New Georgetown Restaurants & Retail

The Mediterranean cafe counter and market originally debuted in Shaw and was named by Esquire as one of the 22 Best New Restaurants in America in 2019. Crafted by James Beard nominee Cagla Onal, the rotating Georgetown menu will feature a mix of classics – including freshly made focaccia, salads and dips, sandwiches like the beloved eggplant confit and goat feta on a baguette, braised lamb and roasted fish, and an array of cakes served by the slice or whole – plus daily chalkboard specials. A selection of beer and wine is coming soon. Market favorites include tinned fish, imported grains and olive oil.

Foxtrot, Georgetown’s latest neighborhood corner store and delivery market, carries everything from locally roasted coffee to fancy cheese, pints of Ice Cream Jubilee, somm-selected wines and craft beer. A full-service cafe serves lunch options that range from savory danishes to avocado toasts, and a breakfast taco stuffed with pork and chile crisp. Can’t make it to the store? Foxtrot’s delivery service will bring your order to you in under an hour.

Created by Suite Nation owner Ian Callender and named as a nod to one of his favorite films, Sandlot is an outdoor cultural event space and shipping container bar pop-up that spotlights local Black-owned restaurants and Black chefs and caterers who can prepare and sell food from an Uber Eats food truck. Chef Spike Mendelsohn announced he’s also launching a PLNT Burger mobile kitchen trailer at Sandlot Georgetown by the end of June. Outdoor seating and restrooms are available onsite.

For those looking for a gift for the little ones now in your life, this woman-owned shop offers curated gifting for mommies and minis. In addition to adorable baby gifts, the boutique carries mother-daughter matching outfits, vintage toys, European clothing, novelties, and self-care products like candles and body butter.

First in the U.S. and unique to the East Coast, Budd & Co. is a house of British brands, bespoke suiting and fine leather accessories. The store carries a full range of men’s shirting, nightwear and accessories from Budd Shirtmakers, in addition to leather goods from Tusting, fine luggage from Globe-Trotter, timepieces from British watchmakers Bremont, and products from the Florentine apothecary Santa Maria Novella. In-house men’s tailoring service is also available. On the women’s front, the store carries pajamas, handbags and accessories. (Photo credit: Robert Spangler)

Duly Noted, a new stationery and gift shop, features a curated selection of paper goods and gift items from makers across the U.S. and the world – from greeting cards to coffee mugs and apothecary products.

This cocktail bar features both Prohibition classics and drinks with a twist, like the Oaxaca Italiano with mezcal, yellow chartreuse, and Campari. Another cocktail features infused rose air. We don’t know what that means but we’ll drink it. Pair your sips with a seafood tower, oysters and sashimi, or opt for an a la carte appetizer straight from Spain – cured Iberian ham. A private room is available in the back of the upscale lounge, in addition to an outdoor patio space.

The size of a hockey puck, New York City’s famed 6-ounce cookies are massive … and massively delicious. Try the chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate chocolate chip, dark chocolate peanut butter chip, and oatmeal raisin varieties – plus a gluten-free chocolate chip walnut cookie, and limited edition café con leche. The bakery also features loaf cakes, pastries and brioche, rolls and bread, and coffee.

Fresh, hand-pulled noodles are the star of the show at this colorful 2nd floor restaurant. The menu draws from Thailand, Japan and China, and includes handmade dumplings, buns and Lamen – the latter, some of the oldest noodles in the world with an over 4,000-year-old history in China, and a precursor to Japanese Ramen noodles. Afterward, pop into BeauTea on the 1st floor for a bubble tea.

Located in the former Brooks Brother space, Concept 31/M is a curated collective that hosts a revolving selection of brands and experiences, offering retailers both new and old the opportunity experiment with their products, and design and operate their own portion of the store. As many as 10 brands will be featured at any one time, in addition to a coffee bar. Current brands include Laiik hand-crafted sandals; Flex All Day athleisure; social impact jewelry brand Kicheko Goods (each piece of jewelry funds one month of school for one child!), Ubioubi frames, and Isabel Alexander jewelry. Concept 31/M shines a spotlight on local businesses, and eventually expand onto the second level.

