Washington, D.C.’s Most Exciting New Openings: Where Discerning Travelers and Locals Are Dining, Sipping & Exploring Now
- Katrina Ellis
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Washington, D.C. has never been content to sit still, but this season the city feels particularly invigorated. New restaurants are debuting with cinematic flair, cocktail lounges are staging atmospheres worthy of a playlist, and even the brewing scene is expanding into ambitious, sustainability-driven territory. For travelers who demand more than a meal or a drink—those who seek artistry, ambiance, and a sense of place—D.C.’s newest openings offer a compelling window into the city’s sophisticated evolution.
At the heart of this momentum is a restaurant with enviable early buzz and a powerful culinary pedigree: Acqua Bistecca, Chef Michael Mina’s triumphant return to the capital. With its glamorous setting, theatrical plates, and a mirrored bar that glows like a jewel box, it has quickly become one of the most talked-about new tables in town. But it’s far from the only newcomer reimagining what the city’s dining and nightlife can be.
From a pioneering, solar-powered brewery on the Anacostia River to a sultry, music-driven cocktail lounge that merges Caribbean tones with downtown polish, this season’s openings invite curious travelers to explore Washington well beyond its monuments.
All of the Photos: https://www.acquabistecca.com/location/washington-dc/
A Sophisticated Return: Acqua Bistecca Wows D.C.
When Chef Michael Mina announced his return to Washington, D.C., he did so in the spirit of celebration—and mastery. Acqua Bistecca opened on September 8, 2025, in the City Ridge development (14 Ridge Square NW), ushering in a concept that feels like a grand, convivial Italian dinner party.
Designed by Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects, the space is both bold and inviting: rich red and orange tones, velvet banquettes, intimate alcoves, and a soaring 22-foot mirrored bar set the stage for evenings meant to linger.
In the kitchen, Mina collaborates with Chef Colin Clark (formerly of Fiola Mare) to deliver a menu rooted in two pillars: Acqua, coastal Italian-style seafood, and Bistecca, his signature char-grilled steaks. You’ll find beautifully grilled Maine lobster, saffron-orange fregola under delicate crudos, and steaks ranging up to a dramatic 40-ounce Fiorentina brushed with Lambrusco butter.
Standout dishes include the playful, almost performative “Only Caviar & Gigante Mozzarella Stick” – an oversized mozzarella stick crowned with caviar – that immediately became a talking point. For heartier fare, there is a barolo-braised osso buco accompanied by saffron risotto, lasagna alla piastra with sausage ragù and Swiss chard, and delicate crudos that change daily depending on seasonal ingredients.
Desserts offer both whimsy and refinement: order bomba doughnuts served with huckleberry jam and a mascarpone cheesecake, or The Lemon, a vanilla-bean mousse inspired by Mina’s travels to Sorrento.
The beverage program is just as thoughtfully curated. The towering bar is stacked with rare spirits, and the cocktail menu includes Italian-inspired creations like a “Capri” milk punch (bourbon, tomato water, basil) and a tequila-based “Marina di Ragusa” topped with prickly pear foam. The wine list features small-producer varietals from Italy, California, and France, and there’s a strong nod to the DMV region—with local spirits like Atlas Brew Works (DC), Sagamore Rye (MD), and Cotton & Reed Rum (DC) represented.
Yet despite the glamour, Mina’s vision is deeply communal: Acqua Bistecca is designed to be a neighborhood gathering place, not just a destination for special occasions. The service is deliberate, warm, and paced to encourage conversation and connection, making it perfect for both intimate dinners and celebratory groups.
For travelers with an eye for design, hospitality, and culinary excellence, Acqua Bistecca is a master class in sophisticated welcome and joyful indulgence.
Goodlove: Island-Inspired Nightlife with Soul
In the heart of downtown, Goodlove brings a new energy to D.C.’s nightlife. Opened on November 7, 2025, this intimate cocktail lounge sits beside Isla, a global Caribbean-inspired restaurant by Chef Lonie Murdock and restaurateur Darren Hinds.
Goodlove is more than just a bar — it’s designed as a sensory expression: jewel-toned interiors, dim lighting, and seven custom chandeliers set a moody, immersive tone.
Music plays a central role here; nightly DJs spin a fluid mix, free from genre constraints, creating an atmosphere of spontaneity and soulful rhythm.
The menu reflects the Caribbean ethos of Isla. Expect inventive rum-forward cocktails (Isla and Goodlove combined to house what aims to be D.C.’s largest rum collection — around 50 varieties). Pair these drinks with elevated small plates: think wagyu oxtail patties, plantain chips, and Jamaican-style bites that blend tradition with sophistication.
Goodlove also offers a relaxed, slightly mysterious seating dynamic with private or semi-private bar areas for deeper conversation or intimate gatherings. For visitors who want to conclude their evening with elegance and soul, Goodlove is a refined final destination — a place where design, music, and craft converge.
Whether you are a traveler returning to D.C. for its new cultural energy or a first-time visitor drawn by refined dining, sustainability-forward craft, and soulful nightlife, these three new openings represent the next chapter of the city’s evolution. They are refined, rooted, and ready for discovery.
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