The Top Restaurants in Washington, D.C. Right Now — Resy | Right This Way
Updated: April 1, 2026
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
Consider it your essential resource for dining in and around Washington, D.C.: a monthly-updated guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In D.C. Not to Miss This Month
Biscuit Crawl: Is it just us or is Capitol Hill becoming the place for southern-style biscuits? Between Ted’s Bulletin, I Egg You, Junction Bistro, and now Bumblebirds, it’s possible to easily cobble together some friends for a quick and easy biscuit crawl. Bumblebirds is the latest opening from celebrity chef Carla Hall, where you can savor golden biscuits alongside crispy fried chicken sandwiches, and pimento cheese boards.
Take it Outside: D.C. offers some of the best outdoor dining options this spring. Several new restaurants adding to the alfresco scene include KAYU’s patio, Casamara’s rooftop, and an entire Aperol spritz garden at Grazie Nonna. And yes, of course there are plenty more options to browse.
Sakura Season: Cherry blossoms have reached peak bloom, and so too have sakura-themed menus offering a taste of Japan. Sample a Japanese smorgasbord for breakfast at Perry’s in Adams Morgan, sip on Sakura Sunset cocktails at Easy Company by The Wharf, or enjoy a cherry blossom-themed tea service on Saturdays at The Lounge at Salamander DC.
Where to Eat Near Nationals Park: Opening day for baseball means Navy Yard takes the field for your pre-game or post-game meals. Whether the Nats win or lose, you can’t beat the fan-friendly food and drink deals offered at Takoda, Dacha Beer Garden, All Purpose, and Agua 301. And of course inside Nationals Park you can also eat pretty well, with concessions from local faves like Eatopia and Ben’s Chili Bowl.
New to the Hit List (April 2026)
Chang Chang, Chao Ban, Cordelia Fishbar, Dirty Habit, Metrobar, Poplar.
1. Maison
- Adams Morgan
- Wine Bar
- $$
2. Poplar
- Washington D.C
- Farm to Table
- $
3. Purple Patch
- Mt. Pleasant
- Filipino
- $$
4. The Experience at Maru San
- Washington D.C.
- Nikkei
- $$$
5. Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi
- Washington D.C.
- Afro Caribbean
- $$$
6. Eebee’s Corner Bar
- Shaw
7. Aventino Cucina
- Bethesda
- Italian
- $$
8. Sook
- 14th Street, NW
9. Dear Sushi at Love, Makoto
- East End
- Japanese
- $$
10. Dirty Habit
- Penn Quarter Washington D.C.
- New American
- $
11. Metrobar
- Edgewood
12. Mandu
- Mt. Vernon Triangle
- Korean
- $
13. Chao Ban
- Tysons, Virginia
14. Evelyn Rose
- Vienna
- New American
- $$
15. Rose's Luxury
- Capitol Hill
- New American
- $$$
16. Chang Chang
- Dupont Circle
17. KARRAVAAN
- Union Market District
- International
- $$
18. Cordelia Fishbar
- Union Market
19. Maketto
- H Street NE
- Southeast Asian
- $$
19 venues
1.Maison Adams Morgan map
Photo courtesy of Maison
Ready for some Big French Energy? Executive chef Matt Conroy, who runs Lutèce in Georgetown, introduced another standout French concept this wummer. Conroy’s latest addition comes to a historic townhouse in the Adams Morgan neighborhood, complete with caviar, French 75s, and a wide selection of naturally tilting wines as the focal point. Beyond the bar, the menu features fancy bites like eel croquettes, brioche stuffed chicken, and oysters that rotate seasonally, including several from Mid-Atlantic farmers. The Popal Restaurant Group (also known for restaurant hits like Pascual and Lapis) found inspiration for Maison in wine bars popping up across Europe that offer flexibility in their experience, whether for a glass of wine and a thoughtful bite, or a full-fledged meal. Now Adams Morgan has its own iteration.