Trendy eyewear boutique Prospect Optika is serving up more than perfect vision. In addition to shopping for lenses and frames or bringing in your glasses for repair, enjoy a free cup of coffee while you browse their small library of rare book finds and a tiny record collection – the perfect way to unwind while you wait on a service. Owners Farzana and Oksana are not only experienced in the optical field, but are passionate fashion lovers who like to spend time with their clients to learn more about each unique personality before selecting the right eyewear.

Owned by the Mashihi family since 1916, the shop sells a curated collection of fine antique rugs, vintage and rare rugs, tapestries and fine arts from around the world – while also serving as a consultant and appraiser for many estates. Whether you’re an interior decorator, or just tired of what you stared at every day during quarantine, call 202-758-0801 or email info@finerugsny.com for an appointment.

Every kind of slider imaginable is on the menu – from a BLT, to Korean pork belly, brisket, Nashville hot chicken, Banh Mi burger, Angus beef, crispy cod, Cuban, steak & cheese…the list goes on. With a focus on organic, locally grown ingredients, City Sliders also offers vegan and vegetarian sliders (think cauliflower steak and black bean burgers), plus salad bowls and shakes. Don’t miss the charming (and surprisingly hidden) backyard patio.

Independent perfumery Le Labo is known for its unique, signature fragrances (Just Bieber himself is a fan), The shop also carries candles, and hair, face, body and grooming products. Each scent is handmade in the shop’s laboratory, using vegan ingredients and natural oils.

Founded in 1997 by two designers, this Minneapolis-based modern furniture store retailer features high-quality living, bedroom, dining, office, and outdoor furniture, in addition to lighting, accessories, and pieces made for kids.

The family-owned specialty shop carries premier running footwear and gear. In addition to apparel, Pacers hosts a number of races throughout the year; visit their website to sign up!

Chef Nicholas Stefanelli has curated a shopping and dining experience highlighting fine wine, artisanal pastas, specialty snacks, preserves, and more favorites diners know and love from their flagship at the Wharf. The Georgetown space is designed to deliver the finest in Italian gastronomy in an inviting neighborhood space, with a mercato, cafe, and trattoria.

After launching Designer Library on the road in 2019, Janine Guerin and Chad Mitchell opened their first brick-and-mortar location this week in Georgetown’s Book Hill. The gallery-style showroom offers a curated collection from brands like Made Goods, Elitis, The Vale London, and Zimmer + Rohde, and welcomes clients who are in the market for textiles, wall coverings, lighting, furniture, and outdoor fabrics. Designer Library is open to trade only; visit their website to book a private appointment. (Photo by Angela Newton Roy Photography)

A one-stop-shop for spices, herbs, desserts and traditional Indian and Eastern food. In addition to a wide variety of spices – from black pepper mustard seeds, to jaggery and dry ginger powder – the shop features a sweets corner. Highlights include a sweet carrot pudding called Gajar ka halwa, and Gulab jamun – soft fried dumplings that are traditionally made of thickened or reduced milk and soaked in rose-flavored sugar syrup. Spiced chai and to-go meals spotlighting Indian and Pakistani cuisine will also be available, with cooking classes planned for the future.

The modern American heritage brand is committed to creating comfortable and high-quality staples, carrying classic men and women’s pieces, alongside seasonal collections.

Below City Sliders, Cozy Bubble & Tea’s large menu of drinks include boba smoothies, boba milk tea, coffee, and frozen and specialty drinks.

If it’s good enough for President Biden, it’s good enough for us. The “Jew-ish” deli is known city-wide for its bagels and breakfast sandwiches, including the pastrami, egg, and cheese sandwich. Recently, they’ve also gotten into the doughnut game. Try the strawberry shortcake or peanut butter pretzel chocolate.

