Reader Pick
Restaurant in McLean
Aracosia
This fragrant and hospitable chophouse devoted to Afghan cuisine is the true definition of a family business. Sofia Masroor and her husband, Omar, run the place, and four of their five children work here, too. (The youngest, at age 11, is a bit too young to be on the payroll.) All of the recipes at their three restaurants—the other two are in D.C. and Springfield— were passed down by the owners’ mothers. “Our guests are treated like family,” Sofia says. Begin a meal with warm flatbread and a trio of dips, then move on to dishes like pumpkin dumplings with garlic yogurt and mint, or a stew of slow-cooked lamb shank simmered for three hours. For a taste of everything, order the mezze-style sampler, and be sure to save room for pistachio ricotta cake for dessert. The menu is a carnivore’s paradise but has just as many tempting options for vegetarians. –Adele Chapin
Other top vote-getters:
Amoo’s Restaurant, J. Gilbert’s, McLean Family Restaurant, Tachibana, Wren
Reader Pick
Restaurant in Arlington
Ruthie’s All-Day
Other top vote-getters:
Ambar Clarendon, Ballston Local, Café Colline, Carlyle, Green Pig Bistro, The Liberty Tavern, Lyon Hall, The Salt Line, SER
Reader Pick
Restaurant in Falls Church
Thompson Italian
Other top vote-getters:
2941 Restaurant, Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, Dogwood Tavern, Dominion Wine & Beer, Ellie Bird, Harvey’s, Northside Social
Editor Pick
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Water Park at National Landing
Tucked between Crystal Drive and the Mount Vernon Trail, Water Park has made a big splash since its October debut, but there are no waterslides or wave pools here—it’s not that kind of park. Instead, visitors can relax amid beautiful landscaping and soothing water features while enjoying a veritable smorgasbord of food and beverage options, from Indian dosas, New York-style pizza and plant-based burgers to tiki drinks and curry noodles. Some 11 restaurants and kiosks are represented, nine of which are small businesses with minority and women owners. The open-air Water Bar, perched atop an infinity fountain with a cascading waterfall, is a cool spot for a plate of oysters and a proper cocktail. “People seem to be really enjoying it,” says Kai Reynolds, chief development officer at JBG Smith, which developed the 1.6-acre space. “The vendors are telling us their sales are higher than expected.” The word is out. –Stephanie Kanowitz
Reader Pick
New Restaurant
Ellie Bird
After earning a Michelin star at their upscale D.C. restaurant, Rooster & Owl, Falls Church natives Yuan and Carey Tang returned to their hometown to open a second eatery, which Carey calls “a cooler, calmer version of Rooster & Owl, still very chef-driven, still seasonal, but a bit more family-friendly.” Here, the wildly creative dishes by chef Yuan include a belly-warming soup that marries Vietnamese pho with cheesy French onion, and a riff on Thai larb gai featuring fried oysters dredged in a KFC-inspired spice blend. Ellie Bird also does brunch—a first for the husband-and-wife duo—with unique options such as a dramatic omelet served over kimchi fried rice and a boozy cocktail version of bright purple, ube-flavored bubble tea. –Adele Chapin
Other top vote-getters:
Chicken + Whiskey, Hawkers Asian Street Food, Our Mom Eugenia, Pirouette Café & Wine Shop, Seamore’s
Reader Pick
Coffee Shop
Northside Social
Northside Social’s Clarendon location turns 14 in April—but the vision behind the coffee shop is unchanged. “We wanted it to be modeled on the old-fashioned idea of a coffeehouse, where there are people having lengthy conversations,” says Stephen Fedorchak, one of the partners with parent company Liberty Restaurant Group. Today, Northside has a second outpost in Falls Church, which, like its sister, offers creative café fare, house-made pastries and a roomy, pet-friendly patio. You’ll find Counter Culture Coffee brewing at both spots and providing a proper buzz in specialty drinks such as a pumpkin spice latte made with anti-inflammatory ashwagandha, sarsaparilla root and maple syrup infused with real pumpkin. –Adele Chapin
Other top vote-getters:
Compass Coffee, Idido’s Coffee & Social House, Kaldi’s Social House, La Coop Coffee, Rare Bird Coffee Roasters
Reader Pick
Rooftop Dining/Bar
Buena Vida Gastrolounge
Other top vote-getters:
Dogwood Tavern, Don Tito, Dudley’s Sport and Ale, Starr Hill Biergarten at The Perch, Wilson Hardware
Reader Pick
Sandwiches
The Italian Store
The Italian Store sells hard-to-find wines and at least 50 different cuts of pasta at its Westover and Lyon Village shops, but many devotees come for the Philly-style subs packed with ingredients like imported mortadella, prosciutto and provolone. The bestseller is the Milano, made with provolone, Genoa salami and two Italian hams, one of which is crusted with black peppercorn. The lengthy sandwich menu also has typical deli offerings—think tuna salad and turkey—alongside hot subs such as chicken parm or a meatball hoagie inspired by the recipe of owner Robert Tramonte’s mother. Grab a premade sandwich from the basket on the counter or (pro tip) call ahead to order your own custom creation. –Adele Chapin
Other top vote-getters:
Ballston Local, Earl’s Sandwiches, Lazy Mike’s Delicatessen, Lost Dog Café, Poppyseed Rye
Reader Pick
Pizza
Pupatella
Other top vote-getters:
Ballston Local, Fire Works, The Italian Store, Lost Dog Café, Old Dominion Pizza Co., Pie-tanza
Reader Pick
Tacos
Taco Bamba
Other top vote-getters:
Bartaco, District Taco, El Rey, La Tingeria, Taco Rock, Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita
Reader Pick
Vegetarian/Vegan
True Food Kitchen
Other top vote-getters:
Busboys and Poets, Extreme Pizza, Galaxy Hut, Lebanese Taverna, Loving Hut, Troy’s Italian Kitchen
Reader Pick
Craft Cocktails
Salt
Other top vote-getters:
Ballston Local, SER, Whino, Wren