The 15 Best Carry Out DC Spots Locals Actually Order From in 2026

The best carry out DC offers goes beyond convenience. Takeout remains a great way to support the restaurants you love. Yet with hundreds of options scattered across the nation’s capital, knowing which spots deliver excellent food can be challenging. This piece cuts through the noise to reveal the best carry out in DC that locals keep ordering from. These 15 restaurants represent the best takeout Washington DC has to offer, from iconic chili joints to upscale grilled cheese bars. You’ll find must-try dishes and pricing that makes each spot worth ordering from in 2026.

Ben’s Chili Bowl

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What They’re Known For

Operating since 1958, Ben’s Chili Bowl stands as a historic black-owned restaurant that newlyweds Ben and Virginia Ali founded with $5,000 and a vision. The U Street institution gained fame for its Original Half-Smoke sausage, a blend of pork and beef griddled to a golden-brown finish and topped with homemade chili sauce, mustard and onions. Ben’s was the only restaurant permitted to stay open past curfew during the 1968 riots and fed activists, police officers and firefighters. The restaurant sells 600-800 half-smokes daily, with busy days reaching 1,000.

Must-Try Dishes

The Original Half-Smoke has mixed pork and beef sausage on a steamed bun with mustard, onions and spicy chili sauce. The Spicy Half-Smoke offers a hotter version of the signature dish. The Chili Cheese Fries combine golden fries with beef chili and nacho cheese. The Big Ben Burger has lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onions, American cheese and special sauce. Vegans can order the Veggie Dog with PETA-awarded veggie chili. The homemade banana pudding and thick milkshakes round out the menu.

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Why Locals Love It

Virginia Ali and her sons Nizam and Kamal run Ben’s and maintain the welcoming atmosphere that was created decades ago. The restaurant serves presidents, civil rights leaders and neighborhood regulars with equal warmth. Murals adorn the exterior while celebrity photos fill the interior walls. The lean ground beef chili simmers for hours with onions and secret spices. Products are now available at 166 Giant Food Stores locations and make the iconic flavors available to more people beyond the original U Street location.

Rasika Penn Quarter

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What They’re Known For

Chef Vikram Sunderam earned the 2013 James Beard Award for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic. This established Rasika Penn Quarter as one of the finest Indian restaurants in the nation’s capital. Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj opened the location in 2005 and created a fine dining experience where silk-covered walls and sheer curtains produce a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere. The Penn Quarter spot attracts federal workers, families (children must be 8 years or older), and couples seeking elevated Indian cuisine. The restaurant maintains a smart casual dress code that prohibits shorts and athletic wear.

Must-Try Dishes

The palak chaat stands as Rasika’s signature dish: crispy baby spinach layered with sweet yogurt, tamarind, and date chutney. The garlic naan arrives peppery, chewy, and oily enough to soak up every sauce. Chicken tikka masala has onions, tomatoes, and fenugreek powder. The crab pepper masala has a delicate pastry covering with meaty chunks underneath. Seafood options include Chilean sea bass in Goan curry and halibut in tomato-based curry. The lamb rogan josh delivers layers of flavor. Vegetarians favor the vegetable thali combination.

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Why Locals Love It

Rasika maintains 4.6 stars in 4,000+ ratings on delivery platforms. The restaurant packages carry out orders well, with customers noting the palak chaat stays crispy even during transport. Dishes like chicken makhani and palak paneer travel well. The Penn Quarter location offers Metro access that’s hard to beat: two blocks from Chinatown/Gallery Place and one block from Archives/Navy Memorial stations. Valet parking with validation serves dinner guests.

Best takeout in Miami.

District Bites

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What They’re Known For

District Bites sits in Chinatown next to Capital One Arena and serves as the full-service restaurant within District E Powered by Ticketmaster, the flagship esports and entertainment venue on the east coast. The kitchen produces a scratch-made menu using local ingredients and creates bar food lifted beyond typical arena fare. The restaurant attracts pregame crowds heading to Washington Wizards and Capitals games, along with esports fans and groups seeking an energetic atmosphere with live bands and DJs.

