Savor the Season: Summer Bites in the DMV

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. 
And since June is Pride Month, we’re also highlighting where to dine, drink, and celebrate with purpose, check out our full Pride roundup, here.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

Global Bites Fest: Join Global Bites, Rockville’s city-wide celebration of food, culture, and community from June 1-14, 2025. Dine at any of the Rockville restaurants (must be in city limits; excludes national chains) listed below and after indulging, upload an image of your receipt to the Global Bites submission form to be entered for a chance to win one of three VISA gift cards ($50, $100, $200) to fund your next restaurant outing. Get tickets here. 

Maryland, Crafted: The eighth annual Maryland Crafted: Centreville (formerly known as DrinkMaryland) is back on Saturday, June 7 from 12–5 PM, bringing a day full of local flavor, artisan vibes, and Eastern Shore charm to Lawyers Row and Broadway. Hosted by the Town of Centreville and the Maryland Wineries Association, this free community event showcases 40+ local vendors, including top Maryland wineries, breweries, distilleries, meaderies, and artisan makers. Festivalgoers 21+ can purchase tasting passes ($25 in advance / $30 day-of) to sip their way through the state’s best craft beverages—with food trucks and live music keeping the party going. marylandcrafted.com

Early Mountain Wine Dinner at Vermilion: Vermillion has a new wine series on June 5th where you will be celebrating the best of Virginia wine with one of the region’s most exciting winemakers. Tickets here. 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

Aren’t We Lucky?: Chef and restaurateur Tim Ma brings Lucky Danger to its rightful home in Washington D.C.’s greater Chinatown neighborhood. Starters included an allium pancake (more from the onion family than the standard scallion) with a crunchy salad of kohlrabi and cured cucumber, plated with whipped tofu, chili oil and caviar. Signature crab rangoons arrive with a hint of Old Bay over a blood-orange sweet and sour sauce. Additional small plates include pork wontons with morels and silky beef short rib and bone marrow dumplings in a pool of huacatay, a Peruvian salsa verde. 709 D St., NW, Washington, DC 20004; Luckydanger.com

Pretty Perfect (Brunch Alert): Executive Chef Rene González of Imperfecto has launched a new brunch menu. Highlights include French Toast (Carrot brioche, white chocolate-cheese cream, confit baby carrots), Crudo Tostada (Heirloom corn tostada, kanpachi, octopus & kalamata “asiento,” avocado, & salsa macha), and a Wagyu Burger (Vermont Cheddar Cheese, Imperfecto “Animal Sauce,” grilled onion, potato sesame bun, fries). For dessert, try the Pistacho Soufra (Baked Phyllo, pistachio, walnuts, orange blossom syrup, halva, Greek yogurt ice cream). 1124 23rd St NW, Washington, D.C, 20037; imperfecto.com

Chef Update: Lindsey Barton at The Fairmont: Lyndsey Barton has been appointed executive pastry chef for Fairmont Washington. Prior to joining Fairmont, Barton was the pastry sous chef for MGM National Harbor from October of 2023. There, she handled high-volume pastry production, recipe development and created high-end culinary experiences for guests. fairmont.com

Colada Shop Sizzles: Colada Shop is celebrating summer with a sizzling refresh of seasonal menu items. The new Shrimp Ceviche ($13.50), made fresh daily, is bright, citrusy, and both gluten-free and dairy-free. Additional summer standouts include the Crispy “Congris” Rice Salad ($13.75), a hearty and satisfying plant-based dish, indulgent Churro Waffles ($12.50), and the always-loved Pan de Bono ($3.25), a gluten-free cheesy roll straight from the oven. coladashop.com

