Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe

This has been my go to place for lunch when in DC. I love the sampler platter with food representing the cuisine of the different native cultures in various geographic areas of the continent. They reflect how the peoples incorporated the available fish and animals and the types of grain and vegetation into their meals. Not inexpensive but a cultural as well as a gustatory experience.

The best place to eat on the National Mall.

Spent the day in DC yesterday and decided to enjoy lunch at the renowned Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian. I had heard such great things about, and I definitely wasn't steered wrong! Enjoyed the Bison Burger and the special platter with 3 sides, for which I selected Roast Rainbow Beets, Corn Pudding with cranberry gremolata, and Manoomin cakes (made of wild rice). Everything was so fresh and flavorful, and expressed inspiration from native American cuisine. The cafe has a very large selection of dishes as well, and foods are either plated immediately or cooked to order. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, and there's large seating overseeing the gorgeous outdoor fountain. I can't recommend it enough, as it is a must try when visiting DC.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fries, Burger, Bison Burger and Fries

Bison burger was delish!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bison Burger and Fries

After a long morning of walking the Mall, we wanted a quiet place for a good quality lunch. Mitsitam fit the bill perfectly. Knowledgeable and welcoming staff. Manoomin cakes with salmon excellently prepared and presented, as was three sisters stew with fry bread. Ambiance was perfect, for what we wanted (which today was NOT a food truck).

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Good food with a nice setting.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The best restaurant you can found at the museum. Take the bison burger and bison hot dog you will love it !!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The esteemed Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe is widely regarded by locals and tourists alike to be the best cafe among the Smithsonian museums. In short, I can concur with this statement, albeit it’s quite pricey for what you get.

I only bought some rice pudding for a light snack after brunch ($7.43 after tax). Its taste and texture was akin to banana bread, but it wasn’t overwhelmingly sweet. There are also nuts and fruits embedded within its batter, contrasting well with the soft and moist pastry.

The main reason you should visit the cafe is to take a nice break from walking around when touring the National Mall. The waterfall views are nice, and the interior design is gorgeous.

Overall, great cafe, albeit brace yourself for high prices.

Dietary restrictions: The rice pudding I ate featured nuts. Watch out for what you select, and ask staff if you are unsure.

Kid-friendliness: Friendly atmosphere for kids.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Kenny and Delores who serve the taco bowls and flour tacos are super nice and helpful. And the food is creative and tasty. But I ordered a bowl of chili and was surprised to be charged $13 for it. That is crazy. The other prices are high too but the cost for one bowl is a special shock. And no price for the chili is listed anywhere in the restaurant. I asked the woman at the register if $13 is correct and she said it is.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fries, Burger, Fry Bread Taco, Bison Chili

The Mutton, beans, the green Chile Turkey stew, and green chile cornbread were all delicious and authentic tasting.
The Flat Bread tasted right, but it's not spread out enough and to thick so it's a rubbery texture. Also needs to be made not so far in advance. People prefer to waits for better quality vs speed. Horchata tasted amazing, but it needs ice to make it cold and help thin it out.
Regardless food is wonderful.
Staff was nice, just not knowledgeable enough about product serving.
They need to decor the dining area to be more Native American to fit the experience. Especially with what the cost is for the food. Make it an experience.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 2

I’m not going to lie, the prices here are steep, but the food is actually worth every penny. The lines can get really long - be aware it’s cafeteria style so you get in the line for the items you want and then pay at the end.
The bison chili and fry bread were incredible. Other family members had the burger and said it was equally delicious. Definitely make this stop while you are at the museum.

Wheelchair accessibility: Easily accessible, may need help to manage trays

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Fries, Burger, Fry Bread Taco, Bison Chili

Mitsitam Cafe is the best Smithsonian museum restaurant, so I’d highly recommend this place for a quick lunch while touring the National Mall and museums. The atmosphere is quite pleasant with a stunning waterfall view, and the museum’s architecture is beautiful. The menu is unique and the food is delicious, albeit a little pricey. I appreciated the variety of vegetarian options, and I particularly enjoyed the hatch chile cornbread.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

10/10 would recommend. We loved the food so much we ate here twice on our 5 day trip. They have a rotating menu, so I’d look it up ahead of time. It’s also cafeteria style which gave the ability to see all the choices. Out of all the Smithsonian’s, this one by far has the best food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wonderful place to eat, whether one goes to the museum or not! Vegetarian option wrapped in corn husk. Huge picture windows with view of waterfall. Friendly staff. Helpful manager. Clean. Plus, metal utensils, not plastic.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It's always a good experience, although not as great as it was when it first opened. I remember it having more options with some higher end offerings.

I didn't deviate too much from what I had the first time. The Native Woodlands menu always draws me in with their cedar planked salmon. I think it was prepared differently this time. I didn't detect any of the maple juniper glaze. That may have been because of the blueberry sauce. I should have asked them to put it on the side. I ended up getting one side dish. Normally I would get the sampler, but bison wasn't an option that day. It was some sort of venison chili. I'm not fond of venison. However, I did get the rainbow beets. It was a good healthy option to go along with the salmon. Everything was prepared very well. I do kind of wish that I had tried the manoomin cakes. I've read that the rice cakes have smoked candied salmon. That sounds more innovative than just wild rice.

My husband went with the chicken tostada from the Mesoamerican menu. He really liked all the fresh ingredients. We also liked the fresh juices and aqua fresca. There are other stations with bison burgers and chili. They really do have something for everyone. There are many veggie options for those who don't eat meat. It was all very wholesome. The food here embodies the true meaning of living off the land.

The best part was the view of the waterfall. It was relaxing, comfortable, and quiet. There weren't many people there at 11:00 am on a weekday. They've also added a grab & go counter for those who don't want to dine in. We originally thought that it was the entrance. The cafeteria style restaurant is behind it as you walk towards the back of the museum on the ground floor.

The visit brought back memories of my mother. We shared a meal here together and had a discussion about the Native American regional cuisine. Good memories.