You Want A Bite? TheList’s List of Deliciousness
Still feeling that last weekend of Summer? The DMV certainly is. Farmers’ markets are still overflowing, chefs are loading menus with peak-season produce, grills are firing up, and suddenly every meal feels like a good excuse to stay out a little longer. This is the season! Tomato salads that actually taste like tomatoes, sweet corn in everything, berries on the menu and long lunches that somehow turn into dinner. No judgement. Honestly, 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 summer in the DMV.
- 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 summer food happenings around the region, we’ve got those covered here
- Looking for outdoor dining? Check out our Patio Pleasures + Up On The Roof roundups featuring patios, rooftops, courtyards & outdoor dining spots all across the DMV.
So much more summer deliciousness below:
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Nepali Flood Relief: U Street’s Kathmandu is supporting Nepal flood relief throughout September, donating 20% of net proceeds through September 30 to the Prime Minister Flood Relief Fund, with a minimum commitment of $5,000.00. The restaurant will also join the Nepal Flood Relief Fundraising Masterclass Dinner on September 13 at Masti Restaurant in Reston Town Center, serving cocktails alongside a lineup of DMV Nepali chefs and restaurants. The benefit dinner will showcase regional Nepali dishes inspired by areas affected by the floods, with 100% of dinner proceeds donated to Nepal flood relief; kathmandu-dc.site
Bar Betsie Pop Up: Union Market’s Bar Betsie is going beyond the glass this September with a rotating lineup of one-night-only food pop-ups pairing local culinary talent with the bar’s cocktails and wine. The series kicks off September 1 with Chefs Apple and Khan serving an Asian-inspired cookout menu featuring Wagyu Nori Hot Dogs and oysters, followed by Toot Toot on September 6 with Lebanese manoushe, cookies, and more. On September 15, Fish Shop takes over happy hour with seafood and a special menu created for the occasion. All three pop-ups are first come, first served; barbetsiedc.com
Blue Duck Tavern Nepal Fundraiser: On September 10, Blue Duck Tavern will donate 10% of net food and beverage sales from dinner service to Mercy Corps in support of emergency response efforts following the devastating flooding and glacial landslides along the Nepal-China border. Funds will help provide shelter, clean water, and food assistance to displaced families in Nepal; blueducktavern.com
National Burger Week: National Harbor’s annual Burger Week returns September 12–18, with more than a dozen restaurants offering specialty burgers and deals throughout the waterfront destination. Participating spots include Walrus Oyster & Ale House, Fogo de Chao, Succotash, Cadillac Ranch, Redstone American Grill, McCormick & Schmick’s, and more, with options ranging from Black Angus beef and turkey to seafood. $1 from every designated burger purchased will benefit Susan G. Komen, with National Harbor donating up to $1,000.00 in support of its work to end breast cancer. The week wraps up on National Cheeseburger Day, September 18; nationalharbor.com
We Rescue 26!: DC Food Rescue's annual WE RESCUE! fundraiser returns on September 17 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, bringing together volunteers, community partners, and local businesses for an evening celebrating the organization's impact. The zero-waste event will feature food and drinks from more than a dozen area restaurants, an open bar, a silent auction, and a program honoring Kate Urbank and DC Food Rescue's continued work fighting food insecurity across the region; givebutter.com/c/we-rescue-26
Pro-Choice & Pro-Carbs: Baker Jill Nguyen is bringing together some of D.C.’s beloved bakers for a day-long bake sale at Maketto on September 20, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the DC Abortion Fund (DCAF). Split into morning and afternoon sessions, the fundraiser will feature baked goods from local cookbook authors, recipe developers, and bakery veterans, along with music, coffee, drinks, raffle prizes, silent auctions, family-friendly activities, and exclusive merchandise. Ticket and bake sale proceeds will support DCAF’s work providing financial assistance to people seeking abortion care; dcabortionfund.org
