The Resy Hit List: Where In D.C. You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
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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
- Celebrate D.C. Pride: The Capital Pride Parade kicks off in Logan Circle on June 20. Why not celebrate this iconic day by supporting an LGBTQIA+ restaurant? Or better yet, gather a group of friends for drag bingo at Unconventional Diner after the parade winds down.
- Taste of Mumbai: The sights, sounds, and flavors of Mumbai are closer than you might think in our nation’s capital. For some of the best Indian seafood, be sure to also check out the recent opening of Malabar — the latest debut from restaurateur Ashok Bajaj. Savor scallops caldine, a Goan scallop preparation made with coconut and green chile, or dive deep into ginger cod with tamarind and jaggery.
- Tables for Dads & Grads: Early June turns tables quickly thanks to graduation celebrations and Father’s Day, making it slightly tougher to nab a table with short notice. But we have the inside track on openings for restaurants that cater to larger parties. We love the waterfront views at Sequoia DC or the patio perch at Del Mar.
- Crab Shack Summer: Summer officially begins on June 21 — which means Chesapeake crab season is here. Pull up to a table and pick crabs all afternoon long in the DMV. Our top picks (well-seasoned with Old Bay) include Tickler’s Crab Shack in Tilghman Island, Md., Quarterdeck in Arlington, Va., and the new crab feast Thursday events at Cowbell Seafood in Union Market.
New to the Hit List (June 2026)
Acqua Bistecca, Albi, Bombay Club, Catahoula, Namak, Rosselli.
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. Pascual Capitol Hill
This second restaurant from Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy (Maison, Lutèce) has gained national attention for its hearth-focused Mexican cuisine, and we understand why. Must-order dishes include the kale tamal, lamb neck barbacoa, and a lazy-Susan of Mexican salas and guacamole — the starter to any good meal here, if we’re being honest. New additions include a weekend brunch menu. (Did somebody say chilaquiles?) Also new is a rotating menu of trompo tacos in a special collaboration with D.C.’s top chefs, including Chef Carlos Delgado (Maru San) and Chef Masako Morishita (Perry’s Restaurant). And follow on Instagram for tip-aheads about special one-night-only dinners throughout the year.
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. Nanglo Restaurant and Bar H Street, NE
Looking for authentic Indian and Nepali food along H Street? Nanglo Restaurant & Bar brings the vibrant flavors of South Asia — from rich Indian curries and aromatic biryanis to Nepali momos, tandoori favorites, and vegetarian specialties. Every dish is crafted with fresh ingredients and traditional spices. Don’t miss the namesake Nanglo Platter, a traditional Nepalese sampler served on a nanglo — a flat, round woven bamboo tray — offering a variety of dishes including momos, tandoori meats, spicy aloo, and chutney. Whether you’re stopping in for a weeknight dinner or meeting up with friends to split a platter, Nanglo makes every visit flavorful and convenient.
9. Omakase Room by Tadayoshi Downtown
Known for his culinary skill and operational expertise, chef Tadayoshi 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 (shari) 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 shari experience invites guests to savor sushi’s evolution, expressed through the harmony of rice and fish. Guided by a philosophy of minimal intervention for maximum character, 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. Dirty Habit Penn Quarter Washington D.C.
Think of this as your year-round oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Chinatown. Located inside the Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco, Dirty Habit is a vibrant restaurant and bar with a climate-controlled courtyard, known for bold flavors, craft cocktails, and an immersive atmosphere. Guests can expect a globally inspired menu, and a party-centric vibe perfect for any happy hour or brunch to late-night eats. With a rich design and ever-evolving special events, Dirty Habit offers an unforgettable dining experience just steps from Capital One Arena. This is also an easy spot to post up with a large group — reservations online can include eight or more guests.
11. Metrobar Edgewood
Gather a group of friends and head to this transit-themed spot, a sprawling indoor-outdoor hangout built around a decommissioned 5000-series Metro railcar retro-fitted as a bar. The outdoor space is a choose-your-own-adventure beer garden with fire pits, cabanas, rotating-food truck pop-ups, and plenty of room for DJs, trivia nights, and other themed events. Drinks also skew local, with a lineup of District-made beers, wines, and cheeky, Metro-inspired cocktails (color-coded by train line, naturally). Think of this as the District’s playground where the train is always on time and the night tends to go off the rails depending on how many Express Lines you’ve sipped.
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. Evelyn Rose Vienna
Brought to you by co-owners chef Nick Palermo and Sam Schnoebelen, this neighborhood restaurant puts an elegant spin on nostalgia. With an ever-changing menu using ingredients from around the world, and anchored by local produce, it offers essential dishes like Maine lobster etouffee, a 42-day dry-aged cheeseburger, Norwegian cod with smoked turnips, and a smoked cheese, ricotta, and spinach cavatelli with meatballs. A tight list of cocktails and wine pulls everything together, whether it’s date night or a casual happy hour with friends.
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. Maketto H Street NE
Erik Bruner-Yang’s all-day cafe and noodle bar remains an H Street staple for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it’s somewhere you can quickly become a regular. (And many of us have.) Bruner-Yang puts his stamp on Cambodian and Taiwanese flavors, so gather a crew and eat your way through the menu. There isn’t a single dish we wouldn’t recommend — from dim sum to pan-fried noodles, and a five-spice fried chicken like no other. Maketto also is building a buzz on Saturday mornings, when the cafe offers a bake-sale menu starting at 9 a.m. But you better get in line, because everything from toasted white sesame cookies to pandan honeycomb cake sells out fast.
