Top Restaurants in Arlington, United States
Top Rated Restaurants in Arlington
Top Reviewed Restaurants in Arlington
Nestled in the vibrant state of Virginia, Arlington is not only known for its historical landmarks and cultural diversity but also its thriving culinary scene. With a wide range of dining options, from classic American fare to international cuisines, Arlington offers a delightful array of restaurants that cater to every palate. In this article, we'll take you on a gastronomic journey to explore the must-see restaurants in Arlington, where you can savor a variety of flavors and create unforgettable dining experiences.
1. Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery
Our culinary journey begins with Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery, a southern-inspired restaurant that offers a taste of the Louisiana bayou. Indulge in classics like gumbo, beignets, and po'boys in a cozy setting.
2. Ambar Clarendon
For lovers of Balkan cuisine, Ambar Clarendon is a must-visit. This restaurant brings the flavors of the Balkans to Arlington, serving small plates and traditional dishes that capture the essence of Eastern Europe.
3. Rustico Restaurant & Bar
Rustico Restaurant & Bar is a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts and foodies alike. With a menu that combines artisanal pizzas, hearty burgers, and an extensive beer selection, it's a go-to spot for a relaxed dining experience.
4. Pupatella
Pupatella is a Neapolitan pizzeria that offers authentic Italian pizza with a thin, crisp crust. Enjoy classic Margherita or explore creative toppings in a casual and welcoming atmosphere.
5. Samantha's Restaurant
Samantha's Restaurant is a family-owned establishment that specializes in classic American comfort food. From fluffy pancakes to savory omelets, it's the perfect spot for a hearty breakfast or brunch.
6. Yayla Bistro
Yayla Bistro offers a fusion of Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine. With a diverse menu that includes kebabs, mezes, and baklava, this restaurant provides a taste of the Mediterranean.
7. Chasin' Tails
For seafood lovers, Chasin' Tails is a top choice. This Cajun-inspired seafood restaurant lets you dive into flavorful boils of shrimp, crab, and crawfish, all in a fun and interactive dining setting.
8. Barley Mac
Barley Mac is a contemporary American restaurant that combines classic dishes with modern flair. Explore a menu of comfort food, including mac 'n' cheese and burgers, in a stylish atmosphere.
9. Jaleo Crystal City
Jaleo Crystal City is a renowned Spanish restaurant created by Chef José Andrés. Experience the vibrant and diverse flavors of Spain, from tapas to paella, in an energetic and welcoming environment.
10. Ambar Clarendon
Ambar Clarendon is worth mentioning again, as it offers an all-you-can-eat Balkan experience that's perfect for those looking to savor a wide variety of Balkan dishes.
In Conclusion
Arlington's culinary scene is a reflection of its diverse and multicultural community. These must-see restaurants offer a window into the city's gastronomic tapestry, featuring flavors from the American South, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and more. Whether you're indulging in Cajun boils, savoring Neapolitan pizza, or exploring the tastes of Spain, Arlington's restaurants provide a diverse range of memorable dining experiences. Come and uncover the culinary treasures of this vibrant city and create lasting memories with every bite.
Reviews
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My usual ramen spot closes at 3:30 pm and reopens at 4:30pm- which caused me to find another ramen establishment. Came across Hanabi Ramen and ordered the Gyudon beef .
It was like listening to a beautiful- yet technical violin concerto comprised of 3 movements:
The Broth will represent the 1st mvt (Adagio)
The seasonings and the tempura crumbs complementing the broth will represent the 2nd mvt (Allegro non troppo)
The beef and the Udon noodles will represent the 3rd mvt (Presto)
Resulting in a perfect dish, the beef reminded me of a hint of bulgogi (something I make at home) pairing very well with the broth adding such a contrast between a light sweetness and savory note. Perfectly balanced and composed I can detect there was a lot of thought put in the dish and I just loaned for more. Every taste was a new discovery and I was highly impressed. Very homey with a lot of notes and I will be back at the establishment again soon!
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Support local family owned restaurants like Bangkok 54!
