Best New Restaurant
1. La’ Shukran
Leg O’ Kibbeh Naya. Photograph by Hawkeye Johnson.
Middle Eastern flavors collide with French bistro dishes at Michael Rafidi’s ultra-cool restaurant and rooftop.
2. Chai Pani
Take a bite of SPDP (center dish). Photograph by Tim Robison.
This color-blasted newcomer recently arrived from Asheville, where its offbeat Indian street food won a James Beard Award.
3. Osteria Mozza
Order the Orecchiette at Osteria Mozza. Photograph by Birch Thomas.
Star Los Angeles chef Nancy Silverton has won plenty of fans with her mozzarella bar, Italian snacks, and famed desserts in the former Dean & DeLuca space.
Best Restaurant Service
1. Albi
Photograph by Scott Suchman.
You may be tempted to order everything on the menu, but servers will skillfully help you navigate it.
2. Rose’s Luxury
Colonne pompeii at Rose’s Luxury. Photograph by Birch Thomas.
Still one of the most fun places to eat in DC, with engaging waitstaff you’d want to hang out with.
3. Moon Rabbit
Boudin noir at Moon Rabbit. Photograph by Rachel Paraoan.
You’ll be glad servers turned you onto delights like durian mousse and eel mochi beignets.
Coolest Decor
1. El Presidente
Photograph by Rey Lopez.
Trippy bar decor meets a theatrical dining room at Stephen Starr’s mod-Mex spot.
2. Maydan
location_on 14th Street corridor
Photograph by Rey Lopez.
It’s tough to beat decorative elements like the central copper-domed hearth with a roaring fire.
3. Chai Pani and Filomena
location_on Union Market and Georgetown
The colorful interior of Chai Pani. Photograph by Tim Robison.
The Indian restaurant Chai Pani is awash in vibrant paintings both inside and out. Filomena, the 42-year-old Italian institution, is crammed with whimsical tchotchkes.
Best in DC
1. Albi
Pita and hummus at Albi. Photograph by Scott Suchman.
Michael Rafidi’s Levantine flagship has racked up awards—this year, it also took the number-one spot on Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants list.
2. Cucina Morini
location_on Mount Vernon Triangle
Salmone crudi at Cucina Morini. Photograph by Nina Palazzolo.
Coastal Italian crudos and pastas are served up in a buzzy dining room.
3. Yellow
location_on Georgetown, Union Market
Pastries at Yellow. Photograph by Rey Lopez.
Rafidi wins again with these twin cafes, known for baklava lattes and labneh-filled croissants.
Best in Maryland
1. Caruso’s Grocery
location_on Capitol Hill and North Bethesda
Caprese salad at Caruso’s. Photograph by Stacey Windsor.
Italian American pastas and parms stick to tradition but are made with precision.
2. 2Fifty BBQ
location_on Mount Vernon Triangle, Riverdale Park
A barbecue feast at 2fifty. Photograph courtesy of 2fifty.
These barbecue spots are rightfully lauded for their Texas brisket, but don’t sleep on the pulled pork.
3. Aventino
Photograph by Scott Suchman.
A swank dining room from the team behind the Red Hen.
Best in Virginia
1. Joon
Photograph by Rey Lopez.
Longtime cookbook writer Najmieh Batmanglij joins forces with ex-Maydan chef Chris Morgan at this sophisticated Persian restaurant.
2. Ellie Bird
Hamachi crudo at Elli Bird. Photograph by Albert Ting.
Grab a seat in the birdcage booth and dig into Yuan Tang’s creative Asian-meets-Euro menu.
3. Stracci Pizza
The Stracci pizza. Photograph courtesy of Stracci Pizza.
Square, Roman-style pizzas topped with handmade stracciatella cheese sail out of this snug dining room.
Favorite Cocktails
1. Jane Jane
Photograph by Scott Suchman..
A tiny hot spot oozing midcentury charm.
2. Cucina Morini
location_on Mount Vernon Triangle
Frutti Di Mare at Cucina Morini. Photograph by Nina Palazzolo.
One of the best happy-hour deals in town? The nightly $7 martinis (good ones!) at the bar here.
3. The Green Zone
The Raouché ao Rio and the mint lemonade cocktail. Photograph by Scott Suchman.
Middle Eastern flavors are shown off in classic and inventive cocktails and mocktails.
Pizza
1. Andy’s Pizza
location_on multiple area locations
The pepperoni special pie at Andy’s Pizza. Photograph courtesy of Andy’s Pizza.
When that hankering for a New York slice hits.
2. Martha Dear
location_on Mount Pleasant
Photograph by Farrah Skeiky.
The unique Mediterranean pies feature toppings like kefalotyri cheese on sourdough crusts.
3. Timber Pizza
Pesto pizza at Timber. Photograph by Jeff Elkins.
Thin, neo-Neapolitan pizzas can be had with drizzled pesto, spicy fruit jam, and more.
Brunch
1. Unconventional Diner
Unconventional Diner’s chicken and waffles. Photograph by Lia Manfredi.
Have a weekday hankering for sweet-potato shakshuka? Brunch at this eclectic spot is served daily until 3:45.
2. Ambar
location_on Capitol Hill, Shaw, Clarendon
Photograph by Marco Jankovic.
You can “dine without limits” at these Balkan restaurants, which specialize in all-you-can-eat parades of flatbreads, mezze, and kebabs.
