The 12 Best Restaurants in Cathedral Heights DC to Check Out
Looking for a good place to eat in the Cathedral Heights neighborhood? Washington DC has some of the best food selections in the world — but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily easy for you to find what you are looking for. We find it easier to break it down by neighborhood, so feel free to check out our guide on where to eat in Mt. Pleasant. In the meantime, check out the new and old neighborhood favorites in Cathedral Heights and find your favorite place to eat!
Must-Try Restaurants in Cathedral Heights DC
Chef Geoff’s: This restaurant opened in 2000 and is known for its seasonal menu and popular mushroom ravioli. It also features a sunny patio and offers a variety of fresh dishes.
Cactus Cantina: A Tex-Mex, Cuban, South American, and Spanish fusion restaurant that offers a great happy hour (Monday-Friday from 3-6:30 PM). They also host events for up to 130 people and offer catering.
2 Amys: A Neapolitan-style pizza spot that adheres to strict Italian regulations for pizza making. The menu features local, grass-raised meats, homemade ice cream, and fantastic small plates.
Shemalis: A Lebanese restaurant specializing in shawarma, kafta kabobs, and lamb gyro. They are known for their traditional Middle Eastern cuisine and exceptional za’atar.
Al Dente: An Italian trattoria where you can enjoy homemade pasta, pizza, and risotto. The restaurant is known for its outdoor patio and selection of Italian wines.
Barcelona Wine Bar: A Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant with an extensive international wine list. It has a sleek interior and offers happy hour and weekend brunch.
Arcuri: A cozy, rustic Italian and American restaurant known for its wood-fired pizzas, cocktails, and creative dishes, including potato gnocchi and Spanish octopus.
La Piquette: A French restaurant offering seasonal farm-raised food. Chef Francis Layrle changes the menu daily, with great options for brunch, lunch, and dinner, including excellent steak frites.
Raku: The go-to Asian restaurant in Cathedral Heights, serving sushi, noodle soups, coconut red curry broths, and bento boxes. A must-try dish is the miso-marinated Alaskan black cod.
Heritage India: A great spot for authentic Indian cuisine with vegan and vegetarian options. They offer carryout and delivery but it’s worth stopping by to enjoy their tamarind ginger mojito and tangy menu.
Duke’s Counter: A British pub near the National Zoo, featuring a minimalistic, millennial feel and a well-stocked bar. It’s a fun, casual spot to enjoy some great food and drinks.
Dumplings and Beyond: A no-nonsense Chinese restaurant known for its dumplings and traditional hot pot. The atmosphere is simple but the food speaks for itself.
An Italian and American spot in a cozy and rustic building that offers everything from potato gnocchi to roast chicken to Spanish octopus.
This is one you will need to come back to again and again, just in an attempt to try all of their concoctions. UrbanDaddy calls this place a “Subterranean, brick-lined lair of wood-fired pizzas that takes its cocktails seriously. “ It has high ratings and limoncello slushies, what more could you ask for?
Raku is the premier Asian dining spot in Cathedral Heights — seriously.
This one has been around since 1996 and it’s the place to go for sushi, coconut red curry broths, noodle soups, and bento boxes.
Check out their menu, sure, but why not just skip it and go for their miso marinated Alaskan black cod with ginger tomato sauce, broccolini and oyster mushrooms!
This is a great stop for authentic Indian cuisine!
They do carryout and deliveries but it’s worth it to stop by. Feel the atmosphere, enjoy a tamarind ginger mojito, and check out their extensive menu, which has plenty of vegan and vegetarian options!
Its traditional spices, tangy menu and prime location will leave your mouth watering until next time! Luckily, it is just a 7 minute walk from your place off of Massachusetts Ave, NW.
This is a classic Chinese restaurant in every way — unpretentious, relatively inexpensive, and well rated for their actual dumplings (and the rest of their menu as well).
They aren’t known for their atmosphere, but you’ll love it if the atmosphere you are going for is “no-nonsense” and “let the food speak for itself.” Go for tradition, and get your dumplings, noodles, and a hot pot!
They don’t have their own website but you can see their full menu and order online here!
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FAQs: Best Restaurants in Cathedral Heights
What is Chef Geoff’s known for in Cathedral Heights?
Chef Geoff’s is known for its sunny neighborhood setting, great patio, and ever-changing seasonal menu. One of their most popular dishes is the mushroom ravioli. It’s been a favorite spot in Cathedral Heights since 2000.
What makes Cactus Cantina a popular choice in Cathedral Heights?
Cactus Cantina is a vibrant spot serving Tex-Mex, Cuban, South American, and Spanish dishes. It’s especially known for its happy hour with frozen margaritas, sangria, and $3 tacos. The restaurant can host large events and offer catering services.
What type of cuisine does 2 Amys serve in Cathedral Heights?
2 Amys serves Neapolitan-style pizza and calzone, following strict Italian regulations for pizza-making. They use locally raised meat, homemade meatballs, and ice cream, making it a great place for pizza lovers.
What kind of food can you expect at Shemalis?
Shemalis offers delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, with dishes like shawarma, kafta kabobs, and lamb gyro. The restaurant is known for its authentic flavors, especially their za’atar seasoning.
What is special about Al Dente in Cathedral Heights?
Al Dente is a popular Italian restaurant known for its risotto, pizza, and pasta. Chef Robert Donna, twice named “Chef of the Year” in DC, brings delicious Italian dishes to the table. The restaurant also features unique art installations like those of Mona Lisa and Leonardo.
What is Barcelona Wine Bar famous for?
Barcelona Wine Bar offers a Spanish-inspired menu with tapas, international wines, and a sleek interior. It’s a great spot for happy hour or brunch, and it’s a must-visit for tapas lovers in Cathedral Heights.
What can you expect at Arcuri in Cathedral Heights?
Arcuri is a cozy Italian and American spot known for wood-fired pizzas, cocktails, and dishes like potato gnocchi and roast chicken. It’s a great place to try a variety of flavors in a rustic atmosphere.
What makes La Piquette unique in Cathedral Heights?
La Piquette is a French restaurant with a menu that changes daily based on seasonal ingredients. It’s known for its elegant atmosphere, excellent wine selection, and steak frites, providing a high-end dining experience in the neighborhood.
What makes Raku a standout Asian restaurant in Cathedral Heights?
Raku is a top choice for sushi, coconut red curry broths, noodle soups, and bento boxes. The miso-marinated Alaskan black cod with ginger tomato sauce is a popular dish that showcases their unique Asian offerings.
What type of cuisine does Heritage India offer?
Heritage India offers authentic Indian cuisine, featuring a wide variety of dishes with traditional spices and flavors. The menu includes vegan and vegetarian options, and the tamarind ginger mojito is a standout drink.
What can you expect at Duke’s Counter in Cathedral Heights?
Duke’s Counter is a British pub with art on the walls and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great place to stop by for drinks and enjoy the vibe, especially if you’re near the National Zoo.
What kind of dining experience does Dumplings and Beyond provide?
Dumplings and Beyond is a classic Chinese restaurant that focuses on dumplings, noodles, and hot pots. It’s unpretentious, affordable, and well-loved for its delicious dumplings and traditional Chinese offerings.
