Great Places to Eat & Drink in Union Market DC

Great Places to Eat

A buzzing culinary playground where local flavor meets creative flair. Union Market is the go-to spot for foodies looking to dive into a mix of beloved neighborhood gems and bold, new pop-ups. Whether you're savoring an iconic bagel sandwich from Buffalo & Bergen, sipping ethically sourced coffee at Café Unido, or treating yourself to Michelin-starred Italian at Masseria, there's always something fresh and unexpected.

Pop-ups at the food hall keep the scene lively, adding an ever-changing lineup of innovative eats and drinks. It's this mix of the familiar and the experimental, combining food hall vendors with standalone restaurants, that makes Union Market a one-of-a-kind dining experience in DC.

Note: This list was last updated in October 2024: food hall pop-ups frequently change!

American / British Food

• Puddin’ - A beloved comfort food destination, specializing in southern classics like shrimp & grits, gumbo, and po'boys.
• AboveGround - A British-inspired spot offering classic dishes such as fish & chips and sausage rolls, curated by Chef Nicholas Martino.
• Bidwell - A modern American farm-to-table restaurant serving innovative dishes with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
• Lucky Buns - A vibrant eatery known for its internationally influenced burgers, packed with unique flavors from around the world.
• Old Blue BBQ - A cozy barbecue spot known for its smoked meats and traditional southern sides, made with high-quality ingredients.
• Puddin’ Divine Comfort Food - A comfort food paradise, delivering southern-style favorites like gumbo and shrimp po'boys with a homestyle touch.
• St. Anselm - A cozy and rustic American tavern known for its expertly grilled meats and seafood.

In a Category of their Own

• Bar Boheme - A European-style bar in the food hall, featuring sandwiches, tinned seafood, and refreshing cocktails.
• Cordelia Fishbar - A seafood-centric restaurant opening in late 2024 at Union Market, focusing on charcoal-grilled fish dishes and a raw seafood bar.
• The District Fishwife - A sustainable seafood market in the food hall offering a range of fresh seafood dishes including poke bowls and fish tacos.
• Immigrant Food - A fast-casual restaurant celebrating diverse immigrant-inspired dishes from around the world.
• La Jambe - A cozy French wine bar in the food hall offering charcuterie, cheese boards, and an extensive selection of wines.
• Mastiha Taverna - A chic venue specializing in Greek food and drinks, offering Mediterranean-inspired cocktails and snacks.
• Palette 22 - A lively restaurant with globally inspired small plates and an Artist-in-Residence program for emerging local artists.
• Pastis - A renowned French brasserie offering traditional French dishes in a vibrant, retro atmosphere. Driven by two James Beard Award-winning restaurateurs.
• Yasmine - A chef-driven shawarma and falafel shop that transports you to the cobblestone streets of Beirut, with authen Mediterranean dishes like grilled meats, mezze, and fresh salads.

Mexican & South American

• Mosaico by Arepa Zone - Located in La Cosecha, Mosaico offers a rotating menu of Latin American street food such as arepas, pastelitos, and Latin-style hot dogs, making it a go-to spot for authentic Latin flavors.
• Apapacho Taqueria - A vibrant taqueria that serves up traditional Mexican street food, including slow-cooked tacos and unique pastries, crafted by a talented husband-and-wife duo.
• El Cielo - A Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant blending molecular gastronomy with Colombian flavors, offering a multi-course tasting menu.
• El Presidente - Festive Mexican restaurant known for its flavorful tacos, margaritas, and mezcal, set in a colorful and vibrant space.
• La Casita Pupusera - A Salvadoran favorite, La Casita offers handmade pupusas and a variety of traditional Salvadoran dishes, including vegetarian and vegan options.
• Mezcalero - Vibrant Mexican street food with a focus on bold flavors, including tacos, quesadillas, and an impressive selection of mezcal cocktails.
• Peruvian Brothers - Located in La Cosecha, popular Peruvian dishes include the flavorful Pan con Chicharrón sandwich, the fresh Ceviche made with red snapper, and their hearty Power Bowls.

Pan-Asian

• Bun'd Up - A modern take on the Taiwanese gua bao, Bun'd Up serves homemade buns filled with Korean-inspired flavors, using locally sourced and sustainably raised meats.
• DC Dosa - Hugely popular stall serving up plant-based South Indian street food, featuring dosas with a variety of fillings.
• Egg Yaki (Pop-Up) - A Japanese-inspired pop-up offering egg-based street food favorites, frequently seen at local DC markets.
• Laoban Dumplings - Known for their handmade dumplings, Laoban brings authentic Chinese dumplings with a modern twist to DC.
• Mecha Noodle Bar - Specializing in pho, ramen, and Asian comfort food, Mecha serves up flavorful broths and noodles with Vietnamese and Japanese influences.
• O-Ku Modern Japanese - A stylish spot for sushi lovers, offering a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine, including sushi, sashimi, and creative rolls.
• Phowheels - A food truck delivering a fusion of Vietnamese flavors, including pho, banh mi, and rice bowls.
• Ramen by UZU - A ramen pop-up serving traditional Japanese ramen with rich broths and authentic ingredients.
• SHIA - An up-and-coming vegan and vegetarian spot specializing in Korean-inspired bowls and salads.
• Som Tam - Known for its Thai street food offerings, including the namesake som tam (papaya salad) and other Southeast Asian favorites.
• Son of a Fish - A seafood-centric food stall offering fresh, sustainable seafood in various forms, from poke bowls to grilled fish.
• TaKorean - A popular food stall proving that Korean flavors fuse beautifully with Mexican favorites, offering tacos, rice bowls, and salads.

