What's On The Menu? TheList’s List of Delicious Dishes
Summer Ready? The DMV certainly is. Farmers’ markets are starting to overflow, chefs are loading menus with peak-season produce, grills are firing up, and suddenly every meal feels like a good excuse to stay out a little longer. This is the season! Tomato salads that actually taste like tomatoes, sweet corn in everything, berries on the menu and long lunches that somehow turn into dinner. No judgement. Honestly, this is one of the best times of year to eat around the region.
Here at TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we’ve rounded up the can’t-miss bites, menu changes and dining experiences to help you eat your way through summer in the DMV.
- Make a night of it with a show + a great pre or post-theatre meal with our theatre + dining guide here
- This week’s list of The List’s favorite beverages is right here
- From festivals and pop-ups to patio parties, restaurant events, and summer food happenings around the region, we’ve got those covered here
- Looking for outdoor dining? Check out our Patio Pleasures + Up On The Roof roundups featuring patios, rooftops, courtyards & outdoor dining spots all across the DMV.
So much more summer deliciousness below:
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Hand-Roll Bar at Daikaya: Chef Katsuya Fukushima is bringing a special Hand Roll Bar to Daikaya Izakaya for 5 nights only, on July 21-23 and July 28-29. Available from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., the limited-time experience features made-to-order temaki crafted with premium seafood and seasonal ingredients, including Bluefin Chutoro & Caviar, Hokkaido Uni, Japanese Kampachi, and signature rolls like Crispy Catfish and Spicy Tuna. Guests can also opt for curated hand roll sets, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis; daikaya.com
Capital One Center Culinary Week: Capital One Center is bringing back its 2nd annual Culinary Week from July 27-31, featuring 7 ticketed food and drink experiences benefiting World Central Kitchen. Guests can take hands-on sushi, pizza, and cocktail-making classes, attend live chef demonstrations, and enjoy 2 signature events: the Battle of the Chefs at The Perch and the Cocktail Contest at Ometeo. The week also offers a preview of the culinary team behind the upcoming La Omri restaurant. Tickets range from $70.00 to $95.00, with proceeds supporting World Central Kitchen's global hunger relief efforts; capitalonecenter.com
Upstate Wing Challenge: Upstate is turning up the spice on July 29 with Upstate Heatwave, a live wing-eating challenge hosted by Erin Como featuring DC food and hospitality personalities including Joel Haas, Chena Morrison, Shawn Townsend, and Tobias Dorzon. Contestants will tackle 6 increasingly spicy wings—from classic Buffalo to a Carolina Reaper-infused Volcano Sauce—while answering candid questions about food, influencing, and the DC dining scene. Guests can watch the action and order the same 6-wing flight during the event; upstateftw.com
Mallard Turns Two With a One-Night Reunion Dinner from Chef Jeffrey Buben: Mallard is marking its second anniversary with a four-course dinner from Chef Hamilton Johnson and guest Chef Jeffrey Buben, celebrated for Vidalia, Bistro Bis, and Woodward Table, reuniting with his former protégé for one night only. The reimagined Southern menu runs $99 per guest, with beer and wine pairings available, and seating is limited. Thursday, August 6, 5:00–10:00 p.m. 1337 14th Street. NW, mallarddc.com
Summer Restaurant Week: Summer Restaurant Week returns August 18–24, bringing special prix fixe menus to restaurants across the DMV. Participating spots will offer 3-course brunch and lunch menus for $25.00 or $35.00, and 3-course dinners priced at $40.00, $55.00, or $65.00. Diners can browse participating restaurants, view menus, and make reservations now, with additional restaurants being added in the weeks leading up to the event; ramw.org/restaurantweek
Family Reunion: Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s acclaimed culinary festival returns August 20–23 at Salamander Middleburg with its 2026 theme, “Folklore: A History of Storytelling.” The multi-day event brings together top chefs, panels, workshops, and immersive dining experiences celebrating Black and Brown contributions to food and culture, with tickets and packages now available; salamanderhotels.com/experience/family-reunion
