Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe
Cafeteria · National Mall
Independence Ave SW & 4th Street Southwest, Washington, DC 20004
Highlights
Native American fare from 5 regions; bison, salmon, fry bread
Native American fare from 5 regions; bison, salmon, fry bread
"Despite being housed in a museum, Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe inside the Smithsonian’s American Indian Museum has one of the absolute best dishes you’ll find in DC. That dish is the fry bread taco, and it’s reason enough to visit even if you’re not spending a day at the museum (but you really should check out the museum, it’s wonderful). A puffy platform of chewy fried dough smothered with bison chili and buried beneath an avalanche of taco toppings, it can easily feed two people, but you won’t want to share. There are also smaller bites for those not looking for a full lunch, like pepita sauced tamales and a wide, rotating array of grilled and roasted vegetables native to the Americas." - tristiana hinton, allison robicelli
"Despite being housed in a museum, Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe inside the Smithsonian’s American Indian Museum has one of the absolute best dishes you’ll find in DC. That dish is the fry bread taco, and it’s reason enough to visit even if you’re not spending a day at the museum. A puffy platform of chewy fried dough smothered with bison chili and buried beneath an avalanche of taco toppings, it can easily feed two people, but you won’t want to share. There are also smaller bites for those not looking for a full lunch, like pepita sauced tamales and a wide, rotating array of grilled and roasted vegetables native to the Americas. The space itself is astounding, flooded with natural light that plays off the soaring wood-paneled walls, making them appear to undulate and glisten. It’s usually not crowded during the week and has fast, free WiFi, making it one of the most beautiful places in DC to work remotely." - Allison Robicelli
"Reopened this spring under newly named chef Alex Strong, the cafe presents Native American fare across four distinct stations. At Campfire Grill you’ll find burgers, hot dogs, and fries with a twist: the meat is bison or venison (though an all-beef version is also available). At Mitsitam Chef’s Table, fry bread reigns supreme as the base for taco bowls and desserts alike. The Four Corners offers a Southwest flair with tostadas, tamales, and nopales made with ingredients native to the U.S. and Central America, like squash, ancho chiles, and hominy. The Woodlands and Coastlines focuses on fish and wild rice, often accentuated with a secret ingredient: maple." - Abi Newhouse
"Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe, located in the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., is led by an all-female chef team. It features a menu that showcases Indigenous foodways across the Americas, with dishes like buffalo chili, manoomin cakes, and Southwest lamb stew. The cafe emphasizes cultural education, preserving and reimagining historical recipes while blending contemporary techniques with cultural significance." - Mary Ladd
"Located inside DC’s National Museum of the American Indian, this casual cafe features a wide variety of Indigenous ingredients from across the Western hemisphere. There are bison chili dogs, frybread, salads, and burgers available at different stations throughout the cafeteria, where you can pick and choose snacks, appetizers, or mains. Once you’ve checked out, grab a seat in the large dining room that has a window facing the museum’s outdoor water fountain." - anne cruz
