Who’s Up for a RAMMY?

Buzz

I was there—toasting with the rest of the DMV hospitality fam—as The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington dropped the 2025 RAMMYS Finalists yesterday at The Hamilton LIVE!  This annual announcement is one of my favorite moments in the industry. The RAMMYS always shine a light on the talent, creativity, and sheer hustle that make the DC region one of the most dynamic dining destinations in the country.

 

20 categories. A room full of chefs, restaurateurs, and industry leaders. And a LOT to celebrate.

 

This year brings a big change: for the first time ever, Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year will be judge-selected (not public voted!)—because yes, fast casual is having a moment and deserves its flowers.

 

BUT four categories are still in your hands!

-Starting May 1, you can vote via @nbcwashington & @telemundodc for:

-Best Bar of the Year

-Best Brunch of the Year

-Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year

-Favorite Gathering Place of the Year

 

And now… drumroll please…  the finalists are  …. 

 

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

  • El Cielo
  • MITA
  • Rooster & Owl
  • Pineapple and Pearls
  • Kappo

 

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year:

  • Ometeo 
  • King Street Oyster Bar
  • Tail Up Goat
  • Petite Cerise 
  • Amparo Fondita 

Casual Restaurant of the Year: 

  • 2Fifty Texas Barbecue
  • Stellina Pizzeria
  • Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant And Bar 
  • I Egg You
  • The Falls

 

Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year:

  • Emma's Torch
  • Yellow
  • La Tejana 
  • Love on the Run at Love Makoto
  • Andy's Pizza

 

New Restaurant of the Year: 

  • Ama 
  • La' Shukran
  • Kayu 
  • Pascual 
  • San Pancho

 

Wine Program of the Year:

  • ERA Wine Bar
  • Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique
  • Lulu's Wine Bar
  • Little Black Bird
  • Easy Wine Company

Cocktail Program of the Year:

  • Amazonia
  • Jane Jane
  • Medina
  • Moon Rabbit
  • Quadrant

Beer Program of the Year:

  • Atlas Brew Works
  • Pizzeria Paradiso
  • Red Bear Brewing Co.
  • Tall Boy
  • Astro Beer Hall

Service Program of the Year:

  • Anju 
  • MITA
  • Xiquet by Danny Lledó 
  • El Cielo 
  • Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

Chef of the Year:

  • Carlos Delgado, Causa / Amazonia
  • Matt Adler, Caruso's Grocery
  • Matt Conroy & Isabel Coss, Lutece and Pascual 
  • Rubén García Castilla, Casa Teresa
  • Mike Friedman, Red Hen

Rising Culinary Star of the Year:

  • Suresh Sundas, Daru 
  • Paolo Dungca, Hiraya 
  • Sara Ravitz, Shilling Canning Co.
  • Fernando Gonzales, 2Fifty Texas BBQ
  • Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, MITA

Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year:

  • Alicia Wang, Yellow/Albi
  • Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit 
  • Rachel Sherriffe, formally at Ellie Bird
  • Carmelo Gil, Petite Cerise 
  • Rose Nguyen, Rose Ave Bakery

Restaurant Manager of the Year:

  • Lorena Reyes – Founding Farmers
  • Antonio Chavarria , Metropolitan Hospitality Group
  • Allison Williams – Pascual 
  • Tony Strowd Hamilton – Pizzeria Paradiso
  • Luke Lin – CUT by Wolfgang Puck

Restaurant Employee of the Year:.

  • Keiri Tobar Morales  – RPM Italian
  • Luis Jara – All Set Restaurant and Bar
  • Juan Sanchez – Café du Parc and Willard’s Peacock Alley 
  • Daniel Fuentes – Madhatter
  • Kristen Wilson – Causa/Amazonia 

Restaurateur of the Year:

  • Seng Luangrath, Baan Mae 
  • Cici Yang, Yume Sushi, KYOJIN Sushi, and Rimtang 
  • Daniel Kramer, Duke's Grocery
  • Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurant Group
  • Tea Ivonovic, Immigrant Food

Favorite Gathering Place of the Year*:

  • Chloe
  • Vagabond Bar and Kitchen
  • The Dew Drop Inn
  • A Baked Joint
  • Balos

Best Brunch of the Year*: 

  • Sequoia
  • Vera Cocina & Bar
  • Josephine
  • J. Hollingers Waterman's Chophouse
  • Le Diplomate

Best Bar of the Year*: 

  • The Green Zone
  • Metro Bar
  • Service Bar
  • Tune Inn Restaurant and Bar
  • Royal Sands Social Club

Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year*:

  • Your Only Friend
  • Queen Mother's
  • Soko Butcher
  • Jetties
  • Ampersandwich at Shilling Canning Co.

 

Set your reminders—and don’t forget to save the date:

The RAMMYS Gala happens August 3- tickets here.