Summer Restaurant Week

Summer Restaurant Week is back at exactly the right moment, when a good excuse to book dinner feels more useful than another plan involving a rooftop. From August 24 through 30, restaurants across the DMV are serving three-course menus for brunch, lunch and dinner, with participating spots ranging from neighborhood staples and newer openings to some of the area's most celebrated dining rooms. The fun is in using the week strategically. Pick a place you've been meaning to try, revisit a favorite at a lower-stakes price point, or use the menus to finally settle an argument about which restaurant is worth the reservation. With menus and participating restaurants already rolling out, it is worth browsing before the week begins rather than waiting until your usual Friday-night panic. This is one local dining tradition that works best when you treat it as an excuse to explore, not just a discount.