Despite the bitter-cold temps as of late, a myriad of D.C.-area restaurants are gearing up to swing open their doors this winter. Exciting arrivals to look forward to include: Canton Disco, a Chinese party pad for Navy Yard with a dream hospitality team behind the wheel; Maru San, a Capitol Hill counter for Nikkei cuisine from a top-rated Peruvian chef; Marv’s Dogs, an upper Northwest destination for Chicago-style dogs with a side of games; and more.
What: Billed as an “Afro-futuristic upscale dining experience,” Vibe Restaurant and Lounge debuts in downtown Silver Spring with everything from okra coconut curry to plantain-cornbread ice cream. A sampler ($55) showcases much of the menu, including char-grilled suya, twice-fried wings in a guasacaca vinaigrette, harissa calamari and shrimp, jollof rice, sweet plantains, and pepper sauce. Co-founder Nicolette Orji is a Nigerian American with deep ties to the fashion world. As such, a dress code of “semi-formal attire” is “strictly enforced.”
Where: 8081 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland
Fruitive’s cold-pressed juices. Fruitive
What: Fruitive, the fast-casual known for its plant-based and organic offerings, doubles down on D.C. with a second expansive location in Penn Quarter. Building upon its decade-old presence in CityCenter DC, the much-larger store, sized at 2,500 square feet, offers an expanded lineup of hearty grain bowls, gluten-free waffles, and cold-pressed juices in every color of the rainbow. Founded by husband-and-wife team Gregg and Katie Rozeboom, it’s also known for its acai bowls, smoothies, and wraps. The storied Market Square site that once housed 701 Restaurant will also welcome a glitzy outpost of Chicago’s RPM Steak in 2027.
Where: 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Canton Disco’s incoming lineup. Saltbridge Strategies
What: Navy Yard’s self-described “Cantonese-inspired” newcomer comes from Side Door Pizza’s co-founder Brian Schram, chef Timothy Yu, and sommelier Brent Kroll. Canton Disco will function as a cafe during the day and transition into a full-service restaurant and bar at night. The menu is shaping up to be a good one, considering Yu’s family ran Hollywood East Cafe — one of the region’s best Chinese restaurants that closed in Wheaton, Maryland, last summer after nearly 30 years. Dishes doused with lots of garlic and fiery flavors will include salt-and-pepper wings, clams in fermented black bean sauce, fried whole branzino flecked with Fresno peppers, and chile wontons. Kroll, a newly named 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist (for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service), also runs Pop Fizz Bar and Maxwell Park in Shaw. Canton Disco takes over the space most recently occupied by Pho Junkies, and, before that, Justin’s Cafe.
Where: 1025 1st Street SE
What: Ala’s five-year-old Dupont location that started it all recently closed to undergo a pricey, $1.5-million makeover. The 10,000-square-foot Levantine hit for dishes from Syria, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey will be completely remodeled, reemerging this winter with all-new kitchen and bar equipment, as well as dinnerware, glassware, tables, and chairs. A new bar layout allows for more seating, and the patio will welcome a bevy of greenery. A second location debuted in Bethesda in 2023.
Where: 1320 19th Street NW
Monstera’s big burritos are coming to Arlington. Mack Ordaya/Pink Kix Media
What: Chef Alex McCoy (Alfie’s) expands his West Coast-styled breakfast burrito business to National Landing’s all-outdoor food hall, Water Park. Born as a popular weekend pop-up in Georgetown (and now a fixture inside Grace Street Coffee), Monstera specializes in burritos built with beef barbacoa and homemade salsas tucked inside flour tortillas imported from Mexico, along with aguas frescas, juicy cocktails, ginger-lemongrass lemonades, coffee, and eggy tortas on freshly baked bread with chorizo or bacon.
Where: 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia
What: Carlos Delgado, the decorated Peruvian chef behind Shaw’s one-Michelin-starred tasting room Causa, who won the 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, adds a new quick-serve spot for Nikkei-style cuisine in Eastern Market. Maru San will feature a 25-seat counter that sends out hand rolls and sets, a la carte dishes, and a selection of beers, sake, and nonalcoholic offerings for daily lunch and dinner. During a nightly experience, available for four guests at a time, the Lima-born chef creates a fine dining spin on the fusion food he’s already familiar with. Nikkei cuisine is a specialty at José Andrés’ China Chilcano — the Penn Quarter ceviche spot where Delgado was previously the longtime executive chef.
Where: 325 7th Street SE
When: Late February
DMV-wide food truck Char’d debuts its first Maryland digs in North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose complex. Its starring attraction is grass-fed, Zabiha halal smash burgers in OG and Hot Char’d varieties, each topped with American cheese, lettuce, onion, and homemade sauces. The menu also includes duck-fat fries and organic crispy chicken filets (prepared in a gluten-free batter) and milkshakes. There’s an additional location in Tysons, with another en route to Logan Circle.
Where: 11580 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, Maryland
When: Mid-February
What: The Commodore brings its “five-star dive” energy to Old Town this winter. Owners Rob Van de Graaff and Steve Kim, who took over the iconic Dupont bar in 2024, will expand the brand across state lines for the first time with a familiar lineup of pub fare like burgers and wings, fast-pouring espresso martinis, and nightly programming like trivia and bingo, plus the addition of Chicago tavern-style pizza. The Commodore Old Town takes over the space most recently occupied by Mystic BBQ & Grill, and Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster BBQ before that.
Where: 220 N. Lee Street, Alexandria, Virginia
When: Early March
Marv’s Dogs does the Chicago staple justice. Marv’s Dogs
What: Diane Gross and Khalid Pitts, the owners of Logan Circle standby Cork Wine Bar, bring a nostalgic spot to Tenleytown. Marv’s Dogs specializes in snappy Chicago-style hot dogs topped with classic pickled toppings, along with creamy vanilla and pistachio milkshakes. The dressed-down, family-friendly spot near American University also carves out room for fun video games below. The team is hot for upper Northwest as of late, having added a new Cork in Cleveland Park this month.
Where: 4936 Wisconsin Avenue NW
When: Early March
What: NYC’s cult Chinese chain, known for its hand-pulled noodles and one serendipitous visit from Anthony Bourdain, opens its first area storefront in Rockville, Maryland. The 20-year-old brand entered the D.C. market last year with a takeout-and-delivery operation inside Alexandria ghost kitchen Four Mile Food Co. This first standalone will sling its greatest hits like stewed pork burgers and spicy-and-sour lamb dumplings.
Where: 12031 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland
When: Late March
New York hot spot Xi’an is en route to Rockville. Jenny Huang