Photo courtesy of Maison
2.Poplar Washington D.C map
You’ll want to be a regular at this Northwest restaurant, thanks to its neighborhood appeal and sustainability-minded menu. Named after Rock Creek Park’s towering poplar trees, the 24-seat winner zeroes in on all things hyper-local with a lineup of foraged and farm-fresh dishes from Arcadia Venture’s Iulian Fortu. Inside, Anxo Cider’s Sam Fitz fuels a fittingly artisanal drinks program, and the red-tiled pizza oven roasts everything from lion’s mane mushrooms to Mangalitsa pork coppa steaks. Poplar offers a single prix-fixe menu that changes weekly and gets posted by Wednesday morning. Per person cost ranges from $45 to$60 before service and tip and includes locally sourced Manifest bread, four main dishes, and dessert.
3.Purple Patch Mt. Pleasant map
For more than a decade, the Patch has served Filipino fare under the direction of chef and owner Patrice Cleary. Cleary’s dedication to her craft and her ability to fuse traditional Filipino dishes with modern touches extends to pancakes and waffles injected with ube’s purple color, and pork and chicken adobo brunch bowls. At dinner, an order of Mama Alice’s (her mom’s) lumpia is a must, as is the crab fat lechon kawali with a fiery edge thanks to habanero peppers. But this isn’t just a D.C. restaurant institution: It’s a gathering place for the Filipino community in D.C., with a goal to continue to be a place that preserves and elevates Filipino cultural heritage for years to come.
4.The Experience at Maru San Washington D.C. map
Chef Carlos Delgado is here with Nikkei cuisine, a combination of Peruvian and Japanese flavor widely known in Lima, but new to the District. In fact, this is D.C.’s first and only Nikkei-style hand roll concept, in an intimate 25-seat space where reservations go quickly. A 15-course tasting menu changes nightly, guided by exceptional seasonal seafood. Guests are seated at the counter for a curated progression of small courses prepared and served by Delgado in real time, from pristine sashimi and hand rolls to tiraditos; prepare for unexpected pairings like Peru’s Inca Kola with a specialty caviar hand roll. In addition to that experience, Maru San features a first-come, first-served counter offering hand rolls, à la carte dishes, and a selection of beer, sake, and pisco highballs.
5.Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi Washington D.C. map
Dōgon is celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi’s third act of sorts. Having established himself in D.C., he opened the critically acclaimed restaurant Tatiana in New York City about two years ago. This restaurant, which exudes sleek date-night vibes from the moment you enter the doorway, is named for the Dogon people who inhabit what are now parts of Mali and Burkina Faso, and whose mythology is strongly tied to the stars, specifically Sirius. The menu also pays homage to the American historical leader Benjamin Banneker, and features African diaspora dishes, including Mom Duke’s shrimp, the must-order dish alongside a Chesapeake-influenced hoe crab topped with crunchy bits and shitto (a hot sauce from Ghana).
6.Eebee’s Corner Bar Shaw map
D.C.’s hottest neighborhood tavern is a corner pub called Eebee’s in Shaw, serving up a perfect 50/50 martini alongside steakhouse burgers, club sandwiches, and fried mozzarella sticks. The bar menu, which was inspired by McSorley’s Old Ale House in New York’s Greenwich Village, and even has a cracker snack plus a light and dark beer served in a frosty mug similar to the Manhattan original. But wait — there’s more. Save room for dessert because this bar serves a banana split sundae that is part childhood nostalgia (with rainbow sprinkles) and part grown-up decadence, thanks to brûléed bananas and fresh whipped cream.
No reservations. Find more info here.
7.Aventino Cucina Bethesda map
Bethesda may not feel like Rome. And yes, it’s exactly 4,481 miles away from the Eternal City, but who was counting when chef Mike Friedman (of The Red Hen and All Purpose Pizzafame) made it feel a whole heck of a lot closer? Friedman’s Aventino comes into the new ywar offering a modern look to counterbalance its traditional Roman dishes. It’s still a great space for special occasion dining or a small dinner party with friends, while also serving for a quick stop-in for a spritz at the bar.
8.Sook 14th Street, NW map
What was once Compass Rose has been reincarnated into an global cafe that channels the look and feel of restaurateur Rose Previte’s original vision, but now with all-day hours, plus a robust coffee and natural wine bar. Her globe-trotting restaurant is now known as Sook. And it recently opened with breakfast including Lebanese platters and cheesy Georgian khachapuri. Soon it will expand to all-day service and include other bar snacks and a market with grab-and-go sandwiches, spices from her restaurant Maydan, and an extravagant shrimp cocktail that’s easy to pair with one of the many spritzes served at the bar for happy hour. Consider this your all-day D.C. hangout for the new year.
