The Resy Hit List: Where In D.C. You’ll Want to Eat in April 2024

Easily one of the year’s most anticipated restaurants. The wife-and-husband team Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy, of Lutèce fame, have opened an intimate Mexican restaurant in Capitol Hill in what was formerly a barbecue shop. The space is reminiscent of one of Mexico’s beach-chic eateries, and all that remains of the barbecue joint is the smell of wood-fired coals that keep the kitchen moving at an exciting pace. Dishes that take on those smoky flavors include lamb-neck barbacoa, and tacos al pastor with each tortilla made in house. And crucially, don’t miss the parsnip tamal, with its spice-rich mole blanco. While seating is limited to indoors, Pascual has plans to debut a patio later this spring. There are also bar seats for walk-in visits, should a mezcal margarita be calling your name.

Here’s an awe-inspiring new restaurant with the power to transport you to Morrocco thanks to its stylings: colorful tapestries, muraled walls and glowing lanterns. Cocktails, wines, and shareable spreads designed to take you to the Mediterranean region. That includes Tunisian brik (a flaky filo pastry), traditional mezze platters, or your choice of chicken, lamb, or vegetable tagine.  

This is the third restaurant and bar concept from restaurateur Rose Previte. Medina sits adjacent to her Michelin-starred restaurant Maydān, and the menu was designed by the former Compass Rose chef Sam Molavi.  

Not to miss is the signature drink from beverage director Drew Hairston: Rose-Tinted Glasses blends Bombay Bramble gin with txakolina and pickled raspberry-rose sorbet, with added spice from pink peppercorn mixed with pomegranate liqueur. 

Rob Rubba led the way as James Beard’s 2023 Outstanding Chef of the Year, with a sustainability-driven menu including Chesapeake Bay oysters and vegetables sourced from the mid-Atlantic region. This may be the toughest table in town to book, for his $135 per person tasting menu, with the option to add wine pairings or nonalcoholic beverages. Don’t worry, we have the inside scoop on how to score a table.

Fun and bold Italian fare stands up brightly at this dimly lit spot. The latest from the Grazie Grazie and Grazie Nonna team takes the typical red-sauce joint and stretches the concept way, way further. It delivers a lounge-like atmosphere with extravagant dishes like its mafalde, a next-level pasta with truffled cream, roasted mushroom, and provolone; or a family-style saffron risotto topped with short rib and gremolata. Did we mention there’s a DJ booth? Your weekend is made for late-night dance parties with Negronis.

As we eagerly await the second coming of Reverie in Georgetown, discerning diners will want to pull up a stool to the bar at Bar Spero. This Basque-influenced concept from Chef Johnny Spero features large-scale seafood format dishes like octopus fried and topped with a squid stock emulsion with citrus zest. Or a walloping turbot cooked over the wood flame and served with an herbed cod dashi emulsion — this is a shared dish best served for two.

Add to that an extensive vermouth list to sip and sample side-by-side. There are of course Basque producers including a white vermouth called Tximista, but also Italian, Australian, and D.C.’s very own Capitoline white vermouth.

Dante Datta and Suresh Sundas teamed up for a restaurant inspired by the history, culture, and tastes of India, but also influenced by flavors from around the world. On any given night they’re in the kitchen or jamming to playlists curated by the staff. And that leads to a teeming energy — matched to standout cocktails, delicious dishes, and a cozy (and heated) patio space. The menu is a mashup in the best possible way, with “Indian-ish” cuisine: dishes like chicken tikka tacos, wok-friend cabbage with Sichuan peppercorns, and za’atar olive naan. And then there’s the “Chai-Teani,” spiked chai tea that mixes old port rum with masala chai and cacao cream.

Aventino has brought sleek Roman cuisine to the Maryland suburbs. The menu from chef Mike Friedman (Red Hen) has nods to Roman-Jewish influences, including carciofi ‘alla Giudia’ — fried artichokes served with mint and salsa verde. His pizza rossa is a must order dish, too; this ode to the classic snack tastes like what you might find wandering the streets of Trastevere.

