You can travel the world without the pricey airfare, thanks to many of the new restaurants that have recently opened in and around Arlington. Check out these new options for international flavors, as well as sweet treats, Southern favorites and more.
For Five Coffee Roasters
Catch a buzz with espresso drinks, nitro cold brews and matcha shots (or, come the evening hours, with beer, wine or espresso martinis) at this micro-roaster’s latest Arlington location in Rosslyn. From the food menu, try sweet and savory options including pastries, For Five’s signature “stuffed cookies,” breakfast sandwiches, acai bowls, avo toast, Mexican birria grilled cheese sandwiches and a variety of clever salads. Opened: Feb. 23. // 1735 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Sakaki Izakaya
Mini sushi burgers with spicy tuna, a crawfish maki roll and Wagyu fried rice are a few of the menu items at this new Japanese restaurant in Clarendon. Want to be wowed? Order the Egg on Egg (king salmon, quail egg, ikura and wasabi soy) in a smoking bowl, whose dazzling special effects are achieved with dry ice. Opened: Dec. 25. // 3227 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Soul Thai Kitchen and Bar
Filling the former Meridian Pint space in Dominion Hills, this eatery offers colorful curries, rice and noodle dishes such as pad Thai and Crazy Fried Rice, and signature dishes such as the Soul Seafood Sunrise (seafood stir-fry in yellow curry) and Salmon Sunshine (salmon with coconut curry sauce). The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Opened: Dec. 22. // 6035 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Dominion Hills)
Hal & Al’s BBQ
Billed as “the DMV’s first Halal BBQ joint” (you guessed it—there is no pork on the menu) this Ballston Quarter newcomer adheres to Islamic dietary standards and preparations for hearty fare such as beef brisket, turkey sausage and beef “Dino” ribs. Owner Mohsin Rehman grew up in Baltimore, which explains why Old Bay is part of the seasoning mix for the brisket rub, as well as in sides like Old Bay mac ‘n’ cheese. Opened: Dec. 15. //4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Variedades Catrachas
This restaurant has been dishing up traditional Honduran and Salvadoran cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner since mid-December 2023. The extensive menu includes options like chicken tamales, tacos, nachos, 11 kinds of pupusas, fajitas, carne asada and seafood dishes such as shrimp ceviche and fried tilapia with green bananas. Sip a pineapple, strawberry-blueberry or lemon margarita, or a michelada, a spicy quencher made with beer and tomato juice. Opened: Dec. 15. // 3709 Columbia Pike, Arlington (Columbia Pike)
Snouts & Stouts
This place has gone to the dogs—even the kitchen. “Food will be fresh and made in-house,” says Daniel Ramos, founder and CEO of this indoor dog park and bar. Everything is dog-friendly, so if a piece of your chicken tender or chicken parm slider falls on the floor, Fifi and Fido will be safe. Other menu items include pulled-pork beer-cheese pretzel bites and lighter fare such as a build-your-own yogurt parfait with granola and fruit. Pups can have their own cups, too. Treat your pooch to a chicken or steak rice bowl, treats from Dogma Dog Bakery and even a canine-safe beer from Good Boy Dog Beer in flavors with fun names such as IPA Lot In the Yard and Mailman Malt Licker. While there’s no alcohol in those, humans can also enjoy a variety of beers, wines, canned cocktails and champagne to toast that hard-earned house-breaking. Check the website for events such as live music, bingo night and yoga with your pup. Opened: Dec. 9. // 2709 S. Oakland St., Arlington (Shirlington)
Westover Taco
This 75-seat taqueria in the former Forest Inn space serves tacos with house-made corn or flour tortillas, as well as burritos, enchiladas, salads and churro doughnuts with Toby’s Handmade vanilla ice cream. The late-night bar mixed up margaritas and other tequila-based cocktails. “We try to keep it just to the classics and the favorites,” says co-owner Scott Parker, whose other local watering holes include Don Tito in Clarendon, Bronson Bierhall in Ballston and Nighthawk Brewery and Pizza in Westpost. Opened: Dec. 9. // 5849 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)
Ometeo
A two-level Tex-Mex restaurant that seats 240 diners at the Capital One Center, this is the latest concept from Long Shot Hospitality, which also owns The Salt Line and Dauphine’s. The menu, created by Gabe Erales, the first Mexican American Top Chef winner, and chef Kyle Bailey, features dishes ranging from seafood fajitas and Texas short rib tacos to venison tostadas. Outfitted with three bars, the sprawling restaurant has a long list of signature cocktails, such as a guava and hibiscus margarita, frozen milk ponche (tequila reposado, cacao, coconut, cinnamon and chocolate Ibarra, and the yaupon spritz (Lillet, peach, yaupon tea and prickly pear). Opened: Dec. 6. // 1640 Capital One Drive North, Tysons