Must-Try Dishes

The Esports Nachos Grande has flash-fried corn tortillas topped with queso, green poblano sauce, pico de gallo, shaved jalapeños, pickled red onions, pinto beans, and cilantro lime crema. Game Time Buffalo Chicken Wings come as jumbo wings with blue cheese or ranch, celery, and hot sauce. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich has free-range, hormone-free chicken breast, slaw, house garlic dill pickle, and pimento cheese on a Martin’s potato roll. Pretzel bites during happy hour and pan-style pizza round out popular shareables. The Eastern Shore Crab Cake features jumbo lump crab with remoulade on a buttered roll.

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Why Locals Love It

Happy hour runs from 3-7pm and offers deals that patrons appreciate before events. Portion sizes lean generous, with nachos and appetizers sized for sharing. The casual atmosphere welcomes families and sports fans, with servers managing crowds even during busy pregame rushes.

We, The Pizza

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What They’re Known For

Chef Spike Mendelsohn and his family created We, The Pizza as a chef-driven concept drawing from generations of restaurant experience. The 305 Pennsylvania Ave SE location emphasizes hand-tossed pizzas with thick crust and simple, classic Italian American ingredients. The restaurant introduced Detroit-style pizzas among traditional New York slices and offers customers pager systems while they watch pizza makers work. Counter seating fills the downstairs area. Upstairs provides banquette-style seating and a larger dining room.

Must-Try Dishes

The Detroit Cheese and Detroit Pepperoni pizzas feature the Detroit-style crust at $15 for small sizes. Traditional hand-tossed options include the Capitol Supreme with pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, red onions, and green pepper. The Forest Shroomin’ combines wild forest mushrooms, truffles, mozzarella, fresh thyme, béchamel, and parmesan. Bacon Me Crazy adds a DC Mambo sauce drizzle to Applewood and Canadian bacon. Wings arrive kettle-sizzled with choices including Sriracha Hot & Honey Sweet, Chipotle BBQ, and DC Mambo Sauce. They’re served with buttermilk ranch or blue cheese. Sweet Mexican Cinnamon Knots with vanilla bean glaze and savory Roasted Garlic Knots with marinara provide appetizer options.

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Why Locals Love It

Customers appreciate the reasonable pricing. The restaurant maintains 885 ratings and 218 reviews. The menu focuses on quality execution rather than artisanal complexity. Locals value the quick service model and knowing how to purchase by the slice to get a fast lunch.

Best takeout in San Diego.

Founding Farmers DC

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What They’re Known For

Majority ownership by more than 50,000 American family farmers sets Founding Farmers DC apart from typical farm-to-table restaurants. The flagship location opened in 2008 just three blocks west of the White House and created an urban farmhouse atmosphere with handcrafted community farm dining tables and silo-shaped booths. The restaurant earned LEED Gold Certification and operates as a 3 Star Certified Green Restaurant. Scratch-made dishes use sourced ingredients from trusted farmers, with the restaurant becoming the most booked on OpenTable nationwide. Original artwork has a large flying Pegasus and a seasonal lamb mascot. A 5% surcharge applies to all dine-in checks at DC locations due to Initiative 82 labor cost increases.

Must-Try Dishes

The chicken pot pie features a homemade biscuit immersed in pot pie filling. Fried chicken and waffles pairs buttermilk-brined chicken breast and thigh with malty waffles, served with famous green beans and homemade mac and cheese. Skillet cornbread arrives in a cast iron pan with sea salted honey butter. Uncle Buck’s Beignets come with homemade dipping sauces. The pork chop receives praise for trimming and cooking. Shrimp and grits resembles shrimp and andouille sausage gumbo over grits. On top of that, blue cheese bacon dates combine crispy bacon and sweet dates with tangy blue cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.

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Why Locals Love It

Pickup and delivery service covers the whole scratch-made menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3:30pm-5:30pm in the bar area. The restaurant maintains 4.6 stars across 10,000+ ratings, with customers noting excellent packaging that keeps items fresh during transport.

