Every year, Yelp releases their list of Yelpers’ favorite restaurant spots across the United States. This year, Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in 2022 in the U.S. features four unique restaurants in Northern Virginia, showing that the Northern Virginia community is active and adventurous when it comes to dining out.
Yelp reaches out to the user community to build their list, analyzing submissions of Yelpers’ favorite spots to determine the hottest restaurants across the country by ratings, number of reviews, and number of submissions. The list is even further curated with the skill of Community Managers across the U.S. to finalize the rankings.
The restaurants picked are just as adventurous as the Yelpers. The menus range from eastern France to southwestern China, from Southern classics to Afghan cuisine. There’s a little something in there for everyone, whether you’re looking for a fine dining experience or a Sunday brunch pit-stop.
With Northern Virginia being one of the most ethnically and internationally diverse regions in the U.S., it’s no surprise that the dining selections are just as diverse. Check out the four restaurants below that represent a blend of culture just as unique as our home region itself.
Aracosia
Aracosia, an authentic Afghan restaurant in McLean, combines the authenticity of traditional cooking with the health benefits of modern cuisine. In a cozy and colorful setting, guests can partake in anything from Paleo friendly meat stew to traditional Aushak, a leek and scallion dumpling dish. Guests will be happy to note that almost everything on Aracosia’s menu is gluten free, and all of the meats are Halal. Aracosia also works to give back, donating a percentage of their profits to vulnerable citizens in their community. Whether it’s the authentic Afghan cuisine or the plentiful health-conscious options, there is something at Aracosia for everyone. 1381 Beverly Rd., McLean
Ruthie’s All-Day
Ruthie’s All-Day in Arlington is the perfect brunch spot to have lined up as we warm up for spring. Housed in a midcentury-modern landmark building, this brunch spot retains all the charm of the 1950s while also having a modern flair. Guests relish Southern classics such as apple pie pancakes and fried chicken biscuit, while sipping on colorful cocktails like “Ruthie’s All-Day Lemonade” or a tequila-and-raspberry concoction called “A Sharp Sunrise.” Don’t forget to come back for dinner, when you can enjoy smoked brisket and spare ribs. 3411 Fifth St. S., Arlington
L’Auberge Chez François
L’Auberge Chez François will transport you across time zones to Alsace, France. After finding six acres of green rolling hills in Great Falls in 1976, Chef François Haeringer moved his DC restaurant to the countryside, bringing the flavor of France to Northern Virginia. Offering both a prix fixe lunch and dinner menu, this dining experience is for the romantic of heart. Highlights of the menu include La Cassolette de Joues de Boeuf, a Braised Wagu beef cheeks appetizer, and Le Homard du Maine, a Maine lobster entrée in a Sauternes sauce. Nestled in a French garden setting, L’Auberge Chez François will enchant you. 332 Springvale Rd., Great Falls
Yunnan by Potomac Noodle House
Named after the southwesternmost province in China, Yunnan creates a dining experience that is authentic to Southwest Chinese culture and to the Chinese-American experience. Guests can enjoy small plates (Xiaochi) of wasabi yu choy and chili garlic bok choy to share, while also partaking in dumplings (Jiaozi) of garlic butter crab or beef short rib. For dessert (Tiandian), try out their Babaofan, a sweet sticky-rice and dried fruit compote mixture, with roasted candied peanuts on top. If you are looking for a dining experience that is unique to the food and culture of Southwest China, look no further than Yunnan, nestled in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. 814 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria
Northern Virginia isn’t the only place with great restaurants. Two restaurants in DC also made it onto the list. Check out Seylou, a sustainable bakery and restaurant in downtown DC. Using locally sourced grain, Seylou presents a wide array of baked goods and pizza options to choose from. Try some of Seylou’s fan-favorite danishes for a satisfyingly savory flavor. In the heart of Georgetown also comes Sicilian-owned il Canale. Their renowned authentic pizza Napoletana is sure to impress even the most seasoned foodies. Along with their pizza, classics like lobster ravioli and gnocchi alla Bolognese will create a dining experience that everyone can enjoy.
Feature image of Ruthie’s All-Day chef Matt Hill by Rey Lopez
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