Guidebook for Jennifer's Place in Takoma Park
Food Scene
With its shabby-chic decor, lively atmosphere, and outdoor and indoor seating, Republic is a favorite local hang for Sunday brunch, happy hour for oysters, a gourmet burger, or seafood dining, and live music many weeknights. The bartenders will cater to your taste - my personal charm is the Fascist Killer.
142 locals recommend
Republic
6939 Laurel AveWith its shabby-chic decor, lively atmosphere, and outdoor and indoor seating, Republic is a favorite local hang for Sunday brunch, happy hour for oysters, a gourmet burger, or seafood dining, and live music many weeknights. The bartenders will cater to your taste - my personal charm is the Fascist Killer.
Great Thai food and better than decent sushi. They deliver here, too, but it takes forever, so enjoy the 8 minute walk.
50 locals recommend
Kin Da
6923 Laurel Ave Great Thai food and better than decent sushi. They deliver here, too, but it takes forever, so enjoy the 8 minute walk.
Excellent neighborhood Korean and Korean-fusion "fast-ish" food with chicken and vegetarian options. Eat-in or take-away, as you like. The hours are a little unpredictable but it's flavorful and worth figuring out if they're open.
33 locals recommend
Seoul Food D.C.
7302 Carroll AveExcellent neighborhood Korean and Korean-fusion "fast-ish" food with chicken and vegetarian options. Eat-in or take-away, as you like. The hours are a little unpredictable but it's flavorful and worth figuring out if they're open.
Tasty wood-fired pizza, salads, and cocktails. The outdoor seating is particularly lovely on a nice day or evening.
94 locals recommend
Roscoe's Pizzeria
7040 Carroll AveTasty wood-fired pizza, salads, and cocktails. The outdoor seating is particularly lovely on a nice day or evening.
Freshly baked breads and sweet treats. Simple, delicious sandwiches for lunch, and the coffee is better than average. Seating is really limited; it's more of a grab-and-go kind of place.
35 locals recommend
Spring Mill Bread Company
7300 Carroll AveFreshly baked breads and sweet treats. Simple, delicious sandwiches for lunch, and the coffee is better than average. Seating is really limited; it's more of a grab-and-go kind of place.
Luscious southern Italian cuisine. The fried calamari appetizer is incredible. The house-made pastas are divine. It also houses a wood-fired pizzeria, which is a great competitor to Roscoes.
20 locals recommend
Trattoria da Lina
7000 Carroll AveLuscious southern Italian cuisine. The fried calamari appetizer is incredible. The house-made pastas are divine. It also houses a wood-fired pizzeria, which is a great competitor to Roscoes.
Starbucks
3100 14th St NWIt's Starbucks. What else is there to say?
This funky, local hang pays homage to DC poet laureate Langston Hughes. B&P's menu features a wide selection, including vegan and vegetarian options. It's paired with Politics and Prose, which is more than a bookstore, it's a beloved DC institution, where you can browse through a robust selection of reading material before, during, or after you dine.
250 locals recommend
Busboys and Poets
235 Carroll St NWThis funky, local hang pays homage to DC poet laureate Langston Hughes. B&P's menu features a wide selection, including vegan and vegetarian options. It's paired with Politics and Prose, which is more than a bookstore, it's a beloved DC institution, where you can browse through a robust selection of reading material before, during, or after you dine.
Scrumptious breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner. A fine beer selection and excellent coffees and teas. This place is packed on the weekends but the line moves quickly and there's a decent amount of seating, indoors and larger tables outside.
64 locals recommend
Takoma Beverage Company
6917 Laurel AveScrumptious breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner. A fine beer selection and excellent coffees and teas. This place is packed on the weekends but the line moves quickly and there's a decent amount of seating, indoors and larger tables outside.
Another beloved Takoma Park restaurant you shouldn't pass on. The menu is large, and there's something to please every palate. It's casual and especially kid-friendly, but crowded on weekends, especially in the morning.
90 locals recommend
Mark's Kitchen
7006 Carroll Ave Another beloved Takoma Park restaurant you shouldn't pass on. The menu is large, and there's something to please every palate. It's casual and especially kid-friendly, but crowded on weekends, especially in the morning.
Familiar favorite comfort foods abound, renewed with zeal in vegan form. I'm a particular fan of their mac and cheese and collard greens.
23 locals recommend
Evolve Vegan Restaurant
341 Cedar St NWFamiliar favorite comfort foods abound, renewed with zeal in vegan form. I'm a particular fan of their mac and cheese and collard greens.
