Northern Virginia Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Northern Virginia - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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We’ve compiled the best of the best in Northern Virginia - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
Soaring ceilings, a woodsy lakeside location, and a koi pond make this one of the most striking dining rooms in the area. Executive chef Bertrand Chemel's introduction to cooking began with an apprenticeship at a French bakery, and his flair for rising dough shows. The playful cuisine continually surprises with a five-course tasting menu that changes monthly. Diners can also order à la carte.
This classic raw bar is consistently busy thanks to a nice mix of locals and visitors. No doubt it's because the oysters, clams, and lobster rolls are incredibly fresh, and the wine list is great. The restaurant also offers several daily specials highlighting local and seasonal ingredients, as well as fantastic soups, salads, and small plates. The rooftop dining area is superb.
A 90-minute drive from the District takes you past hills and farms to the English-style country manor that is the site of this well-regarded hotel restaurant. The service matches the setting, and diners can choose items from two menus: Gastronauts (contemporary endeavors) or Good Earth (vegetarian), both of which have dishes that rotate daily. Wine pairings are offered for an additional price. Desserts are fanciful, and the smart cheese selections are overseen by a maître de fromage. There’s also a new, more casual restaurant, Patty O’s Café and Bakery, across the street. The inn also offers 23 sumptuous guest rooms created by Joyce Evans, a London stage and set designer.
The Arlington outpost of star chef José Andrés’ beloved tapas bars brings Spanish flavors to downtown Crystal City. Small plates made for sharing include shrimp, scallops, and pork, as well as fritters, salads, and Spanish cheeses. Try the sangria (red and white), which is mixed table-side. High ceilings, bright colors, and designs on the walls contribute to an inviting and spacious feel. Stop in the wine shop—it’s the only one in the region to feature all-Spanish wines. There are other branches of Jaleo in D.C. as well.
Authentic, friendly, and local, the Kabob Palace is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The chicken, lamb, and spicy beef kabobs are cooked to perfection and best dipped in chutney sauce and chased with a bite of naan. The sides vary, but rice and chickpeas are usually favorites.
The depth of Mason Social's seasonal menu has made it a hit since its opening in 2015. Adventurous eaters will relish options like the marrow burger while those happier with more traditional staples will be delighted with the fried green tomatoes or pan-seared rockfish. A mix of signature and classic cocktails provides plenty of boozy drinks to choose from.
Be sure to make reservations because foodies flock here for a taste of its award-winning Modern American cuisine. Vermilion favors locally sourced, sustainable ingredients, though quality trumps local here, so you may find Parisian gnocchi alongside Maryland crab croquettes on this mid-Atlantic menu. Don't miss the fantastic homemade pasta, bread, and desserts.
The first thing you notice, whether you’re sitting outside on the breezy dock or inside in the window-filled dining space, are the spectacular Potomac River views. But what sets Ada’s apart is the fact that most of the dishes touch the grill before leaving the open kitchen—so you have wood-fired steaks and smoked swordfish, but also singed gem lettuce and charcoal-burned brioche. The combination promises an unforgettable meal. The name is an homage to 19th-century mathematician Ada Lovelace.
If there's a recipe for a perfect country inn restaurant, chef Jonathan Martin and sommelier Stephen Elhafdi have it. Head about an hour west of D.C. into Virginia hunt country, and your reward is extraordinary comfort food. À la carte menu items—like thyme-roasted pork with sweet potato purée or pan-seared chicken breast with mushrooms and lentils—are made with fresh local ingredients and presented in an intimate setting. You can order à la carte or indulge in the chef's tasting menu, both of which change seasonally. The inn also offers ten rooms, some with fireplaces and all with made-to-order country breakfast.
Shipping containers floating atop the Potomac River comprise this Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant in Old Town. The lunch and dinner menus feature small plates: patatas bravas, ham croquetas, and Spanish octopus salad. You can also savor meats and cheeses from Greece and Spain, miniature sandwiches, and more. The summery drink menu features ciders, beers, and wine—though order the stone fruit sangria to put you in a beachy kind of mood. The indoor wine bar is nice especially in winter.
