5 Best Restaurants in Northern Virginia, Virginia

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.

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.

Part of the romantic Goodstone Inn, which sits on 265 rolling acres near Middleburg, The Conservatory serves exquisite dishes using ingredients literally fresh from the farm. You’re in for a treat, with options including Miyazaki A5 Wagyu (a splurge worth every penny), guinea hen with Périgord truffle, and New Zealand venison with sour-cherry jus. Of course, it depends on the season and what’s fresh that day. The wine menu is extensive, and the setting resembles a greenhouse, with windows bringing in the surrounding nature.

Patowmack Farm has been growing produce since 1986, which explains why its ever-changing menu is full of fresh, innovative, thoughtful dishes that follow the seasons. But it's more than that—chef Vincent Badiee approaches his forward-thinking dishes like artwork, in which presentation is just as impressive as taste. Dinner, available Thursday through Saturday, comprises nine or so courses served “progression” style. You might enjoy mountaineer mushroom pie, country brisket, and a dessert called chocolate + malt. A casual Sunday supper is also served. Be forewarned: The spectacular views of the Potomac looking across Point of Rocks will vie for your attention.