2023 Michelin Guide Unveiled: 8 New Restaurants in Washington, D.C. Make the List

Recently, the Michelin Guide announced its 2023 selection, and Washington, D.C. has added 8 new restaurants to the list. Michelin Guide inspectors have been continuously discovering new dining spots over the past year to satisfy everyone's palate. Just like Washington itself—a diverse and inclusive city—the food here is equally eclectic and forward-thinking.

Bar Spero

Photo credit: Joseph Weaver/Bar Spero

Located in the trendy Capitol Crossing development in the eastern part of the city, Bar Spero is an exciting new addition to the Washington dining scene. Though its soaring 20-foot ceilings and undulating glass space may appear cold, the atmosphere is actually warm and refined. Open-fire cooking inspires the seasonal menu, while a daily card offers rotating dishes.

Tender, sweet razor clams soaked in pil pil sauce deliver the best garlicky flavor. Carolina gold rice studded with lump Jonah crab meat is a standout dish. Dessert features burnt cheese cake and ice cream. Non-drinkers will enjoy the house-made rose geranium soda or yuzu-ginger soda.

Address: 250 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, 20001, USA

Photo credit: Rey Lopez/Causa

Chef Carlos Delgado brings the flavors of his native Peru to diners in a concept space tucked away in Blagden Alley. Causa, located on the ground floor, seats about 20 people, and the menu guides guests on a flavor journey inspired by Peru's geography.

It all begins with coastal seafood from Lima, then moves into the Andes and the Amazon. The chicha morada kombucha made from purple corn is a perfect companion to the namesake dish, causa: mashed potatoes layered with aji amarillo sauce, topped with cucumber, avocado, and tuna tartare. Next, humble bomba rice shines with uni, caviar, and criolla sauce. Desserts never disappoint, such as passion fruit and mint ice cream scoops with macambo mousse.

Address: 920 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, 20001, USA

La Tejana

Photo credit: Jason Garza/La Tejana

Once a pop-up, La Tejana has now found a home amid a stretch of eateries in Mt. Pleasant. It serves only coffee and a small selection of tacos developed during a stint in Texas.

Their breakfast tacos offer a unique satisfaction, each made with high-quality flour tortillas and kept warm in tightly wrapped foil. Fillings include soft scrambled eggs, creamy refried beans, Mexican cheese, and meats like bacon, chorizo, or even brisket.

Address: 3211 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, Washington, 20010, USA

Photo credit: Mandu

Thanks to chef Yesoon Lee and her son Danny, who have shown Washington that Korean cuisine is more than just bibimbap and barbecue. You can trace it back to 2006 when they opened the original Mandu in Dupont Circle. After an unfortunate fire in 2017, Mandu was reborn as Anju. Fans nostalgic for the original can still find spicy, bubbling stews at this Mount Vernon restaurant.

From plump steamed beef and pork dumplings to vibrant grilled meats, this is soul-warming home cooking. Gamjatant is a steaming, hearty soup with tender short ribs and potatoes in a red broth spiked with gochujang and perilla seeds.

Address: 453 K St. NW, Washington, 20001, USA

New Heights

Photo credit: Washington Post/New Heights and New Heights

Unlike the many shiny new restaurants that open each year, this Woodley Park mainstay has coffee-colored carpet, muted colors, and a quiet crowd... The understated decor, however, belies the kitchen's confidence in turning out delicious dishes.

Broccoli with black garlic Caesar dressing, crispy fried oysters with pickled cauliflower, and tempura beach mushrooms with Moroccan spices already feel indulgent, but then lamb chops with salsa or halibut in coconut broth refresh and delight. For dessert, pistachio ricotta cake provides a sweet finish.

Address: 2317 Calvert St. NW, Washington, 20008, USA

St. James

Photo credit: Deb Lindsey/St. James and Melena S. DeFlorimonte/St. James

This modern Caribbean concept is named after a neighborhood in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The industrial, contemporary space is enlivened by vibrant pops of color, and the plate-based menu evokes a celebratory mood. Each dish pairs beautifully with Trinidadian rum cocktails.

Start with a bowl of callaloo soup, a dark green puree of spinach, peppers, and coconut milk topped with generous chunks of savory crabmeat. Don't miss the smoked beef brisket, marinated for 12 hours before smoking. Following that is curried Trinidadian dasheen dumplings, but be sure to order a side of sweet plantains finished with candied ginger.

Address: 2017 14th St. NW, Washington, 20009, USA

Tigerella

Photo credit: Jacob Sanford/Tigerella and Nick Pimentel/Tigerella

Located in Western Market, Tigerella is far from a chaotic food hall. Come for meat pies during the day and Italian food at night—this is an all-day concept from the team behind Ellē.

The seasonal menu starts with bread and snacks, then moves to small plates like tomato-peach salad, oysters, or fried artichokes. Beyond that, sandwiches or pizzas are available, but the real draw is the house-made, oversized bowls of pasta. Bigoli, a thick homemade spaghetti, is tossed with tomato sugo, beurre monté, roasted onion petals, and finished with ricotta and fresh black pepper—simply delicious.

Address: 2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, 20006, USA

Photo credit: Opal

This lively restaurant on the quiet Chevy Chase side of the Bethesda border is becoming an integral part of the neighborhood. The team is unpretentious; they don't aim to redefine a cuisine or break culinary boundaries.

Ricotta dumplings, beef tartare, and poached trout fillets—all familiar flavors executed with confidence. Occasional surprises appear, like a savory lamb-filled pita. For dessert, there's tiramisu ice cream. Reasonably priced set menus appeal to those not in the mood to decide. The cozy space quickly fills, and even the bar is packed with customers content to eat standing.

Address: 5534 Connecticut Ave., Washington, 20015, USA