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best restaurants 2020

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

 

the ashby inn smoked rohan duck

No. 1: The Ashby Inn & Restaurant

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


goodstone inn

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 >>


l'auberge chez francois

No. 3: L’Auberge Chez François

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


concina on market ceviche

No. 4: Cocina on Market

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


trummers

No. 5: Trummer’s

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


the conche illanka

No. 6: The Conche

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


2941 goats cheese ravioli

N0. 7: 2941

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


pork belly on stick on plate

No. 8: Field & Main

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


ser

No. 9: SER

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


blend 111 victory garden salad

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

A Taste of Burma

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


ambar

Ambar

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


celebration by rupa vira

Celebration by Rupa Vira

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


clarity

Clarity

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


Danji bo ssam

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 panna cotta

Foode

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


hunters head tavern fish and chips

Hunter’s Head Tavern

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


dish at inca social peruvian restaurant

Inca Social

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


ethiopian food on flatbread with sauces

Makeda

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


grilling food at table

Meokja Meokja

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


Can tho spare ribs at Nam-Viet Restaurant

Nam-Viet Restaurant

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


Baklava at Nostos

Nostos

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


french food from parc de ville with ham, cream puff, egg and more

Parc de Ville

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


The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

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


Royal Nepal Momos

Royal Nepal

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


Rus Uz

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.

Sense of Thai St.

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


Trattoria Villagio

Trattoria Villagio

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


Tuscarora Mill scallops

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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