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The service was friendly and efficient. We did not feel rushed, but our dishes arrived so perfectly timed. We had pauses between courses that were the perfect “pause”. Our server, Tuya, was wonderful and welcoming.
We shared the shrimp and chick peas appetizer and the Brussels sprouts salad. Both were excellent, the sprouts were not over charred, I think they might have blanched them. The sauce on the shrimp dish was delicious. Hubby got the steak frites; though the steak was the correct temp (med-rare), it was chewy. The fries were fantastic! I got the scallops with risotto and brown butter. It was so delicious and decadent. Creamy risotto and perfectly cooked scallops.
I highly recommend Grand Cru.
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The service was impeccable and couldn't have been better. We're looking forward to trying more dishes on their menu.
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My wife and I had a fantastic meal and evening: She enjoyed a reasonably priced wine flight while I had a “ Perfect Manhattan”. We split a cheese board appetizer and the roasted chicken breast entree. We finished the evening with our own desserts and perfectly brewed coffee and port. The total bill was three times less than what we have spent for much lessers meals and experiences.
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My first time here and the food came out (as requested)all together. Chicken tenders were thick, juicy, tender, and cooked all the way through. Sweet potato and regular fries were fresh and hot every bit. The beers and mimosas were delicious. Great first experience.
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We were not huge fans of the spinach and artichoke dip, which was very milky. It didn't have much spinach, artichoke, or cheese, so there wasn't too much flavor.
We had a reservation for 8:45pm, and they closed at 10pm. They did last call for food at 9pm, so we felt a bit rushed. We had to order our dessert at the same time as our entrees, and I think they made them at the same time because by the time they brought the hot dessert to our table, it was room temperature, including the cast iron skillet it was cooked in.
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Service was super mediocre, we tried to split a bill 2 ways and the server was very impatient, food was fine (what was available anyway) but will not be coming back and not worth the service and cost and stress of waiting an hour and a half for food…..
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My kids and I enjoyed our time here.
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Pepper croquette- sweet and flavorful.
Grilled shrimp- was ok
Rainbow trout- wasn't crispy
Istrian Gnocchi- I wasn't impressed with the mushroom sauce. They also use that same sauce for their mushroom flatbread.
Kale Caesar- it was good: I'd get it again
Cheese pie-I liked the dough
Stuffed pepper is good but filling
Hand cut fries- crispy and tasty
We would return... We liked the atmosphere and it would be a great place for cocktails and tapas.
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adding a bit more details based on the restaurants response and request.
We came with a large party of about 20 people and it took over 15 min to get our first drink orders in let alone any appetizers. The restaurant was pretty empty as it was around 6pm . The service was painfully slow to the point We tried to walk up to the bar and order drinks for a table of 20 but we were told to wait for a server which we couldn't locate. We ordered 3 each of the meatballs, brussel sprouts , deviled eggs and calamari. The deviled eggs never came out. After about an 45m and barely 1 round of drinks we couldn't even get water refilled or order our food. We walked constantly around the restaurant to look for a manager or a server . Finally our server took our order and the food came out but during our long wait we had to again find our server in the restaurant and ask for water refills and a few more round of drinks... During our meal same situation.. no checking up on us and we ran out of water and drinks... when we got up we were pretty much the only table with maybe 2 other tables ..
Also the restaurant has turned the lights on off several times probably signaling us to leave or that the kitchen was closing around 9-9:30 when the restaurant doesn't close until midnight. Overall we were out by 10pm. Lost oppty for the restaurant to maximize revenue and provide decent service as most of the 20 folks all work right in Rosslyn and haven't been here before .
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Each little plate was delicious and certain ones like pickled veggies and chicken skewers were ordered multiple times. The variety is truly amazing and in 2 hours we maybe worked our way through 30-40% of the choices and nothing disappointed. The only issue we ran into was that some dishes got lost in the shuffle and had to be asked for multiple times before arriving but that could be chalked up to just how busy it was there.
The interior is warm and the decor is nice but it can definitely get loud in there when it's busy and we found our table having to project to be heard even across the table.
