A Black chef-owned restaurant on H street and also Michelin Bib Gourmand Award winner. This eatery offers Caribbean street food favorites and rum-based cocktails; they also have vegetarian options.
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DC Area Dining Faves
DC has gained growing recognition as a food city. In 2017 Zagat ranked DC as one of the country’s most exciting food cities. In 2019 the New York Times called DC a “great restaurant city” and Bloomberg named it “Most Exciting Food City in America.” Beyond the District, Maryland and Virginia also have outstanding food. Below are a sampling of my favorites. They lean heavily towards DC as that's where I lived for years. I'm still back to the area often for work and will update this as I go!
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DC
A vegetable-forward restaurant that’s rooted in sustainability. They offer seasonal menus that highlight Mid-Atlantic farms and were named one of the best new restaurants in America in 2021 by Esquire. Great spot for a date night!
Get a taste of authentic Detroit-style pizzas or the tibs pizza. They have vegetarian options as well. Open for weekend takeout or delivery only.
Black-owned spot with a super simple menu of healthy fish sandwiches that are amazing. Try the cheesesteak!
Great place for Cambodian/Thai food; the chef here has been doing dope things with Power of 10 throughout the pandemic. They’re located on H street and have a great patio as well.
Korean restaurant in Dupont, considered one of the best dining spots in the city and has a super nice team. Chef Angel Barreto was named one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs in 2021. Highly recommend the brunch.
Award-winning Burmese that pays a living wage and provides employees benefits. This is a fast-casual concept that has won a slew of awards.
This Fast-casual burger concept from a French-trained chef blends Ethiopian flavors, excellent execution, and comfort food. Chef Elias Taddesse was named Eater DC's chef of the year for 2021. Has outdoor seating along with vegan and vegetarian options.
Albi is one of the best Levantine restaurants I've ever been to, and I lived in the Levant for years. There's a reason it was named to Esquire's best new restaurants list for 2020 and continues to win recognition. This is a great spot for a special occasion or date night.
This new "Indian-ish" restaurant is making waves for its flavorful and creative cuisine and outstanding cocktails.
VA
If you’re out by Dulles, this is the spot. This Ethiopian restaurant serves delicious food; they also offer vegan and vegetarian options.
This Arlington BBQ spot is absolutely fab and they’re now serving breakfast!
Queen Mother's by Chef Rock Harper is home to the best fried chicken sandwich around. There's also a cute park right on the corner to sit and eat outside.
Lucky Danger is fabulous Chinese American takeout or delivery in Arlington, VA.
MD
Money Muscle BBQ, a truck and carryout operation based out of Silver Spring, serves up incredible barbecue and sides. Don't miss the brisket or the cornbread!
Dodah’s Kitchen serves up vegan soul food in Mt. Rainier, MD right over the DC line. They also have a Baltimore location!
This is one of our all-time fave spots in the area. The corn waffles are *chef’s kiss*. I would recommend going during the weekend brunch.
The best of dc area black-owned
Find the best Black-owned and Black-led restaurants in the DC area, broken down by category so whether it's drinks or a quick burger you're looking for, you always know where to go.
