3 Best Restaurants in Northern Virginia, Virginia

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 19^th-century mathematician Ada Lovelace.

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.