The D.C. Area Restaurants Where We Want To Be Regulars

H Street’s Maketto is known for its tantalizing Taiwanese fried chicken, supple dim sum, and decadent rice and noodle dishes with Cambodian influences. But the heart of Maketto belongs to its 6,000 square-foot communal marketplace, which offers an assortment of retail, restaurant, bar, and cafe experiences including Cool Kids Vinyl, a record shop flecked with nostalgia.

According to owner Eric Bruner-Yang, his hope with Maketto “is that you learn/try something new and can always find a reason to come back to see us.” And just around the block is , where Maketto alumni have delivered an interpretation of Afrofuturism through food — a reminder that great restaurants also lead to great new ones.

Daru may not live on the busiest street in D.C., but this buzzy restaurant with Indian-ish plates and eclectic cocktails has quite the loyal fan base. Jovial and knowledgeable bartenders will guide you through their inventive menu, which includes everything from daal makhani served over burrata to paneer pesto tikka. If you can, sit at the bar, where you’ll have a front seat to the beautiful and busy madness that is Daru’s cocktail-making. Walk-ins are available for the bar and outdoor seating, which makes it easy to stroll up to the restaurant to sample the whole menu in just a few visits.

Visit La Tejana enough times, and you might get a shout-out on social media. This award-winning Rio Grande Valley-inspired breakfast taco shop draws crowds every week. But before they opened their brick-and-mortar, owners Ana-Maria Jaramillo and Gus May ran a tortilla pop-up with its own dedicated fan base. Now starting early in the morning, they dish out a medley of tacos with cheesy scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and their signature cilantro crema salsa. To read about La Tejana’s regulars, head over to their Instagram, which features supporters from their pop-up days, neighborhood friends, and tender stories from around the block.

Nestled in the heart of Arlington, Pirouette is an all-day wine-lovers’ destination for Arlington and D.C. residents. Since opening in late 2022, owners Jackie and Philippe Loustaunau have welcomed everyone from aficionados to the wine-curious into their bright and airy space. Most regulars, the duo says, live around the block and come in once or twice a week, but they have their share of regulars from D.C. too. Regulars are tuned into all Pirouette’s happenings: they stop by for lunch or dinner at the café, purchase bottles at their wine shop, and attend the free tastings on the weekends.

A delicious bowl of ramen beckons you to Petworth — or perhaps, if you’re a local, just down the block. Since 2019, this ramen joint has been serving noodles in many different broths, to much acclaim. Founded by Eric Yoo, a financial consultant turned ramen chef who trained under Keizo Shimamoto of Ramen Shack, Menya serves up everything from classic shoyu and tonkotsu broths, along with inventive choices like truffle shoyu and vegetarian tan tan bowls. Regulars stay up to date about Menya Hosaki’s special Tuesday menus on Instagram — and we suggest doing the same, be in the know about one-offs like Onomichi-style ramen and tsukemen.

Martha Dear’s Neapolitan-style pizzas and Hellenic specialties turn heads. It’s the culinary magic you’d expect from Tail Up Goat veterans Demetri Mechelis and Tara Smith teaming up, and regulars to their basement space seem to agree. The duo truly gets the regular vibe, however, as fans of their Instagram can attest; those photos of Demetri or Tara holding up their favorite pizzas and menu items send just the right message.

The scent of the burning hearth and fiery coals draws you into Albi, but you’ll stay for the superb Levantine cooking and phenomenal beverage pairings. Expect nothing less from a restaurant whose name translates to ‘my heart’ in Arabic, where servers provide top-notch service and the open kitchen makes this place feel cozy. Feast on two different hummuses (Maryland Crab and coal-fired mushroom, if you’re wondering), and exult in the dessert menu, and a wine list that you’ll quickly fall in love with. Whether you go full à la carte or opt for the tasting menu, you’ll want to return in a heartbeat.

