Underrated, Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants List
Updated: Aug 24
There's no doubt that this year has been a tough one for the hospitality industry, especially smaller restaurants. I went to stop by a neighborhood restaurant, a favorite of mine, and realized that they didn't really have any platform or budget to get the word out about their food. Although a lot of our favorites in the city are struggling as well, many of them do have resources in place to promote through social media, PR, etc. which leaves the smaller mom-and-pop type restaurants (who serve amazing food) out of the conversation and sometimes even forgotten.
That's why I'm making this list - a list curated and sourced from all of you guys through the Instagram polls (@eatthecapital) and also the DC Foodie FB group (link here). You guys went crazzzy on this!... I underestimated the number of responses I'd get and ended up having to filter through over 300 restaurants, a majority of which I didn't actually know about, so I'm excited to check them out myself and share my experience on the food blog @eatthecapital and the DC Foodie FB group so make sure to stay tuned to the blog!
Since I didn't get a chance to go to these spots myself, this will solely be a list (with some notes that our local friends have included in their responses) that I will be checking out one by one, and I encourage you to check them out also. Consider these spots whenever you're looking for your next food-venture and looking to support a local restaurant that needs your help! And of course, sharing this list with your friends would be greatly appreciated too🙏
Dope hole-in-the-wall type places that serve amazing food and deserve more recognition.
Here are some of the responses and further down I'll share with you guys the ones I selected to check out and document for you guys!
*Each restaurant named will be organized by region + credit the community member who recommended!
NW DC
Judy's
2212 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
"The pupusas, tacos and burrito Azteca are my fav - prob the best queso in dc too! Can’t go wrong w any of the dishes tho" - via Taylor and Abby
Taqueria Habañero
3710 14th Street NW. Washington, DC 20010
"https://www.habanerodc.com/" - via Joe
George’s King of Falafel and Cheesesteak
1205 28th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
"Get the cheesesteak!" - via Molly
Tiki Taco
2010 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
"A taste of paradise! Get their kimchi pork belly taco + coconut shrimp. The poke here is also out of this world" - via Danny
Hitching Post
200 Upshur St NW
"They serve great southern soul food!" - via Eric
El Sol Taqueria
1227 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
"Crispy Chicken Tacos + Queso Fundido" - via Alex, Jamie, and Bit***
Ooh’s and Aah’s
1005 U St NW Washington, DC 20001
"Get their fried whiting, mac n cheese, collard greens,, lemon pepper wings, and shrimp, rice and gravy!" - via Grace
Momiji
505 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
"The best sushi in DC" - via Cat
Bombay Street Food
1413 Park Rd NW, Washington, DC 20010
"I recommend their butter chicken, gobi manchurian, the kabob roll (frankie), and any of the spicy vindalo!" - via Roy
Bubs and Pops
1815 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036
"Bub’s Italian Hoagie" - via DCFOODNOOBS
Bagels Etc.
2122 P St NW #100, Washington, DC 20037
- via DCFOODNOOBS
"Make sure to get their poppy seed bagel with egg and ham, cheese" - via Rachel
Tacos El Chilango
1119 V St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- via Lizzy
Full Kee
Chinatown, 509 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
"Sesame chicken, general tsos chicken, crab rangoons, fried wontons" - via Sarah
Siam House
3520 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
"Get the green curry!" - via Anup
Vace
3315 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20008
"Not a hole in the wall but could always use some more love - any of the pizza and pasta" - via Courtney
Pho Anh Dao
1915 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- via Becci
New Big Wong
610 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
"Try their cold sesame noodles + egg drop soup!" - via Shareef
Sabydee Thai and Lao Cuisine
3211 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC 20010
"The nan kao and chicken kapow are good. The pad Thai is also great (ask for it to be spicy!)" - via Paul
Sakana Japanese Restaurant
DuPont Circle, 2026 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
- via Caroline
Zorba's Cafe
DuPont Circle, 1612 20th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- via Caroline
Heat da Spot Cafe
3213 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
- via Kris
Wingo's Glover Park
