This suburban-centric neighborhood on the edge of D.C. can seem sleepy, but there is plenty going on under the surface. It’s home to some of D.C.’s best retail therapy, bustling food halls, and of course, The Cheesecake Factory.
First, Coffee:
The Junction serves up a great breakfast and fancy lattes like the rose petal latte or honey lavender latte. Alternatively, head down to Coffee Nature which has top-notch coffee and brekkie sandwiches. I get the bulgogi egg and cheese croissant with a matcha. Unbeatable.
Map of Friendship Heights neighborhood with recommendations marked. (Google Maps)
What To Eat:
It’s taking everything in me to not recommend The Cheesecake Factory. But there are better, more local options. The Heights Food Hall is home to Kevin Tien’s Doki Doki Sushi bar and Cuban restaurant Saoco, which has one of the best Cubanos in the District. Then, hidden in the back of the Barlow office building is B&B Cafe, a Korean-owned deli with all the classics, plus bulgogi wraps and Korean snacks.
What To Do:
Friendship Heights is home to my favorite consignment store, S&K Consignment. You can always find reasonably priced art, lamps, and tons of antique glassware. To get moving, head to the nearby Chevy Chase Rec Center. Or take an adult dance class at CityDance Studios, which has everything from flamenco to hip-hop.
S&K Consignment Gallery. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Let’s Get Happy Hour:
Friendship Heights doesn’t offer much in the way of nightlife, but it still has some solid watering holes. Grab $10 strawberry spritzes at Lia’s happy hour with some $5 sliders on the side. For Guinness and beer deals, check out Irish restaurant The Hunters Hound.
