Press Release

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Announces 2025 RAMMYS Award Finalists

WASHINGTON (April 14, 2025) —The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) unveiled the finalists for the 2025 RAMMYS Awards & Gala on Monday, April 14, during a reception that brought together local chefs, restaurateurs, and industry leaders. 

The announcement at The Hamilton Live highlighted the depth and diversity of the region’s dining scene, recognizing standout achievements across 20 award categories.

Presented annually by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the RAMMYS honors excellence in the Washington metropolitan area’s restaurant and food service community, from innovative beverage programs and top-tier service to culinary creativity and leadership.

“Each year, the RAMMYS shine a light on the incredible talent, resilience and creativity that define our region’s vibrant hospitality industry,” said Shawn Townsend, President and CEO of RAMW. “This year’s finalists represent the heart of our community — from innovative entrepreneurs to the teams that deliver outstanding experiences. We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and the vital role they play in making the Washington, DC, region a dining destination. We look forward to honoring them on August 3 at The RAMMYS Awards & Gala.”

For the first time, the Fast Casual Restaurant category will be judged by The RAMMYS judges panel verses via public voting section. Fast casual restaurants are making their mark in the region’s culinary scene, and this change reflects their elevated stature in the industry.

Four categories remain in the public voting section; Best Bar of the Year, Best Brunch of the Year, Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year, and Favorite Gathering Place of the Year. Voting for the public categories will take place via The RAMMYS media partner, NBC Washington/Telemundo, which opens on May 1 through May 31, 2025.

The 2025 RAMMYS Awards Finalists are (*denotes publicly voted categories):

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of excellence in food, service, and atmosphere and shows dedication to sophisticated culinary techniques in a fine dining environment. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • El Cielo
  • MITA
  • Rooster & Owl
  • Pineapple and Pearls
  • Kappo

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service in an upscale casual environment. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Ometeo
  • King Street Oyster Bar
  • Tail Up Goat
  • Petite Cerise
  • Amparo Fondita 

Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a dedication to dining excellence, service, and value in a casual environment. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • 2Fifty Texas BBQ
  • Stellina Pizzeria
  • Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar
  • I Egg You
  • The Falls

Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year: This nominee is a delicatessen, quick-serve restaurant, bakery, mobile food vendor, or coffee shop (with a food menu) that demonstrates a dedication to good food and good service in a fast-casual environment. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2024.

  • Emma's Torch
  • Yellow
  • La Tejana
  • Love on the Run at Love Makoto
  • Andy's Pizza

New Restaurant of the Year: A restaurant that must have opened between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and already distinguishes itself as a pacesetter in food, beverage and hospitality. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW.

  • Ama
  • La' Shukran
  • Kayu
  • Pascual
  • San Pancho

Wine Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its wine program.  The nominee’s wine program best suits the cuisine and style of the restaurant while enhancing the dining experience.  Wine bars are eligible for this category and will be judged based on the diversity and quality of their offerings. The nominee continues to break new ground in the education of its staff.  The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Era Wine Bar
  • Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique
  • Lulu's Wine Bar
  • Little Black Bird
  • Easy Company Wine Bar and Market

Cocktail Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its craft cocktail program, evaluated separately from its beer, wine or other beverages. Nominees may be bars, restaurants, or any foodservice establishment with an exemplary cocktail program. The nominee continues to break new ground in the education of its staff.  The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Amazonia
  • Jane Jane
  • Medina
  • Moon Rabbit
  • Quadrant

Beer Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its beer program. Brewery restaurants and brewpubs are eligible for this category and will be judged based on the diversity and quality of their craft beer. The nominee continues to break new ground in the education of its staff. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Atlas Brew Works
  • Pizzeria Paradiso
  • Red Bear Brewing Co.
  • Tall Boy
  • Astro Beer Hall

Service Program of the Year: This nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of excellence in service across the restaurant – from the reservation process, to the host station, to every element of the dining experience. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Anju
  • MITA
  • Xiquet by Danny Lledó
  • El Cielo
  • Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

Chef of the Year: The nominee is an executive chef or chef de cuisine who demonstrates consistent standards of culinary excellence. The nominee displays a dedication to the artistry of food and may be from any type of establishment. The nominee must have been a chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.

  • Carlos Delgado, Causa / Amazonia
  • Matt Adler, Caruso's Grocery
  • Matt Conroy & Isabel Coss, Lutece and Pascual
  • Rubén García Castilla, Casa Teresa
  • Mike Friedman, Red Hen

Rising Culinary Star of the Year: The nominee is an “up and coming” chef who demonstrates exemplary talent, shows leadership and promise for the future. The nominee must have been based in the Metropolitan Washington area for a minimum of two years. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.

  • Suresh Sundas, Daru
  • Paolo Dungca, Hiraya
  • Sara Ravitz, Shilling Canning Co.
  • Fernando Gonzales, 2Fifty Texas BBQ
  • Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, MITA

Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant pastry chef or baker who prepares desserts, baked goods, or breads and demonstrates a high standard of excellence and culinary artistry. The nominee serves as an inspiration to other food professionals. The nominee must have been a pastry chef or baker for the past three years with a minimum of one year based in the Metropolitan Washington area. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.

