Busboys & Poets

It may not have the most exciting food (burgers, salads, sandwiches, pizza), but no matter. Busboys & Poets is an exciting space in and of itself. Located at the corner of 14th and U Streets, NW, it was established by Andy Shallal, an Iraqi American artist, restaurateur and activist in 2005 in an area with a history of 1960s civil rights activism. With its communal tables, sofas and cushy chairs, Busboys is the ultimate urban living room, where people meet for coffee or drinks or a snack in between meals. Open-mic poetry readings, live music and book discussions are also on the menu.