As the famous writer Virginia Woolf once said, "One cannot think well, love well, or sleep well if one has not dined well." Culinary experts agree: "Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness."

It doesn't matter if you are in the mood for a quick bite, a cozy brunch, or a fine dining experience; there's a place for all that and more at Ledger Union Market, it is home to some of the best restaurants in the city.

This post will share our top 10 picks for the best restaurants in and near this loving neighborhood. Read on to discover the flavors of the world in one place.‍

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El Cielo

El Cielo is a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves innovative Colombian cuisine with a sensory twist. It is located at La Cosecha, a Latin American market and cultural space within Union Market.

El Cielo is the creation of Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos, who ranks as one of the 50 best chefs in Latin America. He combines fine dining with social activism, using his kitchen to train former guerrillas, war victims, and displaced indigenous people.

The El Cielo menu features a tasting menu that combines modern techniques with traditional flavors, such as carrot soup with guava jelly, hamachi with plantain chips, or chocolate therapy, a dessert that serves chocolate in different forms and textures.

The food here is delicious, fun, and interactive, and the service is attentive and friendly. El Cielo is indeed a unique and memorable place to dine.‍

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Masseria

Masseria is a fine dining restaurant that offers Italian cuisine with a Puglian influence. 

The restaurant is inspired by the heritage and travels of its owner, as well as its desire to create dishes that showcase the best of the Mediterranean region.

Masseria offers a selection of tasting menus, ranging from three to six courses, all of which highlight seasonal and local ingredients, some of which are grown on the rooftop garden of Union Market.

The dishes are creative and sophisticated, with options such as burrata with caviar, lobster with squid ink pasta, lamb with eggplant, and tiramisu with espresso gelato. 

You can choose from different tasting menus, such as the three-course La Cucina menu, the four-course Il Viaggio menu, or the five-course Tradizione e Innovazione menu.

You can also pair your dishes with wines from their extensive collection. The food is exquisite, refined, and creative, and the services are impeccable. Masseria is undoubtedly the ideal location for a romantic date or a special event.‍

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Buffalo & Bergen

Buffalo & Bergen is a New York-style deli that offers an extensive array of bagel flavors and toppings, such as onions, lox, cream cheese, and capers. It also offers knishes, sodas, and cocktails.

The knishes are pastry pockets stuffed with cheese, meat, or vegetables. You can also sample them. The cafe also serves sandwiches, salads, soups, desserts, cocktails, sodas, and coffee.

The place is casual and fun, with a retro vibe and a jukebox. Buffalo & Bergen is a must-visit for breakfast and lunch lovers. It is open from Monday to Sunday, with different hours depending on the day.‍

Anselm

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St. Anselm is a steakhouse that serves grilled meats and seafood with a modern twist. Its dishes include butcher's steak with garlic butter, lamb saddle with mint, and swordfish with salsa verde.

You can also order sides like grilled broccoli with cheddar sauce, mashed potatoes with raclette, or creamed spinach with smoked blue cheese.

The food served here is juicy, tender, and flavorful, and the portions are generous. St. Anselm is an excellent place for a meat lover's feast. It is, in fact, a total package!‍

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Bidwell Restaurant

Bidwell Restaurant is a polished bistro that offers Southern-accented American fare and curated wines and cocktails. The chef and owner, John Mooney, is known for his rooftop garden, where he grows many ingredients used in his dishes.

The delightful food features fresh, seasonal ingredients, and the ambience is cozy yet classy. You can enjoy roasted chicken with cornbread stuffing, grilled salmon with succotash, or lobster taco with pepper jack cheese and avocado. 

You can also try the brunch menu, which features dishes like raclette grilled cheese with truffle oil and egg or buttermilk pancakes with blueberry compote.

Bidwell Restaurant is a beautiful spot for a casual and tasty meal. 

