Teaism

Freshly baked naan and Thai chicken curry are on offer at this café-style oasis from the bustle of urban living. Whether you stop off for a cup of chai or a bento box, you’ll feel ready to pound the pavement again. Afternoon tea with ginger scones and lime curd tartlets can be quite reviving in winter, or in warm weather, try the iced Moroccan mint tea; there’s nothing more refreshing. The spacious 8th Street branch, with its downstairs hideout, has a calmer vibe.

Other locations: 800 Connecticut Avenue, NW, at H Street, Downtown (1-202 835 2233); and 400 8th Street, NW, at D Street, Penn Quarter (1-202 638 6010).