Must-Have Culinary Experiences

Savouring fresh-out-of-the-water oysters off the half shell. Digging into an impeccable three-course meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Sampling local and ethnic specialties on an enlightening food tour. These are just a few of the incredible food experiences that await in America's Capital Region!

Sensational Local Seafood

The Virginia Oyster Trail and Maryland Crab & Oyster Trail are terrific ways to taste the region’s freshest coastal delights at multiple locations, whilst events like the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake (July) in Crisfield, Maryland, and Urbanna Oyster Festival (November) in Urbanna, Virginia, offer great opportunities to feast with the locals.

You can also learn how oysters are harvested at multiple farms along the Chesapeake Bay, including Pleasure House Oyster Farm Tours on the Lynnhaven River. And no trip is complete without a waterfront meal (or two). Catch a stunning view of the skyline and waterfront from a patio seat at Carrol’s Creek Cafe in Annapolis, Maryland and Vola’s Dockside Grill in Alexandria, Virginia; or wash down Chesapeake oysters with a pint of a local brew at The Salt Line, set along the Anacostia River on Washington, DC’s southeast waterfront.

Follow the (Michelin) Stars

The area’s growing collection of celebrated Michelin-starred eateries is a testament to its impressive population of talented chefs. Virginia’s The Inn at Little Washington became the first in the Capital Region to earn a coveted three-star rating with the guide’s 2019 edition, whilst Washington, DC’s minibar — from famed chef José Andrés — and Aaron Silverman’s Pineapple and Pearls each earned two Michelin stars. Popular one-star restaurants include Eric Ziebold’s Kinship and Nicholas Stefanelli’s Masseria, located near Union Market in the city’s NoMa neighbourhood.

Signature Regional Fare

Find out why travellers journey from near and far to devour the delicious lump crab cakes and other coastal cuisine staples at Old Salty’s Restaurant in Fishing Creek, Maryland; or try locally sourced Appalachian and Southern dishes with modern flare at The Shack in Staunton, Virginia.

Don’t miss a half-smoke (a local sausage delicacy) smothered in zesty chili at Ben’s Chili Bowl's multiple locations in DC, chocolate fudge-covered confections from Baltimore’s Berger Cookies and delicious Virginia ham at Taste of Smithfield.

Try classic American staples like the peanut and chestnut soup at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant in Virginia, where the flavours of early America shine, or Smith Island Cake — Maryland’s official dessert — at Two if By Sea Restaurant in Tilghman Island, where Chef Henry Miller makes an 11-layer version in nearly 20 flavours. Quench your thirst with a mint julep at DC’s Round Robin, a historic bar established in 1847.

Book a Capital Region food tour to take in an array of experiences with the help of a knowledgeable guide. Charm City Food Tours walks visitors through Baltimore’s most famous neighbourhoods to try everything from the city’s best meatballs to award-winning crab cakes, whilst Flavors of Fredericksburg in Virginia guides visitors through the cuisine, history and architecture of the city's downtown district. Meanwhilst, DC Metro Food Tours offers 20 culinary tours in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia with themes like “Gastronomic Georgetown” and “Eastern Market Food Tour.”

Hungry for more flavours of the Capital Region? Check out these classic American diners and three top foodie experiences while you are here!