It is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m., depending on the day of the week.‍

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TaKorean - Korean BBQ Tacos

Have you ever wondered what the fusion of Korean BBQ and Mexican tacos tastes like when combined? Well, TaKorean brings that thought to fruition. 

It is a fusion concept restaurant that combines Korean BBQ, Mexican tacos, and other unique cuisines.

You can customize your tacos, bowls, or salads with protein, slaw, toppings, and sauces. The menu features bulgogi beef, spicy chicken, tofu, kimchi, cilantro-lime crema, and sriracha.

The cuisine boasts rich flavors, a hint of spice, and a satisfying experience, with generous portions. TaKorean is a fun and fast way to enjoy exceptional Korean and Mexican flavors.‍

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DC Dosa

DC Dosa is your go-to restaurant if you're looking for fresh, tasty, and filling food and friendly, efficient service. This vegan and gluten-free restaurant serves dosas, which are crispy rice and lentil crepes filled with various fillings.

It all began with a passionate cook eager to share her cherished recipe with the community. Now, you can select from a diverse array of dosa menus featuring options like potato masala, spinach and cheese, mushrooms and peas, and more. 

To enhance the flavors, complement your dosa experience with an assortment of chutneys and sambar.

The delicious options from DC Dosa are skillfully prepared to satisfy your refined taste. Your eating experience is enhanced by impeccable service, which is kind and effective. 

DC Dosa is a classy and delicious option that will especially satisfy vegan and gluten-free foodies' sophisticated palates.‍

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Peregrine Espresso

If you are a coffee lover, you can't miss this place. Peregrine Espresso is a local coffee shop serving high-quality drinks and brewed coffee from Counter Culture Coffee.

Peregrine Espresso has two locations in Washington, DC, one at Eastern Market and one at Union Market. They offer a variety of coffee drinks, such as espresso, cappuccino, latte, macchiato, americano, and mocha, as well as brewed coffee, cold brew, and pour-over. You can also choose from different types of milk, such as whole, skim, oat, almond, and soy, for your order.

The ambience is warm and welcoming, and the personnel are competent and kind. You may start your day or take a break from shopping at Peregrine Espresso. The restaurant has a store to purchase premium coffee beans and brewing supplies. You can also relish salads, sandwiches, and pastries from neighborhood vendors and bakeries along with your cup of coffee.‍

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Puddin’

Puddin' is a comfort food spot specializing in Southern-style puddings, such as shrimp and grits, chicken and sausage gumbo, brown butter bourbon bread pudding, and banana pudding. 

Puddin started as a street food stall at Eastern Market and has expanded to three locations, including one at Ledger Union Market.

Puddin' is known for its high-quality ingredients, authentic flavors, and friendly, fast service. The portions are generous and satisfying, and the prices are reasonable. Puddin' also offers catering services for events and parties.

Puddin' is open Sundays - Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and then Fridays - Saturdays starting from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., respectively.‍

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Ramen by UZU

If you want to enjoy some authentic and delicious Japanese comfort food in a fun and casual atmosphere, Ramen by UZU is the perfect choice.

‍Ramen by UZU is a Japanese restaurant that offers one-of-a-kind ramen recipes and other Japanese comfort food. You can choose from different types of ramen, such as shoyu, miso, tonkatsu, and spicy, with various toppings like cha shu pork, egg, bamboo shoots, and seaweed.

You can also try other dishes like okonomiyaki, a savory pancake with cabbage, meat, and sauce, or curry rice, a rice dish with Japanese curry and meat. The food is fresh, tasty, and filling, and the service is fast and friendly. Ramen by UZU is a must-try for ramen lovers and adventurous eaters.

Ledger Union Market is a lively, varied, and food-loving neighborhood, and these restaurants capture that energy via their use of the best local ingredients and creative presentation of each meal.

These ten restaurants will wow even the pickiest eaters, providing a fantastic dining experience that will leave you wanting more. 

Truly, Ledger Union Market is a food lover's paradise, and these top 10 restaurants are its shining stars.

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