If you read D.C. guidebooks of the past, you'll find pages of cafeterias. They were full of food, tables, and often at more affordable prices. The USDA Cafeteria is an ode to the past. Open to the public Monday-Friday for breakfast and lunch, enter through Wing 3. (There's a sign.) Bring I.D. and be prepared to go through security. It's quick. You're given a sticker badge and directed to the cafeteria. It's a spacious cafeteria with plenty of tables and booths with outlets in one large open room. When space is tight in D.C., it's a great place for large groups like tourists. There are fewer choices compared to pre-pandemic, but it still offers several stations like a salad bar, a hot food section, sandwiches, hamburgers, Chinese food, Korean food, and more. There's also a breakfast counter that sells acai bowls, croffles (croissant waffles), oatmeal, and fruit cups. The bars are pay-by-the-pound. Prices are still D.C. prices, but a little more affordable compared to area restaurants. Again, the space is large, but no frills. There are old school USDA posters on the walls, some with nutritional facts.

Brought a group of 18 people here on 8/3/23- they had just reopened w/multiple MTO food options and a great salad bar. Prices were very reasonable for the area- a perfect option for those museum hopping & looking for a great lunch spot. Security is very friendly (it’s a Federal office building so anyone over 18yo will be asked for I.D.) & super expedient! Plan on returning the next time I’m in D.C.!

This location is NOT open to the public. Came here for lunch but was turned away by the security guard.

Great selection and very reasonably priced, similar to what you would find at a grocery store pricewise. They have a Mexican bar, Chinese food, Caribbean, sushi, salad bar, soup, and much more. Perfect way to get some air conditioning and lunch if you are touring the Smithsonian. Adults will have to show an ID to enter the building and go through a minor security screening.

Very good food at locally-reasonable prices. Wonderful selection and very amusing food guideline posters from over the years. Enjoyed seeing an older government building that has served us all for decades. The armed security police at the cafeteria public entrance were very put-out to see us arrive, however. We walked in the correct, advertised door at 12:30 and said "Hi. Visitors to the cafeteria" and were responded to with "She ain't here." Beg your pardon? After a moment of silence, they began arguing as to which of the two of them had to stand up and process us. After a couple of rounds, the far guard lost the argument, shuffled to his feet and told us to step outside and around, and he would run us through his metal detector instead. As he mumbled orders, it was tough to understand what clothing items should come off and stay on while we stripped down. Not what was anticipated when visiting a publicly-funded institution which advertises "Open to the Public". Two other security guards we met were very cheerful and funny, sadly they were not greeting folks at the door. Food was great. Would not return.

An awesome experience! USDA has an amazing opportunity for great food. Anyone ne who can visit should visit. Between the food court and food vendors, we have a lot of options for everyone!

This is a nice, quiet place to get a tasty lunch and relax in some air conditioning. The food here is buffet style and they weigh your order to charge by the pound. There was a nice variety of salads and build your own burrito fixings. We ate here mostly out of curiosity, but I am glad we did!

Surprisingly good. The food was very good, and a wide variety (heavy on Asian dishes) and freshly made. For the money it was great. We spent $33 for lunch for three people. Close to the mall but enter in building 3 on Independence. Dining room was open and airy though sort of institutional. Recommend for lunch if you're touring the mall.

Let's be fair... It is a rebuilding phase. The Korean food was decent, as was the Japanese. The salad bar was nice for the little that was available. I'll go back in a couple of years and see how they have improved.

It used to be great, pre-pandemic. But without Fed employees coming in, the place cut down big time. Only a limited selection left but the remaining food stalls are good. It's a great place for people to eat while visiting the museums or workers in the area.

Standard work buffet. It was recommended to visit. Good deal if you are hungry

I love chatting with the Korean couple that run the noodle and sushi bar! The udon noodles there are quite good. As for the hot bar, I can usually find a variety of things that look good and taste good. There are both healthy options and comfort food options at the hot bar, and there is a salad, veggie, and fruit bar for more refreshing dishes. The Italian bar has pizza and pasta, but I haven't tried it yet. The seating area has lots of window lighting, and it is spacious enough so that it doesn't feel cramped on a crowded day. It is definitely a more affordable option in the Mall area. Prices are by weight, and I typically spend about $10-12, sometimes less...it depends on how hungry I am!

This buffet style cafe is open to the public! Be adventurous and try the seaweed salad..it's soo good!!

Great cafeteria! Such a variety of healthy choices!

Maybe we went on a wierd day but this is not the same as the posts from 3 years ago. There's a tiny salad bar with greasy taco meat. It's cheap food near the mall and that's about the only redeeming quality.

I was completely floored by the top-shelf quality of every single loose-leaf tea I purchased here.

Hidden gem downtown. High quality food at fair prices. Great for groups who want quick meals with variety.

Even the wide angle lense couldn't include the huge building structure in its frame. Absolutely amazing.

Lunch in the USDA cafeteria - it's open to the public - was too interesting to pass up. Veggies were very good, pork chops not so much. Staff and service very good.

Good food at excellent prices for DC. Let's start with the obvious: The cafeteria -- and its "public" status -- are not obvious from the street. Also, there's a pretty significant security presence at the one "guest" entrance. Nice folks though! Just let them know that you're here to visit the cafeteria and you'll do fine. The selection is quite wide, for a cafeteria. In addition to the open chafing dishes of main course selections and sides, there's a salad bar, a bibimbap shop and a sushi/noodle bar. For bonus points, be here between 2:30 and 3 pm. The food selection is more limited, but also sold at a significant (30%?) discount.