The sauna that is D.C. summer has cooled down just enough to make way for the perfect picnic weather. You could show up with Trader Joe’s two-buck-chuck, but why not step it up a notch? Here are the best spots in D.C. to grab picnic foods, both traditional and out-of-the-box.
Odd Provisions (Columbia Heights)
This is where you go for those classic picnic items: wine, cheese and crackers, tinned fish, fizzy drinks, and baked goods. But they also have a great pre-prepared meal section with salads, roast meats, and dips. (Closest park: Columbia Heights Green)
So’s Your Mom (Adams Morgan)
Skip the soggy grocery store sandwiches. This family-owned deli shop has the best, cheapest sandwiches in town, and it’s only a few steps from Kalorama Park. The N.Y. corned beef always hits. Cash only! (Closest park: Kalorama Park)
Hank’s Oyster Bar (The Wharf/Dupont)
Grab one of their to-go lobster roll kits and bring it to your favorite outdoor spot. The kit includes Maine lobster salad, coleslaw, Goldfish crackers, and chocolate chunk cookies. (Closest park: The Waterfront/Dupont Circle)
So’s Your Mom deli. (Ben Jaffe/City Cast DC reader)
Julia’s Empanadas (Adams Morgan)
Empanadas are the perfect picnic food, self-contained, highly transportable, and delicious. Julia’s lunch special will get you one sweet and one savory empanada plus a drink for $10. (Closest park: Kalorama Park)
Green Almond Pantry (Georgetown)
This is my perfect picnic. Pick from a mix of focaccia breads, mezze dishes, roasted veggie and bean salads, and sandwiches all packaged to-go. Then finish it off with plum olive oil cake while looking over the Potomac. (Closest Park: Georgetown Waterfront)
Wine & Butter Cafe & Market (Capitol Hill)
An upscale deli/market/coffee shop that’s perfect for grabbing a coffee and sandwich before settling in with a good book in the grass. Don’t miss the chocolate croissants. (Closest park: Lincoln Park)
Wine & Butter Cafe & Market. (Ben Jaffe/City Cast DC reader)
Hana Market (U Street Corridor)
This little Japanese market sells all sorts of snacking treasures, but the real insiders know to go for their homemade onigiri – a rice ball with various fillings wrapped in seaweed, perfect for a picnic. They only have them Wed - Sun at 1:15 until sold out. (Closest park: Malcolm X)
Turning Natural (Anacostia)
Maybe not the most traditional picnic food, but when it’s hot, Turning Natural’s fresh made smoothies and açai bowls can’t be beat. Grab a Marion Berry smoothie and walk five minutes to the impressive Anacostia Park. (Closest park: Anacostia Park)
Paik Produce (Eastern Market)
Hidden inside Eastern Market, this small Asian grocer also sells premade to-go items like kimchi pancakes, dumplings, meat skewers, kimbap, and okonomiyaki. It gets busy on weekends, so go early. (Closest park: Lincoln Park)
