We’re lucky to have a vast variety of foods available at our fingertips: Eateries selling bagels and doughnuts, wings and fried chicken, and cuisines from around the globe dot NoVA’s landscape. For even more reader favorites, check out our full list of 2026 Best of NoVA winners.
Bagels
WINNER: Call Your Mother Deli
Pick up your bagels and bagel sandwiches at this fast-growing local chain. The stores are always fun and colorful, and each location has a “unique pop,” says co-owner Andrew Dana. A new spot in Ballston is currently in the works. Alexandria, Arlington, Gainesville, McLean, Reston, Vienna
RUNNER-UP: Main Street Bagel Deli
Fairfax, mainstreetbageldeli.com
Breakfast Diner
WINNER: Bob & Edith’s Diner
This NoVA chain of 24/7 diners was started in 1969 when Bob and Edith Bolton bought a dinette on Columbia Pike in Arlington. Today, the classic diners are run by one of their sons, Greg, and his children — but you can still find Southern dishes like country fried steak or biscuits and gravy. Alexandria (three locations), Arlington (two locations), Manassas, Springfield
RUNNER-UP: Chloez Café
Fairfax Station
Brunch
WINNER: Tuscarora Mill
Set within a historic mill, “there’s no greater bounty to be had” at Tuskie’s than its weekend brunch, says our food critic, Alice Levitt. “It’s possible to not only have a varied meal here, but to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner in one,” she says. Leesburg
RUNNER-UP: Agora Tysons
McLean
Butcher
WINNER: Oliver’s Corner Butcher Shop
When you shop at this neighborhood butcher, you’ll know exactly where your meat came from. Small independent farms provide much of its inventory, including beef, pork, poultry, wild game, and more. Gourmet sausages are made in-house, and customers can find meat aged in the shop’s dry-aging cabinet. Great Falls
RUNNER-UP: The Organic Butcher of McLean
McLean
Cheesesteak
WINNER: Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern
Take a trip to Philly without leaving Herndon with a Philly Cheesesteak from Jimmy’s. Served on Amoroso rolls shipped fresh from the City of Brotherly Love, the sandwich is made with fried onions and a choice of cheese styles: Cheese Whiz, provolone, or white American. Herndon
RUNNER-UP: George’s Steak N’ Things
Fairfax Station
Chinese
WINNER: Mama Chang
A favorite of The Inn at Little Washington’s legendary chef Patrick O’Connell, this is a winner on repeat for our readers — and our food critics. Try the scallion bubble pancake, Ganghood fried chicken, and the three-pepper beef tenderloin. Fairfax
RUNNER-UP: Peter Chang
Arlington, Herndon, McLean
Deli/Sandwich Shop
WINNER: The Italian Store
What’s as satisfying as an Italian sub? You’ll find freshly cut deli meats with provolone and all the fixings when you get your made-to-order sub or gourmet sandwich at locations in Westover or Lyon Village. While you’re there, look for wines and other products sourced from Italy. Arlington (two locations)
RUNNER-UP: Celebrity Delly
Falls Church
Doughnut Shop
WINNER: Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe
Choose from classic doughnut flavors like honey dip and cinnamon sugar or go for something more unusual like cookies and cream or mocha espresso. Plus, you’ll find seasonal specials and mini doughnuts — all housemade. Arlington (two locations)
RUNNER-UP: Yoder’s Dutch Delights
Manassas
Farmers Market
WINNER: Falls Church Farmers Market
Vendors gather here every Saturday, year-round, to serve the community. You can find fresh produce, flowers, meats, baked goods, and other treasures in the heart of Falls Church. Plus, the monthly Chef Series features chefs developing recipes using locally sourced, seasonal foods. Falls Church
RUNNER-UP: Old Town Farmers’ Market
Alexandria
Food Truck
WINNER: Flavor Hive
A viral social media sensation, Northern Virginians have access to this flavorful food truck right in their backyards. Bring your favorite bag of chips to create a delicious walking taco with ground beef, chicken, steak, or veggies — or pile your favorites on a rice or salad bowl. Alexandria (three locations), Annandale (brick and mortar store only), Manassas
RUNNER-UP: S&P Burger
Sterling
French
WINNER: L’Auberge Chez François
