Often, the most important dining question doesn’t revolve around where to eat: It’s how do we get in?
That’s where we come in.
For years, we’ve been going straight to the source to ask restaurant hosts, maître d’s, and general managers for all the secret tips, tricks, and shortcuts to getting into the city’s most in-demand restaurants. You know, all the ones you set countless Notifies on Resy for, and the ones you’ve set multiple alarms for in anticipation of their next reservation drop.
We want to make it easier for you to find out all the intel you need, so consider this your ultimate cheat sheet for getting into those much-loved restaurants, and check back here on the regular; we’ll be updating this list frequently.
Albi Navy Yard
Chef Michael Rafidi isn’t afraid to experiment with traditional recipes and techniques for wood-fired Levantine cooking that you’ve likely never quite experienced before.
Reservations Drop: Reservations drop for two calendar months at a time, with a given month released at midnight on the first day of the preceding month.
Should You Walk In? The dining room is reservations only. However, you can try your chances for a walk-in seat at the bar.
Must Orders: Jericho dates with ras el hanout and brown butter; smoked goat khubz (wood-fired potato pita); trout steamd in grape leaves; and crispy kibbeh. For dessert, labne soft-serve ice cream with pomegranate molasses and the brown butter knafeh. To drink, a za’atar martini.
Pro Tip: If you want to try even more dishes, opt for the sofra (“a table set for you” in Arabic) experience, where chefs create a five-course spontaneous menu.
Read more about how to get into Albi here.
Le Diplomate Logan Circle
You’ll find any French classic you could dream of here, from escargots to steak au poivre to profiteroles, along with all the right wines.
Reservations Drop: Reservations drop 30 days in advance.
Should You Walk In? Yes. Just check in at the host stand and they’ll get to you as soon as you can.
Must Orders: The petite plateau loaded with fresh seafood; cavatelli au gratin; crispy artichokes; steak au poivre; and duck au cerises.
Pro Tip: Their patio seating is some of the best in the city for people watching. When the weather’s nice, act accordingly.
La’ Shukran Union Market District
This rooftop bar and bistro from Michael Rafidi, the award-winning chef behind Albi and Yellow, delivers on the vibes.
Reservations Drop: Reservations drop for two calendar months at a time, with a given month released at midnight on the first day of the preceding month.
Should You Walk In? Yes, but it might be difficult. Bar seats open for walk-ins later in the evening, and the staff will seat you in unreserved tables if they can, but reservations are “highly encouraged.”
Must Orders: Smoky escargot with hummus; hashweh fried rice with seven-spice lamb ragout and pickled apricots; and the chicken liver parfait with halva butter jam and ras al hanout beignet. For dessert, warm lemon madeleines and Arabic-style pressed coffee.
Pro Tip: Pay special attention to the cocktail list from Radovan Jankovic — its many accolades are well-deserved.
Read more about how to get in here.
The Red Hen Bloomingdale
For those nights when all you want (or need) is a satisfying bowl of pasta and a glass of nice wine, head straight to one of D.C.’s coziest and most beloved Italian restaurants, from the same team behind All Purpose.
Reservations Drop: Thirty days in advance at 8 a.m.
Should You Walk In? Yes. They hold some space for walk-ins. If there’s a wait, you can spend it at their bar, which is also first come, first served, and offers the entire menu.
Must Orders: Spaghetti pomorodo with sungolds and lemon; mezze rigatoni with tomato and fennel sausage ragu; grilled bread with cultured butter and shaved radishes; and butterhead lettuce salad with pickled ramps. Oh, and the roasted maple panna cotta for dessert.
Pro Tip: If you do walk in, they recommend doing so before 7 p.m. or after 9 p.m. to limit your wait times.
Osteria Mozza – DC Georgetown
If you’re like everyone who loves Nancy Silverton’s original Osteria Mozza in L.A., it’s hard to move past your favorites. But that’s why you keep returning.
Reservations Drop: 28 days in advance at midnight.
Should You Walk In? Yes. They save room in the dining room, at the mozzarella bar, and in the market for just that purpose.
Must Orders: Arancini alla bolognese; focaccia di recco; anything from the mozzarella bar; ricotta and egg raviolo; and sweet pea cappellacci with morels and ramps. To finish. the butterscotch budino.
Pro Tip: Do some shopping in their market before or after you take your seat – you have to walk through it to get to the dining room, anyway.
Read more about how to get in here.
Astoria DC DuPont Circle
This gem of a craft cocktail bar also happens to have some of the city’s best Sichuan food, and excellent cocktails.
Reservations Drop: Two weeks in advance.
Should You Walk In? Absolutely — it’s even encouraged — but the wait can get long.
Must Orders: Dan dan noodles; chile oil wontons; stir-fried pea shoots with garlic; mapo tofu (which can also be made vegan); and a Jai Alai to drink.
Pro Tip: Come with a big group. Many dishes can be made in either single or double portions, and they’re all designed to share.
Cana Adams Morgan
Sipping the national drink of Brazil or any featuring cachaça, rum’s cousin made with fresh sugarcane, tastes that much sweeter with Brazilian funk and soul vinyl playing in the background.
Reservations Drop: 30 days in advance.
Should You Walk In? You can, but only for bar seating.
Must Orders: Creamy leek empanada; duck leg croquettes; fluke with coconut leche de tigre; picanha with farofa; and brigadeiro for dessert. To drink, anything with cachaça.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on their website for the live music schedule; the experience here is only improved with some bossa nova.
Maison Adams Morgan
The decorated team behind Lutèce has yet another French-influenced winner.
Reservations Drop: 30 days in advance.
Should You Walk In? Sure! You may have to wait, however.
Must Orders: Warm bread with lovely flower-shaped butter; oysters with chenin blanc and green apple; beef tartare with nasturtium; brioche stuffed chicken; and crispy tête de cochon. Obviously, wine to drink.
Pro Tip: If you’re a night owl, they’re open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, with a special late-night menu that also includes a fried chicken cordon bleu sandwich and Basque cheesecake.
Read more about how to get in here.
Lutèce Georgetown
It would be easy to say everyone goes to this always-buzzing Georgetown bistro for the focaccia — it is perfection — but that would be an egregious simplification. It’s everything: The charming dining room, the wine and well-crafted cocktails, the always affable service, and a tight menu that fluctuates with the seasons, all from the same stellar team behind Maison and Pascual.
Reservations Drop: 30 days in advance at 11 a.m.
Should You Walk In? You can, but know that the dining room is rather cozy and tends to fill up quickly.
Must Orders: The menu changes all the time (sometimes even weekly), but if the pommes paillasson with crème fraîche and caviar, boudin noir pithivier, pan au lait, and honey semifreddo are on the menu, take note.
Pro Tip: If you’re interested in a more comprehensive experience, make a Resy for the chef’s table, where you’ll enjoy a tasting menu and an optional — but highly encouraged — wine pairing.
Read more about how to get in here.