Why sample just one pasta when you easily try multiples in one sitting? Friedman prepares smaller-scale versions of cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and tortellini. And definitely save room to sample desserts, namely the fruity float topped with vanilla gelato, kiwi, coconut, and lemon granita, an Amalfi Coast-inspired treat that melts together thanks to a pourover of juniper-coriander soda.

Chef Aaron Silverman has been running this Capitol Hill dining room for more than a decade now, and it consistently delivers on an extravagant, choose-your-own adventure menu. These bites are memorable from start-to-finish – from the rye-challah and creamy toasted caraway butter to the poached lobster, a dish that’s modeled off a recipe version created for heads of state at the Royal Palace of Versailles. Save room for dessert, too. You’ll want to double up and try both the baklava sundae and coconut tres leches cake.

L’Avant-Garde honors the French tradition of dining with pleasure, and taking time to enjoy a delicious pause during a hectic D.C. work week. Chef Sébastien Giannini has stepped into the restaurant and revised the menu to include a new lunch offering, plus updated French Riviera-style cuisine for dinner.

That includes salade Niçoise and sea bass seared in olive oil and a generous helping of eggplant caviar. Still, duck remains one of the most prominent features on the menu. You can try it in one of two ways: A foie gras cooked in terrine with cognac, cherries, and toasted brioche. Or a seared duck breast served with cherries, red cabbage, and a duck demi-glace with caramelized gala apples. Pro tip: Giannini also serves up one of the best burgers in town. His raclette burger features American wagyu patty and topped with melted raclette cheese and applewood smoked bacon.

There is no better way to enjoy a barbecue feast in D.C. than with premium brisket, ribs, and pulled pork found at 2Fifty BBQ. Owner Debbie Portillo González is a Salvadoran restaurateur, who along with husband Fernando González smokes some of the finest Hill Country-style barbecue in our nation’s capital. That includes their take on signature Salvadoran dishes like brisket pupusas. The restaurant is open on a first come, first served basis at the flagship shop in Maryland’s Riverdale Park, as well as another restaurant coming soon to Mount Vernon Triangle.

Walk-ins welcome.

The ultimate in Peruvian cuisine can be found in Shaw’s Blagden Alley. Whether you’re looking for a fine-dining experience, or a tropical rooftop bar, Peruvian-born chef and co-owner Carlos Delgado takes you on an epicurean journey through his home country’s many regions, from the Andes mountains to the Amazon rainforest and Pacific coast.

Along the way, sample everything from citrusy ceviche to shareable whole fish, meat and seafood-centric dishes. Upstairs at Amazonia find Delgado’s approachable à la carte menu and a leafy rooftop bar. It also has bragging rights to one of the largest pisco collections in the United States. (Downstairs at Causa is a more formal chef’s tasting menu offered at $175 per person.)

Chef Paolo Dungca celebrates his Filipino roots with a spirit of “bayanihan” — a concept that centers on community and uplifting others. But what defines Hiraya is a sense of fun, one that permeates all day long, from ube and rainbow-colored lattes to happy hour cocktails, like a pandan daiquiri, as well as a brisket, egg and cheese served on a golden-brown laminated bun, with an optional McDonald’s-style hash brown. Dungca has also taken that spirit upstairs, literally: He recently debuted a tasting menu on the second floor, with options to try all of his best dishes in a seven-course ($145) offering.

Delve into the diverse tapestry of Indian cuisine with executive chef Ajay Kumar’s menu, which features several regions across India. Venison Lal Maas is a homage to Rajasthan, the renowned hunting capital of India. Grilled octopus offers a bridge between Indian and French influences, transporting diners to the shores of South India, and a white asparagus kadhi from Gujarat provides a delicate and sophisticated touch, highlighting the culinary richness of India’s western state.

Each of these dishes is available to try on a tasting menu that comes in either a 6- or 9-courses, with the option to add wine pairings.

The latest D.C. rendition from Stephen Starr has the look-and-feel of its New York City sibling but with a je-ne-sais-quoi factor that has quickly made it the “it” power dining destination in Washington. For starters the space is slightly larger thanks to vaulted ceilings and 200 seats spread between indoor banquettes and café tables, plus an outdoor enclosed streetery. There are also several original dishes to this menu including beef tongue, Wiener schnitzel, and roast chicken for two.  

