It’s hard to get into a dining rut around here. Hankering to expand your gastronomical adventures? Check out these newly opened eateries in and around Arlington.
Water Park
This 1.6-acre “urban oasis” in National Landing packs 11 restaurant and bar concepts—including nine kiosks—into one outdoor dining destination. Complete with new water features, art installations, landscaping, seating areas and a live-performance stage, the reimagined park has something for every craving, from pizza, raw bar and plant-based burgers to South Indian street food and Vietnamese pho. See our story for a complete rundown of the offerings. Opened: Oct. 6. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Astro Beer Hall
The 14,000-square-foot, space-themed beer hall features old-school video games, 24 brews on tap, a spacious patio, fried chicken sliders, loaded tots, breakfast sandwiches and Compass coffee, plus a robot that makes doughnuts to order. It’s a collaboration between the owners of Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken and the Tin Shop bar and restaurant group. Opened: Sept. 19. // 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Padaek
Now open for takeout from 4-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, the Arlington Ridge location of chef Seng Luangrath’s Lao, Thai and Burmese eatery will add dine-in seating soon, according to its website. On the menu are dishes such as Naem Khao Thadaeu (fried coconut rice salad with pork sausage or tofu), pad Thai and curries. Opened: Sept. 18. // 2931 S. Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Ridge)
Peruvian Brothers
After shuttering their kiosk in the Crystal City Water Park to make way for the park’s reinvention, Giuseppe and Mario Lanzone have returned to National Landing with a restaurant at Met Park. The brothers, Peruvian natives who moved to McLean in 1997, serve what they call “comida criolla”—food with Andean, Spanish, African and Asian influences. Specialties include empanadas, saltado (stir fry) and sandwiches such as the Pan con Chicharron (salted pork tenderloin, grilled sweet potato and salsa criolla). Opened: August. // 1450 South Eads Street, Arlington (National Landing)
Ireland’s Four Courts
One year after a car crashed into the front of the building, this beloved Irish pub in Courthouse has reopened with the same menu, same staff, and the same love of football (as in EPL and MLS soccer). Stop in for a traditional Irish breakfast, a pint of Guinness, a plate of corned beef and cabbage or a dram of Irish whiskey. Opened: Sept. 7. // 2051 Wilson Blvd, Arlington (Courthouse)
The Kitchen Collective
This new concept from chef Chris Morgan offers fast-casual takeout from multiple eateries. Can’t decide whether you’re in the mood for pizza, Middle Eastern mezze, acai bowls or cookies? You can get them all here, either for pickup or delivery. Ultimately, six restaurants will be part of the collective. So far, four are open: Franki’s, Pizza Serata, Soul Rebel and Yasmine. Opened: Aug. 25. // 8045 Leesburg Pike, Suite L160, Tysons
Coco B’s
Come camera-ready to this tropics-inspired restaurant with Instagram-worthy décor and drinks. The latest concept from B Social Hospitality, which also owns Clarendon Ballroom, The Lot, Pamplona and “secret social club” Alias on 14th in D.C., Coco B’s shares space with sister establishment B Live in what was Whitlow’s on Wilson. Divided into bays, the restaurant has a dining room on the main floor, a champagne-focused Bubble Bar and a private event space, plus a 2,350-square-foot rooftop bar. Opened: Aug. 18. // 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn
From the optometrist-turned-treats-purveyor who brought us Jake’s Ice Cream comes this new specialty shop serving next-level popcorn in 20-plus flavors, from maple-bacon to toffee. Like its sister ice cream parlor, Jake’s Popcorn provides employment opportunities to people with disabilities. Opened: Aug. 7. // 6328 Seven Corners Center, Falls Church
District Taco McLean
The beloved homegrown taqueria now has a storefront in McLean, marking its seventh location in Virginia. Franchise owners Hicham El Abbassi and Isalmou Boussaa have a combined 30 years’ restaurant industry experience and say opening this fast-casual restaurant serving Yucatán-inspired tacos, burritos and bowls is part of their American dream. Opened: Aug. 15. // 1330 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream
