New Dining Destination Malabar to Open in Northwest Washington

Published on December 5, 2025

Washington’s Forest Hills neighborhood is set for a significant culinary shift that many travelers will find appealing. Knightsbridge Restaurant Group has confirmed that Rosedale will close in mid-December 2025. The space at 4465 Connecticut Avenue NW will reopen as Malabar in mid-January 2026. The new restaurant will bring modern Indian fare shaped by the flavors of the Malabar Coast. Visitors exploring the northwest quadrant of the nation’s capital will soon discover a refreshed dining stop that sits within walking distance of the Van Ness UDC Metro station.

Malabar will be guided by Group Executive Chef Vikram Sunderam, whose long presence within the Knightsbridge portfolio has shaped several destination dining experiences across Washington. Travelers searching for flavorful regional Indian cuisine will likely be drawn toward this new opening, especially as its concept reflects a region defined by spices, coconuts, and centuries of global interaction.

A Coastal Identity Rooted in the Malabar Region

The restaurant takes its name from the Malabar Coast, located in the southwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. The area has long been recognized for its spice-rich landscape. This coastal belt has been framed between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, covering parts of Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod in Kerala.

Its long history as a global trading hub has often attracted merchants from Arabia, China, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Kozhikode was once considered a thriving port city where spices such as pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon were exchanged for goods including gold, silk, and porcelain. This layered cultural identity informs Malabar’s dining program and positions it as an appealing stop for travelers seeking flavors linked to a celebrated spice trading past.

The décor will support this coastal influence. Malabar will introduce striking artwork within its 100-seat dining room, designed to reflect the region’s natural and cultural spirit. The 30-seat patio will shift toward a more tropical atmosphere as summer returns to Washington in 2026. These elements are expected to create a warm setting for visitors who enjoy outdoor dining during pleasant weather.

A Destination Shaped by Chef Vikram Sunderam’s Culinary Legacy

Malabar’s opening will be guided by the expertise of James Beard award-winning Chef Sunderam, who has been with Knightsbridge Restaurant Group for two decades. He joined the company with the opening of Rasika in Penn Quarter and has since shaped the cuisine at Rasika West End. His work also extends to the menus of Bindaas and Bindaas Bowls and Rolls.

Travelers who follow Washington’s dining scene may recognize his influence as a defining force behind some of the city’s most notable restaurants. His published cookbook Rasika: Flavors of India, created with Ashok Bajaj and David Hagedorn, has highlighted his approach to Indian flavors. Malabar will continue that trajectory by showcasing dishes inspired by coastal traditions.

The opening menu will introduce a range of appetizers, entrées, and desserts that reflect the culinary richness of India’s southwestern coastline. Visitors exploring Washington often look for memorable dining stops, and the diversity of this menu will likely support that interest.

How Travelers Often Engage With Culinary Places

Many travelers tend to seek restaurants that offer strong cultural perspectives. Spaces shaped by regional storytelling may allow visitors to connect with the essence of a destination, even when experienced far from its origins. A refreshed dining room, a defined culinary identity, and a setting close to public transit often enhance this appeal.

New restaurants with clear thematic direction may attract guests who enjoy discovering flavors rooted in specific histories. When such places are located in walkable neighborhoods, they often become natural additions to itineraries built around exploration, culture, and local discovery.

A Preview of Malabar’s Coastal Menu

The early menu for Malabar will showcase several coastal appetizers priced at $16. These include Malabar Crab Cake with fennel, black pepper, and tempered mayo. Scallops Caldine prepared with sea scallops, coconut, green chili, and cilantro will also appear. Travelers interested in Goan flavors will find Goan Lamb Cutlet with Peri-Peri Masala, Vindaloo chutney, and straw potatoes.

Coastal entrées will range between $22 and $34. Options include Malabar Black Cod seasoned with ginger, tamarind, jaggery, and curried potatoes. Seafood lovers may prefer Seafood Coastal Bouillabaisse featuring shrimp, mussels, rockfish, and coconut milk. Mangalorean Chicken Curry with fresh coconut, garlic, fenugreek, and coriander seeds will appear beside Lamb Shank with roasted coconut, green cardamom, and fennel. Malabari Lamb Biryani will be prepared with Kaima rice, aromatic spices, raisins, cashew nuts, and onion tomato raita.

Vegetarian entrées priced at $20 will feature Dakshini Vegetable Korma, built from seasonal vegetables, poppy seeds, cinnamon, and cloves. Bhindi Pepper Fry will include onion, tomatoes, and Tellicherry black pepper.

Dessert will present Chocolate Bebinca with chocolate ice cream and Banana Toffee Paniyaram with coconut ice cream, each priced at $12. Travelers exploring Washington’s dining scene often look for distinctive sweets, and these selections reflect coastal traditions while fitting into a contemporary menu.

Part of a Larger Culinary Collection

Malabar will join an established group of Washington restaurants built by Knightsbridge Restaurant Group. This collection includes Rasika, Rasika West End, Bombay Club, Bindaas, Bindaas Bowls and Rolls, Sababa, Annabelle, La Bise, and Little Blackbird. The group is known for shaping destination dining across Washington while also supporting relaxed neighborhood settings. Malabar will extend that combination by offering modern Indian coastal fare to residents and visitors exploring Forest Hills.

Image Source: AI