Restaurants come and go in our area all the time, and we are here to help you keep track. Recently opened eateries are serving lobster rolls, pad Thai and cool noodle bowls. Find your new favorites here.
Last updated April 10, 2025
April Openings
Thai O-Cha Express
Find authentic Thai flavors at this new spot that opened April 7 where Hunan Village used to be on Langston Boulevard. The menu includes popular dishes such as Panang curry, King Pao, and Pad Thai, all with a choice of meat or veggies. // 4775 Langston Blvd., Arlington
Andy’s Pizza
The fast-expanding local pizzeria chain now has a location in Ballston. It opened April 4 and serves the pies that founder Andy Brown has racked up awards for, such as Buffalo Crispy Chicken, the Carnivore and the plant-based Miller Time. Get two free slices with the purchase of a six-pack or bottle of wine all of opening weekend. // 901 N. Pollard St., Arlington (Ballston)
Yu Noodles
Rosslyn welcomed this new noodle house to the neighborhood’s dining scene on April 2. Find 13 budget-friendly hot noodle bowls filled with fish, chicken or beef and four cool noodle bowls, such as Yu Village Cool Noodle with sesame paste and shrimp. Other dishes include rice and soup dumplings. // 1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
March Openings
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
The Annapolis-based seafood spot has been churning out its famous crustacean creations since its soft opening March 20. Go for the classic with chilled mayo and lemon butter or the Connecticut Roll, which is just lobster meat and warm butter on a bun. Other seafood options are available, too, including crab, shrimp and crab cake. Or skip the roll and get lobster-topped mac and cheese or salad. // 243 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church
Himalayan Wild Yak
Taking over Booeymonger’s old spot, this family-owned restaurant specializes in yak, a staple of Nepalese cuisine. Other meats are on the menu, too, though. There’s butter chicken, fish curry and momo (steamed dumplings) stuffed with your choice of meat or veggies, for instance. This new spot joins another location in Ashburn. Doors opened March 18. // 1010 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
Flight Wine Shop
Swati Bose and Kabir Amir’s wine shop that operated in Chinatown for nearly a decade opened in National Landing on March 14. It has more than 300 bottles of smaller-production, minimal-intervention (read: organic and sustainable) wines, with about 70% coming from Old World producers. Also find beer, non-alcoholic drinks and charcuterie boards. The owners, two-time James Beard semifinalists for Outstanding Wine Program, will host wine classes and special events such as wine tastings and maker meet-and-greets at the new location. // 269 19th Court S., Arlington (National Landing)
Coffee Republic
There’s a new place to get your caffeine fix. Whether you take your cup o’ joe black, milky or sweet, you’ll find an option on this menu. Signature lattes include the Sugar Daddy (white chocolate and brown sugar) and the Salty Dog (sea salt and caramel), but basic beverages such as Americano and drip coffee are also available. Non-coffee drinkers have options, too, including teas and plant-based energy drinks. Pick up a pesto egg and cheese on an English muffin or a chile verde burrito from the all-day breakfast menu. // 3130 Potomac Ave., Arlington (National Landing)
Sorn Thai
An homage to the owner’s grandmother, this namesake restaurant is now open to bring the flavors of southern Thailand to the DMV. The soft opening menu features noodle bowls, pad Thai, veggie or chicken spring rolls, and specialties such as Kua Gling (minced chicken stir-fried with curry and served with steamed green beans, iceberg lettuce and a hard-boiled egg), and Garlic Pepper Main Lobster. // 6224 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ
Heading to the Mosaic District? You can now find Texas-style ‘cue (brisket, spare ribs, chopped pork and house-made sausages) and classic Tex-Mex favorites (tacos, nachos, queso and wings) at this sister spot to the original in Del Ray by Neighborhood Restaurant Group. Replacing NRG’s Red Apron butcher shop, which closed in December, the Mosaic outpost also has a full bar with craft beers, margs, frozen cocktails and, of course, tequila. Plus, there’s a game room if you need to burn off some calories. // 8298 Glass Alley, Merrifield (Mosaic District)
Lantern Restaurant and Bar
Patrons of this Asian eatery will find authentic dishes such as crispy whole sweet-and-sour fish, scored and deep fried to resemble a squirrel’s tail, along with old reliables such as orange chicken, beef with broccoli and fried rice. Plus, you can rent a private karaoke room. // 320 23rd St. S., Arlington (Crystal City)