Makers Union
This upscale gastropub at Amazon HQ2’s Metropolitan Park dishes out modern comfort foods like mac and cheese with gruyere, jalapeños and parmesan-herb breadcrumbs, and fried chicken slathered in hot sauce with chopped kale, mustard slaw and pickles. As a tie-in to Amazon’s signature community banana stand, the pub sells a cocktail called There’s Always Money in the Banana Stand—a nod to the money laundering scam in the TV comedy Arrested Development. Open for lunch and dinner daily and brunch on the weekends, the pub also has live music three nights a week. Part of the minority-owned Thompson Hospitality group of restaurants, this is the third Makers Union location in the DMV. Opened: Dec. 5. // 1450 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing)
Surreal
The latest concept from Seven Reasons Group and Enrique Limardo, the chef behind D.C.’s Michelin-starred Imperfecto, this National Landing spot takes a whimsical approach to serious cooking. It serves globally inspired dishes such as a fun-to-look-at crispy rice paper “pillow” perched atop sushi-grade tuna tartare, and “Between Breads” (aka sandwiches) like the Spicy Beef Saigon with Pineapple (Vietnamese-style roast beef, pineapple, garlic, slaw and Serrano pepper mayo). Limardo calls the eatery “a fun twist on regular American diners.” Read our dining critic’s review here. Opened: Dec. 1 // 2117 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Corso Italian
Almost 13 years after opening Cheesetique in The Village at Shirlington, cheesemonger Jill Erber teamed with eight-time James Beard Award-nominated chef Cathal Armstrong to do something different in the space. There is still cheese, albeit mostly Italian varieties that complement the restaurant’s house-made pastas, such as oxtail ravioli and artichoke agnolotti. The beverage program features all-Italian wine list, plus Negronis, spritzes and 24 types of amaro. Opened: Early December. // 4024 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Bluefish Bistro
Here’s a new place to get your sushi fix. Choose from 34 sushi and sashimi options, such as mackerel and quail egg, and 24 specialty rolls such as the Crunch Muffy (shrimp tempura, cream cheese, cucumber, spicy mayo, melted mozzarella and sweet soy sauce) and Fire Mountain (spicy octopus, shrimp, cucumber, avocado and seared tuna). Tucked inside the Centro Arlington apartment building, the restaurant also has noodle and grilled teriyaki meat dishes. Opened: December. // 950 S. George Mason Dr., Arlington (Columbia Pike)
Tiger Dumplings
You can watch dumplings being made on-site with fillings such as pork and chive; chicken and shiitake; or black truffle and Wagyu beef at this Clarendon newcomer, where the temptations also include soup dumplings, potstickers, Shanghai roasted duck and a bevvy of noodle and rice dishes. Previous concepts by chef-owner Leopold Liao, an H-B Woodlawn graduate, include Reren Lamen in D.C. and Asian Origin in Tysons. Opened: Nov. 15. // 3225 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Ocean Shack
Six months after Thirsty Bernie closed its doors at the corner of Langston Boulevard and Glebe Road, this seafood restaurant took its place. Fans of the former watering hole will still find plenty of TV screens showing all the sports, and bar food appetizers including wings and hush puppies. Now you can also get scallop nachos, fried tilapia or oysters, fish tacos and seafood boils featuring snow crabs, green mussels and lobster tail. Stop in for Thursday Karoake Nights from 8-11:30 p.m., or live music most Saturday nights. Opened: Nov. 15. // 2163 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Waverly Hills)
Padaek
Chef Seng Luangrath, who learned how to cook from neighbors and elders at a refugee camp in Thailand after her family fled Laos, recently opened a second location of Padaek in Arlington Ridge. (The first is in Seven Corners.) Serving Lao and Thai cuisine for lunch and dinner, the 3,500-square-foot space has an open kitchen, open and covered patio areas, private dining and occasional tasting menus at the Chef Counter. Enjoy super flavorful dishes such as panang curry, spring rolls and seafood. Opened: Nov. 15. // 2931 S. Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Ridge)
Ya Hala Bistro
This Middle Eastern restaurant and hookah bar takes the place of the former Layalina Restaurant in the Bluemont neighborhood. On the menu are hummus, baba ghanoush, shawarmas, lamb chops, kabobs and falafel. Keep an eye on their social media pages for updates on live entertainment. Opened: November. // 5216 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Bluemont)
The Falls
