Summer Sups: TheListAreYouOnIt’s Summer Food Roundup
Summer has officially rolled in, and the DMV is dishing out flavor in every form. Local chefs are serving up sun-soaked menus full of peak-season produce and bold ingredients. At TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we’ve rounded up the can't-miss dishes and dining experiences that define the season.
Craving al fresco everything? Don’t miss our Patio Pleasure Round Up & our Up On The Roof guide for the best open-air bites and rooftop sips.
Always seeking sushi? Check out our where we Sushi roundup, here. And if you're looking to let the chef take the reins, we've got a Tasting Menu list for you, right here.
Don't miss all the best summer restaurant weeks, here.
Lastly, the best way to cool off in this heat is our Ice Cream Season list, here, for all your scoops & swirls.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
RAMW DC Summer Restaurant Week: One of the region’s most anticipated food events, Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week Summer 2025, presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), returns August 18-25, 2025. The weeklong celebration showcases the area’s diverse culinary talent, from neighborhood favorites and casual hotspots to Michelin-recognized dining destinations. Participating restaurants will offer brunch and lunch selections for $25 or $35 per person, and dinners for $40, $55, and $65 for on-premise dining. Cocktail, wine, or zero-proof beverage pairings may also be available at select establishments. Info here.
Shuck It: Early bird tickets are available for the Shuck It Oyster festival. 65 +dc tax per person* Join them for the 12th annual Georgetown Shuck It! Beer and Oyster Festival at Tony and Joe's! Saturday, October 18, 2025 1-5 pm ID required to enter. 21 and up. Get tickets here.
Snallygaster: On October 11, 2025 the merry monster makes its triumphant return to DC for its 13th year as a rollicking tribute to the wonderful world of craft beer. Festival goers can expect a mind-boggling selection of no fewer than 450 highly sought-after draft beers, gravity kegs and bottle + can pours from 175+ of the finest American and international producers set against a backdrop of local food trucks and two stages of live music. info here.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
Peruvian Chicken Wednesdays at HiFi: Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ is firing up the rotisserie and bringing the bold, savory flavors of Peru to Mosaic every Wednesday night. You can enjoy authentic Peruvian-style chicken at HiFi. Get a whole chicken or half chicken as well as sides. 2985 District Avenue, Fairfax, VA; hifitexmexbbq.com
Eat Your Childhood: This summer, take a playful, memory-driven journey through American seasonal ingredients interpreted through a gastronomic French bistro lens- with a $65 nostalgic American menu at MICHELIN-starred, Bresca. Standouts include whimsical snacks like a play on the Big Mac with a Rye Bread Wafer, Beef Tartare, Chapel Hill Farms beef sirloin with French dressing, or Cheese & Crackers tart, a play on the after school favorite, and a Foie Gras “Nutter Butter,” which was Ratino's favorite childhood treat, entrées like Corn and Black Truffle Ravioli with Aged Parmesan or the Poached Virginia Rainbow Trout with Ham Hock Broth and White Miso deliver local ingredients as well as plays on classic iconic dishes from the Mid-Atlantic. 1906 14th street; brescadc.com
Chef Update: Jerome Grant at Hotel Washington: Jerome Grant has been appointed Executive Chef of Hotel Washington. Inspired by a family legacy in hospitality and his own early start in restaurants at 14 years old, Chef Grant’s hospitality journey has been marked by a commitment to innovation and authenticity. Over decades spent honing his craft in some of the country’s most respected kitchens, he has developed a philosophy centered on crafting memorable, cohesive dining experiences that celebrate the people behind the plates. At Hotel Washington, he oversees all dining concepts—including VUE Rooftop, Fireclay® Restaurant & Lobby Bar, The Patio, in-room dining services, and the hotel’s expansive banquets and catering operation—where his leadership has already elevated the guest experience through thoughtfully curated menus and exceptional service.
