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17 Sustainable Stays, Eats, Shops, and Experiences in Washington D.C.
Written by Stephanie Stevens | April 2, 2021
As the capital city of the United States, Washington D.C. is often known for its deep historical roots, government buildings, and historical monuments. However, D.C. is so much more than the epicenter of American politics – it is a city brimming with rich culture, an eclectic international food scene, iconic museums, and beautiful parks & scenery. Many travel to this East coast city to explore the history that lives in places such as the White House, Smithsonian Museum, and the National Mall, but D.C. is also a landing place for dreamers and change makers seeking greater change in the world at large.
As a major cultural center of America, D.C.’s diverse makeup can be seen (and tasted) in the vibrant food and arts scene that spans all across the city. From the political hub of Capitol Hill to trendy Georgetown to the vibrant U Street Corridor, D.C. offers so much to taste, explore, and experience. This guide features D.C. accommodations, eateries, shops, and experiences that are highlighted for their efforts in protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and fostering political and social change. Be sure to support them and their causes the next time you find yourself in the nation’s capital!
Eco-Accommodations
Eaton DC
Source: Eaton Workshop
Price Range – $$
Eaton Hotel in DC is more than a hotel, it is a part of a mission-driven hospitality company that is dedicated to shaping a better world through values of equity and inclusivity. In creating a place for people to gather, commune, and collaborate, Eaton strives to contribute to broader change in local communities, ecosystems, and the world at large. Located in the heart of downtown and just steps from the White House, this hotel is a great place for travelers to rest, learn, and feel inspired while visiting America’s capital city. Part of Eaton hotel is the Eaton House – a workspace that was created for people to work independently or collaboratively towards greater social change. The hotel also has an amazing all day restaurant, American Son, which serves American favorites made with local ingredients and seasonal produce from the hotel’s rooftop garden. If you’re in need of some relaxation during your stay, you can head to the hotel’s wellness center which offers yoga, meditation, sound baths, and an infrared sauna. If you prefer to relax with a libation, the hotel also has two bars, a speakeasy called Allegory and a rooftop club called Wild Days.
Viceroy Washington DC
Source: Viceroy Washington DC
Price Range – $$$
The Viceroy in Washington D.C. is a modern luxury and art-forward hotel with many eco-friendly initiatives. Located in trendy Logan Circle, the hotel’s many amenities include a coffee & wine bar, art gallery featuring local artists, spacious outdoor patio, fitness center, and a rooftop pool. The hotel strives to reduce its environmental footprint through many sustainable practices including but not limited to: a linen and towel reuse program, use of non-toxic cleaning products, refillable bottles for toiletries, a comprehensive recycling program, and use of LED light bulbs. Just a short walk from the many shops, sites, and museums D.C. has to offer, the Viceroy is a great option for your next trip to America’s capital city.
Hotel Zena
Source: Hotel Zena
Price Range – $$$
Hotel Zena is a contemporary hotel in downtown D.C. that celebrates and welcomes all different genders, races, cultures, and sexualities. Located on vibrant 14th street on Thomas Circle, the hotel is a place where travelers are invited to relax deeply, think freely, and dream brightly. As a part of Viceroy Hotels, Hotel Zena strives to reduce its environmental footprint through many sustainable practices including but not limited to: a linen and towel reuse program, use of non-toxic cleaning products, refillable bottles for toiletries, a comprehensive recycling program, and use of LED light bulbs. There are also many amazing amenities at Hotel Zena, including the hotel’s rooftop, which features a pool, bar, and impressive city views. In the hotel’s art collection, simply tiled “Her”, guests will find inspiration in powerful art pieces showcasing females from around the world.
Socially Responsible Eateries
Busboys and Poets
Source: Busboys and Poets
Price Range – $$
Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bookstore, and community gathering space that invites conversation and connection surrounding art, culture, and politics. What began as a single D.C. location, Busboys and Poets now has seven successful locations in the Washington D.C. metro area. Environmentally conscious, the company strives to minimize their footprint by infusing sustainability into all aspects of operations. At their restaurants, they serve fair trade coffee and tea, organic milk and dairy products, organic eggs, sustainable seafood, and local, organic greens. Menus are printed on recycled paper, oil is reused for biofuel, and all five D.C. locations utilize 100% renewable wind energy. Each location also hosts regular poetry events and contains a Busboys and Poets bookstore where customers can read about and discuss social, political, and cultural issues. With a visit to Busboys and Poets, you will feel rejuvenated by mind, body, and soul!
