While there are enough restaurants in Union Market and La Cosecha to last a lifetime, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wander the nearby streets to try the array of full-service restaurants there find. The places surrounding the two markets offer different levels of gastronomy in a wide range of cultural flavors.
A. Litteri: Although not technically a restaurant, A. Litteri sells Italian wines and ingredients that have achieved cult status in Washington. Its offerings of cheeses, charcuterie and more are placed behind a glass case, while the rest of the store is open for exploration. A catering menu for major parties is available on its website and offers Italian subs, pastas and salads.
- Hours: From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
- Address: 517 Morse Street NE.
Blue bottle coffee: The West Coast roaster opened its Union Market location in 2018 as one of four cafes in DC. Its minimalist interior design highlights the coffee itself, also available in bags in store and online.
- Hours: From 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- Address: 1250 Fourth Street NE.
Bread aisle: Bread Alley takes its name from its location on the narrow alleyway of Morse Street. The other half of her name comes from the fresh bread she bakes on site and serves – her clients include DC restaurants Le Diplomate and St. Anselm.
- Post a pro tip: Bread Alley often sells out before 5 p.m. closing time, so be sure to get there as early as possible (especially if you want a baguette).
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or while supplies last every day.
- Address: 1250 Fifth Street NE.
Cotton and reed: This distillery specializes in all varieties of rum, but its white rum has won multiple awards. On site, it serves cocktails made exclusively with its own locally made spirits. It also happens to be the first combined rum bar and distillery in Washington DC, and its unique liquor license means it encourages patrons to bring outside food since it cannot not serve his own.
- Post a pro tip: Cotton and Reed offers tours of its distillery, including a tasting, on Saturday afternoons.
- Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Monday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, noon to 2 a.m. Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.
- Address: 1330 Fifth Street NE.
Twisted fermentation: Twisted Race was born in Leesburg, Virginia, but this iteration of the brewery operates in partnership with Chris Morgan and Anthony Falco’s DC Pizzeria. Pizza Serata. Sit down for a pint and a slice – it also serves its own wines, ciders and seltzers.
- Post a pro tip: Bring a vinyl record you purchased from Byrdland Records down the street. If you present your Byrdland receipt, the Crooked Run staff will play your record while you dine.
- Hours: From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
- Address: 550 Morse Street NE, Suite 120.
President : If you are looking for a place with personality, meet President by Chef Stephen Starr. This eclectic restaurant serves Mexican-American lunch and dinner in a quirky and cool style. Its retro bar decorated with sea creatures covered in eyeballs serves unique cocktails. If you prefer to sit by the mountain-view mural, you can try their raw bar, nachos, and customizable tacos.
- Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
- Address: 1255 Union Street NE.
Last call bar: Last call is modeled after a casual dive, but make no mistake: it offers high-quality cocktails as well as classic frozen beers on tap or in a can. Owner Gina Chersevani refers to herself as DC’s “mixer” for a reason.
- Post a pro tip: Last Call doesn’t have an official closing time listed online, but it usually closes around 3 a.m.
- Hours: 5:00 p.m. to “last call” Monday to Friday, noon to “last call” Saturday and Sunday; happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
- Address: 1301-A Fourth Street NE.
Lunas of Buenos Aires: This Argentinian restaurant on Fifth Street offers jewel-toned pasta empanadas that brighten up its menu of sandwiches, fugazzeta pizzas and drinks. It has a menu dedicated to spritzes, as well as a handful of Argentinian desserts like alfajores (dulce de leche cookies) and flan.
- Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, noon to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday.
- Address: 1276 Fifth Street NE.
Mom : This New York-born French-inspired restaurant opened in the Union Market neighborhood in early 2023. Its line of soups, salads, sandwiches and treats is popular on the East Coast and in Canada. This location also functions as an event venue for up to 58 guests seated or 150 standing.
- Hours: From 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- Address: 1300 Fourth Street NE.
Marcellino Pane and Vino: This Italian restaurant and its sister patisserie, Annaré, are two sides of a rich coin. Marcellino offers salads, bruschettas and high-end dishes for several people. Annaré, who recently moved in with Marcellino, will satisfy your sweet cravings with cannoli, fruit tarts and tiramisu.
- Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Monday.
- Address: 300 Morse Street NE.
Masserie: Masseria is a hot spot for trendy restaurants in Washington DC; its Italian prix fixe menu and chef’s tasting menu come in six or eight courses, or you can come in and dine at the bar. Although it’s hard to imagine the Union Market neighborhood without its majestic metal gate and inviting garden, it was one of the first to introduce fine dining to the area at a time when all the properties in Edens were laid back.
- Hours: From 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday.
- Address: 1340 Fourth Street NE.
O-Ku: O-Ku is adorned with wood, from its tables to its walls, as if to represent his chic yet simple approach to sushi preparation that he has implemented in his multiple restaurants in the southern United States. The first floor is where the sushi is prepared and served, but if you venture upstairs you will come to its bar, fully stocked with Japanese and American liquors.
- Hours: from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day; happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday.
- Address: 1274 Fifth Street NE.
Feather : Tom Wellings and Camila Arango of Bluebird Bakery bring a new twist to Pluma’s pastries. Here, they pull out everything from custom cakes and wholesale pastries to classic over-the-counter quiches and coffees.
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday.
- Address: 391 Morse St. NE (inside the Edison).
Salads: Saladworks’ DIY salad and grain bowls offer endless combinations for a quick, nutritious meal.
- Hours: From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
- Address: 320 Florida Ave. NE, bay 2A.
Saint Anselm: As its wood and leather interior suggests, Saint-Anselme is dedicated to the classics. It specializes in simply prepared American cuisine, including oysters, soft biscuits and steak. (Food critic Tom Sietsema often lists it as one of his favorite steakhouses in Washington.) Additionally, its 55-page wine list has won numerous awards and won the hearts of many wine lovers.
- Hours: From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from noon to 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
- Address: 1250 Fifth Street NE.
Pizzeria Stellina: When Edens’ McLean doesn’t opt for Bidwell’s pizza, she lands at Stellina. She says Stellina pizzas are best eaten in the restaurant’s Morse Street space because they are grilled and tender.
- Hours: From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Monday.
- Address: 399 Morse Street NE.
Toast: Toastique’s healthy sandwiches and juices have been brightening up franchises across the country at breakneck speed as founder Brianna Keefe was listed in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for 2022.
- Hours: from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
- Address: 325 Morse Street NE.
Union District Oyster Bar and Lounge: Although its dishes come from the sea, Union District’s vibe is technical and earthy, with gear-shaped light fixtures hanging above its vintage-style wooden bar. The golden horse statue outside protects the lounge’s seafood specialties and a range of mixed drinks, in addition to its programming of events and concerts.
- Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
- Address: 501 Morse Street NE.
Van Leeuwen: Van Leeuwen’s motto, inscribed on his wall and on his website, reads: “A life without anything good is bad.” One of those goodies is their ice cream, which comes in both vegan and classic dairy options. Its mission is to create “good and good” treats using high-quality ingredients without sacrificing what makes ice cream delicious.
- Hours: From noon to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from noon to 11 p.m. Friday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
- Address: 418 Morse Street NE.