Pick up or delivery pizza place. There's no where to dine-in at Pizza Movers, but you can take your pizza to go or they'll deliver. This is definitely budget pizza and best eaten fresh and hot, but kids like it just fine.
11 locals recommend
Pizza Movers
6901 Laurel AvePick up or delivery pizza place. There's no where to dine-in at Pizza Movers, but you can take your pizza to go or they'll deliver. This is definitely budget pizza and best eaten fresh and hot, but kids like it just fine.
The Girl and the Vine features excellent sandwiches (that are so much more than mere sandwiches), charcuterie boards, and cheeses. Their breakfast/brunch is uncomplicated and well worth it. Washingtonian Magazine recently listed TG&V in their top 75 "Cheap Eats" for 2019 (along with Cielo Rojo) in the entire DC area.
12 locals recommend
The Girl and The Vine
7071 Carroll AveThe Girl and the Vine features excellent sandwiches (that are so much more than mere sandwiches), charcuterie boards, and cheeses. Their breakfast/brunch is uncomplicated and well worth it. Washingtonian Magazine recently listed TG&V in their top 75 "Cheap Eats" for 2019 (along with Cielo Rojo) in the entire DC area.
Cielo Rojo was just recently recognized as one of the DC areas top "Cheap Eats" by Washingtonian Magazine, and it's earned the honor with its elevated Mexican street food. And the boozy drinks pair nicely, too! You currently need a reservation and they're only serving outdoors from 3-8 pm.
24 locals recommend
Cielo Rojo Restaurant
7211 Carroll AveCielo Rojo was just recently recognized as one of the DC areas top "Cheap Eats" by Washingtonian Magazine, and it's earned the honor with its elevated Mexican street food. And the boozy drinks pair nicely, too! You currently need a reservation and they're only serving outdoors from 3-8 pm.
Drinks & Nightlife
Watch the game, have a beer, nosh from a mix of Middle Eastern and traditional bar menu goodies. The bar keeps are gems!
52 locals recommend
Olive Lounge & Grill
7006 Carroll Ave Watch the game, have a beer, nosh from a mix of Middle Eastern and traditional bar menu goodies. The bar keeps are gems!
Essentials
The Co-op (as it's locally known) isn't quite a full-service grocery but it'll have almost anything you need in a pinch. It can be a little pricey. The best thing about it is its outstanding beer and wine selection and bulk foods and spices. It's a 10-minute walk from our front door.
72 locals recommend
Takoma Park-Silver Spring Food Co-op
201 Ethan Allen AveThe Co-op (as it's locally known) isn't quite a full-service grocery but it'll have almost anything you need in a pinch. It can be a little pricey. The best thing about it is its outstanding beer and wine selection and bulk foods and spices. It's a 10-minute walk from our front door.
If you need something drycleaned during your stay, I recommend this place, right near the Takoma metro station.
Friedrich's Modern Cleaners
266 Carroll St NWIf you need something drycleaned during your stay, I recommend this place, right near the Takoma metro station.
United States Postal Service
6909 Laurel AveHard to get into this fabulous salon, but if you need a cut while you're in town, any of the stylists in this hip joint will give you a great one. Daniel is my guy, but they're all wonderful.
Scissor & Comb Salon
7009 Carroll AveHard to get into this fabulous salon, but if you need a cut while you're in town, any of the stylists in this hip joint will give you a great one. Daniel is my guy, but they're all wonderful.
A really solid hair salon, especially with kids, and cheaper than Scissor and Comb and much easier to get an appointment if you need one. I recommend Naz, she's highly skilled and a lovely person.
Salon Jam
7054 Carroll AveA really solid hair salon, especially with kids, and cheaper than Scissor and Comb and much easier to get an appointment if you need one. I recommend Naz, she's highly skilled and a lovely person.
Awesome facials, massages, acupuncture, reiki treatments, and excellent skin care items for yourself or for gifts. I love this place!
9 locals recommend
The Still Point Takoma Park
6 Grant AveAwesome facials, massages, acupuncture, reiki treatments, and excellent skin care items for yourself or for gifts. I love this place!
CVS
3642 Georgia Ave NWWhole Foods Market
11355 Woodglen DrGiant Food
2900 University Blvd WSafeway
3830 Georgia Ave NWBudget grocery store but well-laid out and has plenty of organics. The best time to go is when the store opens in the morning because the selection is plentiful. Make sure to have a quarter coin to use the shopping cart.
