Adams Morgan: D.C.'s Most Eclectic Neighborhood

While in D.C. for a meditation seminar with some friends a few weeks ago, we walked from Columbia Heights over to Adams Morgan via the Meridian Hill Park. I would describe Adams Morgan as an eclectic mix of food, bars, nightlife, and offbeat shopping. Adams Morgan for me, has been a longtime go-to location in D.C. because it contains many of my very favorite places, and has a distinct cultural appeal. To find this part of town, head to the intersection of 18th Street Northwest, and Columbia Road. From there, walk down 18th Street, and enjoy my favorite part of D.C.

Vegan and vegetarian food options are a plenty in this part of town, found at the Ethiopian, Indian, Middle Eastern restaurants in the area. My favorite falafel restaurant in the world is here, Amsterdam Falafel. It is open late night, which is a dream come true for a vegan who likes to party. Inside you will order your falafel balls in a pita, crush those balls (they recommend crushing for optimal topping space), and begin to fill your sandwich with any number of goodies from their topping bar, including baba ghanoush, pickled cauliflower, parsley puree, spicy chili pepper sauce, and about 15 other amazing choices. Seriously, I love this place, and am craving falafel just writing this, if you couldn’t tell.

So, I must move on, I had my first Ethiopian food experience ever at Meskerem, and would highly recommend this place. The interior is filled with Ethiopian art and baskets. Our server was friendly and told us about the injera bread made with Teff, which a grain native to Ethiopia, high in iron, and protein. The bread is stretchy and is used to scoop of the food by hand. I was with my family, and we got the veggie sample platter for 2, and it was enough food for four. So, I just ate twice the amount! Besides this place, there are a few other Ethiopian restaurants around, and I am sure they are equally as tasty.

Tryst is my favorite coffee shop. Many D.C.ites (D.C.ers? D.C.ists?) feel that this place is an over rated hipster venue, which in fact it may be, but I really don’t care. I discovered this place with a friend one night drinking next door at Madam’s Organ. The fact that it was even open at 2 a.m. as we were wondering home makes me happier than ever. I had been dreaming of a late-night coffee shop, and I couldn’t be happier with this place, and it’s cozy couches, and vegan pastries.

So enough about food, for nightlife, I would say just hop around to a few of the bars, if the cover charges are not too high for the night. Some places are free to get into, there are just so many different bars in such a small area that it makes it easy to try a few different bars when you are looking to go out. I have been to most of the bars, some of which I do not even know the name of, but I will suggest a few. I have always like Madam’s Organ. It is a narrow bar with 4 floors, the top of which is a rooftop bar. But each floor has a separate bar and appeal, so it is fun to walk up and down scoping out the scene at each stop. Black Squirrel and Brass Monkey are also favorites of mine. Though, I know the owners remotely at each of these places, so perhaps I am a little biased, but I love supporting small businesses so, check them out! But really all you have to do it just walk down the street and I guarantee you will find something you like!

The photo below is the rooftop of Madam’s Organ, and a photo my friend took while she was making fun of me for taking photos. You would have thought I could have gotten a better shot of the bar, I will blame the lighting, and the wine.