Marcus DC – Credit: Scott Suchman
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Wine and dine your way around these hot places to eat and drink in the District.
At Marcus DC, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson brings together modern American cooking and Black culinary traditions in a vibrant dining experience inside The Morrow Hotel. The menu draws inspiration from Washington, DC, Ethiopia and beyond, featuring dishes like mambo-sauced roast chicken, "Swediopian" salmon and grilled whole bass. Leading the kitchen is Maryland native and Top Chef contestant Executive Chef Anthony Jones, whose locally inspired creations, including Mel's Crab Rice with early summer mushrooms and uni béarnaise (an homage to his favorite Calvert County crab shack), showcase the flavors that shaped his career. Craving more? Discover where Chef Anthony eats, unwinds and finds inspiration throughout the District.
Balos Estiatorio
Bringing the spirit of the Greek islands to Dupont Circle, Balos Estiatorio celebrates the tradition of leisurely shared meals with pristine seafood, vibrant seasonal dishes and an airy dining room inspired by the Mediterranean coast. Fresh fish flown in from Greece, espresso martinis made tableside and a thoughtful selection of Greek wines make it easy to linger long after the meal ends. Plus, you won’t want to miss the festive black napkin toss on weekend nights.
The Oak Room/Bernadette's
The Oak Room brings Gilded Age elegance to Georgetown, reimagining the classic American steakhouse through refined French technique under James Beard Award-winning chef Tim Hollingsworth, a Thomas Keller protégé and former chef de cuisine at The French Laundry. Set inside a beautifully restored 150-year-old building, the restaurant pairs impeccably prepared steaks and seafood towers with classic sauces, an extensive wine list and polished old-world charm. Upstairs, Bernadette's offers a glamorous Art Deco-inspired piano lounge, where nightly live music, expertly crafted cocktails and intimate supper club vibes make it one of the city's newest after-dark destinations.
Woodley Park's Rose Ave Bakery puts a Southeast Asian spin on the classic bakery, pairing expertly brewed coffee with colorful pastries inspired by Chef Rose Nguyen's heritage. Whether you're craving a pandan coconut doughnut, an ube-filled brioche or a savory garlic scallion bun, each pastry blends classic techniques with bold flavors. Named 2026 RAMMY Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year, Nguyen has made Rose Ave a favorite stop for both locals and visitors looking to start the day on a sweet note.
Forget everything you think you know about diners. As the 2026 RAMMY Award winner for Best Brunch, Unconventional Diner elevates American comfort food with creative twists, from sweet potato shakshuka and Caribbean-inspired shrimp and grits to wagyu cheeseburgers and fried chicken and waffles. The Shaw favorite has also earned a spot on the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand list every year since 2018, making it just as worthy of a leisurely brunch as an all-day meal.
Amazonia
Hidden above the acclaimed Causa, Amazonia transports guests from downtown DC to the Peruvian rainforest with lush decor, tropical cocktails and one of the city's most impressive pisco selections. Named 2026 RAMMY Cocktail Program of the Year, the rooftop pairs imaginative drinks with shareable Peruvian-inspired plates from James Beard Award-winning chef Carlos Delgado, whose downstairs restaurant, Causa, has become one of DC's premier dining destinations.
Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar
The 2026 RAMMY Casual Restaurant of the Year, Tsehay Ethiopian offers one of the District's most authentic Ethiopian dining experiences in the heart of Adams Morgan. The restaurant celebrates generations of culinary tradition with richly spiced stews, vibrant vegetarian and vegan dishes and house-made injera. True to Ethiopian custom, meals are enjoyed without utensils, inviting guests to tear, scoop and share each bite by hand for an immersive and memorable dining experience.
From DIY appetizers that pay homage to Spanish chef Rubén García’s abuela Teresa to the family-style entrees of whole fish, pass-the-plate grilled meats and veggie dishes prepared over open flames and oak charcoal, Casa Teresa offers a progressive dining experience unlike anything else in the city. You’ll feel like you’re eating at grandma’s house in the heart of Spain.
© Scott Suchman
If you've enjoyed a trendy evening at the popular Residents Cafe in Dupont Circle, be sure to bop down to Washington Harbour for the same colorful, buzzy vibe and quality craftsmanship with a more global spin. River Club combines flavors from Lebanon, Italy and Spain into a mix of mezze plates and desserts. "Rooted in attainable luxury," the team seeks to maintain a groovy vibe all around, so the patterned paradise proffers funky multilingual tunes and a table service featuring arak (Lebanon), amaro (Italy) or vermut (Spain).
© Chai Pani
Chai Pani, the James Beard Award-winning Indian street food restaurant from Asheville has arrived in the District. Chefs Meherwan Irani and Vishwesh Bhatt have crafted a menu that fuses Indian street food with fresh creations inspired by Vish’s Gujarati heritage and Southern culinary roots.
