8 Spanish Restaurants in Washington, D.C for Every Occasion

For when you want to impress

The Bazaar

After delays, legal battles, and even a spat with a U.S. president, José Andrés was finally able to open The Bazaar in the historic Post Office Building DC in 2023. It instantly became one of the top spots for the socialites, and reservations can still be hard to get, so we knew we had to include it in our D.C. Spanish dining guide. Spread out over two floors of what’s now the Waldorf Astoria, the restaurant matches the hotel’s almost-over-the-top opulence with marble, brass, enormous ferns, and Dalí-esque art, but with a playfulness that’s also found on the plates. The food is a culinary trip down Andrés’s memory lane, with nods to his molecular-gastronomy days (try the “modern & traditional” olives for a surprise), Spanish roots (stuffed piquillo peppers with sherry reduction), and his past few decades in the U.S. (oyster po-boy). There’s even a reinvented Waldorf salad!

For that old-school authentic vibe

Taberna del Alabardero

Established in Madrid, Taberna del Alabardero opened in D.C. in 1989 and has been going strong ever since. As one of the oldest Spanish restaurants in Washington, D.C., it holds a special spot in our dining guide. Its Spanish origins are evident beyond the name (‘alabardero’ refers to the halberd-armed guards that protect the Spanish royal family), as the restaurant’s ornate interior mirrors the original, and—more importantly—in the food. Basque native Josu Zubikarai helms the kitchen, which turns out authentic Spanish dishes as well as modern takes that take advantage of the quality ingredients the Mid-Atlantic offers. Familiar tapas are available during lunch and dinner like crispy eggplant drizzled with honey and an egg and onion Spanish tortilla, but look for the dishes you may not find elsewhere in D.C., such as ajoblanco malagueño, an almond-garlic soup served cold. If you want to bring some of these flavors home, head next door to Alabardero Tienda, which stocks many of the kitchen’s ingredients; if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, get one of their paella kits).

For Seafood

Del Mar

Fabio Trabocchi’s team at Del Mar serves up sumptuous seafood and other specialties from the Spanish islands in a luxurious setting. To compete with the great views the Wharf in D.C. offers, designers and craftspeople from Spain were brought over to create the idyllic dining room. The food is no less of a feast for the eyes and palate. While the raw bar will tempt, go for the dishes that showcase more of the talents in the kitchen, such as the smoked leeks with a charcoal vinaigrette or one of the several paella preparations that are made to order. Del Mar is a popular Spanish restaurant in Washington, D.C., so be sure to make a reservation; note any special occasion, and the exceptional waitstaff will make sure the experience is extra special.

For home cooking recognized by the Michelin Guide

Casa Teresa

D.C.’s downtown restaurant scene has suffered since most office workers started logging on from home most days. As a result, there have been few exciting newcomers in the past few years, but Casa Teresa is a notable exception and one we knew we had to include in our D.C. Spanish dining guide. Teresa was chef-owner Rubén García’s abuela, and his cooking pays homage to Spanish traditional home cooking: simple dishes that let the quality of the ingredients shine, with many smaller plates meant to be passed around and several options that are served family style. Don’t let the convivial atmosphere and homey dishes fool you, though; chef Garcia takes his food very seriously, perhaps evidenced most in the pa amb tomàquet (‘pan con tomato in Catalan), which comes with written instructions on how to properly prepare the starter of Crystal bread with tomato and olive oil. Whatever happens, be sure to end your meal with the basque cheesecake. Made with goat cheese and served with a puddle of walnut praline, it is absolutely heavenly.

For a unique fusion concept

Cranes

The only sake lounge on this list (and perhaps the only Spanish kaiseki in the country), Cranes fuses modern Catalan cooking with Japanese ingredients and techniques. If you’re looking for a Spanish restaurant in Washington, D.C., with a unique edge, Cranes is it. Chef Pepe Moncayo conceived of this concept following several turns in Spain’s highest-end restaurants and a nearly decade-long stint in Singapore. Settling in Washington D.C. in 2019, he brought kaiseki to the city’s restaurant scene. Kaiseki refers to a Japanese culinary philosophy that is hyper-local and seasonal, in which the chef presents diners with a meticulously crafted tasting menu. At Cranes, this means one day you may find oysters with espelette (pepper from Basque country), on another paella croquetas. Some of the best fusion dishes include bok choy with Manchego cheese and patatas bravas with yuzu ketchup. Desserts, with ingredients like cherry chocolate sorbet and pink peppercorn meringue are also sublime.

