Northern Virginia is known for its vibrant culinary landscape, where foodies eagerly anticipate the latest dining destinations. This July, the region welcomes a diverse array of new restaurants, each promising dynamic flavors and innovative concepts. Discover a casual pizzeria, a chic Mediterranean eatery, or a cozy oyster house — these exciting new restaurants promise to tantalize taste buds and enrich the local gastronomic landscape.
Alexandria
Tom Ramen
Get your fill at this ramen, sushi, and boba spot. With a vast list of sushi and sashimi offerings, bento boxes, and Chinese food (think fried rice, lo mein, and orange chicken), Tom Ramen’s is a one-stop shop for tasty Asian cuisine. 1468B N. Beauregard St., Alexandria
Atlas Brew Works
Atlas Brew Works Alexandria is the D.C. craft brewer’s third brewery and tap room location in the area. The 6,000-square-foot brewery, with its beer hall–style bar and 1,500-square-foot outdoor patio, can welcome a crowd. The menu offers food from the highly acclaimed Andy’s Pizza, including salad, wings, and Andy’s famous New York–style pies. 2429 Mandeville Ln., Alexandria
Arlington
2910 Kitchen & Bar
Opened in May, 2910 Kitchen & Bar serves American fare with style. Come hungry; menu items include a 16-ounce prime rib, jumbo lump crab cakes, housemade pastas, and lamb shank polenta. Lunch, dinner, and brunch offer plenty of opportunities to visit — have a craft cocktail and enjoy a hearty meal. 2910 Columbia Pk., Arlington
BurgerFi
Check out this burger joint serving Angus beef and antibiotic-free chicken, sourced from a family-owned farm. Scarf down menu items like Texas-style Wagyu beef hotdogs or BurgerFi cheeseburgers. Nine zippy sauces — from ghost pepper honey to Memphis sweet BBQ — jazz up sandwiches and sides. Don’t forget to wash it all down with any of the seven milkshake flavors. 1735 N. Lynn St., Arlington
Kanji Izakaya
In the mood for teriyaki? Drob by this new Ballston eatery for classic Japanese cuisine. Yakitori, ramen, traditional and signature sushi rolls, and hibachi dishes are among the plentiful, beautifully presented offerings here. 4301 Fairfax Dr., Arlington
Burger Billy’s Joint
Grass-fed, locally sourced Angus beef from Front Royal’s Cottonwood Ranch is the foundation of this smash-style burger spot. The joint uses a food locker system to get food to the masses quickly. Order online or on site at the kiosk, then enter the code listed on your receipt into the food locker to pick up your meal. Enjoy enormous (and messy) burgers, wings, vegetarian burgers, and fries. 3800 Langston Blvd., Arlington
Elli’s Island Tiki Bar
Just above the Rosslyn Metro, pop in on this pop-up at Upside on Moore. Created by sommelier and mixologist Elli Benchimol, owner of Michelin-recognized Apéro in Georgetown, the Polynesian-themed tiki bar is open Wednesday to Friday evenings. Order drinks like the Jungle Goddess, Missionary’s Downfall, or Lanai Cocktail, outside on the Key Bridge Terrace. 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington
Láylí Mediterranean
Láylí transports guests to the vibrant Mediterranean coast. The menu, crafted by chef Samer Zeitoun, formerly the chef-owner of Zenola in Vienna, features traditional Lebanese cuisine inspired by his childhood alongside popular dishes from the broader Mediterranean region, including Turkey and Greece. 3033 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Ashburn
Duck Donuts
Who knew you could do so much with a donut? Visit Duck Donuts for breakfast sandwiches with donut bookends, ice cream and donut treats, or the pièce de résistance — out-of-this-world doughnuts. Options like blueberry lemonade, Beach Ball, and Bacon in the Sun call out to hungry customers. Or try flavors like Peanut Butter Paradise, s’mores, or raspberry fluff. 43150 Broadlands Center Plz., Ashburn
Centreville
Morak
Fast-casual Korean street food is just a short drive away at Morak. Fans of the cuisine embrace dishes like kimbap, bulgogi, bibimbap, Korean chicken, and chicken sandwiches. Rice bowls, fried rice, and combination plates round out the extensive menu. 5639 Stone Rd., Centreville
Fairfax
Andy’s Pizza Fairfax
Virginia’s third location for the award-winning ‘za brings cheesy goodness to Fairfax. Alongside standard and specialty pies that draw a crowd, salads and starters round out the meal. Classics like pepperoni and Margherita pizzas never miss. Outside-the-box variables like buffalo crispy chicken and a plant-based option are also worth a try. 10408 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax
