City Cast DC logo

DC's Early Summer Restaurant Openings

Posted on July 5, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Kaela Cote-Stemmermann

Kaela Cote-Stemmermann

Cocktails at Death & Co.

Cocktails at Death & Co. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)

This week, heart-wrenching closures are padded with some new pop-ups and a nationally renowned bar coming to town.

🪦 Say farewell to:

This one has me tearing up. After 15 years in Park View, this Alice-in-Wonderland-style dive bar will be closing its doors this year (no exact date). I can’t imagine how many first dates those walls have seen.

This Olive Garden-wannabe closed its sole D.C. location in Dupont last week. But, rumor is they’re opening another location nearby in November. No more meatball Mondays and endless fried calamari baskets for now.

👋 And give a warm welcome to:

This comfort food joint opened Friday on the H Street Corridor. It covers a lot of ground, from Piri-piri chicken, to sponge cakes, to candy-covered cocktails.

Mahal BBQ is coming back to the Maketto rooftop this summer, with slow-smoked meats and Afro-Filipino flavors like tocino-cured pork belly and Sichuan peppercorn beef.

This giant Bavarian beer garden is landing in Old Town on July 13. Expect huge steins, lots of pretzels, and snacks with Peruvian influence.

One of the most lauded cocktail bars in the country is coming to the old Columbia Room space in Blagden Alley on July 14. Their D.C. menu is original and will change seasonally.

Little Vietnam is partnering with Chef Kevin Tien for a summer pop-up with signature dishes from both restaurants. (Kevin’s busy. He gave us the scoop on some other projects in the works.)

Share article

Hey DC

Get smart about D.C. with our news roundup and analysis.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Food and Drink

See All
Food and DrinkJune 15

Moon Rabbit’s Susan Bae Wins DC’s Only 2026 James Beard Award

Susan Bae wins the Outstanding Pastry Chef category at the 2026 James Beard Awards, D.C.’s only win.

Susan Bae of Moon Rabbit. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Paraoan)
Food and DrinkJune 11

Adams Morgan’s Favorite Wine Bar Has a Shot at a James Beard Award

James Beard nominee Maison Bar à Vins is an “Adams Morgan bar for grown-ups”

Starters at Maison Bar à Vins.
Food and DrinkJune 4

'The Custodian' Explores the Life of Washington Football's Biggest Superfan

This documentary short premiering at DC/DOX Festival explores a Washington Football fan's 57-year quest to preserve the team's history wh...

Samu Qureshi sitting in old stadium seats in his Washington Football Team Museum. (Courtesy of “The Custodian” team)
Food and DrinkMay 14

Eating Facebook Marketplace Food for An Entire Weekend in DC

From tamales to seafood boils, the viral Facebook Marketplace food trend is hitting the DMV.

Nothing to see here, just some Facebook food delusions. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Food and DrinkApril 15

DC's Best New Restaurants and Bars

Welcome to our rolling list of all the best new restaurants opening in Washington, DC!

Steak at Bazaar Meat by José Andrés. (Photo by Liz Clayman)
Food and DrinkApril 9

DC's Top Food Critic’s Favorite Spots

The food critic at the Washington Post has long been seen as an all-powerful — and totally anonymous — figure in the local restaurant ind...

Washington Post food critic Elazar Sontag. (Photo courtesy of Elazar Sontag)
Food and DrinkMarch 18

DC Sandwiches We Love

Favorite Sandwich: Chorizo & Egg Arepa at The Royal — It’s a breakfast sandwich inside a crunchy, corny, homemade arepa topped with salsa...

Egg arepa at The Royal in Shaw. (The Washington Post/Getty Images)
Food and DrinkMarch 4

Meet the Female Chefs Shaping DC’s Culinary Scene

From culinary legends to rising stars, here are eight women who are shaping D.C.’s restaurant scene this International Women's Day.

Chef Amy cooking up something good at Centrolina. (The Washington Post/Getty Images)