Best Restaurants in Northern Virginia of 2020

See our 2022 Best Restaurants list here.

What makes a Best Restaurant?

That’s not as simple a question as it once was. Besides the obvious factors of food, service and atmosphere, there’s more to consider this year. I removed at least one restaurant from contention due to poor mask compliance.

But even more has changed this year. Because so many restaurants are currently closed or are only offering takeout, we made the difficult decision to abbreviate our list this time around. That means I picked the 30 restaurants that I thought were doing the very best dine-in service.

Sadly, the smaller number also means that plenty of eligible restaurants didn’t make the list this year. I’m hopeful that enough eateries will have opened or reopened next year that we’ll be back to a 50 Best Restaurants list. Until then, be safe and dine with aplomb.

The Top 10 Restaurants of 2020

No. 1: The Ashby Inn & Restaurant

Paris / Modern American / $$$$*
The Paris restaurant is country living at its finest. READ REVIEW >>

No. 2: The Conservatory at Goodstone Inn

Middleburg / Modern American / $$$$
This Middleburg property exists for elegant meals in a space that will wow. READ REVIEW >>

No. 3: L’Auberge Chez François

Great Falls / French / $$$$
Head to Great Falls when it’s time to impress a Francophile. READ REVIEW >>

No. 4: Cocina on Market

Leesburg / Mexican / $$
It’s always a good idea to order the specials at this Leesburg Mexican restaurant. READ REVIEW >>

No. 5: Trummer’s

Clifton / American / $$$
Let the stress melt away at this comfortable Clifton restaurant. READ REVIEW >>

No. 6: The Conche

Leesburg / Eclectic / $$$
There’s no better medicine than a meal at this Leesburg restaurant. READ REVIEW >>

N0. 7: 2941

Falls Church / Modern American / $$$$
You won’t expect the excellence of this Falls Church hidden gem. READ REVIEW >>

No. 8: Field & Main

Marshall / Modern American / $$$
Head to Marshall for farm-to-table fare and service that satisfies. READ REVIEW >>

No. 9: SER

Arlington / Spanish / $$$
Indulge your taste for Spanish flair with this Arlington eatery. READ REVIEW >>

No. 10: Blend 111

Vienna / Modern Latin American / $$$$
You’ll feel virtuous dining at this Latin American spot in Vienna. READ REVIEW >>

A-Z

Here is the best of the rest, listed alphabetically.

A Taste of Burma

Sterling / Burmese / $$
Expand your horizons with homey Burmese fare in Sterling. READ REVIEW >>

Ambar

Arlington / Balkan / $$$$*
Explore the flavors of the Balkans in Arlington. READ REVIEW >>

Celebration by Rupa Vira

Ashburn / Modern Indian / $$
Colorful Indian fare awaits in Ashburn. READ REVIEW >>

Clarity

Vienna / Modern American / $$$
Vienna is home to meals that truly impress. READ REVIEW >>

Danji

Centreville / Korean / $$
Because there’s more to Korean food than barbecue. READ REVIEW >>

Esaan

McLean / Northern Thai / $$
This restaurant McLean restaurant will make you forget pad thai. READ REVIEW >>

Foode

Fredericksburg / Southern / $$$
Try this Fredericksburg restaurant when you’re on the hunt for elegant Southern comfort. READ REVIEW >>

Hunter’s Head Tavern

Upperville / British / $$$
Fresh fare from Ayrshire Farm makes this Upperville pub delicious. READ REVIEW >>

Inca Social

Vienna / Peruvian / $$
The most stylish Peruvian spot around is in Vienna. READ REVIEW >>

Makeda

Alexandria / Ethiopian / $$
Eat with your hands (but still elegantly) at this Alexandria Ethiopian restaurant. READ REVIEW >>

Meokja Meokja

Fairfax / Korean Barbecue / $$
When you’re really hungry, this Fairfax Korean barbecue specialist rises above its competitors. READ REVIEW >>

Nam-Viet Restaurant

Arlington / Vietnamese / $$
Venture to Arlington for Vietnamese dishes you can’t get anywhere else. READ REVIEW >>

Nostos

Vienna / Greek / $$$
See why restaurants are just another wing of show business at this Vienna Greek eatery. READ REVIEW >>

Parc de Ville

Fairfax / French / $$$
Feel like French fare without dressing up? Try this Fairfax restaurant. READ REVIEW >>

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

Lovettsville / Global / $$$$*
Treat the special foodie in your life atop a romantic hill in Lovettsville. READ REVIEW >>

Royal Nepal

Alexandria / Nepalese / $$
Ready for something truly different with a side of great service in Alexandria? READ REVIEW >>

Rus Uz

Arlington and Alexandria / Russian and Uzbek / $$
Wanderlust will take you to Arlington and Alexandria for Russian and Uzbek fare. READ REVIEW >>

Sense of Thai St.

Ashburn / Thai / $$
Have a Thai-hot date night in Ashburn at this chic restaurant. READ REVIEW >>

Trattoria Villagio

Clifton / Italian / $$
In search of Italian-flavored comfort? This Clifton restaurant is just the ticket. READ REVIEW >>

Tuscarora Mill

Leesburg / Modern American / $$$
You’re sure to leave this historical Leesburg building feeling satiated. READ REVIEW >>

Takeout

The following restaurants that were included on last year’s list of best restaurants have gone to a takeout-only model for the time being. We encourage you to visit them for a take-home feast.

Asian Origin Tysons Corner
Enatye Herndon
Evening Star Café Alexandria (The Front Porch patio is open)
Maple Ave Restaurant Vienna
Padaek Falls Church
Rice Paper Falls Church
Thompson Italian Falls Church

Closed

Chef Guo Alexandria: Temporarily closed
Four Seasons Falls Church: Temporarily closed
Marumen Sterling: Closed permanently; Fairfax; Open for dine-in
Mokomandy Sterling: Closed permanently
Vermilion Alexandria: Temporarily closed, selling groceries as Neighborhood Provisions