Summer Shows Up On the Plate: 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. 

Even though Pride Month is winding down, we are highlighting LGBTQ+ owned retail and restaurants. See our list, here. 

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. 

Don't miss all the best summer restaurant weeks, here.

Lastly, the best way to cool off in this heat is our Ice Cream Season list, here, for all your scoops & swirls.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

Fish & Chip Battle: Get ready for the ultimate culinary showdown at the Fish & Chips Cook-Off Fundraiser. Three of D.C.'s most talented chefs—Chef John Mooney (Bidwell), Chef Ryan Gordon (The Queen Vic), and Chef Fiona Lewis (The District Fishwife)—are battling it out to create their signature fish and chips.Monday, June 30, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 9 PM at Bidwell Restaurant inside Union Market. Info 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: 

Sourdough at Sacre Sucre: Sacre Sucre is now serving up sourdough pizzas that pair with their natural wines. Pizzas include pepperoni, margherita, and more. 933 Fell St, Baltimore, MD, 21231; acresucre.com

Peruvian Summer: Pisco y Nazaca has released a new menu for summer. The menu will include five dishes, one dessert, and one cocktail, to be served in addition to its everyday menu. Enjoy the vibrant Summertime Blush, a beautiful pink cocktail crafted with tequila, Aperol, Coco Lopez, and lime. The Antichicho de Carne en Salsa Romesco is bold and savory, made with grilled beef tenderloin and leeks, potatoes, choclo, then doused in anticuchera sauce. Cordero Con Raviolis includes ricotta ravioli topped with braised lamb. 1823 L Street NW; piscoynazca.com

Chilly Chocolate Tamale: Pascual's Chef Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy offer locally sourced “Oysters in Veneno” served with serrano, tomatillo, & red onion. These locally sourced oysters are served with fresh lime and atop a decorative display of blue corn kernels at the Capitol Hill hotspot. 732 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002; pascualdc.com

Modern Indian Through the Summer Lense: Karizma is turning up the heat this season with a bold new summer menu from award-winning Chef Ajay Kumar. Chef Kumar’s Lobster Masala paired with earthy beetroot poriyal, is making a triumphant return this summer after overwhelming demand. 611 I St N.W; karmamodernindian.com

Chef Update: C.R. Defuoco in at Great Oak Manor: Great Oak Manor has announced the recent appointment of Chef C.R. Defuoco as Executive Chef. Owners Werten Bellamy and Kellye Walker reopened a fully renovated Great Oak Manor in 2022, with a mission to expand its culinary program and guest experience. Under Defuoco’s leadership, the Eastern Shore hotel will enter a new chapter of culinary excellence centered on seasonality and innovation. Defuoco brings new menus for guests of the hotel to enjoy throughout the year, highlighting Mid-Atlantic cuisine with French and Japanese influence. Great Oak Manor - Go Back to Homepage
Great Oak Manor 10568 Cliff RdChestertownMD21620; greatoakmanor.com

Nostalgic for Summer: Beat the heat at Gatsby with nostalgic treats made for the summertime. Try the Caramelized Banana Split stacked with strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate ice cream, drizzled with caramel and fudge, topped with whipped cream and waffle cone crunch. Sip on classic Milkshakes in vanilla, strawberry, or black & white – and don’t forget to add malt for a throwback twist. Or keep it simple with a scoop (or 3!) of house-made ice creams and refreshing sorbets, like coconut or lemon. 1201 Half Street; gatsbyrestaurant.com

Blue Duck, House Made: Blue Duck Tavern has created new house-made ice cream and sorbet flavors in celebration of July’s National Ice Cream Month. Created by Executive Pastry Chef Colleen Murphy, these modern interpretations of summer classics are a summer must-have. Try Sweet Corn Ice Cream with Pickled Tart Cherry Compote, Caramelized Sunflower Seed Crunch. blueducktavern.com

