New hotspots to visit for D.C. Summer Restaurant Week

D.C. Summer Restaurant Week runs Aug. 12-18 and there are tons of new restaurants on our hit list.

Why it matters: It's a fun excuse to check out a buzzy hotspot — especially for lunch or brunch , when you'll find the best deals.

How it works: Over 300 participating DMV restaurants are offering multi-course lunch and brunch menus for $25 or $35 per person, and dinner menus priced at $40, $55 or $65.

The big picture: Just as the big D.C.-area promo is winding down, Alexandria Restaurant Week kicks off Aug. 16-25 for multi-course dinners.

The intrigue: Diners can cruise around during both restaurant weeks courtesy of Potomac Water Taxi , which is offering 60%-off rides to and from Alexandria, the Wharf, Georgetown, and National Harbor from Aug. 12-25 (use promo code SummerRW24).

Our top new picks:

🦆 Mallard (Logan Circle): Southern chef Hamilton Johnson (ex Vidalia ) leads this low country dining room, opening Tuesday in the longtime Birch & Barley space. Dishes like duck wings and shrimp n' grits are matched with fun drinks, including beers from Churchkey bar above or spiked lemonades. $55 dinner

🫒 Namak (Adams Morgan): The breezy Mediterranean newcomer's dinner deal includes one salad, dip, or mezze — we love the olive-pomegranate salad or crispy sesame feta — plus an entree like grilled lamb or shrimp, and dessert. $55 dinner

🍸 Pastis (Union Market): Le Diplomate's swinging sib packs its brasserie-style menu with everything from steak frites to oysters and pastas, plus throwback desserts. $35 lunch and brunch, $55 dinner

🌮 Ometeo (Tysons): The strapping Tex-Mex spot — which has a great outdoor bar for frozen margs — does it up for Restaurant Week , serving enchilada and fajita platters, seafood dishes and a big brunch. $35 lunch and brunch, dinner ($40 and $55)

🍣 Bar Japonais (Logan Circle): 14th Street's new izakaya from Bar Chinois serves up creative sashimi plates, Japanese-style burgers and chocolate-miso mousse for Restaurant Week. $55 dinner

🍝 Cucina Morini (Mt. Vernon Triangle): Chef Matt Adler rolls out big, generous Restaurant Week menus at his chic new Italian – especially for brunch , when you'll find $10 cocktails and lots of sweet and savory options like trendy stuffed croissants . $25 brunch, $40 dinner

🔥 Kiln (Alexandria): Old Town's swanky new Hotel Heron is home to this wood-fired locavore restaurant, perfect for date night — especially with rooftop bar cocktails. We're eyeingthe ember-roasted cabbage and crispy pork with peaches. $50 dinner

⛲ Ilili (The Wharf): The garden-esque waterfront Lebanese restaurant is participating in Restaurant Week for the first time with a mix of salads, dips and grilled plates. $35 lunch