A D.C. Eating Information to the Meals and Drink Scene

Outsiders could consider D.C. as a metropolis of stodgy politicos, however its meals scene boasts a hotbed of creativity for the individuals who work, stay, and journey right here to take pleasure in. Contemplating the wood-burning Levantine cooking taking place in Navy Yard to a West Finish vacation spot for dressed-up crowds and summary Mediterranean flavors, the Washington space has probably the most vibrant restaurant scenes in the USA. Right here is Eater’s commonly up to date information to the neighborhoods and meals each aspiring D.C. aficionado must know.

—Up to date by Tierney Plumb

Welcome to a Land of Variety

Because the stereotype goes, D.C. is a world of energy breakfasts and steak homes. However the most effective factor about consuming in D.C. is the number of worldwide delicacies discovered across the metropolis and its surrounding suburbs in Maryland and Virginia.

Southeast Asian meals are significantly robust. Longtime standard locations embrace Baan Siam for Northern Thai and Maketto for Taiwanese and Cambodian cafe meals. The household that sparked the #LaoFoodMovement has important eatery Thip Khao in Columbia Heights, newer digs in Northern Virginia (Padaek) and cocktail bar Baan Mae. Malaysian specialties filled with candy, spicy, bitter, and funky flavors at Makan make the Columbia Heights restaurant one of many buzziest within the metropolis. A lot of the realm’s wealthy Vietnamese meals tradition is centered across the Eden Heart in Falls Church, Virginia, however for a extra upscale, up to date take, diners can take a look at Moon Rabbit in Penn Quarter. And for refined Korean bar meals from a rising, James Beard Award-nominated chef, take a look at Anju in between Dupont and Adams Morgan.

Two high-end, wood-burning Center Jap eating places have attracted nationwide discover over the previous few years: Albi, in Navy Yard, and Maydan, simply north of the U Avenue hall. On H Avenue NE, Trinidadian-themed Cane is thought for pimento-smoked jerk hen wings, entire fried snapper escovitch, and doubles (fry bread, stewed chickpeas, spicy chutneys) that provide a high-end model of the Caribbean specialties present in carryouts alongside Georgia Avenue NW. The delicacies additionally has a house at sit-down St. James on 14th Avenue NW.

D.C. can be residence to a number of the largest populations of Ethiopian and Salvadoran expats within the nation. Ethiopian favorites equivalent to beef or lamb tibs and stewed hen doro wat on the Habesha Market or Dukem within the Little Ethiopia space of Ninth Avenue NW and at Chercher a number of blocks south. French-trained chef Elias Taddesse mixes Ethiopian traditions into American classics with a spice-blasted carryout in Shaw known as Doro Soul Meals and not too long ago revived burger bar Melange. Discover Salvadoran pupusas at Gloria’s in Columbia Heights, El Tamarindo in Adams Morgan, or El Rinconcito close to the conference middle.

Rey Lopez/Eater

No journey to D.C. can be full with no chili-cheese half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl. The historic, Black-owned restaurant sits on a U Avenue hall as soon as referred to as “Black Broadway.” Close by soul meals staples equivalent to Henry’s Soul Cafe — well-known for its candy potato pie — or breakfast go-to Florida Avenue Grill have been comforting clients for many years. Oohs and Aahs is one other must-visit for crunchy wings, collard greens, and gooey mac and cheese.

For a flowery, all-day choice there’s Penn Quarter’s opulent, lodge brasserie Café Riggs — a trendy spot for recent oysters, a stellar nitro espresso martini, and dedication to native components close to the Nationwide Portrait Gallery. Head to the buzzy U Avenue hall for glistening ceviche and pisco sours at Peruvian eatery El Secreto de Rosita and newer choices for Center Jap delicacies (Yalla) and rooftop sushi (Child Shank). Dauphine’s, a mid-Atlantic-meets-New Orleans restaurant downtown, has additionally been attracting plenty of buzz for throwback cocktails, uncooked bar fare, and Creole cooking with native bent.

In the meantime, Georgetown’s iconic Cafe Milano is a vacation spot for people-watching (particularly for bold-faced names). One other only-in-D.C. spot is the crimson velvet-wrapped Off The Document bar, hidden away within the basement of the Hay-Adams lodge that serves cocktails on political cartoon coasters. For different picks for a celebratory night time out in D.C. (with an opportunity of operating right into a well-known face), contemplate high-profile locations equivalent to Bourbon Steak and Fiola Mare, bask in high-end Indian meals at Rasika (remember to order the palak chaat), and get to know the delicacies of well-known humanitarian José Andrés at Jaleo, Zaytinya, fancy Barmini/Minibar, or his polished lodge perch the Bazaar. Even a bagel store, smash hit “Jew-ish” deli Name Your Mom, could get a go to from the president on any given Sunday.

