Restaurants come and go in our area all the time, and we are here to help you keep track. Recently opened eateries are serving authentic Thai dishes, Nashville-style fried chicken and desserts that have their own desserts, like a cupcake-topped milkshake. Find your new favorites here.
Last updated Oct. 28.
October Openings
View this post on Instagram
PopUp Bagels
Adding to Ballston’s bagel boom, this Connecticut-born eatery (and New York City sensation) is known for its “rip and dip” approach, whereby customers are given a whole bagel with a cup of cream cheese for dunking. PopUp, which opened Oct. 23, prides itself on making only five bagel flavors and making them well. That means you can tear into a plain, everything, poppy seed, salt or sesame bagel and use the pieces to mop up your choice of plain or scallion cream cheese or salted butter. There are weekly schmear specials, too, in flavors such as cake batter cream cheese. 4300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
View this post on Instagram
Surfside
Wistfully wishing for fun in the sun as temperatures cool? That’s the vibe at this beach-themed eatery, which opened Oct. 22 in McLean’s Chesterbrook Shopping Center. Load up on nachos, queso, tacos, fajitas and salads, plus happy hour deals on frozen passion fruit margs. 6220 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Good Trouble Roasters
Opened Oct. 21, Mike Greiner’s new roastery in Cherrydale puts a modern spin on the neighborhood coffee shop. He uses an all-electric Air Motion Roaster that “significantly reduces the environmental impact of roasting coffee beans by eliminating the use of fuel sources like propane or natural gas.” The menu is unfussy: coffee, espresso, cappuccino, cold brew, wine and beer, plus pastries provided by Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe. 3800 Langston Blvd., Arlington (Cherrydale)
View this post on Instagram
Khao Nom
Chef Seng Luangrath has introduced Khao Nom, a pop-up takeout window at her Southeast Asian restaurant Padaek in Arlington Ridge. The name is a Lao phrase meaning sweets and snacks, and small bites are a cornerstone of the menu, along with sandwiches, rice and noodle bowls, and milk tea. The snack window operates on Saturdays and Sundays during lunchtime, filling orders for both takeout and patio seating. 2931 S. Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Ridge)
View this post on Instagram
Best Buns Bakery & Burgers
Great American Restaurants’ beloved scratch bakery and cafe has a Falls Church location as of Oct. 1. Pop in for house-made pastries, sandwiches, salads and all-day breakfast. Beeline to the second floor for a full food menu that includes burgers, fried chicken sandwiches and hearty salads, plus cocktails, wine and beer. 265 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church
September Openings
Bullfrog Bagels
As of Sept. 28, the Ghostburger stall at Rosslyn’s Upside on Moore food hall is offering Bullfrog’s hand-rolled and boiled bagels as a bread option for any breakfast sandwich, whether it’s a build-your-own number or a house speciality like the Otto Superiore (scrambled egg, bacon, pimento cheese, pickled red onion, pickled jalapeño, cilantro jalapeño aioli). The bagels are also sold by the dozen in flavors such as plain, everything, sesame, poppyseed, cinnamon raisin, asiago cheese and whole wheat. 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Singha Thai
This small restaurant in the Williamsburg Shopping Center generated big excitement with its soft opening Sept. 15. Early fan favorites include Tom Yum Fries with spicy mayo) and Grilled Beef Spicy Salad, along with five fried-rice dishes, four curries and seven noodle options. The menu also features special bowls, including one packed with popcorn chicken, chili, roasted rice powder, scallions, cilantro and lime juice over rice. 2900 N. Sycamore St., Arlington (Williamsburg)
View this post on Instagram
Lil’ Cakes & Creamery
Who couldn’t use a little more sweetness these days? This dessert spot in Founders Row debuted Sept. 11 with a cornucopia of temptations. Try cupcakes in fun flavors such as Banana Pudding and White Chocolate Vanilla Chai Latte, or spring for a Double Dubai Chocolate or Oreo Red Velvet Fudge cookie. The place is a sugar lover’s playground, with other treats such as a cupcake milkshake (as in, a milkshake garnished with a cupcake on top), ice cream, brownies and cake jars. This the chainlet’s seventh location in the DMV. 120 Founders Ave., Falls Church
Open Road Outpost & Biergarten
