There’s no shortage of different cuisines to try in the DMV. Let’s visit 6 restaurants that offer a quick snapshot of the many food options we have locally!
Taco Bamba
No local chain pays homage to hyperlocal flavors in the way that Chef and Owner Victor Albisu does with Taco Bamba Taqueria! This local taco spot has 12 different locations with more on the way, and offers different non-traditional ‘tacos nuestros’ depending on the location. We visited the Rockville location, which offers tacos such as the MoCo Crab and the Fredneck BBQ. They also have more traditional tacos which are just as delicious! Don’t sleep on their other items such as the super tortas and their elote!
(Assorted Tacos Nuestros-$5/ea, Torta Tradicional-$13, Woodfire Pineapple Cocktail-$12)
Lebanese Taverna
If you’re craving fresh Mediterranean cuisine, definitely stop by Lebanese Taverna. We really enjoyed their mixed kabob with tender, marinated grilled meats, roasted veggies, and rice pilaf, and loved their variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean wines. The meats are grilled to perfection, and the spicy hummus was super flavorful and paired perfectly with the complimentary pita for the table. We even ordered a second pita order to-go! Pro-tip: Check them out on Monday’s for Mezze Madness where they offer bottomless mezze for $38 per person.
(Mixed Kabob-$32, Chateau Heritage, Cuvee St. Elie, Bekaa Valley 2014 Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon-$15, Spicy Hommus-$10)
Spanish Diner
Spanish Diner by Chef José Andrés features Spanish comfort food. We stopped by for brunch and highly recommend it if you love an eggy start to the day. Their menu is a must try, complete with a section dedicated to customizable ‘Huevos Rotos’ (fried eggs), as well as a section titled ‘Mas Huevos’ (more eggs) with other Spanish staples such as Paella, Pan Con Tomate and more. Pro-tip: Stick around until 1pm for some flamenco dancing during brunch!
(Huevos Rotos Mixto-$22, Setas al ajillo con huevos-$16,Mollete de Salmon ahumado-$15, Cola Cao Caliente-$8, Ultimate G&T-$16)
Bun’d Up
Bun’d Up puts a modern twist on traditional Taiwanese ‘gua bao’, while blending Asian and American flavors into their menu. Inspired by Chef Scott Chung’s lifelong love of cuisine, Bun’d Up is a farmer’s market stall turned multi-location restaurant (and food truck)! Because of their bright flavorful fillings like bulgogi, mushroom, and even fried chicken, the super fluffy buns with non-traditional fillings have been a favorite of mine for years. We had so much fun on this tour stop since it offered a variety of imported drinks, retro game cabinets, and several Instagrammable corners with neon signs.
(Scallion Pancake-$8, pick two buns-$10, fish sauced nuggets-$10, japanese green tea-$4.)
Melina
From the group behind Cava, Cava Mezze, and Julii comes Melina. The Greek escape is the newest addition on the list. The expansive space has gorgeous Mediterranean decor and a fresh modern menu that is vegetable-forward. We enjoyed the brunch menu and especially loved the Shiitake Mushroom Flatbread. If you have a sweet tooth, the Melina Pancakes make a perfect brunch dessert. Don’t skip out on arguably my favorite espresso martini in the DMV!
(Espresso martini-$14, Shiitake mushroom flatbread- $21, baby gem salad-$15)
Chiko
Chiko (pronounced “Chai-Koh”) is a Chinese-Korean fusion restaurant with multiple locations. The menu boasted a happy union of flavor, with familiar tastes served in new ways that we had never had! We especially loved the Orange-ish Chicken and the Dan Dan Noodles. The flavors were intense and fun, and made for an unforgettable meal!
(Orange-ish chicken-$19, Dan Dan Noodles-$18, Crispy Chicken Spring Rolls-$11)
I’m a scientist by trade, but a foodie at heart—based out of the DC Metropolitan area. I love to travel
and am always looking to make connections over local food.
@adorkandherfork | A Dork and Her Fork
