18 November 2025
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Two new restaurants have been awarded the prestigious MICHELIN Bib Gourmand award in Washington, D.C.
PhoXotic
Cuisine: Vietnamese
It's strictly first come, first serve at this compact spot in Bloomingdale just north of the Union Market district. Some order takeout at the touch screen, while others pull up a seat at the counter and order via QR code. It's all very straightforward, as is the menu with a narrow focus on spring and summer rolls, as well as impressive pho. Chef Hai Le has a background in butchering, perhaps best seen in signatures like the Butcher’s Choice with brisket, bone-in rib and beef shank, or The Works, with an array of different cuts topped with torched bone marrow. The broth is rich and savory, and while set bowls are always a good choice, the build-your-own option is equally appealing. Order a Vietnamese iced coffee or salted lime soda to go with these skillfully made offerings.
Your Only Friend
Cuisine: Gastropub
Your Only Friend blends the laid-back feel of a neighborhood sandwich shop with the polish of a cocktail bar. The menu is cheeky—think sandwiches like the "Hot Nug" with chicken nuggets and Nashville hot sauce, the “Caul Me Maybe,” a roasted cauliflower number, or the "Mortz & Mootz" piled with mortadella, mozzarella and pickled red pepper jelly. Not everything is between the bread, and rotating specials might include blue cheese-brined wings with a crispy coating and their self-described strip mall-style garlic parm. Sides like Seattle fries and pimento dip, as well as bar snacks like miso Chex mix are a worthy order. The cocktail list is short but sharp, with drinks like the orange creamsicle-tasting Irish Cream Soda.
The Complete List of Bib Gourmands 2025
Amparo Fondita
Cuisine: Mexican
Astoria DC
Cuisine: Asian
Cane
Cuisine: Caribbean
Daru
Cuisine: Indian
Dauphine's
Cuisine: Creole
Ellē
Cuisine: Contemporary
Hitching Post
Cuisine: Southern
Ivy City Smokehouse
Cuisine: Seafood
Karizma Modern Indian
Cuisine: Indian
L’Ardente
Cuisine: Italian
La Tejana
Cuisine: Mexican
Laos in Town
Cuisine: South East Asian
Lapis
Cuisine: Afghan
Maketto
Cuisine: Asian
Menya Hosaki
Cuisine: Japanese
Oyamel
Cuisine: Mexican
PhoXotic
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Queen’s English
Cuisine: Chinese
Residents Cafe & Bar
Cuisine: Contemporary
Sababa
Cuisine: Mediterranean Cuisine
Stellina Pizzeria
Cuisine: Pizza
Taqueria Habanero
Cuisine: Mexican
The Red Hen
Cuisine: Italian
Toki Underground
Cuisine: Japanese
Unconventional Diner
Cuisine: American
Yellow
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Your Only Friend
Cuisine: Gastropub
Zaytinya
Cuisine: Mediterranean Cuisine
Related Reads: The Full List of Recommended Restaurants
Hero image: ©Vina Sananikone/Your Only Friend
