Fall for These Dishes: The List’s List of Best Bites

The DMV has officially turned the corner into fall. Farmers' markets are swapping tomatoes for squash, chefs are loading menus with apples and root vegetables, and suddenly every meal feels like the start of soup season. This is the season for braises that make the whole kitchen smell like Sunday. This is one of the best times of year to eat around the region.

Here at TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we've rounded up the can't-miss bites, menu changes and dining experiences to help you eat your way through fall.

• Make a night of it with a show + a great pre or post-theatre meal with our theatre + dining guide here
• This week's list of The List's favorite beverages is right here
• From festivals and pop-ups to patio parties, restaurant events, and fall food happenings around the region, we've got those covered here
• Looking for cozy dining? Check out our Patio Pleasures + Up On The Roof roundups featuring patios, rooftops, courtyards & outdoor dining spots all across the DMV — now with fire pits and blankets.

So much more fall deliciousness below:

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

A Very NYC PopUp: James Beard Award-winning chef Paola Velez is teaming up with Stracci Pizza chef-owner Tom Cardarelli for a 3-night collaboration November 10-12 in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood. Inspired by NYC bodegas, the special menu features Chopped Cheese Pizza, Plantain Sticky Buns à la mode, and a few sweet surprises. Available starting at 5:00 p.m. each night until sold out, with limited quantities and walk-ins only; straccipizza.com

Capital Area Food Bank - At the Table: The Capital Area Food Bank is launching At the Table, a 3-part dinner series bringing together acclaimed restaurants and local culinary talent to raise funds and awareness around food insecurity in the DMV. The series kicked off October 14 at Karravaan, followed by The Ruxton on February 16 and Joon on May 10, with each evening featuring special food, cocktails, desserts, and collaborations. Tickets are $350.00 per dinner, with proceeds supporting the Food Bank’s work to address hunger across the region; capitalareafoodbank.org

Mariachi, Tacos, & Margaritas at Apapacho: Apapacho is teaming up with Mariachi Imperio for Mal de Amores, a monthly night of live mariachi, tacos, margaritas, and heartbreak anthems. Guests can sing along to 2 hours of live music while enjoying food and drinks, with one rule: don't call your ex! Upcoming dates include November 13, and December 11 at Apapacho’s Union Market location; apapachotaqueria.com

Rasika West End & Bombay Club Celebrate Diwali: Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj’s restaurants are celebrating Diwali November 6 through 8 with festive menus and candle displays honoring the Festival of Lights. At Rasika West End, Chef Vikram Sunderam’s specials include Chicken Tikka Pista, Tandoori Sunehri Shrimp, Lamb Chop Posto Korma, and Palak Paneer Lasagna. At The Bombay Club, Chef Nilesh Singhvi is serving dishes like Avadhi Kebab, Crab Korma, Lobster Kaliya, Nalli Gosht, and a traditional dessert sampler. Specials will be available for dinner November 6 through 7 and lunch and dinner November 8; rasikarestaurant.com

20 Years of Central Michel Richard: Central is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Saturday, November 7, at 7 p.m. with a special evening honoring the legacy of Chef Michel Richard. Chefs David Deshaies and Cedric Maupillier will reimagine Richard’s signature dishes as passed bites, alongside an open bar and silent auction. Tickets are $150.00 per person, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; opentable.com

ChallahFest: As part of ANU Museum’s global Challahfest, Sixth & I will host Beyond the Braid: Challah, Culture, and Identity on Sunday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m. Moderated by FOODISH founder Merav Oren, the conversation features James Beard Award-winning chef Pati Jinich and chef Alexander “Zoonder” Lachnish, exploring Jewish identity, memory, and culture through the tradition of challah. Guests can arrive at 5:00 p.m. for drinks and a challah lollipop decorating activity with Baked by Yael. Tickets are $12.00 for the panel or $22.00 with the reception; sixthandi.org

Capital Food Fight: DC Central Kitchen’s annual Capital Food Fight returns November 12, bringing together top chefs, local restaurants, and celebrity guests for a night of food and friendly competition. This year’s battling chefs include Scheyla Acosta, Anthony Jones, Brian Lacayo, and Robbie Reyes, with appearances by Eric Adjepong, Tiffany Derry, Andrew Zimmern, and more. Guests can enjoy bites from participating restaurants while supporting a great cause, with 100% of event proceeds benefiting DC Central Kitchen’s hunger relief and culinary job training programs; capitalfoodfight.org

Four Seasons DC Wine & Dine: The fifth annual Wine & Dine returns November 12 through 13, bringing together celebrity chefs, local culinary talent, and exceptional wines and spirits in support of MedStar Health’s lung cancer research initiatives. The celebration kicks off November 12 with a Culinary Showcase at Bourbon Steak DC from 6:00 tp 10:00 p.m., featuring chef action stations, passed bites, and wine and spirit tastings from chefs including Michael Mina, Lorena Garcia, Douglas Keane, Quentin Welch, and Jillian Fitch. On November 13, guests can enjoy an intimate 4-course celebrity chef dinner with curated wine pairings; web.cvent.com

