Michelin tires crossed coasts decades ago, and the Michelin Man mascot still turns the heads of desperate car-part drivers to this day. For years, road-bound DC locals could spot the famous mascot while driving through Florida Avenue’s rush hour traffic.
It took me a good 15 years—or my entire childhood—to figure out that the ‘tire guy’ and the Michelin Guide are indeed connected and not coincidentally portraying the same happy-go-lucky tire man (that was desperately entertaining for a child stuck in traffic).
Perhaps clear from the name—or perhaps not—the origin of Michelin tires began in France, which makes sense given the nature of French haute-cuisine. But believe it or not, the Michelin Guide’s initial purpose was not to differentiate superb cuisine from average.
Brothers and Michelin tire co-founders Andre and Edouard manufactured the free guide to include restaurants, hotels, and gas stations along popular driving routes in France—not just to be kind and accommodating—but to increase driving tourism and help sell Michelin tires. It didn’t take long for their plan to prove highly effective. The guide quickly spread to roads abroad too, starting in other European countries and then other parts of the world- and the Michelin man went with it.
The Michelin Star’s history is far more recent in Washington DC; the coveted stars were first awarded in France in 1926, but Washington DC wasn’t put on the star map until 2016. Fortunately, DC’s current Michelin star status has made up for lost time.
Two Star Michelin Restaurants in Washington DC
Jônt
- Address: 1904 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 (Located within BRESCA)
- Chef: Ryan Ratino
Jônt’s tasting counter experience breaks down all barriers between chef and diner. Every seat at the wrap-around bar faces the thoughtfully bright open kitchen. A staggering 16-course tasting menu sheds light on fermented and pickled delicacies, all while maintaining eye-catching colors and modern presentation. The sheer proximity to the artful action is an experience in and of itself.
Minibar
- Address: 855 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Chef: José Andrés
Minibar’s avant-garde menu rivals that of an edible science experiment—but one that has been thoughtfully and meticulously strategized and practiced to a tee. Imagination runs high at the 12-seat intimate communal bar, where José Andrés’ team caters to your every sense.
Visually stunning and jaw-dropping molecular gastronomical masterpieces play out right at the bar before being passed over the threshold for a memorable tasting menu experience. On any given night, you could eat your way through chocolate olive oil bonbons, coconut steam buns, or a toad in the whole with a caviar makeover.
Pineapple and Pearls
- Address: 715 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Chef: Chef Aaron Silverman
The concept is all in the name at Pineapple and Pearls. The intentional menu is designed to be both playful and elegant, the ‘Pineapple’ serving as a symbol of hospitality and the ‘Pearls’ of elegance.
Two dynamic tasting menus are available, the first consisting of nine courses and the second a five-course meal served only at the bar. Beverage pairings are included in both tasting menu prices.
One Star Michelin Restaurants in Washington DC
Albi
- Address: 1346 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20003 (Located within the Yards Collection)
- Chef: Michael Rafidi
Flavors of the Middle East combined with seasonal local ingredients come alive in chef and owner, Michael Rafidi’s hands. The a la carte menu is everything you could imagine but it’s the prix-fixe menu at the chef’s counter that will draw your attention.
You’re in for a gastronomic journey straight from their wood-fired hearth; the coal-fired mushrooms with confit egg yolk and the smoked duck shish with huckleberry honey are full of flavor, as is the brown butter knafeh.
Bresca
- Address: 1906 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Chef: Ryan Ratino
Striking blue accent pieces, velvet seating, and a lime-colored green-wall with dangling botanicals ready diners for a truly transformational food spread. All about texture, both in style and culinary prowess, BRESCA offers an Opening Act Menu and Chef’s Tasting Menu in addition to its a la carte menu; the menu has an array of concoctions such as Caviar Tart, Dry Aged Duck, Australian Wagyu, and Madeleines topped with raspberries and cream.
Having received a 1-star Michelin rating three years straight, BRESCA remains one of DC’s top fine dining meccas.
The Dabney
- Address: 122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Chef: Jeremiah Langhorne
With a stroke of historic recollection and fire-hearth cookery, The Dabney’s fashionable bare-bones approach to dining points to exposed brick walls and dangling legs of lamb slow-roasting beside open-flames.
