An unassuming Florida Ave. row house used to be home to one of the most successful Black-owned restaurants in D.C. – Harrison's Cafe. Opened in 1920 by Robert Hilliard Harrison and his wife Lottie Harrison, the restaurant aimed to offer a first-class dining experience to African Americans who were excluded from the posh restaurants downtown.
The joint served up everything from 20-cent hamburgers to full lobster dinners and was popular among Howard professors, students, and LeDroit locals.
To avoid the city's strict midnight liquor curfew, Harrison's served alcohol in private rooms above the café, where patrons could continue the festivities until the wee hours of the morning.
The establishment shut down in 1962, shortly after Robert Harrison's death, but it was an establishment in the community for over 40 years with almost no rivals.
Get to Know Le Droit Park
Kaela Cote-Stemmermann
LeDroit Park rowhomes. (AgnosticPreachersKid/Wikimedia Commons)
Share article
Neighborhood Guides
Get to Know 11th Street NW in Columbia Heights
11th Street in Columbia Heights is one of my favorite hangout spot in the District. You can garden, snack on crispy pig ears, and grab fr...
How To Spend a Day In Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry is everything a day trip should be: cute, accessible, packed with activities, and most importantly, has lots of great food....
How To Spend a Day In Frederick
Less than an hour drive away from D.C., Frederick is full of historic charm, bookshop nooks, antique emporiums, and quiet hikes.
Finding the Best Block In DC: Takoma
Start at Lost Sock Coffee Roasters, a small-batch specialty coffee roaster located in the old Takoma Theatre.
Walk A Mile On Pennsylvania Ave SE
Welcome to the another installment of our walking series, where we pick a D.C. street to walk a mile on and see what cool stuff we can fi...
Where To Eat At Eden Center
Eden Center is the most exciting strip mall you’ll ever go to. It's back halls are packed with dozens of Vietnamese bakeries, delis, bill...
Your Guide to DMV Airports
Yes, take the Blue or Yellow line to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stop.
Walk a Mile On Florida Avenue
Welcome to another of our walking series, where we pick a D.C. street to walk a mile on and see what cool stuff we can find along the way!
The latest in DC
Man Who Plotted with Au Pair to Kill Wife, Stranger Sentenced to Life in Prison
Brendan Banfield was found guilty earlier this year of aggravated murder in the 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan.
'The Custodian' Explores the Life of Washington Football's Biggest Superfan
This documentary short premiering at DC/DOX Festival explores a Washington Football fan's 57-year quest to preserve the team's history wh...
A Local’s Guide To America 250 in Washington D.C.
From exploring historic ships to dancing to local tunes, celebrate America’s birthday like a real Washingtonian.
News Site NOTUS Blocked from Rebranding as The Star for Now
NOTUS was sued by the owner of The Washington Star for trademark infringement.
Your Guide to D.C. in June 2026
June is slam-packed with activities (not to mention an election!). Here’s the best things to do in D.C. this month.
Is Everyone Dropping Out of Trump’s Great American State Fair Concerts?
Vanilla Ice is still in.
Trump’s Name Must be Removed from Kennedy Center, Judge Orders
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said the Kennedy Center’s board acted unlawfully by renaming the center without congressional appr...
The Washington Star Is Suing The Star In a Very Confusing Media Battle
The plaintiffs say Washington is a one-star town.
