In Northern Virginia, we’re lucky to have a diverse landscape of dining options, featuring juicy burgers, spicy fried chicken sandwiches, a wide variety of Asian cuisines, and so much more. Here are our readers’ favorites.
By Amy Ayres, Angie Buck, Colleen Kelleher, Michele Kettner, Erica Moody, and Maggie Roth
Bakery/Pâtisserie
WINNER: Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
Step into this German-style bakery and feast your eyes on the glass cases filled with beautiful cakes, cookies, doughnuts, crusty bread, and more. Owner Wolfgang Büchler opened his bakery in 1975 after moving to the DC area from Heidelberg, Germany. His wife, Carla, and their children work alongside him at this friendly spot. 2150 N. Culpeper St., Arlington
RUNNER-UP: Pastries by Randolph
4500 Cherry Hill Rd., Arlington
Barbecue
WINNER: Mookie’s BBQ
When you have a hankering for barbecue, go to Mookie’s for brisket, burnt ends, and the decadent Mookie’s Burger. It’s a half-pound Angus patty topped with pulled pork, cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeños, fried onion rings, and — when it’s available — house-smoked pastrami. As for sides, don’t miss the collard greens. 1141 Walker Rd., Great Falls
RUNNER-UP: Monk’s BBQ
251 N. 21st St., Purcellville
Brunch
WINNER: Chloez Cafe
Kick back and relax for brunch (or breakfast) for cooking that feels like home at this beach-themed restaurant. You’ll find specialties like breakfast burritos and eggs Florentine, as well as staples like omelets, pancakes, and French toast, all fresh and locally sourced. For drinks, choose from the menu of smoothies or an espresso beverage topped with a colorful flower. 5622 Ox Rd., Unit F, Fairfax Station
RUNNER-UP: Founding Farmers
1904 Reston Metro Plz., Reston; 1800 Tysons Blvd., Tysons
Burger
WINNER: Five Guys
This national chain started right here in NoVA, and its burgers are still hard to beat. Customize your burger, made with two fresh, hand-formed patties, with as many toppings as you can handle, from classic condiments to grilled mushrooms, grilled onions, and jalapeños. You can upgrade to a bacon burger or try the smaller, one-patty Little Cheeseburger. Multiple locations
RUNNER-UP: Harvey’s
513 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Butcher
WINNER: The Organic Butcher of McLean
Quality local meats, sustainable seafood, and wild game such as rabbit and venison are on the menu at this butcher with a knowledgeable and helpful staff. You can also find prepared foods, artisan cheese, beer and wine, and a selection of grocery products in the boutique, English-inspired shop. 6712 Old Dominion Dr., McLean
RUNNER-UP: Oliver’s Corner Butcher Shop
9912 Georgetown Pk., Unit 102C, Great Falls
Chinese
WINNER: Mama Chang
At this festive, spacious restaurant, groups can try recipes from the Hubei province of China, the homeland of renowned chef Peter Chang’s family. Chang’s wife, Lisa, and their daughter Lydia run this upscale casual spot. Try the lychee pepper chicken, green beans with pickled cabbage, and eggplant in garlic sauce. 3251 Blenheim Blvd., Ste. 101, Fairfax
RUNNER-UP: Peter Chang
2503-E N. Harrison St., Arlington; 1771 Carl D. Silver Pkwy., Fredericksburg; 6715 Lowell Ave., McLean
Deli/Sandwich Shop
WINNER: The Italian Store
Satisfy that urge for a sub at the Westover or Lyon Village locations of The Italian Store. The menu of Philadelphia-style sandwiches includes The Roma, with prosciutto, mortadella, Genoa salami, provolone, sweet or hot peppers, lettuce, onions, oregano, and a dressing on a soft Italian roll. While you’re there, choose from the imported Italian products or prepared meals for home. 3123 Lee Hwy., Arlington; 5837 Washington Blvd., Arlington
RUNNER-UP: Nozzo Pazzo
122 Branch Rd. SE, Vienna
Doughnut Shop
WINNER: Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe
No matter what kind of doughnut you’re craving, you’ll find it at Good Company, which offers 40 rotating varieties daily. Classics include the honey dip, jelly stick, and chocolate cake (among others). Specialties change seasonally but might include maple frosted, Nutella toffee, or blueberry buttercream. 672 N. Glebe Rd., Ste. Retail 1, Arlington; 510 14th St. S., Arlington; 1350 S. Eads St., Ste. 80, Arlington
RUNNER-UP: Texas Donuts
13830 Lee Hwy., Ste. 4, Centreville; 8224 Gunston Corner Ln., Lorton; 8130 Ashton Ave., Ste. 106, Manassas
Farmers Market
WINNER: Falls Church Farmers Market