For the most fun

Jaleo

The José Andrés’ stalwart in Penn Quarter recently celebrated its 30th birthday. However, it’s still as popular as ever with locals and tourists alike – and thus had to be included in D.C.’s Spanish dining guide! The interior has seen several refreshes over the years, while the menu has remained true to its vision of authentic Spanish food to be shared with friends and enjoyed with good drinks and conversation. The extensive tapas menu has something for everyone. We love the mushrooms served over potato puree, the garbanzo salad with sherry dressing, and the crunchy, savory cones filled with tomato marmalade and goat cheese, but if you’re in the mood for paella, Jaleo offers several varieties that are brought to the table in the traditional pans (which serve 4-6 people easily ) tableside, too.

For that neighborhood bar feel

Atxondo

If you’re looking for a neighborhood Spanish restaurant in Washington, D.C., check out Atxondo. The lively restaurant scene on D.C.’s 14th St NW keeps expanding, and Atxondo may be the northernmost establishment (for the moment). This unassuming place serves up northern Spanish food that is anything but. Most dishes on the large menu are tapas-style, so you can sample a lot without breaking the bank. There are perennials like grilled scallions with romesco sauce (criminally underrated in the U.S.). However, don’t overlook seasonal offerings such as golden beets with goat cheese and crispy quinoa or butternut squash soup. The drinks list matches (maybe exceeds) the food menu in length and includes sherry, vermuts, and Spanish beers in addition to wines and cocktails, so take your time and enjoy.

For swanky food in swanky digs

The Saga

Seven Reasons Group built its reputation in D.C.’s dining scene on Latin-American food, but at The Saga, Chef Enrique Limardo goes back to his Spanish roots, albeit with a Latin-American twist, which is why we had to add it to this dining guide. Look for these twists in the fine print of the menu—pickled pineapple, fried green plantains, and guava are there between the patatas bravas and aceitunas marinadas. A chef’s tasting menu and various dishes that are prepared tableside allow guests to upgrade their dinner experience, but if you can’t wait that long, The Saga opens for breakfast and offers different menus throughout the day.

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The Food

The menu at Ceibo is small, but full of gems. Kick things off with the house-made bread and butter, and maybe the green herb salad. Salad is boring, you say? Not Ceibo’s–with pearl onions and shards of a gorgeous, fruity Venetian cheese called Ubriaco Rosso, dressed in a light sherry vinaigrette, this salad is perfect for wetting your palate without filling you up.

Next: plums served on a pillowy bed of creamy ricotta cheese, adorned with candied peanuts and honey to complement the plums. But the leek tart is the highlight of the menu. The buttery puff pastry cup, taleggio cheese, and delicate onion flavor of leeks make for a winning combination. Uruguayans are famous for their love of cheese, and chef Nacho Olivera is no exception. He proudly highlights the wide variety of cheeses that are popular in Uruguay.

Alongside your leek tart, be sure to sample the white asparagus. At Ceibo, the delicate spears are soaked in a velvety beurre blanc sauce, and topped with crispy breadcrumbs to add crunch. Craving more? Pickled eggplant in an eggplant ragu, hearty potato wedges, and oysters are also on the menu. But you may (must!) want to save room for dessert. The chocolate cake is a dream, with a generous pour of sweet dulce de leche sauce, as are the sweet and bright strawberries with lemon meringue. Don’t leave without ordering the Marti Fierro, a traditional Uruguayan dessert consisting of cheese topped with quince paste. Simple but delicious, the dish is named after Martín Fierro, who was an activist for gauchos, Uruguayan cowboys, as this was his favorite dessert.

The Drinks

If you fancy a cocktail, try the pomelo, gin, grapefruit, orange, and yerba mate beverage, which showcases the beloved South American tea. For wine, don’t pass over the Uruguay red wine, made with tannat, Uruguya’s national grape that oozes with spiciness and depth of flavor.

The Vibe at Ceibo

Ceibo is quiet, cozy, and intimate. It’s great for dinner with a date or a small group of friends. The staff is friendly and eager to share their tips on what to order. There’s nothing not to love!

The Verdict

Ceibo is a special addition to the Adams Morgan neighborhood and will quickly become a date night favorite!