3. Le Diplomate
Brunch at Le Diplomate. Photograph by Scott Suchman.
This still-hopping brasserie is one of the earliest weekend risers in the neighborhood. Onion soup at 9:30 am? We’re in!
Special Occasion
1. Albi
Knahef at Albi.Photograph by Hawkeye Johnson Photography.
Spring for the Sofra menu of five chef-chosen courses.
2. The Dabney
Snacks at the Dabney. Photograph by Scott Suchman.
This Blagden Alley tasting-menu restaurant is one of DC’s coziest spaces for winter dining.
3. Maydan
location_on 14th Street corridor
Kebab platter at Maydan. Photograph courtesy of Maydan.
Live it up with za’atar martinis and ras al hanout–spiced duck.
Favorite Bakery
1. Rose Ave Bakery
Photograph courtesy of Rose Avenue Bakery.
Colorful Asian-accented sweets—pandan-coconut doughnuts, ube kouign amann—line the glass cases.
2. Yellow
location_on Georgetown, Union Market
Photograph by Rey Lopez.
Find creative Levantine breakfast pastries and excellent freshly made pita.
3. Bread Furst
Photograph by Scott Suchman.
Our go-to for baguettes, Montreal-style bagels, and old-school sweets like lemon meringue pie.
Favorite Tacos
1. La Tejana
location_on Mount Pleasant
Breakfast tacos at La Tejana. Photograph by Jason Garza.
Best breakfast tacos in town.
2. Taco Bamba
location_on multiple area locations
Al pastor tacos. Photograph by Scott Suchman.
Try tacos stuffed with vindaloo or a patty melt.
3. Taqueria Habanero
location_on Columbia Heights, Edgewood, College Park
Photograph by Jeff Elkins.
Family-run spots with freshly made corn tortillas and traditional meats.
Favorite Burger
1. Duke’s Grocery and Duke’s Counter
location_on Dupont, Foggy Bottom, Potomac (Duke’s Grocery); Woodley Park (Duke’s Counter)
Photograph by Deb Lindsey.
The “proper burger” comes with arugula, aïoli, sweet chili sauce, and more.
2. Lucky Buns
location_on Adams Morgan, Union Market
Photograph courtesy of Lucky Buns burger.
We’re seriously into the green-chili-topped El Jefe burger.
3. Joia Burger
location_on Mount Pleasant Glover Park
Joia’s Wagyu smash burger. Photograph by Albert Ting.
Top-quality smash burgers made with Wagyu beef, plus great fries.
Favorite French
1. Le Diplomate
location_on multiple area locations
French onion soup. Photograph by Scott Suchman.
DC’s most famous brasserie suits many an occasion—from brunch with kids to a celebratory dinner à deux.
2. Lutèce
Photograph courtesy of Lutèce.
The tiny bistro feels straight outta Paris, but chef Matt Conroy’s vision is all his own.
3. Bistrot du Coin
This old-school bistro with creaky tables and French liquor posters just turned 25.
Favorite Vegetarian Restaurant
1. Planta and Planta Queen
location_on Bethesda, Dupont
California Pizza. Photograph courtesy of restaurant.
An eclectic mix of plant-based takes on sushi, carbonara, Korean fried chicken, and more.
2. Oyster Oyster
Roasted Asparagus at Oyster Oyster. Photograph by Rey Lopez.
One of the more fascinating tasting menus around—all vegan except for an (optional) oyster.
3. Vegz
Head to this Indian fast-casual place for dosas and curries.
Favorite Japanese Restaurant
1. Perry’s
Japanese breakfast at Perry’s. Photograph by Scott Suchman.
The 41-year-old sushi spot is now a foodie destination, thanks to chef Masako Morishita.
2. Love, Makoto
location_on Judiciary Square
Photograph by Mike Fuentes Photography.
A yakinaku barbecue room, sushi bar, and izakaya under one roof—plus a robust takeout operation.
3. Rakuya and Raku
location_on Dupont (Rakuya); Cathedral Heights, Bethesda (Raku)
Deluxe bento at Rakuya. Photograph by Evy Mages.
Fusiony sushi and small plates, plus great happy-hour and lunch deals.
Favorite Thai Restaurant
1. Siam House
location_on Cleveland Park
Pad Kaprow at Siam House. Photographed by Samantha Dionne.
A sustainability-minded, family-run destination for spring-roll and drunken-noodles cravings.
2. Baan Siam
location_on Mount Vernon Triangle
Egg noodles with crispy pork belly. Photograph courtesy of Baan Siam.
Like things “Thai hot”? Chili fiends, this place is for you.
3. Beau Thai
location_on Mount Pleasant
Drunken noodles. Photograph courtesy of Beau Thai.
A longtime favorite for takeout noodles and dumplings.
Favorite Indian Restaurant
1. Rasika
location_on West End, Penn Quarter
Tandoori lamb chop. Photograph courtesy of Rasika.
Ashok Bajaj’s refined dining rooms showcase elegant curries and whimsical small plates.
2. Daru
location_on H Street corridor
Maryland Blue Crab Momo. Photograph courtesy of Daru.
The cocktails are as tasty as the modern Indian cooking.
3. Indigo
A fun graffiti-scrawled dining room that rewards spicy palates.
This article appears in the December 2025 issue of Washingtonian.
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Dining and Cooking