The Michelin Stars Arrive in Washington D.C.

The dining scene in Washington has exploded in recent years, with so many new restaurants opening that we’re enjoying a level of quality and diversity never seen here before. Yet with so many new options, it’s difficult to try them all — or even to know where to start. Thanks to the new Michelin Guide Washington, we now have some help in picking the very best the city has to offer.

In the Guide, you’ll find top tables like Kinship from chef Eric Ziebold who previously worked at the French Laundry near Napa, California, and then made his name in Washington by running the flagship restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental hotel. At newly-opened Kinship, he and his wife, Célia Laurent, strike a wonderful balance with delightful gastronomic cuisine offered in a comfortable setting with attentive, friendly service. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion with their Ossetra caviar or Kuroge beef carpaccio, or simply sharing a family-style meal among friends with whole roasted foie gras or rack of lamb en persillade, you’ll enjoy scrumptious food in a gracious ambiance.

While the influx of celebrity chefs has been exciting, we’re also quite proud of local chefs who have won big accolades. Aaron Silverman’s restaurant Rose’s Luxury was named the best new restaurant in the country by Bon Appétit magazine two years ago.  The chef elevates American classics with finesse; take the blue catfish with a green tomato relish that offers a nice zing, or a rigatoni with briny anchovies, eggplant and a bit of mint for brightness. Silverman has also launched the upscale Pineapples and Pearls, which was awarded two Michelin stars in the Guide. It offers an “elegant but playful” 13 course tasting menu that offers a global culinary tour – think of French classics such as fluke Veronique or a delicate Japanese vegetable tempura drizzled with ponzu sauce.

Before your next visit to Washington, check out this list of one- and two-starred restaurants from the Michelin Guide Washington. Bon appétit!

TWO STARS – “Excellent cooking, worth a detour”

Inn at Little Washington, 309 Middle St, Washington, VA 22747, theinnatlittlewashington.com

Minibar, 855 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004, www.minibarbyjoseandres.com

Pineapple & Pearls, 715 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003, www.pineappleandpearls.com

ONE STAR – “A very good restaurant in its category”

Blue Duck Tavern at the Park Hyatt, 1201 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037, washingtondc.park.hyatt.com/

The Dabney, 1222 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, thedabney.com/

Fiola, 601 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004, www.fioladc.com/

Kinship, 1015 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, kinshipdc.com/

Masseria, 1340 4th St., NE, Washington, DC 20002, www.masseria-dc.com/

Plume, 1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036, www.plumedc.com

Rose’s Luxury, 717 8th St., SE, Washington, DC  20003, rosesluxury.com

Sushi Taro, 1503 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036, sushitaro.com

Tail Up Goat, 1827 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009, www.tailupgoat.com