The Resy Guide to Road Trips From D.C.

Jaunt to Philadelphia

Whether your taste for history skews more Liberty Bell or “Rocky” steps, Philadelphia has a plethora of options for curious travelers. With deep Italian roots, a famously brassy attitude and a welcoming dive bar on seemingly every corner, Philly is close enough for a day trip but also worthy of a longer stay. Beyond the hoagies, water ice, and cheesesteaks, you’ll find one of the country’s most diverse, intriguing dining scenes.

Distance from D.C.: Less than three hours by car or about two hours by train.

How to Get There: Drive up I-95 or take Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line from Union Station to 30th Street Station.

Where to Stay: Yowie in Queen’s Village gives guests a South Philly location close to iconic local eats — Zahav, Jim’s Steaks, 9th Street Italian Market — and bright, artsy interiors befitting the hotel’s history as a shoppy shop. Browse housewares, books, ceramics and other souvenirs while you stay. In Fishtown, Anna & Bel offers a more historic vibe (and a serene courtyard pool) with proximity to Suraya, Middle Child Clubhouse, and more.

Stop #1: Kozy Korner has been serving Greek diner fare in Wilmington, Del., since 1922. Exit 95 early to fuel up with blueberry pancakes, gyro omelets and chipped beef on toast. Call (302) 658-0812 to make a reservation.

Stop #2: Reading Terminal Market boasts more than 80 vendors in a historic space full of neon signs that make it feel like a carnival of edible history. Stretch your legs afterwards with a walk around City Hall and over to the flagship location of Mitchell & Ness to shop for sports merch with vintage and custom designs.

Stop #3: Head to Dancerobot for a Japanese happy hour from chefs Justin Bacharach and Jesse Ito, who just won a James Beard award for his work at Royal Sushi Omakase & Izakaya Think Toki Yuzu Highballs, milk bun hot dogs, and cheesy roast pork bao served with pizza sauce.

Stop #4: Booking The Hoagie Room at Pizzeria Beddia is an only-in-Philly flex. The two-hour tasting format for parties of six is priced at $85 per person before tax, bringing on a parade of antipasti, subs, pizza, and soft-serve ice cream.

More Highlights:

Bomb Bomb: Chef-owner Joey Baldino  (Palizzi Social Club) preserves the neighborhood vibe of this longtime Italian American joint while offering service two ways: A bar menu with red sauce classics and a prix-fixe, reservations only seafood grill.

Amá: High-end Mexican food from chef Frankie Ramirez has crowd-pleasers like wagyu carne asada with ancho butter, Mediterranean-inflected swordfish tacos, and wood-fired octopus.

Kalaya: The most outstanding restaurant in America, according to the James Beard Foundation® awards, is chef Nok Suntaranon’s vision for Thai fine dining in Fishtown.

Baltimore Bound

A little bit punk, a little bit artsy, and unabashedly zany (thanks, John Waters), Baltimore is a breath of fresh air when D.C. begins to feel too buttoned up. You want crab cakes, pit beef, and cannoli, sure, but from high to low, there’s a lot more to taste. Marylanders are proud. Here, you’ll understand why.

Distance from D.C.: About an hour by car or train.

How to Get There: Drive I-95 or the Baltimore-Washington parkway, or grab a seat on the MARC train from Union Station to Penn Station.

Where to Stay: Advertised as a “maximalist fever-dream,” Ulysses does not disappoint. Rooms and restaurants at the Mount Vernon property are rich in color and texture, none more so than Disco-era Bloom’s bar, dowsed in mirrored panels, red velvet, and fuchsia bar stools. For more of a splurge with a harborfront pool, consider the Sagamore Pendry in Fell’s Point.

Stop #1: If you take Colesville Road north through Silver Spring, you could enjoy a sit-down breakfast in the garden at Zinnia (formerly Mrs. K’s Tollhouse) or grab something to-go at the Woodmoor Pastry Shop. For more of a detour, head to Centrado Café Shop in Burtonsville for a locally roasted coffee, a pan dulce, or a pupusa.

Stop #2: The Avenue, otherwise known as 36th Street, in Hampden is catnip for thrifters. Spend an afternoon poring over vintage clothes, antiques, books, and records. No Baltimore visit is complete without a pop-in at Ekiben; there’s a location near the main drag for snacking on steamed buns and fried seafood. If you plan your visit on the one day a month that The Book Thing of Baltimore is open, it’s worth a short drive to fill a box with free used books.

Stop #3: Snag an early slot at Dylan’s Oyster Cellar for Maryland craft beer, rum drinks, a rotating selection of impeccable oysters, and a mandatory order of coddies.

Stop #4:In Little Italy, Osteria de Amadeo is now Amadeo’s Baltimore City, a reference to the past owner from a couple of Brooklyn expats who gave it a makeover. Go for the neighborhood atmosphere, tomato focaccia, and regional Italian specials.

