Restaurants come and go in our area all the time, and we are here to help you keep track. Recently opened eateries are serving elevated bar food, Nepali coffee and desserts to please any sweet tooth. Find your new favorites here.
Last updated Sept. 1.
September Openings
Wonder
Falls Church is the latest NoVa spot to get one of these food halls. (There are locations in Rosslyn, Reston, Manassas and Alexandria.) The soft opening runs ends Sept. 2 and the grand opening happens Sept. 3. The idea is that customers can mix and match dishes from any of the restaurants in a single order for dine-in, takeout or delivery. Falls Church dining options include The Mainstay by Marc Murphy, Tejas Barbecue, Alanza, Royal Greens, and Limesalt. 100 W. Broad St., Falls Church
August Openings
Tatiana Pizza
Bring a big appetite for the hearty slices of New York-style pizza this new addition to Cherrydale serves. When it opened Aug. 26, it became the first Virginia spot for the popular Dupont Circle pizzeria. Besides straightforward cheese and pepperoni, 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 opened last December, joining about 300 others nationwide, but now it has a “Sweetlane,” where people can place and pick up orders. 6220 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
MoMoGoGo
This AYCE sushi spot opened Aug. 15 in Penrose Square. Made-to-order special rolls include the 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 spot to get the Saudi-inspired coffee is in the former Compass Coffee location at the Shops at West Falls Church. Bonus: It’s also the first location with a drive-thru. On the menu are 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 avocado, mozzarella or 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, the Clarendon spot will be the biggest one 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? As of Aug. 3, there’s another spot to get your fix. The local chainlet opened its fifth location in Crystal City to dish up kebabs, hand-pulled noodles and savory stews. According to the menu, chef’s specialties include Arlash Korma (stir-fried lamb with onions, black wood ear mushrooms, cucumbers, oyster sauce and tomatoes) Red Chili Chicken with white rice. Vegetarian options are available, too, such as fried eggplant and spicy tofu. A storefront opened in Falls Church in 2024 at 400 S. Maple Ave. 320 23rd St., S., Arlington (Crystal City)
July Openings
Bagel Uprising
Ballston’s bagel takeover marches on. The second location for owner Chad Breckinridge opened there July 28; the first opened in Del Ray in 2019, four years after he began selling boiled-and-baked small-batch bagels at the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market. The new spot has additional house-made items, such as babka and hash browns. “This isn’t a chain store,” Breckinridge says. “It’s a second shop aimed at becoming part of the Ballston community, just as we have in Del Ray.” 901 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
Noble Fox Bar & Terrace
The Le Méridien Arlington is now home to this American brasserie restaurant, which opened July 27 on the hotel’s fourth floor. On the menu are steak frites, chopped salads, club sandwiches and flatbreads. Stop by during the weekday happy hour from 4-7 p.m. to enjoy $6 beers and $8 wines while watching planes land at Reagan National and gazing at iconic D.C. spots, such as the National Cathedral. 1121 19th Street N., Arlington (Rosslyn)
TamTam Brunch and Dinner
The Eden Center welcomed an upscale restaurant to its collection of Vietnamese eateries on July 22. Owners Thao Tran and Tin Truong are no strangers to the restaurant industry. They opened Pho 7 in Vienna (now under new ownership), Gao in Fairfax and Viet Gourmet, a specialty market that adjoins TamTam. The husband-and-wife team are also working on a fast-casual pho and banh mi place called the Clay Bowl, which will open in Tysons Corner. TamTam’s soft opening menu includes garden rolls, lemongrass-steamed clams and various hot pot options. 6767 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church
Cubbies
Upstairs at the Del Ray Public House, this new Chicago-style hot dog spot opened July 18. Get your dog or Italian sausage on Fridays, 5-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 2-10 p.m.; and Sundays, noon-8 p.m. 2216 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)
Call Your Mother
The bagel takeover in Arlington continues with the opening July 7 of this beloved local chainlet. Husband and wife owners Andrew Dana and Daniela Moreira opened the first location of the “Jew-ish deli” in 2018 in D.C.’s Park View neighborhood after sell-out performances at farmers markets. Today, their playful pink concept has nearly 20 locations and a devoted fanbase for bagels they describe as “a New York-Montreal mashup.” The dough is fermented for at least 24 hours, then boiled in malt for a shiny, chewy exterior and given a kiss of honey for a slightly sweet finish before being baked fresh in the shop daily. 4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
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Duke’s Burgers
D.C.-based Duke’s Grocery, which has been recognized for having the best burgers around, began serving its patties in Water Park on July 1. It’s the first Virginia location for the London-inspired spot, and yes, it will have menu items specific to the location, but also the signature Proper Burger, an angus burger with gouda and red onions. 1621 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Closings
El Rey
When a taqueria closes, a brewpub opens. Or will open soon. Solace Outpost will take over the spot that El Rey occupied in Ballston. 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Corso Italian
The Shirlington restaurant posted on Instagram on Aug. 19 that a flood earlier in the month has led it to close. No reopening date is available yet, and a GoFundMe campaign is available to support the 40 employees who are suddenly out of work. 4024 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
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
Alta Strada
Mosaic District’s popular Italian restaurant closed July 25. 2911 District Ave., Fairfax