Lebanese Taverna

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What They’re Known For

Tanios and Marie Abi-Najm founded Lebanese Taverna in Arlington’s Westover neighborhood in 1979, three years after escaping civil war in Beirut. The restaurant introduced classic Lebanese family cooking to the D.C. area and evolved into a beloved local institution over four decades. Five Abi-Najm siblings now run the operation and manage a dozen locations in Washington, D.C., its suburbs, and Baltimore. The portfolio has six full-service restaurants, seven fast-casual eateries branded as LebTav, and a flagship Lebanese market. All meats carry halal certification at every location. Lebanese cuisine leans heavily on vegetarian and vegan dishes, especially in the mezza, soup, and salad sections.

Must-Try Dishes

The Chef’s Platter provides a detailed introduction with hommus, baba ghanoush, tabouleh, falafel, m’saka, grape leaves, muhammura, chicken samosa, and kibbeh. Mujadara combines lentils and rice with caramelized onions. The Hommus Trio features hommus special with ground beef and lamb, spicy hommus with tomato and feta, and garlic hommus with chicken shawarma. Kabobs arrive with marinated grilled chicken, American lamb, or kafta alongside Lebanese rice pilaf and grilled tomato. Chicken Farrouj delivers roasted, deboned half chicken with zaatar potatoes.

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Why Locals Love It

The complimentary bread receives praise. Both quick-service and full-service formats create warm, inviting atmospheres. A kids menu serves children 12 and under. Party platter pickup allows guests to order directly from regular restaurant menus.

Best takeout in Seattle.

Baked and Wired

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What They’re Known For

Family-owned since 2001, Baked and Wired operates as an authentic hole-in-the-wall coffeehouse at 1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW in Georgetown. The bakery distinguishes itself with “Cakecups,” individual cakes wrapped in parchment and topped with rich frosting. These oversized cupcakes earned their unique name due to their impressive size, much larger than standard cupcakes. The establishment expanded beyond baked goods to include fresh donuts among daily favorites recently. Staff members foster a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere in a cozy setting with New Age and punk art decor.

Must-Try Dishes

The Strawberry Cakecup stands as the bestselling option. It features vanilla cake with fresh strawberries folded into batter and finished with pink buttercream. Karen’s Birthday showcases the owner’s mother’s family recipe for moist chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream. The Tessita, named after the owner’s daughter, combines vanilla cake with dulce de leche filling and chocolate-hazelnut satin icing. Dirty Chai blends chai-infused pistachio flavors. Other popular choices include Red Velvet, German Chocolate, Coconut, Carrot Cake, and Pretty Bitchin’ (chocolate with peanut butter). Vegan and gluten-free options accommodate dietary restrictions.

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Why Locals Love It

The cakecups maintain moisture through parchment wrapping and create denser consistency than typical fluffy cupcakes. Icing sweetness remains balanced rather than overwhelming. Staff friendliness receives consistent praise, with employees described as “total sweethearts”. Locals call Baked and Wired superior to nearby Georgetown Cupcake and Sprinkles.

GCDC Grilled Cheese Bar

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What They’re Known For

GCDC Grilled Cheese Bar opened in April 2014, half block from the White House. It started as a father-and-son project with a simple mission: celebrate the humble grilled cheese and treat it like a chef-driven sandwich. The menu has imaginative signature sandwiches and build-your-own options that create nostalgic experiences. Artisanal cheeses raise simple comfort food to restaurant quality. The restaurant sources ingredients from local DC-area producers and serves guests near the National Mall and Renwick Gallery.

Must-Try Dishes

The French Onion Grilled Cheese delivers rich savory flavor with caramelized onions, whereas the Reuben balances corned beef, cheese and tangy sauce. The Short Rib Grilled Cheese has tender meat with horseradish on the side. Creative options are Buffalo Blue (chicken, hot sauce, blue cheese) and Carolina BBQ (pork with barbecue sauce). The Maine Lobster grilled cheese stands out. The Veggie Melt has spinach, tomatoes, onions and cheddar on rye bread. Customers can customize sandwiches with sourdough or gluten-free bread, plus alternative cheeses and meats. The Poutine has cheese curds, gravy, mushrooms and bacon. Tomato soup pairs well for dunking.