Liberty Barbecue reopened last fall with a new name, menu and interior design. Patrons can still dig into favorites such as wings, brisket and fried chicken, but the new menu also includes a wider spectrum of mid-Atlantic and Southern dishes beyond barbecue. A sister establishment of The Liberty Tavern, Lyon Hall and Northside Social, The Falls serves house-made baked goods from executive pastry chef Bridie McCulla during its breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch service. Opened: Oct. 18. // 370 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Peter Chang McLean
This real-deal Chinese restaurant is the 11th in the Chang family’s empire and the eighth named after its eponymous patriarch, once the chef of the Chinese Embassy in D.C. Signature menu items include Amish honey pork ribs, a vegan scallion bubble pancake and Wagyu beef lo mein. Ask for dishes that use the shiitake mushroom sauce Chang developed using fungi from an Amish farmer in New York. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Opened: Oct. 12. // 6715 Lowell Ave., McLean
Brij
Pronounced “bridge,” this Water Park coffee shop aims to connect the community one cup of joe at a time. Drawing on her experience as an unhoused single mother, founder Skyler Kelley donates a portion of the proceeds from her sales to local nonprofits, especially those that support single mothers, people experiencing homelessness and the LGBTQ+ community. From drip coffee to macchiato and matcha, Brij has your caffeine needs covered. The menu also includes smoothies, sandwiches, salads and muffins. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Bubbie’s Plant Burgers
Meet your daily servings of veggies at this new Water Park kiosk, where all sandwiches are plant-based and kosher-certified. Try the Blue Bubb, a house-made beet patty (or Impossible Burger) topped with cashew bleu cheese, shallots, lettuce, tomato and pickled mustard seed sauce, or the Fried Chick’n Caesar Sandwich with parmesan. Other menu items include grilled cheese and a toasted bagel with cashew cream cheese, plant-belly bacon and other toppings. Pair any order with fries (white or sweet potato, or avocado), onion rings and handspun shakes with house-made oat ice cream. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1721 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Cracked Eggery
Enjoy eggs in sandwich form? With 12 egg-on-challah (egg bread, naturally) sammie options, this new Water Park counter is for you. Our food critic’s pick: the Paulie Cicero, a “breakfast-meets-antipasto” combo of prosciutto, fried egg, arugula, ricotta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and Mike’s hot honey on a toasted challah bun.” If you prefer your food in a bowl, consider the Seoul Mate, packed with sous vide pork belly, fried egg, sushi rice, kimchi, sriracha mayo, hoisin sauce and more. Sides include a variety of tater tots, including garlic-parm-truffle and honey-butter, and French toast sticks. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1671 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Crush Pizza & Wine
If you’ve never thought about putting white wine-lemon cream sauce on a pizza with roasted mushrooms, artichoke hearts, spinach and house-made mozzarella, no worries, because this pizzeria did. But if you want a New York-style classic cheese or pepperoni, Crush has those, too, along with fresh salads and beverages such as agua frescas (in flavors like mandarin-chai tea or blackberry rosemary), plus sangria, wine and beer. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
DC Dosa
Priya Ammu is a self-taught chef whose vegan street food concept also has locations in D.C. and Bethesda. The menu centers on one of the Mumbai native’s favorite dishes: the Indian lentil crepes known as dosas, folded over a variety of fillings. Ammu also makes uttapam, open-face pancakes. Our food critic recommends the masala uttapam, which “is crisped on one side, then flipped over on the griddle and topped with crispy, turmeric-tinged curried potatoes, chopped cilantro and three chutneys: onion tamarind, mango habanero and cilantro sesame.” Whatever you choose, wash it down with a mango-ginger or sweet basil lassi, an Indian yogurt-based beverage. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1641 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Dolci Gelati
The National Landing outpost of this DMV gelateria serves a rotating list of all-natural Italian gelatos in flavors such as Aztec chocolate, Thai coconut lemongrass, carrot, and honey mascarpone fig. Sample sorbets, too, such as grapefruit Campari, mimosa and strawberry lavender. Founder Gianluigi Dellaccio is a pastry chef, so it tracks that his menu of temptations also includes funnel cake, gelato cookie sandwiches and cannoli. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1751 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Falafel Inc.
