In anticipation of Michelin’s prestigious 2026 awards event, inspectors have revealed today that four fresh dining establishments in Washington, D.C., are contenders for potential star or Bib Gourmand status, celebrated for offering “good value.” These venues are now part of the highly esteemed Michelin Guide’s list of recommended restaurants.
The newly acknowledged restaurants include: Bar del Monte, an inviting spot in Mt. Pleasant that serves up delightful Italian small plates curated by chef-owner Oliver Pastan; Rye Bunny, a standout in Adams Morgan that offers a unique counter-service dining experience from the talented team behind Tail Up Goat; the charming Maison Bar à Vins, a French bistro also located in Adams Morgan; and finally, Elcielo Bistro, a more laid-back sibling of the Michelin-starred Elcielo situated in Union Market.
Several of these new selections have caught the attention of the national dining scene, with Maison being announced as a 2026 James Beard Award finalist for best new restaurant, while Rye Bunny was recently highlighted on the New York Times’s esteemed Best Restaurants list of the week.
The Michelin team has begun teasing its selections prior to the official announcement — a strategy initiated in 2022 — aiming to generate excitement throughout the year regarding the guide. Notably, this year marks the tenth edition of the Michelin Guide for the D.C. region.
Throughout the last year, Washington, D.C. experienced a significant decline in Michelin-starred restaurants. The 2025 guide included 25 establishments with stars, however, many have since closed. Notably, Kinship and Metier, chef Eric Ziebold’s pair of fine dining options in Shaw; Chef Matt Baker’s Gravitas in Ivy City has been seized by the city, leading to an auction of its assets next week; and Tail Up Goat, which has transitioned to Rye Bunny. Last year saw no new stars being awarded, and the lone three-star establishment in the area, the Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Virginia, was downgraded to two stars. Currently, the D.C. area is home to 29 Bib Gourmand restaurants.
In 2023, the Michelin awards process took on a new format, unveiled in a live event that included two other cities, New York and Chicago. Boston and Philadelphia were introduced into the mix for the first time last year, operating under a new format for Northeast cities. This year’s exclusive Michelin ceremony will transpire in New York City in December.
Inspectors have shared their impressions of each of the newly recognized dining establishments:
1827 Adams Mill Road NW, Adams Morgan
The husband-and-wife duo of Jon Sybert and Jill Tyler uniquely reinterpret classic American comfort foods, featuring highlight dishes such as anchovy toast and spicy fried chicken.
1834 Columbia Road NW, Adams Morgan
Chef Matt Conroy presents dishes like whipped crème fraîche paired with diced steelhead trout and green strawberry, as well as rooster crest-shaped pasta with ramps and clams, all of which showcase a simplicity yet offer bold, surprising flavors.
3054 Mt Pleasant Street NW, Mt. Pleasant
While patrons may encounter a line, the standout offerings, such as chickpea-flour fritters, lamb skewers, and an ever-evolving selection of seasonal pizzas, are guaranteed to make the wait worthwhile.
1280 4th Street NE, Union Market
Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos curates a modern Colombian-inspired à la carte menu adjacent to the Michelin-starred tasting room, featuring Latin specialties such as shrimp empanadas with garlic mayonnaise and Meyer lemon, as well as chimichurri bison rib-eye.