Taking over the former Él Bebe space at The Boro in Tysons as of Sept. 11, this spinoff of Metropolitan Hospitality Group’s popular Open Road concept joins three sister locations, including in Rosslyn and Merrifield. Outfitted with a colorful bar, multiple large-format TVs and an outdoor biergarten, the restaurant centers on American favorites. Think smashburgers, house-smoked wings, hand-cut fries and a shrimp-topped salad. The beverage program includes local brews and rotating drafts, plus cocktails made with spirits from Open Road Distilling Co. in Reston. The biergarten is open Wednesday-Saturday, 4-9 p.m., weather permitting, with live music, corn hole, and full food and drink service. 8354 Broad St., Tysons
Nash and Smashed
The fast-casual chain that started in Manassas in 2023 is now 27 locations strong, with two newbies (in Falls Church and in Arlington’s Buckingham neighborhood) opening Sept. 10. In addition to its signature Nashville hot chicken—available as bone-in pieces, wings and tenders—the eatery also makes smashburgers and shakes. 2333 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing); 7450 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; and 310 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Buckingham)
Solace Outpost
On Sept. 9, Ian Hilton’s H2 Collective replaced its El Rey taqueria in Ballston (which closed over the summer) with another iteration of the Solace Brewing concept that began in Falls Church. The beer menu centers on Solace faves including a Ballston Lager, Vibrant Thing Strawberry Lemon and Lil Bit Cloudy. Food options include beer-battered onion rings, burgers, brats and bowls. Check the website for upcoming events (read: football watch parties) and swing by for weekday happy hours from 3-6 p.m. Growler fills are half off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays bring trivia nights. 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Chili Wok
Sichuan dishes take center stage at this new Falls Church eatery that opened Sept. 7. Heat up cool falls days and nights with soup dumplings, Mongolian beef, Dry Fried Cauliflower and a Signature Fish Balls and Lamb Pot. 3400 Washington Drive, Falls Church
Il Radicchio
Talk about a comeback story. After a 30-year run at its original location between Courthouse and Rosslyn, the Italian trattoria was resurrected Sept. 4 in Clarendon, in the former Mazaro space. The menu includes build-your-own pastas, small plates (think fried burrata) and pizzas, including the Salsiccia Grigliata topped with Italian sausage, peppers, arugula, smoky tomato sauce and mozzarella. 2909 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Wonder
With its grand opening on Sept. 3, Falls Church became the latest NoVa locale to welcome this food hall concept with strongholds stretching from the Mid-Atlantic into New England. (Locally, it’s also in Rosslyn, Reston, Manassas and Alexandria.) Wonder caters to diners or groups with a variety of cravings by offering multiple dining concepts under one roof. Customers can mix and match dishes from any of the restaurants in a single order for dine-in, takeout or delivery. In Falls Church, the chef-driven concepts include The Mainstay by Marc Murphy, Tejas Barbecue, Alanza, Royal Greens and Limesalt. 100 W. Broad St., Falls Church
August Openings
Tatiana Pizza
Bring your appetite for hearty slices of New York-style pizza at this Cherrydale newcomer, which opened Aug. 26, becoming the first Virginia location of a pizzeria born in Dupont Circle. In addition to the requisite cheese and pepperoni options, you can get a Chicken Bacon Ranch, Crab or Vegilicious pizza. Chicken wings, subs, pasta and salads are on the menu, too. 3610 Langston Blvd., Arlington (Cherrydale)
Sweetgreen
The salad specialist that started in Georgetown in 2007 opened its first drive-through spot in the area on Aug. 20 in McLean. The location has a “Sweetlane” where customers can place and pick up orders. 6220 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
MoMoGoGo
This AYCE sushi spot opened Aug. 15 in Penrose Square, serving made-to-order special rolls with names like Lisa Lisa, Golden Spider and Black Dragon. Prep your palate with a bowl of seafood miso soup or some seaweed salad. Prefer a hot, cooked meal? Order ramen, udon or baked mussels. 2501 Ninth Road S., Arlington (Penrose)
Shotted
What began seven years ago as a pop-up at D.C.-area events is now taking over brick-and-mortar locations throughout the area. As of Aug. 8, the sixth and newest cafe serving Saudi-inspired coffee is in the former Compass Coffee storefront at the Shops at West Falls Church. Bonus: It’s the first Shotted with a drive-thru. Treat yourself to rose, pistachio and red velvet lattes; sweets such as date toffee and saffron tres leche cake; and a slew of sammies and toasts topped with options both sweet and savory, from avocado or mozzarella to cookie butter. 7393 Route 29, Falls Church
