Our Washingtonian Recommends lists bring you the best places to eat, drink, and be entertained—all selected by Washingtonian editors.
The Chinatown/Penn Quarter neighborhood is home to many great restaurants, but not all are suited for the lively Wizards, Caps, and concert crowds. These are a few of our favorite pre and post-game options within a few blocks of the Verizon Center.
EAT
Daikaya and Bantam King
705 Sixth St., NW; 501 G St., NW
These sister ramen shops can get packed, but it’s worth angling for a stool at either to slurp delicious noodle soups. Daikaya offers a small menu with Sapporo-style ramen, while upstairs, a dimly-lit izakaya is the place for cocktails and small plates. Bantam specializes in chicken two ways: fried and in creamy soups.
707 Sixth St., NW
Grab a tasty meatball or fried calamari-topped pie at chef Mike Isabella’s Italian joint, located behind the Verizon Center. The eatery has a spacious first-floor pizza bar and upstairs dining room.
480 Seventh St., NW
José Andrés’s Spanish restaurant is still going strong after two decades. The menu continues to evolve, but the classics are still delicious–don’t miss the creamy chicken croquetas served in a shoe.
410 Seventh St., NW
Barbecue, brews, and margaritas are the order at this Texas-themed ‘cue spot, which boasts a large bar area and space for live music. Look for daily specials like pitchers of Shiner draft beer.
800 F St., NW
Mussels, burgers, and steak-frites are all on the menu of this American brasserie, which offers a a three-course pre-theatre/pre-game menu for $35 per person.
709 D St., NW
Looking for a satisfying bite on the run? The butchery/sandwich counter dishes up eats like “porkstrami” sandwiches and beef fat fries, which you can take to-go. The adjoining sit-down restaurant, the Partisan, dishes up meaty share plates, big and small (we fans of the rotisserie-fried chicken).
DRINK
901 Ninth St., NW
Beer fans can get their fill at this craft brewhouse, which also serves a late-night menu until 1 on Fridays and Saturdays with stomach-padding options like pizzas and wings.
707 Seventh St., NW
The happy hour deals at Clyde’s are some of the best around–and include evening and late-night discounts like half-off raw bar items like oysters, mixed drinks, wine, and whiskey.
Denson Liquor Bar
600 F St., NW
If you want to escape the rowdy Verizon Center scene for a date-night drink, this cozy subterranean bar does the trick. The theme nods to the 1920s with Art Deco decor and classic cocktails such as Sazeracs, Aviations, and Hemingway daiquiris. There’s also a small, eclectic menu of snacks.
507 Seventh St., NW
Head to Iron Horse for fun and games (shuffle board, Skee-ball). A no-frills happy hour runs daily until 8 pm, and includes $5 wines, mixed drinks, and $2 off draft beers.
714 Seventh St., NW
If watching a game makes you want to play games, this subterranean watering hole is a good spot. Players can pick between pool, shuffleboard, darts, and more.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