Bub and Pop’s
Source: Tim Kubasik
Price Range – $
Bub and Pops is a beloved, locally owned D.C. sandwich shop that is inspired by owner Jonathan’s grandparents, Mae and Irving Wagner (Bub and Pop). When Irving came home from WWII, nearly 70 years ago, the two decided to open up a shop of their own in West Philadelphia where they served delicious sandwiches, including an Italian Hoagie and a Braised Beef Brisket Sandwich. Today, all these years later, Jonathan uses these two sandwiches from his grandparents as inspiration for the menu at Bub and Pop’s, which has amazing soups, salads, and sandwiches – including vegan and vegetarian options! Located in Northwest, everything at Bub and Pops is made from scratch in house, which makes this place a step above the rest.
Immigrant Food
Source: Immigrant Food
Price Range – $$
Immigrant Food was created as a celebration of America’s immigrants. Founded by global policy expert Peter Schechter and esteemed Chef Enrique Limardo, the food at Immigrant features creative fusions of ingredients, flavors, and cooking techniques from around the world. Chef Enrique is an immigrant himself, originally from Caracas, Venezuela and has found great success with many food ventures in the D.C. metro area. Co-founder Peter came up with the idea for Immigrant as a way to pay homage to his parents, who were immigrants from Austria and Germany. Together at Immigrant Food, the two aim to celebrate immigrants and bring people together through food – a mission they call gastro-advocacy. With this great cause and unique culinary offerings such as the Mumbai Mariachi bowl, this cause-casual spot is the perfect spot to broaden your culinary horizons while getting a quick bite in D.C.
Lucky Danger
Source: Anna Meyer Photography
Price Range – $$
Lucky Danger is a American Chinese spot in Mount Vernon Triangle co-founded by chefs Tim Ma and Andrew Chiou, who are both the sons of Taiwanese immigrants. Chef Ma, who is also the head chef at American Son in D.C., is one of the chefs behind Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate, which is a weekly dinner series that gives customers the chance to purchase a five course takeout dinner with the proceeds going towards supporting AAPI communities and organizations. Currently only available for takeout, Lucky Danger serves both American Chinese favorites, such as Kung Pao Chicken and Veggie Lo Mein, as well as traditional Chinese dishes, including Pig Ear Salad. The packaging at Lucky Danger is unique too, with food being served in compostable containers with funky, retro stickers. This sustainable practice in combination with the restaurant’s amazing food makes Lucky Danger a must try when it comes to Chinese food in D.C.
Mr. Braxton Bar & Kitchen
Source: Tim Kubasik
Price – $$
Mr. Braxton Bar & Kitchen is a Black-owned restaurant in Parkview serving eclectic American cuisine with an international flair. Open for dinner and weekend brunch, the restaurant menu includes starters, entrees, sandwiches, and desserts with many vegan and vegetarian options. The restaurant does their best to source local ingredients from the DMV and offers a great selection of local beers, wines, and spirits. On the spacious back patio, where local DJs and musicians perform regularly, you’ll find plants, hanging lights, and an amazing black and white floor to ceiling mural. This intimate setting, along with the restaurant’s amazing food and commitment to sourcing locally, make this spot perfect for a romantic date night, casual meetup, or a night out with friends!
Roaming Rooster
Price – $$
Roaming Rooster is a fried chicken eatery that started in 2015 with a mission to create delicious, mouth watering comfort food that customers could feel good about eating. What started as a single food truck, this locally owned spot now has three locations around D.C. including Woodridge, U-Street, and Tenleytown. The menu features five popular variations of fried chicken sandwiches, as well as various sides and add-ons, such as fries, coleslaw, pickles, and honey butter. All of the chicken used at Roaming Rooster is free range, which means that the birds are provided consistent access to the outdoors and the chickens are also raised without antibiotics and without the use of chemicals. This commitment to high quality sourcing, along with the restaurant’s flavorful preparations, make this popular spot a must try in the D.C. area!
NuVegan Café
Source: NuVegan Café
Price Range – $
NuVegan Café is a casual, family owned eatery that is striving to change the perception of vegan food. Located in Northwest, this vegan spot serves amazing and affordable soul food that is great for any eater no matter their lifestyle. From sweet kale salad to mac & cheese and jumbo size cinnamon rolls, NuVegan has something for everyone to enjoy. The hot bar and chef specials change daily and the cafe is committed to promoting conscious consumption, using organic ingredients whenever possible!
