News

During the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival Cherry Picks dining program—a collaboration between the
Festival, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, and our city's finest eateries – we're featuring more restaurants, more menus, and more incredible food! From March 20 to April 13, over 50 participating restaurants are showcasing springtime menus featuring creative dishes and cherry blossom-inspired cocktails that’ll have you celebrating the season with every bite.

The James Beard Foundation® has unveiled the semifinalists for its 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards, presented by Capital One. Widely regarded as one of the nation’s most prestigious accolades, the James Beard Awards® celebrate outstanding achievements in the culinary and food media industries, while also promoting a culture where everyone can thrive.

Restaurants provide a multitude of slip, trip, and fall hazards, whether it be from spilled liquids, high customer traffic, or other means in our kitchen, dining areas, and storage rooms. We can all play
a part in preventing these hazards from causing injuries to anyone.

Join us on Thursday, January 30th, for an unforgettable kickoff to the Capital Pride Taste of Pride initiative! This lively evening promises delicious bites, refreshing cocktails, and captivating entertainment as we launch a groundbreaking event series that bridges the LGBTQ+ community with DC’s vibrant culinary scene.

42 restaurants participating for the first time; Newly updated website now live to make reservations and explore options

Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week Winter 2025, presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), returns to celebrate the region’s vibrant culinary scene January 27 – February 2, 2025.

Unveiled on December 9, 2024, the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Washington, D.C., awarded one MICHELIN star to two new restaurants. Mita, a vegetarian Latin American restaurant in the Shaw neighborhood, with its creative and flavorful offerings. Omakase, located in the Barracks Row neighborhood, also received one star for its exceptional Japanese cuisine.

Washington DC’s ProStart welcomes Cardozo Education Campus (formerly Cardozo Senior High School) to their culinary and management program. The ProStart program will be implemented and its two-year curriculum taught under the direction of Fredrick R. Monroe, Chef Instructor and DC ProStart Educator.