Mallard Southern Truffle Dinner: Mallard’s Supper Series returns September 24 at 7:00 p.m. with a communal Southern Truffle Dinner from Chef Hamilton Johnson. The 4-course menu incorporates black truffles throughout, from an Awendaw Soufflé with Maryland crab hollandaise and potato-crusted scallops to spiced duck breast and Sour Cream Apple Pie with black truffle ice cream. The evening begins with a Barolo Black Manhattan from Spirits Director Nick Farrell and is priced at $135.00 per guest, with optional wine pairings available for $55.00; mallarddc.com
Taste America: The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America series returns on October 5 at 7:00 p.m. at The LINE DC for an intimate multi-course dinner celebrating the city’s culinary community. The evening brings together TasteTwenty chef Christian Irabién of Amparo Fondita, Julie Cortes of Kayu, and James Beard Award nominees Danny Lee and Scott Drewno of The LINE DC and Fried Rice Collective, with wine pairings accompanying the collaborative menu. Tickets are $200.00 per person, and the event is open to guests 21 and older; jamesbeard.org/events/taste-america-washington-dc
Yottem Ottolenghi at Sixth & I: Celebrated chef and author Yotam Ottolenghi will appear at Sixth & I on October 8 at 7:00 p.m., discussing his latest cookbook Simple Too. In conversation, Ottolenghi will explore his philosophy of bold, approachable cooking and share recipes designed to make flavorful meals feel effortless; sixthandi.org
Snallygaster: The District's beloved craft beer festival returns October 10, taking over 4 blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue NW with 450+ beers from 175 breweries around the world. Along with rare pours and appearances by renowned brewers, guests can enjoy cider, wine, cocktails, live music, food from 25+ vendors, a Shop Made in DC makers market, games, and family-friendly activities. Tickets go on sale July 7 at 10:00 a.m., with proceeds supporting Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture and its mission to build a more equitable regional food system; snallygasterdc.com
Oyster Wars: Oyster Wars returns Sunday, October 11, bringing together oyster farmers, acclaimed chefs, and seafood lovers for an afternoon celebrating East Coast oyster culture. Guests can taste freshly shucked oysters from 10 farms spanning Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island, and Maine, alongside dishes from chefs including Kyle Bailey, Gabe Erales, Manuel Perez, Seng Luangrath, Reid Shilling, and more. VIP entry begins at 2:00 p.m., with general admission from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., and a portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership and its Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. Early Bird tickets are $90.00 for VIP and $70.00 for general admission; thesaltline.com
SHUCK IT! Oyster Festival: The 13th Annual Georgetown Shuck It! Oyster & Beer Festival returns on Saturday, October 17, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Tony & Joe's Seafood Place in Georgetown. Guests 21+ can enjoy all the local oysters and local beer they can handle, plus live music from Johnny Spanninato & The Value Leaders and The Yachtsmen, all while supporting the Oyster Recovery Partnership and its efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay's native oyster population; georgetowndc.com/event/shuck-it-beer-and-oyster-festival/
Chefs for Equality: One of DC's premier culinary fundraisers returns October 19 with this year's "United Plates of America" theme, bringing together top local chefs, mixologists, and restaurateurs for collaborative dinners benefiting the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Hosted across six venues, the event features chef-driven dinners, cocktail pairings, and a new dedicated cocktail experience at Silver Lyan. Tickets are on sale now; chefsforequality.org
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
The Ice Cream Flavors of Fall: Jeni’s is leaning into fall with a new collection of seasonal flavors, available at scoop shops across the DMV. The lineup includes Hazelnut Stracciatella, Miso Butterscotch Brownie, Pumpkin with Brown Sugar Blondies, and the scoop shop-exclusive Pear Frangipane, featuring crisp pear and almond ice cream; jenis.com
