Dupont Circle/West End/Foggy Bottom

Welcome to Dupont Circle/West End/Foggy Bottom

Eclectic neighborhoods with many attractions and amenities

Dupont Circle, the West End, and Foggy Bottom are eclectic and convenient D.C. neighborhoods with high walkability scores. Dupont Circle is a vibrant neighborhood with lots of restaurants, bars, and museums. The neighborhood was mostly developed in the decades following the Civil War with a real estate mix that includes many 19th-century row houses in Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque styles.

The West End is the westernmost neighborhood of Pierre L’Enfant’s original 18th-century D.C. master plan. This neighborhood features luxury hotels, high-end restaurants, and many stylish contemporary condominium buildings. 

Foggy Bottom is one of the oldest neighborhoods laid out in L’Enfant’s plan. Foggy Bottom’s name was inspired by the morning mist that rolls into the neighborhood from the Potomac. The neighborhood is home to numerous cultural landmarks and offices for domestic and international government departments and organizations. 

Housing options within all three neighborhoods include urban townhouses as well as a mix of condominium, cooperative, and rental communities.

Together, these neighborhoods offer many diverse dining options, including some of the finest restaurants in Washington, D.C. Le Diplomate on 14th Street at the eastern edge of Dupont Circle serves refined French brasserie fare and drinks in an elegant interior dining room and a sidewalk café. A block west of Dupont Circle’s namesake traffic circle, Al Tiramisu is an authentic Italian eatery offering delicious homemade pasta, seafood dishes, and desserts. Head northwest from Dupont Circle on Connecticut Avenue for the lively Bistro du Coin. This French-style bistro’s specialties include mussels by the bucket and decadent desserts, such as crème brûlée and fondant au chocolat. 

There are also plenty of high-quality, quick, and casual options in Dupont Circle, such as Bagels Etc. This laid-back counter-service spot sells tasty bagels, sandwiches, soups, salads, and breakfast omelets. Other businesses in Dupont Circle include the renowned indie bookstore and café Kramer’s.

Businesses within the West End neighborhood include a Trader Joe’s for grocery shopping and the Park Hyatt Hotel’s artisanal Michelin Guide-featured Blue Duck Tavern. Foggy Bottom has many landmarks, including the Old Naval Observatory and the five-star Watergate Hotel. Foggy Bottom is also home to many important government offices and international organizations, including the State Department and the World Bank. 

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a world-class cultural facility on Foggy Bottom’s Potomac River waterfront. The Kennedy Center contains numerous theaters and concert halls showcasing a wide-ranging lineup of live performances. The center’s rooftop terrace offers some of the best panoramic views over D.C. and the Potomac.

Dupont Circle, West End, and Foggy Bottom are all served by the District of Columbia Public Schools District.