While DC is known for museums and historical monuments, the neighborhood of Georgetown provides a great break from the political vibe. Home to tons of great restaurants, cafés, and shops in a walkable area, Georgetown is a such a fun, vibrant place to explore while you’re visiting DC. Keep reading for my favorite recommendations of what to see, where to eat, and the best places to shop in Georgetown.

things to see and do in Georgetown

Exorcist Steps – Famous for being featured in The Exorcist movie, these concrete steps are located at the corner of Prospect St and 36th St NW. It’s definitely a lot of steps so consider it a mini workout haha. Visit at night for spookier vibes.

Crumbs and Whiskers – You can’t not love a cat café. These cats are rescued from risk of euthanasia and available for adoption. You truly make a difference with the purchase of your ticket, and the cats are very friendly and cuddly (and perfect).

Georgetown Waterfront Park – Overlooking the Potomac River, there are benches to sit and a walking path to explore Georgetown’s Historic District. This is a great spot to take a break from the busyness of M Street, especially if you have kids.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal – Also known as the C&O Canal, this is a great historic walk that teaches you about the early history of Georgetown.

where to eat in Georgetown

breakfast, brunch, and bagels

Call Your Mother – Best spot for bagels. The wait can be long, so order ahead on their website to skip the line, especially if you’re visiting on the weekend. 

Peacock Café – Trendy, family-owned restaurant that also serves dinner. Great ambiance; this is the place to go for aesthetic and pretty plates.

Martin’s Tavern – Prompt service in a historic location that’s been around for almost 100 years. JFK proposed to Jackie Onassis here, and they’ve served numerous presidents since. They serve a great brunch, but are open for dinner as well.  

1310 Kitchen & Bar – Sandwiches – A local favorite. Laid-back vibe with great service, the portions are big and the food is really fresh. Also open for dinner on the weekends.

coffee + cafes

Bitty & Beau’s Coffee – This coffee shop is unlike any other and truly incredible. The heart and message behind the store makes this worth visiting, but they also serve the best chai I’ve ever had (not too sweet), and their muffins are so good that I recommend grabbing a second to-go to have for later.

Baked & Wired – Very popular and there’s typically a line, but it’s worth the wait.   

Compass Coffee – Great vibes and their seasonal drinks are always good. Spacious with lots of seating, but it can get crowded.

Blue Bottle Coffee – Industrial vibes with outdoor seating; their hot chocolate is incredible.

lunch and dinner

Falafel Inc. – Perfect budget-friendly lunch spot, you can get a falafel sandwich for $4, plus there are tons of sauces you can sample.

Good Stuff Eatery– Another great spot that isn’t too expensive, this had a solid crowd every day we walked past it and offers lunch specials. Don’t sleep on the Cajun fries.

The Tombs – Dive bar vibes, but we had a solid lunch here. The servers are very friendly and share great recommendations. 

Clyde’s – The sister restaurant to The Tombs, it’s a little more upscale. Highly recommend this spot if you have food allergies as our server was very attentive and conscientious of a dairy allergy.

Filomena – A true Georgetown staple, the portions are huge and perfect for sharing.  

il Canale – Great pizza (with gluten-free options) near the C&O Canal with lots of outdoor seating.

dessert 

Georgetown Cupcake – Top destination for cupcakes, the menu rotates and features seasonal specialties. Our favorites: coconut, key lime, mint cookies & crème, vegan apple cinnamon, and raspberry chocolate chip. 

Levain Bakery – Really good cookies that are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. I recommend the chocolate chip walnut and caramel coconut chocolate chip.

Thomas Sweet – Popular spot that has been visited by both Presidents Obama and Biden. They have unique flavors like Swiss chocolate malt and butter brickle as well as sorbets and vegan options.

Pasha Castle Sweets – Friendly and helpful staff, and there’s something for everyone. Very authentic; stop here for Turkish delights and Turkish coffee.  

Laduree – Fancy and slightly overpriced, but if you’re a fan of macaroons, you can’t skip this spot.

best shopping in Georgetown

M. Street – There’s a great blend of local businesses as well as popular brands at all price points. My favorite shops are Le Labo, Diptyque, Madewell, UpWest, Paper Source, Anthropologie, and Free People. This Sephora location is also a decent size and carries more brands than my local store.

Cady’s Alley – Also on M Street but kind of tucked away, this is such a cool little corner that has a lot of home décor, staging, and furnishing showrooms. Definitely worth exploring if you’re in a design/ remodel phase of life.

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