Summer on a Plate: 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.
Taste of Bethesda: Here's a scavenger hunt for you: find a place where can you try food from your favorite downtown Bethesda restaurants while also enjoying live music on four different stages. Stumped? Here's a clue: it'll take place on the streets of Woodmont Triangle the first Saturday of October. That's right, Taste of Bethesda is back with delicious bites from more than 40 Bethesda restaurants. Taste of Bethesda will take place Saturday, October 4 from 11am - 4pm. Tickets here.
Chasing Festivals: Chasing Festivals is a year-long journey where each month, the team from The Fried Rice Collective explores one iconic celebration from around the world through an immersive, chef-led dining experience. The Shell will transport guests to a different corner of the world through the sights, sounds, and flavors of a famous festival. First up is chef Ruben Garcia and La Tomatina. 517 8TH ST SE; August 27, 2025. More 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:
The Return Power Lunch: The Bazaar by José Andrés has launched a new lunch tasting menu. Enjoy dishes likes Embutidos & Pan con Tomate Spanish and domestic cured meats with pan de cristal, fresh tomato; Pollo al Ajillo slow cooked chicken thighs, black garlic; Key Lime Beach key lime mousse, graham crumble, lime air; and more for a midday break. 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004; thebazaar.com
Double Smash: Taco Bamba is coming in hot with an all-new, limited-time menu item: the Bamba Double Smashburger, available at all 16 locations and only for the month. The burger includes Brisket Chop Chop Patty, American Cheese, Chili Relish, Bamba Smoke Sauce. .tacobamba.com
Belly Dancer Brunch (Brunch alert): Vera Cocina & بار (Bar) has unveiled new menu items to their brunch program. Enjoy dishes like Pistachio Pancakes with Whipped Nutella - Indulgent, fluffy pancakes made with pistachio flour and layered with rich, nutty sweetness, Kafta Smash Burger - A savory twist on the classic burger with spiced kafta, pickled onions and serrano crema, Fattoush Salad - Crisp, bright, and bold with tajin-spiced tortilla chips and a zesty vinaigrette. 2002 Fenwick St NE; veradc.com
The return of pizza night Sacre Sucre: Sacre Sucre has brought back their pizza night service on Thursday and Friday, with hopes to add Saturday and Sunday in the near future. Every Thursday and Friday from 6pm to 10pm, they'll be serving up delicious sourdough pizzas paired with our handpicked selection of natural wines and craft beers. 933 Fell St, Baltimore, MD; sacresucre.com
Kayu Resurrection: After closing on H Street at the end of June, Kayu by Chef Paolo Dungca is officially back! The James Beard Foundation 2025 Emerging Chef Semifinalist reopened his modern Filipino restaurant on August 6th in Dupont Circle. The more casual, streamlined version of Chef Paolo’s former Filipino tasting room offers some new spins and old favorites from the previous menu, including a sweet corn agnolotti, Chef Paolo’s famous cassava cake with crab fat, jamón Ibérico, and trout roe, as well as ube bao bun chorizo burgers and crispy pork belly with a chickpea stew. Enjoy a glass of Chenin Blanc or a tamarind margarita while snacking on some bites at the bar, or sit down for a full dinner in the airy 40 seat dining room. Kayu
Provisions from 1310: Chef Jenn Crovato from 1310 Kitchen & Bar on Wisconsin Avenue has opened 1310 Provisions market where you can enjoy grab & go options. Try the overnight oats, Kale Caesar, Lemon Quinoa, Soba Noodle Salad and more. 1310 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC; 1310kitchendc.com
Picnic Inspo: The St. Regis has added a new afternoon tea service to their menu. The St. Regis Washington, D.C.’s Afternoon Tea Picnic invites you to indulge in a refined al fresco experience, complete with an artful selection of savory sandwiches, delicate confections, and warm, freshly baked scones. After collecting your bespoke wicker basket from our Concierge team, stroll to your favorite sun-dappled corner of the city and settle in for an intimate experience for two. Unfold your picnic blanket and savor an array of sweet and savory delights including a Citrus Bloom Tart featuring blood orange curd and lime or a Smoked Salmon Sandwich featuring Norwegian Salmon, caviar and caper cream on pumpernickel bread alongside seasonal and classic scones and cookies, including Classic Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd, and Strawberry Jam. 923 16th St NW; marriott.com
