The Resy Hit List: Where In D.C. You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
Updated:
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
- Fireworks on the Fourth: The largest firework display ever in Washington, D.C.’s history takes place on July Fourth. And outdoor seating is a must this Independence Day to take in the show on the Potomac River. Several restaurants will host rooftop or riverfront parties, including L’Ardente, Fiola Mare, and Sequoia DC. This is a dazzling display worth celebrating with some good food and bubbly.
- Caribbean Capital: Island life seems a bit closer to Washington, D.C. this summer. Look no further than Croix — coming to us from the U.S. Virgin Islands — and Itiyah — a Haitian concept — opening later this summer. While we eagerly await these additions, here are several Caribbean dining options to sample right now. Dive deep into Dōgon’s hoe crab – the most-ordered dish on the menu, with lump Maryland crabmeat gently simmered in garlic butter and creole spices. Or visit St. James for a culinary adventure through Trinidad. Or if it’s Tuesday, head over to Lydia on H for the Taco Tuesday special featuring jerk chicken tacos and beef suya nachos.
- Essential World Cup Parties: D.C. may have missed its shot for the host city of the World Cup, but that doesn’t mean our global city is sitting this game out. In July, several bars and restaurants open their doors to fans for exclusive parties, including Bar Barbouzard’s World Cup finals brunch, Tonic at Quigley’s Pharmacy’s third-floor lounge watch parties, and Nero’s Argentine game day specials like $10 Fernet and coke and $13 beef empanadas.
- Wine Country Tour: This summer, gather a group of friends and head to Virginia and Maryland’s wine regions to sample some Cab Franc or Petit Verdot. In Virginia, head to Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Early Mountain Winery and Tasting Room, or Delaplane Cellars for three of the mid-Atlantic region’s top producers. Or settle into the tasting room over at The Crossvines in Maryland — an experimental winery that allows several small wine producers to co-work in the same space. But if you can’t escape the city this summer, Crimson Lane comes to L’Ardente for a one-night-only wine dinner on July 14.
New to the Hit List (July 2026)
Daru, Kathmandu, Lutèce, Oasis: The Listening Bar, Primrose, Sid Gold’s Request Room.
1. Rosselli Downtown
Downtown’s latest dealmaking restaurant is Rosselli, a restaurant from Knightsbridge Restaurant Group’s Ashok Bajaj (of Rasika fame) who brings chef Carlos Cardona — fresh off a stint at Hong Kong’s two-Michelin-starred NOI by Paulo Airaudo. The opening menu reflects a focus on classic Italian cuisine, presented in a refined, modern fine-dining style. Cardona’s goal was to build a menu that balances the flavors and pasta presentations direct from Italy. Think linguine ai frutti di mare, taleggio cheese tortellini with thyme butter, and tagliatelle with fresh herbs, lemon, and olive oil.
2. Poplar Washington D.C
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. Albi Navy Yard
Chef Michael Rafidi’s mainstay is best known for its soulful and progressive interpretation of Palestinian cuisine. The restaurant is bolder than ever before, thanks to some recent renovations and a hearth-driven experience for diners. Of course, the best seats are at the Hearth Table, which offers the most immersive and elevated dining experience. This experience is exclusively available as a chef-curated journey through Palestinian cooking with just two tables offering two seats and also known as a Sofra family-style tasting menu ($165). Based on an Arabic word meaning “a table set for you,” it’s now a fully spontaneous five-course experience, keeping you guessing as to what’s next. Don’t miss the Khubz+, a five-dip spread, or the Maryland crab malfouf.
4. The Experience at Maru San Washington D.C.
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. Daru H Street Corridor
Suresh Sundas and Dante Datta teamed up for this restaurant inspired by the history, culture, and flavors of India. Along with familiar favorites like wild mushroom biryani, the menu also features several “Indian-ish” takes inspired by other regions of the world, like wok-fried cabbage and za’atar olive naan. The restaurant recently added weekly deals that pull in H Street neighbors from half-priced wine nights on Wednesdays to a generous happy hour featuring $10 plates of chicken tikka masala or paneer makhani with rice and garlic naan and $13 cocktails.