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Why Locals Love It

Phone orders produce quick service for carry out. Packaging maintains the sandwich’s quality during transport. The build-your-own format allows customization and lets customers select specific breads, cheeses and proteins. Steps from monuments and ceremonies, the restaurant serves families and adults with ease.

Best takeout in Portland.

Keren Restaurant

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What They’re Known For

The café takes its name from the historic highland city of Keren in Eritrea and reflects the warmth and hospitality the region embodies. The restaurant serves authentic Eritrean dishes made with fresh ingredients. It caters to the nation’s capital’s Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora. Friendly diner-like vibes create a welcoming atmosphere. The small establishment has earned a 4.6 rating across 313 reviews and ranks #15 among 2,784 Washington DC restaurants. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 8am to 10pm, with Sunday closing at 9pm.

Must-Try Dishes

Ful combines beans and eggs with vegetables into a hearty breakfast option. The Beef Tibs arrives spiced with berbere seasoning and served with injera. Chickpea shiro and a fresh salad accompany it. Chickpea Shiro simmers hot in clay pots and delivers velvety texture. The Veggie Platter offers vegetables alongside injera. Order a pot of cinnamon-y house tea to complement the meal.

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Why Locals Love It

One beef platter feeds two adults and a teenager. Generous portions arrive at reasonable prices. Vegetarian and vegan options accommodate dietary priorities. Service maintains quick turnaround even during busy periods.

Pisco y Nazca

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What They’re Known For

Chefs at Pisco y Nazca travel to Peru each year and learn about new inspiration and ingredients to ensure the menu reflects Peru’s current culture and culinary trends. This Dupont Circle location adds a modern twist to traditional Peruvian cuisine, inspired by Peru’s top ceviche eateries. The vibrant bar has open kitchen views where guests watch chefs prepare bold-flavored dishes. The restaurant earned recognition as OpenTable Diner’s Choice for most booked restaurant in DC. Ranked #13 on TripAdvisor, the establishment serves brunch, lunch and dinner with happy hour.

Must-Try Dishes

The Ceviche Tradicional has fish with classic leche de tigre, cancha, choclo, and sweet potato, whereas the Cremoso de Ají Amarillo combines fish and shrimp in creamy leche de tigre. Lomo Saltado delivers wok-seared tenderloin with soy and oyster sauce, red onions, and tomato petals served with jasmine rice and fries. The Causa Crocante pairs panko shrimp with whipped potato and rocoto aioli. Conchitas a la Parmesana has seared scallops with parmesan gratin.

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Why Locals Love It

Daily happy hour (Hora Loca) runs 4-7pm with discounted drinks and food. Weekend brunch has bottomless sangrias and mimosas. Portions are generous, especially with ceviche samplers and family-style entrees.

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AMBAR Restaurant, Shaw

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What They’re Known For

AMBAR’s “Dining Without Limits” concept brings unlimited Balkan small plates to Shaw at 1547 7th Street NW. Owner Ivan Iricanin opened this third location in March 2023 and created a two-story space that seats over 150 guests. The first floor features an oversized oval bar with overhead liquor shelves suspended from 12-foot ceilings. The upstairs level is a lounge-y space with a retractable roof and rakia cocktail bar. Weekend DJs and late-night service (11:30pm to 3am Fridays and Saturdays) set this location apart.

Must-Try Dishes

The lamb lasagna receives praise, with customers calling it reason enough to return. Sarma (pork belly stuffed sour cabbage) bakes for eight hours with root vegetables. Cevapi (Balkan kebabs) combines house-made beef sausages with fries and urnebes spread. Short rib goulash braises for five hours in red wine reduction. The roasted lamb cooks six hours and arrives with braised potatoes. Each unlimited dining experience starts with colorful dips and puffy homemade pita.

