Having your family in town is never not a nerve-wracking experience. You want to impress them; to show them that, yes, you are doing fine; that no, you don’t need any money; and that yes, where you live is perfectly safe. You also want to show to them that you are, in fact, eating well. Naturally, taking them out to dinner is the best way to prove all of those things. Here, according to DCist writers and editors, are the eight best places to take your family to dine when they’re in town. Got something to add to the list? Post it in the comments and we’ll include it in our “Best Of: Places We Missed” list tomorrow.
Estadio. Photo by Dracisk.
ESTADIO: My parents are local (they live in Rockville) and they’re pretty big foodies, so luckily I don’t have to impress them when they come into town. Typically, they’re the ones making restaurant recommendations and insisting we dine at places that I would definitely not be able to afford. But every now and then I manage to recommend a place that’s slipped passed their radar, and even less frequently, that restaurant becomes a place they return to. Estadio is one of those places. This Spanish restaurant in Logan Circle isn’t too pricey and the tapas menu gives you the perfect opportunity to share a wide variety of different dishes with your family. — Matt Cohen
Estadio is located at 1520 14th Street NW
ETETE: For a true D.C. experience, try taking the family out to Ethiopian food. The whole eating with your hands thing will probably throw them for a loop, along with the spongey texture of the injera. If your parental units are of a particularly adventurous ilk, try ordering the raw kitfo. After all, what is travel if not watching your parents squirm—I mean, getting out of your comfort zone? There are a lot of Ethiopian options in the Shaw/U St. neighborhood, but Etete strikes a good balance of consistently flavorful Ethiopian fare in a nice, parent-friendly atmosphere. — Alicia Mazzara
Etete is located at 1942 9th St NW.
CHEF’S TABLE AT PEARL DIVE OYSTER PALACE: While 14th Street is worth a visit just to show your parents the true meaning of the word “gentrification,”s there are lots of great places to eat around there as well. Growing up in the Midwest far, far from an ocean, I always like to take my family out for seafood when they’re in town. As an extra special treat, book the chef’s table at Pearl Dive Oyster Palace. Jeff Black’s restaurant empire has made it’s name on seafood, from the quintessential raw oysters to fish stews and Louisiana po’ boys. And while the food is good, the chef’s table really makes the experience. Nested inside the restaurant’s kitchen, this four seat table is a glimpse into the world of a professional cooking. For anyone interested in how the proverbial sausage is made, this is a great chance to see chefs in action as they steam, sauté, and plate your meal before your very eyes. — Alicia Mazzara
Pearl Dive Oyster Palace is located at 1612 14th St NW.
THE PASSENGER: Taking your family to the perfect place to dine is one thing, but if you’re looking to get boozy with your folks, there’s several things to consider: Atmosphere, drink selection, location, price. The Passenger in Mt. Vernon square hits all of these criteria. Located close to downtown, but not in the middle of the touristy shit storm that is Chinatown, The Passenger is typically full, but never packed. It’s not hard to find a table or a spot at the bar during the dining hour. We’ve already written about some of their finest drinks in our Best Cocktails in D.C. list, and, while the drinks are definitely on the pricier side, they’re not outrageous. — Matt Cohen
The Passenger is located at 1021 7th St NW
ZAYTINYA: What would a parental visit be without a trip to a Jose Andres restaurant? It’s practically de riguer, along with a trip to the Smithsonian and a segeway tour. Of all the Jose Andres restaurants, Zaytinya is my favorite, and the one I’ve found to be most consistent over time. It’s also the only restaurant that my foodie parents requested to visit a second time—in fact, they wanted to go back the very next day. The wide selection of Mediterranean mezze has something for everyone, be they picky or adventurous. Any dish with lamb is sure to be stellar, but don’t underestimate the vegetarian dishes either. — Alicia Mazzara
Zaytinya is located at 701 9th St NW.
TOKI UNDERGROUND: Some people enjoy having their parents spend lavishly on them when they come to town. Due to factors including Catholic guilt I am not one of those people. That’s what I love about Toki: the food is so delicious and special, but it’s also affordable. Yes, it can be hard to get a seat at times and the stools may be hard on certain parents. But if they’re up for it, the H Street NE ramen joint is the perfect city retreat for suburban parents. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Toki Underground is located at 1234 H Street NE.
OLD EBBITT GRILL: Part and parcel of living in D.C. is the responsibility that we all individually carry to pretend to our families that we live that type of Washington life popularized by The West Wing — the political intrigue, the constant proximity to power, the drama of being in charge of everything. So when Mom and Dad are in town and just itching to believe that you’re more important than you are — don’t tell them that being a legislative aide on the Hill means nothing! — head down to the Old Ebbitt Grill. All that wood paneling, the feel of being surrounded by people making important decisions, the news headlines that get printed on the receipts, the passable food, and the obvious proximity to the White House will make them think that you called in a favor with Obama himself to get that table. To really make their night, take Uber there — and ask the driver to wear an earpiece. — Martin Austermuhle
Old Ebbitt Grill is located at 675 15th Street NW.
BARDO: As a kid who grew up in Alexandria with parents who loved beer as much as the loved me, we made more than one trip to Bardo in Arlington. So for me, taking my mother to the resurrected D.C.-version feels pretty special, especially now that I can drink, too. Even if you don’t have a special attachment to the bar or Northern Virginia history, Bardo is different than anything else in the city—with its shipping containers, outdoor movies and industrial feel—and will take your folks to a part they may have not seen before. —Sarah Anne Hughes.
Bardo is located at 1200 Bladensburg Road NE.