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The Food at Aventino

Like all of Mike Friedman’s spots, the Italian fare at Aventino is hearty and mouth-watering. Kick off your meal with a traditional Roman flatbread called pizza rossa, simply topped with a jammy tomato conserva, sea salt and Sicilian oregano, and meaty artichokes smothered in buttery and crispy breadcrumbs and a lemony dressing, with elegant mint leaves as a garnish. From there, choose from a variety of pastas. For something decadent, try the cacio e pepe. Made with thick spaghetti strands called tonnarelli, the cheese and black pepper sauce is like a warm blanket that will wrap you up from the inside out. The ricotta-stuffed cappelletti is another great choice, with a creamy sunchoke-infused sauce and sunchoke chips for a crunchy note. Dessert options are equally as irresistible; the budino with dark chocolate ganache is decadent and luscious; the Amalfi lemon float is fun and unique with vanilla gelato and lemon granita doused in a juniper soda, and the apple cake comes with a gorgeous olive oil gelato that is just the right combination of sweet-salty-fruity-creamy.

The Drinks

Ranging from fun and unique to classic, there is a cocktail for everyone on this menu. For drinks on the lighter side, try the Sicilian spritz for something lesser known, made with Lambrusco and blood orange, or a classic Aperol spritz. For a boozier option, there is the pink lotus with Aperol, gin, lemon, egg white, and orange bitters, or a standard delicious negroni with gin, Campari, and vermouth.

The Vibe

The golden light fixtures, velvety bar stools surrounding the oval-shaped bar, and warm wooden floors are all recipes for an inviting dining experience. The staff is as warm and friendly as the décor, and the only issue will be getting a reservation at this already well-known spot.

The Verdict

This is already our new favorite spot in Bethesda! Aventino can get busy so make sure to reserve in advance. If you’re in Washington, D.C., check Mike Friedman’s other spots too. The Red Hen is also one of our favorites!

The post The Team Behind All-Purpose Opens Aventino in Bethesda appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Rangoon: Burmese Garlic Noodles

Located in Chelsea, Rangoon has a comfortable, inviting interior and sensational menu full of classic Burmese dishes, including crispy squash tempura, served alongside a garlicky tamarind sauce, and Burmese egg curry, where boiled eggs come swimming in a chunky tomato sauce. The real highlight on the menu, however, is the garlic noodles, called kyarsen si chet in Burmese. Made with light and fresh thin rice noodles, the dish is bursting with the flavor of garlic in every strand. Shards of stir-fried cabbage, a handful of chopped green onions, and a sprinkling of fried shallots bring color and texture to the dish, serving as just the right contrast to the silky noodles. Garlic lovers, this dish is calling your name.

Le Bernardin: French Truffle Pasta

The truffle pasta at Eric Ripert’s French Le Bernardin is nothing short of extraordinary. The house-made tagliatelle is infused with Perigord black truffle, cooked to perfection, and then swirled in the most sinfully creamy black truffle butter sauce. The noodles will literally melt in your mouth. Savor every single bite.

Soda Club: Italian Bucatini

Soda Club offers up a host of delicious pasta (insider tip: you can sample all of them if you do their six-course pasta tasting, which is $75 AND includes a bottle of wine!), but the most comforting of them all is their bucatini. The hollow noodles are smothered in a bold arrabbiata sauce and then topped with crispy breadcrumbs and shards of vegan parmesan cheese. It’s a classic comfort dish that never gets old.

Hao Noodle: Chinese Dan Dan Noodles

The sunlit, plant-filled dining room at Hao Noodle is the perfect spot for enjoying a bowl of dan dan noodles. The thin noodles are tossed in a gorgeous, heady sauce comprised of peanuts, sesame, chili oil, and scallions. Each bite is full of the nutty flavor of peanut and sesame, the spicy warmth of chili oil, and the chewy goodness of the noodles.

Suram: Japanese Impossible Tan Tan Ramen

There is nothing not to love about ramen, and the impossible ramen at Suram is particularly divine. The chewy, springy ramen noodles are soaked in a smooth miso broth and crowned with spicy impossible meat, meaty mushrooms, and crunchy bamboo shoots and scallions. It is so warm and flavorful that you will keep eating well beyond being full!

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The Vibe

The warm and inviting dining room at Mita includes an elegant modern bar, spacious dining area, and open kitchen. The rustic earth tones, array of green plants, and floor-to-ceiling windows add to the ambiance and create a rustic but elegant scene for your dining experience.

