Open Wide: TheList’s List of Delicious Dishes
Summer Ready? The DMV certainly is. Farmers’ markets are starting to overflow, 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:
Summer Restaurant Week: Summer Restaurant Week returns August 18–24, bringing special prix fixe menus to restaurants across the DMV. Participating spots will offer 3-course brunch and lunch menus for $25.00 or $35.00, and 3-course dinners priced at $40.00, $55.00, or $65.00. Diners can browse participating restaurants, view menus, and make reservations now, with additional restaurants being added in the weeks leading up to the event; ramw.org/restaurantweek
Family Reunion: Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s acclaimed culinary festival returns August 20–23 at Salamander Middleburg with its 2026 theme, “Folklore: A History of Storytelling.” The multi-day event brings together top chefs, panels, workshops, and immersive dining experiences celebrating Black and Brown contributions to food and culture, with tickets and packages now available; salamanderhotels.com/experience/family-reunion
2fifty BBQ Fireside Chats: The DC Food & Beverage Collective is hosting a Texas BBQ Dinner & Fireside Chat on August 27 at 6:00 p.m. featuring 2026 RAMMY Restaurateur of the Year and 2-time James Beard Award semifinalist Chef Fernando Gonzalez and Debby Portillo Gonzalez. Guests can dig into 2Fifty’s barbecue while hearing about the duo’s culinary journey, with proceeds supporting culinary scholarships. Tickets are $45.00 for members and $55.00 for non-members and include food, tax, and gratuity; 2fiftybbq.com
Lucky Plum Ice Cream Shoppe: Award-winning pastry chef Rochelle Cooper is celebrating the relaunch of her ice cream brand with a one-day pop-up at La Collina’s window on August 29 from 11:00 a.m. until sold out. Guests can sample a variety of flavors with $4.00 scoops before taking home Lucky Plum’s signature oversized 26oz Pint. Made without eggs, heavy cream, soy, or gelatin, the ice cream has a smooth, light texture. After the pop-up, pints will be available at La Collina and The Duck & The Peach, as well as online; lacollinadc.com
Tasting Menu at Ometeo: Chefs Gabe Erales and Kaelin Ulrich Trilling are teaming up for Discover Oaxaca, a one-night-only dining experience on September 3. The 5-course tasting menu will celebrate the cuisine of Oaxaca using ingredients sourced directly from the region, with each dish highlighting scratch-made moles. 2 seatings are available at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; ometeotexmex.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
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
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:
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
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
Grand Prix Picnics: Garden Hospitality is celebrating the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, from August 22-23, with Grand Prix Picnics designed to feed four for $80.00. Guests can choose from 3 to-go spreads from Unconventional Diner, L’Ardente, or Love on the Run at Love, Makoto, featuring everything from burgers and fries to pizza, sushi, and sweets. Picnics are available for pickup or delivery, with optional prosecco or Champagne add-ons for an extra celebratory finish; freedom250gp.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
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
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
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
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
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
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
Blue Duck Tavern (Chef Update:): Park Hyatt Washington, DC has appointed Jesús Abraham Rubio Castillo as the new pastry chef for Blue Duck Tavern and the hotel. Bringing 12 years of pastry and culinary experience spanning Mexico, Louisiana, and South Carolina, Castillo will work alongside Chef de Cuisine Andrew Cleverdon on new pastries and desserts that build on Blue Duck Tavern’s legacy while highlighting local Mid-Atlantic farms and producers; blueducktavern.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
Dolcezza x Rye Bunny Super Sundaes: Dolcezza has partnered with Rye Bunny on 2 limited-edition Super Sundaes available August 10 through September 6, featuring playful sweet-and-savory combinations made with produce from Virginia's Fireside Farm. Choose between the Olive Oil-Basil Sundae with Jimmy Nardello pepper jam and chocolate-eggplant sauce, or the Shiso Sundae with crème fraîche soft serve, caramelized rhubarb, and benne seed crumble. Rye Bunny is now open seven days a week; ryebunny.com
New at Yume Sushi: Yume is introducing a new All-You-Can-Eat Brunch every Sunday in August from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. For $85.00 per person, guests can enjoy unlimited brunch favorites during a leisurely afternoon, with reservations required; yumesushiva.com
Namak Launches a $40 Family-Style Sunday Feast: Namak is serving a weekly Sunday Feast, a $40.00 family-style spread from Executive Chef Lindsey Flowers featuring smoked lamb shoulder, saffron rice with barberries, whipped tahini, and green harissa, all served at once. Pair it with a cocktail like the Effendi or a house-made soda, and save room for baklava ice cream or sumac brownie for dessert. Available Sundays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.; namak-dc.com
CUT Debuts Ice Cream & Champagne Hours on the Patio: Executive Pastry Chef Ligia Barros is giving Georgetown a new afternoon ritual at CUT by Wolfgang Puck: house-made ice creams and sorbets paired with Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Standouts include Caipirinha Ice Cream with Cachaça and Pretzel Ice Cream with Salted Caramel, plus a kids' menu with a lime "Shirley Temple." It runs Fridays through Sundays, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.; wolfgangpuck.com
Weekend Pork: James Beard Award-winning Chef Masako Morishita is serving a limited-quantity Sake Kasu-Cured Pork Chop Thursdays through Sundays. Prepared with pork from Virginia's Autumn Olive Farms and served with miso nori brown butter and a shiikuwasa ponzu arugula salad, the cult-favorite special is available in very limited numbers each night until sold out, so early reservations are recommended; perrysam.com
Late Night Munchies: Late night just got a lot more interesting at Anju, the modern Korean spot from chef Angel Barreto and restaurateurs Danny Lee and Scott Drewno. The trio is bringing back its late-night menu Thursday through Saturday, with food service running 9:00–11:00 PM and drinks pouring until 11:30 PM. On the drink side, expect $5 draft Ichiban and the $10 "Shoot Your Shot" pour with your choice of mezcal, Jameson, bourbon, rye, soju, or Fernet, plus a $13 draft-and-shot combo. Food keeps it delicious with Korean fried chicken, ramyun-spiced fries, and a bulgogi cheesesteak piled with caramelized onions, provolone, and pepper relish. 1805 18th Street, NW; anjudc.com
Majestic Sundays (Brunch Alert): Chef Santiago Lopez has introduced 2 new weekly dining experiences at The Majestic in Old Town Alexandria. Weekend brunch, served Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., features dishes like Meyer Lemon Pancakes, Braised Brisket Hash, and house-made Monkey Bread. On Sunday evenings, guests can gather for a family-style Sunday Supper, featuring Chef Santi's signature fried chicken with classic sides, house-made biscuits, and dessert for a comforting end to the weekend; themajesticva.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
Brunch Fit for a King (Brunch Alert): Sunday brunch is now available at both Rasika locations, served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. alongside each restaurant's seasonal menu. New brunch specials include dishes like Indian Style Egg Florentine, Baida Roti, Crab Ghee Roast Taco, Chicken Tikka Paratha, and Pistachio Pancakes, plus brunch cocktails including the MimoMango and Imli Margarita; rasikarestaurant.com