More Highlights:

The Wren: Will Mester’s pub menu has bewitched critics. The owners are trying to sell the restaurant but have said they will keep it going until they find a buyer. So don’t delay.

Clavel Mezcalería: If you’re serious about spirits, you should feel comfortable anywhere affiliated with restaurateur Lane Harlan. The taqueria does not take reservations, but tickets for mezcal tastings with food pairings ($50 per person) are available on Resy.

Josefina: This newcomer from well-traveled chef David Zamudio brings classic Spanish cooking to Fell’s Point.

The Urban Oyster: In addition to offering standout raw bar fare, chef Jasmine Norton dishes up playful bites like hot honey Old Bay wings and chargrilled oysters in a variety of indulgent sauces.

The Helmand: It’s been a Mount Vernon standby for Afghan cuisine for more than 35 years.

Relax in Richmond

Home to mountain bikers and brewers, state legislators and college kids, Virginia’s capital city is vibrant yet laid-back, an ideal place to explore neighborhoods at your own pace. Start with Southern classics, then work your way through the local chefs’ interpretations of the state’s bounty.

Distance from D.C.: About two hours by car or train.

How to Get There: Drive south on I-95 or take Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line from Union Station to Staples Mill Road Station.

Where to Stay: An outgrowth of Quirk Gallery, Quirk Hotel has the minimalist, white-painted aesthetic of an exhibition space, which it is, of course. Take in the view of downtown from the rooftop bar. Walk about a mile to the Fan District, full of Victorian homes and funky shops, or one block to Birdie’s for oysters and bubbly.

Stop #1: Congestion is the norm between D.C. and Richmond, which makes Fredericksburg a nice midpoint for a pause. Eileen’s Bakery & Cafe fills a 19th-century church with the scent of sticky buns and other confections. Galvin’s Delicatessen is another option, if you’re craving a Reuben.

Stop #2: Scott’s Addition is an inventive, formerly industrial area not far from Richmond’s museum district. Väsen and the Veil are two standouts in the neighborhood’s brewery scene. If all that beer makes you crave barbecue, stop at ZZQ to sample the Texas-style brisket. Alternatively, you could go to Shockoe Bottom to see the Edgar Allan Poe Museum and get a midday jolt at Ironclad Coffee Roasters. Bread obsessives should line up early to get their pick of loaves at beloved Sub Rosa Bakery in Church Hill.

Stop #3: At Bar Buoy, Virginia oysters are $1 at happy hour, which runs all day Sunday or from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Pair those with a Mignonette Martini at chef Brittanny Anderson’s latest project.

Stop #4: For a (fancy) girl dinner, go to Grisette, where cheese, charcuterie, and profiteroles are mainstays, alongside other seasonal small plates and large mains that channel France with Virginia ingredients.

More Highlights:

Lillie Pearl: At chef Michael Lindsey’s place, New American means a mix of Southern and global cuisines. Expect dishes like braised lamb shanks in a West African tomato and pepper sauce alongside smothered pork chops with Hoppin’ John.

Alewife: Chef Lee Gregory’s home for sustainable seafood has long been admired by the D.C. set.

Lillian: Another oyster bar, yes, but one with pretty ceviches, tostadas, and Ecuadorian fish fitters made of potato, plantain, and peanuts.

Restaurants Worth More Than a Detour

Standout spots worthy of planning an entire road trip around, in our humble opinion.

Burnt Hill Farm
Clarksburg, Md.
There would have already been buzz for Burnt Hill because it comes from the same three siblings who brought national respect to Maryland grapes at Old Westminster Winery. Their partnership with chef Tae Strain, who led Momofuku CCDC, ups the ante. Guests can reserve a three-hour experience at the farm to see the spread, try the property’s wine and order small dishes. Or get on the mailing list to see when spots open for the 12-seat chef’s counter.

Ruse
St Michael’s, Md.
Chef Michael Correll’s succint seafood-focused menu makes Ruse a pearl on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Mama Chang
Fairfax, Va.
D.C.-area locals are well familiar with the potency of Peter Chang’s Sichuan wok. This outpost in Fairfax, dedicated to the culinary contributions of the women in the family, shines through the volume and variety of Chinese dishes.

Field and Main
Marshall, Va.
Several butchers and bakers make Marshall a draw for Washingtonians who need to escape the city. Neal and Star Wavra have made Field and Main’s tasting menu a favorite for a decade. There’s even a three-course menu available for dogs.

Maude and the Bear
Staunton, Va.
Since opening The Shack in Staunton, Ian Boden has shown a clever knack for blending Jewish and Southern pantries. At this inn, he offers upscale tasting menus and brunch.

Gabe Hiatt is a writer and editor based in Washington, D.C. His work covering sports, food, and travel has appeared in Eater, The Washington Post, and Food & Wine. He never misses an opportunity to let an Italian market take all of his money. Follow him on Instagram. Follow Resy, too.