Hatchet’s 2022 Guide To

BEST OF NORTHWEST

We asked students about some of the most popular places, eats and trends during the academic year. The Hatchet’s Best of Northwest for our pick of trends and places to visit in D.C.

Food & Drink

Best new Western Market vendor: Falafel Inc.

Falafel Inc.’s quality food and convenience establishes the spot as the best new restaurant in Western Market.

By Zach Blackburn

Best vegan spot: HipCityVeg

With convincing faux-meat swaps and dishes highlighting fresh, plant-based ingredients, this vegan spot is palatable to wide range of customers.


By Grace Miller

Best rooftop bar: Perry’s Restaurant

Perry’s sleek vibe positions their rooftop bar as a superior choice to explore top tier Japanese drinks and cuisine at new heights in the District.

By Clara Duhon

Best late-night food spot: Surfside Taco Stand

D.C. is lacking in its late-night food options, but with three locations across the District, Surfside is a reliable spot to grab a snack after midnight.

By Henry Huvos

Best boba: DC Boba

For a change of pace from the typical District bubble tea shop, head to the newly opened DC Boba, a tiny shop offering a truly diverse range of drink options.

By Nick Pasion

Best bottomless brunch: Agora

Enjoy Agora’s expansive array of Mediterranean dishes and their bottomless brunch special with some friends as a ravishing weekend treat.

By Erin Poe

Best frozen drink: Tonic’s frose

As spring weather is on its way, there’s no better way to welcome in the sun than by sipping a frozen drink on the corner of 21st and G streets.


By Lia DeGroot

Best hidden gem restaurant on Grubhub: Aloha Poke

While many intriguing late night bites may catch your attention on Grubhub, Aloha Poke Co. in Dupont Circle stands on the top tier.

By Julia Koscelnik

D.C. Life

Best vintage store: Mercedes Bien Vintage

For such a well-curated selection that’s always being added to, the prices are more reasonable than its competitors.

By Abrigail Williams

Best place to see dogs: Dupont farmers market

The market’s rule to keep pups away doesn’t stop swarms of people attending each week with their best friends.

By Diana Crompton

Best Metro stop: Gallery Place-Chinatown

Gallery Place-Chinatown offers authentic dining and shopping experiences to grab a taste of Asian culture, earning our rank as the best Metro station.

By Clara Duhon

Best concert venue: 9:30 Club

At the 9:30 club, the crowds are manageable and the concert-goers get an interactive, immersive experience with the artist.

By Krishna Rajpara

Best picnic spot: Gravelly Point

Ditch the tourist-filled National Mall this spring and bring your picnic blanket across the river to the park at Gravelly Point.

By Isabella MacKinnon

Best solo-date activity: Georgetown flea market

While having a significant other can be great, you certainly don’t need a partner to enjoy a date to this lively and full flea market.


By Nora Fitzgerald

Best place to eat if you’re not paying: Rasika West End

For an upscale meal if your in-town guests are treating you to dinner, snag a reservation at Rasika.


By Anna Boone

Best jumbo pizza slice: Jumbo Slice Pizza

If you can look past your greasy hands, it’s hard to find a better spot for a late-night meal than Jumbo Slice Pizza.


By Nick Perkins

Best nail salon: Queenie’s Nail Salon

For students looking for a salon that can provide elaborate nail designs close to campus, take a must-try trip to Queenie’s Nail Salon.


By Julia Koscelnik

Best comedy group: Capital Laughs

Capital Laughs’ variety of shows and accessibility to students make Capital Laughs the best comedy group in Northwest D.C.


By Jackson Lanzer

Campus Life

Best GW pet: Spike

Interim University President Mark Wrighton’s dog, Spike, moved into the F Street House in late January.

By Zach Schonfeld

Best male athlete: Joe Bamisile

Bamisile brings intense energy to the court as he builds excitement and spirit in the community through his stand-out performances on the court.

By Nuria Diaz

Best female athlete: Deja Chambliss

Chambliss has continuously proved her integral role on the team and is leading them with strength and experience as a graduate student athlete.

By Nuria Diaz

Best place to people-watch: Kogan benches

Nowhere in the Northwest is there a better place to escape your own life and immerse yourself in observing others’ idiosyncrasies than Kogan Plaza.


By Annie O’Brien

Best for-fun class: Human Sexuality

Many students, like myself, hear about how comprehensive and beneficial but most importantly fun the class is through word of mouth.


By Anna Boone

Best fashion trend: matching and patterned sets

Matching and patterned skirt suits or pantsuits are a chic way to look stylish in both professional and casual settings.

By Abrigail Williams

Best student musician or band: Static TV

Shortly after meeting on the Class of 2022 Facebook page in 2019, the members of alternative punk band Static TV began to shred some serious chords.


By Tara Suter

Best spot to eat alone between classes: District House basement

The District House basement has multiple food options to choose from, more outlets than the University Student Center and a large selection of seating.

By Nora Fitzgerald

Best outdoor study spot: U-Yard swing booths

Although there are lots of spots to choose from, the University Yard swing booths are a coveted location for their view and comfort.

By Anthony DeRosa

Best student-run account: @gwu.fitcheck

Since posting its first TikTok in late September, the account has reached more than 2,500 followers and garnered 80,000 likes.

By Meghan O’Neil

This article appeared in the April 11, 2022 issue of the Hatchet.