Fresh local ingredients from the Mid-Atlantic region are central to the Blagden Alley spot’s culinary approach. The Dabney is currently serving a 4-course tasting menu for all in-house reservations, although an a la carte bar menu is available at the bar.
Elcielo D.C.
- Address: 1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 (Located within La Cosecha)
- Chef: Juan Manuel Barrientos
With friendly staff and a warm atmosphere, this Michelin-starred Colombian restaurant will give you an incomparable family-style fine dining experience. Each ingredient is carefully chosen, and each dish tells a story.
They offer two set menu options: The Experience and Chef’s Choice. The latter is a ten-course menu that highlights some of the best dishes in the restaurant from the truffle bunuelo to the bison al trapo. Patrons may also choose to share small plates such as the lobster encocado or the cholao from their gastrobar menu.
Fiola Mare
- Address: 601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20004
- Chef: Fabio Trabocchi
A tribute to Italian coastlines is captured at Fabio Trabocchi’s waterside restaurant Fiola Mare. Inspiration from the Adriatic Sea, Monte Conero, Amalfi Coast, Sicily, and Forte Dei Marmi shape Trabocchi’s star-studded menu of fresh crudos, handmade pasta, and a signature seafood cart. The food mirrors Georgetown waterfront views, maritime blue statement chairs, and pristine glass windows that allow for views of kitchen production.
Gravitas
- Address: 1401 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002
- Chef:Matt Baker
As the National Arboretum’s neighbor to the west, Ivy City’s low-key appearance turns to electric intrigue with a new wave of notable cuisine and late-night entertainment venues. Gravitas is central to all the Ivy City action, offering a thoughtfully minimalistic New American menu bolstered by excellent hospitality.
Notes of the Chesapeake Bay and industrial Ivy City are brought inside with green plants, distressed brick walls, and expansive concrete flooring. Whether you sit inside or outside on the rooftop terrace, you’ll feel like part of the Gravitas communal eating experience, but with the privacy of your own table.
Imperfecto: The Chef’s Table
- Address: 1124 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037 (Located within the Apartments at Westlight)
- Chef: Enrique Limardo
A restaurant within a restaurant, Imperfecto’s little details go beyond the terracotta and brass accents to the elaborate menu only few diners can experience. This sophisticated restaurant counter uses seasonal ingredients to prepare elegant steak and seafood dishes that reflect Latin American flavors.
While dishes such as the duck with Carolina rice or the aged grouper are the star, the pickled peach with matcha sponge cake shines just as bright on the dessert menu.
Kinship
- Address: 1015 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Chef: Eric Ziebold
The Kinship dining experience is a unique chef-curated glimpse into the mind of Eric Ziebold and what inspired food means to him. Five categories that highlight bold culinary qualities—craft, history, ingredients, indulgence, and ‘for the table’—immerse Kinship diners into the mind of a DC culinary great.
The reflective eating experience is centered around the restaurant namesake, and the ‘for the table’ roast chicken is an epic way to experience Ziebold’s intentional feast.
Little Pearl
- Address: 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Chef: Aaron Silverman
Coffee shop by day and Michelin-star restaurant by night.
Hill Center’s backyard is home to one of Capitol Hill’s most distinguished tasting menus. Surrounded by glass windows, the dining room mimics a ground-level treehouse, enveloped in lush greenery and vibrant lights.
Take part in arrival cocktails and snacks at the bar before proceeding into one of two dining rooms for a 7-course spread. Little Pearl hosts two seatings a night, Tuesday through Saturday.
Masseria
- Address: 1340 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
- Chef: Nicholas Stefanelli
On the heels of his Puglia roots, Chef Nicholas Stefanelli takes inspiration from Italian open-air agricultural estates and ‘honest’ cooking to capture the essence of fine Italian cuisine.
The multi-layered Union Market hide-away provides multiple seating experiences for diners to choose from—a relaxing fire-pit entryway courtyard, tiled patio seating, and an open-kitchen formal dining room. The food highlights coastal cooking, with broad Italian influence. The menu changes regularly with the influx of fresh local ingredients and Europe market imports.
