A wide variety of drinks, snacks, and dining options are available in and around our museums. Pick up quick bites from our food carts located on the National Mall side of the Air and Space, American History, and Natural History museums, and the Smithsonian Castle (seasonal, weather permitting).
Group sales options are available for parties of 10 or more. Please call Smithsonian Enterprises at 866.868.7774 (toll free) or email groupsales@si.edu
Please note: No accommodations are available for eating bag lunches within the museums except in the Kogod Courtyard of the Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture.
Courtyard Café
Soups, made-to-order salads and salad bar, sandwiches, bottled beverages, espresso/cappuccino bar, wine, beer, coffee, teas, pastries, and ice cream.
11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.* daily
Free visitor Wi-Fi
Discounts are available for Smithsonian Members with a valid membership card.
*Subject to early closure for non-public museum events.
Café (Ground Floor)
Italian restaurant and caterer Tarallucci e Vino operates our new ground-floor café, featuring a contemporary layout and expanded seating inside and outside in the adjoining Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden.
A seasonal menu offers Tarallucci's popular pastries, legendary espresso, salads, soups, and panini, as well as a large selection of wines by the glass.
The café, along with the garden is accessible without an admissions ticket.
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dolcezza Coffee & Gelato @ Hirshhorn
Handmade seasonal gelato, specialty espresso drinks, and small batch pastries from one of D.C.’s most popular locally-owned coffee purveyors, housed in a stunning new lobby coffee bar designed by celebrated artist and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto. The space also features furnishings created by Sugimoto and his studio, including tables from a 700-year-old Japanese nutmeg tree.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends
10% discount for Federal employees with ID and Hirshhorn members
Free visitor Wi-Fi
The Museum’s cafeteria is being renovated to better serve our visitors. A temporary cafeteria featuring sandwiches, salads, hot and cold drinks, and desserts is now open in the former McDonald’s location on the first floor.
This location is group friendly and offers prepaid vouchers to groups of 10 or more! We currently have two different group options available:
Option 1 - ($10.00)
Hot Dog or Snack Box (hummus and pita, cheese and crackers, etc..)
Chips or Fruit
Bottled Beverage
Option 2 – ($15.00)
Pulled BBQ Sandwich OR Pre-packaged Sandwich/Salad
Chips OR Fruit
Bottled Beverage
Discount available for advanced sales only, not valid for same day purchases. Minimum order of 10, no complimentary vouchers issued. No reserved seating. Vouchers expire 9/30/19. 2019 vouchers can be exchanged for 2020 vouchers. To qualify for exchange, Smithsonian Group Sales & Reservations office must receive unused vouchers no later than 9/20/19.
McDonald's
Full-service McDonald's menu featuring burgers, salads, fries, chicken sandwiches, sodas, shakes, and desserts.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Open until 6 p.m. during the museum's extended hours.
Sweet Home Café
The 2017 James Beard Award nominated Sweet Home Café boasts both refined and down-home cooking intricately linked to the geographic regions that inspired each dish, revealing stories about African American culture through food.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Eat at America's Table
(Ground Level)
Eat at America’s Table is the main eatery for the National Museum of American History. The cafe seats 600 and is able to accommodate large groups. The menu includes Traditional culinary dishes from our nation’s kitchens, cheese & charcuterie, & classic American sandwiches, great American barbecue & grill favorites (burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches etc…), as well as cooking inspired by Tex-Mex & Native-American traditions. The café also offers classic salads made fresh with seasonal inspiration.
Guests will find freshly brewed coffee as well as wine, beer, and other bottled beverages. All our desserts are made in house.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., peak season, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. off peak-season
Jazz Café
(1st Floor)
Sandwiches, salads and soups made with natural and locally grown ingredients. Pastries, ice cream and specialty coffees, bottled sodas and water.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Open until 7 p.m. when the museum has extended hours.
Discounts are available for Smithsonian Members with a valid membership card.
Free visitor Wi-Fi in Cafés.
*Subject to early closure for non-public museum events.
The Museum’s cafeteria is being renovated to better serve our visitors. A temporary cafeteria featuring sandwiches, salads, hot and cold drinks, and desserts is now open on our second floor.
This location is group friendly and offers prepaid vouchers to groups of 10 or more!
Grab and Go Voucher ($15.00)
Mitsitam Café
"Mitsitam" means "Let's Eat!" in the Native language of the Delaware and Piscataway peoples. The café enhances the museum experience by offering Native-inspired cuisines from five regions of the Western Hemisphere, including the Northern Woodlands, South America, the Northwest Coast, Meso America and the Great Plains.Tamales, roasted turkey, grilled salmon, homemade seasonal soups, buffalo burgers, Indian fry bread, a seasonal variety of aqua fresca and desserts.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Limited menu after 3 p.m. off season)
Visit the Mitsitam Café website
Mitsitam Espresso Bar
Pastries and casual fare from the cafe’s repertoire, plus Tribal Grounds Coffee—organic, fair-trade coffee grown by indigenous farmers and imported, roasted, and provided to the museum by the Eastern Band of Cherokee.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free visitor Wi-Fi
Discounts are available for Smithsonian Members with a valid membership card.
The Smithsonian's National Zoo offers a wide variety of dining options located throughout the park. Kid-friendly, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options are often available, and as a commitment to conservation, the Zoo serves only Bird Friendly Coffee—the only 100% organic and shade-grown coffee certification available.
Group meals can be pre-ordered for 10 or more guests.
Mane Grill
(near Tiger/Lion Hill)
Angus burgers, chemical- and hormone-free grilled chicken, kids' meals and to-go items.
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fall/Winter
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spring/Summer
Heirloom Grille
(Outside Mane Grill, Lion & Tiger Hill)
Angus burgers, grilled salmon, bratwurst, salads.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April–Aug.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends only, Sept.–Oct.
Closed: Nov.–March
Seal Rock Cafe
(American Trail)
Hot-pressed panini sandwiches, salads, all-natural hot dogs, Dippin' Dots Ice Cream.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April–Aug.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and weekends, Sept.–Oct.
Closed: Nov.–March
Panda Overlook Cafe
(overlooking Giant Panda Habitat)
Hot-pressed panini sandwiches, made-to-order salads, all-natural hot dogs, funnel cakes, espresso drinks.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April–Aug.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and weekends, Sept.–Oct.
Closed: Nov.–March
Panda Grill
(across from entrance to Asia Trail)
Pizza, po' boy sandwiches and all-natural chicken tenders.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April–Aug.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and weekends, Sept.–Oct.
Closed: Nov.–Feb.
Hot Dog Diner
(near Reptile Discovery Center)
All-natural beef hot dogs with assorted gourmet toppings.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fall/Winter
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spring/Summer
Snack Stand & Kiosks
(located throughout the Zoo)
Lemonade cart, Dippin' Dots ice cream, kettle corn, fresh market cart and more!
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Late March–August
Various hours: Friday & weekends, Sept.–Oct.
Closed: Nov.–late March
Castle Café
Specialty sandwiches, soups, pastries, organic salads, antipasti, Peet’s coffee, espresso/cappuccino bar, teas, bottled beverages, beer, wine, and novelty ice cream (seasonal).
Discounts available for Smithsonian Members.
Free visitor Wi-Fi
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Outdoor Carts
Open seasonally