Kelly’s Oyster House & Bar
From the owners of Hamrock’s in Fairfax comes Kelly’s Oyster House. Featuring 11 oyster varieties, Kelly’s is a casual sports bar and restaurant, with non-shellfish options like chicken, steak, trout, salmon, and pasta as well. Accompany the meal with one of its fresh-squeezed crushes. 4069 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax
Falls Church
Taco Zocalo
Visit Taco Zocalo for authentic Mexican food, including tacos, burritos, chimichangas, bowls, and quesadillas. This is the fourth Northern Virginia location of this eatery. Fresh, healthy ingredients create vibrant, fragrant dishes. 6343-D Columbia Pk., Falls Church
Herndon
Moo Thru
It’s been a long time in the making, but Moo Thru’s sixth and newest location has finally opened in Herndon. Founded by fourth-generation Fauquier County dairy farmer Ken Smith in June 2010, the delightful ice cream mecca has been growing ever since. Drop by for sundaes, cones, and milkshakes. 317 Spring St., Herndon
McLean
Cafe Levantine
When a pastry, soup, or sandwich appeals to your palate, visit Cafe Levantine, an eastern Mediterranean cafe in McLean. Intriguing mezzah options like za’tar grilled cheese and grilled haloumi are offered, as well as creative teas, coffees, lattes, and more. 6829 Elm St., McLean
ArTeA Tea Shop and TeaLab
This McLean tea shop offers a selection of bubble teas, desserts, ice creams, and more. Order whole cakes, or by-the-slice cheesecake, cakes, and cookies. 6635 Old Dominion Dr., McLean
Sterling
Pelicana Chicken
Established in 1982 in South Korea, this fried chicken spot’s success can be attributed to its variety of delicious sauces, chicken selections, and fresh ingredients. Devour its signature fried chicken in flavors like sweet spicy, spicy soy garlic, hot spicy, honey garlic, and original. A myriad of sides —soups, rice bowls, salads, and fries—are also a draw. 20921 Davenport Dr., Unit 131, Sterling
Sushi King
When you’re shopping at Dulles Town Center, take a dining break at Sushi King, located within the mall. The self-service buffet and all-you-can-eat experience makes it fun and easy to sample a variety of sushi. Sushi, sashimi, poke, soups, gyoza, and tempura make for good eating. Dulles Town Center: 21100 Dulles Town Cir. Space B Ste. 144, Sterling
Saigon Bistro
Explore Vietnamese cuisine at Saigon Bistro. Savor 24-hour bone broth and fresh pho at this new family-style restaurant. Vermicelli salads, grilled platters, noodle soups, and wok specialties are also featured on the lengthy menu. 47100 Community Plz., Ste. 124, Sterling
Tysons
MayBar at Joon
Acclaimed Persian restaurant Joon celebrated its first anniversary in style by adding a more casual patio destination to its already popular Tysons Corner location. MayBar offers cocktails, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and a selection of light bites. Michelin-starred chef-owner Chris Morgan offers noshes like Turkish flatbreads, focaccia-style sandwiches, and tuna tartar. 8045 Leesburg Pk., Vienna
Starr Hill Brewpub
Located on the street level facing the McLean Metro station, the new brewpub is an extension of Starr Hill’s Biergarten upstairs and outside. Hearty fare like burgers, jambalaya, and surf and turf make great options to accompany what’s on tap. 7730 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons
Vienna
Sushi Oishii: All You Can Eat
Can you say ‘unlimited’? Come hungry to this all-you-can-eat restaurant in Vienna. Sushi aficionados will flock to embrace the extensive array of sushi, sashimi, and Japanese delicacies. Skilled sushi chefs prepare each dish with fresh ingredients. 234 Maple Ave. E., Vienna
Woodbridge
Sake Japanese Steakhouse
Talk about surf and turf. Sake Japanese Steakhouse offers a plethora of sushi, sashimi, cooked rolls, and hand rolls along with hibachi-grilled steak, chicken, lobster, and fish. The sky’s the limit at this new steakhouse, with menu items to meet every palate. 2705 Metro Plz., Woodbridge
Naz’s Halal Food
After getting its start in a food truck in New York, this halal restaurant now has over 25 locations. Its new Woodbridge location serves up a multitude of gyros, hot wings, rice platters, sandwiches, and sides. Save room for banana pudding or baklava. 14230 Smoketown Rd., Woodbridge
Feature image courtesy Andy’s Pizza
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