Located on the sixth floor of the Francis Perkins Building, which houses the United States Department of Labor, this federal cafeteria is also open to tourists. Just down from the Capitol Building itself, on C Street and Constitution Avenue Northwest, it is a budget traveller's dream.
You will need to sign in, show ID, be scanned, and all that jazz to get in the building, thanks to increased security. But once inside you will find a large and varied salad bar, paid for by the ounce, as well as a pizza and pasta station, deli sandwich station, carvery, hot food line, roasted chicken station and burger and dog station. Desserts include non-fat frozen yogurt, cookies and cakes, and a wide variety of drinks are available in the center island.
The cafeteria opens for a very economical breakfast spread and for lunch. It is convenient when visiting downtown DC and is especially handy for groups, since the large number of tables and chairs allow people to sit together. There is an outside balcony (under construction in March 2003) that looks out for obstructed views of the Capitol and Washington Monument nearby.
The DOL Cafeteria is open from 7 AM to 2 PM.
Closest Metro is Judiciary Square on the Red Line.