Hungry for something new? Here are a few Northern Virginia restaurants opening soon that we can’t wait to try.
Dok Khao Thai
This self-described “slice of Bangkok” will open a fifth DMV location this fall in Falls Church. (The others are in Woodbridge, Alexandria, Chevy Chase and Columbia.) The menu isn’t set yet, but dishes like Drunken Noodles and specialty drinks like the Matcha Thai Tea are a safe bet. 180 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church
Eataly
Rumors (and hopes?) have been swirling for a while, but now it’s official: The wildly popular Italian marketplace and food hall will open its first D.C.-area location at Tysons Corner Center in 2027. The two-story emporium, which is taking over the former American Girl store, will have Eataly’s signature seated restaurants and quick-service counters. Plus, retailers selling Italian foods and other imported products. This will be the brand’s 70th location globally and its 21st in North America. 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons
and toum
Tariq Alaeddin, founder of NAJA Mediterranean in the Mosaic District, is introducing a “broasted” chicken pop-up concept in the early fall. The bird, made using a pressure-frying technique common in the Mideast and Mediterranean, will be served with toum, a traditional Lebanese whipped garlic sauce. Housed inside NAJA Mediterranean, the chicken will be available for takeout and delivery. 2911 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Ember
National Landing’s restaurant explosion continues with the arrival of this high-end concept specializing in dry-aged meats, slated for late summer. On Friday and Saturday nights, the space will morph into a nightclub with live music and dancing. 1301 S. Joyce St., Arlington (National Landing)
Five Iron Golf
Capital One Center already has putt putt on the roof, but now it’s teeing up to welcome an indoor golf center and restaurant, where guests can use high-tech golf simulators to analyze their swings. Five Iron will also offer professional instruction, club fittings, competitive leagues and the Five Iron Tournaments platform, which connects players for real-money competition. The food menu will include bar fare and wood-fired pizzas. Weekday happy hours from 3-6 p.m. promise $5 bottomless boneless wings, $5 dips (guac, hummus or cheese), and $5 beers and cocktails. 1803 Capital One Drive S., Tysons
PopUp Bagels
Arlington’s bagel takeover continues with the arrival of this Connecticut concept known for its “rip and dip” approach (each bagel comes with a side of cream cheese or butter for dipping). PopUp Bagels prides itself on making only five flavors and making them well. Order a plain, everything, poppy seed, salt or sesame bagel and dunk it in plain or scallion cream cheese, or salted butter. Weekly rotating schmear specials include options like cake batter cream cheese or Mike’s hot honey butter. 4300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Buffalo & Bergen
As we noted last year, chef Gina Chersevani is (still) working on opening her fourth location of this soda counter-meets-deli-meets-cocktail-bar. Inspired by a Brooklyn soda shop (at the intersection of Buffalo Avenue and Bergen Street) that conjured happy childhood memories for Chersevani’s mother, the D.C.-based chainlet pays tribute with a menu centering on New York water bagels, brisket Reubens, knishes and other comfort foods, plus an ingenious roster of classic and creative cocktails. 1028 N. Garfield St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Cup of Bliss
For the first time since Starbucks left Arlington’s Lee Harrison Shopping Center in 2019, coffee will flow here again. This caffeine purveyor will take cues from Vietnamese culture when it starts filling mugs. 2439 N. Harrison St., Arlington (Yorktown)
Electric Bull
Taco Bamba founder Victor Albisu is cooking up a new concept in Vienna, and the menu is already making waves. On Feb. 21, Albisu won the Chefs’ Choice award at Masters of Fire, a national grill competition at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami, for his charred honey lamb ribs with chimi-chermoula and smoked oyster barbecue sauce. Those ribs will be on the menu at Electric Bull, a South American-style steakhouse and butcher shop to be led by chef Justin Severino, co-founder of Morcilla in Pittsburgh; and Adam Hoffa, a Best of Arlington 2025 winner who was most recently the executive chef at Arlington’s Pirouette Cafe and Wine Bar. 176 Maple Ave. W., Vienna
La Omri
The team behind Georgetown’s Villa Yara is bringing a Mediterranean eatery to Capital One Center in Tysons. The name, which means “to the love of my life,” pays homage to Mediterranean flavors and hospitality with modern interpretations of regional classics and an emphasis on premium sourcing. A 24-seat bar serving signature and classic cocktails will be a focal point, and weekends will feature live entertainment. 7775 Capital One Drive, Tysons
Scapegoat Beer Garden
We teased it last year, but this Asian-street-fair-meets-beer-garden is still aiming to open in Crystal City. Owner Kendrick Wu is building the outdoor concept in the former Athena Pallas space behind Crystal City’s 23rd Street Restaurant Row. The menu will feature pan-Asian comfort foods such as crackling pork belly rice bowls, wok-fried garlic noodles and bo la lot, a traditional Vietnamese grilled beef skewer wrapped in betel leaves. Beer, wine and cocktails will round out the offerings. 556 22nd St. S., Arlington (Crystal City)
Surfside
Dreaming of fun in the sun after a brutal winter? That’s the vibe this beach-themed eatery hopes to bring to McLean’s Chesterbrook Shopping Center. If the menus for Surfside’s D.C. locations are any indication, expect nachos, queso, tacos, fajitas and salads, plus happy hour deals on frozen passion fruit margs. 6220 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
A New Cafe by Fabio Trabocchi (name TBD)
A yet-to-be-named café is in the works from Fabio Trabocchi, the James Beard Award winning chef behind Sfoglina in Rosslyn and D.C.’s Fiola, which earned a Michelin star. When it opens in the former spot AHRA Café space in Rosslyn, it will feature counter ordering. 1100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
