Tom Sietsema

Washington, D.C.

Food critic

Education: Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service

Tom Sietsema has been The Washington Post's food critic since 2000. In leaner years, he worked for the Microsoft Corp., where he launched sidewalk.com; the Seattle Post-Intelligencer; the San Francisco Chronicle; and the Milwaukee Journal. A graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, he has also written for Food & Wine, Gourmet, GQ, Travel & Leisure and other national publications. In 2016, he received an award from the James Beard Foundation for his series identifying and rating the "10 Best Food Cities in America" the previous year.
Latest from Tom Sietsema

Have questions about dining out? Ask our food critic.

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema entertains your dining questions, rants and raves.

May 1, 2024
Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET, Tom Sietsema answers your questions about dining out.

Our food critic’s 5 favorite spots right now: Afghan, Indian, Italian

Tom Sietsema’s of-the-moment restaurant recommendations include new restaurants in Georgetown, Bethesda and D.C.’s Mount Pleasant.

April 23, 2024
The spicy shinwari karahi at Afghania in Georgetown.

Dining chat: Why are restaurants rushing diners through meals? We aren’t lingerers.

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema entertains your dining questions, rants and raves.

April 17, 2024
Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET, Tom Sietsema answers your questions about dining out.

Pascual raises the bar for Mexican cooking in D.C.

At Pascual on Capitol Hill, chefs Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss deploy smoke, spice and skill to create a singular menu.

April 12, 2024
Tlayuda dressed with asparagus, mint salsa verde, smoked herbed yogurt and unsalted white cheese.

Dining chat: I complained to a FaceTiming diner and he came back to confront me

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema entertains your dining questions, rants and raves.

April 10, 2024
Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET, Tom Sietsema answers your questions about dining out.

Dining chat: What do you do when diners ignore the dress code?

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema entertains your dining questions, rants and raves.

April 3, 2024
Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET, Tom Sietsema answers your questions about dining out.

At a new Georgetown spot, $12 gets you a burger with a French accent

At La Bonne Vache, two couples with different ideas create a restaurant in Georgetown that casts a wider net with French fare and burgers.

March 29, 2024
The steak au poivre burger at La Bonne Vache.

Dining chat: I found glass in my food and was still charged for dinner

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema entertains your dining questions, rants and raves.

March 27, 2024
Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET, Tom Sietsema answers your questions about dining out.

Our food critic’s picks for burgers, kebabs and Vietnamese food

Food critic Tom Sietsema’s current picks include Istanbul Grill, District Bistro and Moon Rabbit.

March 26, 2024

A veteran chef’s return makes Vermilion a destination again

Chef Tony Chittum comes back to Vermilion in Old Town Alexandria after a stint at Iron Gate in D.C., and the results are luscious.

March 22, 2024
Fried oysters at Vermilion in Old Town Alexandria.