The drink menu is extensive and everything we had was really good. I especially enjoyed the Rakia Old Fashioned and that they had a full rakia list to pick from.
This place is definitely an experience and one I wouldn't mind repeating. Especially since we discovered a whole second dining room downstairs while looking for bathrooms.
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I've celebrated birthdays here, met a bunch of friends, shared food, laughter and made memories here, too. Unfortunately, that changed a few years ago when a rat (yes a big rat) ran through the restaurant under the tables while a friend and I ate there!!! I took a break from the place for some years (plus I had moved to another state) but I went back because honestly I like their food.
Last January I took my sister there for her birthday and the service was bad and we saw a roach crawling on the wall 😩😩😩
Forward to some months later I did takeout and today did takeout again. The service is worse and no matter how much I like their food it isn't even the same quality anymore. It's time that I seriously hunt for a replacement.
Bangkok used to be much much better than it is now. Sad truth!
Forgot to take photos before finishing my soup.
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Everything was delicious and well priced.
Recommend for a quick stop or dine-in
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I also recommend their taiyaki for dessert with red bean ice cream, a great traditional dessert that not many places offer.
There is limited seating, so be prepared for a wait on a busy evening, but the servers are incredibly kind and accommodating.
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The general manager, Sam was very respectful, warming and polite.
The servers are very knowledgeable on their menu, and are sure to assist if you are unsure what you’re into that day.
The bar itself is one of the best bars I’ve been at in the DMV.
10/10 - will be back again!
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The second time: I decided to try shrimp and grits for the first time. I had popcorn and water until I waited. I chose to eat outdoor this time, so I fed the birds popcorn. The shrimp and grits were great. It was more like shrimp, Ruben and grits. The staff is always respectful. I love conversations with them
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For example, I love this cocktail called Paper plane, but it is not super well-known. We showed John the ingredients and he said "Oh yeah, we can do that". Then, he brings over the cocktail complete with a Paper plane on top and playing the song "Paper planes" on his phone. Next level service! Not to mention, the cocktail was the best Paper plane I ever had.
The fresh, warm bread was top-notch and our appetizer was incredible (got the strudel special). The eggplant/tomato salad exploded with flavor and was so good with the bread.
For entrees, I had one of the specials, salmon with lobster ravioli in a saffron cream sauce. It was so rich, flavorful, and just amazing... and such a value for the reasonable price. My husband had the beef wellington. When it came out, the presentation alone left us in awe. Such a beautiful dish. It was cooked perfectly and it was by far one of the most delicious meals he ever had. I had a couple bites and couldn't agree more.
Then... coffee and dessert. We had the strawberry shortcake. Best ever... and I've had a lot of strawberry shortcakes in my life. Had this fresh strawberry sauce that gave it some tart... all of the sauces in all of the dishes were phenomenal.
When we received the bill, we really thought it was such a great value with all that we ordered. Especially with the quality, taste and presentation of the top-level cuisine.
I do not typically write reviews, and certainly not ones that are this long, but felt compelled to. We had one of the best meals and experiences ever and Scutra is such a gem. We can't wait to go back. Thank you, Scutra! - Kacey and Jeff
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As a ramen enthusiast who's been to Japan multiple times, I have high standards for ramen. The ramen at Hanabi Ramen is pretty good with a nice taste and good ramen texture. However, I must admit that the soup lacked the thickness I usually enjoy. It's flavorful, but not as rich as I'd like.
Tsukemen Delight: ★★★★☆
If you're a fan of tsukemen, you're in for a treat here. Hanabi Ramen's tsukemen is more on the salty side, but it's incredibly flavorful and definitely stands out compared to the ramen. But also not thick enough.🍲
Appetizer Extravaganza: ★★★★★
Now, let's talk about the appetizers! We ordered Takoyaki and karaage, and they were absolutely amazing. In fact, I'd go as far as saying that they are better than the ramen itself. Don't miss out on these delicious starters. 😋
Overall, Hanabi Ramen offers a satisfying ramen experience, especially if you're more into tsukemen or love indulging in mouthwatering appetizers. While the ramen soup could be thicker, the flavors and quality are still worth a visit. 👍
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The food we ordered was served quickly and accurately, so it's a pity that we ate it all without taking a picture.
