Foodies with kids need recommendations near zoo

[avass]

Hello,

We are two families visiting DC for a weekend. Big foodies BUT have four kids on tow ranging in age from age 2-6. Staying near zoo and also planning to visit National Building Museum. We love all food, except for very hot and spicy such as Indian. Foods utilizing local ingredients are favorites. Also love truly local and unique joints--doesn't need to be upscale. The neighborhood gems are always great. But most important is kid friendly!! And recommendations near the zoo or museum?

[Elyssa]

Cleveland Park is near the zoo and there are a number of options there including Dino, Ardeo, and the cafe at Palena (the front cafe is more casual and the back of the house is quite formal). Also heading towards Adams Morgan is Mama Ayesha's for great Lebanese cuisine. Open City is also good for breakfast and lunch.

There are a lot of options near the Building Museum (the Gallery Place/Chinatown area). My recommendations for family friendly restaurants would be Jaleo (Spanish tapas), Matchbox (pizza and miniburgers), Taylor's Gourmet (awesome sandwiches), and Oyamel (Mexican small plates).

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Palena
3529 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Open City
2331 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC 20008

[elegantelliot]

2 amys is very close to the zoo.

[woodleyparkhound]

From the zoo, I'd head north a few blocks to Cleveland Park. Dino (Italian) and Palena (the cafe) would both be good choices.

For places near the National Building Museum - there are a lot. Do searches of this board for Gallery Place and Penn Quarter.

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Palena
3529 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

[RichardinDC]

Open City for breakfast is a must. Great with kids. Matchbox, zaytinia, taylor gourmet, and jaleo all work fine with kids and are near the building museum.

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Open City
2331 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC 20008

[Dennis S]

Also in Cleveland Park is Nam Viet. The Clarendon location is one of our faves but the CP location is good as well. Our girls (3 & 5) at there with Grandma on her last visit.

For Mom's Day we ended up at the Irish pub in CP as well - not Four P's (which I detest). It actually worked out quite well for down scale fare. They have a kids menu and other families came in after us - though I know it's not for late night with kids.

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Nam Viet Restaurant
3419 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., washington, dc, DC 20008

[axelhoward]

Open City near the zoo is good. Lebanese Taverna near the zoo is great. So many good places near the Building Museum

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Open City
2331 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC 20008