Stars of the Show: Award-Winning Restaurants in Washington, DC

The accolades continue to pile up for one of DC’s most popular culinary personalities. José Andrés was named Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation in 2011 for his exceptional work at minibar, which was also deemed two-star worthy in DC’s Michelin Guide, Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year at the 2017 RAMMYS and was named Service Program of the Year in 2018. Andrés and his wife, Patricia Fernandez de la Cruz, were honored with the 2018 RAMMYS Exceptional Leadership & Impact Award for their contributions to the DC region as well as their humanitarian relief efforts in Puerto Rico. And if that wasn't enough, barmini was named the 2019 RAMMYS Cocktail Program of the Year. To go with those honors, four other Andrés creations were named as Bib Gourmands: Jaleo, Zaytinya, China Chilcano and Oyamel. So it’s safe to say that when you eat with José, you’re bound to be amazed (yes, we wanted that to rhyme).

The James Beard Foundation's 2019 Rising Star Chef of the Year and 2019 Rising Culinary Star of the Year Kwame Onwuachi reigns over the kitchen of the waterfront Afro-Caribbean concept Kith/Kin, a modest-yet-sophisticated 96-seat space located inside the InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf. The exciting restaurant wows patrons with a menu that celebrates Onwuachi’s heritage from West Africa to the Caribbean and New Orleans to New York. Make sure you try the hot-and-cold seafood plateau, which layers fresh shellfish atop vermillion snapper and more, as well as the curried goat roti plated with chickpeas two ways: toasted and pureed with tamarind.

This teensy 24-seat restaurant in Columbia Heights has been the star of the DC culinary scene with its modern take on Filipino food, served family-style and only to groups of four or fewer. How much has this hot spot soared, you ask? Chef Tom Cunanan was named the James Beard Awards Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 2019 and in 2016 the restaurant was named the number two best new restaurant in the country by Bon Appétit. Expect bold food with the cuisine’s influences of Spanish, Mexican, Chinese and American flavors.

Located in CityCenterDC, Centrolina is part food market, part restaurant, home to the mastery of RAMMYS 2018 Chef of the Year Amy Brandwein and her take on regional Italian cuisine. The small, yet thoughtful, seasonal menu relies on fresh local ingredients to transport diners on a culinary journey across the Italian peninsula. Expect pastas made in-house daily and wood-fired meat and fish.

The mouthwatering scent of savory smoked fish and meat emanates at all hours from the Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse, making this Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recipient a must visit. The neighborhood restaurant and bar is a hit with locals, as it was named Casual Restaurant of the Year at the 2018 RAMMYS and the 2019 RAMMYS Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year.

Get all fine-dined at Marcel’s, a French-Belgian restaurant that has been coated in accolades for both its food and its chef since it opened back in 1999. Chef Robert Wiedmaier was named Chef of the Year at the 2009 RAMMYS, and while that may seem like a while ago, Marcel’s was named Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year at the 2016 RAMMYS, so it’s still going strong. So is its amazing boudin blanc.

Across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, chef Eric Ziebold has formed a wholly distinctive menu at Kinship, one that has earned the buzzworthy abode a star in the Michelin Guide. Split into Craft, History, Ingredients and Indulgence, Ziebold takes you on a journey through cuisine. The chef cut his teeth at a Michelin three-star restaurant under Thomas Keller, which shows in the creative expertise of Kinship. His adjacent French-themed tasting menu restaurant, Métier, is also Michelin-starred and deserves consideration.

Chef Aaron Silverman is officially a DC dining superstar. For his incredible work at Rose’s Luxury, Silverman won Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic at the 2016 James Beard Awards. The no-reservations neighborhood eatery has been making waves since opening in 2014, when it was designated as the Best New Restaurant in America by Bon Appétit, and Rose’s received a one-star rating in the Michelin Guide. Silverman’s second locale, Pineapple and Pearls, features one of the best fine dining experiences in the District, evidenced by its two-star rating from Michelin. And if that wasn't enough, there's also Little Pearl, a one Michelin star cafe-by-day and wine-bar-by-night that serves as the casual spot in Silverman’s dining empire.

The name of this Capitol Hill locale almost says it all. Bold, artisan cuts of beef are the calling card of Charlie Palmer Steak, in addition to locally sourced seafood like Chesapeake Bay oysters and soft-shell crabs. But don’t stop there: the restaurant’s wine list is first-class, reflected in its award for Wine Program of the Year at the 2017 RAMMYS. In summary, Charlie Palmer Steak has all the necessary ingredients for a fantastic meal.

Situated in the Park Hyatt Washington, the Blue Duck Tavern features exquisitely cooked seasonal fare. If you’re in need of a brunch spot, the Tavern should be a go-to: the eatery took home the award for best Upscale Casual Brunch at the 2016 RAMMYS. Step inside to enjoy its open kitchen and wood-burning oven, and you’ll want to end each meal with the delicious apple pie.

Plume's German-born toque, Ralf Schlegel, isn't the first master chef in his family to earn a Michelin star, but he's the first to do so on American soil. The classically trained Schlegel executes his European-inspired dishes to perfection, something best experienced off the prix-fixe menu. The restaurant is located inside The Jefferson Hotel, one of the most historic in the District, and a fitting setting for Schlegel’s dynamic cooking.

Situated near Yards Park in Capitol Riverfront, Osteria Morini is a rustic escape to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Sure, you can take in the ragus, pastas and affordable wines, but it’s time to expose your taste buds to their wonderful brunch creations. Chef Michael White's two- and three-course brunch menu – home to dishes like the housemade brioche with duck confit and pistachio pesto – was named Upscale Brunch of the Year at the 2018 RAMMYS.

This cozy neighborhood locale has been raking in accolades, from winning Wine Program of the Year at the 2016 RAMMYS to its designation as a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide and chef Michael Friedman being named co-Restaurateur of the Year at the 2019 RAMMYS. A woodfire-powered kitchen, bucolic decor and a menu filled with Italian favorites such as mezze rigatoni with fennel sausage ragu and squid ink linguini make The Red Hen a must-visit during your culinary journey through the District.

Logan Circle is home to Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, which serves up some of the best oysters in the District and one of the city’s best brunches as well. Need proof? Pearl Dive was designated as a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide and has received RAMMYS for best Everyday Casual Brunch in 2016 and Favorite Gathering Place of the Year in 2017. The interior is decorated with relics from America’s past, suitable as you barrel through oyster spreads.

Although this Michael Mina restaurant’s specialty is right there in the name, it’s far from a one-trick pony: its impressive drink offerings won it Wine Program of the Year at the 2018 RAMMYS and Cocktail Program of the Year at the 2015 RAMMYS. While you dine on a T-Bone steak, sip a vintage vino or get experimental with a drink like the Hairy Chest (vodka, habanero, pineapple, fresh lime).

Chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s Michelin-starred Masseria presents an unforgettable dining experience in the midst of the bustling Union Market. With a menu consisting of three to six courses, each plate is equipped with loads of Italian flavor and pristine culinary style. Stefanelli’s menu guides you along the Italian coast, showcasing classic pastas, seafood and rare meat dishes like rabbit and squab. All of this, and more, is why Masseria was named Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year at the 2018 RAMMYS. Dessert is a treat, too: Masseria's Jemil Gadea won the 2017 RAMMY Award for Pastry Chef of the Year.