Eras at Del Ray’s Rotating Pop-Up Cocktail Bar
Are you ready for it? This Taylor Swift-inspired pop-up bar will be available for longer than a fortnight (through the end of June, to be exact), but don’t sleep on the immersive experience based on the record-breaking Eras Tour. The pun-filled menu features dishes such as Karma is a Hot Wing and Fries You Can’t Shake Off, plus more homages in cocktail form. Sip creations with names like That Lavender Haze (Empress 1908 Gin, lavender honey simple syrup and lemonade) and Cruel Summer Secrets (Lunazul Blanco Tequila, violet liqueur, egg white, lime juice, simple syrup, dehydrated lime and lavender salt). Guests 17 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. After 8 p.m., the bar is limited to patrons 21 and older. // 2312 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii
Say aloha to an island-style caffeine jolt at this new franchise in Virginia Square. Owned by local entrepreneurs and first-generation immigrants Michelle and Richard Lee (they also have a Bad Ass location in Alexandria), its menu includes signature lattes, cold brews, teas and baked goods. The name, by the way, pays homage to the donkeys that once carried coffee beans down the steep mountain slopes of the Big Island. They became known as the “bad ass ones” because of their strong but stubborn nature. // 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Virginia Square)
Ravenna Pizza
A new addition to the Shops in Rosslyn, this Roman-style pizzeria serves rectangular pies with toppings such as eggplant, pepperoni, smoked bacon, hot honey and Grana Padano cheese. The menu also includes sandwiches such as Mortadella with burrata and roasted pistachios, plus Italian pastries and gelato. // 1500 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Heytea
A Chinese chain that lays claim to creating the first “cheese tea” (cold tea topped with whipped cream cheese) has 4,000 stores worldwide, including a new one in Tysons Corner Center. Find fruity and milky teas, plus seasonal options such as Crisp Grape Boom and Cloud Mango. // 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons
Kajiken
The Japanese chain known for its abura soba, a ramen dish that uses oil instead of broth, has opened a second NoVa location in The Little City. The signature dish is offered in 10 flavors, including Old Bay ebi, chicken curry and vegan. The menu includes three regular ramen options, too, all of them pork-based. Finish off the meal with a baked sweet potato topped with vanilla or matcha ice cream or a slice of black sesame mousse cake. // 7505 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Java Loco Coffee & Bubble Tea
Get your bubble tea or Vietnamese coffee fix at this National Landing newcomer, which joins the chainlet’s other locations in Falls Church and Alexandria. Unlike its sisters, this one also has quiche and soup on the menu. For a twist on the traditional, try the Sea Salt Vietnamese Coffee (sweet coffee topped with sea salt cold foam). // 2777 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
First Watch
The popular daytime cafe is known for brunchy fare such as breakfast tacos (stuffed with scrambled eggs, Cajun chicken, chorizo, cheddar, Monterey Jack, avocado and pico de gallo) and Million Dollar bacon (caramelized with brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne and maple syrup). Wake up with a pot of coffee (they leave the pot with you) or chill out with craft cocktails and fresh-pressed juices. // 7501 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Simply Banh Mi
Taking over the former Lee’s Sandwiches storefront in Ballston, this restaurant began in the basement of a Georgetown bridal shop owned by restaurateur John Tran’s mother. Now Tran is bringing his concept across the Potomac to serve sandwiches, pho and build-your-own rice and vermicelli noodle bowls. Pair your order with a sweet Vietnamese iced coffee, boba tea or Wild Bay kombucha. // 801 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Ballston)
Recent Closings
Bartaco
The taqueria has closed its location in Ballston Quarter after four years there. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Coco B’s and B Live
About two years after taking over the former Whitlow’s spot in Clarendon, these two nightlife destinations closed in December 2024 after failing safety inspections.
Osteria da Nino
This Italian restaurant will close its doors in April after 10 years in business. Stop in for a last wine tasting March 29, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and April 2, 5-7 p.m. // 2900 S. Quincy St., Arlington (Shirlington)