This story is part of our January cover story, 55 Restaurants Serving Up Budget-Friendly Meals Across Northern Virginia.
Eden Center gets all the attention, but while the Falls Church compound is focused mostly on Vietnamese food, lesser-known Herndon Centre is a world-spanning buffet of inexpensive options. Here’s what you’ll find.
Crust Pizzeria Napoletana
All but one of the expertly charred Neapolitan pies here ring up at less than $16. We love the half-pizza/half-calzone Alla Crust, but for something different, bite into the mortadella-and-pesto pizza. 360 Elden St., Herndon
Sangeethas Bhavan
This fully vegetarian restaurant mostly features South Indian dishes, like $9.99 tiffin combos that feature dosas, idli, and vadas. But save room for Indo-Chinese and Malaysian dishes, too. 364 Elden St., Herndon
Yu Noodles
We could argue that this link in a local chain is at its best right here in Herndon. Order the handmade, flamingly hot Yibin spicy dry noodles for $11 to see for yourself. Just don’t forget to order some soup dumplings, too. 368 Elden St., Herndon
Madina Market
Grab a fluffy length of Persian taftoon bread to eat with the homemade dinner you’ll craft from the raw ingredients offered or satisfy yourself with samosas made right in the kitchen. 376 Elden St., Herndon
Pho 75
Not a lot of forethought is necessary at this stalwart. That’s because the menu is composed almost entirely of pho. Choose beef or chicken broth and your favorite cuts of meat, and your work is done. 382 Elden St., Herndon
Mayuri Indian Restaurant
Start with Chicken or Shrimp 65 to satisfy your jones for Indo-Chinese eats, then dig into an ample mound of biryani and one of the restaurant’s popular tandoor-blistered proteins. 390 Elden St., Herndon
Charcoal Kabob
For more than 30 years, fans of Afghan cuisine have been getting their kebab fix here. We like to share the $20.99 Super Combo with the table, divvying up chicken, lamb, and spiced keema kebab. 394 Elden St., Herndon
H Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
At lunchtime, this all-you-can-eat spot is $20.99 for hot pot or barbecue. It’s only $5 more per person to try both. Unusual barbecue items include pineapple, sliced pumpkin, and spicy baby octopus. 400 Elden St., Herndon
GreenFare
This may not be the only plant-based restaurant in Herndon Centre, but it’s unquestionably the only one serving an organic jackfruit barbecue sandwich. Healthy desserts like red bean lava cake are just as distinct. 408 Elden St., Herndon
Nunu’s Thai Dishes
Try the fried taro to start or get a terrific iteration of a familiar dish like larb or satay. Some small soups are under $7, but upgrade to the $16.95 crispy duck noodle soup for something special. 410 Elden St., Herndon
Naked Lunch
Part of the MOM’s Organic Market chain, the organic options here include a black bean burger, a vegetarian sushi bowl, and fresh-pressed, raw juices. 424 Elden St., Herndon
Russian Gourmet
Here you’ll find a rainbow of Russian teas and sweets to take home, as well as takeout delights such as juicy chebureki meat pies and the misnomered Korean carrot salad. 468 Elden St., Herndon
Tipicos Gloria
Pupusas are the name of the game here. The Salvadoran snack is available with corn or rice dough and various fillings. For $3.99, get the Loca, which combines cheese, beans, pork, and loroco, an edible flower common in Central America. 470 Elden St., Herndon
Mr. Wish
One of two Mr. Wish locations on Elden Street, this boba specialist turns out varied flavors at the sweetness and ice levels of your choice. We’re partial to the strawberry fruit sherbet smoothie. 472 Elden St., Herndon
The Deli
At $12.45, the Mad Italian easily feeds two, though you might argue over the pickle. Just split it and move on. You’ll be more than satisfied with one of the best Italian subs in the region, featuring Genoa salami, pepperoni, capicola, mortadella, provolone, and all the fixings. 480 Elden St., Herndon
Lotte Plaza Market
This international grocery store, which anchors the global shopping center, is home to Sai Saravana Bhavan, where you can pick up vegetarian family meals from a variety of Indian coastal regions. 490 Elden St., Herndon
Umai Ramen & Rice Bowl
This Thai-owned ramen shop is justifiably praised for its $16 umai curry ramen, which is actually a creamy, spicy khao soi. The tonkatsu rice bowl also makes it well worth a visit. 482 Elden St., Herndon
Feature image of Herndon Centre by Mike Ramm
This story originally ran in our January Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