Ellē has become one of the premier spots in Mount Pleasant to grab a coffee, bagels, and brunch, and at night, take a spin through a tasting menu with seasonal vegetables, rustic mains, and tantalizing desserts. Immediately when you enter, a bulletin board cluttered with neighborly happenings and a wall of Ellē’s legendary “cat butt” totes greet you. Regulars will come to know the lore of Grumpy Cat, the beloved and unofficial mascot of the restaurant, who hangs out in the large vintage painting.

The Red Hen’s rotating menu provides a star-studded treatment — with some Italian spirit — of seasonal produce. Nowadays, stracciatella crostini with grilled ramps and fluke crudo with fennel pollen grace its menu, but those options could very well change by the time you read this article. At this spot in the historic Bloomingdale neighborhood, you’ll feel comfortable bringing your family, friends, and even a celebrity (hello Joe Biden) into its moody yet snug ambiance. Pro tip: Reservations are normally required, although you can keep up with their Instagram account @redhenbarseats to check the best times to sneak into their spacious bar area.

Even as a newcomer at Charga, you’ll feel at home. Don’t be surprised if owner Asad Chaudry calls you “brother” when you waltz in, or serves you samples of lime-cilantro rice and Peruvian arroz chaufa in small cups. Open seven days a week, this Arlington storefront specializes in street food and plates of chicken from around the world. Special to their menu is their Balochi-style sajji chicken and popular flash-fried charga chicken with masala onions and chutney. Whether it’s your first or tenth time, you will never get bored. And if you’ve exhausted every chicken dish, their burgers, hoagies, and kabob platters are solid bites as well.

A luxurious night in Georgetown needs only a beautiful meal to cap off the night — or, as the name implies, to begin it. Either way, why not head to D.C.’s only wine and cocktail bar that specializes in Champagne and sustainably farmed caviar? Started by sommelier Elli Benchimol, Apéro now serves generous French fare around the clock and hosts a special caviar hour at the bar on Tuesdays and Thursdays. While the inside boasts soft pillows, grand mirrors, and swanky decorations, regulars know the best seat is the secret garden on a warm day, or one of the seats nestled in the front window.

It may have just opened, but you’ll want to become a regular as soon as possible at this follow-up from the Dabney team. In a bright and airy Mount Vernon location, open all day, come often for an unforgettable taste of Paris bistro food and culture. You’ll be amazed by options including the buckwheat crêpe with salami and goat cheese, and comforting braised lamb with spring vegetables and black garlic. If you’re in a rush, you could always stop by in the morning for a quick pastry, too (translation: get the golden brown canelés and buttery croissants), all made in-house.

Seki is renowned for its quality raw fish and extensive sake list, but it’s the hand-drawn menus with cute and quirky illustrations that first catch your attention. In this two-­story Japanese restaurant run by father-daughter duo Hiroshi and Cizuka Seki, feast on everything from grilled whole squid to sublimely fried mushrooms with butter and garlic. Once you’ve dined multiple times at this neighborhood spot, ask to sit out the counter and watch the splendors of Japanese seafood cooking behind the glass.

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Fans of Italian food and rotating menus are in for a special treat at Centrolina. The smattering of antipasti, pasta, dishes “a lenga” (from the terracotta-clad wood oven), and more will astound you, and make you a regular diner. This is the genius of chef Amy Brandwein — food that feels simultaneously familiar and new. Even if you’re not dropping by for a meal, pay a visit to Centrolina’s Mercato Kitchen for gift baskets or indulge in a wood-fired treat from their sister outpost Piccolina, an all-day café across the street.

Race down 18th Street  you might just miss Coin De Poetes. Instead, slow down, because this charming coffee shop and crêperie is a bright spot in the historical district. Immediately upon entering, you’ll be greeted by the owner Paris, who has a sharp memory for regulars and a knack for hosting the best events on the block. Weekly happenings might change at any given time — sometimes it’s comedy nights, poetry readings, spontaneous crêpe-making lessons, or speed friending. But once you enter this cozy space, fashioned with decor from local artists and an enormous Yamaha piano, you’ll understand what makes Poetes a worthwhile stop.