With a huge salad bar and a large, ever-changing assortment of good, hot pizzas, this is a great place to stop for a late dinner Friday or Saturday. Every day, this pizza place also offers an all-you-can-eat pizza and salad lunch buffet for $9.25. Upstairs, the authentic sports bar is loaded with interesting memorabilia, heavy on hockey—the personable owner used to play in the NHL. Catch every game you can imagine on their 16 TVs.
Fans of cheese and wine will fall in love with this adorable retail shop and restaurant. With more than 200 cheeses from local and domestic creameries, a large selection of less available wines, and an extensive menu that covers every fan favorite from grilled cheese to mac 'n' cheese, visitors will find themselves in cheese heaven. Chat with experienced cheese mongers to find new delights or delicious staples. Enjoy cheese boards with wine pairings. Make room in your suitcase for a variety of dry goods and adorable cheese and wine essentials.
The Vietnamese dishes at this small family restaurant are made from fresh, organic ingredients—as are their specialty smoothies, bubble tea, and coffee. The expected dishes are all deliciously there, but they’re always experimenting with something new, such as Viet shaking beef and salted egg shrimp. There’s even a keto section on the menu.
A branch of a popular Georgetown pub, Clyde's has four art deco dining rooms, one or more of which may be devoted to private parties. The Palm Terrace has high ceilings and lots of faux greenery; less formal dining rooms adjoin each other and a couple of bars. Clyde's mostly attracts workers from the nearby corporate buildings, who appreciate the attentive service and high-quality fare. The lengthy, eclectic menu always includes fresh fish dishes, such as trout Parmesan. The wine list is equally long.
Built in 1883 in the heart of Old Town and used as an actual firehouse, this historic building now just off bustling King Street houses a popular brasserie with a barroom, atrium, and patio.
As its name suggests, tacos of every variety are the specialty at this lively spot in the heart of Alexandria's busy King Street. From tacos to rice bowls, burritos, and small plates for sharing, Don Taco's menu will make you crave more than just one item. Save room for dessert and, of course, for the tequila selection.
In the heart of the historic district, this circa-1789 tavern provides a taste of the interior decoration, cuisine, and entertainment of the early Republic. A strolling balladeer usually makes the rounds on Friday and Saturday nights. The tavern was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, who is commemorated on the menu: George Washington's Favorite is half a duck grilled with scalloped potatoes, corn pudding, rhotekraut (sweet and sour red cabbage), and a port wine orange glace. Brunch is served on Sunday.
This King Street restaurant serves up New England comfort dishes with a Chesapeake twist—it’s where lobster rolls meet Maryland crabs and Old Bay fries. The menu changes daily, and a large chalkboard identifies the day’s oyster offerings, which include varieties from near and far. Hankering for a late-night bite? The raw bar is half-price from 10 pm–midnight. There are two Hank’s location in Washington, D.C. and a sister restaurant nearby in Alexandria, Hank’s Pasta Bar, which serves delicious pasta and Italian dishes.
Inside an old building just one block from the Potomac, Il Porto's interior is reminiscent of Italy, with plaster walls, exposed wooden beams, and checkered tablecloths. The menu includes traditional Italian versions of veal, seafood, pasta, and chicken. Healthful touches include whole-wheat pasta and organic wines. On weekend nights the cozy dining room can get crowded.
This isn’t your grandmother’s taverna—Kapnos ditches traditional elements like stucco white walls in favor of sleek concrete and steel, and a vibe that reminds you you’re in one of Ballston’s trendiest spots. This modern Greek eatery anchors Top Chef contestant Mike Isabella’s Arlington restaurant empire; around the corner you’ll find noodles at Yona and Mexican food at Pepita. The menu focuses on coastal-inspired dishes and food from the Greek Islands—there’s a raw bar and a wide range of mezze (small plates), with options ranging from falafel to spit-roasted lamb or swordfish kebab. There’s a sister restaurant in Washington D.C. with a menu that favors roasted meats and Northern Greek cuisine over seafood.
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