Nashville fried chicken. It has a communal table, doesn’t take reservations and is just enough off the beaten path that you can often get in when you can’t get a table or find a spot at the bar at the larger restaurants in Penn Quarter.

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pierretong t1_je6f5nl wrote

I solo travel to DC all the time and see if you can trek over to Ambar (there's a new-ish location in Shaw just up the Green Line from Penn Quarter)

$35 all you can eat brunch and $50 all you can eat dinner - small Balkan tapas, just get a reservation at the bar and order as much food as you can possibly eat.

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DCGinkgo t1_je81x89 wrote

Central -11h and Penn

Brasserie Beck - 11th & K

The Hamilton -14 th & F (get a reservation and ask for a seat in the Atrium)

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WETA_PBS t1_jeaop8n wrote

We featured Dauphine's, a New Orleans-style restaurant near McPherson Square, in our local restaurant show. I've been there myself, and while I didn't get the Duck Jambalaya featured on Signature Dish, I thought the Blackened Bluefish Creole was delicious.

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shaminii t1_jebos3c wrote

I eat alone all time. It’s ok…

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