Best Restaurants in Washington, DC: 2020 Favorites List

This year’s global pandemic has changed the way we move, think, breathe, exercise, work, and eat. While 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, the restaurant industry was hit especially hard. Left and right, restaurants were forced to lay off employees, reduce hours, and even close their doors. In these uncertain times, the restaurants still standing give us a glimmer of hope that we’ll get through this and everything will be alright!

Whether you currently live in the DMV, travel to the District often, or plan to visit one day, Blooming Black Foodie has a restaurant recommendation for you!

Out of all the restaurants I visited in Washington, D.C. in 2020, here are my favorites!

1. Anju

Best brunch EVER?

Over a year since Anju’s grand opening, I had my first taste! I came here for Saturday brunch on a beautiful day. The patio area was quaint and simply lovely. I might have initially overlooked their brunch menu since it’s shorter than other DC spots, but I would’ve completely missed out!

This was some of the BEST food I’ve tasted all year! I can totally see why this contemporary Korean restaurant is number one on the Washingtonian’s 100 very best restaurant list of 2020!

This laid back spot is not super fancy. But you’re guaranteed to have AMAZING food and a good time! What I love even more are the quality dishes for reasonable prices! FYI, there’s no forks or straws provided here, just chopsticks and great vibes! I must say: I didn’t miss my fork one bit or I devoured every single bite of this delicious food! 

I love spicy dishes, but I can’t handle anything crazy hot! So I greatly appreciate that the spicy chicken and the kimchi had heat levels that were super tolerable and still had a great kick! The entire meal was spectacular, but if I had to choose, my top dishes were the chicken sandwich and short ribs. The flavor was ridiculous and they both tasted SO dang good! The soju was also a treat!

Brunch is served on weekends from 11AM-2PM and dinner is served daily from 5-9PM. Indoor or patio dining can be reserved via Resy here. I will definitely return to try the Chefs Tasting Menu for $65pp. I’ve heard nothing but great things about this four-course feast! Order takeout via ToastTab here or order delivery via Caviar here.

So, when you’re creating your list of new places to try in DC, make sure Anju is at the top!

2. Zaytinya

701 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 638-0800 (Call to confirm hours below)

Mon – Thur:  4 PM – 9:30 PM, Fri – Sat: 11:30 AM  – 10 PM, Sun: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Zaytinya Website

Dining outdoors on Zaytinya’s gorgeous patio was a dream come true!

For Summer Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week, I visited Zaytinya, a 2017, 2018 & 2019 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand winner. Scoring for comfortable restaurant, good quality, and good value cooking, this Think Food Group mezze eatery from ⁣Chef Jose Andres blends Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines.

For $35 per person, I had the pleasure of selecting FIVE courses from the Classic Restaurant Week Menu. My 5 small plates were enough to enjoy a filling meal and even take a box to go! My accompanying margarita was simply spectacular. Of course, it wouldn’t be summer unless I ordered a refreshing glass of rosé too!

First and foremost, this was the best hummus I’ve ever had! I usually purchase flavored hummus for a better taste, but this was the first time I’ve had classic hummus where my tastebuds did a backflip! It was perfectly puréed and scrumptious. Second, I ordered the Brussels, which were phenomenal. Next, the falafel was tasty and the meatballs were delicious. Finally, the greek yogurt was a smooth and crunchy yummy treat. The BEST part is all 5 of these items are now available on the classic tasting menu for $35 every week!

If you love Mediterranean food as much as I do or you’re open to trying something new and exciting, I would highly recommend Zaytinya! Open daily for dine-in, takeout, or delivery (via UberEats, DoorDash, and Caviar), this is a dining experience you don’t want to miss! Reserve your seat via OpenTable here.

3. Real Nutritious Food

5534 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015

(202) 244-1208 (Call to confirm hours below)

Mon – Thur: 3 PM – 9:30 PM, Fri-Sat: 3 PM – 10 PM, Sun: 1 PM – 6 PM

Real Nutritious Food Instagram

Real Nutritious Food Yelp

Have you ever tried a dish so good that every single bite tasted like heaven?

That’s exactly what I experienced on my visit to Real Nutritious Food LLC, a new Black-owned restaurant in Chevy Chase from Chef Andre Williams. This modern restaurant serves up mindful American dishes with fresh ingredients and a global flare.

When I saw my short rib entree adorned with a pretty blue flower, I felt instantly transported to Hawaii. Beautiful plating was only the preview and the main event was definitely the taste. I have to keep it real, I had zero chill while enjoying this dish. I hummed and danced throughout my entire meal. The meat was ridiculously tender, juicy, and flavorful. I’ll go ahead and say it: These were the BEST short ribs I’ve ever had!

I started my meal with a Caesar salad. Basic, right? Wrong! The grilled romaine & kale topped with fresh Parmesan was oh so yummy. For dessert, I enjoyed warm powdered doughnut holes with decadent chocolate sauce. I’ll definitely return to try the rigatoni and rockfish; I heard both were amazing!

The food at this health-focused eatery is not only nutritious, it’s absolutely delicious! It’s the kind of meal that you feel in your soul. Support this Black-owned business today by grabbing a table in the dining room, eating on the partially covered outdoor patio, or clicking here for takeout via Clover!

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Personally, dining at restaurants brings me so much joy! But dining at restaurants during the pandemic is a personal decision that each individual must make for themselves. If you make the choice to dine out, please be safe! Remember to wear a mask when not eating or drinking, remain 6 feet from other diners, have your order ready to limit interactions with servers, avoid large parties, and tip WELL 🙂 Also, remember to bundle up as the weather changes for outdoor dining! If uncomfortable with dining at restaurants entirely, takeout and delivery are great options to support eateries in the community. Having a break from cooking and treating yourself to a delicious meal is a great form of self-care! Cheers everyone and happy dining!