Your guide to dining in DC’s hub for forward-thinking foodies
NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) was once a hub for wholesale food vendors and industrial warehouses. Kicked off by the opening of Union Market, the area went through a renaissance, now serving as a foodie mecca in the heart of DC.
Beyond the food stalls at the Market itself, the continuously growing complex contains a robust network of commercial spaces that have attracted incredible talent to the small pocket of the city. Stop by this neighborhood to sample from mom-and-pop shops and up-and-coming chefs – one of whom is Michelin-starred.
A More Perfect Union
On any given weekend, stop into Union Market and you’ll see young professionals, moms and dads pushing strollers, students from nearby Gallaudet University and other food-focused patrons making their way around the warehouse’s dozens of vendors.
The popular destination is home to many homegrown favorites, from food truck-turned-Union Market-tenants (TaKorean and DC Empanadas) to outposts of popular spots like Argentine gelateria Dolcezza Gelato.
Visitors can enjoy gourmet grocery shopping at vendors like Red Apron Butcher. If you’re in the mood for a sit-down dining experience, head to Bidwell, which serves up signature Southern dishes with a twist.
Explore more of the Union Market District
Just steps outside of Union Market itself is a grid of culinary shopping and hotspots, most notable, the award-winning Masseria. The spot offers up an authentic menu influenced by the flavors of the Puglia region where Chef Nick Stefanelli spent some of his childhood. The Michelin Guide took notice and awarded the gem one of its coveted stars. Choose from three to six courses inside the cozy, rustic environs.
At O-Ku (“Oak” in Japanese), Chef Bryan Emperor wants you to get excited about sushi. While you’ll be able to enjoy traditional sushi styles such as nigiri, the restaurant also showcases inventive dishes such as Tasmanian king salmon with golden tomato confit.
Former Top Chef finalist Marjorie Meek-Bradley is bringing the finest grilled dishes at St. Anselm, a sleek, 7,000 square-foot hot spot in the Union Market District. Start your meal off right with grilled oysters dressed in smoked herb butter or clams before choosing any number of grilled meats (think: ribeyes, flat irons, New York strips).
You’ll even find some of the best pizza in the city just around the corner at Stellina Pizzeria. Stellina’s menu also pays homage to coastal Italian street food (such as fried seafood served in paper cones, also known as a “cuoppo”), while every item on the menu is under $20.
Right Side of the Tracks
This part of the city is also home to DC’s Union Station. The active transportation hub shuttles people to and from the city day and night, but even if you don’t have a train ticket, the station is worth a visit. The beautiful Beaux-Arts building features a soaring entryway, ornate ceiling and imposing columns perfect for that only-in-DC photo op. Union Station is also home to some can’t-miss classics like Raising Cane's and Shake Shack.