A number of Arlington and Falls Church restaurants were honored this week as some of “The 100 Very Best Restaurants” in the D.C. area.
Taking into account both food and atmosphere, Washingtonian’s annual rankings recognized 20 Northern Virginia restaurants as the best of the best. Three Arlington spots and a half dozen Falls Church spots are repeat winners — but the list includes a couple of newcomers.
Arlington
No. 57: Padaek
Washingtonian placed Padaek and its D.C. sister restaurant, Thip Khao, together at No. 57 — praising Padaek’s Laotian dishes and “well-executed Thai staples.” Located in the Arlington Ridge Shopping Center and also at Seven Corners in Falls Church, the restaurant serving up drunken noodles, curries and flavorful meat dishes has captured much praise since opening in fall 2023 — appearing not once, but twice in best restaurant lists by the Washington Post last year.
2931 S. Glebe Road and 6395 Seven Corners Center
No. 64: NiHao (new)
NiHao opened this past spring in Crystal City and clocked in at No. 64 for its menu combining small plates, modern Chinese cuisine and Sichuan flair. Washingtonian pointed out staples like Kung Pao chicken in addition to housemade Szechuan sausage and mapo tofu with black beans. NiHao is renowned chef Peter Chang’s second Arlington spot, joining a restaurant named after Chang in the Lee Harrison Shopping Center.
1550 Crystal Drive
No. 93: Cafe Colline
With hearty comfort meals and nearly 40 wine offerings, Cafe Colline made its third consecutive appearance on Washingtonian’s annual list alongside sister eatery Chez Billy Sud. The French bistro received praise for its “easy-to-love” classics, like escargot, moules frites and a “divine” hazelnut pot de crème dessert. Later this year, founding brothers Ian and Eric Hilton expect to open Bar Colline, a sister bar to Cafe Colline, in Crystal City.
4536 Langston Blvd
No. 95: Ruthie’s All-Day
Is it a coincidence that one of ARLnow readers’ favorite brunch spots is also one of Washingtonian’s favorite restaurants? Ruthie’s has caught Washingtonian’s eye before — earning the title of Virginia’s No. 1 restaurant in 2023. With comforting American cuisine like biscuits, cornbread and smoked brisket, the Arlington Heights mainstay also won a RAMMY award for Casual Restaurant of the Year in 2022.
3411 5th Street S.
Falls Church
One newcomer, the Eden Center’s Truong Tien, appeared on this year’s list among six repeat winners, including the 2024 RAMMY’s Best New Restaurant, Ellie Bird, and James Beard finalist Thompson Italian.
The Little City’s contributions to Vietnamese cuisine were highlighted often, with the inclusion of NUE: Elegantly Vietnamese and two Eden Center eateries.
- No. 35: Ellie Bird
- No. 57: Padaek (also mentioned above)
- No. 68: La Tingeria
- No. 75: NUE: Elegantly Vietnamese
- No. 85: Truong Tien (new)
- No. 90: Thompson Italian
- No. 91: Rice Paper