2218 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
- via Kris
Floriana
1602 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- via Caroline
Cafe Bonapart
1522 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
- via Caroline
Jam Doung Style
1726 North Capitol St NW, Washington, DC 20002
"Jamaican food!" - via Crystal
Eerkins Uyghur Cuisine
2412 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
"Love their milk tea, honey cake, lamb skewers,and samosas! I think their noodles are handmade too" - via Connie
Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar
3630 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
- via Kris
Florida Avenue Grill
1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
- via Kris
Mi Cuba Cafe
Columbia Heights, 1424 Park Rd NW, Washington, DC 20010
- via Sarah
District Chicken n Gyro
Georgetown, 3147 Dumbarton St NW, Washington, DC 20007
- via Faatemah
Food Corner Kabob & Rotesserie
Ilab, Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
"They have great halal - quarter chicken with chickpeas, rice, and spinach" - via Alexia
NE DC
The Kitchen Jerk
703 Edgewood St NE, Washington, DC 20017
"Drip Too Hard Wings" - via Justin
KoChix Chicken
400 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
- via Kris
Mechos
2450 Market St NE, Washington, DC 20018
"Everything!! Pork or chicken chimis are my favorite." - via Justin
Carl's Subs
2208 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20018
"Simple hand made sandwich made by Carl. I get the turkey provolone."- via Justin
A. Litteri's Deli
Union Market area, 517 Morse St NE, Washington, DC 20002
- via Isabella
MGM Roastbeef
905 Brentwood Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018
"Sandwiches + breakfast is bomb - mixed roast turkey on onion roll with cranberry chutney and gravy on the side for dipping" - via Rose
Carolina Kitchen
2350 Washington Pl NE, Washington, DC 20018
"SEAFOOD COMBO FRIED LOBSTER, CREOLE SALMON TOPPED WITH JUMBO LUMP CRAB MEAT AND GRILLED SHRIMP, fried chicken, smothered chicken, mac n cheese, greens, fried fish, cabbage" - via Grace
Cafe Berlin
322 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
"Get their Bavarian pretzel/mustard trio, currywurst app, schnitzel with Spaetzle and mushroom gravy for dinner" - via Brian
Habesha Carryout
1919 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
"[They have] bombbb ethiopian food"- via Taj
Huacatay Restaurant
2314 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
"They are the best family run small peruvian chicken in the world - half chicken comes with three sauces, choose the yuca fries and plantains as sides" - via Edward
SE DC
La Lomitas Dos
308 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
- via Dora
Aatish on the Hill
609 Pennsylvania Ave. SE #4322, Washington, DC 20003
- via Dora
Tortilla Cafe
Eastern Market DC, 7th Street & North Carolina Ave, SE Washington, D.C.
"The rotisserie chicken, all of the burritos, the taco salad, the flautas, the quesadillas, tex mex burrito is fave, salvadorian chicken sandwich" - via Butler
Opencrumb
1243 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, DC 20020
"Fish sandwich with hand cut fries, the fish and grits, spinach stew, shrimp po boy, fresh lemonade (strawberry lemonade) - mix of caribbean/african/american and owner fresh bakes the buns for all of the sandwiches and desserts." - via Butler
Cornercopia
Navy Yard, 1000 3rd St SE, Washington, DC 20003
"Chicken salad sandwich or the stadium" - via Stacia
Taco City
1102 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
"Brussels, cactus, and mushroom tacos, also the elote is fire" - via Dina
Canales Deli
Eastern Market DC, 7th Street & North Carolina Ave, SE Washington, D.C.
"Inside Eastern Market - sandwiches and cold salads are amazing - best cranberry walnut chicken salad is best I ever had" - via Kaitlyn
NOVA
Los Patroncitos
https://www.yelp.com/biz/los-patroncitos-washington
"Lengua tacos from Patroncitos" - via Will
Hong Kong Pearl
6286 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044
"Not hole in the wall but deserves more love nonetheless) - Dim sum is 🔥 at HK Pearl but I love the beef intestine stew 牛雜, attached a pic of it" - via Will
Esaan Tumbar
1307 Old Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101
"Ask for Tu at Esaan, tell him I sent you, he will usually have some special dishes available" - via Will
The Cheesesteak Express & Kabob Depot
24651 Southpoint Dr, Chantilly, VA 20152
"Located in the BP Gas Station in Chantilly, VA" - via Mahnoor
Thai Square
3217 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204
- via Joe
La Jarochita
85 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22207
"Arlington on Glebe Rd. for authentic Mexican street food" - via Vidya
Rivera’s Restaurant
