RAMMYS Finalists Are Out, And Yes, The Room Was Buzzing
Monday night, the industry showed up. Big time. We all packed into The Hamilton Live to find out who made it to the finalist round of this year’s RAMMYS. And let me tell you, when those names started getting called? Cheers, hugs, a few shocked faces…all of it.
This year already feels different. From the first-ever public semi-finalist announcement to this packed finalist reveal, there’s real momentum — and a reminder of just how deep the talent runs across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the RAMMYS celebrate the people, places, and programs that make this region one of the most exciting dining destinations in the country right now.
Here’s who’s heading to the final round:
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year
Albi
Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi
Elyse
Rania
Rooster & Owl
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year
Joon
Moon Rabbit
Osteria Mozza
Pascual
Perry’s
Casual Restaurant of the Year
Ellē
La Bonne Vache
Purple Patch
Taqueria Xochi
Tsehay Ethiopian
Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year
Andy’s Pizza
Call Your Mother
Queen Mother’s Kitchen
San Pancho
Yellow
New Restaurant of the Year
Elmina
ISLA
Marcus DC
The Occidental
Tapori
Wine Program of the Year
Bourbon Steak DC
Fiola
Lulu’s Winegarden
Lutèce
Maydān
Cocktail Program of the Year
Amazonia
Cucina MORINI
Rania
Residents Café & Bar
Your Only Friend
Beer Program of the Year
Franklin Hall
Pizzeria Paradiso
Red Bear Brewing Co.
Solace Outpost
Wunder Garten
Service Program of the Year
Causa
Imperfecto
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
MITA
Old Ebbitt Grill
Chef of the Year
Matt Adler, Cucina MORINI & Caruso’s Grocery
Amy Brandwein, Centrolina & Piccolina da Centrolina
Matt Conroy & Isabel Coss, The Popal Group
Rubén García, Casa Teresa
Jeremiah Langhorne, The Dabney
Rising Culinary Star of the Year
Paolo Dungca, Kayu
Guy-René Gerin, L'Ardente
Anthony Jones, Marcus DC
Alam Méndez, Apapacho Taqueria
Martel Stone, Dōgon
Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year
Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit
Gianpier Flores, The Occidental
Bridie McCulla, Northside Social
Rosie Nguyen, Rose Ave Bakery
Rachel Sherriffe, Marcus DC
Manager of the Year
Trisha Custodio, Sfoglina Van Ness
Todd Hunt, Oak Steakhouse Alexandria
Lauren Montana, Pizzeria Paradiso
Debby Portillo, 2Fifty Texas BBQ
Juan Ramirez, Bastille Brasserie & Bar
Employee of the Year
Ingrid Arteaga, Open Road
Estela Catarino, Ama
José Martínez, MITA
Raul Pineda, Perry's
Jose Luis Salgado, Zinnia
Restaurateur of the Year
David Deshaies & Eric Eden, Garden Hospitality
Fernando González, 2Fifty Texas BBQ
Enrique Limardo & Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger, Seven Reasons Group
Michael Rafidi, Albi, Yellow, La' Shukran
Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurant Group
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year (Public Vote)*
Cafe Milano
Jane Jane
Le Diplomate
Old Ebbitt Grill
SOST
Best Brunch of the Year (Public Vote)*
dLeña
I Egg You
Matt & Tony's
Ruthie's All Day
Unconventional Diner
Best Bar of the Year (Public Vote)*
Cana
El Presidente
Press Club
Service Bar
Silver Lyan
Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year (Public Vote)*
2Fifty Texas BBQ
Celebrity Delly
Joia Burger
SOKO Butcher
Your Only Friend
Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year
Acme Paper & Supply Co.
Coca-Cola Consolidated
Events DC
Grossman Young & Hammond
Preferred Insurance
Voting for the public categories opens April 20 through May 17.
And then, we celebrate. The 44th Annual RAMMYS Awards & Gala takes place Monday, June 29, 2026, with the awards ceremony at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater followed by a full-on industry celebration at The Anthem.
Get ready, it’s going to be a big one. What to wear, what to wear.