Say Cheese! Cheesetique Celebrates Cheese Week (June 2 – 8): National Cheese Day (June 4) is getting the full red carpet treatment at Cheesetique. From tastings and giveaways to grilled cheese goodness, Cheese Week at Cheesetique is a dairy-lover’s dream. Here’s the rundown:
-June 4: Join a virtual tasting class featuring the top five cheeses from Cheesetique’s 20-year history—with an optional wine pairing add-on.
-June 5–8: Grab an in-store 5-pack cheese sampler, complete with crackers and jam for the ultimate DIY board.
-AND All Week: Spend $30+ in-store and get 4 oz. of their house-made spicy pimiento cheese—free. Then join the Pimiento Cheese Challenge on Instagram for a shot at a $50 gift card + sampler.
The Must-Try Bite? Order the Southern Comfort Grilled Cheese at Cheesetique’s restaurant—pimiento cheese, bacon, sweet pickles, and sourdough grilled to melty perfection. (Bonus: ask about the cocktail pairing!). for more visit, Cheesetique.com

Glam Mediterranean in Dupont: Casamara, a glamorous, airy restaurant capturing the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean has recently opened. Nosh on the rustic, lovely Sardine Toast (sourdough, avocado aioli, pickled red onion, almonds, fresh herbs), or the delicate and citrusy Branzino Crudo, flecked with Italian peppers, and hints of basil and lemon, brought together with an exquisite single-origin olive oil, before indulging in the show stopping Double-Boned Iberico Pork Chop (maple brine, peppers, onion, urfa, maple cider jus) or Harissa Roast Chicken, redolent of paprika oil and brightened with tart grapes and lemon. Casamar.com

A Decade of Delicious: In a city where the restaurant scene is constantly evolving, three D.C. favorites are proudly defying the odds—and doing it with heart, soul, and incredible food. This year, Centrolina, Lapis, and The Dabney each mark their 10-year anniversaries, and while their menus are world-class, it’s their deeper mission that makes them true standouts.
-At Centrolina, chef-owner Amy Brandwein—a 7-time James Beard nominee—opened Centrolina in 2015 with an all-female leadership team and a vision of refined Italian cuisine rooted in Mid-Atlantic seasonality. As a longtime champion of women in the culinary industry, she’s celebrating the milestone with a 10-Year Anniversary Menu featuring her 10 favorite dishes from the past decade, available June 1–6.
-In Adams Morgan, Lapis continues to shine as both a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand favorite and a cultural beacon for D.C.’s Afghan community. The Popal family has turned the restaurant into a platform for advocacy, hosting everything from refugee fundraisers to cultural bazaars—all while sharing the rich, home-cooked flavors of Chef Shamim Popal’s Afghan heritage.
-Chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s MICHELIN-starred The Dabney has spent the last decade rewriting the narrative around Mid-Atlantic cuisine. From highlighting invasive species like blue catfish to celebrating the region’s watermen, purveyors, and culinary heritage, the James Beard Award winner continues to lead with intention, sustainability, and unforgettable flavor.
Three restaurants. Ten incredible years, countless ways they’ve fed us.

Chefs on a Roll: Beresovsky’s Deli x a.kitchen+bar: Beresovksy’s Deli has launched their latest Chefs…On a Roll sandwich featuring Chef Eli Collins of a.kitchen + bar! Chef Eli Collins is the Executive Chef of a.kitchen+bar at Hotel AKA in Washington, D.C. (the newest location of the acclaimed Philadelphia restaurant), where his seasonal, French-inspired cuisine has earned him accolades such as Philadelphia Magazine’s Best Chef of 2022 and a “Three Bells” review from The Philadelphia Inquirer. A Scranton native, Collins honed his craft under Chef Daniel Boulud in New York before returning to Philadelphia to lead some of the city’s most acclaimed kitchens. His special Philly Roast Pork Banh Mi, made with Taylor’s Ham, Pork Shoulder Confit, Broccoli Rabe Slaw, Long Hot Pepper Mayo, Cilantro, and Fish Sauce Vinaigrette, will be available for the entire month of May. beresovskys.com

Nepalese in DC: Himalayan Wild Yak has opened a second location in Norther Virginia. Named for the bovine indigenous to the Himalayan mountains of Tibet, Mongolia and Nepal, the wild yak is a healthy, lean alternative to beef. Chef Keshar Jarga explains that Nepal is a landlocked country between India and China, so its cuisine has influences from both of those cultures. 1010 N Glebe rd; Himalayanwildyak.com

