Best Restaurants in Northern Virginia of 2020
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
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