Eating Options Near The Mall in Washington, DC

You're at the Smithsonian for a killer day of sightseeing and lunchtime arrives, where do you eat? Skip the cafeteria at the National Gallery and the food trucks hawking hot dogs, stale pretzels, and overpriced sodas. If you're on the Mall, you need sustenance. And with all the serious sightseeing to attend to, a stale $3 pretzel is not going cut it. Here are some tips for quick and inexpensive eats in the area.

I've cross sectioned the Mall area and picked some personal favorites or notable choices. This list is by no means inclusive, there are a ton of options near the Mall. You just need to wander a few blocks in any direction off of the Mall to find an affordable lunch. (Note-my geographical areas refer to the area around the mall, not the part of town where the restaurant lies.)

Northwest
This is the mecca of sandwich shops, like High Noon and Corner Bakery. Grab a sandwich or salad and head for a bench like the rest of the town is doing at lunch. Or stop into Ollie's Trolley for a greasy burger and fries.
Northeast
Chinatown is full of inexpensive lunch choices, including my personal favorite, the fresh dumplings at China Town Express. If you're not feeling so adventurous, 7th street offers a buffet of chain options, but please opt for a local TexMex chain, Austin Grill or a liquid lunch at DA's RFD (with 30 excellent beers on tap.) And if you want something a little more refined, grab some tapas and sangria at Jaleo. And, if you can't bear to leave the Mall, the National Gallery's Sculpture Garden has a great little cafe next to the fountain/ice rink.

Southeast
The southside of the Mall is not as diverse as the north, but people work here and you'll find inexpensive food choices. Don't forget the Congressional cafeterias, they're open to the public and serve up daily specials, grill favorites, and at one time "Freedom fries." The renovated Longworth cafeteria offers food-court style options, while the Rayburn is more traditional cafeteria fare. Another quick, but admittedly a chain, is the Vie de France near L'Enfant Plaza or try the buffet options at Cosmo Cafe. Looking for a hidden treasure? Head down to the Market Inn. The food is unremarkable, but you feel like you've stepped back in time to another Washington. Unfortunately, the Market Inn closed it's doors.

Southwest
This is a no man's land of good food options, in my opinion. But that's not to say there's nowhere to eat, it's just that I can't remember a good meal here. You'll find a TON of quick, budget-friendly options, but not a memorable meal.