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.
Around the World
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.
Le Diplomate
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.
Try chef Enrique Limardo’s succulent South American chicken at his more low-key concept 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 Ted’s Bulletin, which boasts homemade pop tarts, and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, which specializes in locally sourced oysters. 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.