6. The Fountain Inn Georgetown
Inspired by the historic tavern known as “the room where it happened,” The Fountain Inn pays homage to the drinking dens frequented by our country’s founding fathers, with pre-prohibition-style cocktails and a robust spirits library with more than 700 whiskeys and bourbons. Chef Greg Heitzig offers an array of fine dining-inspired dishes from caviar focaccia to Roseda Farms steak tartare, plus 18-hour braised beef cheeks, each with a suggested cocktail or spirit pairing. This bar and restaurant is located near the top of Georgetown’s Wisconsin Avenue and provides a quiet ambiance for dinner and drinks steeped in history.
7. The Little Grand H Street, NE
Hot pizza, cold drinks, and warm people is the motto of this alleyway pizza bar located off H Street, NE. The Little Grand a gem of a pizza parlor, worth stopping in to sample one of the round (traditional) or square (Detroit-style) pies. Top picks include the sausage and pepper, potato, and ricotta, and of course a fiery pepperoni sourdough pie. This restaurant is small, so reservations are strongly encouraged, but you can also snag a seat at the bar for classic cocktails, and a small selective wine list. Repeat visits are a must, if only to sip the signature martini or Manhattan.
8. Kathmandu U Street, NW
A new cocktail den recently debuted on U Street, an intimate bar concept from restaurateur Dipesh Acharya (also with Tempo Shack). This new bar blends the energy of Nepal’s capital city with Washington, D.C.’s evolving nightlife scene. Positioned first and foremost as a craft cocktail bar inspired by the Himalayas, Kathmandu delivers a focused spirits menu. Drinks include The Khattu, inspired by dried Asian plums popular across generations in Nepal, and the spicy Titatura daiquiri, a vibrant take on a beloved Nepali street flavor — sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. Alongside the drinks, diners will find a menu of elevated Nepali tapas, like keema noodles, aloo buff sukuti, and housemade momos.
Find more info here.
9. Omakase Room by Tadayoshi Downtown
Known for his culinary skill and operational expertise, chef Tadayoshi Motoa curates an omakase menu with a poetic progression through the 20 courses. Blending centuries-old Japanese techniques and refined modern sensibility, he prepares two styles of sushi rice. One traditional, seasoned with classic vinegar reflecting the Edomae lineage, and one contemporary, seasoned with modern vinegar to show the evolution of taste. This dual experience invites guests to savor sushi’s evolution. The experience is by enhanced the warmth of a Michelin-starred chef who makes every guest feel at home, yielding an intimate omakase that becomes a quietly expressive journey. With only 12 seats available, reservations are a must.
10. Lutèce Georgetown
Lutèce has become a D.C. hot spot for French cooking in the comfy confines of a dining room that seats only a few dozen. Top dishes to try here include the skewered duck hearts with a jus and mandarinquat — Conroy’s latest twist on duck à l’orange — or Parisian gnocchi with snails and fermented butter, or a steak tartare spiked with harissa. Service hours have expanded, and this cozy neo-bistro is now open seven days a week. That means more room for late-night bottles, lingering date-night courses, and the kind of friend-meet-up dinners that accidentally become all-night affairs.
11. Sid Gold’s Request Room Union Market
Belt out your favorite tune with friends at Sid Gold’s Request Room — a karaoke speakeasy that’s perfect for your next night on the town. Enter through an alley door and enter a space that’s always lively and centered around a classic piano bar experience. Classic cocktails from old fashioneds to martinis also set the tenor. After a sip, take the stage with an accompanist and belt out from a selection of pop, rock, soul, and even punk… and yes, you can play punk on a piano and belt out the perfect tune after a few sips of liquid courage.