Maydān
- Address: 1346 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Chef: Rose Previte
Without signage, the only nondescript entrance indicator is a massive blue arch wooden door that opens up into a huge high-ceiling dining room, warm red and yellow tones, and a showstopper open-fire cooking station.
Maydan is currently taking reservations for their ‘Tawle’ curated menu—a family-style tasting menu with colorful plates ‘from the kitchen’, ‘from the fire’, and ‘center plates’ with accompanying spreads and condiments.
However, if you want the flexibility of an a la carte menu, try for a walk-in table or grab a seat at the bar (first-come, first-served basis) for a selection of dips and spreads, fire-cooked mains, and gorgeous charred bread.
Métier
- Address: 1015 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Chef: Eric Ziebold
Chef Eric Ziebold is the mastermind behind both Kinship and Métier, but the latter prepares a 7-course creative American tasting menu for the ages.
Métier lives in a building over a century old, but the intimate 20-seat modern dining room syncs contemporary food with antique accent pieces that play to the structure’s history. If you so choose, enjoy the pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres and champagne salon experience before you sit down for the multi-course meal.
Rooster and Owl
- Address: 2436 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Chef: Yuan Tang
The Rooster and Owl mission is simple—make restaurant dining a social and shared eating event. But the thought that goes into the Rooster and Owl experience, while fluid to the eye, is incredibly methodical.
The 4-course menu is customizable and market-driven, meaning local ingredients guide the way. Flavors that blend between international waters find a place in every dish that makes just as much sense as Rooster and Owl’s endearing sentiment.
Rose’s Luxury
- Address: 717 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Chef: Aaron Silverman
This Barrack’s Row eatery put Washington DC on the food map back in 2014 as Bon Appétit Magazine’s ‘Best New Restaurant in America’.
Tucked inside a romantic row house sanctuary, Rose’s Luxury combines exceptional hospitality with inventive, yet not over-complicated, cooking. Much like the food, string lights, exposed brick, and exceptionally tall ceiling alcoves provide lots of intrigue and eye candy. Each guest at the table chooses two dishes from the main menu in addition to complimentary bread and a grand dessert finale.
Sushi Nakazawa
- Address: 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Chef: Masaaki Uchino
Depending on the mood, Sushi Nakazawa allows for two ordering options: ‘Omakase style’ (selected by the chef) or subject-to-change fresh sushi. Limited bar seating buys you a view of sushi production—blow torches, pastry brushes, and tweezers included. The monochromatic and modern decor allows the vibrant fish and artistic sushi chefs to take center stage.
Sushi Taro
- Address: 1503 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
- Chef: Chef Nobu and Chef Masaya
Sushi Taro’s Michelin namesake was popularized by a unique ‘Omakase Counter’ interactive tasting menu. The menu caters to diner preferences, but strays from omakase’s traditional ‘menu-less’ nature.
The educational and entertaining spread demonstrates the ingenuity of Japanese small plates and seasonal sashimi and sushi. The everyday menu hosts a selection of small and medium plates, a formal tasting menu, and a la carte sushi. Elegant and comfortable booth tables provide the perfect hideout for committed sushi enthusiasts.
Tail Up Goat
- Address: 1827 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Chef: Jon Sybert
Tail Up Goat incites a prompt curiosity from the name alone, which pays tribute to Jon Sybert’s wife’s US Virgin Islands childhood home.
Tail Up Goat opened in 2016, playing to both neighborhood crowds and Michelin worthy culinary boundlessness. A menu composed of seasonal ingredients and loose French influence blend well with a bright urban chic dining space, kissed with island blues and greens. The space flows seamlessly on account of a backless bar with see-through shelves.
Xiquet
- Address: 2404 Wisconsin Ave B, Washington, DC 20007
- Chef: Danny Lledó
A small but impactful piece of Valencia, Spain arrived in DC’s Northwest Glover Park in 2020.
With a menu that changes regularly, dinner guests can still sit down knowing Danny Lledó’s signature paella will always be on the menu. The 14-course meal starts with canapés and aperitivos at the Chef’s Counter, moves to the dining room for the bulk tasting experience, and finishes with after-dinner bites in the mezzanine lounge.
All meal components are cooked over an open wood-burning flame or smoker.
