Just for fun, I’m making a food directory with some of my favorite places to grab a bite in northern Virginia, particularly around western Fairfax County (Fairfax/Centreville/Chantilly/Herndon) and the surrounding areas. I’d love your input and suggestions on places to try. Keep in mind I’m not that fancy!
Italian
Cantina D’Italia – This is in Fair Lakes. We like the Spaghetti Carbonara here. It’s definitely a little heavy, but it’s yummy. They sometimes have a BOGO 50% off coupon in the Clipper magazine. The owner is nice enough to honor expired coupons.
Ciao Osteria – This is in Centreville. Great pasta. The owner came out and was talking to everyone last time and chatted with us for a while. You can tell he really cares about his business.
Korean BBQ
Gogiville – Great place for a la carte Korean BBQ in Centreville. Try the jumuluk (short steak) or yangnyum galbi (marinated short ribs).
Honey Pig – Also in Centreville. This is a local chain in the DMV, but a classic. It’s always been solid for me.
Meokja Meokja – Near Fairfax Circle. We’ve only been once, but it was pretty good. Make a reservation well in advance as it gets packed quickly.
Mexican
Mama Tigre – In Oakton. Indian/Mexican fusion, but mostly Mexican flavors. Super cute inside and there’s a private room (ask for the Butterfly room) you can reserve for up to 12 people with a $300 minimum. Food was excellent.
Uncle Julio’s – In Fairfax Corner. I used to work here as a server (making $2.13/hr plus tips lol) just before my son was born. The food is pretty good though.
Taco Bamba – Local chain, but I go to the one near GMU. Great place for tacos.
El Paso – Also a local chain. I go to the one in Centreville. We usually order a tablaso de tacos (20 small tacos in a pizza box).
Pho
Pho 102 – In Chantilly (Metrotech). Solid place for pho.
Pho Duong – In Centreville. I recently went here with a friend. Was impressed. Large portions, so go here if you’re hungry.
PHO4EVER – In Fairfax. I actually haven’t been yet, but this was highly recommended by a friend, so it’s on my list to try.
Thai
My Home Thai Bistro – In Reston. Pricier but the portions are huge and very good. The Pad Thai could feed 1.5-2 adults. We may do family style here next time.
Ocha Thai – In Centreville. Solid place for Thai food.
Thai Tyme – Near Chantilly Wegmans. It’s been pretty good so far.
Chao Phra Ya – In Herndon. Has been good each time I’ve been.
Pizza
Andy’s Pizza – On the top floor of Tysons Galleria (fancy mall). Delicious pizza by the slice. Lots of seating, and great for kids.
Mellow Mushroom – This is a chain. I go to the one near Chantilly Wegmans. My favorite is the Holy Shiitake Pie.
Puputella – In Reston. Small pizzas but pretty good. They’re opening in Merrifield (Mosaic District) soon.
&pizza – This is a chain. There’s one in the Fair Oaks Mall. Very good for made to order pizza.
Chinese
Mama Chang – In Fairfax. Has been awesome both times I went. Everything was really good, but the fried stuff is so good. Probably my favorite Chinese restaurant in NoVA now.
Peking Gourmet Inn – In Falls Church. This place is famous for all the US presidents and celebrities visiting. The food is excellent, and it’s worth a visit if you’ve never been. But prices have gone up. Best known for the Peking Duck.
Yen’s Cafe – In Ashburn. Food was excellent.
Cheng’s Asian House – In Chantilly. It was decent.
Korean
Ko Hyang Restaurant – In Chantilly. Good place for sulungtang (beef soup) and soondae (blood sausage). The kimchi (pickled cabbage) and ggakdugi (pickled radish) is really good too.
Jang Won Bon Jum – In Centreville (and Annandale). Great place for Chinese-Korean. They have a nice variety.
Danji – In Centreville. Great traditional Korean food.
American
Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar – Near Chantilly Wegmans. The food here has been pretty good, and they have a nice variety.
