New York Times Gives High Praise To DC Food Scene

The New York Times has released its list of the top 46 places to visit in 2013 worldwide, and sitting among tropical getaways and exotic locals is Washington, DC – but the reason DC makes the list might surprise you.

The area’s food scene, not its world-class museums, place DC at No. 44 on The Times' list. “A new food scene to welcome a renewed administration,” reads the title on DC’s listing. After years of snarky restaurant competition between the cultural capital of the United States and the country’s actual capital city, has an olive branch been extended?

Times writer Ann Mah points out several DC establishments, including Northeast’s new Union Market, Mike Isabella’s Italian restaurant Graffito, H Street’s Toki Underground and Dupont Circle’s Little Serow. DC museums do get a nod with the mention of the Smithsonian’s new permanent exhibit, “Food: Transforming America’s Table 1950-2000.”

DC is one of seven U.S. cities listed in the rankings—and the last one mentioned at No. 44, so maybe some of that NYC-DC competition is still there.

Do you think DC deserves to be on the list? What do you consider the area’s best food scene?