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

Caruso’s Grocery brings its Italian American show to North Bethesda

Look for all the hit dishes from the D.C. original — fried calamari, chicken parmesan, seafood fra diavolo — at chef Matt Adler's Maryland spinoff.

March 31, 2023

Dining Q&A: ‘Why are tattoos popular among restaurant workers?’

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

March 29, 2023

Have questions about dining out? Ask our food critic.

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

March 29, 2023

Tom Sietsema’s 6 favorite places to eat in March

This month's choice dining draws embrace Ethiopian-spiced fried chicken in D.C., terrific Chinese dishes in Maryland and creative American fare in Virginia.

March 27, 2023

Chicatana offers a front-row seat to sublime Mexican cooking in D.C.

The flavors of Guerrero figure large on the menu, which stars tacos, fancy starters and the namesake ants.

March 24, 2023

Dining Q&A: How do you handle a loud dining neighbor in a restaurant?

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

March 22, 2023

Peter Chang’s restaurant empire expands to Columbia, Md. Lucky diners.

A onetime chef at the Chinese Embassy, Peter Chang introduces Yangtze River beef and other delights at his 14th restaurant.

March 17, 2023

Dining Q&A: Is it cool to take leftovers home from restaurants?

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

March 15, 2023

The Bazaar by José Andrés is his dream come true in Washington

The Bazaar, set in the Waldorf Astoria hotel, is a spectacle designed to be a "fun" special occasion retreat.

March 10, 2023

Dining Q&A: Is there a way for restaurants to enforce dress codes?

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

March 8, 2023