The place to Begin on Eater’s Finest Maps

Eater D.C. is the place to go for steadily up to date guides to all the pieces from daring new eating places to particular dishes like succulent roast hen — charred Peruvian birds are one other native specialty — the pizza that makes up town’s Neapolitan renaissance, or world-class sushi and delectable dim sum. Right here, Eater narrows the sphere to spotlight a number of the perfect locations within the space.

Hottest Eating places

Eater’s heatmap, up to date as soon as a month, is a go-to information to the buzziest openings in D.C. Contemplate Osteria Mozza, for sophisticated, California-influenced delicacies in Georgetown; Shia, for sustainably-served Korean dishes in Union Market; Arrels, for a parade of paellas and hearty Spanish seafood at Judiciary Sq.; Cordelia Fishbar, for chilled Maine lobster, colossal shrimp, and an ever-rotating choice of oysters in Union Market; Divino, for fairly pastas in Glover Park, and extra.

The Important 38

When narrowing down the Eater 38, one must-visit is Albi, the place chef Michael Rafidi’s refined tackle dishes from Lebanon, Palestine, Turkey, and different nations all through the Mediterranean embrace za’atar dusted pita that includes labneh and potato into the dough, lamb kefta cooked with a cinnamon stick deal with, a crunchy urfa-chile condiment, and hummus that’s smoother than Lando Calrissian. Rafidi, who simply gained the James Beard Award for finest chef in America, additionally runs Levantine cafe Yellow in Georgetown. Its newer offshoot in Union Market simply added a full of life rooftop bar known as La’ Shukran.

Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Chef Amy Brandwein’s super-seasonal Italian stalwart Centrolina in CityCenter DC counts VP Kamala Harris as a longtime common. Different Eater 38 recs embrace Pascual, Capitol Hill’s ode to Mexico Metropolis that was simply named one in every of Eater’s Finest New Eating places in America. There’s additionally Purple Patch, for scorching sisigs in Mount Nice; Tonari, for ingenious Japanese-Italian pizzas and pastas in Chinatown; Tabard Inn, for a reinvigorated mid-Atlantic menu in historic Dupont digs; and Petite Cerise, for all-day French fare in Shaw. If Michelin-starred tasting menus are your bag, D.C. has lots.

Bars

If there’s one place to imbibe whereas on the town, head to the depths of the aforementioned Riggs Resort for martini service and daring cocktails at Silver Lyan, the cocktail lair from world-famous bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana that picked up the 2022 U.S. Resort Bar of the Yr Award at Tales of the Cocktail. D.C. has no scarcity of standout bars, nonetheless, from the Inexperienced Zone, a vacation spot for Center Jap-themed mixology in Adams Morgan; big whiskey bar Jack Rose Eating Saloon close by; Frenchified cocktails at high-energy Bar Chinois and or its new D.C. sibling Bar Japonais; inexpensive cocktail spot Service Bar on U Avenue NW; Union Market rum distillery Cotton & Reed; and espresso martini standard-bearer Residents in Dupont. There’s additionally the bar heatmap, which chronicles the brand new scorching consuming spots round city. And take a look at any of D.C.’s beloved dives for a no-frills night time out.

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Pizza

Is pizza D.C.’s robust go well with? Possibly not, however there are many high-quality pies to choose from. New York transplants will really feel most at residence on the dive-y however genuine Wiseguy in Chinatown, Navy Yard, Arlington, and Wheaton. A couple of newer choices are giving Wiseguy a run for its cash: Andy’s Pizza (Shaw, Navy Yard, Adams Morgan, Tysons Nook, Outdated City) and Capitol Hill meals corridor stall Slice Joint. Neapolitan pizza is probably the most distinguished fashion round city, with glorious variations at 2 Amys, Pupatella, and Etto. In the meantime, All–Function — which has a second location in Navy Yard — and Timber Pizza Firm entice followers searching for an identical fashion of pizza with barely extra inventive toppings and trappings. Union Market district’s Stellina Pizzeria, which has newer locales in Mt. Vernon Triangle, Shirlington, and Tysons in Virginia, is drawing consideration for its cacio e pepe pie and ingenious panini just like the one filled with fried octopus and burrata. For square-shaped slices on a focaccia-like crust, contemplate ’70s-chic Sonny’s in Park View.

