The E List: Dining Al Fresco in Metro D.C.
by ELLIMAN INSIDER TEAM
June 2025
A version of this article was originally published in the Spring 2025 edition of Elliman Magazine.
GLOBAL FLAVORS
You wouldn’t guess by its name, but the Queen’s English serves delicious Cantonese cuisine, heavy on wok preparation and fresh seafood with dishes like Crispy Whole Branzino and Daikon Fritters (baby shrimp, shiitake, and pork). Co-owner Henji Cheung is a native of Hong Kong, and his jewel box of a Bib Gourmand restaurant in Columbia Heights is a nod to the country’s 156 years as a British territory. Cheung’s wife, co-owner Sarah Thompson, won the Michelin Guide Washington, D.C.’s 2023 Sommelier of the Year Award. All the wines she chooses involve handpicked grapes from chemical-free vineyards, many of them small, family-owned producers. Our favorite place to enjoy them? The heated patio.
Bib Gourmand winner Zaytinya by celebrated chef José Andrés serves up shareable small plates of tasty Turkish-, Greek-, and Lebanese-inspired cuisine in a light, airy, modern setting with an outdoor patio in downtown D.C. Jaleo, also by José Andrés, in the Penn Quarter is an equally tempting option, offering tapas, sangria, and alfresco seating.
Craving Latin American flavor? Book a table at Seven Reasons in City-Center for dinner, lunch, or weekend brunch. The first of several restaurants from award-winning chef Enrique Limardo, this Michelin-recognized stalwart serves vibrant dishes from Venezuela, Peru, and the Caribbean. Don’t miss the heated garden patio with a retractable roof.
A LITTLE ROMANCE
Housed in a historic carriage house nestled among much grander edifices in Dupont Circle, Iron Gate offers an irresistible setting for dinner. Opened as an inn by the same name in 1923, it held the distinction of being the city’s oldest continuously operating restaurant until it closed in 2010. Three years later it reopened under the capable helmsmanship of Anthony Chittum, and it has been earning accolades ever since. The menu favors Greek and Italian dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients. The bar and dining room are charming, but we prefer the grape arbor–covered patio. There are heaters and lights—and on seriously chilly nights, firepits—to keep you cozy.
Our go-to in Ivy City is Michelin-rated Gravitas, where the industrial-chic vibe harks back to the building’s previous life as a tomato packing plant. Chef Matt Baker’s three-, four-, and six-course meals change seasonally and feature delicacies like Lobster Risotto with Burgundy Black Truffles. For outdoor dining, head upstairs to Baker’s Conservatory at Ivy City. Order à la carte or opt for the three-course tasting menu.
VIEW FINDER
Sip a craft cocktail while admiring views of the Washington Monument and the White House at VUE Rooftop DC. This scenic venue atop the Hotel Washington is D.C.’s best rooftop bar, according to Modern Luxury DC’s Best of the City 2024 list.
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