This year-round market has been running for 40 years, offering fresh vegetables, dairy, meats, and seafood, as well as a variety of baked goods and prepared foods like crabcakes, handmade Chinese dumplings, and Japanese taiyaki. Plus, you can pick up flowers, jams and jellies, honey, and more. 300 Park Ave., Falls Church
RUNNER-UP: Old Town Farmers’ Market
301 King St., Alexandria
French
WINNER: L’Auberge Chez Francois
Celebrating its 70th anniversary (with nearly 50 years at this iconic Great Falls spot), L’Auberge continues to transport its visitors to a beautiful French country escape. You’ll find flawless service and elegant dining with chef Jacques Haeringer’s five-course prix fixe menu. Check it off your bucket list on your next special occasion. 332 Springvale Rd., Great Falls
RUNNER-UP: Bistro L’Hermitage
12724 Occoquan Rd., Woodbridge
Fried Chicken Sandwich
WINNER: Wooboi Hot Chicken
In a world of many mouth-watering fried chicken sandwich options, The Sando stands out for its stellar seasoning. Taking inspiration from Nashville as well as Korean and Ethiopian styles, the chicken breast is topped with ciderslaw, pickles, and Comeback Sauce on a bun — and you can select from six heat levels, with the highest being Code Blue. 531 Montgomery St., Alexandria; 139 Spring St., Herndon
RUNNER-UP: Ghosted Concepts
14650 Washington St., Haymarket
Indian
WINNER: Celebration by Rupa Vira
The balance of spices stands out at this modern Indian restaurant, where you’ll find tender bone-in chicken and a stew of crispy vegetables in addition to some theatrical tricks that make your meal an experience, like dry ice, frothy foam, and colorful lights. 44260 Ice Rink Plz., Ste. 120, Ashburn
RUNNER-UP: Kismet Modern Indian
111 N. Pitt St., Alexandria
Italian
WINNER: Osteria Marzano
The star at this eatery is The Cheese Wheel Experience, offered Thursdays through Saturdays. The housemade fettucine is prepared tableside in a 90-pound Parmigiano wheel with a cream sauce and black pepper and the option to add chicken, shrimp, salmon, jumbo lump crab, or filet. You can also find plenty of other pasta options and classic Italian dishes on the menu. 6361 Walker Lane Metro Park VI, Ste. 140, Alexandria
RUNNER-UP: Semifreddo Italian Cuisine
8687 Sudley Rd., Manassas
Korean
WINNER: Ingle Korean Steakhouse
Luxe beef is the name of the game at this Korean steakhouse, where servers ensure your meat is cooked to perfection, right at your table. (There are some less pricey but still delicious beef options, too, including the outside skirt and marinated galbi.) Also try the japchae, scallion pancake, and the beef fried rice. 8369 Leesburg Pk., Tysons
RUNNER-UP: Honest Grill
14215H Centreville Sq., Centreville
Dual Winner: Modern American | Farm-to-Table Restaurant
WINNER: The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
Located at a working farm with beautiful views of the Potomac River, this restaurant offers an eight-course Progression Menu. It starts with a welcome basket of bread and features meticulously prepared dishes that include farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, along with meats and seafood, capped off by sweet treats. The memories of this experience will stick with you long after your drive back down the long country road. 42461 Lovettsville Rd., Lovettsville
RUNNER-UP (Modern American): The Ashby Inn & Restaurant
692 Federal St., Paris
RUNNER-UP (Farm-to-Table Restaurant): Field & Main
8369 W. Main St., Marshall
Outdoor Dining
WINNER: Barca Pier & Wine Bar
Set on Old Town Alexandria’s riverfront, it’s no surprise that Barca would be a winner for dining alfresco. The vast outdoor area on a pier includes spaces to sit at tables, on couches, or at the bar, all of which provide a stunning view while you’re sipping sangria and enjoying Spanish Mediterranean small plates. 2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria
RUNNER-UP: The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
42461 Lovettsville Rd., Lovettsville
Pie
WINNER: Mom’s Apple Pie Company
There’s a reason for the line snaking through the parking lot here come Thanksgiving: The pies are worth every minute of the wait, from the chocolate pecan to the almond amaretto chess to the namesake apple pie, which comes with a traditional or butter pecan crumb top. There’s more than pie, too — add some sugar cookies and whoopie pies to your loot and make your family proud. 220 Loudoun St. SE, Leesburg; 126A Commerce St., Occoquan (The Golden Plum); 35246 Harry Byrd Hwy., Ste. 120, Round Hill
RUNNER-UP: Livin’ the Pie Life