Karavan Diwali Gathering: DC Diwali returns on Sunday, November 15, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Karravaan for an afternoon celebrating South Asian culture. The festivities include Silk Road-inspired cuisine, music by DJ Vicious, South Asian-owned small businesses, and a special appearance by comedian Badar Tareen. Guests are encouraged to dress in South Asian festive attire, with net proceeds benefiting Ashiyanaa, a nonprofit supporting South Asian survivors of domestic violence across the DMV; resy.com

Shelia’s Table at Salamander Middleburg: Salamander Middleburg is launching Sheila’s Table, an intimate culinary series hosted by resort owner Sheila Johnson, with its inaugural experience November 15 through 17 featuring Chicago chef and entrepreneur Cliff Rome. The 3-day gathering will include hands-on cooking experiences, chef-led dinners at Harrimans, tastings, cocktails, and fireside conversations exploring the stories behind the food. Attendance is limited, and overnight packages are available. Each gathering will also support a charitable cause selected by the featured chef; salamanderresort.com

DC Capital Feast: On Monday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m., DC Capital Feast returns to The Square for an evening celebrating DC’s culinary community. Guests can enjoy dishes from Rose Previte (Maydan), Susan Bae (Moon Rabbit), Anthony Jones (Marcus DC), and Kareem “Mr. Bake” Queeman, with special recognition of C•CAP alumna Chef Nadia Montague. All proceeds benefit C•CAP, supporting more than 1,400 D.C. public school students through culinary training, scholarships, and career opportunities; my.onecause.com

Holiday Cookie Exchange: The annual Holiday Cookie Swap will be at La Collina on Monday, December 7, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., alongside a special Cookie Kindness Project fundraiser benefiting Sasha Bruce Youthwork, which supports young people experiencing homelessness in the DC area. Participants can join the cookie swap, contribute baked goods to the fundraiser, or take part in both. Registration closes October 24 for the fundraiser and November 28 for the cookie swap; sign up here

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

Adler x Astro: Astro is continuing its chef collaboration series with Caruso’s Grocery, introducing a Brooklyn-Style Cheesecake Doughnut filled with cream cheese and topped with strawberry glaze, graham cracker crumble, and white chocolate drizzle. Through November 9, guests can also enjoy 2 returning collaborations: Cane’s Rum Cake Doughnut and Purple Patch’s Ube Cinnamon Doughnut. All 3 are available for $5.50 each at both Astro locations, with proceeds benefiting Sister Mentors, Arcadia, and No Kid Hungry. The Caruso’s Grocery doughnut will remain available throughout November, supporting Arcadia; astrodoughnuts.com

Mussel Up: Common Plate Hospitality has opened its first DC location in Cathedral Heights! The Belgian-inspired restaurant features more than a dozen mussel and clam preparations, including Beer & Bacon, Tex-Mex with chorizo, Creole with andouille, and Green Curry, alongside a curated craft beer selection. The 150-seat space is also a destination for sports fans, with 15 TVs and a 180-inch projector screen. Weekend brunch features Chicken & Waffles, Belgian Waffles, and Croque Madame, served Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; eataugies.com

Back to the Green with Marcus: Chef Marcus Samuelsson is celebrating the release of his new cookbook, “Back to Green: Rediscovering a World of Delicious, Healthy Eating,” with a special companion menu at Marcus DC. Inspired by the book’s exploration of global ingredients and culinary traditions, Chef Anthony Jones has created dishes including Awaze Roasted Head-On Shrimp with jerk squash purée, Whole Grilled Fish with pepper sauce and green mango, and Spiced Donuts with glazed cherries and Chantilly cream; marcussamuelssongroup.com/marcus-dc

Art on a Plate: Fish Shop at The Wharf is celebrating the release of “A Cookbook for Iwan: From Studio to Stove, Recipes from Hauser & Wirth’s Global Family,” featuring 200+ recipes from artists and creatives, including Annie Leibovitz and Amy Sherald. As part of the celebration, Chef Ria Montes is recreating Amy Sherald’s Aunt Brenda’s Gulf Coast Gumbo, bringing a personal family recipe from the acclaimed artist to the restaurant’s menu; fishshopdc.com

Spice is Nice: James Beard Award-winning chef Meherwan Irani’s small-batch spice brand is opening its 2nd storefront in Georgetown on November 6. The Asheville-based brand will offer a wide selection of freshly roasted and ground spices, signature blends, gift-ready collections, and exclusive collaborations, alongside snacks, condiments, and pantry essentials from local DMV makers. The opening follows the recent debut of Irani’s Botiwalla restaurant in Tenleytown, just 2 miles away; spicewallabrand.com