We Rescue 26!: DC Food Rescue's annual WE RESCUE! fundraiser returns on September 17 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, bringing together volunteers, community partners, and local businesses for an evening celebrating the organization's impact. The zero-waste event will feature food and drinks from more than a dozen area restaurants, an open bar, a silent auction, and a program honoring Kate Urbank and DC Food Rescue's continued work fighting food insecurity across the region; givebutter.com/c/we-rescue-26
Yottem Ottolenghi at Sixth & I: Celebrated chef and author Yotam Ottolenghi will appear at Sixth & I on October 8 at 7:00 p.m., discussing his latest cookbook Simple Too. In conversation, Ottolenghi will explore his philosophy of bold, approachable cooking and share recipes designed to make flavorful meals feel effortless; sixthandi.org
Snallygaster: The District's beloved craft beer festival returns October 10, taking over 4 blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue NW with 450+ beers from 175 breweries around the world. Along with rare pours and appearances by renowned brewers, guests can enjoy cider, wine, cocktails, live music, food from 25+ vendors, a Shop Made in DC makers market, games, and family-friendly activities. Tickets go on sale July 7 at 10:00 a.m., with proceeds supporting Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture and its mission to build a more equitable regional food system; snallygasterdc.com
Chefs for Equality: One of DC's premier culinary fundraisers returns October 19 with this year's "United Plates of America" theme, bringing together top local chefs, mixologists, and restaurateurs for collaborative dinners benefiting the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Hosted across six venues, the event features chef-driven dinners, cocktail pairings, and a new dedicated cocktail experience at Silver Lyan. Tickets are on sale now; chefsforequality.org
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
The Mubadala DC Open Is Bringing Seven Michelin Stars Courtside: DC's biggest tennis event of the summer just got a serious food upgrade. The Mubadala DC Open returns to Rock Creek Park July 25 through August 2 with a stacked player field, Taylor Fritz, Naomi Osaka, Frances Tiafoe, and Venus Williams among them, plus a culinary lineup featuring seven Michelin-starred chefs, including José Andrés, Nick Stefanelli, and Patrick O'Connell. New this year is The Front Porch, an open-air fan hub with local eats from Silver and Sons BBQ and Ice Cream Jubilee, along with single-day VIP Lounge passes for the first time, so you don't need a season's worth of tickets to eat like it. William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center, 5220 16th Street. NW. mubadaladcopen.com
Eunoia Rolls Out a Mediterranean Brunch Menu for Summer (Brunch Alert): Eunoia, the Union Market Mediterranean spot from Iva and Alex Gotsev, has launched a new brunch menu blending health-forward dishes with cafe-style favorites reminiscent of their former Zeleno. Standouts include a Shakshouka with goat's milk feta, a Bulgarian Banitsa nodding to the Gotsevs' roots, and Bananas Foster French Toast, alongside smoothie bowls and brunch cocktails like the cold brew-mezcal Smokey Sunrise. 320 Florida Ave. NE. eunoiadc.com
Namak Launches a $40 Family-Style Sunday Feast: Namak is serving a weekly Sunday Feast: a $40 family-style spread from Executive Chef Lindsey Flowers featuring smoked lamb shoulder, saffron rice with barberries, whipped tahini, and green harissa, all served at once. Pair it with a cocktail like the Effendi or a house-made soda, and save room for baklava ice cream or sumac brownie for dessert. Available Sundays, 5–8 p.m. 1813 Columbia Road. namak-dc.com
Chef Update: Pepe Moncayo: Chef Pepe Moncayo, known to Washingtonians from Cranes, Arrels, and Bully, has joined the historic Tabard Inn as culinary partner. The Barcelona native trained under legendary chef Santi Santamaria and brings a philosophy rooted in seasonality and sense of place, aiming to deepen Tabard's Mid-Atlantic identity rather than reinvent it. 1739 N Street, NW. tabardinn.com
Brasero Atlantico Debuts Weekend Lunch (Lunch Alert): Brasero Atlantico is bringing Argentine dining to weekend afternoons, with an a la carte menu featuring Chimichurri Shakshuka and dulce de leche cinnamon rolls, or the family-style Brasero Lunch Experience at $95 per person, a feast running from empanadas through ribeye to chocotorta. Available Saturdays and Sundays. 1066 Wisconsin Avenue. NW. braseroatlanticodc.com