6552 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA 22150
"Get the beef lomo" - via Waj
WOOBOI Chicken
139 Spring St #1, Herndon, VA 20170
- via Raymond
Tacos El Chilango
1719-1728, 14th St N, Arlington, VA 22209
- via Lizzy
Eugene’s Sausage and Fries
5551 Merchants View Sq, Haymarket, VA 20169
- via Michelle
Takumi Sushi
310 S Washington St B, Falls Church, VA 22046
- via Clara
Food Corner Kabob House
7031 Little River Turnpike A, Annandale, VA 22003
"Kabob joint - serves lamb or chicken with chickpeas, rice with lamb sauce" - via Ryan
Fava Pot
7393 D Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042
"Egyptian joint in Falls Church - cornish hen with potatoes" - via Ryan
Kohinoor Dhaba
2800 S Eads St, Arlington, VA 22202
"Papdi Chaat, onion kulcha, and the chilly chicken" - via Jaskiran
Kabob Palace
2315 S Eads St, Arlington, VA 22202
"#11 combo, chicken and lamb! Best lamb and naan I've ever had - boneless chicken kabob, haleem (available on weekends) - stew of beef and lamb + Rice and chickpeas" - via Michael
Spacebar
709 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046
"Get the grilled cheese and totchos" - via TJ
Galaxy Hut
2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
- via TJ
The Sandwich Shop VA
132 Church St NW, Vienna, VA 22180
- via TJ
Pho Hai Duong
Seoul Plaza, 4231 Markham St, Annandale, VA 22003
8411 Old Courthouse Rd, Vienna, VA 22182
"Hu teiu, bun bo hue (no blood), pho, bo loc lac." - via J
Banh Mi DC Sandwich
3103 Graham Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042
"Some of the best sandwiches on the VA side" - via William
To Sok Jip
7211 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
"They got good everything but I love to get bossam there." - via Zelie
Italian Gourmet
505 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 22180
"The sandwiches at The Italian Gourmet look and taste amazing. They always get the ingredients stacked just right and they’re not messy" - via William
The Pure Pasty Co.
128 Church St NW Suite C, Vienna, VA 22180
"Pure Pasty specializes in Pasties which are a type of British hand pie, always savory. The crust they make for them is always a perfect golden brown and flaky when you break them open" - via William
Bangkok 54
2919 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204
"[They have] a market that sells fresh, hot noodle soups (n a little room near the front entrance) that aren't on the Bangkok 54 restaurant menu. The duck noodle soup is incredible and comes with spicy sauces on the side" - via Amanda
Halal Kabob House
6245 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA 22312
"Get their spicy beef/chicken sandwiches" - via Talha
Bebop Korean Mexican Grill
10730 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030
- via Talha
RAWR Sushi
6332 Springfield Blvd, Springfield, VA 22150
"Great quality and price" - via Shayela
Thai Luang Restaurant
171 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170
"Crispy chicken with basil and fresh chili, spicy chicken fried rice" - via Pratib
Abay Market Ethiopian food
3811 S George Mason Dr A, Falls Church, VA 22041
"Ethiopian joint that was once reviewed by Anthony Bourdain" - via Aneesh
Earl’s Sandwiches
2605 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
"The Cuban Club" - via Tim
Boulevard Cafe
8180 Greensboro Dr, McLean, VA 22102
- via Daniel
Cafe Colline
4536 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207
"Small French bistro in Arlington - The chef is from Chez Billy Sud · Le Bar à Vin and does amazing food for takeaway only. Go check them out!" - via Mykl
Eerkins Uyghur Cuisine
4008 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030
"Glover Park, MD, and VA locations - Milk tea, honey cake, lamb skewers, samosas, handmade noodles?" - via Connie
MARYLAND
Swahili Village Bar & Restaurant
10800 Rhode Island Ave Suite N, Beltsville, MD 20705
- via Danny
Krazi Kebob
4427 Lehigh Rd, College Park, MD 20740
- via Ivan
Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant
5071 Nicholson Ln, Rockville, MD 20852
"Veggie platter + kitfo" - via Elizabeth
China Bistro
755 Hungerford Dr, Rockville, MD 20850
"Soup dumplings, regular dumplings pan fried." - via Elizabeth
Mistik Taverna
13541 Clopper Rd, Germantown, MD 20874
"Lamb shank on pasta is really good, and any of their pita + dips.' - via Elizabeth
Gardenia’s Cafe
8377 Snouffer School Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
"Wings and fried yuca." - via Elizabeth
La Sirenita Restaurant
4911 Edmonston Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20781
"This is almost across the street. Wife of the owner of the taqueria. Small place, but they have a bunch of dishes like enchiladas, chilaquiles, and so much more. And tacos! I've been there on a Saturday morning, and there was a mariachi band!" - via Joe
La Neveria Michoacana
