Coyote Prints - Opinion

Top 10 DMV Restaurants I Tried in 2025

Lyla Toor

The DMV’s diversity has been reflected in its bustling, affable community, au courant shops, and most of all, its dining scene which feels like a banquet. Ranging from ramen to shared dishes and traditional meals that make you feel like you’ve been invited to dine at someone’s home, my eating in 2025 was filled with variety and boldness. Here are the 10 best restaurants I had the privilege of trying in 2025.

#10 - Thai Chef Rockville (Rockville, MD)

Thai Chef offers delectable comfort food that never fails to deliver just the right amount of flavor. Their Tom Ka soup, made with lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime, was soothing yet rich, especially with coconut milk adding a touch of sweetness. Their Red Curry, which I ordered with chicken, established a beautiful balance: decadent, fragrant, and thoroughly satiating, but not deluging the palate. Their Basil Fried Rice, infused with spicy Thai basil and kaffir lime leaf, was addicting. Nourishing, saporous, and interminably appetizing, I’ll definitely be making my way back over to Thai Chef in 2026.

#9 - Gyuzo Japanese BBQ (Rockville, MD)

Gyuzo offers an array of flavorful meats paired with tasty appetizers, all tied together by a chef’s ultimate dream when dining out: cooking the food yourself. An ideal appetizer would be their Chicken Karaage, crispy and juicy, served with spicy mayo, setting the tone for a wonderful meal. Onto the grill: NY striploin, hanger steak, and brisket, each the perfect balance of meat and marble. Cooking the meat alongside family or friends makes it feel all the more personal and intimate.

#8 - The Smith (Penn Quarter, DC)

Refined but welcoming, The Smith is classic for a hearty meal. Their Rigatoni Alla Vodka was creamy and indulgent, topped by stracciatella and crème fraîche. Their Chips & Dip, covered with caramelized onion and blue cheese fondue, felt like pampering in the best way possible. I found their skillet Mac & Cheese to be the restaurant’s must-try dish. It was classic American dining, executed enticingly and deliciously.

#7 - Floriana (DuPont Circle, DC)

Floriana has a timeless, elegant feel to it and serves the most enchanting dishes. Their Lasagna, layered with béchamel and house-made mozzarella, was unlike any I’ve tried in the area. Their Tortelloni Mignon, compacted with tenderloin and showered in tomato cream sauce, was lavish, yet not overly filling. This restaurant is a superb example of a relaxing, sophisticated dining space to unwind in.

#6 - Barcelona Wine Bar (Reston, VA)

Barcelona is a wonderful place to enjoy with a large group. Their Spiced Beef Empanadas arrived, flaky yet flawlessly chewy on the inside, while their Patatas Bravas offered that compelling garlic-aioli-and-salsa-brava combination. Their Salmon a la Plancha was clean and elevated, but the standout had to be their Paella Verduras, which my family and I ordered with chicken. It was layered, savory, and completely unforgettable. Their Whole Roasted Branzino sealed the experience with stunning tenderness.

#5 - Blazin Chicken & Gyro (Fairfax, VA)

Blazin offered an incredible blending of flavors that has left me wanting more every time. Their Monster Platter, loaded with lamb, chicken, falafel, rice, fries, and salad, was bursting with flavor and the portions were more than generous. This is food that understands hunger and answers it loudly, perfect for late-night cravings.

#4 - Jinya Ramen Bar (Logan Circle, DC)

Though I’ve eaten at various Jinya locations before, the Logan Circle spot felt like a fresh beginning. Their Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen has remained a favorite of mine for years and will likely never be topped, while their Birria Ramena was immensely rich and deeply comforting. I’ve never dined at Jinya without ordering their Crispy Chicken Wings coated in sweet-and-sour sauce and their Salmon Poke Tacos during happy hour. Once you do that, you’ve assembled the ultimate comfort meal.

#3 - Bawadi Mediterranean Grill (Falls Church, VA)

Bawadi is unmatched in warmth, both in taste and feeling. Their Kabob Combo of chicken and kufta was spectacularly grilled and served with warm bread and a house salad. Their Veggie Starter Combo offered a heavenly spread of falafel, hummus, baba ghannouj, and vegetarian grape leaves. But the star had to be their Palestinian Qidra Chicken, a carefully spiced rice dish baked in a clay oven, brimming with chickpeas and garlic. It was fresh and memorable.

#2 - Lapis (Adams Morgan, DC)

A thrilling and truly amazing place to dine on my birthday, Lapis is classy with love and heart. Their Sambosa Trio, crisp and delicate, set the stage. Their Mantoo Beef dumplings, topped with tomato sauce, split peas, carrots, and garlic yogurt, were intricately stacked, teeming with incredible flavor. Their Mixed Grill, chicken, lamb, and steak, was expertly prepared, pouring with juiciness at every bite and never failing to deliver delectable flavor. Lapis is not only a restaurant, but a gorgeous experience in graceful Afghan cuisine.