Management Update: One Washington Circle has appointed Stacy Smith as General Manager, bringing more than 30 years of hospitality leadership experience to the newly rebranded West End hotel. A longtime leader in DC’s hospitality community, Smith has served on the executive boards of the Hotel Association of Washington, DC and Destination DC, including as Chair of the Destination DC Board, and founded the City Partner Pathways Apprenticeship Program. In her new role, she will oversee the hotel’s next chapter, including its refreshed guest experience and signature restaurant and bar, Ten Ten West End; hilton.com/en/hotels/wasnwup-one-washington-circle-dc
(Collab Alert) Astro Doughnuts x Cane: Astro is teaming up with local restaurants Cane, Purple Patch, and Caruso’s Grocery for a fall doughnut collaboration series benefiting local charities. First up is Cane’s Rum Cake Doughnut ($5.50), available throughout September and inspired by owner Jeanine Prime’s Trinidadian heritage with dark rum, coconut, nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove. A portion of proceeds will benefit Sister Mentors, with the doughnut available at Astro and at Cane on weekends throughout the month.; astrodoughnuts.com
(Chef-Made) Freezer-to-Oven Dinners: Chef Jenn Crovato is launching Sunday Suppers, a new freezer-to-oven family dinner series available for pickup during Sunday brunch beginning September 13. An extension of her Jenn’s Homemade prepared entrée line, the rotating weekly menu will feature meals serving four, starting with Norwegian Salmon and Grilled Corn Salad ($104.00), followed by Wagyu Flat Iron with sides ($340.00) and Roasted Chicken Breast with Broccolini and Pesto Pasta ($96.00). Orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance and picked up by 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.; 1310kitchendc.com
New from Elli Benchimol: Restaurateur and Advanced Sommelier Elli Benchimol, owner of Georgetown’s Apéro and La Bohème, will open Ellizabetta La Strega on September 9 in the former Marcel’s space in Foggy Bottom-West End. Led by Chef Jennifer Castaneda-Jones and Chef de Cuisine Stephen Jones, both Marcel’s alumni, the Italian restaurant will feature shareable plates, house-made pastas like Meyer Lemon Tagliatelle with caviar, and larger dishes including Crispy Berkshire Porchetta, Whole-Roasted Branzino, and Ribeye for Two. The 170-seat restaurant will shift throughout the day from lunch to The Witching Hour, an Italian-inspired aperitivo featuring spritzes, seasonal cocktails, and cicchetti, before transitioning to dinner. An Italian-forward wine program, mystical design touches, patio, and private dining room round out the new concept; ellizabetta.com
Walter Reed Gets a Slice: Pizza master Giulio Adriani has opened Slice & Pie’s 4th and largest location at The Parks at Walter Reed, serving the shop’s full menu of New York and Detroit-style pizzas alongside meatballs, garlic knots, and specialty sandwiches. The new location officially celebrates its grand opening September 8 at 3:00 p.m., when the first 100 guests will receive a free cheese or pepperoni slice. Slice & Pie has been ranked the #2 slice shop in the U.S. by 50 Top Pizza for 3 consecutive years, with favorites including the Burrata Pie and Classic Detroit-Style Pie; sliceandpie.com
New in the Palisades: Hospitality veterans Prady Rana and Bhakti More will open N.H. 48 Indian Kitchen in DC’s Palisades neighborhood on September 3, bringing the regional flavors of India to MacArthur Boulevard. Named for National Highway 48, the route connecting Delhi and Mumbai, the restaurant draws inspiration from the home cooking, regional cuisines, and roadside dishes found along the journey; nh48restaurant.com
Aggiorna!: Fabio Trabocchi’s downtown pasta house reopens this week following a brief summer closure for extensive renovations. The nearly decade-old restaurant has received a top-to-bottom refresh, including new flooring and tile, updated artwork, tabletops, and flatware, welcoming diners back to the refreshed space; sfoglinapasta.com
Oysters Raise Funds: Clyde’s Restaurant Group is partnering with Pangea Shellfish Company to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, with $4.00 from every bag of oysters sold donated to pediatric cancer research. Participating restaurants include Cordelia Fishbar, Rye Street Tavern, Old Ebbitt Grill, and all Clyde’s locations; clydes.com
