National Museum of the American Indian

As any worn out, hot, thirsty tourist who braves a DC summer can tell you, there aren't a lot of places to eat on the Mall.  The Smithsonian circuit just hasn't traditionally been terribly eat-er friendly.  Sure, you can grab an over-priced, dry sandwhich at one of the ubiquitous cafes...unless you can't.  And after absorbing all that culture and history, the last thing anyone wants to do is subsist on a random yogurt and some sad fruit.  The answer to a traveling celiac's prayers: the National Museum of the American Indian and its delightful eatery, mitsitim. 

While the National Museum of the American Indian created a bit of controversy when it opened, one thing has never been in dispute: the food is fantastic.  The cafe is a part of the cultural experience.  It is cafeteria style eating with five unique food stations representing the broad regions encompassing the American Indian tribes.  Thus, the Northern Woodlands menu will represent cooking techniques and ingredients traditional to tribes in that region and very different from, for instance, the Great Plains menu. 

Besides being interesting and, in my experience, delicious, the food at mitsitim has another major point in its favor.  The appropriate options are clearly labelled gluten-free! Delight! And the gluten-free options are not at all limited to the bland and the boring.  Rather, a happy celiac can dig into a mouthwatering tamale or snack on some quinoa. Check it out.  You'll be happy you did.  (The Museum itself is pretty incredible too.)