From apple tarts to gingerbread chess pie, get into the fall spirit with sweet treats from the city’s best restaurants. 
AhSo
For those looking for a restaurant with locally sourced ingredients, a menu that shifts with the chef’s creativity and a vast wine selection, then AhSo is a must. In addition to their ever-changing seasonal menus, AhSo has specialty nights four times a week including Ramen Night, Taco Tuesday and Fried Chicken Night. As the menu adds new fall flavors, order the local peach cobbler dessert served with ginger ice cream. 22855 Brambleton Plaza #108, Brambleton, Va., 703.327.6600, ahsoresto.com
Ellé
This bakery, bar and restaurant in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood has been voted one of the best restaurants in Washington, DC by local publications, and was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2021. While the cake selection from pastry chef Nayely Villegas is vast, try the honey goat cheese cheesecake with a toasted pecan and almond crumble. Topped with a seasonal fruit garnish, this dish curbs sweet and savory cravings. 3221 Mount Pleasant St. NW, 202.652.0040, eatatelle.com
Rooster and Owl
In Columbia Heights, Rooster and Owl’s four-course, seasonal tasting menu encourages a tapas style meal. Awarded its first Michelin star in 2021, under chef Yuan Tang, the restaurant's menu combines traditionally southern American dishes with flavors ranging from Middle Eastern to Mediterranean and Asian. After dinner, the poached pear gingerbread with old fashioned chess pie, orange chantilly and bourbon ice cream is a must-try fall treat. 2436 14th St. N., 202.813.3976, roosterowl.com
Le Diplomate
Paying tribute to the traditional French brasserie, Le Diplomats’ environment on the 14th St. corridor transports customers to the streets of Paris with an extensive menu of French classics. The decor has French influences too, with wicker back chairs, intricate crown-molding and marble table-tops. Desserts like the apple tart tatin served with vanilla ice cream, streusel and caramel will make you feel like you are dining at a Parisian café on the first chilly day of fall. 1601 14th St. NW, 202.332.3333, lediplomatedc.com
Unconventional Diner
Serving up comfort food from a wide variety of cuisines, Unconventional Diner’s cuisine ranges from southern comfort to South and Central American to East Asian and more. Located in the Shaw neighborhood, this spot received their first Michelin star this year under Chef David Deshaies, who was also the recipient of the 2020 Chef of the Year Award from The Rammys. Order the Fig Tart with spiced rum and pear sauce or the basque burnt cheesecake from their expansive menu. 1207 Ninth St. NW, 202.847.0122, unconventionaldiner.com
Raskia
Raskia’s modern Indian dishes by Chef Vikram Sunderam, a muti-time James Beard Award winner and nominee for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic, merge authentic regional Indian cuisine with a sharable, tapas style dining experience. Raskia has locations in Penn Quarter and the West End, each with differing menus. From their dessert list, the apple jalebi (beignet) with cardamom ice cream is the perfect way to end a meal. Multiple locations, rasikarestaurant.com
Piccolina
Simple Italian cuisine is chef and owner Amy Brandwein’s specialty. Her cooking was inspired by her travels through Italy, and she is a four time finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Mid-Atlantic award. Piccolina is well known for its desserts and pastries, like the seasonal spiced cake with salted caramel buttercream and fruit, which is a part of Brandwein’s seasonal menu rotations. 963 Palmer Alley NW, 202.804.5713, piccolinadc.com
Crazy Aunt Helen’s
Known for their southern style comfort food for brunch, lunch and dinner, as well as a creative cocktail list, Crazy Aunt Helen’s is a neighborhood restaurant on Barrack’s Row in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The decor could be described as grandma-chic, with wicker chairs and brightly painted furniture that certainly lives up to Crazy Aunt Helen’s name. Order the doughnut bread pudding topped with rum caramel and brown sugar whipped cream for a decadent dessert that evokes feelings of childhood Sunday mornings. 713 Eighth St. SE, 202.750.8140, crazyaunthelens.com
Equinox Restaurant
Located only a block from the White House, Equinox Restaurant is a family-owned eatery dedicated to serving modern-American cuisine with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Head chef and owner of Equinox, Todd Gray, is a five-time nominee for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic Award. On this season’s menu, order the black mission fig cheesecake with pecan crust and lemon vanilla custard for dessert. 818 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202.331.8118, equinoxrestaurant.com
Blue Duck Tavern
Blue Duck Tavern is one of the original farm-to-table restaurants in DC, priding itself on slow-roasted American cuisine with bold flavors and an expansive wine selection from their personal cellar. Located in the Georgetown neighborhood and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Blue Duck Tavern is known for its beautiful outdoor dining space and great service. For dessert, order their apple pie for two and enjoy the freshest local ingredients. 1201 24th St. NW, 202.419.6755, blueducktavern.com
Photography by: Kristiana Pinne/Unsplash