The Food at Mita

Now, let’s get to the most important part: the food! Mita’s innovative 14-course menu, divided into four “acts,” opens with a fun surprise: sweet and savory tamarind and mango candies wrapped in edible paper. Chewy and crispy, the treat kicks off the meal in the most delightful fashion. From there, the meal only gets dreamier. The endless, enticing parade of dishes includes a Venezuelan beverage called papelón, made with a non-alcoholic rum and served with a piece of sugarcane. The bread course includes a variety of mini arepas, some made with potato, others with yucca, and others with plantains, and a trio of dips including a sinfully creamy avocado dip; and a soup course that features a fluffy arracacha soup, made with the starchy, slightly sweet Andean root vegetable, and drizzled with a woodsy mushroom dashi. The dish is brimming with gentle earth tones and just the right balance of sweet and savory.

Other highlights include a savory watermelon dish with fermented carrots; an open-faced tortilla topped with a heady concoction of squash, kale, piquant green mole, and meaty huitlacoche; a delightful asado negro made with mushrooms, served on a bed of creamy corn and adorned with crispy onions. The textures and colors play a vibrant role in each dish, and the Latin American flavors, ranging from cilantro to sweet plantains to coconut, are ever-present and dynamic.

The dessert courses are as sublime as the savory courses. The winner is the one called Salar Uyuni, which is designed to resemble the famous Bolivian salt flats. It features a yuca cake crowned with a crunchy white tuile.

The Drinks

Mita’s wine list features off-the-beaten-path natural and sustainable wines, and the full bar offers any cocktail your heart desires. Try one of Lou Bernard’s famed Singhani cocktails, formerly of Casa Kantuta.

The Verdict

Mita is an epic, unique dining experience. Make your reservation now.

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Italian – Grazie Mille

Trendy and chic, Grazie Mille, located behind its sister venue, Grazie Nonna, is already a hit amongst locals. Low lighting, invigorating tunes, and an opulent décor create a fun and energetic vibe at this bar/restaurant. For a dreamy vegetarian dish to pair with one of their sensational drinks, try the stracciatella. Served with sweet, garlicky roasted tomatoes and a hunk of chewy bread, the creamy cheese is sinfully good. As noted, drinks are great; I recommend the Vatican, a bright, boozy martini, as well as a glass of their rose Lambrusco. Gather with friends at the bar or in their cozy circular booths over drinks, drinks and snacks, or a full-on dinner – just be sure to get the stracciatella!

Mexican – Amparo Fondita

This long-awaited Mexican spot is officially open in Dupont Circle, and reservations are already getting booked up. Come to Amparo Fondita for the herbed guacamole and margaritas, and stay for the decadent corn quesadillas stuffed with cheese and huitlacoche, the potato and chard tacos, and the chile relleno, doused in a spicy tomato infused salsa frontera. For dessert, don’t skip the luscious, coffee-flavored flan.

African – Almeda

Located in the same spot as former hotspots Himitsu, Pom-Pom, and Little Vietnam, Almeda serves up a small but delightful menu with a memorable vegetarian jollof rice risotto, which is warm and creamy, topped with crunchy peanuts for texture and pickled plantains for a tart note.

Vietnamese – Muoi Tieu

Formerly a food truck, Muoi Tieu moved into their Takoma Park brick and mortar in late 2023 and just recently opened their doors to the public in January 2024. Muoi Tieu is another new restaurant offering vegetarian dishes packed with flavor. The menu is mini but with several tempting vegetarian items, including crispy, savory spring rolls filled with shiitake mushrooms, crispy cabbage, lettuce, slivered carrots, sweet jicama, and fresh herbs. From there, try the steamed rice cakes topped with tofu, a turmeric-infused vegan crepe filled with mushrooms, or the vegan pho.

Spanish – Casa Teresa

Feast on all the veggie tapas at Casa Teresa, which range from garlicky Catalan tomato bread, grilled veggies served with a nutty Romanesco sauce, piquillo peppers, crispy and addictive patatas fritas, roasted eggplant drizzled in a sherry dressing. Pair your dishes with a sherry or vermouth from the extensive list or a bottle of Spanish wine.

D.C. Restaurants with Vegetarian Dishes: Practical Tips

Maybe you’re already a vegetarian, or perhaps you want to eat more vegetarian dishes while dining out. Here are some tips: For a seamless vegetarian dining experience, start by identifying vegetarian options on the menu, often marked or in a separate section. If you need help, ask the staff about ingredients and see if they can make any substitutions. Happy veggie eating!

