Our local restaurant scene is such a fantastic part of what makes the Washington, DC region so special. Being nominated for a RAMMY Award is truly an accomplishment. We extend a huge CONGRATULATIONS to each our of 2025 Finalists.

Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: The award is presented to an associate member who best exemplifies commitment to and support of RAMW. This award recipient is determined by the Executive Committee of RAMW. The 2025 Allied Member of the Year Finalists were announced in March 2025 at the RAMW Annual Meeting.

  • Congressional Seafood Co.

  • Harmony Group

  • Keany Produce & Gourmet

  • The Legacy Group, Inc.

  • Preferred Insurance

New Restaurant of the Year: A restaurant that must have opened between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and already distinguishes itself as a pacesetter in food, beverage and hospitality. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW.

  • Ama

  • La' Shukran

  • Kayu

  • Pascual

  • San Pancho

Cocktail Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its craft cocktail program, evaluated separately from its beer, wine or other beverages. Nominees maybe bars, restaurants, or any foodservice establishment with an exemplary cocktail program. The nominee continues to break new ground in the education of its staff. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Amazonia

  • Jane Jane

  • Medina

  • Moon Rabbit

  • Quadrant

Beer Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its beer program. Brewery restaurants and brewpubs are eligible for this category and will be judged based on the diversity and quality of their craft beer. The nominee continues to break new ground in the education of its staff. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Atlas Brew Works

  • Pizzeria Paradiso

  • Red Bear Brewing Co.

  • Tall Boy

  • Astro Beer Hall

Wine Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its wine program. The nominee’s wine program best suits the cuisine and style of the restaurant while enhancing the dining experience. Wine bars are eligible for this category and will be judged based on the diversity and quality of their offerings. The nominee continues to break new ground in the education of its staff. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Era Wine Bar

  • Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique

  • Lulu's Wine Bar

  • Little Blackbird

  • Easy Company

Service Program of the Year: This nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of excellence in service across the restaurant – from the reservation process, to the host station, to every element of the dining experience. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Anju

  • El Cielo

  • Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

  • MITA

  • Xiquet by Danny Lledó

Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a dedication to dining excellence, service, and value in a casual environment. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • 2Fifty Texas BBQ

  • The Falls

  • I Egg You

  • Stellina Pizzeria

  • Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar

Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year: This nominee is a delicatessen, quick-serve restaurant, bakery, mobile food vendor, or coffee shop (with a food menu) that demonstrates a dedication to good food and good service in a fast-casual environment. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2024.

  • Andy's Pizza

  • Emma's Torch

  • La Tejana

  • Love on the Run at Love Makoto

  • Yellow

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service in an upscale casual environment. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • Amparo Fondita

  • King Street Oyster Bar

  • Ometeo

  • Petite Cerise

  • Tail Up Goat

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of excellence in food, service, and atmosphere and shows dedication to sophisticated culinary techniques in a fine dining environment. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business for a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • El Cielo

  • Kappo

  • MITA

  • Pineapple and Pearls

  • Rooster & Owl

Rising Culinary Star of the Year: The nominee is an “up and coming” chef who demonstrates exemplary talent, shows leadership and promise for the future. The nominee must have been based in the Metropolitan Washington area for a minimum of two years. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.

  • Paolo Dungca, Hiraya

  • Fernando Gonzales, 2Fifty Texas BBQ

  • Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, MITA

  • Sarah Ravitz, Shilling Canning Co.

  • Suresh Sundas, Daru

Restaurant Employee of the Year: The nominee is a non-managerial front or back of the house employee who serves as a model employee by displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.

  • Daniel Fuentes, The Madhatter

  • Luis Jara, All Set Restaurant and Bar

  • Keiri Tobar Morales, RPM Italian

  • Juan Sanchez, Café du Parc and Willard’s Peacock Alley

  • Kristen Wilson, Causa/Amazonia

Restaurant Manager of the Year: The nominee is a non-owner manager or general manager in the food service industry who displays the highest level of professionalism and leadership. This person must be an inspiration and mentor to all their co-workers displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.

  • Antonio Chavarria, Metropolitan Hospitality Group

  • Luke Lin, CUT by Wolfgang Puck

  • Lorena Reyes, Founding Farmers

  • Tony Strowd Hamilton, Pizzeria Paradiso

  • Allison Williams, Pascual

Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant pastry chef or baker who prepares desserts, baked goods, or breads and demonstrates a high standard of excellence and culinary artistry. The nominee serves as an inspiration to other food professionals. The nominee must have been a pastry chef or baker for the past three years with a minimum of one year based in the Metropolitan Washington area. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.

  • Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit

  • Carmelo Gil, Petite Cerise

  • Rose Nguyen, Rose Ave Bakery

  • Rachel Sherriffe, formerly at Ellie Bird

  • Alicia Wang, YELLOW/Albi/La' Shukran

Chef of the Year: The nominee is an executive chef or chef de cuisine who demonstrates consistent standards of culinary excellence. The nominee displays a dedication to the artistry of food and may be from any type of establishment. The nominee must have been a chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.

  • Matt Adler, Caruso's Grocery

  • Rubén García Castilla, Casa Teresa

  • Matt Conroy & Isabel Coss, Lutece and Pascual

  • Carlos Delgado, Causa/Amazonia

  • Mike Friedman, Red Hen

Restaurateur of the Year: The nominee must be a working restaurateur or restaurant group who sets high standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for a minimum of 5 years in the Metropolitan Washington area. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW.

  • Tea Ivanovic & Peter Schechter, Immigrant Food

  • Daniel Kramer, Duke's Grocery

  • Seng Luangrath, Baan Mae

  • Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurant Group

  • Cici Yang, Yume Sushi, KYOJIN Sushi, and Rimtang

PUBLIC VOTING CATEGORIES

These four RAMMYS categories give the power to the people! The categories below are the publicly voted categories. Voting will be open May 1st to May 31st at NBCWashington.com/RAMMYS.

Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: This nominee is a restaurant rooted in its neighborhood where guests come to eat, drink, and get together with friends over and over again. The great atmosphere - indoors or outdoors – and good vibes are as important as the food and drink. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • A Baked Joint

  • Balos

  • Chloe

  • The Dew Drop Inn

  • Vagabond Bar and Kitchen

Best Brunch of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service for its brunch in a formal, upscale, or casual environment. Brunch may be offered as full-service, buffet, or prix fixe. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • J. Hollinger's Waterman's Chophouse

  • Josephine

  • Le Diplomate

  • Sequoia

  • Vera Cocina & Bar

Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year: This nominee is a casual restaurant, quick-serve, or mobile food vendor with a menu dedicated to creative and delicious sandwiches that demonstrate excellence and skill. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2024.

  • Ampersandwich at Shilling Canning Co.

  • Queen Mother's

  • Jetties

  • Soko Butcher

  • Your Only Friend

Best Bar of the Year: The nominee is an establishment whose primary focus is beverages in a casual or upscale environment, with or without food. Patrons are there for the drinks, the atmosphere, decor, and the hospitality. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2024.

  • The Green Zone

  • metrobar

  • Service Bar

  • Tune Inn Restaurant and Bar

  • Royal Sands Social Club