Chef’s Table Experience: dLeña by Chef Richard Sandoval has added a luxury chef’s table experience. Celebrating bold flavors and regional inspirations, new sharable starters include the tlayudas & salsas ($12) and bone marrow & adobo pulpo ($27) with grilled octopus, panela cheese, guacamole, xni-pec salsa, pickled vegetables, charred serrano, and blue corn tortillas. Enjoy innovative dishes like charred avocado with green apple relish, chile de árbol peanut purée, cashew aioli, purple watercress, charred lemon, and arbequina olive oil, Chesapeake Bay grilled oyster with chili morita bacon jam, smoked trout caviar, and chipotle mignonette and more. 476 K Street NW, Suite D; dlenadc.com
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter: Adding to her growing repertoire of gastro-vegan dishes and plant based dining options, Chef Jenn Crovato of 1310 Kitchen & Bar in Georgetown is introducing Butter Boards, starting this Summer. A fresh take on the classic charcuterie board, the Vegan “Butter” Boards feature an Avocado Purée base - for those opting to go dairy-free. Each board is adorned with a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a scattering of fresh Microgreens, aromatic Opal Basil, a sprinkle of delicate Sea Salt, and thinly sliced Radish to be enjoyed with warm Ciabatta bread for a visually stunning and palate-pleasing appetizer. 1310 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC; 1310kitchendc.com
Cesare/Caesar: Caruso’s Grocery is beating the heat with a craveable new special inspired by staff meals from Chef Matt Adler and his team—fried chicken meets caesar salad. Say hello to the Chicken Cesare: a golden, crispy chicken cutlet topped with romaine and radicchio tossed in housemade roasted garlic caesar dressing, showered with parmesan, our signature herb seasoning, and finished with a zingy red wine vinaigrette. Capitol Hill 914 14th St SE, Washington, DC; carusosgrocery.com
French Riviera Vibes in DC: Experience the sun-kissed flavors of the French Riviera without leaving the city. At L’Avant-Garde, Partner Chef Sébastien Giannini invites you to savor a menu inspired by his culinary journey along the Côte d’Azur, from the markets of Bandol to the fine dining establishments of St-Tropez, Nice. Dishes include seared branzino, lobster salad and more. 2915 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007; lavantgardedc.com
Welcome to the Jungle: Selva is all about storytelling through their menu. Chef Orellana draws deep inspiration from his upbringing on a small farm in El Salvador. The menu invites guests to take a flavorful journey through the continent, beginning with curated cheese and charcuterie boards that balance local and imported elements. A bright and bold ceviche selection offers a taste of the coasts, while the wide array of small plates encourage sharing and discovering both traditional recipes and contemporary interpretations, with dishes like Ceviche del Pescado,Yucca Brava, Grilled Sardines, or Beef Empanadas with pepper and olives. Larger main courses deliver reimagined Latin American classics with modern flair like Arroz Chaufa, Pollo Loco, and thoughtful side dishes such as Cilantro Rice or Sweet Fried Plantains to round out the experience. 1223 Connecticut Ave NW 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20036;
Peachy Tea: It’s not summer without iced tea, and just in time for the hottest month of the DC summer, Just Ice Tea, has teamed up with beloved local gelato purveyor Dolcezza to drop a crisp and refreshing twist on tea: Peach Oolong Sorbetto. Featuring ripe, sun-kissed yellow peaches plucked from Pennsylvania’s Toigo Orchards, and Just Ice Tea’s smooth, Peach Oolong Tea, this Peach Oolong Sorbetto perfectly mingles the smoky, complex notes of oolong tea with the soft, floral sweetness of orchard-fresh fruit, all served ice-cold and by the scoop. dolcezzagelato.com
#2 in the US, #1 in DC: For the second year in a row, Slice & Pie, the New York and Detroit-style pizza shop from master pizzaiolo Giulio Adriani, has been named the second-best slice shop in the United States by Italian organization 50Top Pizza. The new location will serve the complete menu available at the flagship Slice & Pie shop, like the popular Burrata Pie and Pepperoni and Hot Honey Pie alongside sandwiches and desserts. In the same space, Taste of Lucy will serve a rotating selection of fresh pastas and Neapolitan pizzas. 2221 14th St. NW, Washington, DC; sliceandpie.com
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
Swirls of Gelato: Chef Mike Friedman's popular focaccia sandwich spot just added gelato to its offerings. The menu includes chocolate, cookies & cream, pistachio, stracciatella, and lemon sorbet - all of which are organic and handmade by Gelato Festival. Cups and cones are now available for $5 per scoop (or two scoops for $9) with the choice of sprinkles, pistachio sauce, chocolate sauce, or topped with warm espresso as an affogato. Gelato is available now alongside Friedman's focaccia sandwich menu—which currently features a steak and cheese special with marinated flank steak, caramelized onions, provolone, and cheddar (aptly named the Balboa)—exclusively at its Shaw location. 1250 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001; fossettedc.com
Chef Updates: Ava Gonzalez in at Lutece: The Popal Group’s Lutèce is excited to welcome new Head Bartender, Ava Gonzalez, to their beverage team under Beverage Director Suzy Critchlow! Ava is originally from Houston and brings a wealth of beverage experience to DC from working as a bartender in New Orleans and Maine. Ava brings a strong knowledge of spirits (and a Masters Degree in marketing!) to the team which you can already see on the menu with her creations like the “Slice of Summer” featuring blanco tequila, elderflower cordial, cocchi americano, & watermelon. 1522 Wisconsin Ave NW; lutecedc.com
Summer Nights Barbecue Series: Presented by a.kitchen+bar D.C. x OpenTable + Benefiting Southern Smoke Foundation: join James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restaurateur Ellen Yin + team for a sizzling five-part BBQ & grilling series featuring top DC chefs. One night only dinners will feature a range of flavors including Korean, modern regional Vietnamese, Italia, and bold Mexican. Each chef (headshots here) will prepare four signature dishes ($18-$38). Guests can expect live DJ sets, pay-as-you-go plates + cash bar, with proceeds to support Southern Smoke Foundation ($10 entry fee). Thursdays, 5–9PM. More info here.
