Restaurants come and go in our area all the time, and we are here to help you keep track. Recently opened eateries are now serving house-made ice cream, dreamy matcha drinks and smothered smashburgers. Plus, check out what’s new at some old favorites, along with new eateries coming soon to a neighborhood near you.
Now Open
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Rice Culture
The shop that specializes in ice cream and taiyakis (a fish-shaped waffle) now has a second brick-and-mortar location after getting its start at pop-up markets. Last month, it opened a kiosk on the third-floor food court level at Tysons Corner Center, following on the heels of a Dunn Loring storefront (2672 Avenir Place) that opened about a year ago. The taiyaki menu includes a single waffle ($5.50) or pack of three or six ($12 and $20, respectively), with flavors such as ube or matcha custard, banana Oreo and Nutella rizz. Homemade soft-serve choices include Cookie Butter, Pandan S’mores and Red Bean. Filipino shave ice (halo halo) is available Fridays-Sundays. Opened: Dec. 18. // 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons
Midori Tea House
Sip on ceremonial matcha tea shipped directly from Kyoto, Japan, at this Little City cafe blending Japanese and French influences. Specialty drinks incorporating that special import include the creamy Ube Matcha and Maple & Sea Salt Matcha with maple syrup. Other beverages include sparkling options such as yuzu and mango, and hot teas, such as Sencha. Pair your drink with matcha banoffee pie, or a macaron. All drinks cost less than $7. Opened: Nov. 15. // 450 W. Broad St., Falls Church
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Jon’s Joint
The menu at this locally-owned Buckingham burger joint is simple and the grass-fed meat is sourced from a local farm. Order a single, double or triple smashburger with toppers like cheese, grilled onions and pickled jalapeños. Non-beef-eaters can get a chicken sandwich, and, of course, there are fries. Opened: Nov. 14. // 250 N. Glebe Road, Arlington
Shaghf Cafe
This Dubai-based coffee shop has opened its first NoVA outpost in Bailey’s Crossroads. Stave off winter’s chill by sipping on a Hot Spanish Latte, a Japanese or Korean Macchiato, or a Hot Pistachio, a beverage made with pistachio-infused milk. When it warms up, switch to cold coolers such as a Dates Latte or Picnova Ice, a frozen tropical dessert with fresh pineapple chunks and ice cream or sorbet. Opened: Sept. 13. // 3400 Washington Drive, Falls Church
New Offerings
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Welcome Bao Li and Qing Bao, the new panda residents at the National Zoo, by enjoying a doughnut in their honor. From Jan. 24-31, Astro will offer treats filled with black cherry jam, glazed with cream cheese and topped with Oreo panda faces for $5.25 each. Order them online or stop by for pick up. // 4005 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen
Starting Jan. 12, Chef David Guas‘ new restaurant in McLean is launching a Jazz Brunch with live music by the Brock, Key, and Walby Trio on Sundays from 10:30 am.-1:30 p.m. (Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.). The menu features Grits & Grillades (18-hour braised brisket, smoked cheddar, white corn grits and creole tomato gravy) and B&G (buttermilk biscuits with crawfish gravy. New cocktails include the Swoonata, Pearmosa and Red Rock Bloody. // 6641 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Seasons 52
The restaurant tucked inside Tysons Corner Center is doing its part to help diners meet their New Year’s resolutions by offering new winter menu items that are all 595 calories or less. Available through March 3, dishes include Farmhouse Chicken Soup, vegan Black Lentil Bolognese and tiny bites of decadence in the form of Peanut Butter Chocolate Minis (chocolate cake, peanut butter mousse, roasted peanuts and a dark chocolate peanut butter cup). // 7863 Tysons Corner Center, McLean
Apres Ski at Water Bar
Anchoring Water Park in National Landing, the glass bar and restaurant has transformed into an Apres Ski pop-up for the winter, with a limited-time menu and themed decor inspired by European mountain retreats and the chic winter terraces of London. Set the kids loose on a pop-up ice rink while you snack on baked brie, chicken noodle soup, lobster mac and cheese, or a tuna poke bowl and sip on cocktails such as the Spicy Margarita, or zero-proof options such as a Seedlip Paloma or Mojito. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Coming Soon
Call Your Mother Deli
The self-described “Jew-ish” deli will continue its expansion from D.C. into Virginia by opening a kiosk in National Landing’s Water Park soon. Expect to find bagels, schmears, sides such as latkes and Yuca Cheese Bread, and signature bagel sandwiches such as the Pastrami Sun City (pastrami, eggs, American and cheddar cheeses, and spicy honey on an everything bagel). // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Dolan Uyghur Restaurant
Coming on the heels of its Falls Church City location, which opened in November in the former Pizzeria Orso space, the newest outpost in Crystal City will be the fourth location for the restaurant specializing in Dolan and Uyghur foods. Appetizers include vegetarian spring rolls and chuchura soup (featuring mini dumplings with minced beef, lamb and onions). Look forward to chef’s specialties including Uyghur pilaf with lamb shank and kawa manta (vegetarian steamed buns stuffed with pumpkin, green and red bell peppers, onions, and house spices). // 320 23rd St., Arlington (National Landing)
Flight Wine Shop
Wine sellers Kabir Amir and Swati Bose, whose former Flight Wine Bar in D.C.’s Penn Quarter was recognized in 2020 and 2023 with a James Beard Foundation award for Outstanding Wine Program, are resurrecting their business as an Arlington wine shop, our food critic shares, “with 300 selections of smaller production, minimal intervention (organic, sustainable) wines, with roughly 70% from Old World producers and 30% from the New World. Most bottles will be priced between $15 and $30.” // 1900 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
HiFi Tex-Mex BBQ
Neighborhood Restaurant Group is replacing its Red Apron butcher shop in Mosaic with a ‘cue joint, slated to open in February. Want a preview of the offerings? HiFi currently has a pop-up at Del Rey’s Evening Star Cafe (2000 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria). Chef Nathan Landa’s menu includes smoked-meat platters and burgers, along with tacos. Try the vegetarian Crispy Avocado, or the Sharp-Dressed Man with chopped brisket and queso. // 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Little Falls Cafe
The owners of Pupatella (a Best of Arlington 2024 winner that’s received props as one of the best pizzerias in the world) are planning a spring opening for a new French concept in The Little City that will feature a variety of crepes. // 106 Little Falls St., Falls Church
Rooftop Recess
Joining the Courthouse dining scene, this forthcoming bird’s-eye bar in the former Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill space promises “stunning 360-degree views of Arlington,” along with craft cocktails, flatbreads, salads, and entrees such as Chili Crunch Salmon (grilled salmon with crispy chili oil, crab-fried cauliflower rice and spicy cucumber salad). // 2424 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
Scolapasta
Soon to inhabit the former Pizza Roma storefront in Ballston, this pasta purveyor will open this spring across from the Metro station. (A location opened at Tysons Galleria in November 2024). Customers will be able to build their own pasta dishes, choosing from traditional noodle shapes like penne, rigatoni and tagliatelle, and house made sauces like cacio e pepe, ragu alla Bolognese, pesto and pomodoro. // 4219 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Shut
Red Apron
The Mosaic District butcher shop closed last month after 11 years on Glass Alley, but will reopen next month as HiFi Tex-Mex BBQ. // 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Ya Hala Bistro
The Middle Eastern restaurant and hookah lounge has closed after about one year. // 5216 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Bluemont)