Congratulations to our 2026 Finalists!
Winners will be announced at The RAMMYS on June 29.

Join us there & celebrate with us!
Sponsorships & tickets available now.

The 2026 RAMMYS Awards Finalists

(*denotes publicly voted categories):

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 a minimum of one year by December 31, 2025.

  • Albi

  • Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi

  • Elyse

  • Rania

  • Rooster & Owl

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 a minimum of one year by December 31, 2025.

  • Joon

  • Moon Rabbit

  • Osteria Mozza

  • Pascual

  • Perry’s

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 a minimum of one year by December 31, 2025.

  • Ellē

  • La Bonne Vache

  • Purple Patch

  • Taqueria Xochi

  • Tsehay Ethiopian

Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year: This nominee is a delicatessen, quick-serve restaurant, bakery, mobile food vendor, or coffee shop (with 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, 2025.

  • Andy’s Pizza

  • Call Your Mother

  • Queen Mother’s Kitchen

  • San Pancho

  • Yellow

New Restaurant of the Year: A restaurant that must have opened between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025 and already distinguishes itself as a pacesetter in food, beverage, and hospitality. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW.

  • Elmina

  • ISLA

  • Marcus DC

  • The Occidental

  • Tapori

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 a minimum of one year by December 31, 2025.

  • Bourbon Steak DC

  • Fiola

  • Lulu’s Winegarden

  • Lutèce

  • Maydān

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 may be 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 a minimum of one year by December 31, 2025.

  • Amazonia

  • Cucina MORINI

  • Rania

  • Residents Café & Bar

  • Your Only Friend

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 a minimum of one year by December 31, 2025.

  • Franklin Hall

  • Pizzeria Paradiso

  • Red Bear Brewing Co.

  • Solace Outpost

  • Wunder Garten

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 a minimum of one year by December 31, 2025.

  • Causa

  • Imperfecto

  • Joe & Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

  • MITA

  • Old Ebbitt Grill

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. This category is sponsored by SanPellegrino.

  • Matt Adler, Cucina MORINI and Caruso’s Grocery

  • Amy Brandwein, Centrolina and Piccolina da Centrolina

  • Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss, The Popal Group

  • Rubén García, Casa Teresa

  • Jeremiah Langhorne, The Dabney

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. This category is sponsoredby OpenTable.

  • Paolo Dungca, Kayu

  • Guy-René Gerin, L’Ardente

  • Anthony Jones, Marcus DC

  • Alam Méndez, Apapacho Taqueria

  • Martel Stone, Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi

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

  • Gianpier Flores, The Occidental

  • Bridie McCulla, Northside Social

  • Rosie Nguyen, Rose Ave Bakery

  • Rachel Sherriffe, Marcus DC

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 his/her 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.

  • Trisha Custodio, Sfoglina Van Ness, Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants

  • Todd Hunt, Oak Steakhouse Alexandria

  • Lauren Montana, Pizzeria Paradiso

  • Debby Portillo, 2fifty Texas BBQ

  • Juan Ramirez, Bastille Brasserie & Bar

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.

  • Ingrid Arteaga, Open Road

  • Estela Catarino, Ama

  • José Martínez, MITA

  • Raul Pineda, Perry

  • Jose Luis Salgado, Zinnia

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 five years in the Metropolitan Washington area. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW.

  • David Deshaies and Eric Eden, Garden Hospitality

  • Fernando González, 2fifty Texas BBQ

  • Enrique Limardo and Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger, Seven Reasons Group

  • Michael Rafidi, Albi, Yellow, La' Shukran

  • Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurant Group

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, 2025.

  • Cafe Milano

  • Jane Jane

  • Le Diplomate

  • Old Ebbitt Grill

  • SOST

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, 2025.

  • dLeña

  • I Egg You

  • Matt & Tony's

  • Ruthies All Day

  • Unconventional Diner

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, 2025. This category is sponsored by Perrier.

  • Cana

  • El Presidente

  • Press Club

  • Service Bar

  • Silver Lyan

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, 2025.

  • 2fifty Texas BBQ

  • Celebrity Delly

  • Joia Burger

  • SOKO Butcher

  • Your Only Friend

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 RAMW Executive Committee. These Finalists were announced on March 4, 2026, at RAMW’s State of the Plate.

  • Acme Paper & Supply Co.

  • Coca-Cola Consolidated

  • Events DC

  • Grossman Young & Hammond

  • Preferred Insurance

Winners will be announced at The RAMMYS, held on Monday, June 29, 2026. For the first time, the Awards ceremony will be hosted at the iconic Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater, cultivating a distinguished experience where honorees can celebrate with colleagues, family and industry pioneers, while a dynamically expanded post-awards celebration will invite revelers from all corners of the industry to The Anthem, one of the nation’s most

exciting live music and events venues.