For seafood — Hank’s Oyster Bar!

Anonymous wrote:If you do end up with Mexican, do Uncle Julio's, with the chocolate pinata for dessert. They'll love it!

No Uncle Julio’s. And no Matchbox! Come on, you can do better than a chain restaurant if you are visiting DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jaleo for tapas, Zaytinya for mezze, or Oyamel for Mexican small plates.

+1 these are great restaurants

+1. Melting Pots was a big favorite for my kids at that age. But that isn’t DC specific. You can find one in any decent sized city.

I have yet to meet anyone, of any age who did not love Jaleo. The small, plate, mix and match makes for a fun, festive meal. Good for foodies. Good for picky eaters. And vegetarians. And GF. Nice mix of fun casual and “grown up” for a young teen. This would be my DC specific vote.

Second Zaytinya, but that has always been more my thing than my kids. I never got into America Eats and had a bad experience with China Chicano. Need to try Oyamel.

My second choice would be to try ambR, which is another great small plate restaurant. Only downside is that the Clarendon location can be noisy.

Little sheep Mongolian Hot Pot is a fun communal meal. Like fondue in the *cook your own" approach, but many more choices. And delicious

We just did a birthday dinner for our teen at Mi Vida on the Wharf. Great Mexican food and fun to wander around the Wharf afterwards!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fogo de Chao is fun.

Not for a 13 year old girl.

From someone with a similar aged DD:

Hill Country BBQ - it’s good (albeit pricey for BBQ) and loud. My kid likes it because they can pick out their food “meat market” style and their desserts are good. It’s also in Chinatown so there is shopping (Urban outfitters etc.) nearby.

Founding Farmers - people here love to hate it, but it has a huge menu and good desert too
!”
Navy Yard - lots of options from fast casual to sit down. You can also get ice cream and coffee and walk around the river front. Also if she likes thrills there is a trapeze school down there.

Our 13-year old girl loved Fogo de Chao. “I’m in meat heaven!” she said.

[b]A lot of 13 year olds these days are vegetarians or vegans - ‘meat heaven’ ?? That is not a thing? More like ‘Meat hell’.

A lot? A lot?? Hahahahaha. You have no credibility, PP. What a riot.

+1
I have a 13 yo daughter who has no vegetarian or vegan friends. Not that they aren't out there - but the PP is vastly overstating it.

Masa Hibachi (or any hibachi).

It's a show and great food. We had my daughter's 12th bday there. So much fun, & they were great about serving the cake we brought. We did lunch to keep prices down, but they aren't that expensive for dinner. Make a reservation.

Anonymous wrote:Medium Rare is a fun meal if she likes steak & french fries.

This is my tweens' favorite restaurant!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here--thanks for all the suggestions. My daughter likes any type of cuisine, really. Sushi, Italian, Mexican and seafood are particular favorites.

If she likes Mexican, I highly recommend Oyamel. It’s an easy walk from where you’ll be.

But she should know going in that Oyamel is not your typical heavy, cheesy Tex-Mex. It's fresher, more authentic Mexican food, so it might be a little off-putting if she's expecting a "normal" American Mexican restaurant. Definitely check the online menu ahead of time. It's entirely possible to make a meal of fairly simple dishes, but they also have stuff like grasshopper tacos and ceviche. You definitely won't find a taco salad or cheesy enchiladas with a glob of refried beans. But my daughter usually finds something with beans, steak, or chicken that she likes. The fruity agua fresca drinks are really tasty, and kids love them because they feel more grown-up than lemonade or a Shirley Temple.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fogo de Chao is fun.

Not for a 13 year old girl.

From someone with a similar aged DD:

Hill Country BBQ - it’s good (albeit pricey for BBQ) and loud. My kid likes it because they can pick out their food “meat market” style and their desserts are good. It’s also in Chinatown so there is shopping (Urban outfitters etc.) nearby.

Founding Farmers - people here love to hate it, but it has a huge menu and good desert too
!”
Navy Yard - lots of options from fast casual to sit down. You can also get ice cream and coffee and walk around the river front. Also if she likes thrills there is a trapeze school down there.

Our 13-year old girl loved Fogo de Chao. “I’m in meat heaven!” she said.

[b]A lot of 13 year olds these days are vegetarians or vegans - ‘meat heaven’ ?? That is not a thing? More like ‘Meat hell’.

A lot? A lot?? Hahahahaha. You have no credibility, PP. What a riot.

Anonymous wrote:OP here--thanks for all the suggestions. My daughter likes any type of cuisine, really. Sushi, Italian, Mexican and seafood are particular favorites.

If she likes Mexican, I highly recommend Oyamel. It’s an easy walk from where you’ll be.