The cherry blossoms are once again descending on Washington — and if those magical puffs of pink don’t make you cheery enough, consider all the specials that will be popping up around town. While the official Cherry Blossom Festival hosts tons of events — including the annual parade, Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival, and the Blossom Kite Festival — here’s a look at where else to go for food and drink specials, along with other festive happenings themed for D.C.’s favorite flower.
If you’re looking for cherry blossom food and drink specials …
Olivia Macaron
3270 M St. NW
Spring and pastel sweets just go together. Celebrate the season with Olivia Macaron’s aesthetically pleasing 2023 Cherry Blossom Gift Box; you can opt for nine, 20, or 50 treats, with flavors like rose, raspberry, and vanilla. You can also indulge in a cherry blossom European hot chocolate with white chocolate rose whipped cream, crushed raspberries, and a cherry blossom macaron.
Bourbon Steak
2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
This Georgetown steakhouse in the Four Season will feature a variety of Japanese-inspired dishes and cocktails during the season. The Sado cocktail, for example, is served in a ceramic tea kettle and blends matcha, mint-infused Haku Japanese vodka, Bermutto sake, Orgeat syrup, and lemon. Pair it with umami-packed Tokyo Tots, which are topped with Kewpie mayo, okonomiyaki sauce, and bonito flakes. Then dig into chicken consommé with sake, dashi, and chicken thigh confit (basically, Japanese-style chicken soup).
Sababa
3311 Connecticut Ave. NW
Does a cherry blossom tart speak to your flower-loving heart? If so, head to Cleveland Park for this dessert made with white sesame crust.
Silver Lyan x Katana Kitten
900 F St. NW
Downtown cocktail bar Silver Lyan is partnering for a second year with Japanese-inspired New York bar Katana Kitten for a pop-up bar in its subterranean space. The nearly weeklong promotion runs from March 27-April 1 and combines the cocktail visions of Ryan Chetiyawardana (known as Mr. Lyan) of Silver Lyan and and Masa Urushido of Katana Kitten. The pop-up will feature cherry blossom decor and drinks such as the Hibachi Highball made with Toki whiskey, white miso, chrysanthemum soda and onion volcano bitters and the Mochi Martinez made with Roku gin, matcha blanc, almond, sushi rice and cedar. From March 27-30, experience the pop-up by reserving a “Hanami Picnic Experience” for $85 per person, which includes a bento box of snacks and drinks such as a cherry blossom spritz. March 31-April 1, Katana Kitten will take over the entire bar and be available to anyone without a reservation.
Irregardless
502 H St. NE
Mika Carlin, who co-owns the H Street wine bistro Irregardless, tapped into her Japanese heritage to create two special cocktails to celebrate cherry blossom season. The Haru no Hinode is made with a salt-pickled Sakura infused gin, yuzu liqueur, snap pea and green tea syrups, lemon juice, and a hibiscus rim. The Tokyo 75 features Lockhouse Sakura gin, yuzu, lemon, hibiscus syrup, and lychee liqueur, topped with a sparkling rosé.
Estuary
950 New York Ave.NE
Stop by Estuary for a cherry blossom tasting menu and sake pairing available through April 28. Among the menu highlights: grilled chicken skewers with cherry blossom tea glaze and sesame seeds, and Hamachi ceviche with cherry blossom vinaigrette. The tasting is $40 per person, and a sake flight is an additional $25 per person.
Immigrant Food
Multiple locations
Consider this your one-stop shop for cake and cocktails. All of Immigrant Food’s D.C. locations will be offering a Cherry Blossom Trifle, which includes such delicacies as Genoise sponge cake, fresh raspberries, sour cherries, pomegranate ganache, cookie crumble, and white chocolate, topped with house-made chantilly cream. The locations at Planet Word and the White House will serve up non-alcoholic cocktails such as the Okinawa Colada — a play on the classic Pina Colada.
Crooked Run Fermentation
Multiple locations
Cheers with the cherry blossom-inspired beer at Crooked Run’s locations in D.C. and Virginia. Expect a Berliner weisse with cherries, white chocolate, and vanilla — a concoction that’s equal parts sweet and tart.
Las Gemelas
1280 4th St. NE
This popular taqueria is celebrating cherry blossom season with a new drink: the Early Bloom frozen daiquiri. It’s made with rum, maraschino, rose blossom cordial, lime, and grapefruit.
Puro Gusto
1345 F St. NW
This fast-casual Italian cafe is adding a cherry blossom-themed spritz to its happy hour offerings, which include a “bottomless” happy hour on weekdays from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. The restaurant is putting the cherry blossom spritz, which includes cherry juice and is garnished with cherries in addition to the traditional orange, on the seasonal spritz tap. It’s included in the restaurant’s $19.99 “bottomless” happy hour promotion, which also offers beer, and light snacks.
Compass Coffee
Multiple locations
Compass Coffee is back with beautiful — and delicious — cherry blossom lattes. If you prefer to make your coffee at home, you can also purchase the seasonally available Cherry Blossom Blend, a medium roast blend of beans from Ethiopia and Guatemala that makes for a floral and bright flavor profile.
