Summer Bites in the DMV: TheListAreYouOnIt’s Summer Food Roundup
Summer has officially rolled in, and the DMV is dishing out flavor in every form. Local chefs are serving up sun-soaked menus full of peak-season produce and bold ingredients. At TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we’ve rounded up the can't-miss dishes and dining experiences that define the season.
Craving al fresco everything? Don’t miss our Patio Pleasure Round Up & our Up On The Roof guide for the best open-air bites and rooftop sips.
And since June is Pride Month, we’re also highlighting where to dine, drink, and celebrate with purpose, check out our full Pride roundup, here. Want to support people in the LGBTQ space? See our list, here.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Global Bites Fest: Join Global Bites, Rockville’s city-wide celebration of food, culture, and community from June 1-14, 2025. Dine at any of the Rockville restaurants (must be in city limits; excludes national chains) listed below and after indulging, upload an image of your receipt to the Global Bites submission form to be entered for a chance to win one of three VISA gift cards ($50, $100, $200) to fund your next restaurant outing. Get tickets here.
Little Blackbird National Wagyu Day: Little Black Bird will celebrate National Wagyu Day on Friday, June 20, Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22, by offering a trio of Wagyu Sandwiches made with A5 Japanese Wagyu from Iwate Prefecture. The $30 trio will feature: Wagyu BLT with house made Wagyu bacon, Wagyu Shawarma in a Mini Pita and a Wagyu Katsu Sando. 3309 Connecticut Ave NW; littleblackbirddc.com
Pride & Pulse Block Party: On Saturday, June 28th, Rose Previte’sMaydan and Medina are teaming up with Stratus Firm to close out World Pride with the inaugural Pride & Pulse Block Party – a one-day-only celebration of community, joy, and care. Taking place just steps from Maydan and Medina, the street festival will feature live music, art, drag performances, culinary delights and a welcome cocktail from Maydan. All proceeds support Whitman-Walker Health and its mission to provide inclusive, affirming care for the LGBTQ+ community. Tickets here.
Embassy Chef Challenge: The Embassy Chef Challenge is back on Thursday, July 10th. This iconic event will be held in the Andrew W Mellon Auditorium. Attendees will travel the world with their taste buds, sampling bites and beverages from the participating countries while chefs compete to win the coveted People’s Choice Award, chosen by guests’ votes and announced alongside the Judges’ Choice, selected by a panel of influential members of the diplomatic, cultural and culinary communities. With more than 175 embassies in Washington DC, this international culinary competition is a uniquely DC, one-of-a-kind, culturally enticing experience, not just in America, but around the globe. This prestigious culinary event is expected to sell out once again, attracting passionate and adventurous epicures for a light-hearted evening of rich cultural indulgence. Tickets here.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
Jeni’s Goose Tracks: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is turning up the volume with their latest release, teaming up with the beloved band Goose for a limited-edition flavor: Goose Tracks. Goose Tracks is a reimagining of the classic black raspberry chip, made richer with juicier berries like red raspberries and blackberries, and layered with bittersweet chocolate flakes Jeni's.com
Fifteen Years of Carmine’s: In celebration of Carmine’s DC’s 15th Anniversary, Chef Glenn Rolnick created a fun and playful, and fully vegetarian, twist on the restaurant’s traditional lasagna. To honor the anniversary, Carmine’s will donate 20% of the purchase price from each dish sold to DC Central Kitchen. Lasagna pinwheels feature tender spinach lasagna sheets from Rafetto’s NYC rolled with a rich mixture of fresh spinach, sundried peppers, Ricotta and Mozzarella cheeses. The addition of roasted eggplant and aromatic basil enhances the flavor profile. 425 7th Street NW; carminesnyc.com
Chef Update: Fred “Freddo” Anderson in at Cynthia Bar & Bistro: Cynthia Bar and Bistro has a new Executive Chef, Fred ‘Freddo’ Anderson—a homegrown talent returning to the H Street neighborhood where he was raised. While a menu update is still in the works, Anderson is making his presence known with a bold Father’s Day weekend special: a massive ax-handle ribeye steak for two, served with comforting, soulful sides. It’s a dish that reflects both his culinary style and his intention to make a big impact. 502 H Street NE, Washington, DC; cynthiadc.com
Moet & Satay: Philippe Chow by Chef Philippe Chow, has paired up with Moët & Chandon for a luxe summertime dining experience, right on the waterfront at the Wharf through August 31. The new “Moët & Satay” experience elevates dinners at Philippe Chow into a four-course adventure, with dishes like Chicken Satay, Duck Spring Rolls, tempting Truffle and Chicken Potstickers, work-fried Nine Seasons Spicy Prawns and Salt and Pepper Lobster paired alongside sips of crisp Moët Champagne, presented as a bottle for every two guests. It all culminates in a chef’s selection of desserts, presented for the table. 635 Wharf St. SW; philippechow.com
