It’s no question that 2020 was a devastating year for the restaurant industry in D.C. Longtime restaurants and bars shuttered, taking away some of our favorite spots to gather. However, there is hope: Some new restaurants will be opening in 2021. Here’s what we’re looking forward to, from new Mediterranean spots to Southern food to chocolate.

Ada’s On the River
3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, Va.

If you like math and pizza, you might like Ada’s on the River, a new waterfront restaurant named for English mathematician Ada Lovelace. The new restaurant by Alexandria Restaurant Partners will be centered around a wood-burning oven and plans to be a gathering place for friends and family. According to Alexandria Living Magazine, cuisine will also include seafood, salad and a full bar. Its opening is expected in January. 

Air Restaurant
2473 18th Street NW

A multi-level Southern restaurant with a second story patio is coming to the former Chloe space in Adams Morgan, reports Eater DC. Meet Air Restaurant.  Eater reports that the restaurant is courtesy of Henock Andargie, who once managed The Avenue in Mt. Vernon Triangle. The spot will feature chicken and waffles, biscuits, and catfish and greens. An opening date isn’t expected until the springtime. 

City-State Brewing
705 Edgewood St. NE

D.C. is getting another entry into its booming craft beer scene with City-State Brewing. Expect outdoor seating and picnic tables inside with overhead doors for ventilation. Their first beers include a pale ale, a lager, a dark wheat beer, and a saison — plus a dubbel named for go-go. Expect it to open its doors in Edgewood this spring.

DC, we are opening this spring, at 705 Edgewood St., NE! We are hiring at https://t.co/DqFK9Gd92e! We have our construction permit and are working hard to have beer in your hands no later than April–for now, please enjoy photos of shiny equipment and our space in progress: pic.twitter.com/TxXg20FATJ

— City-State Brewing (@citystatebeer) January 5, 2021

The Commodore
1636 17th St NW

It’s not a new spot, exactly, but we love a comeback. The Commodore, known for its Southern comfort food, originally closed in November 2019 from its location in Logan Circle. However, according to its Instagram, the pub will be returning in 2021 and occupying the spot known now as Brick Lane in Dupont. The pub will be “bringing back your old favorites alongside some new surprises,” as well as bringing on some familiar faces. No opening date has been announced.

Del Ray Boccato
2400 Mount Vernon Ave., Va.

All you need in life are these three things: empanadas, coffee, and gelato, and Del Ray Boccato has all of them. This new self-described “rustic gelato lounge” has already be debuting photos of its flavors on Facebook, including M&M chocolate crunch and key lime pie. However, it may be a bit of wait until this one opens. According to its most recent Facebook post, the gelato shop still waiting on pending permits from the City of Alexandria and doesn’t anticipate opening until a few months from now. 

GATSBY
1201 Half St SE 

Want to try something new before heading to a Nationals game? Try GATSBY, expected to open sometime in the winter months. The contemporary American diner is located right near to the stadium and will have three floors of American diner fare with a dessert program by adjoining bakery Mah-Ze-Dahr. The same company that owns Succotash and Mi Vida is behind the diner. 

Imperfecto
1124 23rd Street NW

The duo behind Seven Reasons — Esquire’s 2019 pick for best new restaurant in the country — will be opening a new restaurant in the West End in 2021, reports Washington Business Journal. Owners Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger and Enrique Limardo are planning a February opening of their new fine dining concept, Imperfecto, which will have both Mediterranean and Latin American influences, WBJ reports. Expect spacious outdoor seating, and eventually lunch and brunch at this restaurant on the ground floor of the Westlight condominium complex.

Läderach
Union Station 

While travel right now isn’t advisable, you can still experience a little bit of Switzerland right here in D.C. Eater DC  reports that Läderach, a Swiss chocolate chain, is opening its fourth U.S. location in the District. The chocolate shop will open in Union Station by Valentine’s Day, a storefront previously occupied by another chain: Magnolia Bakery. Läderach will feature more than 100 types of chocolate, including pralines, seasonal collections, wrapped chocolates, and more. 

L’Ardent
200 Mass Ave NW

Expect a “glam Italian” eatery to arrive in 2021 at the massive development Capitol Crossing near Judiciary Square. The restaurant, helmed by Unconventional Diner owner and chef Eric Eden and David Deshaies respectively, was expected to open in 2020 with a large-scale wood-burning oven, Mediterranean blues and pinks, and Murano glass chandeliers, according to Eden. However, per a photo shared by Popville, opening now appears to be set for sometime in 2021. 

Mi Casa
Dupont Circle

Fans of Mi Vida at The Wharf can look forward to Mi Casa coming to Dupont Circle in 2021, coming from the same owners. While Mi Vida bills itself as high-end Mexican fare, Mi Casa will offer Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Southwestern cuisine, or a hybrid of American and Mexican foods, according to WBJ. It’s expected to open in April or May. 

New Offerings at Ghost Line
2340 Wisconsin Ave NW

2020 was a good year as ever to open a new delivery- and takeout-only concept and now, in 2021, it’s expanding. Ghost Line in Glover Park is expected to add to its repertoire with even more food concepts: Pastry chef Naomi Gallego, known for her work on Little Beast’s Detroit-style pizza, will soon introduce a Tex Mex concept. According to Popville, the spot is also expected to roll out a “gourmet market of prepared foods.”