As 2019 draws to a close, it’s time to look back at all of the great meals of the past 12 months. It’s also an opportunity to get hyped for all that’s set to open in D.C.’s restaurant world. From upscale Middle Eastern fare to casual Indian cooking and all-day eggs, 2020 promises plenty of exciting new meals. Here are the restaurant and bar openings we’re most looking forward to next year, with a best estimate for the opening timeline (a notoriously difficult thing to pin down—some of these are holdovers from 2019).

Albi
1346 4th St. SE

Michael Rafidi once was executive chef at Requin and Arroz. Next, he’ll helm a kitchen inspired by locations across the Middle East, paying homage to his roots in Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon. The Navy Yard location will adjoin a second location of Maxwell Park; sommelier Brent Kroll will spearhead Albi’s wine program as well.
Anticipated opening: winter

Annabelle
2132 Florida Ave. NW

Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj (Rasika, Modena, Olivia, etc) has been hard at work preparing Annabelle, a modern American restaurant housed inside the former Restaurant Nora address in Dupont Circle. Annabelle is at the center of a dispute between its executive chef, Frank Ruta, and Ruta’s former employer, Hakan Ilhan, owner of Mirabelle. Ilhan sued Ruta in September, as Washingtonian reported, claiming that heading up the kitchen at Annabelle would violate the non-compete clause he agreed to as head chef at Mirabelle. Ruta, for his part, claims the non-compete is void because he was fired from Mirabelle.
Anticipated opening: mid-January

Cranes
724 9th St. NW

Elements of Japanese and Spanish cooking will intersect at chef Pepe Moncayo’s sleek Chinatown spot. Moncayo comes to D.C. after a decade of living and cooking in Singapore, and he plans to bring many of the Asian ingredients and techniques he worked with there to Washington.
Anticipated opening: winter

Emmy Squared
1924 8th St NW and TBD Navy Yard

This New York-based chain is another new spot to offer the latest ‘za style du jour: the Detroit pizza. Featuring a soft, crispy-edged dough and distinct square shape, Emmy’s pies are topped with unique offerings like banana peppers, Calabrian chiles, and ranch dressing. Expect monster-sized burgers at their two forthcoming D.C. locations, according to Washingtonian, one in the former home of Kyirisan in Shaw, the other in Navy Yard.
Anticipated opening: TBD

Huevos
4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington

Eggs will be an all-day affair at this upcoming fast-casual restaurant from Victor Albisu, the chef behind Taco Bamba and Poca Madre. As the name suggests, the menu will have a number of Latin accents, with items like brisket chilaquiles, sandwiches made with torta bread, crispy egg rolls, and lots more.
Anticipated opening: spring

Jônt
1906 14th St. NW

Chef Ryan Ratino is inviting guests on a new journey. Inside Ratino’s Michelin-starred restaurant Bresca, at an 18-seat chef’s counter, diners will enjoy as many as 11 courses of meticulously aged meats or fermented delights. Meals will be priced between $83 and $97.
Anticipated opening: early winter

La Famosa
1300 4th St. SE

The flavors of Puerto Rico are coming to Navy Yard this spring (following a series of pop-ups across town) with La Famosa, promising unique takes on some of the island’s iconic dishes. The restaurant—situated in The Bower condo building—also plans to offer an all-day coffee and fresh juice service.
Anticipated opening: late spring

Maialino Mare
Tingey and Third St. SE

Danny Meyer, one of New York City’s top restaurateurs, is bringing a Roman-inspired trattoria to the D.C. riverfront. Maialino Mare will anchor the Thompson Washington D.C. Hotel at The Yards in Southeast. The restaurant will be a sister of Maialino in New York, though with more of a seafood flair. A rooftop bar, Anchovy Social, will open as well. Both will adopt a no-tipping policy.
Anticipated opening: winter

Mercy Me DC
1143 New Hampshire Ave. NW

Fans of Call Your Mother and Timber Pizza won’t want to miss the debut of their newest ambition: a bar and cafe loosely inspired by South American cooking and ingredients. Sip on fernet with cola, snack on empanadas or acai bowls, and enjoy larger plates in the restaurant from chef Johanna Hellrigl, formerly of Doi Moi. (Mercy Me, at least, seems to have encountered less drama than the forthcoming Georgetown location of Call Your Mother.)
Anticipated opening: March

Oyster Oyster
1440 8th St. NW

Earthy mushrooms and briny bivalves are the uncommon pairing at center (and behind the name) of the upcoming Oyster Oyster in Shaw, which leans on a vegetarian approach. Chef Rob Rubba will oversee the kitchen alongside business partner and Estadio owner Max Kuller and bar manager Adam Bernbach.
Anticipated opening: winter

Rasa
475 K St. NW and 2200 Crystal Dr., Arlington

Rasa’s vibrant fast-casual Indian bowls are readying for expansion in 2020 beyond their Navy Yard roots. With Vernon Davis, a tight end for the Washington football team, on board as an investor, the local business has two locations planned for the new year: one in D.C.’s Mt. Vernon Triangle and one in Crystal City nearby the Amazon headquarters.
Anticipated opening: winter for D.C. and spring for Crystal City

The Salt Line
4040 Wilson Blvd., Arlington

The ocean bounties of the Mid-Atlantic and New England flow from Navy Yard to Ballston with a second location of The Salt Line. Chef Kyle Bailey and the team from Long Shot Hospitality envision a spot for after-work oysters and beer or a hearty seafood feast, according to Arlington magazine. The space will include an outdoor patio that will cater to a neighborhood vibe, whether it’s a group of friends or families with children.
Anticipated opening: late spring

Stellina Pizzeria
508 K St. NW

Less than a year after opening their first Italian pizza shop near Union Market, Stellina Pizzeria owners Antonio Matarazzo and chef Matteo Venini are already planning a second location at Mount Vernon Square, per City Paper. The team is fresh off the debut of sweets shop Annaré inside Union Market.
Anticipated opening: summer

Tonari
707 6th St. NW

The team behind Daikaya, Bantam King, Haikan, and Hatoba are ramping up to bring a fifth Japanese concept to D.C. Translating to “neighbor,” Tonari plans to offer Japanese “wafu”-style pasta and pizza—a departure from restaurant group’s popular ramen bowls. The Italian influences extend to the location as well, as Tonari will take over the former Graffiato space in Chinatown.
Anticipated opening: late January/winter

Xiquet
2404 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Danny Lledo has won many international awards for his paella, so it’s no surprise he’s decided to give the Spanish rice dish the spotlight. He plans to open the fine-dining Xiquet this year on the top floor of his neighborhood-focused Slate Wine Bar, which has also been closed during the construction.
Anticipated opening: winter/spring