The Washington Cathedral has a café where you can eat between services and tours. There are few churches in Japan that have cafés, and after the service, the church often provides meals for those who attended the service that day, but in American churches, the church itself provides meals such as lunch. It is very rare to do so.
In the United States, many worshipers often eat outside the church, but here in Washington Cathedral there is a café, so it is very lively after the service.
So this time I will introduce you to the café attached to the cathedral.
Located about 2 miles north of Georgetown, the upscale shopping district in the western part of Washington, D.C., wher...
Octagonal stone cafe
When you visit the cathedral, you will see an octagonal stone building on the south side. That is the cafe, and the name of the store is called “Open City Cafe”. However, not many people know the name of this cathedral, as this is the cathedral’s café.
The store has two entrances, the front entrance near Wisconsin Street and the side entrance near the bishop’s garden. ? It has the name of the store on it.
How to order at a cafe where you can also take out
Open City Café offers a choice of eat-in or take-out like the big cafes.
The ordering method is also very normal, you choose what you want to eat from the menu when you are in line, and tell the waiter when your turn comes. You will be asked if you want to eat on the spot or take out, so let us know when you place your order.
You will be asked “Here, or To go?”, so if you want to eat on the spot, say “Here”, and if you want to take out, say “To go”. Take out is not “take out” so be careful.
After that, you will pay, but you can use a credit card, so we recommend that you use it by all means. When it’s crowded, it’s crowded with people, so if you think about the next person and pay smartly with a card, you’ll save time.
If you eat on the spot, you will be given a numbered ticket, so take it to a vacant seat and wait there and the staff will bring your meal.
In the case of takeout, if you wait at the order counter, the clerk will wrap it for you, so you can take it home.
Be careful where you eat on the grounds of the cathedral
The grounds of the Washington Cathedral are vast and centered around the cathedral with the bishop’s garden and school. Between them is a vast green space, with sidewalks and benches everywhere. Many people would like to enjoy their meal on such a green site.
However, it is a cathedral, so when eating on the premises, please be careful of the following points and do not be embarrassed.
Do not bring food into the cathedral
The cathedral is a place of prayer before it is a tourist attraction. Only those who have made a reservation can dine at the observatory café.
Avoid eating in the bishop’s garden
The bishop’s garden is beautifully colored with seasonal flowers, and you will want to eat there. However, there are no trash cans in the garden, and the scent of the flowers is drowned out by the smell of food. Avoid eating in the garden as much as possible and enjoy the scent of nature.
If you want to eat on the premises, in the green belt that spreads in front
There is a green belt in front of the Washington Cathedral with a promenade and benches. There are trash cans near the benches, so we recommend eating take-out meals here.
Spend a day at the cathedral with smart use of the café
Not only does the Washington Cathedral hold services throughout the day, but there is much to see and do. Therefore, it is very convenient for those who spend a day in the cathedral to have a place to eat on the premises, so it is crowded with many people.
When you go to the cathedral, why not use the café wisely and enjoy worship and sightseeing?
