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Eater Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

Updated for January 2015.

by Missy Frederick
View as Map
by Missy Frederick

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: "Where should I eat right now?" Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, which favorite chef just launched a sophomore effort, where to sip the cocktail of the moment. And while the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change often to continually highlight where the foodie crowds are flocking to at the moment.

This month, Pop's Seabar, the remodeled Urbana, District Doughnut and Bullfrog Bagels make room for China Chilcano, BUL, Thip Khao and a remodeled Marcel's.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Ocopa

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Ocopa is putting out interesting, chef-driven takes on Peruvian food in the Atlas district. There's ceviche, chaufa, complimentary corn nuts and plenty of pisco at the newcomer.

1324 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 396-1814
(202) 396-1814

Also featured in:

DBGB Kitchen and Bar

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Daniel Boulud makes his mark on D.C. with this new addition to CityCenterDC in Penn Quarter. He's serving up brasserie fare, sausages, burgers and baked Alaska here.

931 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 695-7660
(202) 695-7660

Also featured in:

Boss Shepherd's

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This new venture from longtime restaurateur Paul Cohn received early buzz for its fried chicken. High praise from critic Tom Sietsema has also been boosting the restaurant's profile.

513 13th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-2677
(202) 347-2677

Pinea

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Barry Koslow, formerly of DGS Delicatessen, is working with European flavors at this revamp of the former J&G Steakhouse. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at the W. Guests are also flocking to the hotel courtesy of the renovated POV lounge on the roof.

515 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 661-2440
(202) 661-2440

Also featured in:

Chez Billy Sud

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This second location of Chez Billy has a striking waterfront view, a casual French menu and crowds lining up (especially to sit on the chic patio).

1039 31st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 965-2606
(202) 965-2606

Also featured in:

Mama Rouge

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Bangkok Joe's is now Mama Rouge. The menu combines French, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. Banh mi croissants are generating early bunch. It's all happening on the Georgetown waterfront.

3000 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-4422
(202) 333-4422

B Side

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This new bar from Neighborhood Restaurant Group is adjacent to Red Apron Butchery. There's a solid beer list, and food items like ranch cracklings, pupusas and arepas. The charcuterie selection echoes sister restaurant The Partisan, though this is a smaller operation.

Mosaic District, 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 346-4243
(703) 346-4243

El Camino

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This new Mexican restaurant from the owners of Sticky Rice and 1905 has provided a new neighborhood option for Bloomingdale. The decor's pretty cool, too.

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(613) 422-2800
(613) 422-2800

Also featured in:

China Chilcano

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The latest offering from DC megachef Jose Andres focuses on Peruvian chifa cuisine. Expect dishes like sushi, chaufa and ceviche. Cocktails emphasize pisco.

418 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 638-1910
(202) 638-1910

Also featured in:

Marcel's by Robert Wiedmaier

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Marcel's has always been one of D.C.'s standout fine dining restaurants. Now, a $350,000 design makeover ensures the decor matches the cooking. Robert Wiedmaier's French-influenced fare recently received a 3.5 star rave from Tom Sietsema.

2401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 296-1166
(202) 296-1166

Also featured in:

Thip Khao

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Chef Seng Luangrath's Lao cooking already had a cult following in Falls Church at Bangkok Golden. Now, she has a D.C. restaurant to better showcase the complex flavors of the cuisine. The "jungle" menu is particularly unique and spicy.

3462 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Also featured in:

BUL

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The team from Sakuramen have opened this restaurant (open late to cater to Adams Morgan nightlife participants) of Korean skewers and traditional dishes. The "hangover" soup and seafood pancake are among early favorites.

2431 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 733-3921
(202) 733-3921

Also featured in:

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Ocopa

1324 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Ocopa is putting out interesting, chef-driven takes on Peruvian food in the Atlas district. There's ceviche, chaufa, complimentary corn nuts and plenty of pisco at the newcomer.

1324 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 396-1814
(202) 396-1814

DBGB Kitchen and Bar

931 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Daniel Boulud makes his mark on D.C. with this new addition to CityCenterDC in Penn Quarter. He's serving up brasserie fare, sausages, burgers and baked Alaska here.

931 H St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 695-7660
(202) 695-7660

Boss Shepherd's

513 13th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004

This new venture from longtime restaurateur Paul Cohn received early buzz for its fried chicken. High praise from critic Tom Sietsema has also been boosting the restaurant's profile.

513 13th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-2677
(202) 347-2677

Pinea

515 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Barry Koslow, formerly of DGS Delicatessen, is working with European flavors at this revamp of the former J&G Steakhouse. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at the W. Guests are also flocking to the hotel courtesy of the renovated POV lounge on the roof.

515 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 661-2440
(202) 661-2440

Chez Billy Sud

1039 31st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

This second location of Chez Billy has a striking waterfront view, a casual French menu and crowds lining up (especially to sit on the chic patio).

1039 31st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 965-2606
(202) 965-2606

Mama Rouge

3000 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Bangkok Joe's is now Mama Rouge. The menu combines French, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. Banh mi croissants are generating early bunch. It's all happening on the Georgetown waterfront.

3000 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-4422
(202) 333-4422

B Side

Mosaic District, 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA 22031

This new bar from Neighborhood Restaurant Group is adjacent to Red Apron Butchery. There's a solid beer list, and food items like ranch cracklings, pupusas and arepas. The charcuterie selection echoes sister restaurant The Partisan, though this is a smaller operation.

Mosaic District, 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 346-4243
(703) 346-4243

El Camino

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

This new Mexican restaurant from the owners of Sticky Rice and 1905 has provided a new neighborhood option for Bloomingdale. The decor's pretty cool, too.

108 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(613) 422-2800
(613) 422-2800

China Chilcano

418 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The latest offering from DC megachef Jose Andres focuses on Peruvian chifa cuisine. Expect dishes like sushi, chaufa and ceviche. Cocktails emphasize pisco.

418 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 638-1910
(202) 638-1910

Marcel's by Robert Wiedmaier

2401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

Marcel's has always been one of D.C.'s standout fine dining restaurants. Now, a $350,000 design makeover ensures the decor matches the cooking. Robert Wiedmaier's French-influenced fare recently received a 3.5 star rave from Tom Sietsema.

2401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 296-1166
(202) 296-1166

Thip Khao

3462 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Chef Seng Luangrath's Lao cooking already had a cult following in Falls Church at Bangkok Golden. Now, she has a D.C. restaurant to better showcase the complex flavors of the cuisine. The "jungle" menu is particularly unique and spicy.

3462 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

BUL

2431 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

The team from Sakuramen have opened this restaurant (open late to cater to Adams Morgan nightlife participants) of Korean skewers and traditional dishes. The "hangover" soup and seafood pancake are among early favorites.

2431 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 733-3921
(202) 733-3921

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