Maybe you’ve been living near North Capitol St. for decades or maybe you’re new. Either way, you probably haven’t been to all of these local haunts. And to think of what you’d be missing!
Each of these small businesses adds a unique flavor to the corridor, and if you haven’t been, you will most definitely want to add them to your list of new places to try. They’re still open during COVID-19 and are taking precautions to keep you safe, so please return the favor and grab a mask before you head out.
Jankara
Jankara is a vibrant and beautiful art, fashion, and textiles shop. Owner Jimi King is a third generation textile designer who studied fashion in London. His clothing is one-of-a-kind wearable art and his designs are recognized and sold internationally.
Jimi King is natively from Nigeria, and his collections are inspired by his travel all over the world. He uses a wide range of fabric types and artistic techniques including tie dying, hand printing, and silk screening.
Lucky for us, he has a home base on North Capitol Street. You can swing by Jankara’s storefront, shop his inventory online, or attend one of his Instagram and Facebook live sales.
What people are saying:
“We really love our masks.Not only do they look cool, they really are comfortable. Thank you, Jimi!” Amy L. on Instagram
“He is a pioneer of African fashion and still going strong. He has introduced the U.S. audience to indigo, tie dyeing and batik. Each piece is truly one of a kind because of the process.” – Zawadiarts.com
ANXO Cidery & Pintxos Bar
You’ve probably seen ANXO, but do you know what’s behind those doors? This is more than your average tapas restaurant. For starters, they are DC’s first licensed cidery since prohibition, and their authentic Basque-style food is next-level.
Whether you’re on a COVID-19 date night, celebrating a special occasion, or simply catching up with a friend, ANXO has you covered. You might not even need to leave your house. Here are a few ideas:
- Enjoy takeout or contactless outdoor dining Wednesday-Sunday on ANXO’s patio (reservations are recommended). Note: indoor dining is currently closed.
- Spice up your night in: craft an at-home beverage with The Doctor’s Orders cocktail box. It’s $30 and includes all of the ingredients you’ll need to create 3 refreshing cocktails. Complete the party with ANXO’s charcuterie board (for contactless pickup or delivery).
- Give your grocery list a break by ordering one of ANXO’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly discounted membership boxes ranging from cider to CSA, seafood, meat, oysters, and mushrooms. Or, donate a CSA box to someone in need.
ANXO opened its doors in 2016 with the dream of sharing craft cider and being part of a neighborhood. Co-owner Rachel Fitz wants you to know that they’re grateful for the support and it’s meant more than they can say. You can continue supporting ANXO by ordering pickup service at no charge, sending deliveries for special occasions to loved ones, and donating CSA boxes to local families and individuals in need.
What people are saying:
“ANXO’s food is excellent. During good weather the outdoor patio is my favorite spot in the neighborhood.” – Brandon S. on Google
“A unique concept with outstanding food, beautiful ciders, and excellent service. Anxo is a must visit for foodies.” – Lake S. on Google
Jam Doung Style
Hiding between two row houses on North Capitol Street between S and Randolph, Jam Doung Style might easily go unnoticed. If you’re into authentic Jamaican food — or if you’ve never tried it — this is your place. Jam Doung Style has a cult-like following and the online reviews speak for themselves when they claim it’s the best Jamaican food in DC.
Jam Doung Style is takeout only and due to COVID-19 restrictions, can only allow two customers in the restaurant at a time. When capacity is reached, customers line up on the sidewalk to pick up their orders. Pro tip: there is no online ordering, so check out the menu and call ahead (202-483-2445) to reduce the wait time.
Change is on the horizon for Jam Doung Style. It recently purchased the corner building next door and is in the process of relocating because they need more space to meet the demands of the growing business. And in the new building, they’ll also offer indoor dining!
