Inspired by her extensive travels with her NPR-reporter husband, Rose Previte opened this neighborhood spot to bring global flavors to curious DC diners. The menu reflects the stamps on her passport, taking cues from international street foods. Since day one, the breakout star has been the khachapuri, the Republic of Georgia’s beloved canoe-shaped cheese bread. The space resembles a garden patio, where patrons are encouraged to linger over destination-driven cocktails like the eponymous tipple, which features sparkling wine flavored with pomegranate, rose, and mint.
New York, Los Angeles, Chicago—the country’s largest cities seem to get all the culinary cred. Despite boasting a Michelin guide since 2016, Washington, D.C. has been slow to catch up to those bigger burgs. But it’s not for lack of effort or sheer deliciousness of the food.
The 2021 census revealed that the District is now one of the most diverse cities in the country. This list will demonstrate that the cuisine matches the demographics—in fact, the best restaurants in D.C. are as globally inspired as the embassies surrounding them. From khachapuri to al pastor, vegan chili to Japanese-Italian pizza, D.C. has something to satisfy every taste. Now that’s representation.
This guide was updated by Virginia-based writer Alice Levitt. At Time Out, all our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
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