Late Summer Bites & Early Fall Flavors: TheListAreYouOnIt’s End-of-Season Food Roundup

Summer has not officially ended just because Labor Day has come & gone, 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. 

Always seeking sushi? Check out our where we Sushi roundup, here. And if you're looking to let the chef take the reins, we've got a Tasting Menu list for you, right here. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

DCCK Capital Food Fight: DC Central Kitchen's Capital Food Fight, presented by Tyson Foods, is set for Thursday, November 6th at The Anthem. The annual fundraiser for DC Central Kitchen includes a thrilling stage show featuring the rising stars of DC’s culinary scene, tastes from dozens of top restaurants from across the region, and appearances from some of the biggest names in food. More info here. 

Bristol Bay Salmon Week: From September 8-14, Washington, DC restaurants will spotlight wild sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay, Alaska, as part of the fifth annual Bristol Bay Salmon Week, organized by the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA). Participating restaurants spread throughout the city and offering diverse cuisines, are presenting their unique takes on featuring sockeye salmon, showcasing the fish's versatility. Among those participating are Sequoia, King Street Oyster Bar, Maketto, Vagabond, and Matt & Tony’s. Visit these restaurants between September 8-14 to experience their special salmon dishes. Info here. 

Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts: Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts, presented with Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA), is a two-day outdoor festival happening October 4–5, 2025, in the heart of Tysons, VA. Designed for all ages, this immersive event transforms the streets of Capital One Center into a multi-block celebration of the arts— featuring interactive installations, hands-on workshops, live music, and culinary experiences for every generation. More info here. 

Taste of Bethesda: Here's a scavenger hunt for you: find a place where can you try food from your favorite downtown Bethesda restaurants while also enjoying live music on four different stages. Stumped? Here's a clue: it'll take place on the streets of Woodmont Triangle the first Saturday of October. That's right, Taste of Bethesda is back with delicious bites from more than 40 Bethesda restaurants. Taste of Bethesda will take place Saturday, October 4 from 11am - 4pm. Tickets here. 

Shuck It!: Early bird tickets are available for the Shuck It Oyster festival. 65 +dc tax per person* Join them for the 12th annual Georgetown Shuck It! Beer and Oyster Festival at Tony and Joe's! Saturday, October 18, 2025 1-5 pm ID required to enter. 21 and up. Get tickets here. 

Snallygaster: On October 11, 2025 the merry monster makes its triumphant return to DC for its 13th year as a rollicking tribute to the wonderful world of craft beer. Festival goers can expect a mind-boggling selection of no fewer than 450 highly sought-after draft beers, gravity kegs and bottle + can pours from 175+ of the finest American and international producers set against a backdrop of local food trucks and two stages of live music. info here. 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

That’s How the Apple Crumbles: Jeni’s has launched a new fall flavor for September. Caramel Apple Crumble bridges two apple worlds: the crisp freshness of orchard-picked fruit and the cozy decadence of a baked apple treat. Real apples, apple puree, and apple juice combine with two apple essences to capture that fresh-picked flavor, while a swirl of caramel sauce and oat crumble add gooey, sweet, comforting texture. Jeni’s 

Gameday Eats, Everyday: Upstate FTW, the latest project from acclaimed local restaurateurs Scott Drewno and Danny Lee of The Fried Rice Collective has opened. The menu reads like a culinary road trip through Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo with DC flair: The Garbage Plate, a mash-up of cheeseburgers, mac salad, chili, and mustard, and many more plates. 1314 U Street NW; Upstate.com

Mid-Autumn Festival: Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture and at Chang Chang. It is believed to be when the moon is at its fullest and brightest and the shape of mooncakes emulates the roundness of the moon - symbolizing family unity.Chang Chang’s moon cakes are traditional flaky and more delicate Suzhou-style. Order moon cakes here. 

