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Cucina Morini
Italian
The bar is packed before most tables are seated, which tells you something about how this place operates. Cucina Morini is a Sicilian-leaning Italian restaurant where the menu sprawls in the best way, pastas are made in house and offered in half portions so ordering more feels principled rather than excessive. The chef's James Beard semifinalist nod tracks; the food is careful without announcing itself.
Six honors, in evidence:
The record strongest first
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- Time Out #12 · Best restaurants in Washington, D.C.
- Washingtonian #36 · 100 Very Best Restaurants
- Eater The 38 Essential Restaurants Around D.C.
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic · Matt Adler
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic · Matthew Adler
One number, weighted & current 85
How we scoreThe dishes from the writeups
- Sicilian zuppa di pesce Washingtonian, 2026
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