Where to Eat in December: Moon Rabbit, Crazy Aunt Helen’s, and More

Throughout the World Cup, Wunder Garten is your headquarters for all the action. This heated outdoor beer garden will be open for morning and afternoon coverage with beer specials and hearty bowls of spaetzle to keep the belly full. Wunder Garten has also teamed up with multiple embassies including the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Australia, and Belgium for exclusive watch parties.

The perfect place to toast the New Year is at this American-meets-French-style bistro in the heart of downtown D.C. It’s an easy way to refuel after a busy holiday season, whether that’s ice skating on the National Mall or doing some holiday shopping nearby. Happy hour season is also in full effect in December, with $9 cocktails and wines paired with soulful dishes like gougères stuffed with Gruyère and Parmesan.

Kevin Tien’s deeply personal cooking blends his Vietnamese American heritage and his upbringing in Lafayette, La. His winter menu is inspired by family dishes, like a shareable Vietnamese woven noodle platter with lemongrass pork, salt and pepper shrimp, and skirt steak, plus vegetable accoutrements. Pair it with a playful nod to the coziness of the season. The Cuffing Season is a spicy cocktail with Japanese whisky, Cardamaro, allspice, lemon juice, apple-vinegar cordial, and garnished with an orange twist.

Did somebody say drag brunch? Every Saturday, Crazy Aunt Helen’s play host to some of the best performances in town. On the docket for December is the “slay ride” series from Capital Blend, plus other holiday shows and open mic performances on Monday nights. Dishes reflect the down-home hospitality. The crispy fried steak or chicken pot pie is better than mom’s version. Plus, there are vegetarian-friendly dishes jackfruit tacos and mushroom pumpkin “empanadas.”

The completion of Metro’s Silver Line makes it easier than ever to travel to Northern Virginia by rail, and one place that’s decked out for the season and sure to please the entire family is Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks. Find classic American dishes like bone-in chicken, USDA prime steaks, Snake River wagyu, and a shellfish tower for feasts of epic proportions.

The vibe is lit in Silver Spring thanks to Firepan KBBQ, a Korean barbecue joint where you can do all the grilling tableside. It’s a great way to stay warm and keep the belly filled thanks to an all-you-can-eat menu of unmarinated and marinated meats, seafood, and vegetarian selections like housemade kimchi and banchan.

Don Ciccio and Figli are generational crafters of a range of Italian herbal liqueurs, from the bitter to the sweet. The Ivy City tasting room features bar tops and comfortable couch seating, making it a great place for large groups of family and friends to meet during the holidays. Reservations also include cocktail service from Bar Sirenis, located adjacent to the tasting room.

Call Your Mother has quickly expanded its bagel empire across The District, Maryland, and Virginia in a matter of years. It’s also going to be a popular takeout option for all your Hanukkah needs — from babka to latkes, this place has all of the go-to dishes to celebrate.

Walk-ins welcome.

Santa is serving up the drinks all month at this hit tiki bar on U Street. Throughout December, Archipelago turns into a Sippin’ Santa pop-up bar with festive rum and tropical drinks, plus beachy décor. Also jolly types with beards.

Metrobar will keep you nice and toasty all through the winter season thanks to dozens of fire pits, plus a heated indoor tent for cover from any snow or ice. In December this bar is the host with the most thanks to World Cup watch parties, a holiday market, Thursday trivia nights, and a hot cocoa karaoke party.

Walk-ins welcome.