  • Alicia Wang, YELLOW/Albi/La' Shukran
  • Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit
  • Rachel Sherriffe, formally at Ellie Bird
  • Carmelo Gil, Petite Cerise
  • Rose Nguyen, Rose Ave Bakery

Restaurant Manager of the Year: The nominee is a non-owner manager or general manager in the food service industry who displays the highest level of professionalism and leadership. This person must be an inspiration and mentor to all their co-workers displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.

  • Lorena Reyes – Founding Farmers
  • Antonio Chavarria , Metropolitan Hospitality Group
  • Allison Williams – Pascual
  • Tony Strowd Hamilton – Pizzeria Paradiso
  • Luke Lin – CUT by Wolfgang Puck

Restaurant Employee of the Year: The nominee is a non-managerial front or back of the house employee who serves as a model employee by displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.

  • Keiri Tobar Morales  – RPM Italian
  • Luis Jara – All Set Restaurant and Bar
  • Juan Sanchez – Café du Parc and Willard’s Peacock Alley
  • Daniel Fuentes – Madhatter
  • Kristen Wilson – Causa/Amazonia 

Restaurateur of the Year: The nominee must be a working restaurateur or restaurant group who sets high standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for a minimum of 5 years in the Metropolitan Washington area. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW.

  • Seng Luangrath, Baan Mae
  • Cici Yang, Yume Sushi, KYOJIN Sushi, and Rimtang
  • Daniel Kramer, Duke's Grocery
  • Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurant Group
  • Tea Ivanovic, Immigrant Food

Favorite Gathering Place of the Year*: This nominee is a restaurant rooted in its neighborhood where guests come to eat, drink, and get together with friends over and over again. The great atmosphere - indoors or outdoors – and good vibes are as important as the food and drink. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Chloe
  • Vagabond Bar and Kitchen
  • The Dew Drop Inn
  • A Baked Joint
  • Balos

Best Brunch of the Year*: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service for its brunch in a formal, upscale, or casual environment. Brunch may be offered as full-service, buffet, or prix fixe. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024. 

  • Sequoia
  • Vera Cocina & Bar
  • Josephine
  • J. Hollingers Waterman's Chophouse
  • Le Diplomate

Best Bar of the Year*: The nominee is an establishment whose primary focus is beverages in a casual or upscale environment, with or without food. Patrons are there for the drinks, the atmosphere, decor, and the hospitality. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024. 

  • The Green Zone
  • metrobar
  • Service Bar
  • Tune Inn Restaurant and Bar
  • Royal Sands Social Club

Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year*: This nominee is a casual restaurant, quick-serve, or mobile food vendor with a menu dedicated to creative and delicious sandwiches that demonstrate excellence and skill. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2024.

  • Your Only Friend
  • Queen Mother's
  • Soko Butcher
  • Jetties
  • Ampersandwich at Shilling Canning Co.

Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: The award is presented to an associate member who best exemplifies commitment to and support of RAMW. This award recipient is determined by the Executive Committee of RAMW. The 2025 Allied Member of the Year Finalists were announced in March 2025 at the RAMW Annual Meeting.

  • Congressional Seafood Co.
  • Harmony Group
  • Keany Produce & Gourmet
  • The Legacy Group, Inc.
  • Preferred Insurance

Winners will be announced at The 2025 RAMMYS Awards & Gala, held on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Ahead of the main event, RAMW will honor key industry leaders and contributors selected by the RAMW Executive Committee and/or the Board of Directors on July 1 at the 2nd Annual RAMMYS Honors Ceremony. The honorees for the following awards will be celebrated:

  • Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award
  • John G. Laytham Exception Leadership and Impact Award
  • Milestone Award
  • Joan Hisoaka Allied Member Award

The 2025 RAMMYS Awards & Gala sponsors are Events DC, Doordash, NBC Washington/ Telemundo, Design Foundry, Studio Box, Club Glow/Echo Stage, Chase, Monumental Sports, Congressional Seafood, Stratus Firm, DC Health Link, Acme Paper & Supply Co., LINK Strategic Partners, DC Department of Small and Local Business Development, Mt. Vernon Triangle Business Improvement District.

For more information about the RAMMYS, visit therammys.org. For more information about RAMW, visit ramw.org.

###

About The RAMMYS Awards & Gala

Presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), The RAMMYS Awards & Gala honors the exceptional ability and accomplishments of the hard-working individuals and organizations of the region’s restaurants and food service community. Named the #1 Food & Restaurant event by BIZBASH Magazine since 2009, The RAMMYS celebrate one of Metropolitan Washington’s greatest assets: Its restaurants.

About Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) 

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the regional trade association representing restaurants and the food service industry in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Established in 1920, RAMW is an advocate, resource, and community for its members. The Association works to promote and sustain the growth and development of the industry while providing its members legislative and regulatory representation, marketing and small business support, programming, and events. RAMW strives to serve its members with professionalism and integrity and provide them with the training, education, and support they need to grow a successful business. 

 

 

Jurisdiction:

Washington DC
Maryland
Virginia