Restaurants come and go in our area all the time, and we are here to help you keep track. Recently opened eateries are serving tacos stuffed with beer-battered fish, design-your-own pasta and sushi sandwiches. Find your new favorites here.
Last updated Jan. 19.
January Openings
Colada Shop
Daniella Senior continues opening new locations of this Cuban restaurant, this time at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. As of Jan. 14, travelers can fuel up for a flight with croquetas filled with ham or chicken, empanadas stuffed with spinach and cheese, and Platanachos, plantain chips layered with black bean dip, mozzarella and cotija cheeses, and sofrito relish. Find the restaurant in Terminal 2’s C gates. 2401 Smith Blvd., Arlington
K-Food Casual
K-Pop Demon Hunters fans, this is your moment. This new Korean cuisine spot replaces Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings in Ballston and has advertisements featuring scenes from the popular 2025 movie. One poster promises a “derpy tiger keychain” with purchase. Get kimbap filled with veggies, meat or cheese; rice bowls; and fried rice with kimchi, pork or beef. 875 N. Randolph St., Arlington (Ballston)
December Openings
Fish Taco
Joining four other local locations, including one in Tysons Corner, this new Little City establishment’s name says it all, but also doesn’t. Sure, you can get tacos stuffed with blackened, beer-battered or grilled fish, but they also come with steak, chicken and veggies. Plus, the menu includes bowls, burritos, quesadillas and starters like ceviche. Round out your meal with a frozen or on-the-rocks marg. The new spot opened around Dec. 22. 930 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Kilwins
Looking for a sweet start to 2026? As of Dec. 19, you can get Kilwins famous chocolate, fudge and ice cream in Clarendon. It’s the fourth DMV location of the 78-year-old chain that started in Michigan. Ice cream flavors include Sea-Salt Caramel, Cappuccino Chocolate Chip and Superman, a rainbow swirl of fruity flavors. Other treats include caramel chews, Mackinac Island fudge and boxed chocolates. 3101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Churasuko
Part Brazilian steakhouse and part omakase, this new Tysons restaurant that opened Dec. 17 blends the cultures at every opportunity. Get high-end cuts of meat sliced tableside right off the skewer, or go for The Churasuko Experience. Priced at $250 per person, it’s a coursed meal that comes with sashimi, miso lobster bisque soup, wagyu fried rice, and all-you-can-eat continuous rounds of Japanese A5 Wagyu, American Wagyu, and Australian Wagyu. Save room for desserts, such as Jasmine Tea Velvet Brûlée and Citrus Bloom Pudding. 1755 Tysons Central St., Vienna
Stratford Garden
The long-awaited beer garden—housed in a former motor lodge—opened Dec. 16. Founded by brothers Arash and Afsheen Tafakor, owners of Dominion Wine & Beer and Brick House Butcher, the new spot is a full-service restaurant and bar with a café and, as the name suggests, a large outdoor drink garden. 300 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Scolopasta
The fast-casual Italian spot that serves handcrafted pasta opened in Ballston Quarter on Dec. 14. (It also has a location at Tysons Galleria.) The star of the menu is the build-your-own pasta option, with five types of pasta and sauces such as bolognese and cacio e pepe. Top it with a meatball or burrata. There are also four ready-made combos, including shrimp scamp with squid ink spaghetti. 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Town Kitchen and Bar
With a goal of giving “McLean a true neighborhood gathering place,” this newbie to the downtown area opened Dec. 8. Although no menu is available online yet, the restaurant will serve American dishes such as steak and wings, plus hand-crafted cocktails. 6671 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Sweetgreen
The first salad-centric restaurant opened in D.C. almost 20 years ago, and on Dec. 2, McLean got its first outpost. The menu features the same favorites you’ll find at locations nationwide. They include suggested recipes and build-your-own bowls that come with grains, lettuce, proteins, veggies, cheeses and more. 6220 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
November Openings
Neko Panchi Sushi
The husband-and-wife duo Saran “Peter” Kannasute and Cici Yang who brought us Yume Sushi opened this spot Nov. 17 at Upside on Moore, a food hall in Rosslyn. On the menu are build-your-own sushi “sandwiches” and bao buns with protein options including soft-shell crab and chicken teriyaki. Meaning “cat punch” in Japanese, Neko Panchi offers signature sushi rolls with fun names like Hell Yeah! (shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, spicy crab, eel sauce, creamy jalapeño sauce and crispy rice) and Another One (tuna, salmon, crab sticks, cooked shrimp, avocado, cucumber and garlic ponzu sauce). 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Life Alive Organic Café
On Nov. 12, Virginia got its first outpost of this Massachusetts-based chainlet chain focused on promoting positive eating by using minimually processed ingredients. The spot in Ballston has signature dishes such as Spicy Peanut Noodles, Mighty Greens Salad, Crispy Falafel Pita and Miso Eggplant & Crispy Rice. It also will serve cold-pressed juices, acai bowls and specialty organic espresso drinks, including the Caramel Sea Salt Latte and Vanilla Tahini Latte, served hot or iced. 818 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Ballston)
Pink Saffron
A new Indian restaurant opened at Westpost at National Landing on Nov. 10. The menu features minced minted lamb, tandoori chicken, butter chicken and veggie korma. Scoop up every bite with a piece of garlic naan or roti. 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Closing
Poppyseed Rye
The craft sandwich café and fresh flower shop in Ballston will close Jan. 18 after five years. 818 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Ballston)
Hot Lola’s
The Rosslyn location of this fried chicken joint has closed its doors after about three years. The restaurant in Ballston Quarter remains open. 1501 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)