A Design Lover’s Guide to Washington, D.C.

For years, the reputation of our nation’s capital hinged on politics, monuments, steakhouses, and, of course, scandal. But recently, Washington, D.C., has blossomed into a destination for design and architecture lovers. With a spate of new design-forward hotels, restaurants, and cultural spaces—not to mention two major waterfront developments, the Yards and the Wharf, both featuring an array of attractive shops, residences, and promenades—the city has never felt fresher or more vibrant. Below, our guide on where to stay, eat, shop, and sightsee.

The Line DC

Housed in a former neoclassical church, this buzzy newcomer in Adams Morgan is nothing short of a stunner. Many of the original features have been thoughtfully reimagined—the church organ pipes, for example, are now the lobby’s provocative chandelier—and there are five restaurants and bars helmed by local chefs Spike Gjerde and Erik Bruner-Yang. The accommodations feature a hip-yet-cozy vibe, with their eclectic mix of oak desks, living plants, brass beds, and original pieces sourced from local artists. thelinehotel.com/dc

Eaton Workshop

This new hospitality brand, with properties in D.C. and Hong Kong, doesn’t just look chic and sound cool (there’s a radio station on-site), it also takes its community-building ethos seriously. Founder Katherine Lo used her background in anthropology and filmmaking to create a lifestyle hotel that includes an artist-in-residence program, wellness classes, and workshops led by grassroots leaders. Interiors, designed by Parts and Labor and Gachot, are sophisticated and retro, with more than a hint of rock and roll. eatonworkshop.com

The Dupont Circle

Now a member of Europe’s Doyle Collection, this 1960s hotel unveiled multimillion-dollar renovations led by two international design powerhouses: Martin Brudnizki, who created a clubby cocktail bar and a chic farm-to-table restaurant, and Clodagh, responsible for the spacious-yet-intimate lobby and several floors of suites. Both studios drew inspiration from the building’s midcentury roots, filling spaces with brass light fixtures, mirrored surfaces, slatted wood paneling, and curvaceous seats covered in velvet and leather. doylecollection.com

Chloe

After cutting his culinary chops at local hot spots Estadio and Doi Moi, chef Haidar Karoum decided to strike out on his own with Chloe. For his menu, Karoum honors his Lebanese roots while drawing inspiration from his global travels. From crispy cauliflower tossed with tahini to Vietnamese roasted chicken, there’s something for every appetite. Blond wood, an open kitchen, and a green herb wall further cement Chloe’s status as a contemporary neighborhood restaurant. restaurantchloe.com

Del Mar

Perched on the southwest waterfront in the Wharf, the latest restaurant by celebrated chef Fabio Trabocchi pays homage to his wife Maria’s Spanish roots, from the food (think pan con tomate, txangurro, and fideuà) to the interiors, which were envisioned by superstar Barcelona designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. Though the two-floor space is certainly grand in scale, it maintains an easygoing coastal vibe with its vibrant pops of azure blue and emerald green and plentiful alfresco seating. delmardc.com

Bresca

This contemporary bistro helmed by chef Ryan Ratino on 14th Street is quirky and colorful. Awash in a bold palette of cerulean, yellow, and white, the room features other eye-catching details like a moss wall, hexagonal lattice space dividers, and golden fish heads. Ratino’s cuisine and plating are equally playful; the indulgent foie gras “negroni”—which is topped with a pretty pink campari jelly and bits of spring green celery—shouldn’t be missed. brescadc.com

Gravitas

Having an original take on industrial-style interiors is no small feat, and Gravitas, a recent opening in the up-and-coming Ivy City neighborhood, manages to achieve that with lightly whitewashed brick walls, massive luminaries that look like they were made of cement, unpolished blond wood, and abundant greenery. Perhaps more important, chef Matt Baker’s customizable five-course tasting menu is so good it earned him a Michelin star in less than a year. Expect seasonal offerings like sunchoke and lobster velouté, and Sardinian fregola with uni emulsion and bay scallops. gravitasdc.com

Anchovy Social

Coming soon and set inside the brand new Thompson Washington D.C. (a modern, slate-hued building conceived by Studios Architecture) this whimsical rooftop bar by acclaimed restaurateur Danny Meyer brings a dose of la dolce vita to the capital. The nautical-themed decor was inspired by the seafood menu at sister restaurant Maialino Mare on the ground floor, yet the atmosphere here is younger and cheekier, featuring artworks made of vintage anchovy tins. Don’t worry, you don’t need to love small salty fish to enjoy the menu’s eclectic bar bites or the classic Italian cocktails. anchovysocial.com

National Museum of African American History and Culture

From the moment it was unveiled in late 2016, this striking bronze-clad building became both an architectural landmark and a cultural icon. Lead designer David Adjaye, together with lead architect Philip Freelon, sought to convey America’s deep and longstanding African heritage through a corona-shaped structure that was inspired by the Washington Monument but that also references a type of tiered crown used in Yoruban art from West Africa. Inside, visitors find multiple floors of galleries, beginning with a darkened underground exhibit about the story of slavery. nmaahc.si.edu

The Reach

Designed by Steven Holl Architects, the Reach is the first-ever expansion of John F. Kennedy’s living memorial on the Potomac River. A trio of futuristic white pavilions adds a new restaurant and multiple performance spaces with an impressive lineup that includes contemporary ballets, operas, comedy shows, jazz jams, and even experimental DJ sessions. The surrounding landscape reflects various aspects of Kennedy’s life: a grove of 35 ginkgo trees are a nod to his position as the 35th president of the United States, and a reflecting pool and mahogany landscape deck reference his WWII boat, the PT109. kennedy-center.org

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

When it opened in 1974, this contemporary art institution was the city’s most distinctive building, a monumental Brutalist cylinder designed by Pritzker-winning architect Gordon Bunshaft. Four decades later, on the heels of reimagining the museum’s lobby (now outfitted with a metal-walled coffee bar and tables crafted from 700-year-old nutmeg trees), Japanese artist and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto was commissioned to overhaul its sculpture garden. His design, with plans for reopening a long-shuttered underground tunnel connecting the garden and museum entrance, will transform this peaceful outdoor area into the “front door” to the National Mall. hirshhorn.si.edu

Maketto

This multiconcept business by Erik Bruner-Yang and Will Sharp on H Street is equal parts restaurant, café, and boutique. But it’s the retail component that’s a real standout, with its stylish mix of menswear, accessories, and shoes, from up-and-coming brands like Norse Projects to established heavyweights like Comme des Garçons. maketto1351.com

Steadfast Supply

Located in a 3,000-square-foot space in the Yards, Steadfast Supply represents and supports more than 60 independent artists and brands from all over the country by both selling their goods and sharing their individual stories. It stocks a bit of everything, from jewelry to pet toys to clothing—making it an ideal stop for all your gift-giving needs. steadfastsupplydc.com

Shop Made in D.C.

In a landscape where small businesses are increasingly struggling to survive, Made in D.C.’s mission to support the local community of artisans is like a breath of fresh air. Its newest and third location, in the Wharf, sells leather and canvas weekender bags by Stitch & Rivet, which donates unused remnants to school groups, and delicate jewelry with semiprecious stones, such as rare druzy gems from Istanbul, by artist and “mompreneur” Hatice Rosato. shopmadeindc.com

Salt & Sundry

Opened in 2012, this one-stop shop specializes in chicly designed items to make everyday life feel a bit more special, whether it be a hostess gift or something to lend a stylish pop to your home. Its sister shop, Little Leaf, is two blocks down the street and stocks plants and stationery in a tiny, adorable nook. shopsaltandsundry.com