Find more info here.
9.Dear Sushi at Love, Makoto East End map
This Japanese culinary collection from internationally celebrated chef Makoto Okuwa, part of a giant food hall, plays host to a full-service sushi omakase experience for dinner, featuring “new school” and “old school” sushi techniques, plus an omakase express lunch, and plenty of à la carte options like hand rolls and Japanese A5 wagyu that you grill over a tableside hot stone. The latest addition here is Japanese breakfast. Their all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch features sushi, skewers, carving stations, salads, and desserts for $65 per person. Need something sweet a little sweeter? Head to the back of the food hall and order one of the many heart-shaped donuts offered at Love on the Run.
10.Dirty Habit Penn Quarter Washington D.C. map
Photo courtesy of Dirty Habit
Think of this as your year-round oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Chinatown. Located inside the Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco, Dirty Habit is a vibrant restaurant and bar with a climate-controlled courtyard, known for bold flavors, craft cocktails, and an immersive atmosphere. Guests can expect a globally inspired menu, and a party-centric vibe perfect for any happy hour or brunch to late-night eats. With a rich design and ever-evolving special events, Dirty Habit offers an unforgettable dining experience just steps from Capital One Arena. This is also an easy spot to post up with a large group — reservations online can include eight or more guests.
Photo courtesy of Dirty Habit
11.Metrobar Edgewood map
Gather a group of friends and head to this transit-themed spot, a sprawling indoor-outdoor hangout built around a decommissioned 5000-series Metro railcar retro-fitted as a bar. The outdoor space is a choose-your-own-adventure beer garden with fire pits, cabanas, rotating-food truck pop-ups, and plenty of room for DJs, trivia nights, and other themed events. Drinks also skew local, with a lineup of District-made beers, wines, and cheeky, Metro-inspired cocktails (color-coded by train line, naturally). Think of this as the District’s playground where the train is always on time and the night tends to go off the rails depending on how many Express Lines you’ve sipped.
Book now on Tock.
12.Mandu Mt. Vernon Triangle map
Their groundbreaking Anju may get more plaudits for its role in transforming the Korean American dining landscape, but the mother-and-son team of Yesoon and Danny Lee have — for two decades, in fact — won over D.C. dining devotees with their original project. Savory comfort dishes range from the traditional — think dolsot bibimbap and bulgogi — to creative mash-up dishes like Korean fried chicken sliders sauced in a sweet-and-spicy soy glaze on toasted brioche buns with Kewpie mayo and pickled radish. And to celebrate their 20th birthday, Mandu recently launched a monthly dinner series for collaboration dinners with other popular DMV chefs — that’s quickly becoming one of the toughest tickets in town. (Don’t worry, Resy has you covered.)
13.Chao Ban Tysons, Virginia map
A new fast-casual spot from one of D.C.’s most celebrated chefs landed in Tysons this spring. Kevin Tien, the force behind Moon Rabbit, recently opened Chao Ban with longtime partner Alan Vo at Tysons Galleria. The name translates to “hello, friend,” and the menu leans into that easygoing, come-as-you-are energy. Tien and Vo — both first-generation Vietnamese Americans who grew up in Louisiana — pull from Gulf South and Mid-Atlantic influences to shape a menu that blends Vietnamese flavors with familiar, fast-casual formats. Expect a tight lineup built for quick hits: Two kinds of phở, a catfish bánh mì, rice plates, and snackable sides like xíu mại and honey pecan shrimp. Indeed, just eight signature dishes anchor the Vietnamese American menu.
Find more info here.
14.Evelyn Rose Vienna map
Brought to you by co-owners chef Nick Palermo and Sam Schnoebelen, this neighborhood restaurant puts an elegant spin on nostalgia. With an ever-changing menu using ingredients from around the world, and anchored by local produce, it offers essential dishes like Maine lobster etouffee, a 42-day dry-aged cheeseburger, Norwegian cod with smoked turnips, and a smoked cheese, ricotta, and spinach cavatelli with meatballs. A tight list of cocktails and wine pulls everything together, whether it’s date night or a casual happy hour with friends.
