Eater DC

The nation’s capital is naturally home to a multitude of places to ring in America’s 248th birthday. For those seeking a more intimate setting away from the National Mall, plenty of bars, hotels, and restaurants around the city offer stunning views of the dazzling display alongside patriotic party favors, food, and drink. Fourth of July festivities fit for all sorts of budgets and moods include lavish rooftop parties, all-day brunch deals, crab-cracking feasts, backyard barbecues, and much more. Head to link in bio for a map of Eater DC's top picks for this Thursday, July 4. 🎇 ✏️: @ngomsi 📸: Spectators watching the annual fireworks show on the National Mall in 2023/Getty Images

Scoot over, fizzy spritzes. The new cocktail du jour is one of the creamy kind. For years, dairy-centric drinks were relegated to the holidays via festive eggnogs and Irish coffees. But this summer, D.C. bartenders are trading in bubbles for something a little more silky. Creamy, dreamy beverages are all the rage at D.C. bars as temperatures turn up, as seen in a reinvented milky Negroni @quadrant.dc , clarified punches @brescadc , spiked saffron milkshakes @lapopdc , dairy-free alternatives @cucina.morini , and many more. Head to link in bio to dive inside the season’s hottest new drinkable trend. ✏️: @lulutakespictures 📸: @residentsdc_ !!re!!_039;s Thai Basil cocktail loops in coconut milk (@hawkeyejohnson )

Vibey Bar Chinois’ anticipated D.C. sibling is ready to roll at the foot of Logan Circle. Self-styled izakaya @barjaponaisdc , officially opening in the former Estadio space on Friday, June 21, comes courtesy of proven hospitality partners Dean Mosones, Mark Minicucci, and Margaux Donati. @barchinoisdc maintains a devoted following for its dumplings, small plates, and drinks with French flair. For the team's swanky sophomore project in the same Northwest quadrant, executive chef Lucas Irwin flexes his Japanese cooking skills with a menu full of yakitori, sushi rolls, fried katsu, okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and more. Complex cocktails at the bar join a list of all-French wines and Champagnes. Head to link in bio to go inside the polished new space and menu. ✏️: @ecaplan 📸: @reylopezphoto_

Nnaemeka Chima (@chimaeats ) visited Eater-approved spots to share a taste of what our nation’s capital has to offer. Tag along as he stops by Cane (@cane_dc ) and Hedzole (@hedzole ), and head to the link in our bio for more of our top restaurant recommendations in D.C. Presented by @visitwashingtondc

Last night, the James Beard Foundation announced the winners of its 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards during a glitzy ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. A coast-to-coast cast of well-dressed industry professionals took to the stage to accept dozens of coveted medals in what is largely considered the Oscars of the food world. Two D.C. chefs won the first and last — and arguably, biggest — categories of the evening. Masako Morishita of Adams Morgan’s Japanese showpiece Perry’s (named Eater DC’s 2023 Chef of the Year) was crowned 2024's Emerging Chef. And @chefmichaelrafidi of Navy Yard’s wood-fired Levantine hit Albi took home the title of Outstanding Chef — a huge nationwide accolade that also went to a D.C. name (Oyster Oyster's Rob Rubba) last year. Head to link in bio for a full recap of the night's @beardfoundation honorees. 🏅 ✏️: @tiers2you 📸: A post-win pic of Perry's chef @masako_morishita (Getty Images)

Timber Pizza Co., Petworth’s critically acclaimed place for crispy, “Neapolitan-ish” pies since 2016, breaks into the Maryland market this summer. Co-founder Chris Brady tells Eater the team will bring its popular wood-fired pies to Annapolis by August, transforming a former art gallery space into a strikingly similar version of the cozy Petworth original. @timberpizzaco also maintains offshoots in an airport (DCA) and Ballston food hall, but Annapolis marks its first real sophomore digs. Look for “all the classics folks know and love,” says Brady, along with localized touches like Annapolis brews poured at its copper-topped bar. Head to link in bio for more on Timber’s exciting expansion to Maryland’s state capital. ✏️: @tiers2you 📸: Timber Pizza imports its roster of 12-inch white, red, and green pies to Annapolis.