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

Desk Meals No More (Lunch Alert): Corso Italian has a new lunch hour. Designed for speed and satisfaction, the new lunch menu features a variety of fresh salads, hot and cold sandwiches starting at $16, and a selection of handmade pastas and other Corso favorites like focaccia with whipped ricotta, seared tuna crudo, and oxtail ravioli. The restaurant pledges to have diners seated, served, and on their way in under an hour. 4024 Campbell Avenue; corsoitalian.com

Three Concepts, One Roof: Michelin-starred chef Elias Taddesse brings two of his most celebrated culinary ventures under one roof with the debut of Mélange Foods, Inc. This multi-concept space marks the return of Mélange and Doro Soul Food, with a third concept—Moya, a blend of Ethiopian and Mexican cuisines—set to open later this spring. More than a restaurant, Mélange Foods, Inc. is an incubator for cultural expression through food that reflects Taddesse’s French culinary training, East African heritage, and vision to create a hub where bold flavors, personal storytelling, and community converge. Highlights from Mélange include the classic burger with American cheese, pickled red onions, and brown butter aioli; the Italian, with smoked mozzarella, tomato confit, arugula, and spicy basil aioli; and the new Frenchie–a play on French onion soup layered with caramelized onions, gruyère, and dijonnaise. 2108 8th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001; .melangefoods.com

Comida Corrida (Lunch Alert):  Amparo Fondita in Dupont Circle has opened for lunch, offering a new $26 Comida Corrida ("lunch on the run") and expanded a la carte options. The $26 Comida Corrida includes three courses: start with a soup or salad, move on to tacos or an itacate bowl, and finish with dessert or a refreshing agua fresca or soda. 2002 P St. NW, Washington, DC; AmparoFundita.com

New in National Landing: Bar Chinois is opening a new location in National Landing. The second Bar Chinois location will continue its happy hour offerings, with dollar dumplings and half-priced cocktails from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. starting next month. 244 19th Ct S #105, Arlington, VA 22202; barchinoisnl.com 

Partners in Carbs: A new “carb bar” has opened up inside Buffalo & Bergen. This is a dream come true for Neil Dundee. Try dishes like the Lucifer $20 (Red Sauce, Onion, Salami, Pecorino, Parmesan, Hot Honey, and Chili Flakes) along with many other carb-related creations. 3501 Connecticut Ave NW; buffalobergendc.com

West African Suya Sundays:  All Set Restaurant & Bar has recently launched a Suya Sundays pop-up series in collaboration with Suya Factory, a DMV-based street food concept lead by Samuel “DJ Chick” Mobit. From 4pm through 9pm each Sunday, Executive Chef Ed Reavis (All Set, Money Muscle BBQ, and Fryer’s Roadside) and DJ Chick will serve suya, a West African dish of marinated skewered meats cooked on a grill, alongside a variety of sides for takeout, delivery, and dine-in service. You will be able to enjoy Afrobeats from local DJ Etn as well as All Set’s full food and beverage menus during the pop-up. The current Suya Sundays menu offers a choice of three proteins, accompanied with sides of Pickled Onion, Red Pepper Sauce, and Plantains.  8630 Fenton Street, Plaza 5; allsetrestaurant.com

Bar Angie  = Bistro Vibes: The team behind Dupont’s Balos, brings Bar Angie,  a new day-to-night bistro now open in the West End. Inspired by classic New York neighborhood spots and infused with European charm, Bar Angie serves crave-worthy fare—think a luxe Wagyu French Dip, Fried Cream Cheese Caesar, and the over-the-top “Angie Chop Martini,” a crispy pork chop topped with peppers and Parm. At its heart, Bar Angie is a martini bar, featuring an extensive cocktail list and a curated lineup of espresso martinis in partnership with NYC’s For Five Coffee Roasters. Designed with moody lighting, and a Parisian-style zinc bar, Bar Angie offers indoor and outdoor patio seating. Adding to the ambiance: live jazz several nights a week. Open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch on weekends. Located at 2300 N Street NW, for more information visit, theangierestaurants.com