Exclusive: Taste DC.'s next big restaurants before they open
- Mar 17
- 1 min read
Axios
A wave of new D.C.-area restaurants is on the way — and you can try them before they open.
The long-running food festival New Kitchens on the Block returns April 25 to Brookland's Mess Hall.
Why it matters: Now on its 12th edition, NKOTB is basically a talent showcase for D.C.'s restaurant scene.
Past participants went on to open some of the region's biggest hits — including Michelin-starred Maydan and Jônt, plus favorites like Call Your Mother, Colada Shop and Daru.
Driving the news: The 2026 lineup just dropped — a mix of rising-star chefs and established names launching new ventures.