Chaia Tacos
Source: Chaia Tacos
Price Range – $
Chaia is a female run business serving amazing plant-based tacos and sides in trendy Georgetown. The delicious tacos at Chaia are made using seasonal vegetables and local ingredients which they source from partnerships with local farms. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu at Chaia, which is kept small intentionally so that everything is done right. In addition to house made corn tortillas and salsas, everything at Chaia is nut-free and gluten free. Want something refreshing to wash down your meal? Try a local kombucha, housemade soda, Chaia margarita, or local beer!
CALABASH TEA
Source: CALABASH TEA
Price Range – $
CALABASH Tea is a locally owned herb store offering an incredible array of herbs, spices, award winning teas, body care products, vegan eats, and so much more. The store’s founder, Sunyatta Amen, is a 5th generation master herbalist and natural lifestyle expert, who grew up behind the counters of her father’s various herb shops and vegan juice bars in Harlem. She was inspired to create her own stores with the intention of decolonizing wellness and creating beautiful spaces where everyone is granted access to better health. With two locations in Northeast and Northwest, a visit to CALABASH can lead you towards greater health from the inside out!
Sankofa Video Books & Cafe
Source: Sankofa Video Books & Cafe
Price – $
Located across from Howard University, Sankofa Video Books & Cafe is beloved coffeehouse and bookstore featuring an impressive selection of books and delicious eats and espresso. Sankofa, which means “going back in our past in order to go forward” was founded in 1998 by Haile and Shirikiana Gerima, a filmmaking couple who released a film by the same name. When it comes to Sankofa’s books, the store specializies in videos and stories about people of African descent around the world. With it’s close proximity to the university, Sankofa also hosts regular live music nights featuring promising talent from Howard’s music school as well as local and international artists.
Social Enterprise Shopping
The Outrage
Source: Washingtonian
Price Range – $$
Located on bustling 14th street, The Outrage is a social enterprise shop and activist hub that seeks to mobilize activists by leveraging the power of community and fashion. At The Outrage you can find everything from clothes, accessories, and jewelry to books, stickers, and stationary – all branded with important social movement messages. As an active agent of social change, The Outrage donates to progressive organizations with every single purchase. The shop also gives customers the chance to register to vote at checkout and teaches the community about how they can contact their representatives to urge action on important issues and movements, such as immigrant rights, women’s rights, environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and Black Lives Matter. Stop by The Outrage (or visit their online shop!) to get involved in the fight for change.
Gift Shop
Source: Gift Shop
Price Range – $$
Gift Shop features an ever-changing selection of brands and creations made by Black entrepreneurs in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Located in Northeast near Union Market, Gift Shop is a brick and mortar store that gives customers a physical space to discover and support local, Black-owned brands. There are many different products featured in the store including clothing, home decor, and accessories and with a constantly rotating selection, there is always something new to discover.
Shop Made in DC
Source: Shop Made in DC
Price Range – $$
As the name suggests, Shop Made in DC is the place to shop an amazing rotating selection of products made locally by D.C.’s artists, makers, and creatives. With four locations around the District, Shop Made’s rotating selection features a variety of products from apothecary, art, and apparel to jewelry, furniture, and home decor. The shop was started by Stacy Price and Michael Babin who came together with the mission to celebrate the local maker movement in the District and to assist in the growth of local artisans. The selection is always changing at Shop Made, which makes it the perfect place to find unique products while supporting the local community.
Ethical Experiences
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Source: Sara Cottle
Price Range – $
The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is a lengthy trail network that spans over 800 miles and connects various trails and historic sites in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. Managed by the National Park Service, the trail traces the Potomac River corridor, the Ohio River watershed in Pennsylvania and western Maryland, and part of the Rappahannock River watershed in Virginia. With many different recreational activities available, such as hiking, biking, and paddling, this expansive trail system is a great way to experience the beautiful scenery and rich history of the Washington D.C. area.
meet the author
Stephanie Stevens
Stephanie is a writer and photographer passionate about sustainable living, mindfulness, and exploring the outdoors. She loves microadventures but her favorite part about traveling abroad is immersing herself in other cultures. When she’s not writing, you can find her drinking coffee, playing soccer, or backpacking.
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