The best restaurants in Arlington
62 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.
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Pinned in Arlington today
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Two pinned places a day in Arlington — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →Paid placements are always marked.
Uchi DC
RestaurantsUchi DC brings a nontraditional, chef-driven take on Japanese dining with signature tastings, seasonal omakase, innovative sushi, and…
Uchi DC
RestaurantsBig Buns
RestaurantsWhen you need a fast, joyful reset this week, the original Big Buns in Ballston delivers made-to-order signature stacks, rotating burger…
Big Buns
RestaurantsPines of Florence
RestaurantsCasual restaurant specializing in traditional Italian dishes like lasagna, penne and ravioli.
Pines of Florence
RestaurantsPalette 22
RestaurantsModern street food spanning the globe is served in a bustling art studio & gallery atmosphere.
Palette 22
RestaurantsCowboy Cafe
RestaurantsConvivial, Western-inspired joint serving up burgers & other pub grub with a kick plus drinks.
Cowboy Cafe
RestaurantsFirst Down Sports Bar & Grill
RestaurantsTelevised sports, beers & wings, plus chances to score points playing games like foosball.
First Down Sports Bar & Grill
RestaurantsHal & Al's BBQ
RestaurantsHalal barbecue joint located in a food court, known for its brisket and brisket chili, plus ribs and chicken sandwiches.
Hal & Al's BBQ
RestaurantsLa Bettola Italiano
RestaurantsQuaint, casual restaurant turning out pizza, pasta dishes & other traditional Italian entrees.
La Bettola Italiano
RestaurantsWing Zone
RestaurantsCasual counter-serve chain offering wings with an array of signature sauces & other fast fare.
Wing Zone
RestaurantsEpic Smokehouse
RestaurantsClubby smokehouse pairing upmarket, globally accented meat & seafood with craft cocktails & wine.
Epic Smokehouse
RestaurantsGood Stuff Eatery
RestaurantsHandcrafted burgers, fries & shakes dished up in trendy industrial surroundings.
Good Stuff Eatery
RestaurantsBig Buns
RestaurantsCraft drafts, boozy shakes & customized burgers in a mod counter serve setting with a bar & tables.
Big Buns
RestaurantsPho 75
RestaurantsNo-nonsense eatery fixing up Vietnamese soups with a variety of meat & veggie toppings. Cash only.
Pho 75
RestaurantsGCDC Grilled Cheese Bar
RestaurantsContemporary eatery dishing up grilled cheese sandwiches plus fried fare & charcuterie.
GCDC Grilled Cheese Bar
RestaurantsFederico Ristorante Italiano
RestaurantsTraditional pastas, pizza, Italian entrees & a full bar offered in a casual, rustic atmosphere.
Federico Ristorante Italiano
RestaurantsFounding Farmers Fishers & Bakers
RestaurantsFarm-inspired American fare, plus sushi & cocktails served in sleek, eco-chic digs with river views.
Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers
RestaurantsPHO 54
RestaurantsCasual, clean-cut eatery turning out a range of Vietnamese staples such as pho noodle soup and Pad Thai.
PHO 54
RestaurantsGreen Pig Bistro
RestaurantsScot Harlan's nose-to-tail ethos turns out American-French dishes in a modern, kitschy spot.
Green Pig Bistro
RestaurantsFilomena Ristorante
RestaurantsPasta made in-house plus hearty Italian classics in an upscale restaurant with over-the-top decor.
Filomena Ristorante
RestaurantsBonchon Arlington
RestaurantsCasual chain serving cooked-to-order Korean fried chicken, plus other traditional eats.
Bonchon Arlington
RestaurantsSloppy Mama's BBQ
RestaurantsCasual, family-run eatery for American-style barbecue fare, including brisket, chicken and burgers.
Sloppy Mama's BBQ
RestaurantsJINYA Ramen Bar - Arlington
RestaurantsJapanese restaurant serving ramen and other comfort food in a laid-back, social setting.
JINYA Ramen Bar - Arlington
RestaurantsBasic Burger
RestaurantsTrendy outpost for Angus beef hamburgers, cage-free chicken sandwiches & milkshakes.
Basic Burger
RestaurantsSanté
RestaurantsBreakfasts, savory dishes, cocktails and tea service in the elegant Ritz-Carlton hotel establishment dining room.
Santé
RestaurantsFounding Farmers DC
RestaurantsCooperative-grower-owned spot serving farm-to-table-themed American fare in rustic digs.
Founding Farmers DC
RestaurantsBodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge
RestaurantsSpanish wines & small plates blend with bullfight decor at a romantic dark-lit wine bar & eatery.
Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge
RestaurantsToryumon Japanese House
RestaurantsGrilled dishes, ramen, sushi & bento lunch specials round at the menu at this contemporary option.
Toryumon Japanese House
Restaurants&pizza
RestaurantsModern pizzeria chain serving gourmet pies with diverse sauces, plus dessert pizzas & house sodas.
&pizza
RestaurantsTrue Food Kitchen
RestaurantsRelaxed, eco-chic chain serving health-conscious fare, including vegan options, plus cocktails.
True Food Kitchen
RestaurantsRocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company
RestaurantsSmall, no-frills joint serving wood-only barbecue & American comfort-food sides, plus beer & wine.
Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company
RestaurantsOld Ebbitt Grill
RestaurantsIconic tavern offering American meals, including popular oyster specials, in Victorian-style digs.
Old Ebbitt Grill
RestaurantsAll About Burger
RestaurantsFast-food eatery known for its huge selection of milkshakes, plus burgers, hot dogs & cheesesteaks.
All About Burger
RestaurantsHawkers Asian Street Food
RestaurantsCasual restaurant and bar providing Asian small plates and quick bites, plus beer and cocktails.
Hawkers Asian Street Food
RestaurantsBlue Duck Tavern
RestaurantsNew American preparations of locally sourced ingredients served amid handcrafted furnishings.
Blue Duck Tavern
RestaurantsGyu San Japanese BBQ & Bar
RestaurantsLaid-back restaurant for premium meat cuts such as Wagyu beef grilled at the table, plus sushi.
Gyu San Japanese BBQ & Bar
RestaurantsKYOJIN Sushi
RestaurantsCozy, non-traditional sushi restaurant serving Japanese small plates, sake, beer, and wine.
KYOJIN Sushi
RestaurantsCasa Teresa
RestaurantsSeasonal Spanish fare served in a cozy space, plus a large selection of wine.
Casa Teresa
RestaurantsToastique
RestaurantsCasual restaurant spotlighting healthy offerings, such as toasts, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices.
Toastique
RestaurantsPisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar
RestaurantsChic spot with a South American feel serving modern Peruvian fare, cocktails & beer.
Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar
RestaurantsSmokecraft Modern Barbecue
RestaurantsCasual eatery whipping up sandwiches, smoked meats & seafood, plus weekend brunch & craft cocktails.
Smokecraft Modern Barbecue
RestaurantsBoqueria Dupont
RestaurantsMarc Vidal's light, wood-paneled Spanish tapas destination, with lots of wines for pairing.
Boqueria Dupont
RestaurantsCarbonara
RestaurantsCozy eatery with an outdoor patio featuring spaghetti and meatballs, crab ravioli and espresso martinis.
Carbonara
RestaurantsMakers Union
RestaurantsAmerican restaurant serving comfort food and drinks with a pet-friendly patio.
Makers Union
RestaurantsCasual, counter-service spot offering burgers, buffalo chicken sandwiches and fries.
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
RestaurantsAn all-day menu of Southern comfort food with a creative twist, plus craft beers & cocktails.
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
RestaurantsMaison Cheryl
RestaurantsFrench and New-American favorite with an elegant vibe serving brunch, cocktails, and wine along with beer.
Maison Cheryl
RestaurantsBallston Local
RestaurantsBuzzing restaurant/bar offering burgers, pizzas & cocktails, plus happy-hour specials.
Ballston Local
RestaurantsClyde's at Mark Center
RestaurantsLong-running local chain serving classic American dishes & cocktails in a traditional setting.
Clyde's at Mark Center
RestaurantsViet Kitchen - Asian Fusion Restaurant
RestaurantsMenu offering pho, vermicelli dishes, and other Vietnamese staples.
Viet Kitchen - Asian Fusion Restaurant
RestaurantsTexas Jack’s Barbecue
RestaurantsLarge rustic-modern hangout with woodsy feel serving Lone Star–style 'cue & unique sides.
Texas Jack’s Barbecue
RestaurantsThe Liberty Tavern
RestaurantsTavern with upstairs space serving changing New American fare & lively downstairs bar with pub grub.
The Liberty Tavern
Restaurantspie-tanza
RestaurantsFamily-friendly pizzeria with open kitchen, thin-crust & wood-fired pies & other Italian standards.
pie-tanza
RestaurantsTed's Bulletin
RestaurantsBustling eatery for breakfast any time & American fare, plus a large menu of boozy milkshakes.
Ted's Bulletin
RestaurantsSabores Tapas Bar
RestaurantsCasual, trendy, eatery offering a menu of Spanish and Latin American tapas, along with cocktails and wine.
Sabores Tapas Bar
RestaurantsTaberna del Alabardero
RestaurantsRefined Spanish cuisine & extensive wine list served in an opulent space with an outdoor patio.
Taberna del Alabardero
RestaurantsRis
RestaurantsHigh-end bistro serving seasonal upscale New American fare in a modern, sophisticated space.
Ris
RestaurantsDC Pizza
RestaurantsCool, modern storefront where diners customize their pies & wait just a few minutes to chow down.
DC Pizza
RestaurantsSilver Diner
RestaurantsModeled after the classic American diner, this regional chain supplies comfort fare & jukebox tunes.
Silver Diner
RestaurantsA Modo Mio
RestaurantsFamily-owned restaurant with Neapolitan-style pizza, pastas & subs, plus an unlimited lunch buffet.
A Modo Mio
RestaurantsRocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company
RestaurantsLocal chain outpost serving oak- & hickory-smoked barbecue & sides in a roadhouse-style setting.
Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company
RestaurantsMele Bistro
RestaurantsIntimate, tin-ceilinged bistro serving Italian classics plus other European-style cuisine.
Mele Bistro
RestaurantsRuthie's All-Day
RestaurantsChill, light-filled, mid-century modern eatery offering homestyle cooking & a robust drink list.
Ruthie's All-Day
RestaurantsNothing matched that. Know a spot we’re missing? Tell us →
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