Do you ever make a home town bucket list? It’s so easy to make a travel bucket list or a more specific bucket list for a specific trip or season. But sometimes we live somewhere for years and never see the most common sites, eat at the best restaurants, or know the best-hidden gems right in our own neighborhood.
My goal on this blog has always been to help with making a home town bucket list of sorts to help us all explore more of the city. Lately, I’ve found this has been mostly a list of good food. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as good food always brings people together. Plus, I never think DC gets enough credit as a food town even though there are always new restaurants and influences from all over the world popping up.
So I’d like to close 2019 but taking a look at Daycation DC’s top Instagram posts from the year. It’s mostly food that I won’t shy away from sharing in 2019. But in 2020, I hope to add more activities and sights to see in between brunches, happy hours, and dinners.
Pappe
It’s easy to tell why this picture grabbed attention on Instagram but it is 100% as good as it looks. Plus, this plating allowed me to try a variety of meats and veggies without feeling too stuffed. Head over to Pappe in Logan Circle for lunch or dinner.
District Doughnuts
District Doughnuts is one of my favorite places in the city. Their location in Georgetown is close enough to the waterfront that you can bring an order to go to enjoy in the park. The menu changes seasonally so you can try new donuts all year long. (Like this one from St. Patricks Day!)
District Doughnut Part 2
Uh, okay so I like these donuts a lot. But so does Instagram! It’s worth noting that this photo is from my first visit to their new shop at The Wharf. You can enjoy these donuts outside as pictured here or snack on them as you stroll the boardwalk.
Rooftop at 801
This photo captures one of my first adventures in 2019. The temperatures had reached well below freezing and no one wanted to leave the house. But the cheery, post-holiday winter lights enticed me and a group of friends to the rooftop at 801 in Shaw. They’ll be back in 2020 with this winter wonderland.
Boundary Stone
Boundary Stone in Bloomingdale is a good to happy hour spot but I prefer to visit during brunch. It is located on a busy road for street traffic but there are also a lot of rowhomes within sight making it a quaint spot to sit outside for brunch. You can count the brunch entrees on one hand but they have all the classics. Plus, add bottomless mimosas or bloody Mary’s for $17.
The Light Horse
The Light Horse was a new spot for me in 2019. This relatively new spot in Old Town Alexandria looks like a speakeasy on the outside with minimal signage. But on the inside, it is big and bright with lots of decorations that pop. They have lots of specials and an extensive wine list.
LEON
If you work in Farragut Square and LEON isn’t your go-to spot for breakfast or lunch, you don’t know what you are missing. They have a great breakfast deal with coffee and a breakfast bowl or sandwich for $5.95. They also offer tons of diet-friendly options including vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, wheat-free, and more. This vegan burger debuted on Valentine’s Day and it was something even a meat lover can enjoy!
Hirshhorn
The Hirshhorn on the National Mall is a wonderful place to experience rotating moderate art exhibits. The sculpture garden outside is sometimes overlooked by tourists but is beloved by locals who know it’s there. The popular Pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama now sits proudly in the garden for all to enjoy.
American Eats Tavern
American Eats Tavern by Jose Andres in Georgetown is always a showstopper. Its huge menu makes it perfect for a group with a variety of tastes. Plus, it’s right on M Street so it’s an easy stop to work into a shopping day. This egg hash and the waffles are always crowd-pleasers.
