"In D.C., my go-to cocktail spot is Serenata. Beverage director and partner Andra 'AJ' Johnson is a maven behind the bar, making amazing drinks that have garnered nationwide recognition."

"Little Pearl is a lovely little wine bar in Capitol Hill with a killer wine list and tasty bites."

"My husband and I absolutely love natural wine—whether it's a bottle of Scotty-Boy! blush, Gaia Assyrtiko Wild Ferment, or something a bit more funky and obscure, we're always down to try it! Our go-to shop in D.C. is Domestique, a wine shop dedicated to natural wines."

"Albi is chef Michael Rafidi's love letter to Levantine cuisine. Think fire-roasted meats and pitas, super flavorful savory spreads, and seasonal veggies. (Pro tip: Don't leave without trying the labneh soft serve!)"

"My go-to shop for gifts in D.C. is Hill's Kitchen. Not only is it a woman-owned small business, but they have a great selection of kitchen tools, cookbooks, and culinary knickknacks. The owner, Leah, is super helpful and just plain rad!"

"Jam Doung Style is an amazing, local, Black-owned spot that serves the best, most authentic Jamaican food in D.C. My go-to dish is the oxtail plate, with rice and peas (with extra brown stew sauce on top), cabbage, mac and cheese, and sweet plantain. And don't forget the beef patty!"

"D.C.'s signature dish, hands down, is the half-smoke! It's like a mix between a hot dog and a smoked sausage, with a bit more spice and a coarser grind of meat than a traditional hot dog. And you have to try the version at Ben's Chili Bowl, a local family-owned institution on U Street that's been making them since 1958!"

"When I'm feeling energized and ambitious, I head over to the Dupont Circle Farmers Market to get all the goodies. From edible flowers to the freshest greens, bagel sandwiches to a new plant baby, I can find it all here."

"When I'm feeling a bit less ambitious and want to stick closer to home, a quick trip to Mom's Organic Market is always the right move. Mom's is a local organic market that has tons of super healthy, organic, and delicious options."

"When it comes to breakfast, nothing can really beat the classic egg plate: two eggs, bacon, home fries, and some buttered toast. You can find these at any basically any breakfast spot across the city (or across the country), but I've been getting my fix at Silver Diner."

"If I have a craving for a New York–style slice, Wiseguy Pizza comes the closest in D.C. But as any true New Yorker knows, there's no such thing as truly authentic NY pizza outside of New York."

"Lately, I've been frequenting The Coffee Bar. It's a cute little neighborhood spot with delicious brews, great staff, and a perfect location (e.g., around the corner from my job)."

"If my friends are visiting D.C. for the first time, I always like recommending they head over to the National Mall and Tidal Basin. From there, you can get a great view of D.C.'s most iconic sights like the Lincoln Memorial, The White House, MLK Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, all of the Smithsonian Museums, and even Congress."

"A little-known fact about me is that I don't really have a sweet tooth. But when it comes to pastries, I absolutely love the whole-wheat croissant at Seylou Bakery."