Wellness Arrived: Miami-born wellness café Pura Vida Miami has opened its first location in DC in Logan Circle, marking the brand’s 3rd DMV location and 55th nationwide. The café offers Pura Vida’s full all-day menu of breakfast, wraps, bowls, salads, sandwiches, high-protein plates, smoothies, coffee, matcha, and seasonal specialties, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Designed as a neighborhood gathering space with the brand’s signature airy, greenery-filled aesthetic, the Logan Circle outpost is open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; puravidamiami.com
Kareem’s Kitchen Lands: Kareem’s Lebanese Kitchen will open its 1st Maryland location at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg on August 24, bringing the Eido family’s generations-old Lebanese cooking traditions to the area. Led by 3rd-generation Chef Rachid Eido, whose background includes the Four Seasons and restaurants throughout the Washington region, the menu features handmade mezze, shawarma, fresh-baked pita, Farrouj, slow-cooked Lamb Mouzat, and other family recipes, plus a Maryland-inspired crab hummus created for the new location. Kareem’s first opened in Naples, Florida, in 2018, and its Maryland debut brings Eido back to a region where he built much of his culinary career. An official ribbon cutting with tastings, restaurant tours, and a chance to meet the family will take place September 1 at 11:00 a.m.; kareemskitchen.com
A Beautiful Australian Wine Passport: Beauty is bringing 6 weeks of Austrian wine, tastings, travel stories, and interactive programming to National Landing from September 4 through October 16. Inspired by owner Zena Polin’s recent wine trip to Austria, the celebration kicks off with a tasting featuring Austrian wine importer and expert Klaus Wittauer, along with the launch of the Beauty Austrian Wine Passport. Throughout the promotion, guests can earn entries toward a magnum of Weingut Steininger sparkling wine by tasting and purchasing Austrian wines, attending events, listening to Austrian-focused episodes of Beauty’s When You Just Want a Glass of Wine podcast, and more. September’s Bellezza Wine Club will also spotlight bottles selected during Polin’s trip, giving guests a deeper look at Austrian grapes, winemakers, and regions; beautychampagneandsugar.com
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
What To Do With All Those Tomatoes: The Fountain Inn is leaning into peak summer produce with a new seasonal menu featuring dishes like Gazpacho “Ajoblanco” with green grapes and roasted almond, Scallop “Ceviche,” Burnt Tomato Salad with stone fruit, and Basil & Burrata Caramelle. For something heartier, there’s Stuffed Bobo Farms Chicken with ratatouille, followed by summery desserts like a Stone Fruit & Banana Tart or Chocolate Baked Alaska; fountaininndc.com
From Chicago, With Love: Husband-and-wife duo G. Bradley Shorten and Meg Schmitt are bringing a new neighborhood bar to Dupont Circle inspired by Midwest hospitality and Italian-American comfort food. The menu centers on tavern-style pizza and scratch-made pasta, with Schmitt lending her cheesemaking expertise to house-made ricotta, mozzarella, and stracciatella. Classic cocktails, Italian wines, and local beer round out the experience; lamernadc.com
Worth the Trip: America's longest-running soda fountain has officially reopened following a 4-year restoration of its historic Fredericksburg home. Dating back to 1869, the beloved landmark returns with its restored lunch counter, classic soda fountain favorites, nostalgic sandwiches, hand-mixed sodas, and milkshakes, while Executive Chef D'Andre Sykes brings a fresh perspective to the kitchen. The revitalized space also features local artisan goods, with a new downstairs concept, Section 7, set to open later this year; goolricksfxbg.com
Industry Update - F&B Alert: The Dupont Circle Hotel has appointed Shaun Henesy as its new Director of Food & Beverage, overseeing The Pembroke, Doyle Bar, and Doyle & Co. Henesy brings more than 15 years of luxury hospitality experience, with a background spanning Forbes Five-Star resorts, boutique hotels, Michelin-caliber culinary programs, and high-volume operations. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside acclaimed culinary talents including Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Eric Ripert, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Michael Schulson. In his new role, Henesy will focus on evolving the hotel’s dining experiences while strengthening their connection to the Dupont Circle community; doylecollection.com
