Photo by LaTur.
By DCist contributor Johanna Mendelson Forman
With the first pink flowers now opening around the Tidal Basin, over 1.5 million tourists are expected to hit the city. And this will inevitably mean houseguests — at least, it certainly does for me.
So what’s a host to do with friends and family seeking a D.C. experience that goes beyond the monuments? Food tours, a growing industry in the area, are a guaranteed way to bring people together around a table (and keep them occupied for a few hours). Several companies offer a wide range of options at different prices, with trained guides who can usher you and your palate across continents or regions. They range from walking tours of specific neighborhoods to brewery buses complete with designated drivers.
Diverse waves of immigrants have made the District the capital of “conflict cuisines”: with foods from Vietnam, Ethiopia, Central America, and elsewhere enriching the culinary life of both the city and suburbs. And much-lauded new restaurants like Thip Khao, The Dabney, and (of course) Rose’s Luxury have drawn acclaim from parts of the country that usually sniff at the District’s dining ambitions. As the area has begun to grow as a food destination, tours that explore our culinary offerings have flourished, offering a new point of entry into the local eating scene for both newcomers and tourists.
With cherry blossom season upon us, many of the companies also feature special tours that visit restaurants offering special dishes in honor of our flowering Japanese trees — a perfect way to both entertain, and feed, springtime visitors.
Carpe DC Food Tours
Featuring tours of the U Street and Shaw neighborhoods, Carpe DC’s curated tours explore our city’s burgeoning food and drink culture at six stops in 3 hours, while a happy hour tour tours three spots along the 14th Street Corridor in about half that time. A Cherry Blossom tour will run seven days at week during the Cherry Blossom Festival season, and all tours can accommodate groups up to 16 people. A nice feature of this socially responsible team is that they give a portion of each tour to Bread for the City, a local food charity. U Street/Shaw tours: $68 per person with food only, $89 per person with food and drinks. Happy Hour tours: $49 per person with food and drinks, $36 per person for food only. Carpe DC Food Tours, 540-923-2773.
DC Brew Tours
Offering a five-hour tour of four breweries, with a pick up point (801 F Street, NW) in front of the National Portrait Gallery, DC Brew Tours provide a designated driver so you can enjoy stops at four local breweries, and the tours also include, thankfully, food pairings. You can opt for tours during the day or at night, and it can also be a fun option for bachelor/bachelorette parties. The five-hour tour is $90 per person; check the website for special offers and deals. DC Brew Tours, 202-759-TOUR (8687).
DC By Foot
Too good to be true? DC By Foot offers licensed guides who allow you to set your own price, with food tours among their many offerings. The Eastern Market, U Street, and Georgetown tours all feature food destinations, and, offering a truly democratic approach to touring, they believe the tourist should decide what to eat, how much to eat, and how much to spend. Very liberating, especially for anyone on a tight budget who wants to experience the D.C. food renaissance! DC By Foot, 202-370-1830.
DC Metro Food Tours
Among the oldest of D.C.’s food tour companies, DC Metro Food Tours offer 14 walking tours, including Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Old Town, Little Ethiopia, U Street, DuPont Circle, Adams Morgan, and historic Leesburg. There is also a walking tour of the Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria, featuring American bistro-style tastings, local ingredients, and farm to table restaurants. A special tour for the Cherry Blossom Festival focuses on Capitol Hill, featuring eateries that offer unique dishes related to cherries and Japanese inspirations. Prices range from $49-60 per person for a three-hour tour. DC Metro Food Tours, 202-683-8847.
Mangia DC Food Tours
Established in 2013, this tour company is relatively new, but has received good reviews on Yelp! and TripAdvisor. The tours focus on the Dupont Circle area, featuring restaurants that offer Italian fare. While more limited in scope, it is also a good option if you are interested in walking the area as guides are knowledgeable about the history of the city. $49-65 per person for up to a three-hour tour. mangiadc.com; 202- 838-1900
Johanna Mendelson Forman is the creator of Conflict Cuisine® and teaches a course on war and peace around the dinner table at American University, where she is a scholar in residence.