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
1308 G St. NW
Make this the cherry on top of your sightseeing day: A square doughnut filled with tart red cherry jam and cream cheese glaze. If one won’t cut it, pre-order a box of 12 mini doughnuts. They’re almost too pretty to eat.
Bindaas
3309 Connecticut Ave NW; 2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW
This Indian food destination will offer a cherry blossom-inspired dessert at all of its locations to commemorate the blooms. Make plans to enjoy the coconut and cherry blossom kulfi, which is made with cherry compote, sweet saffron noodles, and basil seeds.
Jaleo
480 7th St NW
Chef José Andrés’ flagship Spanish spot is offering a special menu that will be available through April 16. Among the offerings: gazpacho de cerezas (chilled tomato soup and cherries) and fried Brussels sprouts with almonds, cherries, and apple purée. For dessert, opt for Turrón Cherry Times (a box of cherry and chocolate nougat) or a Basque-style cheesecake with cherries.
If you’re looking to think pink at other events around the region …
Cherry Blossom sightseeing cruises
Departing from The Wharf, Georgetown, National Harbor, and Old Town Alexandria
Want to admire the blooms from a less terrestrial perspective? Hop aboard the Potomac Water Taxi, which will offer closeup views of the shoreline, no elbowing through crowds necessary. Tickets start at $27 and departures begin every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the day of the week.
Bloomaroo
The Wharf
Head to The Wharf April 1 for Bloomaroo, a spring festival featuring live music, art, games, and ending with a fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. The development will also have a dedicated “Blossom Bar” set up on District Pier.
The Capital Wheel in pink
141 American Way, Oxon Hill
The cherry blossom trees are already blooming at National Harbor — and you don’t have to admire them on foot. Instead, take a ride on the giant ferris wheel, which will glow pink in celebration. The Tickled Pink package ($40) includes two tickets, two drinks, and a commemorative photo.
Cherry blossom tea service at the Waldorf Astoria
1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
If you’ve been looking for reason to check out the historic Old Post Office, which is now the Waldorf Astoria hotel, perhaps it’s arrived. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon through April 30, a Cherry Blossom Tea Service will offer indulgences like orange sour cherry scones with lemon curd, sour cherry jam, and Devonshire cream, plus cherry blossom tea (naturally).
A plant-tastic discussion
4th Street NW
Perhaps the blossoms have inspired you to become a plantfluencer. If so, you’re in luck: The National Gallery of Art is hosting Hilton Carter, author of Living Wild: How to Plant Style Your Home and Cultivate Happiness, whose apartment is filled with more than 200 plants. At this April 1 talk, he’ll dispense tips on how to decorate your home with your favorite greenery (and, naturally, some pink touches). Registration opens Friday, March 24.
Cherry blossom dance party
1 King St., Alexandria
Old Town Alexandria hosts a free cherry blossom-themed dance party at its waterfront park on April 1 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. featuring live DJs, the city’s Mobile Art Lab, and plenty of opportunity to move your feet.
Pinknic and kite fly
Valley and Wheeler Roads SE
The Mall isn’t the only place to fly a kite this cherry blossom season; Oxon Run Park in Ward 8 will host a “Pinknic” and Kite Fly April 2 from noon to 3 p.m. There will be entertainment, kite programming, and more.
Union Station in bloom
50 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Peruse more than 60 local makers at URBNmarket, a handmade and vintage market at Union Station from March 24-26. In addition to a wide array of unique finds, you can take home official 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival merchandise.
Cherry blossom bike tour
1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons
Hop on a bike and tour around Tysons with the Tysons Community Alliance in the group’s first ever Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride. The tour will include a bike decorating station for you to deck out your ride for the season, bike repairs, face painting, free refreshments, and more. The tour ends at Tysons Tower, near the Tysons Corner Center plaza, where festivities will be set up.
An Instagram moment at CityCenterDC
Palmer Alley NW
Get your camera ready: 250 light pink lanterns have been suspended over Palmer Alley, creating the perfect cherry blossom photo op. While you’re in the neighborhood, pop into Fig & Olive, which is offering a Cherry Picks menu, including a tuna carpaccio with pickled cherry blossoms, through April 16.
Paws & Petals
900 10th St. NW
The Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center hosts the go-to canine event of cherry blossom season with Paws & Petals. The “yappy hour” on March 31 from 5:30 p.m. -7 p.m. includes drinks and snacks for humans and dogs, crafty activities, and the chance for the four-legged attendees to take a dip in the hotel’s pool — which is normally off limits to dog guests.
Cherry blossom kayak tour
The Wharf Boathouse
Here’s an idea: paddle to your petals. Check out a guided Cherry Blossom kayak tour — they depart from The Wharf on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 9 a.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m. through April 8. Guided by someone from Boating in DC, you’ll learn all about the nation’s history while getting a nice look at the blossoms along the waterfront.
Cherry blossom art installation
950 New York Ave NW
Conrad DC is teaming up with Heather Cooper, a D.C. artist who’s the former resident artist and designer for The Executive Residence of The White House. She’s created an art installation featuring 4,000 silk flowers that are woven into the metal veil of the hotel’s atrium. There will, of course, be ample pink blooms. Stop by before April 31.