New in Georgetown: Flor. Coffee + Books, a Buenos Aires-inspired café and bookshop has officially opened. Flor. Coffee + Books will offer specialty coffee, including their own coffee blend from Georgetown’s Grace Street Coffee Roasters, Argentinian and French pastries and soft serve from Dolcezza. A whimsical gratitude machine called The Appreciation Station will dispense gratitude prompts to inspire intention-setting and journaling. Crafted by Chef Jovana Urriola, the menu includes offerings such as Argentinian empanadas, chipás, medialunas, sandwiches, toasts, bowls, salads, and pastries, along with hot and iced espresso drinks, matcha and chai lattes, and loose-leaf teas. 1220 31st St., NW, @florcoffeeshop
80’s Heat In & Out: Get ready for a boozy blast from the past! New Beverage Director Michael Saccone has got the fever reigniting the neon-soaked debauchery of 1980s Miami, and it's about to get WILD at Last Call Bar in the Union Market District. The daily Vice Hour brings $6 Mojitos all August long, plus every Sunday is "Sunglasses at Night" madness – bring your shades for $1 “Jello Bumps” after sundown. 1301-A 4th Street NW; .lastcallbardc.com
Jinya x Pasta King Collab: Viral food creator Gianluca Conte — aka QCP — is officially bringing his signature Italian swagger to the world of ramen with today’s debut of the limited-time “Ciao” Ramen at JINYA Ramen Bar locations nationwide. The collab, part of JINYA’s 15th anniversary celebration, fuses QCP’s bold Italian flavors with JINYA’s signature ramen style. The “Ciao” Ramen features a rich tomato purée soup base infused with garlic, herbs, and olive oil blended into creamy chicken broth. It’s topped with sous-vide chicken, sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, chili oil, basil oil — and finished tableside with freshly grated Parmesan for that perfect Italian touch. jinyaramenbar.com
Check Meowt: Tacocat, the latest addition to Western Market from acclaimed chef and restaurateur, Tim Ma, is now open at the Foggy Bottom-based food hall. The new taco stall is serving an unapologetically fun lineup of globally inspired bites, embracing a no-rules approach to Mexican staples. The menu blends creativity with authenticity, featuring a variety of tacos, burritos, tortas, and ceviches, alongside bold appetizers and playful takes on breakfast classics. 2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006; tacocatdc.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
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
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
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
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
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
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
Chesapeake Tastes in the DMV: Matt & Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar is celebrating the Chesapeake with fresh seafood and regional specialties to local farms and producers. The week long celebration includes Old Bay crab stuffed oysters, Fried local catfish, and more. Monday, August 11 – Saturday, August 16; 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301; Matt&tony.com
The Very Bottom (Brunch Alert): Paraiso now has a bottomless brunch. Enjoy appetizers and small plates like Mejillones en Curry, Brussel Sprouts, and Ceviche Acapulco. Main highlights include the Tres Leches French Toast with strawberry mascarpone, berries, and granola, and the Huevos Rancheros with salsa rancheros, two sunny side up eggs, and avocado. Pair any meal option with Paraíso’s $20 Bottomless Mimosas in a variety of flavors, or try one of their cocktails like the Espresso Martini, Malo Horchata, or Serrano Bloody Mary. 1101 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Unit 1; /paraisotaqueria.com
South American Cravings: Selva is now open in Dupont. Chef Orellana draws inspiration from his upbringing on a small farm in El Salvador and other countries in South America. The menu invites you to take a flavorful journey through the continent with an an array of small shareable plates highlighting traditional recipes and contemporary interpretations such as Ceviche del Pescado,Yucca Brava, Grilled Sardines, or Beef Empanadas with pepper and olives. 1223 Connecticut Avenue; selvadc.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
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.