Sweet Treats & Bakeries

• The Creamery - A family-owned dairy shop serving a variety of local dairy products, including ice cream, milk, butter, and more.
• Van Leeuwen Ice Cream - Famous for its rich, decadent ice cream made with both dairy and vegan options, featuring unique and classic flavors.
• Bee J’s Cookies - Pop-up cookie stall offering freshly baked cookies in a variety of flavors, from classic chocolate chip to seasonal specials.
• Handcraft Doughnuts - Handcrafted doughnuts known for their creative flavors and fresh ingredients.
• Laduree - French patisserie is renowned for its exquisite macarons and classic pastries, offering a taste of Paris in DC.
• Pluma by Bluebird Bakery - A chic bakery and cafe offering artisan bread, pastries, and a variety of sweet treats.
• SakuSaku Flakerie - Specializing in ultra-flaky pastries and savory croissants, this bakery is a must-visit for lovers of buttery, layered confections.
• Souk x The Sweet Lobby - A collaboration offering a fusion of globally inspired savory dishes and award-winning sweets, including macarons and cupcakes.

Italian

• Masseria - Michelin-starred Italian restaurant by Chef Nick Stefanelli, inspired by the flavors of Puglia. Known for its elegant tasting menus in a chic setting.
• Cucina Al Volo - A beloved spot in Union Market offering homemade pastas and sauces crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
• Parachute Pizza - Silicy meets Detroit at this op-up known for its innovative pizza creations.
• Stellina Pizzeria - A casual eatery offering creative, artisanal pizzas and pastas inspired by Italian street food.

Cafés & Coffee Shops

• Café Unido - A coffee shop in La Cosecha and Shaw, DC, offering responsibly sourced coffee from Panama. Café Unido specializes in Panama’s famous Geisha coffee, supporting sustainability and community-focused projects.
• Maman’s Café - Known for its French-inspired ambiance, Maman’s offers artisanal coffee and baked goods in a cozy atmosphere.
• Peregrine Espresso - A locally loved coffee shop with multiple locations in DC, serving high-quality espresso drinks and promoting sustainable coffee practices.
• Pluma by Bluebird Bakery - A bakery and cafe offering fresh-baked artisan bread, pastries, and fresh coffee from The Coffee Ethic.
• Spot of Tea - A delightful tea house in DC offering a variety of creative bubble teas from high quality ingredients—not the standard artificial fruit syrups and powders.
• The Village Café - A community-driven coffee shop that offers locally sourced coffee, snacks, and a welcoming space to gather.
• YELLOW! - A Mediterranean-inspired cafe by Chef Michael Rafidi, offering coffee, pastries, and light fare with Middle Eastern flavors.

Bars & Nightlife

• Cotton & Reed - A local craft rum distillery offering tastings, tours, and take-home cocktail mixes in a chic, modern setting near Union Market.
• Last Call Bar - Lvely dive bar known for its reasonably priced drinks, free darts, and fun, laid-back atmosphere.
• Serenata - A cocktail bar located in La Cosecha, specializing in Latin-inspired drinks made from tequila, mezcal, and rum, alongside small bites.
• Sid Gold’s Request Room - A fun and lively piano karaoke bar where patrons can sing along to their favorite tunes in an upbeat atmosphere.
• Songbyrd Music House - A dynamic venue that hosts live music performances, offering a café and bar for a full entertainment experience.
• Suburbia by Buffalo & Bergen - A quirky, retro-themed bar, serving classic cocktails out of an airstream trailer.
• Treehouse - A cozy, elevated bar located offering a wide range of craft cocktails in a nature-inspired space.
• F1 Arcade - A thrilling Formula 1-themed entertainment venue with racing simulators, cocktails, and a unique menu, coming soon.

Sandwiches, Salads, Juices

• Buffalo & Bergen - A retro-style deli known for its New York-style bagels, knishes, and classic cocktails. They offer both dine-in and catering services at multiple DC locations, including Union Market.
• Kenny's Kale - A health-focused eatery offering a variety of kale-based dishes, including smoothies and salads, for a nutritious and tasty meal.
• Maman’s Café - With French-inspired bistro ambiance, Maman’s offers artisanal coffee plus sandwiches, soups, tartines, and other French classics.
• Neopol Savory Smokery - Specializing in smoked fish and meats, Neopol brings artisanal smoked dishes to Union Market with a focus on high-quality ingredients.
• On Toast - A gourmet toast bar offering a variety of creative, open-faced sandwiches, featuring locally sourced ingredients and fresh toppings.
• Pluma by Bluebird Bakery - Serving fresh pastries, salads, sandwiches and pizza daily.
• SakuSaku Flakerie - Specializing in ultra-flaky pastries, this bakery also offers savory croissants, sandwiches, and quiches.
• Saladworks - A chain offering customizable salads, wraps, and bowls with a wide range of fresh ingredients.
• South Block Juicery - A local juice and smoothie bar that promotes health and wellness with cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, and smoothies made from fresh, organic ingredients.
• Sweetgreen - A popular chain focused on fresh, sustainable salads and bowls made from locally sourced ingredients.
• The Village Café - A community-driven coffee shop that offers locally sourced coffee, snacks, and a welcoming space to gather.
• Toastique - A gourmet toast and juice bar serving nutrient-packed open-faced sandwiches, smoothies, and fresh juices.
• YELLOW! - A Mediterranean-inspired cafe by Chef Michael Rafidi, offering coffee, pastries, and light fare with Middle Eastern flavors.

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Photo Credit: Masseria