WASHINGTON — DC Mayor Muriel Bowser took the podium at the Anacostia Art Center Monday to kick off DMV Black Restaurant Week, which spans the District, Maryland and Virginia every November, as well as to discuss improvements to food access in Wards 7 and 8.
This year’s theme for DMV Black Restaurant Week—reshaping our community through ownership and luxury—will highlight Black entrepreneurs who are expanding their brands to underserved communities while simultaneously starting and co-founding luxury brands and businesses.
Bowser provided $10,000 in funding to support the week's efforts, according to her office. The week lasts from Nov. 6 through Nov. 13.
"We already know we have talent and we are also asking for people to support our talent, especially during this week, which happens to be DMV Black Restaurant Week," she said.
The mayor said the city helped launch DMV Black Restaurant Week in 2018, all to support local entrepreneurs.
A list of the restaurants featured is below. Many are offering deals for restaurant week; reach out to individual establishments to learn about their offerings.
Restaurants offering prix fixe 3-course:
- Po Boy Jim
- 709 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
- Moi Moi
- 1627 K ST NW Washington, DC 20006
- Stop Smack’n Restaurant & Lounge
- 1839 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
- All Set Restaurant and Bar
- Plaza 5, 8630 Fenton St, Silver Spring, MD 20910
- Miss Toya's Creole House
- 923 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910
- The Gathering Spot DC
- 1720 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006
- Suga & Spice
- 5557 Baltimore Ave Suite 100, Hyattsville, MD 20781
- Creole on 14th
- 3345 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010
- Bammy's Navy Yard
- 301 Water Street SE Washington DC 20003
- Gueny Cafe and Market
- 5320 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011
2022 DMV Black Restaurant Week Casual + Take-Out + Cafes + Pop-Ups:
- Ruby's Southern Kitchen
- 14207 Old Annapolis Rd Suite A, Bowie, MD 20720
- Queen Mother's
- 918 South Lincoln Street, #2 Arlington, VA | Located Inside La Cocina Cafe
- The Welle Made Co.
- 8538 Terminal Rd O, Lorton, VA 22079
- Fry Guy Southern Homestyle Cuisine
- 7601 Airpark Rd, STE B Gaithersburg, MD 20879 and another location in Capitol Heights, Maryland
- Shuck Shack
- 1100 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA 22202
- Messy Treatz
- 11847U Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033
- Jerk At Nite
- 2149 Queens Chapel Road NE Washington, DC 20018 and additional locations
- Crop Eats
- Find markets across the DMV area. Click here to view locations.
- Spice Kitchen West African Grill
- 3809 Rhode Island Ave Brentwood, MD 20722
- Chef Skip Seafood
- 715 Euclid St NW Washington, DC 20001
- Ka'ribbean Fire
- 13 Shining Willow Way La Plata, MD 20646
- Mélange DC
- 449 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Mr Fries Man
- 8147 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
- Ben’s Chili Bowl
- 1213 U St. NW, Washington, DC 20009, with another location on H Street
- FishScale Burgers
- 637 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
- DCity Smokehouse
- 203 Florida Ave NW, Washington DC 20001
Find additional businesses celebrated by DMV Black Restaurant Week, including food trucks, caterers and retail establishments, by clicking here.
Bowser shared at her kick-off press conference Monday that the city also continues to invest in helping restaurants bounce back and grow stronger post-pandemic lockdowns, especially through the Food Access Fund. The mayor announced in 2021 that the new initiative was created to bring more restaurants to the area, whose residents have continuously seen inequities in food access.
"They don't want to always have to cross a bridge or go into Maryland to enjoy their restaurants and enjoy great food," the mayor said.
The mayor said Monday that the $58 million fund will now swell to $73 million. That's because the city has already awarded grants to 15 businesses to open or expand into Ward 7 and 8, and now seven new businesses will receive grants along with three others that will receive additional funding.
Bowser also announced that the fourth round of the Food Access Fund will open in a little over a month, on Dec. 12. Nearly $11 million dollars in funding will be available. Eligible businesses and grantees can visit dmped.dc.gov/page/food-access-fund to learn more.
The Mayor said the 10 businesses that have already been chosen to receive awards this year are the following:
- Mélange DC
- Café Poulet
- Darnell's At The Museum
- Ivy City Tavern
- Sweet Tooth
- Las Placitas
The mayor also specifically acknowledged the Michelin-recognized chefs at Ivy City Tavern and Mélange.