Now there’s a third place to get your Toby’s fix. The newest location at Amazon’s Met Park serves shakes, sundaes and cones with creative ice cream flavors (from cinnamon and coffee-Oreo to purple ube and calamansi) that customers of this Best of Arlington award winner know and love from the Westover and Vienna locations. Opened: Aug. 12. // 510 14th St. S., Arlington (National Landing)
Good Company Doughnuts and Café
The family-owned eatery that got its start in Ballston now has two new locations in National Landing—including a coffee bar serving breakfast bowls, toasts, tacos, soups, sandwiches, and about 40 rotating varieties of doughnuts. Try the namesake treat in flavors such as honeydew, chocolate cake, Bavarian, Nutella toffee, blueberry buttercream and maple bacon. Note that only the original Ballston location has online ordering. Opened: Aug. 4. // 510 14th St. S. and 1350 S. Eads St., Suite 80, Arlington (National Landing)
Ballstonian
Author, film director and restaurant industry veteran Isa Seyran debuted his custom coffee cart earlier this month, serving Turkish coffee and baklava—a duo he refers to as one of the “three perfect pairings in the world” (along with champagne and oysters, and Oregon pinot noir with salmon)—from a three-wheeled vehicle he imported from his native Turkey. A portion of proceeds will be donated to rebuilding efforts in central Turkey following the earthquake that ravaged the region in early 2023. In the coming months, bring your pup with you when you stop by the cart; Seyran is working on a bone-shaped “barklava” for furry friends. Opened: June 19. // 4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Mpanadas
This family-owned South American cafe serves up barbecue pork and cheeseburger empanadas, birthday cake paletas, java chip macaroons, and other sweet and savory treats. Thirsty? Add an iced coffee or hot chocolate to your order. Opened: June 17. // 2602 Columbia Pike Suite B, Arlington
Chicken + Whiskey
For pollo frito sandwiches, pork belly arepas and yuca fries, head to this Peruvian rotisserie chicken chainlet. The Clarendon storefront is the brand’s fourth location, pouring pisco punch, green tea shots and, of course, plenty of whiskey. Opened: June 16. // 3033 Wilson Blvd., Suite 111R, Arlington (Clarendon)
Joon
From lauded cookbook author Najmieh Batmanglij and chef Christopher Morgan (of Michelin-starred Maydan in the District) comes this upscale Persian eatery in Tysons. The menu features shareable plates such as fried sardines with Aleppo chile, as well as filet mignon kabobs, Persian love cake with blackberry jam, and craft cocktails. Opened: June 14. // 8045 Leesburg Pike, Tysons
Gyu San
Japanese barbecue restaurant Gyu San debuted in Ballston this spring, offering yakiniku (grilled meat), sushi and sake. Take your pick of appetizers such as ikura chawanmushi (cold steamed egg with ikura, uni and scallion), rolls like the flaming finale (spicy bluefin tuna, avocado, finished off with salmon, yellowtail, truffle sauce and red tobiko) and premium cuts of beef, lamb and pork. Opened: May 17. // 4300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 150, Arlington (Ballston)
Chasin’ Tails
After a decade in Arlington, this seafood restaurant relocated to the new Founders Row development in Falls Church. The menu is still inspired by the owners’ “Viet Cajun” roots in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with options such as seafood boils, crabs with andouille sausage, dirty rice and beignets, but the new location comes with a new look (think pop art with LED lights), some new menu items and more space—higher ceilings and big windows, plus more areas for large and private parties. Opened: May 4. // 944 W. Broad Street, Falls Church
Call Your Mother’s Lil’ Deli
Find peace, love and carbs at this mobile bagelry in McLean. The food-truck-meets-tiny-house is the ninth outpost for Call Your Mother, which opened its first shop in D.C. in 2018. Try the Bacon Sun City—a bacon, egg and cheese bagel sandwich with spicy honey—as well as chocolate babka muffins, pizza bagels and specialty lattes. Opened: May 4. // 6216 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Big Buns Damn Good Burgers
