Argentina just landed on America’s front yard.
A Beloved Argentine Bite Arrives at the Hirshhorn
Artisan gelateria DOLCEZZA is partnering with Flor. Coffee + Books — two Argentine-owned DC favorites — to bring handmade empanadas to the DOLCEZZA artistic shipping container on the grounds of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden starting Tuesday, June 2nd.
Three varieties make their debut: Steak, Mushroom, and Ham & Cheese, each served with Salsa Roja and Chimichurri. This is the kind of casual, satisfying bite the National Mall has always needed. The container is open daily from 12pm to 5pm, making it an obvious stop for a quick lunch, a pre-museum snack, or a midday break with something worth eating in hand.
The Full Spread Goes Far Beyond Gelato
The empanadas join an already impressive outdoor lineup. Alongside DOLCEZZA’s award-winning seasonal gelato — including a Roasted Strawberry variety made with berries from Virginia’s Agriberry Farm — guests will find wines from Maryland’s Old Westminster Winery, Calvert Beer Co.’s locally brewed I Just Crush A Lot Sour Ale, and a Strawberry Yuzu Spritz made with a housemade strawberry shrub.
Taken together, this is happy hour on the Mall done right. The shipping container itself is wrapped in artwork by Adam Pendleton, created in conjunction with his landmark solo exhibition Adam Pendleton: Love, Queen, currently on view at the Hirshhorn through January 3, 2027. Even the backdrop is worth talking about.
Two Argentine-Owned DC Institutions, One Collaboration
DOLCEZZA opened its first DC location in 2004 and now operates eight shops across the DMV, from DC CityCenter to Bethesda Row to the Mosaic District. Flor. brings the same Argentine roots and community-first approach! Together, they’ve created something the Mall has been missing.
The empanadas are handmade, the gelato is small-batch, and everything on the menu is locally sourced or locally connected — a founding philosophy!
Plan Your Visit to the Hirshhorn This Summer
The Hirshhorn has earned its place as one of DC’s best warm-weather destinations — not just for the art, but for the atmosphere. The outdoor sculpture garden, the architecture, and now a proper food and drink setup make it worth a dedicated afternoon! Locals, tourists, and museumgoers alike have a new reason to linger.
Available starting June 2nd, and given that this is one of the most foot-trafficked stretches of the National Mall all summer, arriving early in the afternoon is a smart move.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Independence Ave SW & 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20560 DOLCEZZA Container Hours: Daily, 12pm – 5pm Empanadas from $5–$7 | Gelato from $6 | Cocktails from $12.
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