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Why Locals Love It

The unlimited format delivers wallet-friendly value and lets guests sample diverse dishes without constraints. Service staff receives consistent praise for attentiveness and menu knowledge. The atmosphere hums with energy and creates celebration-worthy dining.

BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant

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What They’re Known For

BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant has sourced fresh fish and seafood since 2005 and focuses on eco-friendly products of the highest quality. The 4883 MacArthur Blvd location in Cleveland Park features a beautiful display case at the restaurant’s entrance that showcases fresh catch. Resources allow acquisition of sought-after products from around the world. The Washington Post recognized the restaurant for serving DC’s top crab cake. Chef-inspired prepared foods extend beyond the dining room. The market operates as a neighborhood institution serving the community.

Must-Try Dishes

BlackSalt Crab Cakes include sweet corn polenta, crawfish tails and basil butter. The Seafood Towers range from La Petite (10 oysters, shrimp, mussels and crab) to La Grande (18 oysters with additional items). Wood Grilled Calamari arrives with ajoblanco, white grapes and smoked almonds. Bouillabaisse Stew combines pan-roasted bass, scallops, clams and Maine lobster in saffron broth. Caviar selections span from Wild Salmon Roe to Kaluga. Market prepared foods include hardwood grilled salmon and Old Bay peel-and-eat shrimp.

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Why Locals Love It

Hand-made specialty rolls baked fresh each morning receive great responses. Service maintains top-notch standards. Knowledgeable servers suggest menu pairings. Prepared market items allow customers to enjoy restaurant-quality seafood at home.

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Ted’s Bulletin

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What They’re Known For

Ted’s Bulletin features reimagined American classics with all-day breakfast served starting at 7AM. The scratch-made menu emphasizes comfort food in an inviting neighborhood atmosphere. Signature Ted’s Tarts, homemade pop tarts available in flavors like Strawberry, Brown Sugar & Cinnamon, s’mores, Blueberry Cheesecake, and seasonal Cherry Blossom, distinguish the bakery offerings. The restaurant earned OpenTable’s Diner Choice Award. Multiple locations throughout DC provide halal-friendly accommodations with certified chicken sourced from Buckhead Meat, Seafood, & Poultry in Landover, Maryland. Separate halal-friendly kitchen stations have fryer, salad, and sauté areas.

Must-Try Dishes

Chicken & Waffles pairs buttermilk brined chicken breast with Belgian waffle, maple hot honey, and chive butter. The Big Mark Breakfast has 3 eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, sourdough, and a Ted’s Tart. Homestyle Meatloaf arrives with glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, and ketchup glaze. Ted’s Burger features double sharp cheddar, caramelized onions, bacon, fried egg, and chives. Short Rib Stroganoff combines red wine braised short rib with crème fraîche and mushroom sauce over pappardelle.

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Why Locals Love It

The restaurant maintains 4.6 stars with over 10,000 ratings. Customers praise packaging quality for delivery orders. Gluten-free options have pasta and bread substitutions. Catering packages bring scratch-made favorites to events. Happy hour runs Monday-Friday from 3PM-6:30PM.

Unconventional Diner

What They’re Known For

Chef David Deshaies trained under celebrated chef Michel Richard at Citronelle for 17 years and developed fine dining techniques from France’s Loire Valley before applying them to humble diner fare. The Shaw location at 1207 9th St NW near the Convention Center blends soulful comfort with haute technique. The restaurant earned Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition in 2025 and appeared on Washingtonian’s “100 Very Best Restaurants” list. Hours run daily from 7am to 10pm. Brunch is available before 3:45pm and dinner service starts after 4pm.

Must-Try Dishes

The Buffalo Cauliflower has light, crispy breading with mild house hot sauce and labneh ranch. Avocado Toast arrives with confit egg yolk, pickled fresno and lime. Everything Lox layers smoked salmon over wasabi cream with a hidden poached egg yolk inside. The Meatloaf has Sriracha glaze, morel mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes with green onion. Chicken Parm Florentine conceals a spinach-Gruyère filling with pasta rolled into bite-sized portions. The Ferrero Rocher Tart combines Gianduja chocolate, Nutella and hazelnuts.

