The Stand, from the same team behind Common Ground in neighboring Rosslyn, Virginia, offers a rotating cast of pop-ups nearly every week. Right now in the cooler months, find La Colombe Coffee, but expect things to heat up come springtime.— Missy Frederick

Game-filled Highline serves up a bevy of 30-plus rotating drafts and standard pub fare, including burgers, wings, and chili. The happy hour on Saturdays starts at 3 p.m. and and ends five hours later. —Lenore Atkins

This homegrown chain fromTop Chefalum Spike Mendelsohn offers gourmet pizzas whole or by the slice. The “Butcher’s Block” — made with tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, ham, and Applewood-smoked bacon — is among the most popular.— Lenore Atkins

Old school neighborhood Greek restaurants can be kind of hard to find in the D.C. area. Crystal City has one in Athena Pallas, serving traditional dishes like spanikopita, moussaka, and house specialities like scallops with fennel.— Missy Frederick

Did someone say small plates? The cured ham cut from Spain’s famed, acorn-fed Iberico pigs is a definite must-try at restaurateur José Andrés’s iconic tapas spot. The restaurant’s “sangria hour” features a slew of tapas, from patatas bravas to salmon tartare, priced $3-$6. It gets pretty crowded, so get there early (starts at 4 p.m.)—Lenore Adkins

This diner used to be a small operation with two stand-alone locations, including this Crystal City outpost, but has since expanded to a mini local chain. Locals enjoy it for the basics, like biscuits and gravy or eggs cooked to order. Key: it’s also open 24 hours.— Missy Frederick

This towering community mainstay keeps packing them in by broadcasting every sport imaginable across over 100 TVs, and serving breakfast favorites including powdered sugar-topped French toast, crab-crowned eggs Benedict, as well as biscuits and gravy, all day, every day.—Lenore Adkins

Vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores all have plenty to choose from at this local restaurant specializing in Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisines. Along with traditional offerings including raw kitfo and seasoned tibs, the restaurant serves vegan “chicken” strips, and berbere-spiced injera bread.—Lenore Atkins

This perennial favorite has kept the neighborhood stocked with all the affordable curry chicken, grilled lamb, and stewed goat it could eat for decades. Not satisfied with serving over a dozen specialty kebabs — plus daily vegetarian platters — Kabob Palace goes the extra mile by staying open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.—Lenore Atkins