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PLNT Burger’s Save the Bay Fillet

Dare I say it, but Spike Mendelsohn’s PLNT burger has debuted its best veggie burger yet which definitely qualifies as one of this summer’s best vegetarian dishes. The Save the Bay burger is a vegan fish burger that is crunchy, meaty, and features a distinctive seafood flavor profile. Made with Good Catch Food’s crispy fish-free filet, the burger comes on a butter-toasted potato bun with house-made tartar sauce, pickles, and shredded lettuce. It is a satisfying, crispy dream. Be sure to get some onion bloomies or tarragon dusted fries on the side, and a cool strawberry milkshake to wash it all down!

Oyster Oyster’s Corn Soup

This is no ordinary corn soup. The sweetest of baby corn, combined with filet beans and potato, come swimming in a gorgeous chilled peanut broth. It’s cool, it’s refreshing, and it’s brimming with the sweetness of summer. Everything at Oyster Oyster is a dream, whether you are vegetarian or not! It’s definitely one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants in DC. Swing by for a meal that is designed around the season’s best ingredients.

Makan’s Pineapple Curry

Nothing says summer like pineapple, and one of D.C.’s best Malaysian restaurants, Makan, is serving up a savory vegetarian dish where this tropical fruit is the star. You may imagine this dish to be super sweet but in fact, with the addition of warm spices like cloves and cinnamon, and aromatics like ginger and garlic, the dish is heady and savory. Crunchy shallots provide a great texture in contrast to the soft chunks of pineapple, and white rice is served on the side as an accompaniment. Enjoy it with one of Makan’s summery cocktails!

Centrolina’s Ravioli

It is no secret that I love everything Amy Brandwein makes, but her summer dishes are truly my favorite. Her corn and ricotta ravioli, adorned with chanterelle mushrooms and soaked in heady truffle butter, is what heaven tastes like. Centrolina’s menu is full of vegetarian summer dishes, featuring heirloom tomatoes, figs, basil, and other seasonal ingredients.

Karma Modern Indian’s Pesto Paneer

Karma has not one, not two but three paneer dishes on the menu. All three are vegetarian; one is with paneer and saffron, another is with heirloom tomatoes, and the third is with a bold, bright emerald green pesto. I personally love them all but the one with the pesto I order every time. Chewy chunks of paneer come in a doused in the basil pesto, and served in a puddle of sweet and spicy dipping sauce. It’s perfect for sharing, or you can have it all to yourself!

Colada Shop’s Corn Empanada

Sweet and savory at the same time, Colada Shop’s seasonal empanada is a summer corn empanada. This vegetarian dish will keep you happy all summer. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the outside, these empanadas are seriously addictive! Have one with one (or more!) of Colada Shop’s famous pina coladas. Try one at any of Colada Shop’s spots around D.C., Maryland, or Virginia.

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The Food

One of the best changes that were instituted when Bibiana transformed into Modena is the introduction of a food cart. Antipasti options are laid out on the elegant food cart, so you can see, smell and choose your own salads and tarts to share as soon as you sit down. From there, you can choose appetizers and entrees from the dining menu.

Being the glutton that I am, I decided to try ALL the items on the cart. I indulged in marinated olives, a slice of decadent ricotta and spinach pie, a beet and goat cheese salad, mouth-watering artichokes, and roasted red peppers. Frankly, each one was better than the last!

Next, I highly recommend a pasta dish as your entrée. Light-as-a-feather gnocchi is always a win, blanketed with wisps of black truffle. The corn ravioli, a summer dish, was sweet and savory, creamy and breathtaking. Cacio e Pepe is another tempting choice-simple yet so rich.

The Chef

Any kitchen helmed by John Melfi is bound to be a success! Chef John Melfi has worked in some of the best restaurants in Washington, DC: Blue Duck Tavern, The Oval Room, and Fiola. We’ve been following his career for the past six years and he continues to perfect his technique as he moves up in the culinary world.

The Vibe

Modena is an upscale venue, ideal for a business lunch, romantic dinner, or special occasion meal. The restaurant also has an ample private dining room which is perfect for intimate celebrations or corporate dinners.

Modena, 1100 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC, Website

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The Space

With a much larger space and a bigger kitchen, Kevin is able to accommodate more diners. The expansive menu includes bread service, small snacks, and dessert by the cart!

The Cart

Your meal at Emilie’s kicks off with a bang when a rolling cart approaches your table. It is piled high with spreads like nori butter, baba ghanoush, apple compote and mascarpone with pepper jelly. The nori butter has the distinct seafood flavor while still being completely vegetarian. The mascarpone is creamy and sweet with a hint of heat.

When choosing between sourdough and focaccia, make the right decision and just get both! Small accompaniments include pickled enoki mushrooms, fermented beets, baba ghanoush, and more. I would order as many as your dining partners agree to.

