Cheap Eats In Washington D.C. Under $10 USD

Tenissa
Contributing Writer
Published
| 4 min read
cheap eats in dc

The United States is big and it might not be possible to explore all cities and states. However, a visit to the U.S. will not be complete without visiting its capital, Washington, D.C. Only in this city can you find the most popular federal government buildings, namely the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court. These three attractions are indeed a must-visit.

You should also make a stop at the National Air and Space Museum, which houses an impressive collection of aircraft. You can spend hours here because it is so huge. The National Gallery of Art is also highly recommended. World-class artwork is featured here, both historical and contemporary. What about restaurants? Without a doubt, there are plenty. And, if you are looking for cheap eats, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to find out which eateries serve dishes under 10 USD in Washington DC.

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1. Baan Thai


Those who are Thai and Japanese food lovers should definitely try this eatery. And those who are not should also try because at Baan Thai, you will fall in love and crave more. Most importantly, the prices are cheap. For less than 10 USD you can indulge in tasty dishes, such as spicy beef salad with Thai eggplant, pineapple chicken bites and grilled lemongrass shrimp. Enjoy the casual atmosphere provided by this restaurant.

Baan Thai

Address: 1326 14th Street Northwest, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20005, United States

Website: Baan Thai

Opening hours: 11.30AM-10PM

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2. Ben's Chili Bowl


Hotdogs and burgers sound yummy, don’t they? The good news is, at Ben’s Chili Bowl, you can get a jumbo beef dog or a jumbo turkey dog for only 5.95 USD. If you are a vegetarian, no worries, as the eatery also serves veggie options, such as veggie dogs, veggie burgers and salad bowls. Looking for something more substantial? Try the breakfast items that include a sausage or bacon breakfast. The casual setting of this eatery will make you want to come back for more.

Ben's Chili Bowl

Address: 1213 U Street NW Washington, DC 20009, United States

Website: Ben’s Chili Bowl

Opening hours: 11AM-8PM

Tip from Trip101 local expert

John

John
Washington

A visit to Washington D.C. is not complete without stopping by Ben's Chilli Bowl. A local staple, they serve the best chili dog and chili fries you will ever have! The line moves quickly, so when you get to the counter so be prepared to give your order before you reach the till. You can get your meal to go or grab a seat at a table and dive into the delicious food. They also offer delicious vegetarian burgers, dogs, and chili options if someone in your party isn't a meat-eater.

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3. Potbelly's Sandwich Shop


Potbelly’s Sandwich Shop is spread across the country and you may spot one in your area in D.C. What makes this eatery so famous is, of course, its sandwiches. You can choose from a selection of sandwiches that are just too delicious to resist. Favorites include their turkey club and roast beef sandwich. The eatery also serves sides and chips, shakes and smoothies and desserts in addition to the sandwiches. Drop by for an early dinner before you go back to your accommodation.

Potbelly's Sandwich Shop

Address: 709 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States

Website: Potbelly’s Sandwich Shop

Opening hours: 11AM-5PM

Tip from Trip101 local expert

John

John
Washington

If you are looking for a tried and true sandwich option in D.C., you can't go wrong with Potbelly. With multiple locations across the city, you are always within walking distance of one of their locations. With 20 sandwiches to choose from and loads of sides, you are sure to find something for everyone. You should definitely get their amazing Mac and Cheese as well where you can add two toppings! I like to add bacon and hot peppers, but you can mix it up to make your ideal Mac and Cheese!

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4. Lucky Buns


The perfect time to visit Lucky Buns is after you are done with your adventure in the city. There is nothing more delicious than having one of their chicky buns or katsu buns to make your stomach happy. Chips are also available, along with other side dishes, such as green curry, pumpkin and Thai cucumber salad. You can taste how your burger is cooked to perfection in this friendly diner.

