DINING Embrace the flavors of fall and warm up this winter with standout restaurants and vibrant dishes across the nation’s capital. Read on for a sampling of the city’s unmatched dining scene. CELEBRATED CUISINE Globally and locally renowned chefs and dining concepts. • HELL’S KITCHEN : Chef Gordon Ramsay’s waterfront restaurant impresses with iconic dishes like lobster risotto and beef Wellington. • MARCUS DC : Modern American cuisine rooted in Black culinary traditions from celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and James Beard-nominated chef Anthony Jones. • IMPERFECTO : Michelin-starred cuisine blending Latin American and Mediterranean flavors from chef Enrique Limardo. BIPOC & WOMEN-OWNED Discover standout minority-run and female-led restaurants. • BEN’S CHILI BOWL : A beloved DC institution since 1958, the Ali family serves up legendary half-smokes and chili dogs. • CHAI PANI : Indian street food favorites from husband-and-wife duo Meherwan and Molly Irani. • MAKERS UNION : A Thompson Hospitality concept serving elevated American comfort classics and craft cocktails. GLOBAL GASTRONOMY Take your palate on an international journey. • BALOS : A vibrant take on Greek coastal cuisine with fresh seafood and Mediterranean flavors. • CASA TERESA : Refined open-fire Spanish cuisine rooted in ancestral recipes and local ingredients. • ELFEGNE : Traditional Ethiopian spiced stews and vibrant dishes, a staple of DC’s dining scene. • RIMTANG : Authentic Thai flavors inspired by family recipes and Bangkok street-food traditions. WA SHINGTON.ORG CULINARY COMFORTS Feast on cozy classics and feel-good flavors. • FILOMENA : House-made pasta and beloved Italian dishes in a quaint, family-style setting. • YARDBIRD : Crispy fried chicken and Southern comfort classics done right. • BUSBOYS AND POETS : A restaurant, bar and bookstore where great food, local culture and community come together. j Chai Pani @Tim Robison 41
Washington DC Official Visitors Guide Washington DC Official Visitors Guide Fall/Winter 2026: Page 41
