40 Best Restaurants in Northern Virginia, Virginia

A modern take on Southern dining, Ruthie’s offers meat-and-three (or two), meaning diners pick a meat dish and their choice of sides. Most of the meats—running from brisket to salmon to strip loin—are prepared on a smoker or wood grill, while the crisp-topped macaroni and cheese is the most popular side. But be sure to read the menu, because options change seasonally. The herbs are grown at the restaurant’s community garden plot. The green-and-white diner-style interior is a little sterile; the patio is the perfect place to be on a pleasant day.

A popular choice for locals, this barbecue joint is known for brisket, daily specials, and some of the best happy hour deals in town. If you're visiting for lunch, get there either on the earlier or later side to avoid the business crowds. When the weather is fine, enjoy a cocktail on their pup-friendly sidewalk patio.

Whitewashed stucco walls and colorful macramé tapestries bring a bit of the Mediterranean to the center of Old Town. The menu takes diners on a trip around Greece—each dish identifies its region of origin, and the whole country is represented. Favorites include exohikon (lamb baked in a pastry shell) and fish sautéed with artichokes. Thursday evenings bring live music, and if you are so moved, plates for breaking are free for the asking—opa! A buffet brunch is served on Sunday.

This popular neighborhood restaurant with funky decor is known for its weekend brunches and freshly squeezed margaritas. Tacos are a mix of traditional like carnitas and al pastor, as well as fun, such as fried chicken and cauliflower. The complimentary chips and salsa are surprisingly delightful.

Housed in what was once a feed house in the 1800s (now beautifully restored with reclaimed wood, antique bricks, and glass panes), this lively American tavern serves an all-day menu and weekend brunch, and has a club-like feel on weekend nights. You can sample a wide variety of selections with a seasonal bent, from red wine–braised short ribs and pasta puttanesca to a grilled chicken BLT or a quinoa salad.  Make reservations, especially on weekends, because the large space gets packed quickly!