A Little Birdie Told Me (Brunch Alert): Weekend brunch is on at Little Birdie every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with playful twists on brunch classics. Highlights include Cacio e Pepe Biscuits ’N’ Gravy, Honey Butter Chicken with johnny cakes, lemon custard-filled Sourdough French Toast, the brisket-topped Birds Nest, and a BLT Benny with dill hollandaise; littlebirdieva.com
It’s a Bargain?: Chef Ryan Ratino and Hive Hospitality’s new steakhouse is now DC’s only certified Kobe Beef restaurant and one of a select number in the country. To celebrate, guests can experience premium Kobe Beef from Japan for $35.00 per ounce, a significant drop from the $100.00+ price often seen elsewhere; oxandolive.com
Anise-Hyssop Ice Cream? Tell Me More: Maison Bar à Vins is celebrating late-summer ingredients with new dishes including Heirloom Tomatoes with whipped feta and raspberry vinaigrette, Miso Caesar with cured duck egg, and Squid Ink Campanelle with Maryland crab and fra diavolo. For dessert, the team is churning anise-hyssop ice cream in-house, using herbs harvested straight from the restaurant’s patio garden and serving it with blackberry and green Chartreuse; maisondc.com
New in Bethesda: Husband-and-wife team Raymond and Amy Yu have opened Sushi Masato, a new family-owned Japanese restaurant in downtown Bethesda bringing Michelin-trained expertise and traditional Japanese techniques to the neighborhood. The restaurant will open on August 19, offering nigiri, sashimi, specialty rolls, seasonal seafood, and 3 omakase-inspired tasting menus priced at $58.00, $78.00, and $98.00 per person; sushimasato.com
Lunch & Breakfast, Now at Marcus DC: Executive Chef Anthony Jones has debuted breakfast and lunch service at Marcus DC, bringing his exploration of the Black diaspora and his Southern Maryland roots to the restaurant’s daytime menus. Breakfast highlights include M’s Chicken & Waffles and the Banneker Breakfast Plate, while lunch brings dishes like Shrimp & Grits, a Shrimp & Lobster Roll, Crispy Coconut Rice with grilled salmon, and Jones’ family-inspired Thunder and Lightning salad with summer tomatoes and cucumbers. Breakfast is served 7:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; marcusdc.com
Baklava French Toast Sounds Good (Brunch Alert): The Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, Falcon & Fig, is now serving weekend brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Executive Chef Ahmed Ibrahim’s new menu puts a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spin on brunch favorites with dishes like Baklava French Toast, Salmon Benedict, and Mediterranean Avocado Toast, alongside signature tapas, cheese and charcuterie boards, wines, and handcrafted cocktails; falconandfig.com
Omakase at Oribu: Oribu has introduced a new chef’s omakase experience showcasing seasonal seafood through the restaurant’s signature blend of Japanese craftsmanship and Mediterranean influence. Priced at $145.00 per person, the tasting is tailored to guests’ palates and preferences, with courses evolving around the day’s finest offerings; oribudc.com
Sacre Sucre & Their Pizza: The Fells Point bakery and café is turning dinner into a new tradition with Pizza Nights every Wednesday and Thursday. Guests can dig into artisan pizzas made with naturally fermented dough alongside wine, cocktails, and Sacre Sucré’s signature desserts. Pizza Nights will run through the end of October, with the possibility of becoming a permanent offering; sacresucre.com
Power Lunch (Lunch Alert): Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj and Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Cardona have introduced weekday lunch at Rosselli, bringing a refined Italian midday menu to downtown DC. Served Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the new offering features house-made pastas, antipasti, panini, and seasonal entrées, with highlights including the Tenderloin & Caramelized Onion Panino, Linguine alle Vongole, Rigatoni al Forno, and Burrata Pugliese. Paired with Italian wines by the glass, the new lunch service is designed for everything from business meetings to leisurely afternoons; rossellidc.com