Eat Your Vegetables: Reverie has introduced “Vegetable Season,” a two-month tasting menu experience that puts the spotlight on summer’s most expressive and vibrant ingredients. Reverie will introduce “Vegetable Season,” a two-month tasting menu experience that puts the spotlight on summer’s most expressive and vibrant ingredients. The Vegetable Season menu is priced at $190 per person and will be served through August 31. 3201 Cherry Hill Lane; reveriedc.com

A Karravaan in Union Market: Karravaan is the brainchild of Chef Sanjay Mandhaiya, owner of the popular 14th Street restaurant Pappe, who drew inspiration from across Persian, Portuguese, Indian, Turkish and Tibetan culinary traditions for his second DC outing. Menu items include Forbidden Duck, crispy and succulent, layered on forbidden rice with a harissa honey-soy reduction. Or Carne de Vinha d'Alhos, a Portuguese-inflected, farm-raised pork chop with vinegar, chilies, onion-garlic confit and spices. 325 Morse St. NE; karravaan.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 with Bell Pepper, Ghee, Onion, Podi Masala, Tomato & Coconut Chutney, Tandori Poussin Whole Roasted Young Chicken, Garam Masala, Greek Yogurt, Mushroom Pulao, Radish Salad plus summer desserts such as a light Rasmali Cheesecake with Seasonal Berries, and Nankhatai Crust. 600 H St NE Suite E; taporidc.com

Rocky Road Summer Levain:  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

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

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. 

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. Casamaradc.com

Hard Rock Burger: The Hard Rock Cafe has launched its annual World Burger Tour competition in celebration of Hard Rock International Birthday. Hard Rock Cafe chefs from around the world were challenged to develop unique burger creations that showcase elements from their regional cultures and personal taste. These innovative recipes will be available exclusively for guests to try, including the DC’s Finest Burger at Hard Rock Cafe Washington DC, from now through August 4. 999 E Street NW; 

Brunch Loyalty: Ambar has a new Balkan without limits Brunch Experience. menus boast an all-you-can-eat selection of mezze, soups, salads, sandwiches, egg dishes, pastry & crepes, and sweets.  Unlimited Brunch must be ordered by the entire table.  Highlights from the brunch menus include Sujuk Flatbread, topped with Sujuk beef sausage, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and oregano; Vitamin Salad, thinly sliced cucumbers, beets, apples & carrots, topped with crunchy sriracha sunflower seeds drizzled with a zesty honey-lemon dressing, and more. 523 8th Street; ambarrestaurant.com

Moya at Melange: Moya, a taco-filled menu with inspiration from the flavors of Ethiopia has opened. From Michelin-starred chef and Ethiopian native Elias Taddesse, Moya will share space with Doro Soul Food and Mélange DC. Highlights include the goden taco–goden tibs with confit shallot, pickled jalepeños, and rosemary crema; the  taco, featuring portobello mushroom tibs, pickled red onion, and roasted garlic crema; and the dokay taco– shiro-marinated Atlantic cod and fried crisp. Mélange Foods Inc, 2108 8th St. NW; 

Amalfi Inspired in Union Market: Tarì Trattoria, a new Amalfi Coast-inspired restaurant has opened.  Inspired by Amodeo's uncle, a fisherman on the Amalfi coast, Amodeo's menu showcases shareable aperitivo snacks and antipasti like Tartare di Pezzogna with black spotted seabream, smoked ‘acqua santa,’ and squid ink coral; and housemade pastas such as ‘Oro Rosso’ with calamarata, seven-fish tomato sauce, and herbs and Scialatielli with clams, mussels, lemon, and chili. Main dishes, or Secondi, include Ricciola with dry-aged greater amberjack, peas, guanciale, and mint; Sgombro Reale with kingfish, escarole, anchovies, capers, and ‘salmoriglio’; and Coniglio with rabbit, potatoes, sweet peppers, and marjoram. 300 Morse St NE; tari-trattoriadc.com

Tinned Fish is Delicious: José Andrés Foods has launched FishSnax, a new line of premium tinned seafood or conservas that bring the vibrant flavors of the sea to your pantry. Try tinned fish like sardines in olive oil, Sardines with Lemon & Olive Oil, Mussels in Pickle Sauce and more. Order 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

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

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