From the U.S. Capitol at First Street to the Washington Monument at 17th, the Mall is a hefty chunk of terrain. That means a lot of walking, a lot of brain power and a lot of other folks about with similar needs -- tickets to the latest exhibit, directions to the cleanest restroom and a good place to eat that's nearby.

If you can meet your needs with a nondescript yogurt, a sandwich and some fruit, then the various cafeterias inside the museums will do just fine. Among the museum dining options, we recommend the National Gallery of Art cafeteria, a lovely subterranean setting with a soothing fountain sculpture.

But we encourage you to walk a few blocks and explore some of the eateries that are well worth a detour from the Mall's boundaries.

Just north of the intersection of Seventh Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW (skipping distance from the National Gallery) is a pocket of restaurants in the newly thriving Penn Quarter neighborhood, which includes galleries, shops and the MCI Center.

As you walk away from the Mall, the first thing you'll probably see is a Starbucks (we know, they're everywhere), so if all you need is a pit stop for a cup of joe, there you go.

Venturing north, at the corner of Seventh and D, Andale is your choice for a sit-down lunch and dinner with a Nuevo Latino twist. Chef Alison Swope has been traveling to various parts of Mexico to develop her spicy, reasonable menu.

Up the block and across the street is Footnotes, the cafe inside Olsson's Books and Records. If all you want is a hot beverage, a quick sandwich and a sweet, here you'll find a few cafe tables, a couple of armchairs and a cozy atmosphere. Olsson's is also one of the last independent bookstores in Washington, and as such the feeling is more homegrown.

At the corner of Seventh and E is Jaleo, a popular standby offering Spanish tapas, sangria and lively energy; around the corner on E is its sister restaurant, the less-expensive, Tex-Mex-style Austin Grill.

Stroll down to Eighth Street, turn left and you have trendy Cafe Atlantico, a popular (and pricey) spot owned by the Jaleo/Austin Grill folks. If you cross the street, you'll see Teaism. A Pan-Asian-inspired cafeteria, Teaism is more of an oasis than a lunch line to collect your food. As its name implies, there is an excellent assortment of teas, most of which are Asian, served loose leaf in a variety of handcrafted pots and mugs. Food also bends Asian, with curries and bento boxes, and lots of choices for vegetarians. With its peaceful decor and casual mood, Teaism is perhaps the most civilized way to recharge after "doing the Mall."

Within the past year, there's really been a restaurant boom in this little neck of the Washington woods. The area around the MCI Center is a trendy place to be these days. Zola, the restaurant housed in the new International Spy Museum, is a smoothie. But prices are reasonable and the menu takes into account the differing tastes of locals and tourists alike. Have a big, juicy hamburger or tuna tartare. Most dishes are done well and the decor is stunning. (The Spy Museum also has its own little snack shop, the Spy Cafe, with sandwiches, boxed salads, pastries, cookies and juices to satisfy a basic need for lunch.)

Right next door in a former post office building is the Hotel Monaco and its upscale restaurant, Poste. It's worth a visit just to walk in across the old cobbled courtyard where horse-drawn carriages would once come to deliver and pick up the mail; inside, see what's become of an old sorting room.

The Gordon Biersch Brewery is a few paces away at the corner of Ninth and F streets. Enjoy one of the five beers brewed in house, or sample from the eclectic menu. On the National Register of Historic Places and once a Riggs Bank, the building maintains its 19th-century charm.

Refuel at the glam bar at Zaytinya, or settle at a table for some of the best Greek food around. This is tapas -- small plates -- so if you're with a group, this is a perfect place for sharing.

Other restaurants within walking distance of the Mall: French bistro, Les Halles; blueblood steakhouse Capital Grille; upscale Butterfield 9, TenPenh and Signatures. There are sundry counters for snacks inside the Old Post Office Pavilion.