15.Rose’s Luxury Capitol Hill map
Chef Aaron Silverman has been making people (and stomachs happy) on Capitol Hill for more than a decade thanks to a menu of fun and fanciful eating. A meal here is an extravagant choose-your-own-adventure. Each bite is more memorable than the last. This includes the pork lychee salad (which has been on menu since day one) to newer hits like the Italian beef sandwich pasta or the miso-glazed cod inspired by celebrity chefs like Joel Robuchon and Nobu Matsuhisa.
16.Buck’s Fishing & Camping Cleveland Park map
Red checkered tablecloths and outfitting gear adorn the walls, making this restaurant campy and fun. But beyond the aesthetics, this beloved neighborhood gem has earned its reputation for down-home cooking with a legacy spanning more than two decades in Chevy Chase. The menu features locally sourced ingredients and changes daily. What does not change? The divine airiness of Buck’s restaurant’s rosemary focaccia bread or the super savoriness of specials like the bone-in pork chop or heritage half chicken.
17.Chang Chang Dupont Circle map
Chef Peter Chang’s flagship D.C. restaurant plays like a greatest-hits album of his Chinese dishes. The prolific Sichuan master, known for building a regional empire across the DMV, offers one of the best takeout or dine-in dinner experiences in Dupont Circle. The menu gets split in two: a more casual “Chang Out” for takeout-friendly staples and a dine-in “Chang In” menu that leans family-style, pulling from regions like Sichuan and Hunan, and beyond with a Chinese American diaspora-influenced lens. Think soup dumplings with razor-sharp broth, honeyed walnut prawns, and a whole branzino to share, arriving steaming hot in chopped chili paste. This is also the city’s top destination for dim sum brunch. Think: a premium service with Chinese high tea, as well as regular rotating dishes like roasted duck bun, crispy flounder rolls, and seafood pork dumplings.
Book now on Tock.
18.KARRAVAAN Union Market District map
Chef Sanjay Mandhaiya, best known for his Indian restaurant Pappe, delivers new flavors and a menu inspired by the Silk Road by way of Union Market. Dishes here focus not only on Indian cuisine, but also the Middle East, Central Asia, and China, with nods to Morocco and Iberia along the way. Must-order dishes include Georgian khachapuri, Lebanese fish kofte, and wild mushroom biryani. This is also a great place to come with a few hungry friends to explore the ample Turkish-Indian mixed grill options.
19.Cordelia Fishbar Union Market map
Cordelia’s is the place for coastal-inspired dishes, whether you crave a curated selection of crudo or cured seafood specialties, like a shareable turbot or coal-roasted oysters glossed in spicy ‘nduja butter. This Union Market seafood house is also the place for daily oyster happy hour or bottomless weekend brunch — designed to highlight the freshest flavors from both land and sea. For seafood lovers seeking pristine raw bar selections or those just looking for a mouthwatering burger, Cordelia delivers a dining experience that is accessible for the whole family.
Book now on Tock.
20.Maketto H Street NE map
Photo courtesy of Maketto
Erik Bruner-Yang’s all-day cafe and noodle bar remains an H Street staple for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it’s somewhere you can quickly become a regular. (And many of us have.) Bruner-Yang puts his stamp on Cambodian and Taiwanese flavors, so gather a crew and eat your way through the menu. There isn’t a single dish we wouldn’t recommend — from dim sum to pan-fried noodles, and a five-spice fried chicken like no other. Maketto also is building a buzz on Saturday mornings, when the cafe offers a bake-sale menu starting at 9 a.m. But you better get in line, because everything from toasted white sesame cookies to pandan honeycomb cake sells out fast.
Photo courtesy of Maketto
Craving something else?
Date NightCozy LocalesStaff PicksTasting MenusStellar ItalianGroup DiningBurgersBrunchGreat CocktailsGlobal Dining Access… And More
Ted’s Bulletin - Capitol Hill
4.5 · American · $
Washington DC
KAYU
4.6 · Filipino · $$
Dupont
Casamara Rooftop
4.3 · Mediterranean · $$
Dupont Circle
Grazie Nonna
4.5 · Italian American · $$$
Midtown Center
Easy Company
3.8 · American · $$
The Wharf
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