16 New Restaurants to Try In and Around Arlington, VA

Ellie Bird's owners are frying up chicken, Pupatella's founders dish out crepes and Asian comfort food pops up in Falls Church.

Restaurants come and go in our area all the time, and we are here to help you keep track. Recently opened eateries are serving ramen, Honey Pig in a cup and bulgogi bowls. Find your new favorites here.

Last updated June 30, 2025

July Openings

SideChick
Side Chick, from the founders of Ellie Bird, is a new takeout concept with a fried chicken focus. (Photo by Nina Palazzolo)

Side Chick

From the bird-name-loving husband-and-wife team behind Ellie Bird and the Michelin-starred Rooster & Owl in D.C. comes a new takeout and delivery concept that will focus on applying Asian American flavors to fried chicken. Carey and Yuan Tang will operate the eatery as a ghost kitchen at Ellie Bird. The menu emphasizes whole or half fried chickens and chicken sandwiches with three levels of spiciness. Orders come with bibingka, Filipino-style cornbread, and sauces such as smashed cucumbers with garlic-chili crunch and three-cheese miso mac ‘n’ cheese with garlic oil. There’s also a dessert menu from executive pastry chef Corey Jamison that features Vietnamese coffee tiramisu with dark chocolate cookie crunch and a pint of toasted marshmallow ice cream. The preview day is July 4, and opening day is July 8125 Founders Ave., Falls Church

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June Openings

1983 Chinese Cuisine

This restaurant specializing in Cantonese dim sum had a soft opening in the Westpost shopping center on June 26. A full menu will come out after feedback from diners. 1101 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)

Flame Japanese Hibachi

Established more than 30 years ago, this chain restaurant has made its way to Seven Corners, opening June 23. Hibachi options include beef, chicken, salmon and tofu, but you can also get sushi (including the Hibachi Chicken roll). Wash your meal down with bubble tea, a cheesecake smoothie or watermelon slush. 6379 Seven Corners Center, Seven Corners

Honoo Ramen Bar

Bringing a taste of Tokyo to Falls Church, this new spot specializes in ramen, grilled skewers and small plates. Kick off the meal with miso soup or the Honoo Blaze Taco (crispy sushi nori filled with spicy crab, avocado, cucumber and drizzled with wasabi sauce). Ramen dishes include Chasu Shio (pork belly with bamboo shoots, corn and egg) and Spicy Tonkatsu Tsukemen (pork belly with egg, scallion, bamboo shoots, nori and chili pepper). It opened June 23 in the West Falls development. 165 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church

La Posada

Latin and Mexican flavors have a new home in Crystal City. This restaurant opened June 13 to serve flautas, poblano beef ribs, shrimo saltado and nachos. The kids menu has crispy tacos, a burrito and quesadilla fries. Cleanse your palate with a non-alcoholic hibiscus agua fresca or horchata. 320 23rd St., S., Arlington (Crystal City)

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Maman

The New York City-based chain bakery opened June 11 at Mosaic District. On the menu are pastries, a daily quiche special, tartines, sandwiches, soups and coffee. Try a Martha’s Ultimate Kitchen Sink Cookie, part of a partnership with Martha Stewart, or a seasonal pineapple coconut croissant cube. 2920 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)

Eatsy Pop-Up District
Find Thai street food at Eatsy’s kiosk at the Pop-Up District in Falls Church, Virginia. (Courtesy photo)

Pop-Up District

An Asian food hall that’s business by day, party scene by night opened at the Eden Center on June 8. Vendors are serving Thai street food, central Vietnamese delicacies, Honey Pig’s signature Korean meats in a cup, Hong Kong egg tarts and matcha drinks. Bring a laptop to use the free Wi-Fi during business hours and then stick around for DJ-spun music and theme nights after dark. 6763 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church

Little Falls Cafe

The much-anticipated creperie from the folks who brought us Pupatella opened June 6. The menu features galettes, which are savory crepes made with buckwheat flour in the style of France’s Brittany region. The endearingly named dishes include Under the Fig Tree, made with gorgonzola cheese, fig jam and honey, and the Lox Ness Monster, with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and seasonal veggies. Sweet crepes are made with organic einkorn, red wheat and soft wheat flour, plus organic eggs and milk from grass-fed cows. Those result in the Rich, Dark and Handsome (dark chocolate and Virginia peanuts) and Miss Caramelle (apples and salted butter caramel). 106 Little Falls St., Falls Church

