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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Intergalactic-themed Bozzelli’s opened its second DC location at Washington Harbour . In addition to pizzas with names like Boom Boom Chicken, Drunken Goat, and Meaty Boy – and gluten-free and cauliflower crust options – the menu features cold cuts and hot subs, plus salads and breakfast sandwiches. Several vegan options are available, including grilled cheese and a meatball sub. Bozzelli’s “pizza shop of the future experience” also includes a craft beer and wine program.

The most unique aspect of the organic mattress maker’s Georgetown showroom is The Sleep Experience – an immersive way to understand what a night’s sleep feels like on an Avocado Green Mattress, with a 5- to 15-minute session that includes sunset, nighttime sky, and circadian lighting and binaural beats to move you into a state of deep relaxation. A wellness cafe is also on-hand, serving locally sourced snacks and kombucha tea on tap. The showroom will eventually host yoga classes and a speaker series, as well. Stop by to check out the mattresses – or simply admire the new custom mural inside by DC artist Rose Jaffe. In addition to mattresses – made from an organic latex rubber farm the company owns, plus raw materials from a wool collective in India – the showroom sells furniture, bedding and bedroom accessories, beauty items, and apparel. One-percent of sales are donated to environmental nonprofits.

The studio is helmed by DC-based contemporary abstract artist Robin Davisson, who left her career as an award-winning biomedical scientist to follow her passion for art and painting. Studio visitors can browse available art, flip through Robin’s art library, and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea on the studio’s sun-filled street level. Upstairs, guests can watch Robin at work, from testing ideas in her sketchbook and prepping canvases, to mixing and applying paints. Robin will be accessible during open studio hours (Wed – Sat, 11 am – 5 pm) to chat and explore the creative process together.

The Fountain Inn opened in spring 2022, featuring a rare spirits tasting room with historic roots. Originally established in 1783 by clockmaker John Suter, The Fountain Inn was one of the most important taverns in American history – where Thomas Jefferson drank, George Washington slept, and city plans were made. The Georgetown bar also hosted the debate between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams during the election of 1800, for all you Hamilton fans. Although the exact location of the original tavern is unknown, the new Fountain Inn pays homage to its spirit and history. Over 250+ unique spirit expressions are on the menu, in addition to featured flights like A Presidential Palate and An Agave Adventure. Craft cocktail highlights include Fish House Punch and Syllabub, the latter dating back to 1600. Beer, wine, and zero-proof cocktails are also available, plus a charcuterie and cheese board. Upstairs, a private dining and rare spirits experience can be booked for up to 14 people.

Shop all of SCOUT’s online patterns and products in person! Founded in Georgetown in 2004 by design visionary Deb Waterman Johns, SCOUT is a casual lifestyle brand that combines fashion and fun. Designed by women for women, their products make it easy to contain, organize, and stylishly carry all the stuff you need day-to-day. Famous for seasonal patterns packed with personality, SCOUT always has new patterns in the works – all original, and many hand-drawn.

The LA-based menswear boutique was founded in 2013 by Sasha Koehn and Erik Allen Ford. Their brand makes fashion less complicated – each design a riff on an iconic American staple. The store carries tees (worn by the likes of Tom Brady), jeans, Henleys, shirt jackets, sweaters, sweats, and outerwear.

Named after their two children with Down syndrome, the coffee shop brand was first launched by the Wright family in 2016 to change the way people see people with disabilities – especially in the workplace. Brewing up more than just drinks, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee provides a one-of-a-kind experience while paving a path for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to work, become more valued, accepted and included. In addition to coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and smoothies, the shop sells apparel and drinkware.

Owner Elizabeth Jaffee works directly with established, mid-career, and emerging Congolese contemporary artists to feature their artwork. According to the gallery’s Instagram, a Young Artists Collective is also being established in Kinshasa, DRC, to support young talent through promotion, technical assistance, and material support. Visit the gallery for vibrant works of art, like the one pictured here called La Beauté Africaine by Landry.

A digitally-native, direct-to-consumer fashion and lifestyle spinoff of Express, UpWest sells men’s and women’s clothing with an emphasis on comfort and sustainability, including everything from tees and jeans, to activewear, jackets, and accessories – plus pillows, candles and other home goods. Fabrics include recycled polyester, organic cotton and recycled nylon, and shipping is free when you donate gently-used clothes with the Give Back Box.

Laveda offers professional salon treatments, brow microblading and microshading, lash extensions and lash lifts, facials, waxing, mani / pedis, and more. The salon strives to ensure prices are affordable for college students, and well as professionals. Owner and co-founder Lucy Murrell has been in the industry for 16 years and is recognized as a top beauty expert in the area.

At this interior design studio and shop, clients can experience Unique Kitchens and Baths’ bespoke cabinetry, and shop Storie Collective’s curated selections of home wares – from kitchen utensils to the best smelling candles and hand soaps – along with collector’s items like original art, antique rugs, and decor. Make an appointment for a complimentary kitchen consultation, and take advantage of Storie Collective’s full-service residential interior design services.