Northern Virginia’s dining scene shows no signs of slowing down. This fall brings a tempting crop of newcomers, from Palestinian-Ukrainian fare and Sichuan specialties to Nashville hot chicken and smash burgers. Here are the latest Northern Virginia restaurants worth adding to your dining list.
Alexandria
Potbelly
The sandwich chain brings its lineup of toasted sandwiches, wraps, salads, and comfort-food sides to Manchester Boulevard. Favorites include the A Wreck, piled with turkey, ham, roast beef, salami, and Swiss; the Italian, with salami, capicola, pepperoni, mortadella, and provolone; and the Chicken Club with grilled chicken, bacon, and cheddar. 7011D Manchester Blvd., Alexandria
Arlington
Singha Thai
Singha Thai serves classic Thai comfort food, including pad Thai, drunken noodles, and panang curry. Try the house Singha Noodle, a combination of pad Thai and drunken noodles, or the Thai garlic chicken, a savory dish topped with plenty of crispy garlic. 2900 N. Sycamore St., Arlington
Il Radicchio
This Arlington Italian favorite has a new location, bringing its menu of traditional Italian dishes to a new neighborhood. Expect house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas and classics such as lasagna, lobster ravioli, linguine di mare with scallops, shrimp, clams and calamari, and chicken Milanese. The restaurant also offers build-your-own pizzas and pastas. 2909 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Nash & Smashed
Nashville hot chicken and smashburgers take center stage at this fast-growing chain’s newest Northern Virginia location in Crystal City. Chicken sandwiches come in heat levels ranging from mild to extreme, while the menu also features smashed burgers, waffle fries, wings and hand-spun milkshakes. 2333 S. Eads St., Arlington
Solace Outpost
The new Ballston location from Sterling-based Solace Brewing opened in September, replacing El Rey. It offers beer, wine, cocktails and mocktails, along with burgers, wings and bar snacks, including fried Oreos and funnel-cake fries. 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Chantilly
Gangnam AYCE Buffet
Chantilly has a new all-you-can-eat option with a sprawling selection of Asian-inspired fare. Gangnam AYCE Buffet serves hibachi-style grilled meats and seafood, sushi, vegetables and other pan-Asian dishes in the former Hibachi Buffet & Grill space. 13948 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly
Polau Grill
Inside Frontier Kitchen, Polau Grill brings a menu inspired by Persian, Afghan and Central Asian cuisines. The fast-casual, carryout-and-delivery spot centers on aromatic rice dishes paired with grilled meats, vegetables, herbs, spices and house-made sauces. Diners can build their own bowl by choosing a rice base, protein, hearty add-ons and toppings, with the restaurant’s signature polau at the heart of the menu. It plans to open on October 3. 25387 Pleasant Valley Rd., Ste. 110, Chantilly
Fairfax
SimSim
This is a particularly interesting one because it has a distinctive concept: Palestinian and Ukrainian cuisine under one roof, with a 100% halal menu. The menu includes Palestinian dishes such as haneeth and mansaf alongside Ukrainian comfort food. 9998 Main St., Fairfax
Falls Church
Best Buns
Great American Restaurants has opened its fourth Best Buns Bakery & Burgers location in West Falls Church. The new location also includes a rooftop with a full-service bar and outdoor seating. 265 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church
Chili Wok
Chili Wok serves Sichuan dishes built around bold, spicy flavors, including mala dry pot loaded with wood ear mushrooms, lotus root, cauliflower, konjac, seaweed knots, peppers, onions and tofu skin. Other specialties include Chongqing-style lazi chicken, cumin-roasted lamb shanks, braised pork belly with chestnuts and a signature fish-ball-and-lamb hot pot. 3400-D Washington Dr., Falls Church
Go GRK
The family behind Spartans Family Restaurant and Olympians Family Restaurant brings decades of Greek restaurant experience to this new fast-casual concept. Go GRK serves gyros, souvlaki, pork belly and chicken pitas, Greek bowls, spanakopita, tiropita and other Mediterranean favorites. There’s also a market stocked with Greek specialties, plus desserts including baklava ice cream and sour-cherry ice cream. 9013 Silverbrook Rd., Fairfax Station
Honoo Ramen & Bar
This new Japanese restaurant goes well beyond ramen, with a menu that spans handmade noodles, sushi, sashimi, yakitori and izakaya-style small plates. Ramen options include rich tonkotsu-style bowls and spicy varieties, while the sushi menu features nigiri, sashimi and specialty rolls such as the West Falls Roll and Honoo Volcano Roll. Small plates range from takoyaki, gyoza, karaage and shishito peppers to skewers of chicken thigh and baby scallops. 153 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church
Great Falls
Great Falls Lodge
Great Falls Lodge, from chef and owner Neel Kamal, combines classic American bar fare with Southern comfort food and Indian-inspired dishes. The menu includes hickory burgers, chicken wings, fish and chips, baby back ribs, Maryland crab cakes and jambalaya, along with butter chicken and a chili paneer flatbread. Seafood, pasta and an array of desserts round out the offerings, including a brownie sundae, New York cheesecake, chocolate lava cake and bread pudding. 9835 Georgetown Pk., Great Falls
Herndon
Navarasa Indian Bar and Grill
Navarasa, from the team behind Biryani Grill, brings a more upscale take on Indian cuisine to Herndon. The restaurant’s menu features classics and regional specialties including butter chicken, goat rogan josh, chicken dum biryani, Lucknowi chicken biryani, lamb chops, curry leaf gobi and garlic naan. Desserts include gulab jamun with ice cream and a gulab jamun brûlée. 328 Elden St., Herndon
Super Kyuramen
This new Japanese dining experience combines ramen with an izakaya-style atmosphere, making it a destination for both casual meals and drinks with friends. The menu goes beyond ramen to include sushi and sashimi, yakitori, small plates, omurice and other Japanese comfort foods. Ramen choices include spicy tonkotsu, shoyu beef and chicken shoyu. 2340 Silver Arrow Way, Herndon
Tysons
Open Road Outpost & Biergarten
Open Road offers burgers and beer at its newest Northern Virginia concept at The Boro. The 5,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor restaurant serves hand-smashed burgers, house-smoked wings, hand-cut fries and shareable platters, along with craft beer and cocktails featuring spirits from Open Road Distilling Co. A biergarten and live music add to the neighborhood hangout vibe. 8354 Broad St., Tysons
Woodbridge
Wonder
Wonder is bringing its unusual food-hall-meets-delivery concept to Woodbridge, allowing diners to order from more than 20 restaurant concepts in a single transaction. The menu includes offerings from chefs and brands including Bobby Flay, Marcus Samuelsson, Michael Symon, Tejas Barbecue, Streetbird by Marcus Samuelsson and Magnolia Bakery. 13257 Worth Ave., Woodbridge
