Late Night Restaurants in Washington, DC

We've all been there - it's 11 pm on a Saturday, you have no food in the house, and instead of going through the ordeal of going to a grocery store and cooking something for yourself, you seek out a restaurant willing to feed you late in the evening. Finding a restaurant at 11 pm may not seem like a challenge to some, but in Washington, DC, many restaurants close extremely early, and knowing the places to go when the late night munchies hit will really help you out. Following are four DC eateries that cater to the late night noshers. Call restaurants ahead of time for hours since they are subject to change.

Marty's American Bar & Grill

Located at 527 8^th St. SE (near Eastern Market metro)

This medium priced Capitol Hill restaurant has a little something for everyone. They're family friendly and have a good selection on their kid's menu, but they also carry a good variety of wines and beers. The complete dinner menu is served up until an hour before closing, so if you happen to be craving pork chops, baby back ribs, or vegetarian lasagna late one night, Marty's is the place for you.

Circa

Located at 1601 Connecticut Ave NW (near Dupont Circle metro)

If you're looking for a sophisticated place to eat at 1 am on a Saturday, check out Circa. Circa is a coffee shop, restaurant, and bar, all enclosed in a gorgeous corner restaurant in Dupont Circle. During the warmer months, they have outdoor seating that is perfect for people watching, and inside there is an enormous flat screen TV that is an excellent diversion if you don't feel like talking to your dining companion. Lobster ravioli, macaroni and cheese, pizza, and delicious bread pudding round out their eclectic menu. Circa also offers wine pours in different sizes, which is nice if you are interested in trying different varieties without committing to a whole glass.

The Diner

Located at 2453 18^th St NW (near Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan metro)

It is a safe guess that The Diner is the only establishment in DC where you can order buttermilk pancakes, ginger lime glazed swordfish, and a beer at the same time. Open 24 hours, this Adams Morgan institution boasts a full bar, and round the clock food. The décor is more snazzy, and the food more tasty than your typical diner, but they still have a casual feel and the affordability alone makes them worth a visit.

Julia's Empanadas

Located at 1221 Connecticut Ave. NW (near Dupont Circle metro)

Julia's Empanadas caters to the post-bar crowd in Dupont Circle thanks to their late night hours on Fridays and Saturdays. The sweet and savory empanadas are meant to be eaten and enjoyed quickly on the streets of Dupont - there is no seating in this tiny restaurant. Eating standing up is entirely worth one of these fresh, steaming hot pockets of goodness. One empanada makes the perfect snack, and two can provide a filling meal. The spinach flavor comes highly recommended, but also on the menu are meat varieties such as chorizo, and Chilean style beef.

These four restaurants should enable you to find a place in DC that satisfies what you're craving at nearly any hour of the day. If none of these restaurants seem to be what you're looking for, check out the following websites for more late night restaurant options. DC is home to nearly every cuisine imaginable, and these will help you to locate the perfect late night restaurant to fit your budget and palate.

DCMenus.com

WashingtonDC.MenuPages.com

WashingtonPost.com