Ice Cream

Gelato is big right here, with a ton of native corporations like Dolcezza, Pitango, and Dolci Gelati. At one level, custard store the Dairy Godmother in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood in all probability had the most important cult following of D.C.’s ice cream choices (President Barack Obama was identified to cease by). Now are loads of locations to get a chilly deal with, from quirky mini-chain Ice Cream Jubilee (which simply debuted in Georgetown) to Mount Nice’s Mt. Desert Ice Cream (one other identified favourite of Obama). Want different desserts? Right here are a few of D.C.’s finest picks. And for a information to fabulous muffins for any event round D.C., go right here.

Sushi

D.C.’s standout omakase eating places are Sushiko, Kaz Sushi, and Michelin-rated fixture and New York import Sushi Nakazawa. Union Market’s O-Ku, which originated in Charleston, South Carolina, options a wide range of uncooked fish certain to fulfill sushi aficionados. Discover different sushi necessities right here.

Beer

Any record that Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s beer director Greg Engert performed a job in creating (Shelter in Capitol Hill, Bluejacket Brewery in Navy Yard, Churchkey on 14th Avenue NW) is price a go to. Town’s most well-known brewery is arguably DC Brau in Northeast D.C., however there are tons of formidable breweries each contained in the District and close by as nicely, from Atlas Brew Works (Ivy Metropolis, Navy Yard, Alexandria) to Port Metropolis Brewing Firm (Alexandria, Virginia) to LGBTQ-friendly Purple Bear Brewing Co. in NoMa and an Ivy Metropolis outpost of Brooklyn brewery Different Half. Virginia’s beloved IPA maker Solace Brewing touched down in D.C. with a sprawling Navy Yard faucet room. Discover a number of the newer breweries right here. Town is filled with outside beer gardens (like Dacha or Wunder Garten). And Virginia-born Aslin Beer Firm added a sunny outpost in Logan Circle.

Brunch

D.C. loves day-drinking, as evidenced by the recognition of brunch right here. Standout brunches embrace egg-topped pizzas and Sicilian disco fries at All-Function, the brasserie fare at Le Diplomate, and the unconventional diner meals at Unconventional Diner. For the newest brunch to attempt throughout city, go right here.

Ramen

D.C. is a big ramen city, with new noodle outlets opening up consistently — even within the stifling-hot summer season. Toki Underground and Daikaya are among the many established gamers, whereas Haikan and Bantam King are including to the scene as nicely. And Basebowl Ramen slings noodles and sushi subsequent to Nationals Park. Ren’s Ramen is price a visit as much as Silver Spring.

Neighborhoods to Know

Listed below are the important thing food-centric areas of town to discover, in addition to what to eat in every. A powerful displaying of the newest and biggest tasting menu choices are scatted throughout city.

Touristy areas

D.C. is nothing if not a vacationer vacation spot, whether or not it’s households visiting the nation’s capital, college students right here on faculty journeys, or simply these searching for a cool and inexpensive place to go to (keep in mind that monuments and lots of museums are free right here). Vacationers in D.C. are inclined to flock to the Nationwide Mall — walkable to notable eating places equivalent to Outdated Ebbitt Grill and Hill Nation — in addition to the historic neighborhood of Georgetown (take a look at an final staycation information to Georgetown right here.) Discover different can’t-miss eateries across the Conference Heart as nicely. The Wharf, a waterfront growth on the Southwest fringe of town, is an attraction in and of itself with big-name choices like Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen. Earlier than or after a live performance on the Anthem, contemplate eating choices on the snazzy Pendry lodge, huge cocktail bar/rum distillery Tiki TNT, glorious sushi rolls from fast-casual Fats Fish, Mexican mainstay Mi Vida, and expensive Spanish spot Del Mar. Take a look at the Southwest Waterfront’s musts right here.

Adams Morgan

Identified for its eclectic, worldwide taste and its standing as a bar crawl vacation spot, this neighborhood has landed a number of the metropolis’s most revered eating places lately. Go to Fortunate Buns for top-notch burgers, Lapis for refined Afghan dishes, Perry’s, for Japanese consolation meals from James Beard Award-winning chef Masako Morishita, the Recreation for Filipino bar meals, Inexperienced Zone for Center Jap-flavored cocktails, and Tail Up Goat for Mediterranean toasts and recent pasta. Different standout choices embrace pasta and wine bar Reveler’s Hour or pool corridor Dying Punch. To plan a well-rounded day within the neighborhood, go right here.

Shaw

Restaurateurs and consuming execs proceed flocking to this welcoming neighborhood. Standbys embrace All–Function pizzeria, Seylou Bakery, and the Dabney, for hearth-fueled mid-Atlantic cooking. Different musts embrace wine bar Maxwell Park, edgy, neon-lit cocktail lair By no means Regarded Higher, Eighteenth Avenue Lounge 2.0, and “city backyard” Calico. With tasting menus that take veggies to new heights, Rob Rubba gained the 2023 James Beard Award for excellent chef at Oyster Oyster. Head to Amazonia/Causa for a two-story temple to Peru that was named one in every of Eater’s Finest New Eating places in America. For finest bets within the neighborhood, go right here.