CUT Debuts Ice Cream & Champagne Hours on the Patio: Executive Pastry Chef Ligia Barros is giving Georgetown a new afternoon ritual at CUT by Wolfgang Puck: house-made ice creams and sorbets paired with Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Standouts include Caipirinha Ice Cream with Cachaça and Pretzel Ice Cream with Salted Caramel, plus a kids' menu with a lime "Shirley Temple." It runs Fridays through Sundays, 12 to 5 p.m. 1050 31st St. NW, Cutdc.com
Agora Opens Its Doors in Bethesda AND Breakfast Is the Real Headline: Agora has landed its third location, inside the Hyatt Regency Bethesda. Co-owned by husband-and-wife team Betul and Ismail Uslu, the family-owned Mediterranean favorite just opened for dinne, bringing its signature mezze platters, wood-grilled entrees, and dishes inspired by Türkiye, Greece, and Lebanon to Montgomery County. Lunch and brunch launch later this summer, but the real news is breakfast: Agora Bethesda will be the group's only location serving it seven days a week, with Mediterranean-inspired dishes like fried eggs with asparagus and mushrooms, Aegean avocado toast, and a sunrise porridge made with almond milk and pine honey. One Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, MD
Late Night Munchies: Late night just got a lot more interesting at Anju, the modern Korean spot from chef Angel Barreto and restaurateurs Danny Lee and Scott Drewno. The trio is bringing back its late-night menu Thursday through Saturday, with food service running 9:00–11:00 PM and drinks pouring until 11:30 PM. On the drink side, expect $5 draft Ichiban and the $10 "Shoot Your Shot" pour with your choice of mezcal, Jameson, bourbon, rye, soju, or Fernet, plus a $13 draft-and-shot combo. Food keeps it delicious with Korean fried chicken, ramyun-spiced fries, and a bulgogi cheesesteak piled with caramelized onions, provolone, and pepper relish. 1805 18th Street, NW; anjudc.com
New Public Interest: Now open inside the new Tempo by Hilton Washington DC Downtown, Public Interest brings a modern American brasserie to K Street under the direction of Executive Chef Arnaldo Pujols. The menu pairs French brasserie techniques with American comfort, featuring dishes like the PI Burger and Braised Lamb Shank, alongside a cocktail program with drinks such as the Maison Margarita and K-Street Negroni. Guests can also enjoy weekday happy hour from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and a thoughtful selection of low-ABV and zero-proof beverages; publicinterestdc.com
Majestic Sundays (Brunch Alert): Chef Santiago Lopez has introduced 2 new weekly dining experiences at The Majestic in Old Town Alexandria. Weekend brunch, served Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., features dishes like Meyer Lemon Pancakes, Braised Brisket Hash, and house-made Monkey Bread. On Sunday evenings, guests can gather for a family-style Sunday Supper, featuring Chef Santi's signature fried chicken with classic sides, house-made biscuits, and dessert for a comforting end to the weekend; themajesticva.com
Ube…Ube..Ooo: MOLTN Cookies has introduced a new Ube White Chocolate Cookie at 6 six of its locations. Baked fresh to order, the warm 4.5-ounce cookie combines soft ube-flavored dough with creamy white chocolate and a crunchy crystal sugar coating. Inspired by the beloved Filipino purple yam, the limited addition brings one of today's fastest-growing dessert flavors to the DMV and beyond; moltncookies.com
Hand Roll Prowess (Lunch Alert): Chef Carlos Delgado's popular Nikkei hand roll counter is now open 7 days a week, with dinner service daily from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. and new lunch hours Friday through Sunday starting at 11:00 a.m. To make getting a seat even easier, Maru San has also introduced a same-day online and walk-in waitlist; marusandc.com
Brunch with a Few (Brunch Alert): Capitano has launched a new weekend brunch, now available Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Wharf. The Italian-inspired menu features dishes like Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Tuscan Shrimp & Grits, Brioche French Toast, handcrafted pizzas, fresh pastas, and classic brunch favorites, offering a new waterfront destination for leisurely weekend dining; capitanodc.com
Eggs Benedict, But With Lobster (Brunch Alert): Capitol Hill's Lobby Bar is now serving weekend brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The new menu features elevated brunch favorites like a Lobster Benedict with butter-poached lobster, Wagyu Steak & Eggs, a Breakfast Smash Burger, and Cast Iron Skillet Pancakes topped with honeycomb and fresh fruit. To toast the weekend, guests can also share the Fountain of Youth, a martini fountain that pours classic martinis from four spouts, available exclusively during brunch; lobbybardc.com
