Ellē | Mt Pleasant DC Bib Gourmand
Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in Mount Pleasant DC known for sourdough bread and fermentation-forward dinner menu. Reserve on Resy.
Ellē began as a bakery on Mt Pleasant Street and evolved into a full dinner restaurant, keeping the fermentation ethos at the center of everything. The restaurant has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for consistently inventive, accessible cooking.
Mount Pleasant bakery-turned-dinner spot where fermentation is the religion — sourdough loaves sell out by noon and the dinner menu builds on the same house cultures. Sit at the counter by the open kitchen.
Ellē is a Michelin Bib Gourmand bakery-turned-dinner restaurant on Mt Pleasant Street in Washington DC, built around fermentation — sourdough loaves sell out before noon, and the dinner menu builds on the same house cultures.
Ellē is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Mount Pleasant restaurant opened 2019 by chef Micheline Mendelsohn where fermentation is the foundational technique — the sourdough loaves sell out by noon, the cultured butter and whey caramel are produced from the same house starter, and a short frequently-changing dinner menu builds on house-made pasta and seasonal fermented vegetables.
At a glance
- Address
- 3221 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC 20010, Washington, DC
- Price range
- $$
- Cuisine
- Fermentation Forward American, Bakery, Contemporary American, Fermentation, Pasta
- Phone
- (202) 652-0040
Common questions
What is Ellē known for?
Ellē is known for its sourdough bread — loaves baked fresh daily that sell out before noon — and a dinner menu built around fermentation techniques. Cultured butter, whey caramel, and house-fermented vegetables appear throughout the menu.
Does Ellē take reservations?
Yes — dinner reservations are available through Resy. The daytime cafe and bread sales operate on a walk-in basis.
Why is Ellē on the Michelin Guide?
Michelin awarded Ellē a Bib Gourmand for its technically accomplished, fermentation-forward cooking at a fair price point. The consistency of the bread program and the creativity of the dinner menu both contributed.
Where is Ellē located?
Ellē is at 3221 Mt Pleasant St NW in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, a residential corridor in upper northwest DC.
Is Ellē good for solo dining?
Yes — the counter seats overlooking the open kitchen are among the best solo dining seats in DC. The small, focused menu and warm neighborhood atmosphere make it easy to dine alone without feeling awkward.