4527 Kenilworth Ave, Bladensburg, MD 20710
"Mexican ice cream! This place is kind of new. Hard to find them on the Internets. Opened summer of 2019. Paletas, sooooo many flavors of paletas. I am not sure if they're homemade, but man they look and taste like it. They have ice cream, liquados, mangonadas, and more." - via Joe
Taqueria La Placita
5020 Edmonston Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20781
"As the name says, it is a taqueria. It is not just beef or chicken or pork. Nope, it is pork belly, pork cheek, pork ears, etc. So many kinds of tacos! But they also do tortas, floutas, and a few other things. I loooove their elotes. There's an elote lady, but you need to bring cash. Elotes, esquites, fresh squeezed, jugos, and then there is the raspa dude who makes the raspas with never ending flavors for you to choose from." - Via Joe
Pho VN One
11000 Baltimore Ave #105, Beltsville, MD 20705
"Best pho ever" - via Lindsay
Kefa Cafe
963 Bonifant St, Silver Spring, MD 20910
"Coffee and tea from in Silver Spring, MD" - via Lindsay
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
5810 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20770
- via Lindsay
Jazmin’s Cuisine
7601 Airpark Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
"Nachos, burritos, tacos, green salsa." - via Lindsay
Tortacos
13024 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD 20874
*Their other location in Gaithersburg has closed permanently. :(
- via Lindsay
Mi Lay Cay
2409 University Blvd W, Wheaton, MD 20902
"Bun bo hue and Bunga Cari are a must try!!" - via Crisl
Laurel Tavern Donuts
115 Washington Blvd, Laurel, MD 20707
"Donuts and Sliders from Little Tavern [Laurel Tavern Donuts] in Laurel, MD" - via Lindsay
Kabob N Karahi
15521 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20905
- via Koe
Village Green Restaurant
120 N Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
"Waffles are bomb, breakfast is great - belgian waffle with strawberry topping and whip cream, bacon on the side." - via Alexa
A&J Restaurant
1319-C, Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
4316 Markham St, Annandale, VA 22003
"Buddha delight, pig ear, smashed cucumber, bean curd skin, spicy tendon beef noodle soup, deep fried pork chops or chicken with rice." - via J
Kabayan Filipino
9223 Oxon Hill Rd, Fort Washington, MD 20744
"Halo halo, chicken on a stick, any of their prepared food (combo style pick two plus rice and soup for $8)" - via J
Marco & Polo Uyghur Restaurant
6504 America Blvd Suite 105A, Hyattsville, MD 20782
"Authentic Uyghur cuisine - Must try the lamb chops, doner sandwich (Uyghur version of a gyro), big plate chicken, leghman (hand pulled noodles), polo (or pilov), kao baozi (grilled buns), and grape leaves. Family owned and definitely could use some help. Dad is the chef. If I remember correctly, he’s from Uzbekistan (or nearby if I’m remembering wrong) and speaks like 5 languages!" - via Ming
Taqueria la Placita
5020 Edmonston Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20781
"Chicken or carnitas tacos" - via VJ
Just Jerk
9005 Lanham Severn Rd, Lanham, MD 20706
"Traditional jerk chicken" -via VJ
Royal Kebab
Located inside BP Gas Station, 738 MD-3 N, Gambrills, MD 21054
"Shrimp biryani, very generous portions" - via VJ
Tacos 5 De Mayo
7201 Annapolis Rd, Landover Hills, MD 20784
"Carne asada or chicken tacos + pupusas" - via VJ
Eerkins Uyghur Cuisine
1701 Rockville Pike #B1, Rockville, MD 20852
"Glover Park, MD, and VA locations - Milk tea, honey cake, lamb skewers, samosas, handmade noodles?" - via Connie
Want to join the conversation?
I'm sure this list is missing some of your local favorites, so if you have any you'd like to add, please feel free to join our community and message me there!
👇Just click the links below!👇
DC Foodie Facebook Group
Instagram @EatTheCapital
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Recommended but closed temporarily:(
China Boy - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
815 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Sibarita Restaurant - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
2716 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
"Mini parrillada, cordero a la parrilla, caipirinha cocktail."
Honorary mentions but not particularly hole-in-the-wall:
CHIKO
423 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20004
2029 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
"Incredible orange chicken dish, duck fried rice, kimchi stew" - via Brian
Curry Mantra
9984 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22031
"Palak Mushroom, pakoras, butter chicken and tandoori wings" - via Maretta
2TopFoods
"Catering service but doing to-go meals - Comfort Box or BBQ remix box - lagina’s famous mac n cheese and biscuits, short ribs are banging" - via Rose