Xi’an Famous Foods
This New York-born concept known for its Chinese hand-pulled noodles (which we mentioned in our story about dining in Queens) opened its first Northern Virginia storefront Aug. 7 at The Crossing Clarendon. For the family-owned chain with a James Beard Award-nominated chef, this is its biggest location yet. That means you’ll have plenty of space to slurp Stewed Pork Hand-Ripped or Cold-Skin noodles and pop Spicy & Sour Spinach Dumplings. 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Dolan Uyghur
Craving Uyghur and Turkish dishes? On Aug. 3, this local chainlet opened its fifth restaurant in Crystal City, dishing up kebabs, hand-pulled noodles and savory stews. Chef’s specialties include Arlash Korma (stir-fried lamb with onions, black wood ear mushrooms, cucumbers, oyster sauce and tomatoes) and Red Chili Chicken with white rice. Vegetarian options are available, too, such as fried eggplant and spicy tofu. The Crystal City kitchen follows on the heels of a Falls Church location that opened in 2024. 320 23rd St., S., Arlington (Crystal City)
Ducky’s
In the mood for bite-size fast food? This food truck serves mini burgers made with Halal meat on freshly baked buns, chicken tenders and fries loaded with breaded beef-fried steak or shaved parmesan and truffle mayo. For something green, there’s the Leafy Crispy or Blaze Garden salads. Two signature dishes are the Crispy Bites (seven mini fried chicken sammies topped with cheddar cheese) and Ducky’s Original Bites (seven itty bitty cheese-topped beef patties). 1200 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Closings
McCormick & Schmick’s
The Crystal City location closed Oct. 25 after more than two decades there. The closest location of the nationwide chain is now in National Harbor, Maryland. 2010 Crystal Drive, Arlington (Crystal City)
Crystal City Wine Shop
The National Landing gourmet wine shop will close Oct. 31 after 14 years in business. 220 20th St., S., Arlington
Tupelo Honey
The Rosslyn location of the Southern-style chain closed Sept. 28 after 11 years there. 1616 N. Troy St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Captain Cookie & the Milkman
Owner Kirk Francis closed the brick-and-mortar shop in Courthouse recently. But you can still get your sugar fix from his food trucks. Check the website to find out where they’ll be parked next. 2200 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
Chip City
The cookie has crumbled for the Northern Virginia locations of this dessert shop. The Clarendon, Shirlington and Tysons stores all closed Sept. 22. 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon); 4014 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington); and 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons
El Mercat Bar de Tapas
A year after opening at Westpost, the restaurant has closed. 1301 S. Joyce St., Arlington
Preservation Biscuit Co.
Owner and co-founder Tricia Barba announced Sept. 21 that the restaurant would close at the end of the month. “We’ll be here through Sunday, September 27, making biscuits and probably getting a little emotional about all of it,” the post states. 102 E. Fairfax St., Falls Church
Corso Italian
A staple at the Village at Shirlington for 15 years closed Sept. 17. It had been closed for several weeks after construction-related flooding forced what owner Jill Erber had hoped would be a temporary closure. “Flood remediation and repairs could not be completed on a schedule that would allow Corso to reopen in a timely fashion. Given that new reality, we and the landlord agreed to end the lease,” she wrote in an Instagram post. 4024 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Mister Days
Bobby Lee, who opened the beloved bar in 1977, died at the end of August, and the restaurant closed permanently. Originally situated in D.C., Lee moved it to Clarendon in 1999. He closed it in 2019, but brought it back at a location across the street in 2024. 1101 N Highland St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Los Tios Grill
The Arlington location of this Tex-Mex and Salvadoran mini chain closed Aug. 30 after seven years. Its storefronts in Alexandria and Leesburg are still open. 515 23rd St. S., Arlington (Crystal City)
Él Bebe
The restaurant and biergarten at The Boro in Tysons shuttered Aug. 30 and is reopening as an Open Road concept Sept. 11. 8354 Broad St., Tysons
Matchbox
The Mosaic District location of this Thompson Restaurant Group concept closed Aug. 16. Makers Union, another eatery from the company, will replace it, although an exact date is TBD. 2911 District Ave., Fairfax