By far, the bar is the centerpiece of this restaurant’s energy. Order-up Starr’s favorite cocktail while you’re there. The Monsieur Marmalade is s a drink that calls for white Tequila, French amer, blood-orange marmalade, and lime. But it being Pastis, there’s also Parisian-inspired cocktail classics and easy-drinking spritzes. Try the San Tropez Spritz, made with St. Germain, Cap Corse blanc, and sparkling wine. 

The go-to spot for breakfast tacos in Washington, with the line to prove it on most weekends. What first started as a pop-up is now a brick-and-mortar in Mount Pleasant, offering a handful of tacos like the Tio Willie. Said taco combines scrambled eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, and a drizzle of queso — no surprise it’s one of the more popular picks on the menu. Or go for the Super Migas, a vegetarian option, loaded with fixings to see you through the day. This shop also partnered up with 2Fifty BBQ to offer an Austin-themed taco known as the 512. It’s a taco stuffed chock full of Texas-style brisket, cheesy scrambled eggs, queso, and pico de gallo.

Find more info here.

Waltz into the Waldorf Astoria in Washington D.C. and snag one of the coveted counter seats at Sushi Nakazawa for what might be this town’s all-out omakase experience. Chef Katsuyoshi Okuna serves sushi conceived by the restaurant’s executive chef, Daisuke Nakazawa, namely an exclusive nigiri menu consisting of approximately 20 pieces of fish, priced at $180 per head at the counter. Ingredients are flown in daily, including rare shellfish from Japan.

Tropical vibes and bright cocktails are always on the menu at Residents, and it’s the prefect gathering spot for happy hour — especially as D.C. enters patio season. This bar offers up a hyper-seasonal menu with local ingredients and bold cocktails ready for their Instagram debut. Get your cameras ready for The Bee. It’s made with beeswax, bee pollen, and packs a sweet punch thanks to raw honey, and a mixture of Nordic mead and gin. 

While Residents is first and foremost a bar, it also offers dishes to keep you lingering beyond happy hour. For dinner, try one of two new risottos. The crab and artichoke risotto uses freshly sourced crab from the Chesapeake Bay and comes topped with smoky paprika oil. Or opt for a citrusy-bright risotto made with lemon gremolata, pomegranate seeds, brown butter, and sautéed arugula.  

This French bistro from the The Dabney team has star dishes that stay on the menu all day, including foie gras beignets served with raspberry and black pepper jam and a decadent French onion soup. It is also mandatory to order the crispy beef fat fries served with a vinegary aioli, perfect for dipping. None of this is to overlook bar director Daniel Todd’s exceptional cocktails, or a tightly curated wine list by Dabney veteran Jessica Liberto, featuring regions from Beaujolais to Burgundy and Bordeaux offered by the bottle or the glass.

What was once a notable fine-dining establishment (Komi) is now a down-to-earth ice cream parlor … that doubles as a pizza shop, and triples as a wine shop, with a robust selection of natural-leaning wines. Basically, Gemini is our Swiss Army knife of dining around Dupont Circle. When it’s impossible to decide where to eat? A slice is always nice — a particular favorite is the Red Grandpa with bacon, fontina, and pickled peppers, for a salty-pickled bang. Or order up an Athens-style falafel with shawarma-spiced wings for a weekend hang. And nothing is sweeter than their selection of Happy Ice Cream. Look for the cart serving up cones and cups on weekends, or take home a pint of Basque cheesecake and passion fruit.

Find more info here.

Reveler’s Hour gets high praise for fresh pastas, garlic knots, and a sweet trio of gelatos. Beyond its reputation for outstanding Italian fare, it also stands out as a haven for wine enthusiasts, featuring an adjacent wine shop and the expertise of sommelier Bill Jensen. He skillfully pairs Italian wines with a range of dishes, from beef carpaccio to ricotta cavatelli. That magic comes thanks to a wine list that spans Europe — including small Greek vineyards, a diversity of French selections, and natural-minded Italian bottles. This is the same Michelin-starred team behind Tail Up Goat, located just a few blocks away in Adams Morgan, which means hospitality is taken seriously here — as the name might imply.