Steak x Italian = Michael Mina: Chef Michael Mina, the award-winning culinary visionary behind Bourbon Steak, has debuted his newest restaurant, Acqua Bistecca. The concept celebrates the convivial spirit of Italian dining with house-made pastas, fresh seafood, chargrilled steaks, and Mina’s signature flair. 10 Ridge Square, CityRidge Development Washington, D.C.; 

Sprouting in Bethesda: Eat Sprout, celebrated for its scratch-made, local and organic ready-to-go meals, will open its first DC-area location at Bethesda Row. Enjoy wholesome favorites like oat bowls, chia puddings, smoothies, and acai bowls, alongside artisanal breads, and scratch-made salads and spreads. eatsprout.com

Explore India: Bindaas will be highlighting different regional menus from India. Now through December 2025, Monday through Saturday evenings, guests can explore a culinary adventure featuring a three-course fixed-priced dinner menu for $45 per person, exclusive of tax and service charge. September showcases cuisine from North India. Diners will begin the journey with an amuse of Golgappa/Bhel followed by an appetizer choice of Murg Makki Tikki, Spiced chicken, fresh corn, cheddar cheese, and mint chutney or Paneer Khurchan Tokri, Cottage cheese, bell peppers, chat masala, and a potato basket, followed by the entree choices of Shrimp Lababadar, Onion, tomatoes, ginger, green chili, and fenugreek or Murg Makhani, Chicken tikka, makhani sauce, and honey or Lamb Roganjosh, Caramelized onions, kashmiri chilis, saffron, and fennel or Navratan Korma, Seasonal vegetables, cashew nut, green cardamom, and mace, served with Naan and saffron rice.  2000 Pennsylvania Avenue; bindaasdc.com

Picnic Inspo: The St. Regis has added a new afternoon tea service to their menu. The St. Regis Washington, D.C.’s Afternoon Tea Picnic invites you to indulge in a refined al fresco experience, complete with an artful selection of savory sandwiches, delicate confections, and warm, freshly baked scones. After collecting your bespoke wicker basket from our Concierge team, stroll to your favorite sun-dappled corner of the city and settle in for an intimate experience for two. Unfold your picnic blanket and savor an array of sweet and savory delights including a Citrus Bloom Tart featuring blood orange curd and lime or a Smoked Salmon Sandwich featuring Norwegian Salmon, caviar and caper cream on pumpernickel bread alongside seasonal and classic scones and cookies, including Classic Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd, and Strawberry Jam. 923 16th St NW; marriott.com

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

New in Georgetown: Flor. Coffee + Books, a Buenos Aires-inspired café and bookshop has officially opened. Flor. Coffee + Books will offer specialty coffee, including their own coffee blend from Georgetown’s Grace Street Coffee Roasters,  Argentinian and French pastries and soft serve from Dolcezza. A whimsical gratitude machine called The Appreciation Station  will dispense gratitude prompts to inspire intention-setting and journaling.  The menu includes offerings such as Argentinian empanadas, chipás, medialunas, sandwiches, toasts, bowls, salads, and pastries, along with hot and iced espresso drinks, matcha and chai lattes, and loose-leaf teas. 1220 31st Street NW; @florcoffeeshop

Kayu Resurrection: After closing on H Street at the end of June, Kayu by Chef Paolo Dungca is officially back in Dupont Circle. The more casual, streamlined version of Chef Paolo’s former Filipino tasting room offers some new spins and old favorites from the previous menu, including a sweet corn agnolotti, Chef Paolo’s famous cassava cake with crab fat, jamón Ibérico, and trout roe, as well as ube bao bun chorizo burgers and crispy pork belly with a chickpea stew. Enjoy a glass of Chenin Blanc or a tamarind margarita while snacking on some bites at the bar, or sit down for a full dinner in the airy 40 seat dining room. 1633 17th St NW, Washington, DC; Kayu.com

Check Meowt: Tacocat, the latest addition to Western Market from acclaimed chef and restaurateur, Tim Ma, is now open at the Foggy Bottom-based food hall. The new taco stall is serving an unapologetically fun lineup of globally inspired bites, embracing a no-rules approach to Mexican staples. The menu blends creativity with authenticity, featuring a variety of tacos, burritos, tortas, and ceviches, alongside bold appetizers and playful takes on breakfast classics. 2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006; tacocatdc.com

New York’s All Day Cafe in DC: Daily Provisions, famous in NYC is coming to DC. Open early, Daily Provisions serves a unique take on classic breakfast items, including its signature crullers, B.E.C.s with a runny egg yolk, and freshly brewed coffee and teas. Throughout the afternoon and evening, Daily Provisions serves made-to-order, chef-driven sandwiches and salads, featuring favorites like the Chicken Milanese Sandwich with crispy breaded chicken, melted mozzarella, peppers, and onions on fresh baked focaccia, and the “Chefy” Salad with marinated white beans, cucumbers, Gruyere cheese, chicken, a jammy egg and Thousand Island dressing. 1601 Connecticut Avenue NW; dailyprovisions.com