You’ll be transported to Alsace at chef Jacques Haeringer’s picturesque French restaurant in Great Falls. Order the soufflé for dessert when you first sit down, then relax with the prix fixe dinner as you look out over 6 bucolic acres and are spoiled by the excellent service. Great Falls
RUNNER-UP: Bastille Brasserie & Bar
Alexandria
Fried Chicken Sandwich
WINNER: Wooboi Chicken
Next time you’re craving a fried chicken sandwich, head to Wooboi, where you can choose your heat level, from no heat to the super spicy Code Blue. The Sando (fried chicken topped with cider slaw, butter pickles, and Comeback Sauce) is the way to go. Don’t forget to add a side of waffle fries to your order. Alexandria, Fairfax, Herndon
RUNNER-UP: Ruthie’s All-Day
Arlington, Fairfax
Happy Hour
WINNER: Barrel & Bushel
Grab a spot outdoors or by the plentiful windows at this Tysons restaurant. The Happiest Hours menu is available daily from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Offerings ranging from $7 to $12 include the pimento grilled cheese bites, crispy mushroom sliders, and petite crab cakes. Drink specials are $6 to $7. McLean
RUNNER-UP: Mama Tigre
Oakton
Ice Cream
WINNER: Nathan’s Dairy Bar
This family-owned seasonal ice cream stand is known for its soft serve and hand-scooped flavors that vary from week to week. Named for the owner’s son, this retro spot with plenty of umbrella-covered tables outdoors announces its weekly flavors on Facebook. Manassas
RUNNER-UP: The Dairy Godmother
Alexandria
Indian
WINNER: Celebration by Rupa Vira
Bathed in lavender, every day is a celebration here. This modern Indian restaurant also ranked No. 9 in our Best Restaurants list in 2025. Make sure to try the self-trained chef’s kale and palak chaat (a compelling dish that showcases stark contrasts), tandoori salmon, and Chocolate Explosion cake. Ashburn
RUNNER-UP: Jaipur Royal Indian Cuisine
Fairfax
Korean
WINNER: Ingle Korean Steakhouse
In NoVA, there’s tough competition in this category. Ranked No. 7 on our Best Restaurants list, Ingle is also our readers’ favorite Korean restaurant. Sit back and enjoy the tender wagyu beef cuts grilled to perfection at your table — and don’t skip the appetizers. Vienna
RUNNER-UP: Meokja Meokja
Fairfax
Modern American
WINNER: 2941 Restaurant
Chef Bertrand Chemel’s 2941 may be located in an office park, but it’s anything but boring. Ranked as our No. 1 restaurant of 2025, guests love it for the massive windows overlooking the koi pond and the woods — and for Chemel’s fresh, creative tasting menu, which changes monthly. Falls Church
RUNNER-UP: Trio Grill
Falls Church
Outdoor Dining
WINNER: Trattoria Villagio
With its fireplace, dappled sunshine, and cozy vibe, you might feel like you’ve escaped to Europe in the idyllic piazza behind this Clifton favorite. The outdoor space is usually available in the cooler months, too, and keeps customers warm with fire pits, heat lamps, and igloos. Order the arancini and the stuffed meatballs. Clifton
RUNNER-UP: Barca Pier & Wine Bar
Alexandria
Oyster Bar
WINNER: King Street Oyster Bar
Any time you head to King Street, you’ll find a dozen varieties of raw East Coast or West Coast oysters. If you prefer them cooked, that’s an option, too. At happy hour, oysters are available for just $1.50 each when ordered in increments of three. Leesburg, Middleburg
RUNNER-UP: The Salt Line
Arlington
Peruvian Chicken
WINNER: El Pollo Rico
Step into this busy eatery to indulge in a perfectly spiced, charcoal-broiled chicken available in whole, half, or quarter sizes and white or dark meat (or a combination of both). Indulge in the sides, too: fried plantains, fries, rice, beans, or coleslaw and sauces. Arlington, Fairfax, Woodbridge, elpollorico.com
RUNNER-UP: Crisp & Juicy
Arlington, Falls Church
Pie
WINNER: Mom’s Apple Pie Company
Brave the lines for pies at this bakery at Thanksgiving, and you won’t be disappointed. But you don’t need a special occasion to get dessert here. Make any day pie day when you pick up a chocolate pecan, strawberry rhubarb, or the eponymous apple pie. Leesburg, Round Hill
RUNNER-UP: Pie Gourmet
Vienna
Pizza
WINNER: Andy’s Pizza
New York pizza fans, this spot is for you. Owner Andy Brown, a self-taught pizza maker, lets his dough ferment for 72-plus hours, creating an unbeatable crust. He tops it with tomatoes grown and canned in California and crisply cupped pepperoni, then it’s all cooked just right in stone ovens. Alexandria (two locations), Arlington, Fairfax, McLean