12 locals recommend
ALDI
7609 New Hampshire AveBudget grocery store but well-laid out and has plenty of organics. The best time to go is when the store opens in the morning because the selection is plentiful. Make sure to have a quarter coin to use the shopping cart.
Another budget-conscious grocery store, bigger than ALDI and with more variety but fewer organics.
Lidl
6881 New Hampshire AveAnother budget-conscious grocery store, bigger than ALDI and with more variety but fewer organics.
Everything Else
Takoma Postal & Business Center
7304 Carroll AveIf you want to send something UPS, go here.
Dolci recently relocated so it's now next to Roscoe's Pizzeria. Fabulous gelato and sorbet. A little on the pricey side so you'll savor every lick.
28 locals recommend
Dolci Gelati Cafe (Takoma Park)
7040 Carroll AveDolci recently relocated so it's now next to Roscoe's Pizzeria. Fabulous gelato and sorbet. A little on the pricey side so you'll savor every lick.
Getting Around
The Takoma Station is on Metro's red line. You take it in the direction of Shady Grove to get to downtown Washington, DC. Go to WMATA.com to use Metro's trip planner and determine the cost of your trip (it varies by time of day and distance traveled). You'll need to purchase a Smart Trip card at the station using a kiosk and load money onto the card. I'll be honest, the station managers are not particularly friendly or helpful. If you have questions, you're probably better off asking a fellow traveler for guidance.
15 locals recommend
Takoma Station
Takoma StationThe Takoma Station is on Metro's red line. You take it in the direction of Shady Grove to get to downtown Washington, DC. Go to WMATA.com to use Metro's trip planner and determine the cost of your trip (it varies by time of day and distance traveled). You'll need to purchase a Smart Trip card at the station using a kiosk and load money onto the card. I'll be honest, the station managers are not particularly friendly or helpful. If you have questions, you're probably better off asking a fellow traveler for guidance.
Entertainment & Activities
A new addition to Takoma Park's thriving yoga scene, Yoga Heights offers yoga, pilates, and a "no barre, barre" class that I love. Drop-in convenience is awesome for travelers looking to fit in a workout.
7 locals recommend
Yoga Heights Takoma
255 Carroll St NW A new addition to Takoma Park's thriving yoga scene, Yoga Heights offers yoga, pilates, and a "no barre, barre" class that I love. Drop-in convenience is awesome for travelers looking to fit in a workout.
CYCLED!
6960 Carroll St NW Drop in for a challenging and fun spin class!
Thoughtfully taught classes offered seven days a week, and drops-ins are welcome, but call first.
16 locals recommend
Willow Street Yoga
6930 Carroll Ave Thoughtfully taught classes offered seven days a week, and drops-ins are welcome, but call first.
Regal Majestic Stadium 20 and IMAX
900 Ellsworth DrBikram Yoga Takoma Park
Stretch yourself out with a hot yoga session!
An invigorating workout, with early, mid-day, and early evening classes is just a 10 min. walk away.
MAD Fitness
7322 Carroll AveAn invigorating workout, with early, mid-day, and early evening classes is just a 10 min. walk away.
Amazing movie theatre with thematic showings over a few days or weeks, plus new movies, indie films, and old films you always wished to see on the big screen. Plus they have wine and beer.
149 locals recommend
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
8633 Colesville RoadAmazing movie theatre with thematic showings over a few days or weeks, plus new movies, indie films, and old films you always wished to see on the big screen. Plus they have wine and beer.
Parks & Nature
Sligo Creek Trail
Sligo Creek TrailMiles and miles of paved bike and running trails along serene wooded Sligo Creek.
Small park with swings and a playground, perfect for families with kids 10 and under, with a little creek to find frogs and water bugs.
Spring Park
Small park with swings and a playground, perfect for families with kids 10 and under, with a little creek to find frogs and water bugs.
Rock Creek Park runs through NW DC. The National Zoo is located in the Park, and a fabulous walking/biking path follows the road - downhill into DC and uphill back to Takoma Park. Great for a long run, hiking - especially lovely in winter - and there are benches, and small pavilions along the way to take a break or have a picnic.
584 locals recommend
Rock Creek Park
3545 Williamsburg Ln NWRock Creek Park runs through NW DC. The National Zoo is located in the Park, and a fabulous walking/biking path follows the road - downhill into DC and uphill back to Takoma Park. Great for a long run, hiking - especially lovely in winter - and there are benches, and small pavilions along the way to take a break or have a picnic.