I don't mean to stress anyone out, but if it's your first time visiting Northern Virginia, you have a lot to do. No matter how much time you spend here, you'll never get enough of the delicious food spread across our vast and confusingly mapped county. If you're from Northern Virginia, you know firsthand the stress of deciding where to eat on the weekends, when the evening falls and the options seem endless.
Trust me, no one understands this struggle better than me. I'm basically a human garbage disposal because I'll eat anything (I once tried grasshopper tacos; not recommended). The problem with being so adventurous with food is that I often find something I like. There was no way my stomach (or more importantly my wallet) could handle all this. I know, if you're in Northern Virginia, it's tempting to take the short metro trip to Washington, D.C., to sample the same famous cuisine, but take my word for it: As great as their city fare is, it's some of the best you'll ever eat It's nearby (or somewhere along Route 66, if you dare). Here are some things you absolutely must try while at NOVA:
1. “Grown Up Grilled Cheese” at Lost Dog Cafe
With locations in Arlington, McLean, and Dunn's Lorraine, there's bound to be one close enough for you to enjoy a heavenly blend of cheese, avocado, and tomato on wheatberry bread. The craft beer here is also so beautiful it will make you cry.
2. BBQ at Honeypig Grill
Based in Centerville, you can try to resist the deliciousness of this tabletop grill restaurant. If you were a heartless, stomachless robot, you might succeed.
3. Beijing gourmet duck
Everyone I know who eats duck rave about this dish. In addition, it is a hotspot for politicians and local celebrities, and has even been visited by several presidents. Just make sure you get a reservation or you're screwed.
4. Crab Rangoon with Cream Cheese Sauce at Café Asia
I can't find any real photos of this Arlington restaurant's creamy delicacies, which is probably for the best because I'll start having flashes of violence as I'll start stabbing my siblings with chopsticks to get faster Eat these foods.
5. Sisters Thai’s Pad See Ew and Frozen Thai Tea
How many restaurants do you know that offer frozen Thai tea? If you're looking for a delicious staple, this popular local restaurant is located in Fairfax.
6. Santini's Pizza
We used to drive 45 minutes across NOVA to get this pizza, but thankfully the chain has expanded to McLean, Reston, Oakton, Sterling, and Chantilly. I don't have a picture of the pizza, but you can smell it within fifty feet of the store, which sells it a lot better than a picture.
7. Caprese Egg Widget from Chesapeake Bagel Bakery
We may not have New York bagels here, but it's the best compromise NOVA can make, with locations in Oakton, McLean, Alexandria, Falls Church and Burke. It's basically bagel heaven when you get a bagel straight out of the oven.
8. Saffron Rice Chicken Kebab Amoo's Kebab
This place is located in McLean and doesn't have enough street cred. The kebabs were cooked to perfection and there was no doubt that I would sleep on a bed of cherry saffron rice.
9. True Food Kitchen’s edamame dumplings
I can't even describe to you exactly what these dumplings taste like because I've never had anything like it. They're creamy and delicious. When I say "they melt in your mouth," I mean they melt in your mouth . This is another underrated spot, as the West Coast-based chain just opened its first NOVA store in Mosaic Center last month, but it's worth a visit.
10. Milkshake at Silver Restaurant
These shakes are so good, they'll make you even better . You could really use these shakes, y'all. Bonus points if you get the Mint Chocolate Oreos. Get one in Falls Church, Springfield, Reston, McLean, Arlington or Fairfax.
11. Sushi Lasagna at Miyagi Sushi
You might think cheese and sushi wouldn't mix so well, but you'd be wrong. This place is located in McLean and you can't even see it from the street, but finding it is like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow (although I doubt gold will clog your arteries any time soon).
12. Cheesesteak at Al's Steak House
I rarely go to Alexandria these days, but I've heard about this place too many times not to post about it.
13. El Pollo Rico Charcoal Grilled Chicken
This is another easy-to-drive-by spot in Arlington, but the secret is out: Good luck getting through the line for that chicken this weekend.
14. Fluffy Idea Macarons
Macaroons have taken Washington, D.C. by storm (even inspiring some macaron-themed dessert tours), but you don't have to go out of Virginia to try the unique macaron flavor—this restaurant is right here in McLean.
15. Mimosas at Artie's
It might be cold outside, but you can still pretend it's summer for a few minutes of bliss in this fresh-squeezed haven in Fairfax.
16. Vegetarian dishes at Sunflower Restaurant
With two locations in Falls Church and Vienna, this restaurant is one of the few local restaurants that caters to both vegetarians and vegans with its creative and delicious menu. I'm an unabashed carnivore and even I like their names.
17. Amphora anything you might understand
This is where I want people to go when they die. This menu...it will last forever. This is my favorite novel. They offer everything all day long . Breakfast for dinner. Dinner breakfast. This place is unlike anything you've ever seen, full of sweet chaos and disorder, and the Herndon location is open 24 hours a day. You have no reason not to eat here. Stop reading. go.
Images: Lost Dog Cafe , Peking Gourmet , Amoo's Kebab , El Pollo Rico , Artie's, Amphora/Facebook; 50shades_rich , anni3jin d_clemente757 , jiddkidd , ginagj725 , saeed7rb , katelynecarter /Instagram; ChowNowDC /Twitter; Emma Lord
