Want the inside scoop on Washington D.C.'s food scene?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to discover which local businesses have locals talking.
To find out who made the list, we looked at businesses on Yelp by category, and counted how many reviews each one received. Rather than compare restaurants based on number of reviews alone, we calculated a percentage increase in reviews over the past month.
Read on to see which spots are on a hot streak, right now.
Mi Vida Restaurante
Open since March, this Mexican spot is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Mexican" on Yelp.
Citywide, Mexican restaurants saw review counts increase by a median of 1.6 percent during the past month, but Mi Vida Restaurante saw a 27.2 percent increase, maintaining a mixed 3.5-star rating throughout.
Located at 98 District Square SW at the lively Wharf in Southwest Waterfront, Mi Vida Restaurante comes from New York-based, Mexico City-born chef Roberto Santibañez. It offers classic Mexican food like fish or carnitas tacos, ceviche, and chicken in mole, as well as modern takes that include the guajillo chili beef burger or salmon in pineapple salsa.
Yard House
Downtown's Yard House is a hot topic amongst Yelpers, according to review data.
While businesses categorized as "bars" on Yelp increased their review count by a median of 1.8 percent over the past month, this beer bar — the local outpost of a modern American chain — bagged a 24.3 percent increase in reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a solid four-star rating.
There are more spots trending on Washington's bar scene: Supra has seen a 13.8 percent increase in reviews, and Lucky Buns has seen a 11.8 percent bump.
Open at 812 Seventh St. NW (near Capital One Arena) since April 2017, Yard House offers "the world's largest selection of draft beer" (according to the website) with 110 taps, including seasonal and other limited-time-only brews. There's also a full bar.
Declaration Nats Park
Capitol Hill's Declaration Nats Park is the city's buzziest modern American spot by the numbers.
The New American spot operating at 1237 First St. SE — a larger version of the original Shaw location — since April, has increased its review count by 32.4 percent over the past month. Compared to the median review increase of 2.9 percent for other restaurants in the Yelp's "New American" category, Declaration Nats Park is an outlier.
It's not the only spot trending in the category: Fancy Radish has seen a 32 percent increase in reviews, while Chloe has seen a 30.6 percent bump.
Declaration Nats Park offers signature pizzas like the Thomas Jefferson VA, made with prosciutto, arugula, lemon, olive oil, tomatoes and mozzarella. Starters include mac and cheese, marinated olives and cheese tots, and there are also sandwiches, salads and design-your-own charcuterie boards.
A Rake's Progress
Over in Adams Morgan, A Rake's Progress is currently on the upswing in the seafood category.
While businesses categorized as "seafood" on Yelp increased review counts by a median of 2.4 percent over the past month, this bar saw an increase of 17.1 percent — and kept its rating consistent at four stars.
There's more abuzz in the world of Washington seafood: Hanks Oyster Bar - Wharf has seen a 15.1 percent increase in reviews, and Rare Steakhouse & Tavern and Del Mar have seen 13.1 and 12.3 percent increases, respectively.
Open for business within the Line Hotel at 1770 Euclid St. NW (between North Champlain Street and North Adams Mill Road) since February, A Rake's Progress offers seafood from mid-Atlantic farms and waters, with James Beard Award-winning chef Spike Gjerde helming the kitchen. Think raw oysters with rhubarb, buckwheat, mint, cilantro and ají dulce pepper, or Baltimore Canyon lobster toast.
Al Volo
Is Mount Pleasant's Al Volo on your radar? According to Yelp review data, the Italian spot is getting plenty of attention.
While businesses categorized as "Italian" increased their review count by a median of 2.8 percent over the past month, Al Volo nabbed a 6.6 percent increase in reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a solid 4.5-star rating.
Located at 1790 Columbia Road NW (between North Euclid and North 18th streets.), Al Volo offers handmade pasta dishes like fettuccine bolognese, mozzarella ravioli and roasted chicken in vodka sauce on rigatoni. It also packages its fresh pasta and sauces for customers to cook at home.
