{Keeping you up to date on the absolute latest in restaurant openings in the DC Metro area.

KATSUMI

1520 14th Street NW The Rhythm & Eats team has opened KATSUMI, a new Japanese restaurant in the heart of Logan Circle. The space is intimate and atmospheric, defined by soft lighting, subtle neon and thoughtfully curated Japanese-inspired artwork. KATSUMI focuses on high-quality sushi and shareable dishes served in a vibrant, composed setting. The restaurant is led by Michelin-starred chef Masaaki “Uchi” Uchino, with 2025 James Beard Semifinalist Andra “AJ” Johnson overseeing the dining experience as General Manager. The KATSUMI menu draws from familiar Japanese dishes, shaped with modern, traditional and unexpected touches. Highlights include Maki rolls, sashimi selections, hot dishes, and more. The beverage program introduces specially crafted cocktails, wine and a seasonally curated sake list. For more information, visit their website here.Photo by Scott Suchman
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{What’s in that empty storefront? Which favorite chef is opening up where, and when? All those details and more in Coming Soon.

MARU SAN

PROJECTED OPENING: Early 2026 325 7th Street SE Chef Carlos Delgado will be opening, Maru San, in Eastern Market this month. Maru San will offer Nikkei-cuisine and offer quick-serve style at the 25-seat counter. Guests can get excited for a variety of rolls, à la carte options, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. For more information, click here.
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All the food news that you can use.

Black History Month: Where to Experience...

Black history isn’t something we only reflect on during the month of February, it’s something we experience, every day, in this city. Washington, DC is layered with stories of resilience, creativity, activism, and joy, and Black History Month is the perfect moment to engage more deeply with the places that honor and amplify those stories. There’s iconic landmarks and living cultural spaces here that provide meaningful ways to connect with Black history and culture across the District.Where to Go for History & CultureBlack Broadway Walking TourExplore the U Street Corridor, once known as Black Broadway, and uncover the stories of legendary musicians, theaters, businesses, and community leaders who shaped DC’s cultural identity.Go-Go MuseumA love letter to DC’s homegrown sound, the Go-Go Museum celebrates the music, artists, and community that made Go-Go a cultural force and a living tradition.Howard TheatreA historic stage that has welcomed icons from Duke Ellington to Ella Fitzgerald, the Howard Theatre remains a cornerstone of Black performance and culture in DC.Martin Luther King Jr. MemorialA powerful space honoring Dr. King’s legacy, words, and enduring call for justice, equality, and service.National Museum of African American History and CultureA deeply moving journey through African American history, culture, and contributions — from slavery to the present day — told with care, honesty, and pride.Chez Joey (at Arena Stage)A vibrant theatrical production exploring Black identity, storytelling, and lived experience through a contemporary lens — proof that Black history is also unfolding in real time. Feeding Us Deliciously - Black-Owned Restaurants & Chefs in the DMVBlack history in DC doesn’t live only in museums and monuments, it lives at the table. The city’s Black chefs, restaurateurs, bakers, and beverage pros continue to nourish us and tell stories through food every single day. From soulful comfort classics to boundary-pushing fine dining these are thekitchens shaping how DC eats now:ANJUWith Chef Angel Barreto behind the stove, ANJU blends Korean technique. Ben’s Chili BowlThe OG of OGs, a DC institution serving half-smokes & history.CaneChef Jeanine Prime brings Trinidadian cooking to DCThe ContinentA longtime destination for Pan-African flavors & nightlife.DCity SmokehouseCraft barbecue of smoked meats.Doro Soul FoodAmerican soul food layered with Ethiopian flavors.DogonChef Kwame Onwuachi brings another award-winning concept to DC, stories through an Afro-Caribbean lens.Dukem EthiopianA cornerstone of DC’s Ethiopian dining scene, known for generous platters.EATOPIA EateryArt-forward restaurant offering authentic, high-quality Ethiopian cuisine.ElminaGhanaian flavors take center stage under Chef Eric Adjepong.ETHIOPICElevated Ethiopian cuisine in a refined settingFish ScaleA sustainable seafood restaurant in Shaw, owned and operated by siblings Brandon Williams and Kristal Williams.Florida Avenue GrillOpen since 1944, this diner serves large portions of down-home Southern classics.HedzoleChef Candice Mensah’s fast-casual spot specializing in Ghanaian and West African cuisine.Marcus by Marcus Samuelsson: Led by Chef Anthony Jones, blending American cuisine with African and Black culinary traditions.Makers UnionA modern gathering place with global influences.MelangeHome to one of DC’s best burgers, courtesy of Chef Elias Taddesse.Milk & Honey CaféNeighborhood café serving comforting classics from breakfast through dinner.MLK DeliA community staple, owner Tyrone White is known for comfort food and generous portions.Mr Bake Sweets: Kareem (Mr. Bake) Queeman delivers sweet treats around the DMVNegril the Jamaican EateryKnown for authentic island favorites like curry chicken, oxtail, and their signature Jamaican pattiesNuVegan CaféA plant-based café spotlighting vegan comfort food through a Black culinary lens.Hen Quarter PrimeSouthern restaurant in DC’s Buzzard Point.Oohh’s & Aahh’sIconic soul food institution owned and operated by Chef Oji Abbott.Park at 14thA longtime destination for elevated cocktails and late-night energy.Sankofa Video Books & CaféA cultural hub where food, books, film, and Black history intersect. Founded in 1997-1998 by filmmakers Shirikiana and Haile Gerima.St. JamesAnother Jeanine Prime concept featuring modern Caribbean cuisine with a lively vibe.Sost: Restaurant, café and speakeasy experience where the Black and African Diaspora thrive via music and food.Sweet Home CaféA celebration of the African diaspora, located within the National Museum of African American History and Culture.Vibe RestaurantA dining and nightlife destination blending global flavors with DJ-driven energy.Willow SongChef Jeffrey Williams brings thoughtful cooking rooted in storytelling. Black History Month is both a moment of reflection and a call to action. This month — and always — let’s keep learning, supporting, and honoring the stories that make this city what it is.
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Tune in regularly to hear Nycci Nellis talk food trends and news on WTOP Radio.