Autumnal Omakase: Nobu DC in the West End is introducing 2 new seasonal offerings, including an off-menu Fish & Chips with Caviar special, available by request on weekends. The dish features tempura-fried Glacier 51 Chilean Sea Bass with yuzu-tamari crème fraîche and a tin of Kolikof Grand Reserve Ossetra Sturgeon Caviar. Guests can also enjoy a fall omakase tasting menu, available nightly through January 3, featuring Baked Oyster Shichimi Amazu, Chilean Sea Bass with black pepper crust, Prime Heritage Angus Tenderloin, and a selection of chef’s sushi and sashimi; noburestaurants.com

Our Bar + Brunch: Daniella Senior’s 5C Hospitality, the team behind Colada Shop and Elegancia, has opened Bar Nuestro at Urby in Navy Yard. The Latin-rooted, European-inspired bistrot features dishes like Yuca Beignets, Oxtail Mafalde, and Pork Chop Milanesa, alongside Build Your Own Martinis, Tiny Tinis, and creative cocktails. Weekend brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring Wagyu Hash Toast, Huevos a la Criolla, Chivito Sandwiches, and brunch cocktails. The kitchen is peanut- and tree nut-free and cooks without seed oils; barnuestro.com

Caviar Service, Yes Please: Wild Goat Hospitality’s steakhouse in Pike & Rose is introducing a new Caviar Bar and Caviar Service from Chef Aris Tsekouras. Guests can add Precious Pearls Kaluga or Ossetra caviar to bites like Crab Rolls, Tuna Carpaccio, Beef Tartare, and Crispy Potatoes, or enjoy traditional caviar service with blini, capers, crème fraîche, shallots, and cured egg yolk. The restaurant’s signature “Coldest Martini in D.C.” can also be upgraded with a caviar-stuffed olive garnish. The new offerings are available now; eatbouboulina.com

Southern Coastal Indian for Brunch? Yes, Please: Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj’s Forest Hills restaurant Malabar is now serving Sunday brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The buffet, created by James Beard Award-winning Chef Vikram Sunderam, features a rotating selection of modern Indian dishes, including Kerala Fish Fry, Mangalorean Chicken Curry, Lamb Roganjosh, vegetarian specialties, and traditional desserts. Guests can also enjoy mimosas, Bloody Marys, and sparkling wine, or unlimited brunch drinks for 90 minutes; malabar-dc.com

Tweet, Tweet PSL: Chef/Owner Eric Brannon is giving the classic pumpkin spice latte a savory twist with his new Latte Spiced Pumpkin dish. Japanese kabocha squash is roasted with espresso and warm spices, paired with soy-whiskey caramel, and finished with an airy peppercorn-and-chili milk foam, bringing familiar fall flavors from the coffee cup to the plate; littlebirdieva.com

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:

Fred & Stilla…Not Stella: Located inside The Ven at Embassy Row in Dupont Circle, Fred & Stilla is welcoming fall with a refreshed menu of globally inspired comfort food and new weekly specials. Highlights include Ahi Tuna Nachos, Kuku Paku coconut curry chicken, Lamb Osso Buco, and the Wagyu Fred Burger. Guests can also enjoy Tequila & Taco Tuesdays and Bourbon & Burger Thursdays, along with a Premium Tequila Tasting, weekday happy hour from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., and late-night specials; fredandstilla.com

Meyhane…Sit and Stay a While: Tiffany’s has introduced a new Meyhane-style menu inspired by Executive Chef Mehmet Sukutli’s Turkish upbringing and the tradition of sharing leisurely meals over mezze, wine, and raki. The centerpiece is the Meyhane Experience for Two, featuring dips, salads, and grilled meats and seafood. New à la carte dishes include Duck Mutancana and Atom Mezze, alongside Turkish-inspired cocktails like the Pickled Bazaar and Reis, plus desserts including Turkish Wet Cake and Red Pepper Sorbet; tiffanysbistrobar.com

Yala! Your Greek Summer Continues Into Fall: Yala is welcoming fall with a lineup of seasonal flavors, starting with Chai on October 8 and Pumpkin Spice on October 10. Later this month, guests can look forward to Dark Chocolate (dairy-free), Apple Pie, and Cinnamon Apple Baklava. Founded by Chrys Kefalas, Yala specializes in Greek yogurt ice cream made with locally sourced A2 dairy from Maryland’s South Mountain Creamery. The brand’s popular pop-up at Conrad Washington, DC has also been extended through the fall; yalagreekicecream.com

Private Dining, Yes Chef!: Chef Amy Brandwein, the restaurateur behind Centrolina, has launched Casalina, a new private dining and catering company serving the DC area. Inspired by seasonal Italian cooking and locally sourced ingredients, Casalina offers customized experiences ranging from intimate dinner parties and celebrations to corporate breakfasts, lunches, and meetings. Menus feature dishes like Pear & Ricotta Tortelli, Chestnut Pappardelle, Beef Tenderloin, and Maple Budino, alongside house-made pastries, grazing boards, and aperitivo selections; casalinadc.com