The District is full of the workaholic types who eat their lunch at their desk. Sound familiar? Well, not anymore. If you’re looking to escape your desk a bit, here are some places around D.C. that are worth for their lunch deals.
Ambar on Capitol Hill
523 8th St. SE
If you have a group, maybe it’s someone’s birthday and you and a group of coworkers have some time to sneak away, so head to Ambar on Capitol Hill. For $19.99 a person, you can get a wide selection of unlimited small plates. You can share flatbreads, sausages, grilled veggies, meat pies and more during their express lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The only catch: Everyone at the table must participate.
Bonchon Chicken
1015 Half St. SE
If you’re in a rush, try out Bonchon Chicken in Navy Yard. From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can get their signature fried chicken in the flavor of your choosing—options range from spicy to sweet garlic—for $10.95. The fried chicken meal, which has at least eight pieces of wings or strips or four drums, also comes with a side. Sides include kimchi, steamed rice and french fries. Reddit users last year called it one of the best fried chicken spots in the District.
Boqueria
1837 M St. NW and 777 9th St. NW
When you want dessert, hit up Boqueria in either Penn Quarter or Dupont Circle. Depending on the location (it’s a bit pricier in Dupont), you can get a prix fixe tapas for $25 or $29 for the whole table which includes peppers, croquetas and more. But the real reason why you came? The churros, of course. The fried dough with nutella is to die for, according to several Yelp users, with one of them saying their only complaint is there wasn’t enough chocolate on the side.
Fare Well
406 H St NE
If you just want breakfast, because you missed out on breakfast and now it’s suddenly 1 p.m., do not despair. H Street’s vegan diner Fare Well serves breakfast all day, every day of the week, and you’re unlikely to spend more than $12 on an entree. Breakfast includes blueberry pancakes, breakfast tacos, and avocado toast.
GCDC
1730 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
If you feel like your inner child, head over to GCDC on Pennsylvania Avenue, just west of the White House. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can choose from a list of nine grilled cheese sandwiches that you won’t see on the dinner menu, including a spicy kimchi cheddar sammie, a Cuban sandwich, or a Reuben. Prices are easier to swallow, too, with sandwiches ranging from $8.75 to $10. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Monica M. on Yelp warns, however, that it can get crowded and tight around lunchtime.
Hank’s Oyster Bar
1624 Q St. NW
If you’re feeling really hungry,Hank’s Oyster Bar has a 2-course meal option for $14.99 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. You first choose from a list of light meals, including bacon deviled eggs and clam chowder, before diving into a second course, which are largely various sandwiches, including shrimp poboys and trout sandwiches. The lunch deal is only available at the Dupont Circle location.
Kaliwa
751 Wharf St. SW
If you want to relive your lunchbox days, try the Masaya Lunch Box from the Wharf’s pan-Asian restaurant, where every dish has its place. The $16 box includes compartments for rotating menu items, which could include a Spam-and-egg sandwich with kimchi mayo, mandu (dumplings), papaya salad, garlic fried rice, and other items.
The Palm Restaurant
1225 19th St. NW
If you really can’t afford it any other time, head to The Palm for their power lunch deal. This hotspot for celebrity and politician-sightings may be way out of your price range in the evening, but you can get a taste of how the rich and powerful eat during lunchtime. The Dupont Circle restaurant’s $26 power lunch deal is 2 courses, but you can add dessert for an additional $3. The menu is pretty standard fare for a steakhouse with a salad or soup course before a small selection of steaks, chicken or seafood, but it’s worth it to avoid breaking the bank.
Ris
2275 L St. NW
If you want something new, check out Ris’ lunch club. For $20 at the bar at this West End restaurant, you can be treated to a rotating menu that might include burgers, mussel fries, and salad, as well as a glass of wine or beer. The menu changes frequently, so you’ll rarely get bored. If you join the club, your 7th meal is on the house.
Sushi Para
4221 Connecticut Ave. NW
If you want a boatload of sushi, Van Ness restaurant Sushi Para, which also regularly has $40-and-up sushi boats, also has a lunch box deal. From 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can get two select rolls from anywhere between $6.95 and $13.95. Even if you add extra rolls or pieces of sushi, the lunch deal doesn’t exceed $16.95. Of course, if you’ve got time and you’re really hungry, all-you-can-eat sushi is $23.99.
Zaytinya
701 9th St. NW
If you’re feeling fancy, Chef José Andrés’ Mediterrean Zaytinya in Gallery Place offers a $25 mezze lunch. That means you can choose four smaller plates from a wide selection, including falafel, hummus, lamb kabobs, and Greek yogurt with apricots. Denise L. on Yelp says its great for a quick lunch when you’re busy as all the food came out fairly quickly. Lunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