SeoulSpice

As of June 4, DMV residents have another spot to get their Korean comfort food from this largely local chain. (In Virginia, it’s also got a storefront in Rosslyn.) Signature dishes include the classic bulgogi bowl, packed with rice and veggies, and Kimchi Crunch with purple rice, glass noodles, chicken and vegetables. You can always build your own bowl, too. 156 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church

May Openings

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Juice Time & Papa Kanafa

Dubai chocolate, but make it in drinkable. A Dubai milkshake is just one of the Insta-worthy beverages on the menu at this ice cream, juice and sweet shop that originated in Kuwait. It opened in Falls Church on May 30 to serve fresh juices, such as kiwi and beet, ice cream with toppings like pistachio sauce and a lotus biscuit, and kanafa, a Mideastern sweet pastry. 7506 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church

The Naisho Room

Tucked away in The Watermark Hotel is a new cocktail speakeasy that opened May 29. The Tokyo-inspired spot—whose name means “secret room”—keeps a low profile. A post on its Instagram page teases, “this space is reserved for those who know where to look and how to ask. Want in? Follow us + tag a friend in the comments for a chance to experience The Naisho Room firsthand. The chosen few will be contacted via DM.” If you’re lucky enough to make the cut, expect to sip rare Japanese spirits and house infusions while munching on bar bites by a sushi chef. We can’t say where The Naisho Room is, but find the Watermark Hotel at 1825 Capital One Drive, Tysons.

Tous le Jours

A French and Asian bakery that started in South Korea continues to take Northern Virginia by storm, opening a new location at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City on May 28. (It opened in Ballston Quarter in January.) The menu features bread, cakes, sandwiches, pastries and pie, such as red bean doughnuts, kimchi croquettes, and Green Tea Cloud Cake. 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington (Pentagon City)

Bar Chinois
D.C.’s popular Bar Chinois opens a second location in Arlington, Virginia. (Courtesy photo)

Bar Chinois

This much-anticipated restaurant opened its doors May 15. Known for its Chinese food menu and French-inspired cocktail and wine program, the flagship location in the District has racked up accolades, including a listing in the Michelin Dining Guide USA and a 2024 RAMMY Award for Best Bar in D.C. Get ready to savor steamed shumai, hoisin ribs, black pepper duck, and signature cocktails like the Iron Goddess (tea-infused bourbon, Montenegro, pimento dram, blackstrap and cherry vanilla bitters, and egg white) and MSG Martini (gin, MSG-olive brine and wine). // 244 19th Court S., Arlington (Crystal City)

Ice Cream Jubilee
The local ice cream chain expands to West Falls Church with its sixth location. (Courtesy photo)

Ice Cream Jubilee

A sixth location of this homegrown scoop shop has joined sister spots, including one in Ballston (4238 Wilson Blvd.). As of May 9, guests can stop in for a cup or cone of Cherry Blossom Cheesecake, the current seasonal flavor; Cookies & Cookie Dough; Fresh Minty Chip; or Mango Sorbet. You can also order your ice cream sandwiched between sea salt chocolate chip cookies from Bethesda’s Sunday Morning Bakehouse// 151 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church

Rooftop_Recess
Come on out; the weather’s fine. As the name suggests, Courthouse newcomer Rooftop Recess has a rooftop patio. (Photo courtesy of Rooftop Recess)

Rooftop Recess

Get that school’s-out feeling whenever you want at this new Courthouse restaurant that opened May 8. The rooftop space seats about 100, although there’s plenty of indoor seating, too, if the weather isn’t cooperating. Try pecan praline baked brie, flatbreads (gluten-free dough available on request), sandwiches and entrees, such as short ribs with mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts. Signature cocktails include the Kentucky Sidecar (Maker’s Mark bourbon, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup) and the Bramble (gin, lemon, simple syrup, creme de mure, creme de framboise). 2424 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)

Pie and pinball make a delicious combo at Acme Pie Co. and The Pinball Basement. (Photo courtesy of Acme Pie Co.)

Acme Pie Co.

Not exactly a new eatery, but an old fav in a new spot. Sol Schott moved his pie shop on the Pike a few blocks from the old one and reopened May 1, serving fan-favorite scratch pies, coffee, shakes and more. The new location also has pinball—a lot of it. 2406 Columbia Pike, Arlington

Closing

Brij Coffee

After two years at Water Park in National Landing, Skyler Kelley has closed her coffee shop. She’s planning to open another location in D.C.’s Mount Vernon Square neighborhood this summer.

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