Welcome to the Mitsitam Cafe at the Smithsonian!

Enjoy exquisite Native American foods in a casual, cafeteria-style setting. Features a wide variety of amazing Native American cuisines from North and South America.

The Mitsitam Cafe Cookbook available for purchase!

Won “Best in the World” Cookbook for the “Best Local Cuisine” category of 2010 from Gourmand at the Paris Cookbook Fair. Order Today!

Order Here

Voted Best Cafe in DC!

Try the popular 5 Regions Sampler Plate providing native flavors and dishes from the Northern Woodlands, Northwest Coast, Mesoamerica, the Great Plains, and South America.

See Our Menu
About the Mitsitam Cafe

The Mitsitam Cafe is located in the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The word “Mitsitam” means “Let’s eat!” in the Native language of the Delaware and Piscataway peoples, reflecting the cafe’s focus on the indigenous cuisines of the Americas.

The cafe is renowned for its menu, which features the indigenous foods of the Western Hemisphere and uses the culinary traditions of Native Americans. The menu is divided into different regions, including the Northern Woodlands, South America, the Northwest Coast, Mesoamerica, and the Great Plains. Each section features traditional foods from those regions.

For example, you might find cedar-planked salmon from the Northwest Coast, buffalo burgers representing the Great Plains, or perhaps a taco made with traditional ingredients from Mesoamerica. It’s not just about the food, but the history and culture that each dish represents.

Beyond just being a place to eat, Mitsitam Cafe seeks to educate visitors about the history of Native peoples, their connection to the land, and their rich and diverse cultures. Ingredients are often locally sourced, and traditional methods of preparation are used.

The Cafe’s Executive Chef has been known to host cooking demonstrations and classes, further adding to the educational value of the cafe.

The Mitsitam Cafe has won multiple awards for its innovative and culturally significant approach to food service in a museum setting. It’s not just a place to grab a bite while visiting the museum; it’s a culinary journey through the native cultures of the Americas. Remember to check the most recent updates on operation hours and any potential changes due to health and safety measures.

Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe Awards & Press Recognition

Visit our friends at redeembonuscode.co.uk and get promo codes for the top UK gaming sites.

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.

Mitsitam Native Foods Café | 4th St & Independence Ave SW

Did you enjoy the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe?

Leave a review below!

Click here to submit your review.


Submit your review
* Required Field

Wonderful
Nov 04, 2020 by NONA F CLAYPOOL

Come for the Wonderful atmosphere and stay for the delicious food.


Amazing vegetarian spot!
Mar 16, 2017 by Macy

This is one of the best places (for vegetarians) to eat at on the mall. Everything is labeled if it's vegetarian, so that eliminates any guesswork.


Excellent!
Mar 16, 2017 by Jean

Go here. If you're a vegetarian, and even if you're not go here. It's inside the American Indian Museum which is unexpected but welcoming. It allows you the chance to experience five different regions of food, and you're not limited to choosing the one. The honey green beans were spicy but Soooo good, and the Chipotle chicken taco was awesome. My sister had a sampler of sides which was the first time I'd seen her truly clear her plate.


, USA 4.7 5.0 3 3 Come for the Wonderful atmosphere and stay for the delicious food.

Visit the Smisthsonian website at https://www.si.edu

Click here to visit The National Museum of the American Indian.

For Native American resources and articles, visit http://www.thepeoplespaths.net

We support Ecosystem Gardening.

Sherman Indian Museum – Native American Education.