As D.C. gears up to host World Pride 2025, this year’s Pride promises to be one of the brightest yet. Capital Pride's 2024 theme is “Totally Radical” — so expect to see plenty of ’80s and ’90s throwback festivities across the city. The official Capital Pride opening party is Friday, June 7, at Northeast club Echostage. The big Capital Pride Parade (Saturday, June 8) runs a longer route down 14th Street NW this year, and Pride weekend wraps with a festival and concert on Pennsylvania Avenue NW on Sunday, June 9. Head to link in bio for a running list of D.C. restaurants and bars offering food and drink deals throughout the month of June, with many supporting affiliated LGBTQ+ causes. ✏️: @ecaplan 📸: Scenes from the 2023 Capital Pride Parade/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for The Washington Post

Summer around the DMV is all about the three C’s: crabs, crushes, and cruising. And there’s no better way to embrace the warm weather than to leisurely pull up by boat to a dock bar to enjoy waterfront views and local seafood, ice-cold beverage in tow. With plenty of scenic miles, stretching from the Chesapeake Bay to the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers, there’s no shortage of pull-up bars to tie up at (though driving is always an option, too). Head to link in bio for 15 sunny spots to check off the list this summer. ✏️: Claudia Rosenbaum 📸: @tims2fairview

On a balmy spring evening in May, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff opened up their 19th-century home — the well-manicured front lawn, at least — to over 20 vendors and 500 hungry attendees to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. The couple's sprawling yard temporarily transformed into a traditional night market of sorts on Thursday, May 9, marking the first event of its kind at the famous Naval Observatory address. Each handpicked restaurant, bakery, and artisan got a colorful stall to show off their best goods, which included dishes from familiar D.C. names like Moon Rabbit, Tiger Fork, Rose Avenue Bakery, Purple Patch, Anju, Thip Khao, and more. Harris, who’s a big mango fan, beelined to Ice Cream Jubilee and Rasa for a taste of her favorite stone fruit. Head to link in bio for a full recap of the all-outdoor dinner party — and what else its VP hostess ate along the way. ✏️: @tiers2you 📸: Vice President Kamala Harris delivering opening remarks to kick off the inaugural night market/Lawrence Jackson

It’s time to roll out the red carpet for soft shell crabs, a mid-Atlantic delicacy that becomes available when the Chesapeake Bay crustacean molts from its hard shell each year. D.C. chefs prepare the spring-to-early summer specialty all sorts of ways, from buttermilk-battered to grilled, and pop up on menus atop pastas, inside sushi rolls or sandwiches, alongside seasonal veggies, and more. Head to link in bio for an up-to-date softies tracker around town. 🦀 ✏️: @tiers2you 📸: @equinoxdc

Move over, bottomless mimosas. A savory bloody mary packed with peppery tomato and umami flavors is the perfect partner to any brunch. Whether your preference is extra spicy, an endless array of outlandish garnishes, or just a simple stalk of celery, there’s no shortage of terrific takes on the vodka-fueled classic. 🍅 Head to link in bio for 15 local favorites to sip right now (plus a bonus map of D.C.'s hottest new brunches). ✏️: @claudiarosenbaum @tiers2you 📸: @ililidc puts a spicy Lebanese spin on the bloody mary (@vitadi.nina )

Calamansi foam-topped daiquiris, a bright mango salad, and curry leaf-smothered fried chicken are just a few reasons to visit D.C.’s Makan (@makan_dc ). Chef James Wozniuk’s restaurant is a standout spot to enjoy Malaysian cuisine in our nation’s capital — and it has landed a spot on @eater_dc ’s Essential 38 map. Follow Anela Malik’s (@feedthemalik ) lead and don’t skip dessert. Tap the link in bio to see the full list of Eater DC essential restaurants. Presented by @visitwashingtondc