Power Lunch (Lunch Alert): Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj and Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Cardona have introduced weekday lunch at Rosselli, bringing a refined Italian midday menu to downtown DC. Served Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the new offering features house-made pastas, antipasti, panini, and seasonal entrées, with highlights including the Tenderloin & Caramelized Onion Panino, Linguine alle Vongole, Rigatoni al Forno, and Burrata Pugliese. Paired with Italian wines by the glass, the new lunch service is designed for everything from business meetings to leisurely afternoons; rossellidc.com
Breakfast of Champions: Taco Bamba is celebrating breakfast with the debut of its first-ever breakfast burrito, The Tighty Whitey, packed with smoked maple chipotle chicken chorizo, eggs, fries, bacon, Alabama white queso, avocado, and sweet chili sauce. Guests can also "Put An Egg On It" by adding a fried, scrambled, or migas-style egg to any taco for $1.00. To round out the breakfast upgrade, all 16 locations now open at 8:00 a.m. daily and offer free Café Bustelo coffee with any purchase; tacobamba.com
Brunch Fit for a King (Brunch Alert): Sunday brunch is now available at both Rasika locations, served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. alongside each restaurant's seasonal menu. New brunch specials include dishes like Indian Style Egg Florentine, Baida Roti, Crab Ghee Roast Taco, Chicken Tikka Paratha, and Pistachio Pancakes, plus brunch cocktails including the MimoMango and Imli Margarita; rasikarestaurant.com
Maybe Baby Wants To Be In This Corner: La' Shukran has introduced Shukran Corner, a new behind-the-bar dining experience featuring a curated chef's menu served from an exclusive banquette nestled in the heart of the action. Designed for groups of 3-4, the experience includes a selection of La' Shukran favorites, a shared entrée, surprise bites along the way, and optional beverage pairings. With just two seatings available each night, reservations are now open on Resy.; lashukran.com
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
Pizza Pop Up Is Back: Throughout July, Chef Fabio Trabocchi is bringing back Fiola's popular summer pizza pop-up. Available exclusively at the bar Tuesday through Thursday, the limited-time menu features traditional Neapolitan pizzas topped with seasonal ingredients like mortadella and Amalfi lemon with frisée. Priced from $34.00–$40.00, the pizzas offer a more casual way to experience one of DC's premier Italian restaurants; fioladc.com/pizza-night
The Cheesiest Month Ever: Cheesetique is once again celebrating all things mozzarella with the return of Mozzarella Fest, running through July 31. The month-long event features a limited-time menu with dishes like the Stone Fruit Caprese, Caprese Wagyu Burger, Smoked Mozzarella Panini, and customizable mozzarella boards with a variety of cheeses and pairings. The celebration also includes a virtual Italian cheese tasting on July 16 and an in-store Italian Wine Tasting Expo on July 19, making it a must for cheese and wine lovers alike.; cheesetique.com
Pearls & Swirls (National Caviar Day Alert): In honor of National Caviar Day, Uchi is serving a limited-time dessert that pairs luxury with a playful twist. Available now through July 31, Ice Cream & Pearls ($26.00) features creamy Moscatel ice cream topped with crisp funnel cake, white chocolate pearls, and a quarter-ounce of premium Kaluga caviar for the ultimate sweet-and-savory bite; uchi.uchirestaurants.com
Soft-serve Gelato? Say More: The acclaimed pizza shop has introduced soft serve gelato at its Union Market location. Inspired by New York's iconic Mister Softee trucks, the $3.00 dessert is made with all-natural ingredients and rotates two flavors at a time, with past offerings including Chocolate and Pistachio. Upcoming flavors include Fior di Latte, Raspberry, and Hazelnut, making it the perfect sweet finish to a New York or Detroit-style slice; sliceandpie.com
Yala x Lyle = Delicious: Just in time for National Ice Cream Day, Lyle has partnered with Yala Greek Ice Cream to create an exclusive Banana Bread Ice Cream inspired by the restaurant's signature house-made loaf. The limited-edition flavor joins Lyle's dessert menu on July 19, following a free scoop giveaway on July 17 while supplies last; lyledc.com
