DC & Northern Virginia Restaurants
These are some restaurants that I have been to around the DC and Northern Virginia areas.
Ambar
$$$$BalkanDine-inSmall PlatesA+A Michelin-recognized, all-you-can-eat-in-two-hours Balkan restaurant serving incredibly delicious and diverse small-plates delivered along with amazing service. It's well-worth the prices, for special occasions. My favorites plates were the stuffed pepper, salmon, and Goulash.
Show on MapBanh Mi DC Sandwich
$VietnameseTake-outBA Vietnamese shop specializing in verious Banh Mi. The bread was fresh, the sandwich was tasty, and the prices were extremely cheap.
Show on MapBibimix
$KoreanFast CasualBA counter-serve Korean restaurant serving Bibimbap, other rice & noodle bowls, and Korean fried chicken, with a small variety of sauces and some fun bottled drinks.
Show on MapBronson Bierhall
$$GermanBarCA bustling (noisy) bar with beer on tap and German-ish food. The pretzels are impressive.
Show on MapCava Mezze
$$$MediterraneanDine-inSmall PlatesCOverpriced, mediocre, Mediterranean small-plates. While the food is technically better than fast-casual CAVA restaurants, this is generally a very underwhelming restaurant for the prices. The service wasn't great either.
Show on MapCAVA
$MediterraneanFast CasualBA counter-serve regional chain serving mediterranean-inspired salad and grain bowls, a "Mediterranean Chipotle" as they say.
Show on MapChercher
$$EthiopianDine-inCThis tiny, Michelin-recommended Ethiopian Restaurant was a mixed bag for me. The vegan combo was largely excellent. However, the service was relatively slow, the building itself was definitely not well-kept up, and the "medium" beef I got was quite rare and chewy.
Show on MapCourthouse Kabob
$AfghanDine-inTake-outBA pretty great, straightforward Afghan restaurant serving various kebabs and other specialties. The bread was very good and the meat was moist and flavorful.
Show on MapDaikaya
$$$JapaneseSmall PlatesAA Japanese restaurant near the arena. The downstairs is a Ramen shop, and is always busy - I haven't tried it yet. But the upstairs takes reservations and serves tasty small plates. I particularly loved the confit garlic with miso-kimchi sauces and the fried Karaage chicken thighs. The plates are fairly generous, though you should expect to order abotu 3-4 per person.
Show on MapDogwood Tavern
$$AmericanDine-inBA pretty standard tavern, with reasonable prices and nearby parking.
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$$TacosBarDine-inAA hole-in-the-wall bar in Alexandria serving an exciting range of delicious, non-traditional tacos. Be warned, the tacos are fairly small.
Show on MapEspita
$$$MexicanBrunchAA Michelin-recommended Oaxacan (regional Mexican) restaurant serving a pretty delicious 3 course brunch for a reasonable price.
Show on MapFarmbird
$Chicken BowlsCounter ServeB+A great spot for lunch, this is a counter-serve restaurant serving chicken bowls and chicken salads. The food is surprisingly flavorful and fresh.
Show on MapGreen Pig Bistro
$$$American - FrenchDine-inBI had the brunch here, and it was pretty good. The stuffed waffles were great, and the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict was quite good. Overall, though, I don't think this was anything special.
Show on MapGuajillo
$$MexicanDine-inAA small, dine-in Mexican restaurant with great mole and fajitas. The free salsa is good, though slightly spicier than what most Mexican restaurants put on every table.
Show on MapHen Quarter
$$$SouthernDine-inBThis relaxed, upscale Southern restaurant serves large portions to match their high prices. The menu, while limited, was full of food that was quite good.
Show on MapHot Lola's
$$Hot Fried Chicken SandwichesCounter-ServeBA stall in the Ballston Quarter Food Hall serving tasty, spicy chicken sandwhiches. There's not much to it, but the food is tasty.
Show on MapHunan Gate
$ChineseDine-inCA very average American Chinese restaurant, saved by its large portions and cheap prices.
Show on MapInca Social
$$$PeruvianDine-inAA very pretty Peruvian restaurant and bar, with locations in Arlington and Vienna (conveniently right next to the Dunn-Loring metro stop, and much less crowded than the Arlington location). The food was quite good - watch out for the spicy red sauce that comes on the side!
Show on MapKabob House Food Corner
$AfghanFast CasualDA counter-server Afghan restaurant with plenty of Kebab to go around. Unfortunately the meat was quite dry and underseasoned.
Show on MapThe Liberty Tavern
$$AmericanBrunchSmall PlatesBA decent spot for all-you-can-eat small-plate brunch. The menu was good, though the execution wasn't particularly impressive.
Show on MapNorthside Social
$CoffeeAA cute little Coffee, Wine, and Pastry bar open all day and usually busy. I haven't tried much yet other than a White Chocolate Orange Biscotti (which was delicious).
Show on MapPadaek
$$Laotian / ThaiDine-inAEverything I had here was incredibly delicious. If you like Thai food or want to give Laotian food a try, definitely try this place!
Show on MapPupuseria Dona Azucena
$SalvadoranBA simple, sit-down eatery serving authentic, cheap Salvadoran food. Try the papusas, or the enchiladas (which are nothing like Mexican Enchiladas).
Show on MapPunchbowl Social
$$BarDIt would be a mistake to go to this bar for decent food, even if you think the menu looks like that of a restaurant...
Show on MapRistorante Piccolo
$$$ItalianBA charming little restaurant in the heart of Georgetown, serving traditional Italian Pastas and Entrees. It's nothing new, but it does the classics well.
Show on MapRuthie's All Day
$$AmericanSoutherDine-inAA cute, bustling, and straightforward American restaurant serving a pretty large range of classics, deliciously prepared and reasonably priced. I've enjoyed all of the dishes I have gotten there, but the cornbread holds a special place in my heart. Make sure to get a reservation if you want to go on the weekend.
Show on MapSilver Diner
$$American DinerDine-inBA traditional, but slightly upscale take on American diner foods and decor. The food was good, but nothing groundbreaking.
Show on MapSuper Pollo
$$PeruvianFast CasualBA counter-serve Peruvian chain serving tender grilled chicken. The dark meat was excellent, the white meat left a little to be desired. The green sauce and plantains were delicious though.
Show on MapSupreme Hot Pot
$$$$ChineseHot PotAAn upscale hot pot restaurant. It was absolutely delicious and the selection of ingredients was great. I thought it was a little on the pricy side.
Show on MapThai Treasure Restaurant and Bar
$$ThaiBA quiet, stylish Thai restaurant along Fairfax Drive in the Virginia Square neighborhood of Arlington. The menu is fairly standard for Thai restaurants, offering the traditional noodles, rice, and curry dishes, along with some "signature" protein dishes. The food was good, but slightly towards the greasy side.
Show on MapTortuga Bar and Grill
$$CarribbeanDine-inBA solid option for Caribbean food in the Capitol Hill area.
Show on MapTosokchon
$$KoreanDine-inBA restaurant serving authentic Korean food. I had the Bibimbap and it was delicious.
Show on MapTupelo Honey
$$SouthernAA sit-down Southern-comfort restaurant serving deliciously-elevated fried chicken, salad, sandwiches, and incredible "Farm Fresh Sides." Like Bob Evans, if Mr. Evans could cook well.
Show on MapZorba's Cafe
$$GreekDine-inBA cute little greek place near Dupont Circle. The food is good and reasonably priced. I enjoyed the sampler. Heads up, you order and the counter then they bring you the food, otherwise there is no service.
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