City Cast DC logo

An Artists Guide to Union Market

Posted on August 17, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Kaela Cote-Stemmermann

Kaela Cote-Stemmermann

An absolutely banging breakfast at Maman.

An absolutely banging breakfast at Maman. (Priyanka Tilve/City Cast DC)

The Union Market neighborhood has blown up with restaurants and coffee shops in the last couple of years, but it also has an artsy side if you know where to look.

First, Coffee:

Get inspired at The Village DC Cafe, the artsiest coffee shop Union Market has to offer. Not only is their coffee delicious, they also host markets, concerts, and gallery nights. Check out the Black Art Social this Saturday. For something a little more substantial, we swear by the breakfast sandwich at Maman.

Look At Art:

Check out dozens of murals in the neighborhood, painted by the likes of Yoko Ono, Mr. Brainwash, and Roberto Seminario. Chela Mitchell Gallery also opened last year, showcasing local contemporary artwork. (Note: they are on break until September!)

Make Art:

Check out The Art Room, an adult pottery painting studio where you can grab a drink and an unpainted mug and go to town. The space is small and minimalist, sure to bring forth your best ideas (see mine below). Shop Made In DC also hosts multiple drop-in art classes each week.

Painting a mug at The Art Room.

Painting my dream mug at The Art Room. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)

Buy Art:

Arttepuy in La Cosecha has beautiful, handmade Latin American art such as baskets, carvings, and paintings. Shelter has local handmade jewelry and clothing. Finally, Shop Made In DC acts as an incubator for small-scale artists in the area.

Share article

Hey DC

Get smart about D.C. with our news roundup and analysis.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Neighborhood Guides

See All
Neighborhood GuidesApril 8

Get to Know 11th Street NW in Columbia Heights

11th Street in Columbia Heights is one of my favorite hangout spot in the District. You can garden, snack on crispy pig ears, and grab fr...

11th Street NW, Columbia Heights. (Google Maps)
Neighborhood GuidesMarch 11

How To Spend a Day In Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry is everything a day trip should be: cute, accessible, packed with activities, and most importantly, has lots of great food....

Harpers Ferry view from The Point hike. (Westend61/Getty Images)
Neighborhood GuidesFebruary 18

How To Spend a Day In Frederick

Less than an hour drive away from D.C., Frederick is full of historic charm, bookshop nooks, antique emporiums, and quiet hikes.

A look toward the church steeples in Baker Park in Frederick. (WilliamSherman/Getty Images)
Neighborhood GuidesJanuary 15

Finding the Best Block In DC: Takoma

Start at Lost Sock Coffee Roasters, a small-batch specialty coffee roaster located in the old Takoma Theatre.

Statue of Roscoe. (BeyondDC/Flickr)
Neighborhood GuidesDecember 10, 2025

Walk A Mile On Pennsylvania Ave SE

Welcome to the another installment of our walking series, where we pick a D.C. street to walk a mile on and see what cool stuff we can fi...

Starting off at the Congressional Cemetery. (Annie Rees/City Cast DC)
Neighborhood GuidesNovember 20, 2025

Where To Eat At Eden Center

Eden Center is the most exciting strip mall you’ll ever go to. It's back halls are packed with dozens of Vietnamese bakeries, delis, bill...

Mall at Eden Center. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Neighborhood GuidesNovember 10, 2025

Your Guide to DMV Airports

Yes, take the Blue or Yellow line to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stop.

American Airlines plane on runway at Reagan National Airport. (The Washington Post/Getty Images)
Neighborhood GuidesNovember 6, 2025

Walk a Mile On Florida Avenue

Welcome to another of our walking series, where we pick a D.C. street to walk a mile on and see what cool stuff we can find along the way!

Walking Florida Avenue in my Maison Bar a Vin hat thinking about coffee from the Royal. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)