Eastern Market is D.C.’s original food and arts market and a traditional home to some of the most inspired cuisine in the area. From cool coffeehouses to charming bistros, Eastern Market is bursting with a wide variety of destinations where Hoyas can take a break from their market hunting. While every spot shares a commitment to fresh, quality ingredients, each has its own unique character.

The Chesapeake Room

501 Eighth St. SE
0.1 miles from Metro stop
American | $$$$

As an elegant and upscale American restaurant, The Chesapeake Room succeeds in providing a comfortable atmosphere with tasteful, turn-of-the-century decor. Located on Barracks Row, it prides itself on its ability to provide sustainable, organic and free-range foods from local farms and regional waters. During the warmer months, patio seating makes for an ideal people-watching perch, and in the winter, the covered patio is made cozy by outdoor heaters and plush armchairs. The brunch menu features a number of classic dishes like the fluffy French toast with berry compote or the Maryland crabcake eggs Benedict served over a fried green tomato ($12). The seasonally driven cuisine is reflected best in the dinner options. In accordance with its East Coast theme, The Chesapeake Room is best known for its selection of fresh seafood. As a starter, try the crispy calamari from Point Judith, R.I., which is lightly fried and served with an excellent aioli ($10). As an entree, the shrimp and grits is a unique combination of familiar ingredients, featuring Carolina shrimp, andouille sausage, roasted tomatoes and scallions, all in a lobster cream sauce ($22). Similarly, the pan-seared scallops served abed light risotto and a delightful blend of mushrooms and English peas with a caper beurre blanc ($25) satisfied as a flourishing twist of flavors. Other delicious options include free-range steaks ($22 to $32) and a bison burger served with Virginia cheddar and aioli ($13).

Montmartre

327 Seventh St. SE
0.1 miles from Metro stop
French | $$$$

Montmartre, a lively bistro, offers an impressive selection of dishes prepared as classic French cuisine. With rustic wooden beams and colorful walls, the atmosphere is both charming and inviting. It’s no secret that Montmartre is noted for its weekend brunch. At 11 a.m. on a Sunday, a line had already formed at the door. Despite this, the friendly wait staff provided prompt service that was calm and welcoming. With a brunch menu featuring dishes like a Nutella crèpe with berries, a croque monsieur and an omelet Florentine (each $11.95), choosing just one is a difficult task. The Lorraine omelet ($10.95), which was a hearty combination of bacon, ham, caramelized onions, spinach and Swiss cheese, is another excellent option.Our advice is to go early and to go hungry: The dishes are filling and immensely satisfying. Dinner options showcase flavorful French favorites such as beef tartare with bruleed creme and escargot in garlic butter. Entrees are a bit pricey ($19 to $26), but they offer a range of bold creations such as the calf’s liver with a potato puree ($19). For those over 21, Montmartre provides a varied list of Belgian beers, French wines and after-dinner drinks.

Seventh Hill Pizza

327 Seventh St. SE
0.1 miles from Metro stop
American/Italian | $$$$

As soon as you walk into Seventh Hill Pizza, you know that you are in for a good deal. The sleek bar and tables set with tiny yellow plastic chairs give the whole place an impressively cool atmosphere. At Seventh Hill, traditional Italian meets modern, young American — and it works.The 8 inch Seventh Street pizza and the 8 inch Pennsylvania Ave. pizza (both $10.95) are excellent choices. The Seventh Street has just the right amount of prosciutto and red pepper, while the Pennsylvania Ave. is equally tempting, drizzled with bright green pesto and olives. These pizzas are perfectly flavored and not overly salty, a common mistake with local pizza places. Seventh Hill Pizza has also gained a loyal following for its sandwiches ($7.50) which are just as flavorful as its pizzas. The Nutella calzone ($6.50) is also definitely worth a try if you have any room for dessert. The food is of an impressive quality, and the restaurant has a pleasantly laid back and happy vibe to it.

Preregrine Espresso

660 Pennsylvania Ave SE
0.1 miles from Metro stop
Coffee and tea | $$$$

At Peregrine Espresso, coffee is a serious business. The menu, though limited, contains offerings that are bursting with flavor. With mellow music playing in the background, this is a perfect place to recuperate from a stressful week. The greatness of this place lies in the coffee. The cafe regularly updates the type of coffee beans that it uses and has a different seasonal macrobrew, all of which are available to purchase by the bag. This season’s macrobrew is from Peru, and it makes a morning filter-drip coffee ($2.50) that is strong, dark and absolutely delicious. The latte ($4) was similarly impressive, with a lighter, spicier flavor. Aside from the coffee, which should not be missed, Peregrine Espresso offers a wide variety of teas as well as a delicious selection of dark chocolates and pastries that vary daily. It has all that you would want from a coffee shop, but everything is done just a little bit better.