Ahmad Ashkar’s Middle Eastern carryout tastes good and does good. All menu items are $6 or less, and the eatery partners with the World Food Programme to help feed refugees worldwide. The fast-casual fare includes falafel bowls or sandwiches on fresh-baked pita bread stuffed with the signature food (fried chickpea fritters), plus accompaniments such as tabouli, red cabbage, pickled vegetables, cucumber-tomato salad and crispy pita chips. The eatery has several other D.C.-area locations, including one inside Tysons Corner Center. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1631 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
PhoWheels
You can now get this food truck’s Vietnamese street food from its first brick-and-mortar spot at Water Park. Feast on the bo-khirria banh mi, a beef stew-and-mozzarella sandwich on French bread that our food critic dubbed “a spectacular mess.” Other dishes include oxtail pho tacos on flour or corn tortillas or roti flatbread, and, of course, pho (beef bone broth, rice noodles, onions, scallions, cilantro, basil, lime and jalapenos). The drinks menu includes Viet iced coffee, Thai iced tea and soy milk. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1731 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Queen Mother’s Kitchen
James Beard Award semi-finalist chef Rahman “Rock” Harper pays homage to his mom with this Water Park takeout, which serves fried chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders made with the chef’s signature blend of 13 ingredients and fried in duck fat. For something savory and sweet, try the Virginia Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich, brushed with honey butter. If you prefer heat, go for the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich topped with coleslaw and dill pickles. All of the chicken is antibiotic- and cage-free and comes from Bell & Evans, an organic-certified hatchery in Pennsylvania. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1711 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Tiki Thai
Experience the confluence of Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian, Polynesian and Thai cuisine at this new Water Park kiosk (it’s also got a full-service restaurant and bar in Reston). Add chicken or tofu to ginger fried rice or pad Thai. Make it a combo by adding spring rolls, or go light with som tum, a green papaya salad with tomato, carrot, green beans and chili. Top your meal off with a signature cocktail, such as Last Dragon (mezcal, passionfruit, lime, Campari reposado tequila and pineapple), or a plate of fresh mango and sticky rice. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1651 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Water Bar
The only full-service cocktail bar at Water Park, this picturesque restaurant sits atop the water wall that is the focal point of the area’s outdoor food hall. Reserve a spot indoors or outdoors and snack on plates of prosciutto pretzel rods, a crab melt panini, or raw or broiled oysters. Signature cocktails include Waterworks (miso, sesame, coconut brown sugar and pisco or shochu) and Who You Callin Basic? (gin, finocchietto, rosemary and tonic). Mixologists didn’t miss the martini menu, which features several specialties, such as the Ocean City (olive-infused gin and pickled sea cucumber brine) and Summer’s Child (gin, cucumber-infused Dolin Blanc vermouth and St-Germain elderflower liqueur). Opened: Oct. 6. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Ryu Izakaya
Japanese small plates, sushi, ramen and stir fry make up just part of the menu at this Columbia Pike izakaya in the former Rincome Thai space. Appetizers include yakitori (skewered meats), pork belly bao buns and fried octopus leg, while signature maki rolls include Honey Shrimp and the O Ryu, with spicy and crunchy fatty tuna topped white fatty tuna, avocado, ikura (salmon caviar) and scallion. Stir-fried options include kimchi fried rice with beef and drunken udon. Opened: October. // 3030 Columbia Pike, Arlington (Columbia Pike)
Godfrey’s Bakery Cafe
Start your day right at this Falls Church City newcomer with options such as Supercharged French Toast, made with locally raised “beyond organic” microgreens, radishes and pickled red onions on sundried tomato parmesan bread, and a caffe mocha with house-made chocolate ganache. Also on the menu: Roman-style pizzas, grazing boards, a shrimp bowl and sandwiches including The Thanksgiving (oven-roasted turkey, sharp white cheddar, green apple slices and more on cranberry bread), plus breads and pastries for takeout. Open most days from 7 a.m. t0 10 p.m., the café is part of Meeting House, a family-owned boutique hotel. Opened: Sept. 26. // 421 W. Broad St., Falls Church