It’s true that the Obamas, America’s first family, enjoy the culinary scene in Washington, D.C. The First Lady often tries out the fresh and hip while the President often opts for comfort and familiarity. It will take pages if I were to list down all the restaurants and eateries the first family has been through all these years (they are on their eight year in the District after all) but here are a couple of handful places where to eat like the Obamas in DC.
Where to Eat Like the Obamas in DC
Chez Billy Sud
Michelle Obama often frequents this French restaurant in Georgetown for its quiet and cool ambiance but also for the amazing menu created by Executive Chef Brendan L’Etoile. Whether you opt for the duck or its signature pan-seared trout, you’ll leave happy and extremely satisfied. Chez Billy Sud recently opened a wine bar, Bar à Vin, next to the restaurant that’s also worth checking out.
Address: 1039 31st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
Masseria
Everyone in Washington, D.C., was excited to hear about chef Nick Stefanelli’s new venture so when Masseria finally opened to the public in the fall of last year, it didn’t take long before the First Lady paid a visit. The southern Italian-focused eatery offers a pre-fixed menu that includes pasta with venison ragu and black bass with fennel and squid. In addition to garnering a spot on this list of where to eat like the Obamas in DC, Masseria was also recently named one of the best new restaurants in D.C. by The Washington Post.
Address: 1340 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Rose’s Luxury
Despite several years of adulation from hungry Washingtonians, Aaron Silverman’s Rose’s Luxury didn’t quite make it to the list of where to eat like the Obamas in DC until the summer of 2015 when the president celebrated his birthday on its famed rooftop. The acclaimed chef who won this year’s James Beard award for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic, served the first couple and a dozen of their close friends almost everything on the menu including their famous bread and brisket, the latter served family style.
Address: 717 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
Shake Shack
You don’t need an American Express black card to eat like the Obamas in DC. In fact, one of their favorite spots is the Shake Shack in Dupont , where both the President and First Lady were spotted on different occasions with their daughters. This proves that Michelle Obama, just like the rest of us, is bound to give into the temptation of a juicy burger from time to time.
Address: 1216 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Rasika/Rasika West End
It’s not surprising to hear that Rasika , the beloved Indian restaurant in Washington, D.C., made it to the list of places to eat like the Obamas in DC. The first couple was spotted celebrating the president’s 52nd birthday at its West End location while the first lady often frequents the original spot in downtown D.C.’s Penn Quarter neighborhood. You can almost guarantee that the restaurant’s signature dish, palak chaat , is present every time.
Penn Quarter: 633 D St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
West End: 1190 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
Bourbon Steak
There’s no shortage of fine steakhouses in Washington, but Bourbon Steak appear to be the favorite of the first couple. The President and the First Lady opted to celebrate their wedding anniversary by having dinner here in 2012 and more recently in 2014. Located inside the swanky Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, the menu offers guests with a variety of appetizers starting with ahi tuna tartare to a selection of caviar. It also has a fine selection of beef ranging from locally raised grass fed beef to a chef’s choice of Japanese Wagyu.
Address: 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
This authentic Mexican restaurant offering a tapas-style menu and excellent margaritas is one of the preferred casual eating spots by the president and his wife. They were spotted having a pre-Valentine dinner at one of its private rooms just last year and were again seen enjoying its freshly made house chips and chipotle salsa one night this past spring. Oyamel is one of the many Jose Andres restaurants in the District and also offers one of the best happy hour deals, with $2 tacos and $5 drinks, in Washington.
Address: 401 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
Have you tried any of these restaurants during your stay in Washington, D.C. ? If so, let us know about your experiences and whether you spotted the president or the first lady.
