Post-Cherry Blossom Chow

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor packed a lunch for the 2006 Cherry Blossoms. Should you choose not to, we offer some dining suggestions in the general vicinity of the Tidal Basin. (Alexandra Garcia - Washington Post Digital)

Coming to see Washington's beloved cherry blossoms? Better pack a lunch. Food options do not abound along the Tidal Basin. There are a few snack bars near the trees -- the map on this page will point you in the right direction -- but you can count on crowds during the festival.

If you want a more substantial meal, you've got a couple of options:

- Walk north. A collection of fine dining restaurants, pub-grub taverns and quick-eats takeaways are dotted among the office buildings. Here's a list of some reliable spots to know about within a mile of the Tidal Basin.
- Hop on the Circulator's purple line (PDF) toward Federal Triangle. Grab a bite to eat at restaurants within or near the Old Post Office Pavillion. After lunch, you can pop over to the National Gallery of Art or any of the other nearby museums.
- Trek over to the National Mall to one of the On the Fly smartKarts near the Smithsonian Castle, American History Museum or Hirshhorn.
- Spiff yourself up for a pricey (but delicious) meal at the Mandarin Oriental's Cafe MoZU.

-- Julia