With a D.C. restaurant industry bouncing back from a lengthy pandemic, going out to eat now comes with a semblance of normality. The Eater 38 offers a selection of defining culinary destinations that showcase the diversity of D.C. (and its many suburbs). Some of D.C.’s most cherished restaurants that weathered the pandemic through takeout are finally able to show off their best sit-down spreads and prix fixe menus in person. Restaurants on this map must be open for at least six months. For the most exciting new restaurants in town, check out the heatmap.

For the winter 2023 refresh, new additions to the 38 include: Ser, for tapas, paellas, and dramatic sharable plates in Arlington; Sura, for Thai street foods in a Dupont basement; 2941, for a European-influenced masterpiece in Falls Church; Oyamel, for tried-and-true Mexican cuisine in Penn Quarter; and Brine, for expertly-sourced seasonal seafood on H Street.

Following an Eater tradition, we asked a group of restaurant critics, journalists, bloggers, and industry pros to weigh in on the year in food. Their answers to an annual “Year in Eater” survey will be revealed in several posts this month. First up, the dining experts share their regular go-to destinations in 2022 and the most exciting newcomers to D.C.’s restaurant scene.

Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24) is a prime time to dine out around DC—whether you’re looking for a festive brunch, blowout dinner, or a casual place to gather with family and friends.

Instead of brunch, the contemporary Korean restaurant near Dupont Circle is serving their normal dining menu all day on Christmas Eve. Enjoy Mama Lee’s classics like chili-braised chicken thighs, or chef Angel Barreto’s standout dishes like a galbi ssam board or whole crispy branzino. 

With a D.C. restaurant industry emerging from a two-year pandemic, going out to eat now comes with a semblance of normality. The Eater 38 offers a selection of defining culinary destinations that showcase the diversity of D.C. (and its many suburbs). Some of D.C.’s most cherished restaurants that weathered the pandemic through takeout are finally able to show off their best sit-down spreads and prix-fixe menus in person. Restaurants on this map must be open for at least six months. For the most exciting new restaurants in town, check out the heatmap.

The National Mall, the Smithsonian museums, the monuments—there’s a lot to see in Washington, D.C. But for decades, the restaurants didn’t hold up in the same way. No longer.

In recent years, the nation’s capital has transformed into a bona fide dining destination, moving beyond its beloved steakhouses and power lunch spots (though there are still great versions of those) with a new wave of terrific restaurants popping up in neighborhoods all over the city. And while D.C. has attracted some marquee names known for their restaurants elsewhere (José Andrés, Michael Mina), most often it’s home-grown talent overseeing Washington’s hottest tables.

From the iconic classics to the mod brasseries, locally inspired menus to the far-flung—when it comes to where to eat in D.C., we’ve got you covered.

As Impossible meat gains more attention and appreciation countrywide, restaurants of all types are serving it, from fine dining to diners. Even Burger King has jumped on the Impossible train with their Impossible Whopper, which is actually pretty tasty. But it’s not just burgers — now chefs are using Impossible meat in a myriad of creative ways, from Impossible dumplings to Impossible meatloaf. We found seven D.C. restaurants working with Impossible meat in innovative, delicious ways.

Unlike Albi, Korean restaurant Anju had to dramatically pivot.

“Covid caused us to reevaluate every facet of our operations,” Chef Danny Lee told us. “We had to adjust from not offering any takeout, to only offering takeout, and now doing both. We’ve had to learn to be very flexible with staff schedules and availability and adjust our capacity at the same time.”

When it comes to more lowbrow restaurants, Lee recommends my favorite Adams Morgan takeout spot.

“Eastern Carry Out, located on the southern end of Adams Morgan. They make the best wings in the city. I take every out-of-town chef who visits D.C. there and they are always amazed.”

Situated between Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan, Anju serves Korean bar food with a refined touch from the restaurant group behind casual hit Chiko. James Beard Award-nominated chef Angel Barreto leads a kitchen that plates up standouts ranging from pork and kimchi mandu (dumplings) and fried chicken with white barbecue sauce to a seafood fried rice bokum bap and seared ribeye galbi boards. Weekend brunches bring on breakfast sandwiches and a grit bowl that riffs on juk.