RUNNER-UP: Pupatella Neapolitan Pizza
Alexandria, Arlington (two locations), Chantilly, Fairfax, Leesburg, Reston, Springfield
Ramen
WINNER: Jinya Ramen Bar
The rich broths for the ramen at Jinya simmer for 20 hours in-house. The noodles are handcrafted, and the flavorful toppings are authentic. Ramen lovers enjoy the birria ramen and the vegan Flying V Harvest with vegan miso broth and Impossible meat. Arlington, Fairfax, Reston
RUNNER-UP: Umai Ramen & Rice Bowl
Herndon
Seafood
WINNER: The Salt Line
New England–style seafood reigns at this Arlington outpost of The Salt Line. Our food critics have recommended it as some of the best seafood in our region, and they especially like the seafood charcuterie, Portuguese stew, and the fresh Chesapeake oysters. Arlington
RUNNER-UP: Blue Ridge Seafood Restaurant
Gainesville
Steak
WINNER: Guerra Steakhouse
The showstopper at this Arlington steakhouse is the 38-ounce tomahawk for two, topped with rosemary and herb wine butter then flambéed tableside with brandy. But that’s not your only option. The menu includes about a dozen cuts of steak, offered with three different preparations and a choice of seven sauces. Arlington
RUNNER-UP: 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood
Alexandria
Sushi
WINNER: Yume Sushi
At this perennial favorite of our food critics (ranked No. 4 last year), snag a seat at the bar to watch chef Saran Kannasute in action. While you’re there, you can also get a great view of the mural by the bar. Order the Monster Trio to get a true sense of the chef’s creativity. Arlington
RUNNER-UP: Ariake
Fairfax, Reston
Tacos
WINNER: Taco Bamba
Chef Victor Albisu is a NoVA native and a taco master. There are 10 locations in NoVA alone — but no two are alike. Each features the staples as well as menu items specific to that area and special décor. The Sterling location offers the Doña Rosi, a Peruvian chicken taco that serves as a tribute to Albisu’s mother. Alexandria, Arlington (two locations), Fairfax (two locations), Falls Church, Herndon, Springfield, Sterling, Vienna
RUNNER-UP: Anita’s New Mexico Style Mexican Food
Arlington, Ashburn, Burke, Chantilly, Fairfax, Herndon, Leesburg, Manassas, Springfield, Vienna
Thai
WINNER: Sense of Thai
These festive eateries dress up for special occasions like Christmas and cherry blossom season. But consistently great food is a mainstay. Try the bolan larb gai, a minty minced chicken salad in lime-chile dressing for a little kick, or order the pillowy braised pork in sweet-and-sour tom yum broth. Ashburn, Chantilly
RUNNER-UP: Bangkok 54 Restaurant & Bar
Arlington
Vietnamese
WINNER: Rice Paper
Eden Center is the place to go for Vietnamese food, and you can’t go wrong with a visit to Rice Paper. You’ll likely find a line outside, but it’s with good reason. Luckily the service is swift, and the vibe is unpretentious. Order the coconut salad with shrimp and pork or the lemongrass chile chicken. Falls Church
RUNNER-UP: Nue: Elegantly Vietnamese
Falls Church
Wings
WINNER: Velocity Bar + Kitchen
Choose from boneless, traditional jumbo wings, or hand-breaded crispy fried Velocity wings served with the sauce on the side. Speaking of sauce, there are nearly 30 options on the menu here in a range of heats and flavors including mango habanero, chipotle raspberry, and spicy blue cheese. Fairfax, Manassas, Purcellville
RUNNER-UP: Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern
Herndon
NoVA Wars: Italian Edition
WINNER: Thompson Italian
Our inaugural “NoVA Wars: Italian Edition” bracket-style online competition did not disappoint. The field started with 32 eateries, and it came down to Thompson Italian and Sterling’s Urbano Modern Italian in the final round.
When the votes were tallied, Thompson Italian came out on top. With its menu of housemade pasta and local produce, we can see why foodies love it — and why it’s a regular on our 50 Best Restaurants list.
Regulars recommend starting your meal with the roasted garlic bread with marinara and Parmesan. For your entrée, choose between the rigatoni with beef Bolognese — a favorite that’s always on the menu — or one of the ever-changing seasonal pastas. If you still have room, a piece of olive oil cake from co-owner and James Beard–nominated pastry chef Katherine Thompson is a must. Alexandria and Falls Church
