I’ve lived in DC for five years now, and the food and wine scene here never gets old. I’m always sending out rec lists after classes, so this felt like the right place to share them. These are the restaurants and wine bars that really bring wine to life for me in DC.
Restaurants with great wine programs:
Maydan- live-fire restaurant with Middle Eastern wine options
Annabelle- upscale New American with an excellent list
Zaytinya- best Greek wine list, hands-down
Rose’s Luxury- American/Italian fare with hip-hop beats and a classic, excellent list
Shoto- incredible Omakase experience, plus they sell Billecart-Salmon magnums (need I say more?)- best cuisine for Riesling pairings, too
Jônt/Bresca- Two of DC’s finest Michelin stars, the wine team across both are next level excellent
Bourbon Steak- luxe setting, deep wine list, vibes. Get the fry trio & a bottle of Chardonnay and don’t look. back.
Supra- a must for anyone curious about orange wines. The cuisine & Georgian wine pairings are some of the best I’ve ever had.
St. Anselm- casual but upscale steakhouse, with a global wine list to boot
Chez Billy Sud- Classic French, great Champagne & white Burgundy pairings
dLeña- bold Latin American flavors with a Spanish/South American-centric wine list
Lutece- tiny but absolutely immaculate brasserie in Georgetown. Their duck fat caviar potato bites + Champagne = pure joy
Joe's Stone Crab- best happy hour: half off wine glasses daily 2:30–6pm
Red Hen- my neighborhood favorite, cozy/upscale with an incredible Italian list
L'Ardente- I dream of their funghi pizza & cacio e pepe- and their awesome wine program
Il Canale- some of the lowest prices I've seen on Italian wines
Josephine in Old Town- this one’s technically across the river in Alexandria, but they have an incredible French program and it’s an awesome brunch or celebration spot
Acqua al 2 in Annapolis- also a bit of a hike, but the best truffle pasta I’ve ever had & amazing pairings to boot
Wine bars:
Maxwell Park Shaw- industry favorite, rotating monthly themes
Apero- Champagne + caviar go-to
Grand Cata- best South American selection in the DMV
Pop Fizz- all sparkling wine bar, by same owners as Maxwell Park
St. Vincent- cozy neighborhood spot
Cheers to eating & drinking fabulously, my friends!
Only at Chez Billy..