The Food

Everything on the cart is tempting but save room for other items on the menu because you are going to want to order everything. The food at Emilie’s is quintessential Kevin Tien: the flavor combinations, the ingredients, and the plating. I adore the teriyaki smothered radicchio which has the perfect bitter-sweet flavor profile. Heaps of crunchy furikake add so much crunch and umami. The gem lettuce dish, where a hunk of crunchy gem lettuce is blanketed in parmesan flakes and bejeweled with crunchy pistachio breadcrumbs. It is crunchy and super savory.

The one menu item I am obsessed with is the champon noodles; where ramen noodles are swirled in miso butter, drizzled with black pepper and adorned with celery leaves. It’s an Asian version of cacio e pepe and it’s one of those “I-died-and-gone-to-heaven” kind of dish. My second favorite dish is the ricotta cavatelli, where the ridged dumplings are so chewy and satisfying you will keep eating them even if you feel like you are going to burst.

The Dessert

Dessert at Emilie’s is just the way I like it: classic with a twist. Fluffy donuts are stuffed with a sweet concord grape jelly and sprinkled with…salt and pepper! Don’t knock it until you try it. Rye chocolate chip cookies are dense and chewy, with a certain earthiness and depth of flavor from the rye. The honeycomb infused milk that accompanies it is rich and heady.

Emilie’s: The Verdict 

Everyone’s new favorite restaurant is here! Dishes will rotate on and off the cart and the menu, so stop by often to avoid missing one of Kevin’s scrumptious creations.

Emilie’s, 1101 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC, Website

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What the story behind Foodhini? 

Founder Noobtsaa Philip Vang grew up watching his mother, a refugee from Laos, struggle to make ends meet without being able to use her greatest talent, her culinary skills. One day when living in D.C. and homesick for his mother’s cooking, he came up with a genius idea to create Foodhini. Foodhini is a business where immigrants with existing culinary skills can work in a central kitchen to create dishes for a food delivery program. By doing so, Vang created not only sustainable employment for immigrants who often face challenges in finding work, but he also developed a platform for such refugees to share their culture through a medium that everyone loves: food.

How does Foodhini Work?

Like any other online food delivery program: you go to the Foodhini website and place an order. The dishes you can choose from are made by the eight chefs currently employed at Foodhini, which include Chef Yebralem, who came to the US from Eritrea due to political instability, Chef Mina from Iran, Chef Mam from Laos, Chef Majed and Chef Gousoun who are both refugees from Syria, Chef Dorjee a refugee from Tibet, Chef Wing from the Phillippines and Chef Tausif from Bangladesh.

What is the Food Like?

Being such a fan of Foodhini I have sampled items from several different chefs. Chef Yebralem is one of my favorites; her Eritrean food is a mix of less common Eritrean dishes and some familiar Ethiopian-inspired dishes. Recently, I sampled her specitini, a dish where veggies such as carrots, broccoli, and green beans are sautéed in a super garlicky tomato sauce. Served with injera (bread), the dish is really substantial and hearty. She also makes shiro, a classic Eritrean and Ethiopian spicy mashed chickpea dish that is ideal for mopping up with the injera.

I love all Asian food therefore I find Chef Mam’s food to be especially delicious, and a great variation from Thai food, which is so prevalent in D.C. Her pumpkin curry is rich and silky smooth, laden with tofu and veggies, while her lettuce wraps are addictive. Coconut and red curry marinated rice and then tossed with tofu, lemongrass, red onions, and peanuts. It is a little sweet, a little salty, a little chewy and a little crispy. I don’t even need the lettuce wrap, I can just eat the filling on its own.

Meanwhile, Chef Mina makes some of the best-stuffed grape leaves I have ever had. I tend to find most grape leaves too sour, but these are stuffed with split yellow peas and dried leeks making them really tender and slightly sweet. I am obsessed with her adas polo, a traditional Iranian dish where rice is cooked with green lentils and then topped with raisins and almonds. The lentils have a filling, meaty texture and the marriage of sweet and savory is super satisfying. The perfect main for a vegetarian.

How are the Foodnini Prices?

Prices at Foodhini are totally reasonable – ranging from $7-15 for each dish. You can mix and match from different chefs too if you want to try a variety of their offerings.

What’s the Verdict? 

Foodhini is fun, delicious and a great way to support immigrants in your local community. If there was ever a good time to support immigrants and diversity in our country, today is it. Also, what better way to learn about new cultures than through food?

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