D.C.'s restaurant industry is throwing its own America 250th celebration

Anna Spiegel

Executive Chef Anthony Jones at Marcus DC Restaurant photographed on June 28, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Scott Suchman/For The Washington Post via Getty Images) — Executive Chef Anthony Jones of Marcus DC Restaurant — and a new Top Chef alum — is joining Marcus Samuelsson for an Eat250 event on June 23. Photo: Scott Suchman for The Washington Post via Getty Images

If you're looking for ways to celebrate America's 250th birthday beyond fireworks and museums, D.C.'s restaurant community has a suggestion: Pull up a seat at the table.

Why it matters: While many 250th events around D.C. have a patriotic — if not political — focus, Eat250: America at the Table offers a different lens on the American story: shared experiences through food.

State of play: More than 200 restaurants across the region are participating in Eat250, a two-week culinary celebration running June 14-28 that explores how immigration, cultural exchange and entrepreneurship have influenced what Americans eat.

The festival features chef collaborations, neighborhood events, special dinners, and participating restaurants are offering $25 and $50 specials throughout the region.

Plus, renowned chefs, bartenders and food historians are teaming up for one-off events (tickets, prices and times available here). A few highlights include:

Talk food and travel with Pierre Thiam and Jessica Nabongo (June 21)

"Around the World at the American Table" brings together the acclaimed cookbook and travel writers, along with D.C. talent Rock Harper, for a conversation about the global influences behind American food culture.

See Marcus Samuelsson at Marcus DC (June 23)

The celebrity chef, joined by chef Anthony Jones, will host "Diaspora of Flavor," exploring how ingredients, traditions and culinary memory traveled across the African diaspora and helped shape American cuisine.

Celebrate Asian-American influences at Maketto (June 25)

Maketto's Erik Bruner-Yang and Bad Saint founder Tom Cunanan will team up for "The New American Table," examining the immigrant experience through the influences of Taiwanese, Filipino and Asian American cuisines.

Snack your way through the Union Market District (June 25)

Union Market District and La Cosecha will host a neighborhood-wide tasting event featuring global bites and drinks.

The big picture: The celebration was created by D.C. culinary and city leaders who say they felt largely left out of federal-level America 250 planning efforts.

"Out of the lack of conversations, we decided to do our thing to make sure our people had a seat at the table," Washington's restaurant association president Shawn Townsend tells Axios.

If you go: More events and dinners are being added, so check Eat250 for the latest.

D.C.'s restaurant industry is throwing its own America 250th celebration

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