Eater presents a comprehensive guide to the latest restaurant, bar, and café openings in April. If you know of any recent additions in your area that we haven’t captured, please contact us at dc@eater.com.
U Street: Ben’s Chili Bowl — famed for creating D.C.’s iconic half-smoke topped with chili and cheese, a dish rich in local history — celebrated its reopening on Friday, May 1, after being closed for almost a year. The original U Street location, which had been in operation for over six decades, shut its doors last summer for necessary repairs to its historic building from 1910. Enhancements include new cooking equipment, air conditioning, wiring, and plumbing. Ben’s also plans to refresh the mural on its brick exterior for the first time in nearly a decade, inviting community suggestions for new designs featuring activists, prominent historical figures, celebrities, or local legends through May 10.
For its grand reopening, the restaurant hosted a lively event on Friday afternoon. The festivity featured a street closure, a lively go-go musical performance, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Virginia Ali, the 92-year-old founder, Brian Hines, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee. The restaurant extended its hours until 4 a.m. on Saturday to welcome patrons. Ben’s also operates an outpost on H Street NE and is featured in locations like Nationals Park, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and airports at IAD and DCA, as well as several Giant grocery stores.
In an exciting development, Ben’s Chili Bowl will make an appearance at Rockefeller Center’s upscale NYC hot dog venue 5 Acres this month for a special one-day pop-up on Tuesday, May 14. The pop-up will feature its famous half-smokes paired with chef Greg Baxtrom’s signature spiced fries, taking place at 1208 U Street NW.
Adams Morgan: Chef duo Jon Sybert and Jill Tyler, known for their Michelin-starred restaurant Tail Up Goat, which closed in December after ten years, have transformed their former establishment into a fresh counter-service concept named Rye Bunny, which opened on Thursday, April 2. Inspired by their two adopted dogs, the new eatery features a diverse menu focusing on seasonal, locally-sourced produce. Highlights include half-fried bobo chicken and Sunday ragu, along with a curated wine selection from beverage director Audrey Dowling (with a $35 corkage fee for dine-in patrons). The stylish interior has been revamped by Edit at Streetsense and combines folk art influences, stained glass features, antique wooden furniture, and vibrant colors such as plum, mustard, and maroon. 1827 Adams Mill Road NW
Arlington: D.C.-based mini-chain Spot of Tea officially opened its first Virginia location within the National Landing’s outdoor Water Park on Friday, April 24. Founded by college friends Dillon Chai, Glenn Baginski, and David Cooper, this unique cafe specializes in vibrant bubble teas with inventive flavor combinations, including strawberry-matcha and hibiscus-mango. All drinks are half off during the opening weekend, and customers also have the opportunity to win a matcha-themed prize pack. The brand currently has outlets in Dupont and Union Market. 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia
Arlington: The taco-and-tequila venue Westover Taco, now operated by new female ownership, has reopened this month, marking its identity as Arlington’s only bar dedicated to women’s sports. Sarah White, who previously worked at Lost Dog Cafe and was involved in the initial opening of Westover in 2023, has taken over the establishment, maintaining its name and Mexican menu, while introducing some exciting new updates. The location now features support for local women’s sports teams like the Washington Spirit and the D.C. Divas. 5849 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia
Bethesda: One of the numerous Silver & Sons food trucks has settled into a new temporary location in front of the Bethesda Community Store. This Jewish-Mediterranean barbecue eatery operates a full storefront in the Westwood neighborhood but has moved a trailer from Rocklands Farm Winery to serve customers while the community store undergoes renovations. According to Bethesda Today, the trailer has been in operation since Sunday, April 12, offering the signature smoked meats along with breakfast sandwiches and pastries. 88804 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda: The bakery Breads Unlimited, renowned for its challah, hamantaschen cookies, and cronuts, is merging with its sibling pizza establishment in a new Kensington venture. Breads Unlimited and Pizza debuted in Kensington on Saturday, April 11, combining delicious thin-crust pizzas crafted by owner Jose Molina at Edith’s Pizza with beloved baked goods. 10303 Kensington Parkway, Kensington, Maryland
Capitol Hill: The long-awaited French bakery Boulangerie Saint Georges opened its doors on Saturday, April 11, offering the neighborhood a variety of pastries, breads, sandwiches, seasonal specialties, and an espresso program showcasing flavorful cappuccinos. Customers can indulge in freshly made meringue, buttery croissants, and delightful fruit tarts, all enjoyed on the quaint outdoor patio. 303 7th Street SE
Chevy Chase: Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream & Treats is extending its footprint in Montgomery County with a new small-batch ice cream shop, which opened on Saturday, April 4. Each location offers 40 made-on-site flavors, blending classic favorites with seasonal options and even treats for dogs. 8551 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland
Downtown: Chef Masaaki “Uchi” Uchino is back with his own sushi counter, serving delectable omakase for lunch and dinner in a dedicated space. The Sushi Nakazawa alumnus has opened a 16-seat counter named Kiyomi, which previously gained acclaim at Square food hall with his lunch specials. Now, the counter will still feature a nine-piece nigiri selection along with options for hand rolls, with the first dinner service scheduled for Friday, May 1. Uchino emphasizes the necessity of maintaining health by limiting dinner openings to once a week. The dinner experience, priced at $135 per person, includes a curated menu with miso soup and dessert. Additionally, lunchtime remains as walk-in service. He intends to introduce a 15- to 16-course dinner option priced at $120 once he acquires his liquor license, along with a diverse sake selection available by the glass. On 14th Street, he continues to oversee the sushi menu at Katsumi. 1895 L Street NW
Downtown: Renowned hospitality expert Ashok Bajaj has re-envisioned the former Modena space into his ideal Italian eatery with the help of a Michelin-star chef. Rosselli debuted on Monday, April 6, showcasing a lavish interior resembling an upscale Italian home, including an elegant marble-clad U-shaped bar and artistic decorations. Chef Carlos Cardona, hailing from the well-regarded Noi in Hong Kong, crafts dishes such as risotto arancini, burrata with confit pear, rotating crudos, linguine and clams, pappardelle with a robust ragu, osso buco, and branzino al forno. Initially open for dinner, lunch service is on the way. 1100 New York Avenue NW
Foggy Bottom: On Tuesday, April 21, Just Salad expanded its presence with the opening of its third D.C. location. The fast-casual chain, known for its fresh salads, wraps, warm bowls, and market plates, is now serving the Foggy Bottom community. 1919 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Georgetown: The much-anticipated PopUp Bagels, a New York City bagel phenomenon supported by celebrities like Paul Rudd and Michael Phelps, finally made its debut in D.C. on Friday, April 10, drawing long lines of eager customers. The bagel shop distinguishes itself with a unique “rip-and-dip” menu concept, allowing patrons to tear off fresh bagel chunks to dip into cream cheese. Plans for a Bethesda location are also in the works, with ambitions to launch 20 stores across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area in the future. 1078 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Herndon: The well-known ramen chain Kyuramen, recognized for its “wishing tree” filled with customer notes, opened a new location in Northern Virginia on Wednesday, April 15. This restaurant features classic tonkotsu shoyu ramen dishes and other comforting Japanese offerings. Notably, this location, named Super Kyuramen, will include an izakaya-style menu, along with a cocktail bar serving unique drinks and a T-Bar with bubble tea and smoothies. 2330 Silver Arrow Way, Herndon, Virginia
H Street: Cheese enthusiasts have something to celebrate as Paste & Rind has made a surprise return on the same Northeast corridor, reopening on Friday, April 17. This charming cheese shop previously closed in December but is now operating as the in-residence cheese and wine program at the new brewery Henceforth, which sought a partner to feature artisanal products. Paste & Rind will also revive its beloved monthly cheese subscription service starting May 1. 1335 H Street NE
Old Town: Vola’s Dockside Grill’s Hi-Tide Lounge is set to convert into a vibrant tiki bar for the summer. Set to open on Thursday, April 23, the tiki pop-up bar will feature colorful cocktails including vibrant takes on the classic mai tai, frozen rum beverages, and communal punch bowls through August 31. Hi-Tide Tiki Pop-Up Bar will also offer tempting dishes like coconut shrimp and pineapple barbecue spare ribs. 101 N Union Street, Alexandria, Virginia
Old Town: The Majestic has undergone a transformation this spring. Chef Santiago Lopez purchased the restaurant from Alexandria Restaurant Partners and introduced a modern American menu influenced by Mediterranean flavors starting Friday, April 10. New offerings include dishes such as duck and pancetta dumplings with butternut squash crema, a lobster pot pie, and roasted lamb shank, mixed with classic favorites like the Majestic burger and steak frites. 911 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia
Union Market: Peruvian Brothers has opened its first standalone location in D.C. near Union Station, featuring a full bar and serving all-day meals from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. Customers can expect breakfast staples like ham and cheese croissants, alongside popular choices like salted pork tenderloin sandwiches and rotisserie chicken for lunch. The restaurant will transition to full-service dinner and happy hour featuring frozen pisco sours and slushy variations at 4 p.m. Expect seasonal specialties and a designated event space on the weekends. 660 North Capitol Street NW
Union Market: The small Panamanian cafe Unido has significantly expanded within the Union Market food hall, reopening on Friday, April 17, at the anchor site where the previous establishment Destino operated. This new iteration offers an expansive breakfast menu of sandwiches and bowls, plus an array of nighttime tapas alongside a fully stocked bar serving an exciting range of wines and cocktails. Standout cocktails include a uniquely crafted Old Fashioned and a classic carajillo featuring cacao. 1280 4th Street NE