#1 - Dolan Uyghur Restaurant (Falls Church, VA)

Lastly, at the top of the list is Dolan Uyghur Restaurant. Dolan Uyghur has sent me into a frenzy every time I’ve had the pleasure of dining there, forcing me to come back for more repeatedly. Their Chuchura, a delicate mini-dumpling soup, was deeply comforting, while their Spicy Stick skewers allowed for playful customization across bold flavors. Their Korma Chop, Dolan’s signature fried noodles, delivered texture, heat, and balance in every bite. Their Beef Noodle Soup, fragrant with chili oil, cilantro, and green radish noodles, felt restorative and powerful. Their Chicken and Lamb Kebabs, marinated in cumin and house spices, were smoky and perfectly seasoned. And dessert? Their Chocolate Baklava reimagined tradition beautifully, while their Dolan Cake, a puffed pastry layered with walnuts, buttery cream, and chocolate drizzle, was a picture-perfect finale. Dining at Dolan has made it painful to leave at each visit, but I’m constantly being reeled back in to explore the rest of their menu’s delights.

2025 was a year of unique eats and memorable meals. From soothing platters to rooted traditional dishes and polished plates, the DMV proved itself unparalleled in its wholesome, scrumptious culinary scene. If this list proves anything, it’s that the best meals don’t just satisfy hunger, they also tell stories.

Tea Time: How to Throw the Perfect Tea Party

Coyote Prints Staff

Does life ever get mind-rottingly boring? Are assignments drowning out your hopes and dreams? There’s one perfect solution: a tea party.

The pinnacle of posh and romanticized life, tea parties are the perfect way to unwind, reconnect, and shake up any monotonous routine. Dating back to ancient times, tea parties are gatherings that bring individuals together over shared snacks and pretty porcelain. Today we’re diving into how to host the perfect tea party for whatever occasion you have in mind, or just for the fun of it.

The first step: inviting people.

But isn’t tea the first step of a tea party?

Wrong. A tea party is no longer a tea party if it’s just you. That’s simply a glorified snack. When preparing for a tea party it’s important to send out invitations --- physical, digital, or by word of mouth --- to notify your esteemed guests that they have somewhere to be. The first decision to make is whether the event is going to be afternoon tea or high tea. Though these terms are often used interchangeably, they do have distinct differences. Afternoon tea is the daintier of the two; it has been historically held around midafternoon (1pm-4pm) and features finger foods and light snacks. High tea commonly finds itself mistaken as the more illustrious or fancy affair when in reality it features heavier meals and was held for the working class at around 5pm-6pm.

Once you’ve decided on the type of affair, be sure to communicate the event’s time and proper dress code to your guests. This is where you get to decide all the details. Fancy, casual, a favorite color, themed --- the possibilities are endless. Deciding on the theme will advise you on the type of decor you’ll need to gather as well as china that should be used. A general list of items to focus on would include tablecloths, cutlery, floral arrangements, trays, and place cards.

These decorations are going to have to fit in a location of your choice. Hosting the tea party from home would be the easiest option. Not only is it a familiar location with easy access to a kitchen, it’s cost effective and requires no commute. But, if you’re willing to invest more planning and resources there are plenty of other options such as parks, hotels, and professional tea party locations that offer services past just being the venue, helping you serve the snacks and tea in true elegant fashions.

Once you have your guest list, a date, a time, and a venue, you’re almost ready to throw the perfect tea party. All that we have left to do is select the tea. There are an abundance of teas to choose from, originating from all over the world. For black tea there is English breakfast, earl grey, and ceylon. Green tea and herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint tea are great options as well. To supplement your tea you can employ the help of finger foods. Things like sandwiches, scones, teacakes, buns, and biscuits are just a few options to fill empty plates. For high tea, consider more savory foods such as tarts, meats, egg dishes, as well as breads and cheeses. When stacking items on a tower, it’s important to remember that the heavier courses always sit on the bottom, getting lighter as they go up.

Finally, we dive into the proper tea etiquette. When setting up the table the proper setup includes a teapot, hot water jug, milk jug, sugar bowl, tongs, strainer, sauces, and napkins. Depending on how accurate to the period you desire to be, not all of these are necessary. Traditionally, the hostess always poured the tea herself, even if she had servants, as it was seen as very impersonal to have anyone else pour the tea. Cups are never filled to the brim; just around the two-thirds point is sufficient. When stirring, never stir circularly or let your spoon clink against the side; move the spoon back and forth. While drinking, teacups should only be held by the handle and napkins must always remain folded on the lap. Remember, never under any circumstances slurp, dunk, or blow on hot tea.

While you might not be able to afford the kingdom’s finest orchestra, putting on a classical music playlist is the perfect way to set the ambience. Planning the entertainment or fun games ensures that the party will never truly die down, even if the energy lulls. This article is just a guide to work from, since the best tea party is the one you plan yourself. So gather your finest china, best stationary, favorite tea, and go host the tea party of the season.

Use this form to submit your opinion to Coyote Prints.

Page updated

Report abuse