With so many great places to eat in Washington, I have a hard time recommending those at sightseeing attractions. Most are overpriced and too crowded, even if they are convenient. But a few places stand out, for their admirable cuisine, noteworthy setting, or both.
Two restaurants within the Capitol building itself may be open to the public, with certain conditions: the House of Representatives Restaurant (also called the "Members' Dining Room") in Room H118, at the South end of the Capitol (tel. 202/225-6300) and the Senate Dining Room (tel. 202/224-2350). At the House of Representatives Restaurant, the food is all-American and its prices reasonable: everything from a cup of soup for $1.50, to entrée salads for $8.50, to the favorite, crab cake platter, for $18.50. The Members' Dining Room is open when the House is in session, weekdays 8am to 2:30pm. Tuesday through Thursday lunch (11am-1:45pm), you may dine here only as the guest of a Member. You may dine here unaccompanied by a Member, on Monday and Friday, and on any weekday for breakfast, or between 1:45pm and 2:30pm. The Senate Dining Room's menu features American cuisine and "comfort food," such as meatloaf, grilled salmon, crab Louis (a kind of crab salad), and lots of sandwiches; prices range from $9 to $22. You may dine in the Senate Dining Room weekdays between 1:30pm and 2:30pm, as long as you dress appropriately, that is, in jacket and tie for men, no jeans or sloppy appearance for men or women, and you must present a letter from your senator confirming his or her invitation to you. Be sure to call and ask about other requirements.
You are always welcome (after you've gone through security, of course) in the eateries located in the Capitol office buildings across the street from the Capitol. You'll be surrounded by Hill staffers, who head to places like the immense, full-service Rayburn House Office Building Cafeteria (tel. 202/225-7109), which is in the basement of the building, at First Street and Independence Avenue SW. Adjoining the cafeteria is a carryout that sells pizza and sandwiches. At the Longworth Building Cafeteria, Independence Avenue and South Capitol Street SE (tel. 202/225-0878), you can grab a bite from a fairly nice food court. By far the best deal for visitors is the Dirksen Senate Office Building South Buffet Room, First and C streets NE (tel. 202/224-4249). For just $11.25 per adult, $8.50 per child under 10, you can choose from a buffet that includes a carving station and eight other hot entrees; the price covers a nonalcoholic drink and dessert, too. The dining room is often crowded, but accepts reservations for parties of more than five. Other options include the Russell Carryout, in the basement of the Russell Building, and the Cannon Carryout, likewise, in the basement of the Cannon Building. All of these eateries are open weekdays only. The carryouts stay open until late afternoon, while the other dining rooms close at 2:30pm.
In the same neighborhood, two institutions offering great deals and fair views (of famous sights or people) at weekday lunch are the Library of Congress's Cafeteria and its more formal Montpelier Room (tel. 202/707-8300), where the lunch options usually cost under $10 per person; and the Supreme Court's Cafeteria (tel. 202/479-3246), where you'll likely spy a justice or two enjoying the midday meal.
Among museum restaurants, the ones that shine are the six-story Atrium Cafe in the National Museum of Natural History (tel. 202/357-2700); the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden Pavilion Café (tel. 202/289-3360) and Garden Café (tel. 202/216-2480); and the Phillips Collection's snug Café (tel. 202/387-2151).
Finally, the Kennedy Center's Roof Terrace Restaurant and the Hors d'Oeuvrerie (tel. 202/416-8555, for both) offer theater-goers convenient, gourmet dining in glamorous settings. The Center's Roof Terrace and the KC Café take in dramatic views, since immense windows present a sweeping panorama of the Potomac River and Washington landmarks.
