La’ Shukran is its own self-contained world, a place to go when you want to forget you’re in DC and lose yourself in a Levantine salon with exceptional small plates, and the feeling that at any moment a dance party could break out and not end until dawn. Plates of hummus with beef tongue or escargot dot most tables, and an entire menu of cocktails made with arak are churned out from behind the bar.

It doesn’t matter if you visit Minetta Tavern for a cocktail at the bar alone on a Tuesday or plan weeks (months?) ahead for a Saturday dinner. Much like at the original New York location, both experiences will feel special. Order the coq au vin served with housemade gnocchi and wash it down with a Burgundy from the deep and French-leaning wine list.

Cordelia Fishbar is what the area was missing—a place casual enough to pop in after work without a reservation, but also delicious and buzzy enough to schedule a group dinner around. The fish-centric restaurant by the folks behind Clyde’s excels in the group experience with soaring seafood towers filled with oysters, lobster salad, shrimp, and sturgeon caviar. Their Rhode Island calamari, bluefin tuna tartar, and whole black sea bass are more subtle—but still delicious—options.

The dining room at El Presidente feels like the set of a Guillermo del Toro film. The space is full of animated sharks, crustaceans, and weird one-eyed creatures. It's one of the most fun restaurants in DC, so it's great for meeting up with friends for lunch or dinner or to impress your out of town guests. Order the blue-crab topped guacamole and tuna tostada made with creamy cuts of yellowfin.

Yes, Pastis really leans into the French bistro stereotypes, but it does so quite well: the playlist seamlessly moves from Edith Piaf to Beyoncé, and the patina on the mirrors lining the dining room somehow make everyone look hot and interesting. We like to come here for a drink at the bar, or a meal of crispy artichokes and veal with mushrooms before or after a movie at the Angelika.

Escape the DC chaos and venture into the Wild West at St. Anselm. The steakhouse is a mix of hunting lodge and dining room with wood paneling, comfy leather booths, and lighting that’s best described as kerosene-esque. Cowboy aesthetics aside, start with the velvety blue crab deviled eggs before heading straight for the axe handle ribeye. The prime grade steak, incredibly tender, and starting at 45 ounces, is perfect for sharing.

There's also an indoor market in Union Market called, maybe confusingly, Union Market. Puddin’ is tucked in the very back of it, and despite the stand’s bright pink coloring, it can be easy to miss if you let yourself get lured in by the dozens of restaurants before you get there. Steel your resolve and hit this Southern comfort food joint for an incredible gumbo with beef sausage, and don’t forget to grab some of their signature bread pudding, too.

Also in Union Market's Union Market: Ramen by Uzu. Their shoyu ramen is filling, flavorful, and warm. It’s made with a savory chicken bone broth and topped with wakame, mushroom, and bamboo shoots, and tastes just as good as it looks. Head here when you’re looking for a nice, cozy lunch or just need to fulfill a ramen craving, stat. Either way, you’ll leave satisfied.

Mecha Noodle Bar brings the pho vs. ramen battle to Union Market. There are two bars with plenty of seating, but when you walk in for either lunch or dinner, opt for a table so you can spread out a little more. A mix of hip-hop from the last 20 years plays at the perfect volume so you can sing along to your favorites without disturbing other diners. The crunchy general tso’s shrimp with a sweet-sticky rice is a must order, as are any spiked boba like the creamy thai iced tea.