We’ll always have peanuts and Cracker Jack, but at Nationals Park, fans can proudly sing “buy me some birria and Korean corndogs,” too. The Nationals have partnered with a deep bench of local food and drink vendors to bring exciting, global flavors to the stadium in Navy Yard. Whether you’re in the mood for a high-octane frozen cocktail or a chilaquiles sandwich, there will be plenty to pick from, including a handful of new food stops, at the home opener on Friday, April 3.
Ballpark fare can get expensive, but arrive early and you’ll find happy hour pricing on some beers. From when the gates open to the scheduled first pitch, you can score $5 brews—12 ounce cans of Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob Ultra—and $6 NUTRL hard seltzers and Skimmers vodka tea at the Change-Up bar in Center Field Plaza, plus at the Budweiser Terrace and ULTRA Loft (sections 242 and 243).
Another perk: kids 12 and under get a free meal each game.
While three dining kiosks—Lucky Danger, Pho Wheels, and Mush—along with BetMGM Sportsbook will not return to the lineup this year, there are some new spots in their stead. Here’s a guide to this season’s ballpark bites.
New in 2026
Five new vendors throughout the ballpark are winners of a “Pitch Your Product” competition, which allows restaurateurs and food/beverage suppliers to vie for stadium concession stand spots. Here’s where you’ll find them:
Coneacopia (Section 136) Waffle cones in fanciful colors and flavors are vehicles for soft-serve ice cream.
Don Churro (Sections 113 and 308) Long, sugared fritters can be filled with chocolate, dulce de leche, and more. You can order them by the pair or dozen.
Eatopian Eats (Section 136) Everything on Chekesha Rashad’s menu, such as agave-sweetened fruit cups and Ethiopian/Mexican/Indian nachos, is vegan and allergen-friendly.
Fuzzies Burgers (Section 105) The Baltimore food truck operation, which also has a stand at Camden Yards, slings smash burgers made with dry-aged Angus beef.
Stuggy’s Gourmet Hot Dogs (Section 105) Need an Old Bay fix? Grab crab mac’ and cheese in a cup or atop a hot dog at this stand, which also has Baltimore roots.
Also new:
Char Bar (Section 143) The Kosher counter will serve up slider-sized falafels and deli sandwiches, knishes, and more.
Colony Grill (Section 227) Thin, crunchy tavern pizzas are the thing at this offshoot of a 91 year-old Connecticut institution.
Lunas de Buenos Aires Empanadas q The Argentinian spot closed its Union Market eatery last year, but it’s back in action here with an array of empanadas.
Specialty Drinks and Stadium Bars
Budweiser Terrace Bar and ULTRA Loft (Sections 242 and 243) This bar and picnic area is a fun place to gather during games, and neighbors Shake Shack.
Casamigos Sky Deck (Section 222) Frozen margs and other tequila and mezcal drinks are the draw here.
The Change-Up Food Hall (Center Field Plaza) The bar near the main entrance, which was formerly known as Budweiser Brew House, offers plenty of beers, good views, and pub fare, such as foot-long hot dogs and fried chicken sandwiches. The Change-Up is also one of the places you’ll find that $5 beer deal before first pitch. Fans can book outdoor tables during special events and theme nights, or as part of seasonal ticket packages.
Cotton & Reed (Section 109) The Union Market-based rum distillery and bar brings classic cocktails to the stadium, like strawberry daiquiris and dark and stormies.
Cutwater Bars (Multiple locations) These bars specialize in canned classic cocktails, as well as select drafts and harder-to-come-by Cutwater spirits.
Devils Backbone Left Field Lodge (Section 301) The Virginia brewery has a bar and picnic area serving its staple beers, and the brewers sometimes team up with the Nats for exclusive specials.
District Drafts (Multiple locations) Local beer vendor District Drafts has six locations throughout the ballpark. Head here for brews from DC Brau, Denizens, Hellbender, Port City, and more.
Electric Cool-Aid (Sections 102 and 143) This bar, which has a homebase in Shaw, pours frozen cocktails like the Fastball Frose and a Curveball Colada made with pineapple Dole whip.
Foodie Fan Favorites
Arepa Zone (Sections 148 and 304) The popular Venezuelan vendor serves stuffed arepas, cachapas (fried corn cakes), and cheesy tequeños.
