8. Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant
6304 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Sunflower’s atmosphere will reward you for navigating the tangle of roads in Seven Corners. The interior is aglow with vibrant sunflowers—described by the restaurant as “the primary source of energy for life on earth”—plus you’ll find vegetarian and vegan cuisine that is equal parts nourishing and flavorful. Dishes such as BBQ vegi-shrimp and colorful vegetable lo-mein showcase the restaurant’s Chinese roots, though the menu branches out into other kinds of cuisine, too. “Popeye’s Favorite,” a take on chicken pot pie, keeps the potatoes but swaps the chicken for spinach, vegi-bacon and house black pepper sauce. Sushi options include a rainbow roll of pickled daikon, carrot, inari (seasoned and fried tofu) and cucumber. For those partial to Indian flavors, the crisp curried dumplings are a winner. While you’re eating, you can peruse the menu’s “gourmet glossary” to educate yourself on ingredients ranging from Chinese jujube to wood-ear mushrooms.
Other dishes to try:
- Fried “chicken”
- Eggplant medley
- Vegan “General Tso’s Magic”