Lucky Buns

Address: 2000 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA

Website: Lucky Buns

Opening hours: 5PM-2AM (Monday-Thursday), 5PM-3AM (Friday), 11AM-3AM (Saturday), 11AM-2AM (Sunday)

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Washington Tour Guide

Annie Leguennec

Annie Leguennec

My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the ci... Read more

Tours by Annie

Washington Tour Guide

Stephanie Eley

Stephanie Eley

I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more

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5. RASA


Say yes to the Indian dishes at RASA if you want to satisfy your appetite. Savor the authentic flavors in every dish served here and if you are not sure what to order, why don’t you go with the Tikka Chance On Me and you will be served chicken tikka with basmati rice and sauteed spinach. Or, order the Aloo Need Is Love and you can indulge in sweet potato tikki with lemon turmeric rice and charred eggplant.

RASA

Address: 1247 First St SE, Washington, DC 20003, United States

Website: RASA

Opening hours:11AM-9PM

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6. CAVA


What makes CAVA unique is the power of choice granted to you as a customer. You are free to choose your own base, dips and spreads, protein and toppings. We suggest the spicy lamb meatballs or grilled chicken for the protein and pita crisps for the topping, but really it is all up to you. You can also bring home the dips and spreads, produced daily. You will find no additives and preservatives in them and, on top of that, they are all vegetarian.

CAVA

Address: 707 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States

Website: CAVA

Opening hours: 10.45AM-10PM

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7. Beefsteak Vegetables


One important thing about eating is that you should feel good about it, which means no guilt and no worries. This is exactly what you will feel when ordering something from Beefsteak Vegetables. As the name suggests, vegetables are the main components of the dishes here. But, of course, you can also have a little bit of meat to satisfy your appetite, if you so desire. This eatery serves salads, soups and burgers and meatier dishes, like chicken sausage and salt-cured salmon. And, you can enjoy your food in a lovely setting that will make you feel homey.

Beefsteak Vegetables

Address: 1528 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20036, United States

Website: Beefsteak Vegetables

Opening hours: 10.30AM-10PM

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8. Le Pain Quotidien

cheap eats in dc | le pain quotidien
Source: instagram

Eating should be simple because simple things can make you happy. In the morning, head to this eatery, have a seat with your loved ones at a communal table and order a warm cup of coffee, fresh yogurt and a basket of bread. Or, if you want to recharge in the afternoon, you can order a Mediterranean platter or some pastries and tarts.

Le Pain Quotidien

Address: 800 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

Website: Le Pain Quotidien

Opening hours: 8AM-6PM

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9. Old Ebbitt Grill

Dinner is served... #OldEbbittGram by @ironchristina

Posted by Old Ebbitt Grill on Tuesday, 13 November 2018

Reserve your table before visiting the Old Ebbitt Grill because this restaurant is known for its fresh ingredients and classic recipes. You can enjoy a breakfast or lunch here for as low as 4 USD. Their banana walnut bread or bagel and cream cheese would be an excellent choice to start the day. For lunch, you can order their New England Clam Chowder or mixed green salad. Aside from the scrumptious dishes, you will enjoy eating in a Victorian-style building.

Old Ebbitt Grill

Address: 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States

Website: Old Ebbitt Grill

Opening hours: 7.30AM-2AM (Monday-Thursday), 7.30AM-3AM (Friday), 8.30AM-3AM (Saturday), 8.30AM-2AM (Sunday)

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10. Taylor Gourmet


Last but not least, Taylor Gourmet completes the list of the best eateries in D.C. that serves a tasty menu that everyone can afford. Savor one of their hoagies and you will find yourself ordering another to bring home. The Colonial and Devil’s Pocket are loved by many. Or, order the risotto balls as a treat to yourself.

Taylor Gourmet

Address: 1750 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC, United States

Website: Taylor Gourmet

Opening hours: 11AM-9PM

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Washington, D.C. will not disappoint

cheap eats in D.C.
Source: Pexels

With so many interesting attractions to see and cheap eateries serving delicious dishes, there is nothing to dislike about D.C. Book a flight to and enjoy a fantastic vacation!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. So far, her favourite destination is Switzerland. She looks...Read more

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