Jam Doung Style has been in the neighborhood for 20+ years and is only gaining momentum. Here’s another reason to support them: it’s a family-owned, women-owned, and minority-owned business with a beautiful story. Even after earning her degree in radiation therapy, co-owner Janet Stedman couldn’t shake the idea of opening a restaurant. She finally convinced her mother, and the two of them opened Jam Doung Style together in 2000 and have been fulfilling their dream ever since.
Janet asks that you have patience because things are not operating as usual during the pandemic, and she wants you to know that they’re open and willing to serve.
What people are saying:
“This is my favorite Jamaican spot in the District of Columbia hands down. The prices are very good and the portion sizes are amazing. “ – Ceraun L. on Google
“The oxtails, Mac & cheese, cabbage, and coco bread hit my soul. I will be back tomorrow.” – Triece W. on Google
Domestique
Did you know that North Capitol is home to one of the top 5 natural wine shops in America (according to Wine Enthusiast)? That’s right. So the next time you’re in the mood for wine, beer, or spirits, you’ll want to try out Domestique’s extensive selection.
You can order pickup or delivery online. Delivery is same-day when orders are placed before 2pm, and pickup is Tuesday through Sunday from 10a.m.-6 p.m. And if you enjoy wine regularly, try Domestique’s wine club subscription. At $75/month, you’ll receive 3-4 bottles of natural wine.
Domestique’s store is not currently open to the public, but you can schedule a 30-minute appointment to visit the store. You’ll receive expert help in picking the perfect bottle(s) for the occasion.
The store misses pre-COVID-19 days when people would pop in just to talk wine. Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call with questions about wine, what to pair it with, if it should be chilled, etc.
What people are saying:
“Really focused selection of natural wines. More importantly though, the team there will absolutely ensure you leave with the right bottle for the occasion. This is definitely a wine shop where it pays to have a discussion before you select a bottle.” – Josh P. on Google
“Amazing selection of interesting wines at a variety of price points. Staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable” – Libby B. on Google
Republic Cantina
Tucked away on N. Street, Republic Cantina opened its doors in 2019 after 5 years of pop-ups. Their Texan following will tell you that this is the authentic Tex-Mex food DC has been missing.
Republic Cantina offers two outdoor patios for dine-in service (indoor dining is currently closed.) Patio seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis every morning, in addition to Sunday-Tuesday dinner. Reservations are recommended for Wednesday-Saturday nights.
In addition to standard takeout or delivery, which can be ordered online, Republic Cantina offers a variety of other options to accommodate your comfort level:
- With Republic Cantina’s contactless meal delivery kits (“Cantina Family Feasts”), you can enjoy their greatest hits from the comfort of your own home — think fajitas, enchiladas, etc. Feasts come prepackaged for groups of 1-10 and require some basic finishing touches before the food is ready for consumption. Available by pickup or delivery.
- Any day of the week: stop by Republic Cantina between 4-6pm for Outlaw Hour, “a proper Texas happy hour deep in the heart of Truxon.” With a variety of hit-the-mark drink and food specials, you may even temporarily forget about the pandemic.
- Stock your pantry with kitchen essentials, including basics like milk and eggs in addition to Republic Cantina’s prepped items in bulk.
Owner Chris Svetlik wants to express gratitude and appreciation for the people who have continued showing up. “We really appreciate loyalty from people in the neighborhood,” he said.
What people are saying:
“I think this might be my new favorite dinner spot in DC! Amazing environment with fun patios, yummy food (brisket enchiladas 10/10), & incredibly intentional service!” – Sara G. on Yelp
“Fabulous breakfast tacos, quick service, and a clean venue. I’ve been here several times and I’ve always enjoyed the quiet atmosphere. They also have a great weekend happy hour special menu.” – Sonny J. on Google
If you don’t have one already, create a local bucket-list and immerse yourself in both DC and world culture. Uncover some must-see places while supporting small businesses, which has never been more important. These five neighborhood hidden gems are going to help you eat local, drink local, and shop local. And now that you know the scoop, you can speak like a local, too.