Sweetwater Tavern – One of the “Great American” restaurants. Nice variety, good service, and good food.
Cheesecake Factory – In Fair Oaks Mall. Nice variety but gets too busy on the weekends.
BBQ
Odd BBQ – In Chantilly. Only been here a couple times, but it’s been good.
Mission BBQ – In Fairfax (Greenbriar Shopping Center). This is a national chain. It’s decent.
Wings
bbq Chicken and Beer – In Centreville. My favorite wings here are the BB wings. Spicy and crispy. Too spicy for some, but just right for me.
Buffalo Wing Factory – In Fairfax (Greenbriar). Newly renovated. Great place for wings. Try the lemon pepper dry rub.
Sushi
Matsu Sushi – In Centreville. We haven’t found a great place for sushi, but this place has been decent. Open to more suggestions.
Indian
Bollywood Bistro – In Fairfax City. My wife and I used to go to the lunch buffet here regularly pre-pandemic, but I think they discontinued it. We really liked it. They have a lunch Thaali plate that’s not on the menu. You have to ask for it.
Sandwiches
Jersey Mike’s – In Fair Lakes. Pricier, but good quality. I like the Original Italian, Mike’s Way, add hot pepper relish. My wife likes the Big Kahuna Cheesesteak here.
Santini’s – This is a local chain. They have a huge variety. If you like reubens, the New Yorker (w/sauerkraut) is pretty good here. Lots of different kinds of fries here too, and the pizza is good too.
Burgers
Five Guys – National chain, but pretty good. They recently raised the prices though (by a lot).
The Burger Shack – In Chantilly. Solid place for burgers.
Breakfast/Brunch
Eggspectation – In Centreville. Great place for breakfast/brunch and lunch (open til 3pm).
First Watch – In Fairfax (Greenbriar). Nice place for breakfast/brunch but gets packed on weekends.
Silver Diner – Local chain. Good variety and open late.
Fast Casual
CAVA – National chain. Near Chantilly Wegmans. One of my faves if you’re looking for a quick, healthy meal. Mediterranean.
Mezeh – Local chain. In Fair Oaks Mall. Similar to CAVA. Mediterranean.
Sweetgreen – National chain. There’s one in Reston. Great salads and bowls.
Baja Fresh – National chain. There’s one in Fairfax Towne Center. I like the steak burritos here (and the salsa bar!).
Moby Dick House of Kabob – Local chain. Fairfax Towne Center. Great kabobs. Order ahead to avoid the wait.
Halal Guys – National chain. There’s one near GMU. It’s better in NYC, but this will do if you have a craving.
Fancy Steakhouses
The Capital Grille – They just opened in Fair Oaks. Great service, and the food was excellent. They have some great lunch options too.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – In Fairfax Corner. Of course it’s a little pricey, but it’s been good each time. Great for a special occasion.
Snacks
Texas Donuts – In Centreville. Gets busy on the weekends. I like the jalapeno cheddar kolaches here. The donuts are good too, but I’m trying to cut down on my sugar consumption right now 😉
Places to grab a cup of coffee and work
Cafein – In Chantilly (and now Centreville). Chill place to work and has wifi.
Peet’s – National chain. I go to the one near Chantilly Wegmans.
Starbucks – You’ll find me at the Greenbriar one. I walk here to do my work sometimes.
Have yet to try but recommended by my followers
Hammerdown BBQ – BBQ place in Aldie.
Cervantes Coffee – local roaster in Springfield. Recommends the Mexican.
Max’s Banh Mi (Pho Duong Banh Mi) – In Manassas.
Smoking Kow BBQ – In Alexandria.
Nono’s Taqueria – In Arlington. Legit birria tacos.
Little Beast – In Reston. Detroit style pizza.
Emmy Squared Pizza – In DC. Detroit style pizza and a delicious burger (Le Big Matt).
Mama Chang – In Fairfax. Chinese food. Tried once (take out) but will have to try again.