2166 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington
Pizza
WINNER: Pupatella
Enzo Algarme moved to the U.S. from Naples, Italy, and started making his own Neapolitan-style pizza when he couldn’t find one that lived up to his memories from home. He started out with a food truck in Arlington, and the business has grown to include nine locations, including seven in NoVA. Multiple locations
RUNNER-UP: Fire Works
2350 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington; 201 Harrison St. SE, Ste. 200, Leesburg; 21475 Epicerie Plz., Ste. 100, Sterling
Ramen
WINNER: Marumen
Made with pork broth, each bowl of this comfort dish is garnished with egg, chashu (pork belly), stir-fried bean sprouts, scallions, and seaweed. Diners at this cozy spot rave about the shio, served with a generous chunk of chashu. Army ramen, a spicy kimchi-based broth with sausage, spam, and pork shoulder, is another popular item. 3250 Old Pickett Rd., Fairfax
RUNNER-UP: Hanabi Ramen
3024 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Restaurant with a View
WINNER: 2941 Restaurant
From the office-park exterior, you might doubt that chef Bertrand Chemel’s 2941 (our No. 1 Best Restaurant in 2023) could have a great view. But once inside, you’ll find a modern space with wraparound windows that display a koi pond, relaxing waterfalls, and surrounding trees — and the view is only one of the delights that await you here. 2941 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church
RUNNER-UP: Ada’s on the River
3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria
Seafood/Oyster Bar
WINNER: The Salt Line Oyster + Ale
Head to this seafood restaurant (inspired by New England) for fresh local oysters in a range of salinity, sizes, and prices. Then try the tuna crudo, lobster roll, or fried fish sandwich, which is light and not greasy. You can enjoy all of it with a cocktail on the spacious outdoor patio. 4040 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
RUNNER-UP: Seamore’s
2815 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
Steak
WINNER: Guerra Steakhouse
Family-owned steakhouses aren’t common in NoVA. This one, named for the family patriarch, who was a farmer in Guatemala, is tucked into a small strip-mall spot in Rosslyn. It offers a variety of cuts, from a 10-ounce hangar steak to the indulgent 38-ounce Tomahawk for two. Each is available in three different preparations and with your choice of several sauces. 1725 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
RUNNER-UP: D.C. Prime
20120 Lakeview Center Plz., Ashburn
Sushi
WINNER: Yume Sushi
You can feel the buzz in chef Saran Kannasute’s modernist space, where he transforms luxurious ingredients like toro, caviar, and foie gras into clever creations. Sit at the sushi bar, where you can get a look at the graffiti-inspired mural while you watch the chefs at work. 2121 N. Westmoreland St., Ste. A-2, Arlington
RUNNER-UP: Ariake
8708 Little River Tpk., Fairfax; 12184 Glade Dr., Reston
Tacos
WINNER: Taco Bamba
There are more than a dozen of chef-founder Victor Albisu’s taquerias, and each is a little different inside, with location-specific specialty items. (You can always find the chain’s staples like carne asada and chicken tinga.) In Herndon, try the Afghan Van Damme with beef koobideh in a yogurt sauce, and in the new Fair Lakes location, go for the PF Chango. Multiple locations
RUNNER-UP: Taqueria Picoso
1472 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria
Thai
WINNER: Sense of Thai
At this bustling and stylish One Loudoun eatery, you’ll find modern classics and dishes with fiery Thai chile. We recommend the street fried rice, crispy whole fish, and lamb lollipops, but you can’t go wrong with anything you order at this spot with creative cocktails and seamless service. 20413 Exchange St., Ashburn
RUNNER-UP: Bangkok 54
2919 Columbia Pk., Arlington
Vietnamese
WINNER: NUE: Elegantly Vietnamese
Eastern and Western traditions come together at NUE, where restaurateur Tuyet Nhi Le collaborated on the menu with her mother and a team of Vietnamese American chefs. Her mom’s Vietnamese beef stew is served over pappardelle for a delightful and exciting pasta dish, and risotto made with Hokkaido rice can be ordered as a vegetarian dish or topped with seared scallops. 944 W. Broad St., Falls Church
RUNNER-UP: Rice Paper
6775 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Feature image by Michael Butcher
This story originally ran in our June issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
