Add these new dining destinations to your “must try” list in September. A diverse selection of Mexican, pizza, Asian, fast casual, and coffee spots are dotting the Northern Virginia landscape. Check out the offerings of these enticing restaurants in search of your new favorites.
Arlington
Pho & Banh Mi Eatery Cafe
Drop in for a variety of milk teas, slushes, coffees, and smoothies. Bring an appetite as well: You can order tasty entrees like banh mi, eggrolls, pho, and poke bowls. 3000 Washington Blvd., Ste. D, Arlington
Tortas y Tacos La Chiquita III
Enjoy quesadillas, beef birria tacos, tortas, and more at the third location of this Mexican eatery. The alambres, sopes, nachos, burritos, and huaraches ensure there is something for every palate here. 3811 Fairfax Dr., Ste. 175, Arlington
Fat Fish
Fat Fish takes a bold approach to flavors, blending Hawaiian-inspired tastes into a refreshing menu. From colorful poke bowls and creative bento boxes to signature sushi rolls and taiyaki waffles, every dish is crafted with care and packed with personality. 1641 Crystal Dr., Arlington
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
Tatte has opened at National Landing — this Boston-born café chain has exploded all over the DMV, with recent locations in Reston, Old Town Alexandria, and DC. Savor coffees and teas, as well as pastries, breads and brunch items. Tatte’s vibrant all-day menu serves popular dishes like lamb hash, ham and cheddar quiche, and shakshuka. Try the seasonal offerings, like a salad with strawberries, roasted peaches, and chicken; the apricot danish; or the lemon thyme espresso soda. 269 19th Ct. S., Ste. 65, Arlington
MidnighTreats
This area cookie shop specializes in massive, vegan cookies. It will open a new location in Arlington’s Ballston Quarter on Saturday, September 7, with a grand opening complete with giveaways of free cookies for a year for the first five people in line. It serves four classic flavors — chocolate chip, birthday bash, brownie cookie, and cinnamon roll — plus two seasonal flavors that rotate bi-weekly. 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Wagamama
The long-awaited Clarendon location of this London-born Asian food chain opened its doors in early August. Its menu features ramen, teppanyaki, and rice dishes, along with cocktails, sake, Japanese whisky, and pressed juices. 2950 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
Burke
Khan’s Halal
Here’s your chance to try premium halal fast food at reasonable prices. We’re talking smash burgers, chicken burgers, fried chicken, chicken tenders, and more. Choose from five tasty sauces to punctuate the flavors. 9413 Old Burke Lake Rd., Ste. B, Burke
Chantilly
Sense of Thai
The second location of Sense of Thai features bold and spicy flavors of southern Thailand. Look forward to the same kind of innovative cuisine, inventive cocktails, and stunning presentations that impressed customers at the One Loudoun location to be brought to the new restaurant in South Riding. 25031 Riding Plz., Ste. 150, Chantilly
Dulles
Jamun New Zealand Ice Cream
Now is your chance to try some New Zealand–style soft serve ice cream, featuring mix-ins of fresh or frozen fruit. The ultra-creamy, made-to-order concoctions are offered in numerous flavors. It’s even better with fruit, toppings, and drizzles. 21100 Dulles Town Cir. Kiosk 1, Dulles
Fairfax
Bagel Joy
If bagels, spreads and sandwiches are your scene, Bagel Joy will bring you just that — joy. The Fair Lakes Shopping Center location is home to this new spot. Enjoy a variety of fresh-out-of-the oven bagels. The spreads — in options like garlic herb, five pepper, kalamata olive, and fig — are the icing on the cake. 13081 Fair Lakes Shopping Ctr., Fairfax
Falls Church
MQR Cafe
Stop in this new Falls Church café for your favorite coffee and tea beverages, as well as all sorts of housemade items to satisfy your cravings. Order some eggs, bagels, yogurt bowls, or French toast for a morning meal or come back around lunchtime for hummus and salads. Burgers and sandwiches round out this tasty menu. 6343-E Columbia Pk., Falls Church
Chicken Salad Chick
If you love chicken salad, this is the place for you. Chicken Salad Chick offers 12 flavorful varieties of chicken salad, as well as pimento cheese, egg salad, sandwiches, salads, soups, and sides. Save room for buttercream frosted cookies for dessert. 7505 Leesburg Pk., Falls Church
Leesburg
Second Nature Coffee
Searching for a good cup of coffee in Leesburg? Second Nature Coffee opened recently, offering inviting coffee, tea, chai, matcha, cocoa, lemonade, and more. Pull up a chair and enjoy your beverage with a fresh pastry or gelato. 110 S. King St., Leesburg
Manassas
Lume Asian Fusion
Don’t limit yourself to one type of cuisine. This new spot in Manassas incorporates South Pacific and Korean flavors into its flavorful dishes. Enjoy poke, sandwiches, rice bowls, and kimchi quesadillas at this fusion restaurant. And don’t forget the vibrant drinks in the tiki-style bar, either. 9110 Center St., Manassas
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
This fast-food chain brings steakburgers, frozen custard, tater tots, chicken tenders, fries, onion rings, and more to the table. This is the fourth location in the region, following two in Fredericksburg and one in Fairfax. 8074 Ashton Ave., Manassas
Oakton
Yalla Pita
Authentic Mediterranean kebabs, falafel, and shawarma are front and center in Oakton. The former food Yalla Pita truck has a new brick-and-mortar restaurant, making it easy to enjoy the flavorful bites. 2946-P Chain Bridge Rd., Oakton
Springfield
Ugly Dumpling Express
Get your dumpling fix at this fun restaurant with a surprisingly lengthy menu. There are six variations of xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, plus dim sum options like pork buns and even more dumplings. Fried rice, noodles, and greens round out the menu. 6691 Backlick Rd., Springfield
Sterling
J & J Pizza
In the mood for a pie? J & J offers up hot, freshly made New York–style pizza — available in full pies or by the slice — and wings in tempting flavors. Explore creative pies like the Heatwave, with hot honey, Calabrese salami, and whipped ricotta. 22455 Davis Dr., Ste. 120, Sterling
Chamba Grill
Got a hankering for a burrito or fajitas? Chamba Grill is the place to be. Soups, salads, chimichangas, street tacos, and quesadillas are all on this menu of fresh Mexican fare, available with your choice of steak, chicken, or seafood. 95 Sugarland Run Dr., Sterling
Aria Restaurant & Banquet Hall
Indulge in Aria’s mouth-watering buffet menu of Afhgan cuisine, including a variety of traditional kabobs. Aria is located at the former Longhorn Steakhouse near Dulles Town Center. 21075 Dulles Town Cir., Sterling
Feature image courtesy Fat Fish
For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s Food & Drink newsletter.
Read More