Peruvian Plate: Beginning July 8, Pisco y Nazca is rolling out a new seasonal menu at its DC, Reston, and Bethesda locations. New additions include seafood-filled Empanadas de Mariscos, the crispy Cesta de Camarones, vibrant Tiradito Bicolor, plus entrées like Escabeche de Salmón and Chanchito Nikkei. Finish with Profiteroles Rellenos filled with lúcuma cream and Nutella, and pair it all with a Spicy Watermelon Daiquiri or the refreshing Watermelon Mint Cooler for the perfect taste of summer.; piscoynazca.com
Four Weeks, Fresh Fish: Chef José Andrés is putting Peru's signature dish in the spotlight with Ceviche Fest, a four-week celebration featuring rotating, limited-time ceviches inspired by the restaurant's signature blend of Peruvian, Chinese, and Japanese flavors. Guests can enjoy creations like Scallop & Watermelon Ceviche, Shrimp Ceviche with mango and coconut, Nikkei Tiradito, and Hamachi Nikkei, with new chef-driven specials debuting each week throughout the festival. It's a fresh way to explore the creativity and global influences behind one of summer's most refreshing dishes; chinachilcano.com
More Red Meat In Georgetown: Ten Five Hospitality and James Beard Award-winning Chef Tim Hollingsworth have opened 2 new concepts in the heart of Georgetown. The Oak Room is an upscale American grill centered on premium steaks, seafood towers, and refined takes on classic dishes, while upstairs, Bernadette's offers a candlelit supper club experience with live music, cocktails, and indulgent late-night fare. Rounding out the destination is The Garden, a seasonal outdoor wine bar serving rosé, spritzes, and other warm-weather pours; tenfivehospitality.com
Tolkien Takes Over: By popular demand, La Bohème is once again transforming its intimate Georgetown dining room into a whimsical tribute to J. R. R. Tolkien. Beginning July 8, guests can enjoy 4-6-course prix fixe menus inspired by The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, featuring imaginative dishes like Sam's Po-Tay-Toes, Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit, and Mount Doom, paired with themed wines and cocktails. The immersive, Rivendell-inspired experience returns for a limited time this summer; labohemedc.com/
We See the Light: The nonprofit social enterprise, Emma's Torch, founded by Kerry Brodie has officially opened a new 4,500-square-foot café and culinary training center in downtown Silver Spring. The expanded flagship location will train more than 185 refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking each year while serving breakfast, lunch, pastries, and weekend brunch to the public. Menu highlights include housemade biscuits, avocado toast, crispy chicken sandwiches, brown butter pancakes, and vegan shakshuka. More than four times larger than its former Brookland location, the new space also supports Emma’s Torch’s growing catering program and mission of helping students build careers in the culinary industry; emmastorch.org
Summer Michelin Menu: Michelin-starred Chef Ryan Ratino is celebrating the season with new summer tasting menus that showcase peak ingredients through a modern French bistro lens. Guests can choose from 3-course ($65.00), 4-course ($95.00), or 7-course ($155.00) experiences featuring dishes such as King Fish with heirloom tomato and yuzu olive oil, Corn & Black Truffle Ravioli, Rainbow Trout with blue crab ragout, and Lamb Loin & Belly with raspberry and merguez sausage. End on a sweet note with Peaches & Cream or the Warm Madeleine Service for Two, and don't miss the signature Brioche Feuilletée with honey butter; brescadc.com
Diner Food is Back: Now open in Mount Vernon Triangle, Rosa’s Diner reimagines the classic American diner with vibrant Latin flavors and all-day dining in a restored Victorian rowhome. Led by Executive Chef Francisco Pomalaza, the menu features creative takes on comfort food, including pupusa Eggs Benedict with birria beef, churro French toast, housemade empanadas, and a diner smash burger melt. Guests can also enjoy specialty coffee, citrus-forward cocktails, and a welcoming space designed for everything from breakfast meetings to weekend brunches and casual dinners; rosasdiner.com
A la Carte at Oyster Oyster: As it approaches its five-year anniversary, Michelin-starred Oyster Oyster is introducing its first-ever à la carte menu for walk-in guests on Wednesdays and Thursdays, featuring frequently rotating seasonal dishes from James Beard Award-winning Chef Rob Rubba; oysteroysterdc.com
