Discover your guide to the best Union Market restaurants
Our Nation’s Capital is more than just the political center of the United States. When you’re living in DC you can enjoy some of the best restaurants near Union Market in Washington DC. From Polynesian plates to Italian dishes, you can find your favorite cuisine among the many Union Market restaurants in DC.
To help you find the best Union Market restaurants, we’ve created a comprehensive list of DC’s hippest eateries and food vendors in and near this one-of-a-kind space. Read on to learn more about the history of this DC hot spot and where you can grab the best eats.
What is Union Market in Washington DC?
Union Market in Washington DC has been around since 1871. Back then, Washington DC residents called this establishment Centre Market. It served as the center for commercial life in the city, thanks to its proximity to public transportation as well as the White House and the Capitol Building.
The market became Union Terminal Market in 1931. During this time, it featured a public café and 700 stalls for vendors that were open six days a week. In the 1980s, Union Market in DC began to show its age. However, it has since been revitalized as a hub for food and nightlife in the Union Market District of the NoMa neighborhood.
Today, the people living in DC are excited about the future of Union Market. As new restaurants pop up in this food hall and diverse vendors set up shop to sell everything from spices to teas, this spot has become one of the best neighborhoods in DC.
Coconut Club offers flavors that whisk you away to Polynesia
If you’re looking for tropical dishes and cocktails that take inspiration from Polynesian islands, you’ll want to make your way to Coconut Club. Founded by chef Adam Greenberg, this restaurant and bar serves culinary delights that change with the seasons.
On the menu, you’ll find favorites like poke and ceviche. Not only that, but you can also order spam fried rice, coconut chicken with a little kick and even whole roasted suckling pigs. For a beverage, you’ll want to order one of the delicious tiki drinks. They combine rum, fresh juices and house-made syrups. Just be careful — like most tiki drinks, they can be deceptively strong.
As for the dining environment itself, you can enjoy your meal in a light and airy space that features a square-shaped bar in the middle of the restaurant. There’s also plenty of patio space, which is perfect for dining on those warm spring and summer days.
Sushi fans love grabbing a bite to eat at O-Ku Sushi
O-Ku Sushi is one of the best Union Market restaurants. It has sister restaurants in cities that include Charleston, Atlanta and Charlotte, which shows how popular this concept is in DC and beyond.
Diners love this menu because they can order a wide range of food items. There’s traditional sashimi and sushi, such as the delicious Spicy Crunchy Salmon roll. There are also unique wood-fired dishes from the venue’s Banchan grills. They even have salads that range from the Seaweed Salad to the Garden House Salad.
As for the drinks, you won’t be disappointed. You can find high-quality cocktails, sake, wine, craft beer and even Japanese whiskey. Once you grab your drink, you’ll want to sip it over on the roof deck, which offers sweeping views of our Nation’s Capital.
Rappahannock Oyster Bar is one of the best Union Market restaurants
Fans of small plates and seafood should make their way to Rappahannock Oyster Bar. As the name suggests, you can find an exceptional selection of oysters and clams. In fact, this eatery has been called one of the best oyster bars in America.
In addition to enjoying shellfish delights, you can also order other seafood dishes like fried oyster tacos and crab cakes as well as drinks that range from local craft brews to classic cocktails. The restaurant even offers takeout options.
One of the reasons that this place stands out as one of the best Union Market DC restaurants is because of its proud history and ownership. The Croxton family has owned and operated Rappahannock Oyster Company for over a century. And today’s owners focus on eco-conscious efforts that sustainably grow oysters while restoring the environment at the same time.
No list of Union Market DC restaurants would be complete without Stellina Pizzeria
The search for delicious and authentic Italian food is over when you visit Stellina Pizzeria. Antonio Matarazzo and Matteo Venini joined forces to create this Italian eatery. These proud Italians have brought flavors from their homeland to offer guests an upscale yet casual place to grab a slice of pizza.
While Stellina Pizzeria is most famous for its Neapolitan pies that offer unique crispiness, it features so much more than that. You can also find fried seafood and veggies served in paper cones, reminiscent of street food. The restaurant also offers house-made pasta dishes and delicious sandwiches served on the eatery’s signature pizza dough.
Stellina Pizzeria offers a full bar that’s stocked with all the beer, craft cocktails, and Italian wines that you could ever want. And you have options for how you can enjoy your food and drink. You can chow down during a sit-down meal in the inviting space or you also have the option to order online for takeout or delivery.
2Fifty Central Texas Style BBQ is known as the best BBQ place in DC
Who says you can’t get delicious BBQ in our Nation’s Capital? 2Fifty Central Texas Style BBQ serves up wood-smoked, handcrafted delights that are cut and served to order each day. This is all thanks to the amazing team and the 1,000-gallon direct flow smoker.
This BBQ space serves up everything from prime brisket and pulled pork, to St. Louis pork ribs and smoked turkey. As for the sides, you’ll feel like you’re at a picnic when you order brisket beans, cornbread, potato salad, coleslaw, and macaroni and cheese. There’s no way you’ll go hungry when you visit 2Fifty Central Texas BBQ.
When you’ve finished your meal, you can grab one (or more) amazing desserts. Chocolate lovers won’t want to miss ordering the Chocolate Bundt Cake or the Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie. And for the fruit fans, there’s nothing better than enjoying the Dutch Apple Pie or Key Lime Pie. As for drinks, beer and cider reign supreme, although non-alcoholic options are also available.
You can satisfy your sweet tooth by visiting Dolcezza
Union Market vendors didn’t forget about people who love sweets. Dolcezza offers gelato as well as coffee that you can enjoy while eating baked goods and pastries from a vendor like Pluma by Bluebird. Coffee from Dolcezza also pairs perfectly with brunch favorites like avocado toast and waffles, which you can find by visiting the Village Café.
Every day, the team at Dolcezza makes fresh gelato. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of enjoying gelato, it’s a creamy, rich cousin of ice cream. The gelato masters who make these delicious delights source the freshest, local ingredients from a farmers market.
Because the Dolcezza team makes gelato using ingredients that are in season, the menu rotates throughout the year. This means you can find everything from peaches in the summer to blood oranges in the winter. This sweet shop prides itself on continually coming up with new and delicious flavors that pair with baked goods to delight their patrons’ tastebuds.
Don’t forget that you can relax on the rooftop and enjoy food at Hi-Lawn
Outdoor dining has never been more popular, thanks in part to the COVID 19 pandemic. However, pandemic or not, everyone enjoys a little alfresco dining and great views, and the Rooftop at Union Market delivers.
As one of the largest rooftop greenspaces in Washington DC, this space is the ideal place to enjoy outdoor dining, drinks and socializing with people from all walks of life. You can grab a drink and a bite to eat from one of the amazing Union Market restaurants we mentioned above. Or you can visit Hi-Lawn. This eatery features seasonally changing eats, unique draft beer, cocktails in juice boxes and all the fun of a summer picnic.
Living in DC means you get to enjoy all the best Union Market restaurants
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Source:
https://washington.org/visit-dc/union-market-washington-dc