Rey Lopez/Eater DC

14th Avenue/Logan Circle

Earlier than the Shaw renaissance passed off, 14th Avenue NW was the situation to be for D.C. eating places, and it is nonetheless an vital place to discover a concentrated variety of scorching spots. Right here, discover Stephen Starr mega-bistro Le Diplomate (get the duck salardaises), worldwide small plates place Compass Rose (residence of important worldwide drunk meals khachapuri), and rather more. The strip can be residence to no-rules Japanese restaurant Nama Ko from Boston celeb chef Michael Schlow. Nightlife pleasure stretches into the neighboring areas of U Avenue and Columbia Heights (Queen’s English, Makan) as nicely. A stretch of 14th Avenue simply north of Columbia Heights has three of the most effective conventional Mexican eating places on the town, Taqueria Habanero, Mezcalero, and seafood-focused Anafre, which added pizza to the menu throughout the pandemic.

Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Union Market

Town’s preeminent meals corridor is the primary attraction at this previously wholesaler heavy stretch of Northeast D.C. However the space bordering Union Market has turn out to be a scorching spot for eating places, too, boasting heavyweights equivalent to St. Anselm and coastal Italian tasting menu restaurant Masseria. Rum distillery Cotton & Reed is a great cease for a cocktail, Final Name is nice for a late-night (and low-cost) Outdated Long-established, A. Litteri is a timeless Italian grocery with traditional subs. La Cosecha, a Latin American market with the central Serenata cocktail bar, Grand Cata grocer and wine store, and a number of different meals distributors promoting Salvadoran pupusas, Peruvian sandwiches, and Venezuelan scorching canines, has slowly come collectively over the previous few years.

Dupont Circle

D.C.’s eating nucleus is flush with choices for elegant lodge fare (Lyle’s, Doyle), adults-only mini golf with a aspect of cocktails (Swingers), bottomless brunch (ala), and Spanish tapas (Boqueria). Discover the highest neighborhood musts right here.

H Avenue NE

One in all D.C.’s densest restaurant corridors, H Avenue attracts a rowdier crowd that likes to get together late into the night. Standbys embrace Toki Underground for ramen, Maketto for Southeast Asian cafe fare, Irregardless for Virginia wines and seasonal components, and Ethiopic for Ethiopian.

Capitol Hill

That is the place elected officers and advocacy teams hash out their variations. That stated, the realm proper subsequent to the federal government’s workplace buildings is not actually the most effective section of Capitol Hill for eating (although you may discover some old-school lobbyist haunts like The Monocle). The trick is to stroll somewhat additional in direction of Jap Market and Barracks Row to search out the actual vacation spot eating, together with chef Aaron Silverman’s trend-setting Rose’s Luxurious (and extra budget-friendly sibling Little Pearl), taxidermy-filled tavern Hawk ‘n’ Dove, ingenious Chinese language-Korean counter Chiko and its newer breakfast spot I Egg You. Inside Jap Market itself, the place to go to is Market Lunch, which attracts lengthy traces for crab muffins and blueberry buckwheat pancakes. Discover the most effective of the neighborhood right here.

Virginia and Maryland

The Northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs are an integral a part of the D.C. space’s general eating scene. For one factor, they’re a hotbed for a lot of the realm’s finest worldwide eating, together with Vietnamese, Chinese language, Salvadoran, Korean, and extra.

It is vital to study the most important neighborhood names throughout Maryland (Wheaton, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Rockville) and Virginia (Clarendon, Ballston, Outdated City Alexandria, Del Ray, Falls Church, Tysons Nook) as space cooks are playing increasingly on areas outdoors D.C. Vacation spot eating places embrace 2941 and Peter Chang’s eating places — make a beeline to Mama Chang for home-style Chinese language in Fairfax.

Simply north of the Beltway, Wheaton, Maryland, packs in an enormous number of tastes equivalent to shawarma from Max’s Kosher and fried watercress salad from Ruan Thai. Up in Rockville, Kuya Ja’s Lechon Stomach has turn out to be a vacation spot for Filipino meals and Dupont’s Thai Chef Avenue Meals added a color-soaked outpost lately. And for extraordinary brisket with an awe-inspiring backstory, head to the small Maryland city of Riverdale Park to attempt 2Fifty Texas BBQ. The identical space can be residence to a snazzy new meals corridor and buzzy bakery.

Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

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