Balmy outdoor dining, different cuisines, and notable newcomers mark this summer as a prime season for restaurant visits.
Here’s what’s new across Northern Virginia.
Restaurants Now Open:
Alexandria
Gustave Boulangerie
France has invaded Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood. Don your best beret and visit this craft coffee bar that also serves colorful macarons, sandwiches, crêpes, and waffles. 2213 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Rubia’s
Taco lovers must try this new addition to the Alexandria scene. The new venture is starting slowly offering breakfast tacos, but will add brunch, lunch, and dinner tacos soon. Sample morning tacos, pastry, coffee, and fruit at this pleasant spot. 2309 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Arlington
Chicken + Whiskey
The Peruvian rotisserie joint Chicken + Whiskey opened its first Virginia location in Clarendon. The restaurant has three other locations in DC and Columbia, Maryland. In addition to Peruvian chicken, it has 99 whiskeys and housemade craft cocktails. Twelve-hour brined chicken is the star here. 3303 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 111R, Arlington
Mpanadas
Visit this Bolivian, family-owned cafe for a variety of fast and delicious empanadas and South American street food. Dig into empanadas, paletas, and warm drinks. 2602 Columbia Pike, Ste. B, Arlington
Ashburn
Tsaocaa
Quench your thirst for coconut drinks, milk bubble tea, fresh brewed tea, slushes, and classic fruit tea at this shop. The expansive beverage menu offers something for every budget, taste, and palate. 43330 Junction Plz., Ste. 192, Ashburn
Yum Yum Hibachi
This recently opened Japanese restaurant serves traditional hibachi dishes in protein bowls with enticing toppings and rice or noodles. Sides of soups, spring rolls, salad, and dumplings round out the meals. 20706 Weller’s Corner Sq., Ste.110, Ashburn
Gainesville
Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken
Hangry Joe’s opened another NoVA location for its hot chicken and wings. Gainesville is the newest member of the hot chicken club, offering combinations of chicken fingers, sandwiches, and waffles. Tasty sides, such as waffle fries, cider slaw, and macaroni and cheese seal the deal. 7629 Linton Hall Rd., Gainesville
Herndon
Chiboo Bakery
Macaron lovers, you have a new destination. Chiboo Bakery has French macarons made with California-grown almonds and Belgian chocolate, as well as other dainty desserts. Chelsea Tan Hweii Chiee, owner of the microbrewery, made it her “quest” to master the French sweet. The grand opening for her shop is from 4–8 p.m. Friday, June 30 and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, July 1. 273 Sunset Park Dr., Herndon
Vienna
Frame Coffee Roasters
Fuel up at Frame Coffee Roasters, Vienna’s newest spot for hot and iced coffees, lattes, tea, juice, and pastries. Grab a cup of java and a waffle, bagel, or breakfast sandwich and park yourself indoors or outdoors for a satisfying visit. 302 Maple Ave. W., Vienna
Joon
For upscale Persian cuisine, give Joon in Tysons a try. Taste exotic flavors at this elevated dining experience, complete with extensive wine, cocktail, and beer offerings. Chef-curated dishes are visually stunning at this high-end dining destination that gets its produce from a Maryland farm. For dessert, try one of its sweet treats. Maybe baklava or sour cherry sorbet. 8045 Leesburg Pk., Ste. 120, Vienna
Restaurants Coming Soon:
Alexandria
Alexandria Bier Garden
Opening July 13, the Alexandria Bier Garden will offer not only beer, but also food and entertainment. The beer garden will feature German beers, including Hofbrau, Weihenstephan, Schofferhofer, and Paulaner. It will bring together German fusion cuisine in whimsical-themed dining rooms. And its rooftop bar will be the only one in Old Town. 714 King St., Alexandria
Arlington
Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream
Toby’s newest location at Metropolitan Park at Amazon’s HQ2 is expected to open in the next couple of weeks. This friendly neighborhood ice cream shop will dole out rich, creamy ice cream and will offer thick milkshakes. 510 14th St. S., Arlington
Leesburg
Sonic Drive-In
Loudoun County’s first Sonic Drive-In is planning to open in mid-July. The fast-food spot offers comfort food galore; burgers, shakes, and tater tots. It’s the second Sonic in NoVA. The other one is in Manassas. Look for it to open in Leesburg’s Oaklawn development at Miller Drive SE and Battlefield Parkway SE.
Feature image courtesy Alexandria Bier Garden
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