12. Acqua Bistecca Washington D.C.
This new Italian-inspired steakhouse features large-format steaks and pastas along with an iconic bar. Enjoy happy hour favorites like saffron risotto arancini, ricotta meatball spiedini, or crispy brussels sprouts with apricot mostarda, paired with coastal-themed cocktails like the Positano (mezcal, lime, and raspberry-basil granita) or the sparkling Amalfi (vodka, blackberry, lemon, and prosecco), alongside $10 wines and $6 Peroni. Rooted in Italian conviviality and meant for lingering, the menu channels comfort and sophistication, from caviar cannoli to housemade pastas and seafood, like a Maryland blue crab crespelle with citrus béchamel and smoked trout roe. Pro tip: The restaurant also recently debuted a long-awaited brunch service.
13. Namak Adams Morgan
In the heart of Adams Morgan, the the owners of Perry’s and Unconventional Diner bring you Namak — a culinary adventure into the heart of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, with a mix of Old and New World classics. The latest addition is a new brunch menu from chef Lindsey Flowers. Her menu features favorites from the restaurant’s dinner menu, like a lamb smash burger and Adana kebab served with lavash, as well as new breakfast dishes including a cardamom coffee cake, strawberry-rose French toast, and an omelet with harissa, red tahini, and a side of cucumber-tomato salad.
14. Oasis The Listening Bar Arlington
Oasis is Arlington’s newest listening bar, merging Japanese cuisine with a hi-fi audio experience. Inspired by Japan’s listening bars, the restaurant offers a sensory experience featuring master sushi chef Jose Ventura along with live DJ performances, and Japanese-inspired cocktails. A wide range of sakes are offered in flight tastings. Whisky enthusiasts will also enjoy a premium Japanese whisky omakase experience. Oasis proudly serves Joy Boy craft beer, a locally made Virginia brew perfect for pairing with Japanese bites from grilled skewers to nigiri and sashimi at the sushi counter.
15. Catahoula DC Navy Yard
This Cajun and Creole dining experience is rooted in the Big Easy’s culinary traditions, and offers epic riverfront views of the Anacostia River. The dining room is new to Navy Yard, and feels like a French Quarter brasserie matched with a bar that slings New Orleans-themed cocktails. Revelers will want to gather around the “boil garden,” which hosts crawfish seafood boils alongside frozen cocktails, and offers a lively open-air atmosphere. Upstairs, you’ll find a wine terrace inspired by Bacchanal in New Orleans, with a global selection of wines, plus charcuterie, and one of the best views of the Frederick Douglass Bridge.
16. The Greenhouse Washington D.C.
The Greenhouse at the Jefferson resides within one of D.C.’s oldest hotels, with a menu that brings bright and bold Mediterranean flavors to a light-filled greenhouse. Lush greenery and seasonal blooms inspired by Monticello’s verdant gardens bring a welcome breath of fresh air from downtown D.C. It’s also the ultimate spot for a special-occasion dinner or weekend brunch. Executive chef Matthew McClure’s menu is tuned into the seasons and occasions. At brunch, expect everything from a classic eggs Benedict to whole fried Mediterranean branzino, or strawberry pancakes. At dinner, spring for the four-course tasting menu featuring Virginia’s Blackberry Point oysters, Maine sea scallops, and the Jefferson’s 24-hour braised beef short ribs, plus a decadent dark chocolate orange petit gâteau.
17. Chang Chang Dupont Circle
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.
18. Bombay Club Downtown
This old-school restaurant serves up polished maître d’ service alongside iconic large-format Indian dishes, like the tandoori salmon and Hariyali trout (filleted tableside, no less). And with nearly 40 years of service, somehow Bombay Club remains as reliable as ever, especially the silver-platter thali, still one of the city’s most satisfying dishes on the menu. Open for lunch and dinner and mere steps from the White House, this is also a place where politicos gather to trade talk of the town.
19. Cordelia Fishbar Union Market
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.
20. Primrose Brookland
Primrose is a local hangout for genuine hospitality, and under chef Patrick Benton, it has become one of the most beloved dining destinations in the city. A Maryland native (who previously cooked at Kinship, Métier, minibar, and Café Riggs), his restaurant draws inspiration from seafood-forward cuisine and fresh produce found along the Chesapeake Bay. The family-style price fixed menu ($55) is designed to showcase the season’s best ingredients from tempura baby squash to scallops served on a bed of coconut rice.