Super Bowl Sunday in DC: Nycci Nellis Shares...

As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, Nycci Nellis from TheListAreYouOnIt.com shares top spots around DC for game-day food and viewing. For those staying home, she highlights restaurants offering pre-order packages like barbecue spreads, fried chicken feasts, taco bars, and plenty of wings—reminding everyone to order early before they sell out. If you’re heading out, she suggests lively sports bars with projector screens, rooftop parties, beer specials, and ticketed events. For a more elevated vibe, she recommends chic rooftops and hotel lounges offering cocktails and oysters while watching the game. Nycci wraps up by sharing her own indulgent favorites and admits she’s just as excited for the commercials and halftime show as the game itself.
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Take a deep dive into the Industry and beyond.

Industry Night: It’s a Family Affair: The...

Hey everyone, it’s Nycci Nellis, and welcome back to Industry Night, where we go behind the scenes with the people shaping the hospitality industry, not just through food and drink, but through culture and community. Today’s show is a special one. I’m coming to you from one of my favorite rooms in the city, a.kitchen + bar at Hotel AKA,  a place that's the perfect backdrop for conversations about leadership and vision (and a killer burger!).This episode is about family and what it really takes to build something lasting in hospitality, especially at a moment when so many restaurants are fighting just to stay open.Later in the show, I’ll be joined by Ellen Yin and Chef de Cuisine George Madovsky for a conversation about thoughtful cooking in one of the city’s most beloved dining rooms.But first,  a conversation I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I’m genuinely excited because I’ve known Omar and Fatima Popal since they were in their early twenties, long before The Popal Group became one of the most respected hospitality families in Washington, D.C. When the Popal family opened Café Bonaparte in Georgetown in 2003 — what many of you now know as Lutèce — they weren’t just opening a restaurant. They were building a new life. They were also some of the very first advertisers on http://TheListAreYouOnIt.com , and watching their journey unfold over the years has been nothing short of remarkable.Today, Omar Popal is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of The Popal Group, leading concept development, design, and long-term vision for restaurants including Lapis, Lapop, Lutèce, Pascual, and Maison Bar à Vins. Fatima Popal, Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer, oversees financial strategy, human resources, growth, and philanthropy.  All while fiercely protecting the people-first culture that defines the group.Together, they represent a powerful family story rooted in Afghan heritage and a hospitality group that continues to grow while staying deeply authentic.Let’s get into it. Listen to the full episode here and watch it here.  
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