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What makes a great neighborhood restaurant? In some ways, it’s easier to pin down what it’s not: a place with a fussy menu, a two-hour line, or really any pretense at all. We gravitate to the spots on this list for the comforting food, sure. But also for things that are easy to overlook in a fast-moving dining scene. A generous welcome. Time-tested reliability. An instant sense of belonging. Here’s to more than 60 restaurants that for some or all of those reasons make the city a better place not just to eat but to live. And we need them now more than ever.
403 H St., NE
We loved crowding around the tables at chef Peter Prime’s small H Street dining room pre-Covid. The menu hasn’t changed much for takeout a good thing and the tiffin boxes are a great way to go for both sampling and travel (curries generally carry well). Pick between omnivore or vegetarian, both loaded with curries, chutneys, and homemade bread. Order online for pickup.
124 Blagden Alley, NW
Derek Brown’s classy cocktail destination has been packaging seasonal drinks to-go since the stat of the pandemic (and unlike some of the straightforward cocktails on the takeout market, good luck creating these at home). For January, Brown also has non-alcoholic creations. If you’re hungry, check out Your Only Friend sandwich pop-up.
4316 Markham St., Annandale, 703-813-8181; 1319 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301-251-7878
These dim sum houses have a large, loyal following so yes, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and order early (you can now opt for contact-free carryout and order online). We love feasting on spicy wontons, dan-dan noodles, beef rolls, smashed cucumber salad, and spicy beef soup. It’s hard to go wrong, unless you under-order.
305 N. Washington St., Rockville; 301-251-6652
This longtime restaurant is known for soup dumplings so flavorful they don’t need the accompanying dipping vinegar. The checklist menu of 100-plus Cantonese, Szechuan, and Taiwanese small plates can be intimidating to navigate, but you’ll feel like a pro ordering the fragrant cumin lamb and the spicy fried tofu. Order delivery here via GrubHub (for takeout, the restaurant is usually cashless).