The D.C. Restaurants We’re Loving Right Now

Some neighborhood joints you almost don’t want to tell people about…

… because you’re afraid of ruining them, and Pennyroyal Station is exactly that kind of place. The food is consistently spot on — a quirky reimagining of comfort food that actually delivers, including a brisket mac and cheese, confit chicken wings, and a burger I think about often. It’s the rare spot where the swing-for-the-fences menu items land every time. Too good to gatekeep, much as I’d like to.

— Lulu Chang, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

For a wildly creative fusion meal…

… look no further than Vera Cocina, where Lebanon meets Mexico. My dining partner and I were blown away by the marriage of the flavors of the Middle East and Central America. Picture hummus crowned with esquites, fattoush topped with Tajín-dusted tortilla chips instead of pita chips, kefta doused in a rich mole, and falafel sprinkled with cotija cheese and smothered in a poblano tahini. Live music and a colorful décor make the culinary experience all the more exciting.

— Priya Konings, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

You’re instantly transported to a buzzy Indian street market…

… the moment you walk into Tapori. And that’s intentional: restaurateur Dante Datta and chef Suresh Sundas designed the space for communal dining, where strangers share tables amid bold, Bollywood-inspired colors and textures. Behind the bar, cocktails mix jackfruit purée, Kashmiri chile, and vibrant hibiscus into classic cocktails like martinis and old fashioneds. On the food side, don’t skip the lotus root chaat (crispy and layered with tamarind, sweet yogurt, mint chutney, and kachumber), as well as a playful take on vada pav, featuring a spiced potato fritter tucked into a pillowy roll. The two sleeper hits you shouldn’t miss are the podi masala dosas (a crispy layered lentil crêpe with sambar and coconut chutney) and the achari macchi kebab, with wild North Atlantic halibut cooked in the tandoor.

— Tim Ebner, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

When you go back to a restaurant just for the salad…

… you know it’s something special. And L’Avant-Garde’s lobster salad is as close to perfect as it gets: succulent pieces of lobster, grapefruit supremes, and paper-thin Granny Smith apple stud a bed of tender lettuce atop avocado cream. We were there for a birthday and the rest of the celebratory meal was just as stunning: luxe jamón iberico and caviar followed by the decadent all-lobster tasting menu. One for the books!

— Lani Furbank, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

My husband and I keep finding our way back to…

… Opal, which has somehow become both our 5 p.m. happy hour spot (baby in tow) and our date night spot (baby at home). It’s from the same team as Nina May, which is also known for its down-to-earth yet elevated style of cooking. The bar is warm and welcoming with great libations, and the full menu is creative and seasonally driven without ever feeling fussy. Whichever mode we’re in, the rhythm of the place just works. And whatever you do, don’t skip dessert.

— Lulu Chang, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

Leave the white shirt at home…

… if you’re planning on hammering crab legs at Quarterdeck. The jumbo blue crabs were massive, meaty, and perfectly sweet. Paired with hush puppies, steamed shrimp, and an icy cocktail on the patio, it was the perfect summer combo.

— Carissa Tyson, Senior Issue Resolution Specialist

D.C. got a new Nikkei hand roll counter earlier this year…

… courtesy of James Beard award-winning chef Carlos Delgado, and reservations for Maru San are disappearing fast. His intimate, 25-seat spot celebrates the vibrant fusion of Peruvian and Japanese flavors long celebrated in Lima but still somewhat new to the District. The experience centers on a nightly changing, 15-course tasting menu driven by peak-season seafood, with guests seated at the counter for a front-row view as Delgado prepares and serves each course in real time — from pristine sashimi and hand rolls to bright, citrusy tiraditos. Expect surprising pairings along the way, like Peru’s iconic Inca Kola alongside a luxe caviar hand roll.

Pro tip: For a bit more of a casual experience, Maru San also offers a walk-up counter with hand rolls, à la carte dishes, and a tight list of beer, sake, and pisco highballs.

— Tim Ebner, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

On warm days…

… I find myself craving long, languid dinners outside, and Buck’s Fishing & Camping is the kind of neighborhood place I actively think about going to. I recently met up with a friend I hadn’t seen in years, and the combination of strong drinks, friendly service, and food that doesn’t try too hard made several hours disappear without anyone noticing. The burrata salad and homemade flatbread are reason enough to show up, and the martini is one of the best in the neighborhood. Save it for the next time you need a backdrop for a real conversation.

— Lulu Chang, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

Where else would two gals go…

… for a glam brunch than L’Ardente? We leaned hard into indulgence and left with no regrets: the spicy arancini, bucatini cacio e pepe, French Riviera toast, and a seasonal soft serve were incredible, but it was the scallop gnocchi that stole the show — think soft gnocchi pillows infused with scallop and tossed in a kombu butter with parmesan and fava beans. It surprised and delighted us all at once.

— Lani Furbank, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

I felt like I had stepped into an elegant speakeasy…

… when I visited Elyse to try chef Jon Krinn’s tasting menu. It’s an inviting, intimate space, tucked in an unassuming stucco building in the back of a parking lot. When we were there, the kitchen churned out a series of delights showcasing local ingredients including brown butter-soaked white asparagus, mushrooms served in a silky squash purée, and a chocolate-and-caramel cream custard. Chef Jon told us no dish is made the same more than once, so every experience is once-in-a-lifetime. The beverage pairings are also a treat, including wine pairings, N/A pairings, and a mix of both. Add this gem to your must-visit list immediately.

— Priya Konings, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

Don’t skip Sunday brunch…

… at Pascual, which has drawn national attention for its hearth-driven take on Mexican cuisine (get ready for chilaquiles and huevos rancheros). Should you come in for dinner, though, standouts include the seasonal tamal, lamb neck barbacoa, and a lazy Susan loaded with salsas and guacamole — the kind of opening spread that sets the tone for the whole table.

And don’t miss the rotating lineup of trompo tacos created in collaboration with some of D.C.’s most exciting chefs (past collabs have included Chris Morgan of Joon and Rob Rubba of Oyster Oyster). These one-night-only dinners will pop up throughout the year, so best to keep an eye on Pascual’s Instagram so you don’t miss out.

— Tim Ebner, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

If you love flowers, wine, and cocktails…

… Florería Atlántico is the hidden gem you’ve been looking for. The cocktail bar is behind a flower and wine shop storefront, and though you might feel like you’re in a Miami or Ibiza club at first — the sleek interior boasts velvet booths and ambient disco lighting — the space is much cozier than that. Definitely order some cocktails, and if you’re looking for a snack with your beverages, the empanadas are your best bet. Though if you can’t decide between sweet and savory, go sweet: all the desserts are incredible.

— Priya Konings, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

It’s well worth the trip over the bridge…

… for a taste of the upscale British pub fare at the recently reopened Hunter’s Head Tavern. New owner Jarad Slipp, of Middleburg’s Tremolo Bar, is a master sommelier who worked at Gordon Ramsay’s three-Michelin-star London restaurant early in his career. I already can’t wait to be transported again by the Sunday roast, which includes everything from airy Yorkshire pudding to crisp roasted potatoes.

— Alice Levitt, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

More D.C. staff picks, right this way.

The views expressed in this article reflect personal experiences of American Express employees at the applicable restaurants — not American Express — and do not constitute professional business advice.