As my eldest daughter expressed, the food at this restaurant gives a warm feeling like a home. We all agreed. The food and staff (Mr. Michele) of this restaurant make it the number one restaurant in my life. I will definitely visit this place again and would like to say thank you. Every time food was served on my birthday, the food was so warm and delicious that it made me excited, so much so that I forgot everything and enjoyed it.
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I may return if I'm in the area but service could be improved.
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Food: The quality of the food here is poor, though it tastes okay. It's a mix of a college dining hall and reheated Costco frozen meals. It's not terrible, but it's far from great. Most people don't visit restaurants for reheated food.
Service: Terrible. Our waitress seemed indifferent and somewhat rude. For instance, because the food took so long to arrive, we ended up ordering more out of hunger. Trying to get our waitress's attention was a challenge; it felt like she was intentionally ignoring us. When she finally came to our table, her attitude was a bit rude, and it seemed like she was judging us for ordering more. Additionally, as a non-drinker, I checked online to ensure that the brunch would offer a non-alcoholic option. To my surprise, the restaurant didn't provide one, even though their website claimed otherwise. It was confusing because the bill had separate charges for food and alcohol brunch, but the menu was unclear.
Final Thoughts: In today's economy, this place is not worth the money. The food quality is subpar, the service is terrible, and they need to clarify whether they offer a non-alcoholic brunch menu, as stated on their website. The DJ was amazing though.
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I usually get their Good stuff burger - which basically is like a pizza in a burger from all the cheese and mushroom 😋
Price is pretty average for a burger - about $10-20 per person? (Depending on if you get combo meal or not)
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We got steak sandwich and onion burger both were very good and would recommend. The desert was the bread pudding which was excellent and a must for first visit.
The staff was very friendly and the place was very clean.
It is themed as a sports bar which is not my favorite but the food is much better than expected.
Would highly recommend going here when in Rosslyn.
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Great place great service and good food/drinks
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As you enter the restaurant it is open and welcoming. Our server, Clenilson D was personable and knowledgable with the questions we asked.
We started with drinks and an order of fries while we decided on lunch. The fries were insane. They were hand-cut, cooked to perfection and seasoned with the right amount of salt. The malt vinegar elevated them to the next level.
For our meal we each ordered a burger. I ordered the bacon cheddar burger, while my husband and friend each ordered the Tavern Burger. The burgers were excellent and highly satisfying.
We finished our meal with a cappuccino, which was also excellent.
We planned on leaving, but decided to stop at the bar and have 1 more drink. The bartender, I think her name was Aubrey, was friendly and helpful as we tried to decide on what to order for shots. After her description of the Peppermint Martini we ordered those. They were rimmed in crushed candy cane and had a mini candy cane on the side. They made me feel like we were in a Christmas movie. Probably a Lifetime Christmas movie because Hallmark isn't big on alcohol drinks.
This will be our go to for our annual Christmas lunch with our friend and we may even go down during the year.
Merry Christmas and thank you for the great meal and drinks.
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Brussels & Blue ($11)
Tasty dish, with both sweet, crunchy and spicy elements. Large dish so suitable for sharing.
Bacon Blue Burger ($16)
One of the best burgers I've ever eaten! Incredibly juicy and good tasting! I'm not usually a big blue cheese fan, but this was absolutely fantastic. The fries were thin, well seasoned and nice and crunchy.
Roadhouse chicken
Wow what a salad. Doesn't get much better than this. Juicy and good chicken in a good and varied salad with a very good dressing. Could easily have ordered this again!
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Warm brie, very creamy and light.
The biggest lamb shanks we've ever seen!
Steak was on point and the white chocolate bread pudding was also amazing. Staff was attentive, fast and super friendly.
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I didn't try these myself, but the menu has a fair number of European dishes that aren't that common here: frog legs, snails, duck and so on. My dining companion tried these and liked them very much. The pictures shown are of deviled eggs, baked brie, potato gnocchi, duck strudel, escargot, and frog legs.