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Get To Know Upshur Street

Posted on June 5, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Kaela Cote-Stemmermann

Kaela Cote-Stemmermann

People on street

Upshur Street shut down for the Celebrate Petworth Festival. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)

Upshur Street NW in Petworth is one of the most underrated areas of D.C. (in my humble opinion). It’s Metro-accessible and home to top-tier restaurants and coffee. To top it off, Chef Danielle Harris just opened the new Afro-fusion restaurant Almeda in the old Little Vietnam space.

☕ Where To Get Coffee:

Start with a visit to Little Food Studio. This beloved cafe pumps out the most gorgeous coffee and pastries. Don’t miss the sausage roll and the balsamic, cherry, and blood orange scones. Up the street, ETA Cafe serves very strong espresso and chai to get you going.

🍽️ What To Eat:

Afro-fusion restaurant Almeda just opened as the evening concept of Little Food Studio, with a small but traditional menu. For the best fried chicken in the city, head to Honeymoon Chicken. For Neapolitan style pizza, try Timber Pizza. And if you’re there Wed-Fri, don’t miss the Bib Gourmand ramen joint Menya Hosaki, where homemade noodles float in rich shoyu broth.

🎵 What To Do:

Comedy venue Room 808 feels like your punk crush’s living room and brings in comics from around the country. Black/queer-owned bookstore Loyalty Books always gives great recs and cozy vibes. Or peruse the art studio/gallery Art of Noize that is revealing its latest exhibition “Her” tomorrow.

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