South Asian Summer: Chef Suresh Sundas’s new South Asian offerings include summer dishes like Maryland Blue Crab Uttapam ($26) with Bell Pepper, Ghee, Onion, Podi Masala, Tomato & Coconut Chutney, Tandori Poussin ($36) Whole Roasted Young Chicken, Garam Masala, Greek Yogurt, Mushroom Pulao, Radish Salad plus summer desserts such as a light Rasmali Cheesecake ($12) with Seasonal Berries, and Nankhatai Crust. 600 H St NE Suite E; taporidc.com
Summer of ‘92 : Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab is officially kicking off summer with something special— Summer of ’92 menu. This limited-time, 3-course prix fixe menu ($59) is a vibrant celebration of the season, packed with fresh coastal flavors, elevated classics, and indulgent upgrades for every course. From Burrata Salad and Filet Mignon to Peaches & Cream Bread Pudding, each dish brings a modern twist to nostalgic summer dining. trulucks.com
Rocky Road Summer Lavain: Levain Bakery is bringing back its fan-favorite Rocky Road cookie for a limited time this summer. The dark chocolate cookie is packed with rich, semisweet chocolate chips, crunchy almonds, and pillowy marshmallows and is available at all bakeries for $6.00. Pro tip: Pair it with a scoop of Dolcezza ice cream, available exclusively this summer at Levain’s DMV locations, for the ultimate à la mode treat. levainbakery.com
Competitive Eating Alert: Z-Burger, a popular DC area hamburger chain, is actively recruiting a range of competitors—from local amateurs to international professionals—to compete in the 16th annual Independence Burger Eating Championships on Thursday, July 3rd at 12:00PM. The last winner of the nation’s most competitive burger-eating contest was the world’s number one competitive female eater, Molly Schuyler. Schuyler stomached 34 burgers within the allotted ten minutes to take home the title for the tenth straight time. Apply here.
Round Donuts, Square Location (Pop Up Alert): Donisima is launching a pop-up at The Square—a culinary hub featuring some of D.C.’s top chefs and concepts. Known for reimagining Latin donuts like bizcochos, sonhos, and sopapillas, Donisima uses small-batch techniques and native ingredients to create one-of-a-kind flavors. 1850 K St NW, Washington, D.C.; donisima.com
Chef Update: Nick Sharpe in at La Bise: Chef Nick Sharpe has been tapped to become the new executive chef at La Bise, joining the Knightsbridge Restaurant Group’s culinary team of talented chefs. A Maryland native, Sharpe most recently helmed the kitchen at Ceces Roland Park in Baltimore, Maryland, serving as a chef partner. Before this appointment, he was the executive chef at Cranes Spanish Kaiseki in Washington, D.C. His tenure in the nation’s capital includes being the opening executive chef at Lyle’s, a seasonal American restaurant and bar, from October 2019 to October 2021. 800 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 600; labisedc.com
Chef Update: Michael Fusano in at Annabelle: Ashok Bajaj, founder and CEO of award-winning Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Fusano as the new executive chef of the Michelin Guide recommended modern American cuisine restaurant, Annabelle. Michael Fusano hails from Southern California. Classically French trained at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Pasadena, California, in 2000, Fusano was tapped for his first opportunity as a cook, working for his early mentor Chef Robert Gadsby at Noe Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. 2132 Florida Avenue, NW; Annabelle.com
Glam Mediterranean in Dupont: Casamara, a glamorous, airy restaurant capturing the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean has recently opened. Nosh on the rustic, lovely Sardine Toast (sourdough, avocado aioli, pickled red onion, almonds, fresh herbs), or the delicate and citrusy Branzino Crudo, flecked with Italian peppers, and hints of basil and lemon, brought together with an exquisite single-origin olive oil, before indulging in the show stopping Double-Boned Iberico Pork Chop (maple brine, peppers, onion, urfa, maple cider jus) or Harissa Roast Chicken, redolent of paprika oil and brightened with tart grapes and lemon. Casamar.com
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
Chefs on a Roll x Paraiso: For the month of June, Chefs... On A Roll unveils its latest monthly sandwich collaboration, this time with seasoned chef and culinary leader, Avinesh Rana of Paraíso. Drawing from his Nepalese heritage and a growing passion for Mexican cuisine, Chef Nash brings a globally inspired twist to this month’s feature: the Birria Torta — made with birria beef, smashed avocado, Oaxaca cheese, romaine, tomato, pickled peppers, onion, cilantro, and served on a toasted roll with a side of consommé. Available for a limited time only, the Birria Torta is priced at $15.99. beresovskys.com
Aren’t We Lucky?: Chef and restaurateur Tim Ma brings Lucky Danger to its rightful home in Washington D.C.’s greater Chinatown neighborhood. Starters included an allium pancake (more from the onion family than the standard scallion) with a crunchy salad of kohlrabi and cured cucumber, plated with whipped tofu, chili oil and caviar. Signature crab rangoons arrive with a hint of Old Bay over a blood-orange sweet and sour sauce. Additional small plates include pork wontons with morels and silky beef short rib and bone marrow dumplings in a pool of huacatay, a Peruvian salsa verde. 709 D St., NW, Washington, DC 20004; Luckydanger.com
