When you’re out with friends and wanting to try new dishes, shareable plates are the perfect way to serve up an unforgettable experience. Northern Virginia offers all kinds of group-friendly dishes; everything from modern Mediterranean to authentic Sichuan. Bring your friends — and your appetite — to some of these local hot spots for tempting shareable plates.
Mama Chang
Ideal for sharing, acclaimed Chef Peter Chang serves home-style Chinese cuisine with a flavor-packed lineup of small plates. Don’t miss the tea-smoked duck, served with fluffy steamed buns, or the fan favorite dry-fried eggplant, a crispy dish that will disappear fast around a table. For those who like a little spice, Grandma’s sizzling pork belly delivers a satisfying dash of red chili, scallion and cilantro. 3251 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax
Nostos
Go on a group vacation to Greece with friends, just by visiting Nostos. Dive into the grilled octopus, tender and perfectly charred or the showstopper — saganaki — pan-fried kefalograviera cheese flamed tableside with brandy and a splash of lemon. The meze sampler is a perfect intro to Mediterranean cuisine: think tangy tzatziki, taramosalata, melitzanosalata and more, all served with fresh pita bread. 8100 Boone Blvd,, Vienna
60 Vines
Sixty Vines’ menu was designed for group-friendly sharing and pairing. Check out beautifully presented charcuterie board options, mouth-watering pizzas, harissa shrimp, truffled vineyard fries, fried chicken with caviar and so much more. The more plates ordered, the happier the table, especially when sampled with some of the many curated wines on tap. 11905 Market St., Reston
Proof
Proof is a new Manassas gem at NOVA Live, combining elevated pub fare with a chef-driven twist. Crowd pleasers like the crispy wok-charred Brussels sprouts tossed in balsamic glaze and bacon are essentials. More sure hits: buttery Parmesan monkey bread, the trio of seasoned fries sampler and the ox tail chili nacho stack. 9861 Discovery Blvd., Ste. 115, Manassas
The Lost Fox
This stylish rooftop gastropub does everything with pizazz, especially its shareables. The deviled eggs trio comes with unique toppings like smoked trout and candied bacon, while the Korean BBQ wings offer sticky-sweet heat. Adobo chicken wings and Old Bay-dusted crab dip will seal the deal for a shareable meal to remember. 20033 Riverside Commons Plaza, Sterling
Palette 22
At Palette 22, eclectic global street food is the name of the game. Grab a table with friends and dig into Korean beef tacos, roasted cauliflower with harissa aioli, or the ever-popular truffle fries with Parmesan and rosemary. Bonus: the street corn brick oven pan pizza and Cubano sliders are sure to be instant crowd-pleasers. 4053 Campbell Ave., Arlington
Feature image courtesy Palette 22
