Sip, Savor, Celebrate

It’s back! After a seven year hiatus, the Taste of DC is returning to Downtown on Saturday, October 8. The three-day food, wine, beer, and cultural festival will take over Pennsylvania Avenue between 9th and 14th Streets during the Columbus Day holiday weekend, so mosey on down.

Expect upgrades galore and more than 80 DC area restaurants, 60 wineries, and 30 craft breweries to represent. Food trucks will join the festivities. Wine and beer pavilions, along with seminars, a ticketed concert area, family-friendly zone, culinary stage, and a competitive eating event—yes, the World Chili Eating Championship will debut—will add to the merriment. 

And because this is the Taste of DC, do savor the food. Area restaurants, including several in Downtown—Luke’s Lobster (624 E Street), 901 Restaurant & Bar (901 9th Street), Ping Pong Dim Sum (900 7th Street) and Co Co. Sala (929 F Street)—plan to indulge palates bit by bit.

Tasting tickets cost $15 for 10 tickets. (They’re $25 for 20 tickets in an online special only.) Vendors will offer small samples for two tickets or less, as well as larger portions that require more tickets. Alcohol must be purchased separately, at a charge of $15 for 10 tickets. Groupon, the daily deals people and a major festival sponsor, also will offer discounts through its coupon site.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.thetasteofdc.org.