Top Restaurants to Try During Summer Restaurant Week 2024 in DC – NBC4 Washington

Summer Restaurant Week is back, offering more options than ever for dining in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia from Monday, August 12 through Sunday, August 18.

Dozens of restaurants offer specials for multi-course brunches and lunches ($25 or $35) or dinners ($40, $55 or $65). Some menus offer wine pairings, specialty cocktails and take-out options.

More than 350 restaurants across the greater Washington area are participating, offering an impressive 75 different cuisines, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) said.

Some restaurants began offering their food earlier, including Michelin-starred Bresca and popular Balkan restaurant Ambar.

Here’s the full list of participating restaurants. You know the game: Make your reservations early.

From Michelin-starred restaurants to beloved neighborhood classics, here are pro tips and advice on where to eat.

Professional tips for Restaurant Week

News4’s favorite foodie, Eun Yang, says Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to try a new restaurant, sample a new cuisine or find a good deal.

Your recommendations?

• Ellē, a charming cafe and bakery in Mount Pleasant that turns into a restaurant in the evenings, offers lunch and dinner.
• Hiraya, a Filipino restaurant on H Street, serves brunch including a soft drink for $25 or a three-course dinner for $65.
• Namak is a relatively new restaurant in Adams Morgan with plenty of delicious dishes, says Eun. Their restaurant week menu starts with a salad, dip or mezze before choosing an appetizer and dessert.
• Hungry in Maryland? Pennyroyal Station in Mount Rainier is a perennial favorite with classic dishes on the $40 dinner menu.
• In Virginia, there are plenty of great things to try at Sabores Tapas Bar in Arlington.

Pro tip #1: Don’t skip lunch (or brunch!).

For lunch and brunch, the cheapest $25 menus are the most popular.

Cornelia Poku, the woman behind Black Girls Explore DC on Instagram, TikTok and Þjórsárdalur once gave us a tip that we continue to follow.

“Don’t miss the three-course lunch specials for $25. They’re harder to find, but there are so many choices,” Poku said. “Check the website to see who’s offering lunch, then double-check the menu to make sure it’s $25.”

A Mount Vernon Triangle restaurant that combines French and Chinese cuisine is showcasing its menu as part of DC Restaurant Week. News4’s Tommy McFly samples some of the most popular dishes.

Other highlights in the lowest price range: Del Mar (The Wharf), Duke’s (Woodley Park, Dupont, Foggy Bottom), El Tamarindo (Adams Morgan), Fiola Mare (Georgetown), The Daily Dish (Silver Spring), LaPorta’s (Alexandria), Lulu’s Wine Garden (U Street), Ruthie’s All Day (Arlington), Supra (Shaw) and Tabla (Park View).

Pay attention to when restaurants offer brunch or lunch to ensure you can order from the menu you want.

Pro Tip #2: Check out Michelin-starred restaurants and award-winning eateries

If you are willing to spend a little more, you can get cheap Michelin menus.

Bresca, the Michelin-starred Parisian bistro on 14^th Street is offering Restaurant Week deals throughout August.

Also participating are Michelin-starred restaurants Elcielo in NoMa’s La Cosecha Market, Gravitas in Ivy City and Xiquet in Glover Park.

Also on the menu are RAMMY Award winners, including Perry’s in Adams Morgan, the three locations of Mi Vida and the Fava Pot location in Falls Church.

Pro Tip #3: Meal Planning with Friends

“If you like sharing, remember: the more friends you bring, the more dishes you can try! Who doesn’t love something different?” said Poku.

Inviting a larger group works especially well at restaurants with lots of options, like Ingle Korean Steakhouse in Tysons Corner. Their $65 prix fixe dinner offers lots of options for tasty sides to accompany high-quality grilled meats. It’s almost the same as their regular menu, but $15 cheaper.

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