Looking to discover the freshest new spots downtown? From a taqueria serving artisanal tacos to a Parisian bistro and bakery, read on for a rundown of the newest destinations to land in the heart of Washington, D.C.
Spice 6 Modern Indian
740 Sixth St. NW
Spice 6 Modern Indian is a fast-casual Indian fusion spot that recently debuted in Chinatown, the third location for the local chain with a fourth in the works.
Naan pizza, naan wraps, rice bowls and salads are all on offer from Nepal-born chef Upendra Thapaliya, in addition to traditional dishes like butter chicken and biryani. Diners can also customize their meals by choosing a base (greens, naan or rice), protein (lamb, chicken, paneer and tofu), curries and chutneys. (See the menu here.)
With a 4.5-star rating out of 25 reviews on Yelp, Spice 6 Modern Indian has been getting positive attention.
Yelper Emil M., who reviewed Spice 6 Modern Indian on May 5, wrote: "Really great food. Stumbled upon it, as it being the closest 'restaurant' after a day of walking and heavy rainfall, and I'm glad we did. It's amazing food, and it tastes a lot better than any Indian food I've ever had! Oh, and customer service is great too!"
"I tried Spice 6 tonight and was totally impressed," said Yelper Max S. "The food was delicious (especially the naan which was HUGE). I had a rice bowl with chicken and paneer and it was flavorful with just the right amount of spice."
Spice 6 Modern Indian is open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily.
Taqueria Local
1627 K St. NW
Taqueria Local is a fast-casual Mexican spot headed by chef Giovanni Orellana, from the owners of popular nightclubs Echostage, Soundcheck and Decades, the Washington Post reports.
Diners should expect to find artisanal tacos with classic meats like carnitas and barbacoa, as well as innovative offerings like the Griego with roasted pork, tzatziki, feta and mint. Additional options include make-your-own salads, burritos and rice bowls. (Check out the full menu here.)
With a 3.5-star rating out of 26 reviews on Yelp, Taqueria Local is still finding its way, but it's early days.
Yelper Maria B., who reviewed Taqueria Local on April 4, wrote: "Probably one of the best taco spots in D.C. It's hard to find a good tasting horchata and authentic Mexican tacos in this city. I tried the pastor and carne asada tacos and they didn't disappoint."
"Phenomenal, affordable, delicious, satisfying," shared Yelper Elias B. "My third time trying Taqueria Local and was never disappointed. The staff is so friendly and they're always checking on you making sure you're OK. I would say Taqueria Local is definitely one of the top taco places in the city. A MUST TRY!"
Taqueria Local is open from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. (It's closed on Sunday.)
Yard House
812 Seventh St. NW
It's all about options at Yard House, a sports bar and New American spot that offers more than 100 American-style dishes and has more than 100 beers on tap. With locations throughout the country, the opening marks the restaurant group's D.C. debut.
Menu items include a variety of snacks, appetizers, entrees and desserts such as Wisconsin fried cheese curds served with honey hot sauce and horseradish aioli; Nashville hot chicken with fried sage, sweet potato pancakes, pickles, ranch dressing and honey hot sauce; and a s'mores brownie with a graham cracker crust and roasted marshmallows. (You can check out the full menu here.)
Yelp users are generally positive about Yard House, which currently holds four stars out of 40 reviews on the site.
Bobbie P., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on April 18, said, "Go here for the beer, comfortable atmosphere and of course the food, but the beer specifically."
Yelper Kassandra L. added, "We love their version of the California roll. It's more of a stacked pizza thing and very delicious.”
Yard House is open from 11–1 a.m. on Sunday–Thursday and 11–1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Maison Kayser
650 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Parisian import and international chain Maison Kayser continues its expansion with its second bakery and cafe in the district.
The bakery boasts roughly 300 freshly made products, ranging from breads and pastries to classic French bistro dishes and grab-and-go sandwiches. The seasonal menu features a wide array of breakfast and brunch offerings, including cinnamon and maple syrup French toast with crème fraîche, chia seed pudding, smoked salmon with eggs and capers and a croque-madame with Gruyere cheese and smoked ham.
Maison Kayser currently holds four stars out of 25 reviews on Yelp, indicating positive reviews.
Yelper David R., who was one of the first users to visit Maison Kayser on April 18, wrote: "I know there is always room for improvement, but I enjoyed Maison Kayser sufficiently to give them five stars. I liked the fact you could sit down and order breakfast or get pastries to go."
"Their bakery is definitely worth checking out," added Theresa B. "They came to the Chinatown WeWork when they first opened and gave out samples — I tried the quiche and the pain au chocolat. Both were outstanding."
Maison Kayser is open from 7 a.m.–10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.–8 p.m. on weekends.
Pizzeria Al Volo
1299 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Pizzeria Al Volo is a casual spin-off of the Al Volo pasta stand and upscale restaurant at Union Market.
Located in the Warner Building downtown, the new location serves up Roman-style square pizzas, homemade pastas and sandwiches. (You can check out the full menu here.)
Yelp users are excited about Pizzeria Al Volo, which currently holds 4.5-stars out of six reviews on the site.
User Shawn M., one of the first to review the new eatery, called out its "thick and bubbly crust."
"Actually I'd say the slice of pepperoni pizza was the best ever reheated slice of pizza I've ever had," he added.
Yelper Peter K. wrote: "The pizza slices were loaded with fresh ingredients and had a nice crispy crust. Overall, it was delicious and reasonably priced for downtown D.C. Highly recommend for lunch if you're in the area."
Pizzeria Al Volo is open from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on weekdays. (It's closed on weekends.)