Jamaican Eatz: Passport Eatz, a Jamaican fusion fast-casual restaurant, and its sister concept, Passport Juices, have officially opened. The menu at Passport Eatz is intentionally crafted to showcase familiar Jamaican flavors through unique presentations. Guests can expect signature sandwiches served on fluffy coco bread, including the One Love sandwich which features jerk chicken and pineapple coleslaw, served with a tangy dipping sauce; the Silver Spring’s Best sandwich filled with tender oxtail, onions, peppers, and mozzarella cheese; and the Ocho Rios made with jerk chicken, cheddar cheese, and roasted red peppers. The sandwich section also includes the Kingston Chop, Passport Eatz’s take on the iconic chopped cheese sandwich, filled with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, and cheese.8200 Dixon Ave, Silver Spring, MD;
Friday Lunch Bunch (Lunch Alert): Neutral Ground now serves lunch on fridays. The Friday Lunch menu features two-handed sandwiches - like the Gulf Shrimp Burger with Greens, Pickled Onion, and a Horseradish Tartar Sauce and a Potato Bun, served alongside French Fries; the Fried Oyster Po’boy with Crispy Fried Oysters, Lemon-Dill Remoulade, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickles; the Lobster Roll served with a top split grilled Potato Bun, creamy Lemon & Dill, and Kettle Chips; and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich with Panko-Crusted Chicken Breast, Pimiento Cheese, and Dill Pickles. 6641 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA; neutralgroundbarandkitchen.com
Marcus in DC: Marcus DC, by the award-winning chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson has opened. The restaurant explores modern American cooking through the Black lens, with inspiration from D.C. to Ethiopia to Sweden, and beyond. Nodding to heritage, the seasons and a sense of place, the menu features mambo-sauced roast chicken, grilled whole bass and dry-aged tomahawk steak. Swediopian, a dish of cured salmon, goldenberry broth, fennel and a teff crisp, mirrors Samuelsson’s birthplace and the land where he was raised. 222 M Street, NE; marcusdc.com
Your Dish on the Menu: KNEAD Hospitality + Design has launched “Yes, Chef!,” a new initiative across all of their celebrated restaurants in The District, including Mi Vida, Succotash, Succotash PRIME, The Grill, Gatsby, and Bistro Du Jour. Home chefs are invited to submit a favorite recipe beloved by family and friends for a chance to have it featured on the menu at one of these restaurants. One winner will be selected for each restaurant concept. Each winning dish will be prepared in collaboration with KNEAD’s culinary team and served weekly complimentary for the winner.kneadhd.com
A Decade of Delicious: In a city where the restaurant scene is constantly evolving, three D.C. favorites are proudly defying the odds—and doing it with heart, soul, and incredible food. This year, Centrolina, Lapis, and The Dabney each mark their 10-year anniversaries, and while their menus are world-class, it’s their deeper mission that makes them true standouts.
-At Centrolina, chef-owner Amy Brandwein—a 7-time James Beard nominee—opened Centrolina in 2015 with an all-female leadership team and a vision of refined Italian cuisine rooted in Mid-Atlantic seasonality. As a longtime champion of women in the culinary industry, she’s celebrating the milestone with a 10-Year Anniversary Menu featuring her 10 favorite dishes from the past decade, available June 1–6.
-In Adams Morgan, Lapis continues to shine as both a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand favorite and a cultural beacon for D.C.’s Afghan community. The Popal family has turned the restaurant into a platform for advocacy, hosting everything from refugee fundraisers to cultural bazaars—all while sharing the rich, home-cooked flavors of Chef Shamim Popal’s Afghan heritage.
-Chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s MICHELIN-starred The Dabney has spent the last decade rewriting the narrative around Mid-Atlantic cuisine. From highlighting invasive species like blue catfish to celebrating the region’s watermen, purveyors, and culinary heritage, the James Beard Award winner continues to lead with intention, sustainability, and unforgettable flavor.
Three restaurants. Ten incredible years, countless ways they’ve fed us.
Chef Update: Lyndsey Barton at The Fairmont: Lyndsey Barton has been appointed executive pastry chef for Fairmont Washington. Prior to joining Fairmont, Barton was the pastry sous chef for MGM National Harbor from October of 2023. There, she handled high-volume pastry production, recipe development and created high-end culinary experiences for guests. fairmont.com
Colada Shop Sizzles: Colada Shop is celebrating summer with a sizzling refresh of seasonal menu items. The new Shrimp Ceviche ($13.50), made fresh daily, is bright, citrusy, and both gluten-free and dairy-free. Additional summer standouts include the Crispy “Congris” Rice Salad ($13.75), a hearty and satisfying plant-based dish, indulgent Churro Waffles ($12.50), and the always-loved Pan de Bono ($3.25), a gluten-free cheesy roll straight from the oven. coladashop.com
Partners in Carbs: A new “carb bar” has opened up inside Buffalo & Bergen. This is a dream come true for Neil Dundee. Try dishes like the Lucifer $20 (Red Sauce, Onion, Salami, Pecorino, Parmesan, Hot Honey, and Chili Flakes) along with many other carb-related creations. 3501 Connecticut Ave NW; buffalobergendc.com