Who knew dining through the seasons could be this fun? At this Shaw gem, nearly everything on their menu is sourced from farms within 150 miles of the city. Truly, it’s as family-owned and operated as it gets with executive chef Colin McClimans and general manager Danilo Simic running the show. Their constantly rotating menu is a must-get, a $55 family-style tasting that will expose you to brilliant technique, local produce, and dishes such as little neck clams with sausage and maple sherry glazed brussel sprouts (at least right now!). While you’re at it, swing on Fridays for lunch to support their pop-up Edna May, an upcoming project opening in Chevy Chase as an all-day seasonal restaurant.

Speaking of Tail Up Goat, it’s no surprise that it ranks high on the places of where we’d want to be a regular. With stellar service and indoor and patio dining, you — like many District residents — will find yourself returning to this Adams Morgan gem time and again. Their signature four-course dinner menu, which accommodates most allergies, includes a bit of everything: bite-sized snacks, hearty main courses like poached halibut and chicken fried shrooms, and sumptuous desserts like pecorino cake with a lemon and turmeric jam. Not in the mood for a full service dinner? No problem! Tail Up Goat makes it easy to stop by for a few bites on their patio via an a la carte menu. In case the Goat gets fully booked (we know), it’s easy to hop on over to their sister restaurant Reveler’s Hour for pasta and wine.

Calling all those passionate about wine: You’ll want to head to Bloomingdale to find your new home. You don’t have to be an expert to revel in the offerings here, selected by owners Kathleen Davis and Thomas Boisvert. That’s because they offer a mix of wine flights at any given time, including a customizable flight option. While you consider standout wine options, don’t skip over a menu that includes a house-made fusilli in a white wine sauce and roasted chicken thighs with a garlic cucumber yogurt sauce. (For those wanting to dive deeper into a regular wine supply, there’s the établi Wine Club, which gains you access to a monthly selection of three bottles, and Carpe Vinum, which offers slightly cheaper wines for everyday drinking.)

This 10,000 square-foot palace in Tysons Galleria might not fit the splitting image of a restaurant made for regulars. But you’d be wrong if that kept you away. Chef Pepe Moncayo bring 10 years of cooking and living in Singapore to Jiwa Singapura, a love letter to a place he considers home, and that translates into dishes that are precise but also still retain their street-food soul. Definitely order the smoky char kway teow, the creamy laksa, and decadent Singaporean chili crab, and take time to bask in the magnificent room with 30-foot ceilings, 2 beautiful bars, a chef’s table, and an expansive patio.

Every diner gets a warm welcome at this Latin seafood restaurant run by sibling chef duo Alfredo and Jessica Solis. With unparalleled service and generous portions, this neighborhood gem stands out in a sea of restaurants near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. You’ll never get bored of their menu, which contains tasty ceviche, flavor-bomb sandwiches, and a standout whole-fried flounder. You’ll come to be very fond of the sight of the hand-painted octopus mural, and the dining room’s seaside-cool colors.

You’ll feel the spring magic while dining under a bed of pink cherry blossoms and frosted branches at Residents, whose regulars-please approach is telegraphed in its name. Located in the heart of Dupont Circle, it serves carefully crafted cocktails and a solid brunch and dinner menu with decadent crab pasta with calabrian chiles and refreshing salmon carpaccio. While you’re there, get to know the team; that name pays homage to their founders, who immigrated and settled in the nation’s bustling capital.

There always seems to be a buzzy event or pop-up at this Adams Morgan gem. In fact, it’s a near-perfect spot to be a regular because you’ll never know what might be brewing in its space. You could stumble upon Little Hat’s Breakfast Bodega pop-up serving classic brisket chopped cheese or an art show featuring local arts (Follow their Instagram more more details). When there aren’t pop-ups, Grand Duchess dishes out their own plates of gooey aracini, seared pesto gnocchi, and delectable bites of crispy brussels sprouts, plus an always-fun cocktail list.