This McLean burger joint is the ninth location for the 2023 Best of Arlington winner, which launched its flagship eatery in Ballston in 2007. Dig into horseradish bourbon burgers, Shirlington hot chicken sandwiches and Redonculous Reese’s shakes, scooped into peanut butter-and-Reese’s Pieces-rimmed cups. Opened: April 26. // 1336 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
Matchbox
The local go-to for wood-fired pizzas expanded this spring to McLean, where the ample menu also features white wine mussels, mini burgers, barbecue baby back ribs, miso salmon and walnut butter cake. Pull up a seat at the bar for a glass of prosecco or a Tito’s Texican Standoff, a vodka drink made with Topo Chico and lime. Opened: April 26. // 1340 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
Nue
Chic Vietnamese eatery Nue opened its doors at Founders Row in April. Enjoy lavish interiors and seasonal menus at the Happy Endings Hospitality restaurant, whose current offerings include grilled oysters, coconut curry risotto and dry-aged ribeye with a soy-black pepper glaze. Opened: April 25. // 944 West Broad St, Falls Church
Ellie Bird
From executive chef Yuan Tang and general manager Carey Tang, the husband-wife duo behind D.C.’s Michelin-starred Rooster & Owl, comes this laid-back cafe named for the Tangs’ younger daughter. On the menu, find house-made pastas, lamb shank, kimchi bouillabaisse, pineapple buns and a selection of kid-approved items like mac and cheese. Opened: April 14. // 125 Founders Ave., Falls Church City
Our Mom Eugenia
Family-owned Greek Taverna Our Mom Eugenia opened its third Virginia location in March, this time in Shirlington, where the kitchen is turning out spanakopita, moussaka, branzino and a clear must-order: the baklava ice cream sandwich. Opened: March 30. // 4044 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
For those nights when you want to upgrade from a grocery-store pint to a giant cone packed with multiple flavors of Jeni’s ice cream, head to this Shirlington storefront, where the creative flavors include brambleberry crisp, wedding cake, goat cheese with red cherries, and limited-edition scoops. Opened: March 21. // 4150 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Slipstream
This D.C. coffee shop hopped across the Potomac with a Ballston storefront serving cortados, espresso tonics, Mexican chocolate scones and shakshuka poached-egg sandwiches. Opened: March 20. // 4300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Haute Dogs
This frank, brat and burger outpost in Arlington’s Williamsburg neighborhood grills next-level cookout fare. Think Banh mi dogs with jalapeno, cucumber and carrots. Buffalo Dogs with blue cheese, hot sauce and ranch. And a sriracha mayo-meets-sauteed onions-and-jalapenos concoction called the Betty White Burger. The shop—which also has locations in Alexandria, D.C. and a Nats Park concession stand—carries an array of tot options (including a cheesesteak rendition), and can make any dog or burger vegetarian. Opened: Feb. 25. // 2910 N. Sycamore St., Arlington
Jiwa Singapura
From Pepe Moncayo—the chef behind the Michelin-starred, Spanish kaiseki restaurant Cranes in D.C.—comes this fine dining eatery in Tysons. With soaring 30-foot ceilings, an open kitchen and a 3,000-square foot fireplace, the restaurant blends traditional Singaporean plates with elevated dishes derived from family recipes. Highlights include sardine curry puffs and snow crab with chili sauce, as well as cocktails such as “If Merlions Could Talk,” a rum drink named for the mythical fish-meets-lion creature popular in Singaporean culture. Opened: Feb. 15. // 1702U The Galleria at Tysons, Floor 3M, McLean
Chase the Submarine
After a more than five-year hiatus, Chase the Submarine has resurfaced. The Vienna sandwich shop from chefs Tim Ma (Lucky Danger) and Scott Chung (Bun’d Up, Sparrow Room) has relocated to the small Westpost storefront that was formerly home to Bread and Water, serving banh mi, marinated mushroom, and peanut-butter-and-jelly subs. Later this year, the sub shop will be joined by a wine and cocktail bar called No Chaser (get it?), in the same space. Opened: Feb. 14. // 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
