Neighborhood Eats: Cafe La Ruche

Reviewed by Cynthia Hacinli , Ann Limpert , Sara Levine

Cafe La Ruche

1039 31st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-965-2684

Cuisines:
French

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Foggy Bottom-GWU

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Informal

Crowd:
A lingering mix of coffee-sipping students and neighborhood locals.

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Not needed

Special Features:
Late Night, Weekend Brunch, Kid Friendly

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Onion soup; potage Parisian; croque monsieur; chocolate mousse.

Price Details:
Appetizers, $3.95 to $8.95; entrees, $5.95 to $9.95.
Weekend brunch, $10.95.


This cozy Georgetown cafe hasn’t changed much since it opened in 1974. The candlelit tables have hosted many first dates over the years. Hearty, unpretentious Parisian fare—quiches oozing with Gruyère, a crock of onion soup gratinée, escargot swimming in butter, a croque monsieur dripping with béchamel—is the way to go here, so park cholesterol concerns at the door. And don’t leave without splitting a buttery tart or rich chocolate mousse from the pastry case.

-March, 2008