Here are D.C.'s 2026 RAMMY Award finalists: New restaurants, best chefs and beyond
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A gorgeous Caribbean-inspired salad at Isla, up for best new restaurant. Photo: Courtesy Sophie Macaluso
The RAMMY Awards, D.C.'s annual hospitality industry honors, just announced their 2026 finalists.
Why it matters: The RAMMYs are like a local version of the James Beard Awards, spotlighting some of the best dining and drinking spots in town — along with the chefs and teams behind them.
Between the lines: Most winners are chosen by judges, but a handful of buzzy categories are up to the public — including Best Bar, Best Brunch and Hottest Sandwich Spot.
- New this year: a "Content Creator of the Year" award, decided by public vote, reflects the impact of influencers.
- Voting for all public categories starts April 20 on NBC4's website.
A taste of the (many!) finalists, with winners announced June 29th.
New Restaurant of the Year:
Hottest Sandwich Spot:
Chef of the Year:
- Matt Adler, Cucina Morini and Caruso's Grocery
- Amy Brandwein, Centrolina and Piccolina
- Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss, The Popal Group
- Rubén García, Casa Teresa
- Jeremiah Langhorne, The Dabney
See the full list