Gourmet in the Grass: The Best D.C. Takeout for a Dreamy Luxury Picnic

May 19

At Pampas Picnics and Rentals, we believe that great food is just as essential to your picnic experience as a beautiful setting. That’s why we offer food handling and coordination services to help elevate your outdoor gathering—ensuring your selected dishes are delivered, set up, and styled before your arrival.

Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, a group celebration, or a curated client event, choosing the right menu can transform your picnic from lovely to unforgettable.

Here are 10 of our favorite D.C. restaurants that pair perfectly with our luxury picnic setups—offering flavor, presentation, and travel-friendly meals that are picnic-ready.

1. Call Your Mother Deli – Elevated Deli Brunch

📍 Multiple Locations | Website
Ideal for: Morning picnics, brunch dates, casual celebrations
Famous for their bold bagel sandwiches and whimsical sweets, Call Your Mother is a perfect choice for a picnic with a cozy, nostalgic feel. Babka muffins, lox spreads, and seasonal salads transport easily and plate beautifully.

2. Little Sesame – Plant-Based Mediterranean

📍 Downtown D.C. | Website
Ideal for: Vegan and vegetarian-friendly picnics
Little Sesame’s signature hummus bowls, housemade pita, and pickled veggies offer a light yet satisfying Mediterranean option. Their eco-conscious packaging and fresh ingredients make them ideal for an al fresco experience.

3. Grazie Grazie – Gourmet Italian Sandwiches

📍 The Wharf | Website
Ideal for: Casual yet elevated lunches
Grazie Grazie delivers flavor-forward Italian deli fare with modern flair. Their generously filled ciabatta sandwiches and housemade sides are perfect for sharing, and we love plating them alongside fresh fruit or sparkling drinks.

4. Stellina Pizzeria – Roman-Style Pizza & Antipasti

📍 Union Market & Shirlington | Website
Ideal for: Group picnics or casual date nights
Stellina’s square-cut Roman-style pizzas and house antipasti travel well and reheat beautifully if needed. Their fried risotto balls and marinated vegetables are elegant and picnic-friendly additions to any menu.

5. CHIKO – Korean-Chinese Fusion

📍 Capitol Hill & Dupont Circle | Website
Ideal for: Flavorful, bold date nights
CHIKO’s inventive menu features shareable bites like spicy rice cakes, crispy chicken, and vegetable-forward options. With bold flavors and fun presentation, it’s a popular option for couples who want to try something different.

6. Pluma by Bluebird Bakery – Artisanal Pastries & Brunch Fare

📍 Union Market | Website
Ideal for: Morning or midday picnics
Pluma’s baked goods—think croissants, pastelitos, and savory galettes—are delicate, flavorful, and visually stunning. Their sweets pair perfectly with morning mimosas or as an elegant end to a celebratory setup.

7. Foxtrot Market – Curated Picnic Snacks

📍 Mount Vernon Triangle | Website
Ideal for: Last-minute picnic provisions
Foxtrot offers gourmet convenience with a selection of cheeses, charcuterie, ready-to-eat meals, and wine. Whether you’re looking to build your own spread or grab a curated box, it’s an easy and stylish solution for any picnic plan.

8. Angelico Pizzeria – Focaccia Sandwiches & Italian Comforts

📍 Multiple Locations | Website
Ideal for: Casual Italian picnics
Angelico is a D.C. staple known for its pillowy focaccia sandwiches, baked pastas, and fresh salads. Their dishes travel well and add a warm, comforting feel to any picnic—especially when styled with fresh florals and layered linens from Pampas.

9. Taco City D.C. – Flavor-Packed Mexican Street Food

📍 Capitol Hill | Website
Ideal for: Fun, festive gatherings
Taco City brings authentic flavor and festive flair with its tacos, burritos, and shareable Mexican plates. Their birria, shrimp tacos, and elote are crowd-pleasers—easy to serve, easy to enjoy.

🌮 Planning a surprise date night? Taco City’s vibrant flavors are perfect for a lively, colorful setup in one of our signature Pampas picnic palettes.

10. Imperfecto by Enrique Limardo – Michelin-Starred Small Plates

📍 West End | Website
Ideal for: Special occasions and elevated experiences
For clients looking to impress, Imperfecto offers Latin-Mediterranean cuisine with Michelin acclaim. Their seasonal small plates and curated boxes offer luxurious options for anniversaries, client entertainment, or surprise proposals.

Let Us Handle the Rest

When you book a luxury picnic experience with us, you can choose to add food handling services that include:

Coordinating pickup or delivery with your restaurant of choice, within reason
Safe food unpacking, setup, and styling with our signature tablescapes
Serving essentials like plates, utensils, drinkware, napkins, and more
A seamless, surprise-ready experience so you can simply show up and enjoy

No spills, no stress—just beautiful food styled in a beautiful space.

Book Your Luxury Picnic Today

Whether you're planning an anniversary, birthday, engagement surprise, date night, bridal shower, or a chic gathering, Pampas Picnics and Rentals makes your outdoor celebration effortless and unforgettable.

✨ View our luxury picnic experiences to book your experience
🍽 Add-on food handling for a fully catered picnic you don’t have to lift a finger for
📍 Available throughout the D.C. Metro Area—including winery locations, parks, and private properties.