La Coop Coffee
Shorthand for “la cooperativa” (the cooperative in Spanish), La Coop dates back to 2006, when founder and coffee farmer Juan Luis Salazar Cano created a coffee cooperative among his friends and family members in his hometown of Unión Cantinil, Guatemala. Arlington Forest is now home to the company’s second brick-and-mortar location (the first in Virginia), a 1,200-square-foot space with a coffee bar and outdoor seating. On the menu, find single-origin coffee, dirty horchatas (house-made horchata with a shot of espresso or coffee), breakfast sandwiches, empanadas, pastries and ice cream. A lunch menu is on the way. Opened: Feb. 11. // 4807 First St. N., Arlington
Sabores Tapas Bar
Apple salad with jicama and manchego. Lomo saltado with peppers, tomatoes and fried potatoes. A ribeye steak sandwich with chimmichurri. Find these and other small plates at this new tapas joint on the Pike, specializing in culinary traditions from Spain and Latin America. Thirsty? The Penrose restaurant—from industry veterans Alex López, Carlos Olarte and Ernesto Valenzuela—also serves a host of beer, wine and cocktail options. Dinner and brunch service are now available, with lunch on the way. Opened: Feb. 11. // 2401 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Captain Cookie and the Milkman
This decade-old purveyor of sweet treats has set up shop in Courthouse, sharing delights ranging from fresh-baked snickerdoodles to strawberry ice cream sandwiches. Got a post-dinner sweet tooth? The shop—which began as a food truck in 2012—stays open late Thursday to Saturday, when it keeps the oven fired up till midnight. (Closing time Sunday to Wednesday is 10 p.m.). Opened: Feb. 10. // 2200 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
View this post on Instagram
Hangry Joe’s
If you love Nashville hot chicken, pay a visit to this new Ballston chicken joint, which also recently opened a storefront at Bailey’s Crossroads and has more than two dozen other locations in the DMV and beyond. Dig into chicken fingers, chicken and waffles, and the chicken “sando” (chicken breast, cider slaw, pickle and hangry sauce on brioche), all prepared to your degree of fire. Guests are advised to specify their “spice level” on a six-point scale, from no heat to “angry hot.” Opened: Jan. 30. // 875 N. Randolph St., Arlington (Ballston)
CinéBistro
This dine-in theater in Tysons, part of a cinema chain with theaters in multiple states, offers the chance to kick back with a film while enjoying a decadent meal from experienced chefs. Enjoy dishes like blackened salmon with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, or artichoke cakes with Old Bay remoulade and Brazilian tomato slaw, both of which are served in the theater as well as the CMX Stone Bar in the lobby. Can’t decide whether you’re in the mood for a drink or a treat? Opt for one of the boozy milkshakes on the menu. Opened: Jan. 27. // 2001 International Drive, 1700 U Level 3M, McLean
Foxtrot
For breakfast tacos, a bar and a market all in one, meet Foxtrot, an upscale cafe and food shop where you’ll find plenty of goodies to stock your pantry and refrigerator shelves, including gourmet queso, cashew dip, pistachio halva and key lime “icicle pies.” The Rosslyn eatery also offers made-to-order meals for in-house or takeout dining, including the veggie brekkie (frittata egg patty, pimiento cheese spread, arugula). Add some wine, beer, spirits or hard kombucha to your cart, or pull up a chair and enjoy a drink before you head home. Opened: Jan. 13. // 1771 N. Pierce St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Skydome
This revolving restaurant atop the Double Tree by Hilton Crystal City Hotel took a three-year hiatus during the pandemic. Now it’s back, with a new menu and the same incredible views of the D.C. skyline. Executive Chef Klaus Happel designed a menu of “American fare through a Mediterranean lens,” with options such as grilled octopus with potato-chorizo corn hash, and Wagyu burgers with cheddar and candied bacon. For a divine experience, sip the Nectar of the Gods, a blend of Absolut pear vodka, pear nectar, lemon, agave and 24-karat gold flakes. Opened: Jan. 10. // 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington (National Landing)