There couldn’t have been a shortage on kale?! Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls opened in Summer 2021, serving lobster that’s worth the price, straight from the waters of Maine. Try The Classic served chilled with mayor and lemon butter – the kind of roll you’d get on a road trip to New England in the 1930s – or opt for the rival Connecticut, served warm and tossed with butter. Shrimp rolls, lobster bisque, clam chowder, potato salad, and lobster mac and cheese are other menu favorites.

Georgetown’s 1789 Restaurant opened a sibling cocktail bar called Fitzgerald’s. Operated by Clyde’s Restaurant Group, the two-story bar gives off a preppy vibe with plaid bar chairs, velvet pillows and artwork featuring a vintage sporty theme. And lots of leather. Drinks include rare Japanese whiskeys as well as fun cocktails like a Hemmingway daiquiri, blood orange and lavender margarita, brown butter old-fashioned, and throwback pomegranate-apple Cosmo – plus a 300+ bottle wine list. Dishes range from Korean chicken wings to tempura calamari served with Grand Mariner aioli, tuna tataki, and a Peking duck burger. (Photo by Rey Lopez)

L. Priori Jewelry is the most recent addition to Georgetown’s jewelry scene, open by appointment. The Philadelphia company expanded into DC in 2021, specializing in crafted, curated, and customized jewelry – from engagement rings that begin with 3-D engineered wax renderings, to necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. In addition to custom rings, L. Priori Jewelry also specializes in redesigning old engagement rings to give them a more updated look, often using metals and stones from the original ring.

Yo! Yoga is an airy, light-filled studio located in a restored building. The new studio offers teacher-driven yoga classes that are rooted in classic yoga traditions and emphasize proper alignment and movement as the foundation of a sustainable, strong practice. The space is also open to creatives who are interested in hosting events.

Chocolatier star Ashleigh Pearson opened her own brick-and-mortar business, Petite Soeur, in Georgetown. The chocolate and confectionary shop features a mix of classic and contemporary sweets, from Ashleigh’s signature hand-painted bonbons, to pastries, buttery sablé cookies, and chocolate bars. Flavor highlights include passion fruit, hazelnut, an almond butter and jelly featuring almond butter ganache and homemade strawberry jam in milk chocolate, and a s’more inspired variety made with vanilla marshmallow, graham cracker sablé, and salted dark chocolate ganache. A graduate of Paris’ Cordon Bleu, Ashleigh first perfected her skills as a pastry chef at Marcel’s, then as head chocolatier at the three-Michelin-star Manhattan restaurant, Per Se.

FP Movement, Free People’s activewear sub-brand, opened a stand-alone store. The retail shop offers women’s athletic wear and workout outfits – from tie-dye leggings and matching sports bras, to $30 shorts so comfortable, colorful (25+ shades to choose from) and flattering, they went viral on TikTok. Check out flagship store, Free People, at 3009 M St NW.

The Laguna Beach-based jeweler was founded in 2004 by Jason and Gorjana Reidel – a husband-and-wife team who were former models. The handmade jewelry ranges from $20 earrings to more costly diamond necklaces. Pieces include everything from layering sets and power gemstones, to a mystical astrology line-up inspired by the 12 constellations of the zodiac. If you want to add a little style to your steps, the gorjana collection for Fitbit Luxe is a modern-luxury link fitness tracker (above) that you can blend with the rest of your jewelry. Complimentary engraving is also available.

The intimate apparel and lifestyle retailer is a sub-brand owned by American Eagle Outfitters. In addition to lingerie, such as a wide variety of bras and other undergarments, the aerie line also sells dorm wear, active apparel, loungewear, accessories and sleepwear.

The brand partners with the best, ethical factories around the world and shares those stories with its customers – down to the true cost of every product they make. Men’s and women’s clothing ranges from t-shirts, to outerwear, dresses, jumpsuits and denim, plus shoes and accessories.

The bakery features cupcakes, cookies, macarons, pie and cake slices, and other favorites like ice cream cookiewiches, Vietnamese iced coffee and a line-up of vegan desserts.