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Why Locals Love It

A 20% service charge applies to all bills, with 100% going to service team wages. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 12pm to 6pm in the bar area. The restaurant stays busy, so reservations are essential.

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The Capital Grille

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What They’re Known For

The Capital Grille sits at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 6th Street NW. The restaurant serves dry-aged steaks and global wines in an elegant fine dining atmosphere. In-house butchers hand-carve each cut and dry-age it for 18 to 24 days to achieve superior flavor and texture. Dinner guests can use valet parking.

Must-Try Dishes

The Pan-Fried Calamari with Hot Cherry Peppers stands as the signature appetizer, hand-battered and fried with fiery flavor. The Bone-In Ribeye arrives with options for porcini rub or coffee rub. Both complement the quality beef without overpowering it. Lobster Mac & Cheese delivers comfort with Panko-Parmesan topping. The Lobster Bisque finishes tableside with a splash of sherry. Stoli Doli cocktail earns must-try status.

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Why Locals Love It

The restaurant maintains 4.9 ratings for food quality and service. Online ordering runs from 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM. This makes it available for the best carry out dc options among upscale steakhouses.

Comparison Table

Enjoy Carry Out DC Spots

Washington DC’s carry out scene offers exceptional variety, from Ben’s Chili Bowl’s historic half-smokes to The Capital Grille’s upscale steakhouse experience. These 15 restaurants represent a variety of price points and cuisines that locals trust for consistently excellent takeout.

Not every spot on this list will match your taste priorities, and that’s perfectly fine. The key is experimenting with a few options to find which restaurants become your regular go-to choices. DC’s carry out scene delivers quality worth supporting in 2026, whether you’re craving Balkan small plates, Peruvian ceviche, or elevated diner fare.

FAQs

Q1. What makes Ben’s Chili Bowl a must-visit carry out spot in DC? Ben’s Chili Bowl has been serving DC since 1958 and is famous for its Original Half-Smoke—a distinctive pork and beef sausage topped with homemade chili sauce, mustard, and onions. The restaurant sells 600-800 half-smokes daily and remains a historic black-owned establishment that has served everyone from presidents to neighborhood regulars with the same welcoming atmosphere for decades.

Q2. Which DC restaurants offer the best value for carry out orders? Several spots offer excellent value, including We, The Pizza with slices starting at $5-6 and medium pizzas at $24, Lebanese Taverna with mezza appetizers from $8-19, and AMBAR Restaurant’s unlimited dining concept starting at $36.99 for brunch. Keren Restaurant also provides generous portions, with one beef platter feeding multiple people for around $23.

Q3. Are there good vegetarian and vegan carry out options in DC? Yes, many restaurants on this list accommodate plant-based diets. Lebanese Taverna offers extensive vegetarian and vegan mezza options, Ben’s Chili Bowl has a PETA-awarded veggie chili, and Keren Restaurant provides vibrant vegetable platters. Baked and Wired also offers vegan and gluten-free baked goods.

Q4. Which carry out restaurants in DC are best for special occasions or upscale dining at home? For elevated carry out, consider Rasika Penn Quarter for award-winning Indian cuisine with tasting menus from $65-90, BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant for premium seafood including their famous crab cakes, or The Capital Grille for dry-aged steaks. Pisco y Nazca also offers sophisticated Peruvian dishes including fresh ceviches perfect for special meals.

Q5. What are the most popular signature dishes to order for carry out in DC? Top signature dishes include Ben’s Chili Bowl’s Original Half-Smoke, Rasika’s palak chaat (crispy spinach with yogurt and chutneys), Baked and Wired’s oversized Strawberry Cakecup, GCDC’s creative grilled cheese sandwiches, and Founding Farmers’ chicken pot pie with homemade biscuit. These dishes are specifically praised for traveling well and maintaining quality during transport.