DC's Best New Restaurants Of 2023
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DC's Best New Restaurants Of 2023
2023 was the year of the DC food hall. If we had a dollar for every new stall that cropped up, we could have helped Congress fund their little budget extension. And while we’ve avoided the espresso martini craze, we haven’t been able to avoid the city’s expanding NA beverage movement. (The real pros, though, are over at Binge Bar on H Street, the city’s first and only nonalcoholic bar.)
DC also got some standalone restaurants that knocked our socks off. An Ivy City fusion spot has the most decadent birria we’ve ever had. And we’ll never get tired of our favorite brisket, so hopefully our number one smokehouse keeps expanding. But we’ll save that dream for 2024 and spend the here and now basking in the glow of these top spots, DC's best new restaurants.
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When the potato salad was even better than the one at the original Bloomingdale location.
A Perfect Order For Unbuttoning Your Pants
The BBQ sampler platter with a side of spiced fries and crispy brussels sprouts.
The Best Time To Go
Friday after work, so you can get all the brisket and smoked wings to last through a weekend of TV binging.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When the potato salad was even better than the one at the original Bloomingdale location.
A Perfect Order For Unbuttoning Your Pants
The BBQ sampler platter with a side of spiced fries and crispy brussels sprouts.
The Best Time To Go
Friday after work, so you can get all the brisket and smoked wings to last through a weekend of TV binging.
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we shamelessly shoveled a slice of grilled chicken, a chunky steak fry, and a sweet plantain into our mouths all at once.
A Perfect Order For Wrapping Up A Night Out On U Street
Chicken jollof rice, plantains, and Ivorian ketchup.
The Best Time To Go
Weekdays around 2pm to devour the fried snapper while sucking your teeth in relative anonymity.
Collective Team Visits
4
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we shamelessly shoveled a slice of grilled chicken, a chunky steak fry, and a sweet plantain into our mouths all at once.
A Perfect Order For Wrapping Up A Night Out On U Street
Chicken jollof rice, plantains, and Ivorian ketchup.
The Best Time To Go
Weekdays around 2pm to devour the fried snapper while sucking your teeth in relative anonymity.
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When the hummus alwen came to the table and we resisted the urge to live stream the meal
A Perfect Order Before A Night Out in Ivy City
Oyster ceviche, the grilled branzino with a side of roasted potatoes, and the elote & mole.
The Best Time To Go
Saturday night, so you can have dinner and then relive your Okie St. clubbing days until 2am.
Collective team visits
4
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When the hummus alwen came to the table and we resisted the urge to live stream the meal
A Perfect Order Before A Night Out in Ivy City
Oyster ceviche, the grilled branzino with a side of roasted potatoes, and the elote & mole.
The Best Time To Go
Saturday night, so you can have dinner and then relive your Okie St. clubbing days until 2am.
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The second we cracked open a chicken tender and juice dripped from the center.
A Perfect Order To Eat On The Green Line
The deluxe spicy sandwich combo with the curly fries.
The Best Time To Go
Lunchtime, so you can grab a 12-piece bucket of chicken for the rest of the day.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The second we cracked open a chicken tender and juice dripped from the center.
A Perfect Order To Eat On The Green Line
The deluxe spicy sandwich combo with the curly fries.
The Best Time To Go
Lunchtime, so you can grab a 12-piece bucket of chicken for the rest of the day.
photo credit: Reema Desai
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Simply walking down the newspaper-lined staircase in the dark basement restaurant.
A Perfect Order For A Quiet Solo Dinner
A bowl of spicy belly rice and a lychee creme brulee.
The Best Time To Go
Any weeknight when you’re trying to escape from the bustle of Dupont Circle.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Simply walking down the newspaper-lined staircase in the dark basement restaurant.
A Perfect Order For A Quiet Solo Dinner
A bowl of spicy belly rice and a lychee creme brulee.
The Best Time To Go
Any weeknight when you’re trying to escape from the bustle of Dupont Circle.
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The second we smelled the crab fries.
A Perfect Order Before Hitting A Mystics Game
The crab fries.
The Best Time To Go
Any time you’re in the mood for, you guessed it, crab fries.
Collective team visits
5
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
The second we smelled the crab fries.
A Perfect Order Before Hitting A Mystics Game
The crab fries.
The Best Time To Go
Any time you’re in the mood for, you guessed it, crab fries.
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we dunked our scallion pancake sandwich into the chili crisp sauce and wanted to be morning people again.
A Perfect Order For Getting Rid Of Mid-Morning Workday Blues
A kimchi, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich with extra chili crisp sauce. And maybe a cold brew.
The Best Time To Go
Weekday mornings before 9am for a source of excitement before your source of stress.
Collective Team Visits
3
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we dunked our scallion pancake sandwich into the chili crisp sauce and wanted to be morning people again.
A Perfect Order For Getting Rid Of Mid-Morning Workday Blues
A kimchi, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich with extra chili crisp sauce. And maybe a cold brew.
The Best Time To Go
Weekday mornings before 9am for a source of excitement before your source of stress.
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
As the whole dining room harmonized the hell out of "5 Steps" by Dru Hill.
A Perfect Order For A First Date
The signature Savage fries with a side of Jodeci.
The Best Time To Go
On Saturday afternoon before 4pm for a day party-style brunch where you can rest your knees and back.
Collective team visits
4
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
As the whole dining room harmonized the hell out of "5 Steps" by Dru Hill.
A Perfect Order For A First Date
The signature Savage fries with a side of Jodeci.
The Best Time To Go
On Saturday afternoon before 4pm for a day party-style brunch where you can rest your knees and back.