Ben’s Chili Bowl (Sections 141, 238, and 307) This spinoff of the U Street institution dishes up DC’s famed chili-cheese half-smokes. Plus, its chili-cheese fries are great for soaking up beer beyond the seventh inning.
Capo Deli (Section 136) The popular Italian deli is offering its huge Italian subs and pasta salads.
Dog Tag Bakery (suites and select Marketplace locations) This Georgetown-based bakery runs a fellowship program that hires veterans, military spouses, and caregivers. At Nats Park, it’ll serve up butterscotch-chip blondies and on-theme cookies.
Eli’s Crepes (Section 113) Look for sweet and savory crepes, with fillings like chicken pesto and Nutella-strawberry, in the park’s main concourse.
Grab-and-Go Marketplaces (Multiple locations) Speed is the name of the game—and that extends to beer. At several Grab-and-Go Marketplaces, fans can walk up to coolers and select snacks and drinks (anything from Bud Light to local Port City, plus seltzers and canned cocktails). A self-checkout system, with ID verification, makes things even faster.
Hard Times Café (Section 133) The Washington classic, which opened in Alexandria in 1980, specializes in all things chili (vegetarian and meaty)—it’s ladled on dogs, fries, nachos, and more.
Haute Dogs and Fries (Sections 110, 232, and 315) A longtime Washingtonian favorite, this specialty hot dog purveyor dishes up snappy franks with creative toppings; past winners include Chicago-style and banh mi-inspired dogs.
Kam & 46 (Section 106) This Rosslyn shop/food truck brings Filipino-Hawaiian bites like tuna tartare nachos made with house-fried wonton chips, and vegetable lumpia.
Little Miner Taco (Section 231) The birria-obsessed Brentwood spot dishes up crispy, cheesy braised-beef-filled tacos.
Los Cinco Tacos (Section 136) This taqueria, a sister restaurant to Capo Deli, serves Veracruz-born chef Jose Candelero’s barbacoa, chicken, nopal, and al pastor tacos, along with nachos.
Maracas Ice Pops (One cart per floor) Mexican-style popsicles are made with fresh-cut fruit and feature both sweet and spicy toppings. Don’t miss the mango bars drizzled with chamoy and sprinkled with Tajin.
Melissa’s Field of Greens (Section 136) There are a number of meatless dishes around the Park, but dedicated herbivores can go all-in at this kiosk without worry. This year, Melissa’s will also feature plant-based offerings from newcomer Eatopia.
Rita’s Italian Ice and Custard (Sections 106, 235, and 320) This outpost of the chain offers Italian ice, frozen custard, and other refreshers.
Roaming Rooster (Section 239) DC’s smash hit fried-chicken-sandwich maker serves its hearty creations at the park. Heat seekers should try the hot chicken or Nashville hot-hot variety—or skip the burn and order the honey-butter chicken sando.
Rocklands BBQ (Section 118) The wood-fired barbecue specialist dishes up pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, tasty sides like slaw and mac n’ cheese, and gluten-free barbecue bowls.
Shake Shack (Section 240) It’s now easier to get a double Shackburger fix, thanks to mobile pre-ordering.
South Mountain Creamery (Sections 115 and 136) The family-owned farm and ice cream purveyor out of Frederick is a nice break from all the Dippin’ Dots.
Ssongs Hot Dog (Sections 130 and 303) This Korean corn-dog stand has two locations in local malls, and now two locations at Nats Park. The corn dogs—some filled with mozzarella instead of sausage—are chewy and slightly sweet. There’s canned boba tea, too.
Swizzler (Sections 141 and 320) What started as a food truck is now a multi-platform business that’s rethinking fast food with grass-fed (and very tasty) burgers on locally made potato buns. Its first brick-and-mortar is just blocks from the stadium, but you can get the smash-burgers and crispy chicken sandwiches inside, too.
Taqueria Picoso (Section 117) This Alexandria taqueria is serving tacos and tortas. We recommend the chilaquiles version of the latter, with salsa verde, lime mayonnaise, and carne asada.
Taste of the Majors (Sections 114 and 308) This concept from Nats Park chef James Pryor features two stands serving a rotating selection of hot dogs with toppings inspired by whatever team the Nats are playing.
Ballpark Classics
Grand Slam Grill (Multiple locations) A no-frills concession for ballpark dogs and chicken tenders.
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.
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
Ike Allen covers politics, food, culture, and transportation in DC and writes the monthly Hidden Eats column for the magazine. He grew up in DC.
