24 Best Restaurants in Northern Virginia, Virginia

This classic raw bar is consistently busy thanks to a nice mix of locals and visitors. No doubt it's because the oysters, clams, and lobster rolls are incredibly fresh, and the wine list is great. The restaurant also offers several daily specials highlighting local and seasonal ingredients, as well as fantastic soups, salads, and small plates. The rooftop dining area is superb.

The depth of Mason Social's seasonal menu has made it a hit since its opening in 2015. Adventurous eaters will relish options like the marrow burger while those happier with more traditional staples will be delighted with the fried green tomatoes or pan-seared rockfish. A mix of signature and classic cocktails provides plenty of boozy drinks to choose from.

Be sure to make reservations because foodies flock here for a taste of its award-winning Modern American cuisine. Vermilion favors locally sourced, sustainable ingredients, though quality trumps local here, so you may find Parisian gnocchi alongside Maryland crab croquettes on this mid-Atlantic menu. Don't miss the fantastic homemade pasta, bread, and desserts.

The first thing you notice, whether you’re sitting outside on the breezy dock or inside in the window-filled dining space, are the spectacular Potomac River views. But what sets Ada’s apart is the fact that most of the dishes touch the grill before leaving the open kitchen—so you have wood-fired steaks and smoked swordfish, but also singed gem lettuce and charcoal-burned brioche. The combination promises an unforgettable meal. The name is an homage to 19^th-century mathematician Ada Lovelace.

If there's a recipe for a perfect country inn restaurant, chef Jonathan Martin and sommelier Stephen Elhafdi have it. Head about an hour west of D.C. into Virginia hunt country, and your reward is extraordinary comfort food. À la carte menu items—like thyme-roasted pork with sweet potato purée or pan-seared chicken breast with mushrooms and lentils—are made with fresh local ingredients and presented in an intimate setting. You can order à la carte or indulge in the chef's tasting menu, both of which change seasonally. The inn also offers ten rooms, some with fireplaces and all with made-to-order country breakfast.

Shipping containers floating atop the Potomac River comprise this Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant in Old Town. The lunch and dinner menus feature small plates: patatas bravas, ham croquetas, and Spanish octopus salad. You can also savor meats and cheeses from Greece and Spain, miniature sandwiches, and more. The summery drink menu features ciders, beers, and wine—though order the stone fruit sangria to put you in a beachy kind of mood. The indoor wine bar is nice especially in winter.

A branch of a popular Georgetown pub, Clyde's has four art deco dining rooms, one or more of which may be devoted to private parties. The Palm Terrace has high ceilings and lots of faux greenery; less formal dining rooms adjoin each other and a couple of bars. Clyde's mostly attracts workers from the nearby corporate buildings, who appreciate the attentive service and high-quality fare. The lengthy, eclectic menu always includes fresh fish dishes, such as trout Parmesan. The wine list is equally long.

Built in 1883 in the heart of Old Town and used as an actual firehouse, this historic building now just off bustling King Street houses a popular brasserie with a barroom, atrium, and patio.

As its name suggests, tacos of every variety are the specialty at this lively spot in the heart of Alexandria's busy King Street. From tacos to rice bowls, burritos, and small plates for sharing, Don Taco's menu will make you crave more than just one item. Save room for dessert and, of course, for the tequila selection. 

In the heart of the historic district, this circa-1789 tavern provides a taste of the interior decoration, cuisine, and entertainment of the early Republic. A strolling balladeer usually makes the rounds on Friday and Saturday nights. The tavern was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, who is commemorated on the menu: George Washington's Favorite is half a duck grilled with scalloped potatoes, corn pudding, rhotekraut (sweet and sour red cabbage), and a port wine orange glace. Brunch is served on Sunday.

Inside an old building just one block from the Potomac, Il Porto's interior is reminiscent of Italy, with plaster walls, exposed wooden beams, and checkered tablecloths. The menu includes traditional Italian versions of veal, seafood, pasta, and chicken. Healthful touches include whole-wheat pasta and organic wines. On weekend nights the cozy dining room can get crowded.

Housed in a Romanesque-Revival building (1888), this restaurant was the Peoples National Bank for more than half a century. Restored to its original grandeur, the restaurant was named in honor of Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. One of the wine "cellars" is actually the bank's vault. The seasonal American cuisine, based on local ingredients, includes meat and seafood with a regional spin.

Brunch lovers unite over this lively Del Ray restaurant, serving French toast, eggs and waffles, and biscuits and gravy all day long. But there are plenty of other menu items as well, including lunchtime salads and sandwiches, and heartier comfort-fare dishes for dinner, including fried chicken and pork chops. Mimosas are de rigeur (though the “brunchy drink” menu has some interesting seasonal alternatives, including spiced pear mule and cassis spritz). Locals know chef Todd Miller as the originator of Ted’s pop tarts, a D.C. phenomenon.

Whitewashed stucco walls and colorful macramé tapestries bring a bit of the Mediterranean to the center of Old Town. The menu takes diners on a trip around Greece—each dish identifies its region of origin, and the whole country is represented. Favorites include exohikon (lamb baked in a pastry shell) and fish sautéed with artichokes. Thursday evenings bring live music, and if you are so moved, plates for breaking are free for the asking—opa! A buffet brunch is served on Sunday.

This popular neighborhood restaurant with funky decor is known for its weekend brunches and freshly squeezed margaritas. Tacos are a mix of traditional like carnitas and al pastor, as well as fun, such as fried chicken and cauliflower. The complimentary chips and salsa are surprisingly delightful.

It goes without saying that romance is in the air at this chocolate-themed restaurant, enhanced by low lighting and tucked-away booths. Chocolate may not be used in every dish, but why opt for anything else? The crispy calamari is prepared with a cocoa beer batter, while the burger comes with chocolate barbecue sauce. Even the Caesar salad is sprinkled with cocoa nibs. As you can imagine, the desserts are decadent, as are the specialty cocktails (the “moussetache,” for example, has vodka, baileys, and four forms of chocolate including crème de cacao and chocolate mousse). The secret is the conche—a machine that refines the chocolate to perfection.

Tuskie’s, as locals call it, is a Loudoun institution. Opened in 1985 in historic downtown Leesburg, it occupies a restored 1899 grist mill. Owner Kevin Malone was a proponent of the “buy local” movement from the start, and the New American menu—with dishes like grilled flank steak with bourbon molasses, slow-braised lamb shank with rosemary sauce, and jumbo lump crab cakes with lemon-leek aioli—reflects this philosophy. You can get salads and sandwiches too; the Barn Yard “Au Jus” smoked beef brisket and pork sandwich is a local favorite.

Housed in what was once a feed house in the 1800s (now beautifully restored with reclaimed wood, antique bricks, and glass panes), this lively American tavern serves an all-day menu and weekend brunch, and has a club-like feel on weekend nights. You can sample a wide variety of selections with a seasonal bent, from red wine–braised short ribs and pasta puttanesca to a grilled chicken BLT or a quinoa salad.  Make reservations, especially on weekends, because the large space gets packed quickly!