The newest restaurant concept from Long Shot Hospitality (the same group behind The Salt Line) is led by critically acclaimed Chef Kristen Essig. Dauphine’s evokes New Orleans in its Cajun-flavored and inspired dishes, served at a convenient location right near the McPherson Square Metro. Expect an elegant yet relaxed environment that will feel like Louisiana in the heart of DC.
Albi
Chef Michael Rafidi pours his heart into his Navy Yard restaurant. That’s no joke, either; Albi literally means “heart” in Arabic, a nod to the chef’s Levantine roots that matches his signature mix of mezze plates and mashawi, dishes cooked over an open flame. Savor Mediterranean staples with a twist, like a saccharine fattoush with pear and cucumber or the sumac bok choy with honey, whipped feta and smoked peanut harissa.
As if you needed more convincing, Chef Rafidi was honored with the 2024 Outstanding Chef Award from the James Beard Foundation.
2Fifty’s second location on K Street in Mount Vernon Triangle touts handcrafted and wood smoked Texas-Style BBQ with what they describe as “a pinch of the tropics.” The pitmaster embraces the “low and slow” method, smoking ethically sourced meats over their specially selected wood for anywhere between six to 14 hours. The restaurant's co-founder and pitmaster, Fernando González, was named the 2026 RAMMY Restaurateur of the Year, further cementing 2Fifty's reputation as one of the region's top barbecue destinations. At communal tables, guests can combine their cut of choice with American classics and Salvadoran favorites like esquites and plantains – for dine-in, take-out or catering. 2Fifty’s pitmaster, Fernando González won 2026 RAMMY Restaurateur of the Year.
Mita elevates vegetarian dining with five, seven or 14 courses' worth of plant-based selections. Co-owners Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, who have gained recognition for their other DC spot El Cielo, combine cross-continental South American ingredients with contemporary methods to showcase the versatility of veggies. Aside from crowd-favorite arepas, sample a few staples you may never have tried before – or, enjoy classics in new formats and combinations, like yuca cake or charred banana with barley.
Moon Rabbit – Credit: Rey Lopez
One of the city's most celebrated restaurants, Moon Rabbit reimagines Vietnamese cuisine through the lens of Chef Kevin Tien's Louisiana upbringing. At the bright Penn Quarter destination, familiar flavors take unexpected turns, from mochi beignets topped with freshwater eel to daikon-wrapped summer rolls and seasonally inspired rice cakes. Save room for dessert – Executive Pastry Chef Susan Bae, 2026 James Beard Award Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, crafts inventive sweets featuring ingredients like curry, seaweed and tomato. The restaurant also earned a spot on North America's 50 Best Restaurants list, establishing its place as one of DC's must-visit dining experiences.
Eebee's Corner Bar
One of DC's hottest new hangouts, Eebee's Corner Bar proves that great hospitality never goes out of style. The Shaw favorite draws crowds for expertly made martinis, crave-worthy cheeseburgers and mozzarella sticks, but it's the lively, shoulder-to-shoulder atmosphere that keeps customers coming back. Equal parts nostalgic and effortlessly cool, Eebee's captures everything people love about a true neighborhood bar.
Maison Bar À Vins
French technique meets Mid-Atlantic ingredients at Maison Bar à Vins, the intimate Adams Morgan wine bar from acclaimed chef Matt Conroy and the Popal family. Guests can settle into the lively front bar for natural wines and inventive cocktails or enjoy a slower-paced evening in the candlelit dining room, where meticulously crafted dishes – from buttery escargots wrapped in pastry to Basque cheesecake finished with wildflower honey – have quickly made Maison one of the city's most sought-after reservations.
Bar Angie – Credit: Rey Lopez
Inspired by the bistros of New York City, Bar Angie combines classic comfort food with a lively martini culture in an inviting Dupont Circle setting. Settle in for dishes like the signature Angie Chop Martini, lobster frites or a wagyu French dip before exploring a menu dedicated to perfectly chilled drinks, including espresso martinis crafted in partnership with For Five Coffee Roasters. Live music throughout the week keeps the cozy space buzzing well into the evening.
Rye Bunny – Credit: Scott Suchman
From the team behind the Michelin-starred Tail Up Goat comes Rye Bunny, a relaxed Adams Morgan restaurant that swaps formal fine dining for counter service without sacrificing thoughtful cooking. Seasonal dishes, house-made breads and expertly prepared meats showcase chefs Jon Sybert and Anastasia Tyler's ingredient-driven approach, while the warm dining room with patchwork quilts and twinkling lights creates the feeling of a neighborhood gathering that locals can't get enough of.
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