Feel the energy of the capital city without losing yourself in a sea of tourists

The Cambria Hotel Washington, D.C. Convention Center is located in the heart of the Shaw District, a neighborhood rich in history that's now one of the trendiest spots in town. From here, you’ll get to experience our nation’s capital like a local, while discovering all the iconic attractions nearby on your next business trip.

Have a heaping order of waffles at this historic D.C. breakfast haunt.

Neighborhood Eats

Your Morning Grind

At Compass Coffee, you can start your day the right way with simple, artisanal coffee in an airy, modern café that also serves up pastries and sandwiches. There are several locations in town—with one only a block up from the Cambria hotel on 7th Street NW. Or, visit the trendy, industrial-chic La Colombe Coffee Roasters on Blagden Alley. There’s lots of outdoor seating, so you can take your coffee in the morning air. Try one of their Draft Lattes—a unique canned coffee drink made only with clean ingredients. Or, skip the usual coffee experience and start your day with a tea or kombucha, as well as a tasty vegan pastry, at Calabash Tea & Tonic. They also sell “on-the-go” tonics made from herbal extracts—it’s like drinking 5 cups of tea with just a few sprays in your mouth.

Local Favorites

For your morning meal, you can indulge in a breakfast buffet every day at the Cambria hotel. Or, take a short walk down 9th Street to the Unconventional Diner, which serves upscale comfort food with a twist. Try the sopa criolla, a Peruvian soup topped with a fried egg. Still in town over the weekend? Come for brunch and try the mouthwatering blueberry pancakes with vanilla mascarpone. At lunch time, stroll over to SUNdeVICH for creative, counter-served sandwiches made with local ingredients. Splurge on your evening meal with casual, inspired French cuisine focused on meat (and lots of it) at Frenchy’s Naturel—order the Cheddar Burger made with grass-fed beef and pair it with a local brew or their Summer Punch. Enjoy your meal on the roof deck or in the outdoor café (reservations are recommended). Or, stick to the hotel and enjoy dinner and a drink at the Cambria’s Social Circle Bistro and full-service bar. The hotel's rooftop patio is the perfect spot to enjoy an after-dinner drink and city view.

Take a walk through the Shaw neighborhood to experience historic D.C. architecture at its best.

See D.C. from a Different Perspective

Explore the Shaw Neighborhood

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Shaw District was witness to Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and numerous noteworthy events in the civil rights movement, making it home to several culturally and historically significant sights. Catch a show at the historic Howard Theater, where big names like Ella Fitzgerald and Marvin Gaye performed in an area once known as “Black Broadway.” Visit the African American Civil War Museum—now celebrating its 20th anniversary—and discover stories of the United States Colored Troops involvement in the American Civil War. Finally, rock the night away at the 9:30 Club, an iconic Shaw spot since 1980. Named the #1 nightclub by Rolling Stone, Billboard and Pollstar more times than any other club in the nation, it’s also the most attended club of its size in the world.