To guide us through the maze of options, we consulted some of the chefs and restaurateurs that have had a hand in building DC’s impressive dining culture. These include Pizzeria Paradiso’s chef-owner Ruth Gresser and beverage director Drew McCormick; Rubén Garcia, director of creativity at Minibar; chef Amy Brandwein of Centrolina; chef Opie Crooks of A Rake’s Progress; and James Simpson, beverage director of Espita Mezcaleria.
Here are some of their favorite spots for drinks, late-night eats, breakfast and brunch, special-occasion meals, and local classics that you absolutely can’t miss on a trip to the nation’s capital. You’ll see that some locations are technically in Maryland, but all restaurants are accessible via the DC metro.
With 20 Michelin stars across 16 restaurants, multiple James Beard awards, and countless “Hot 100″ lists to its name, Washington, DC, is, more than ever, a destination dining city.
Best Late-Night Eats
Chinatown gems, industry hangouts, and kimchi on everything: Here’s where to go for a good meal in the wee hours.
