Food options at the national mall are almost non existent on weekends. Shops inside the office buildings are closed Saturday and Sunday's. We visited during the summer and the option we were not looking forward to eating outside at McDonalds or eating from a cart or food truck. Luckily, we went to the National gallery of art for our first museum. We stumbled upon the Garden Cafe and were extremely happy with our experience. The ambience was very nice and the staff very pleasant. They first sat us in the front are with bistro chairs and tables. We asked to be moved to the rear area where the seating was more comfortable, and they honored our request. As far as food goes, it was excellent given the immediate choices, and very good anywhere else. It is a buffet and I usually will not eat at a buffet menu. If you are a meat lover, the menu we had might not be for you. I don't recall a red meat dish. The fare was light and healthy. They had cheese selection consisting of Manchego, Brie, and smoked Gouda. Grapes and dried fruit to accompany the cheese. A two Soups; a vegetarian minestrone and a corn chowder. Two types of green salad, one with feta and fennel. Two choices of dressings; a Citrix and a balsamic vineagrette. Roasted peppers with roasted garlic. Main dishes were salmon and baked chicken. There was two bread choices. French Baguette and olive baguette. Desert was the weakest part of the meal. We were not hungry, but we wanted to try it. Only two choices, panna cotta or vanilla gelato Overall, it's a place I would eat at again when going to museums at the national mall.