Around Town

Restaurant tracker: Toastique, Locket and more

By Katie Taranto
Outdoor seating with umbrellas at Water Park (courtesy of Water Park)

This is a free preview of the restaurant tracker report sent monthly to ARLnow Press Club members. Join the club to get this and other exclusive features, like our Court Update monthly emails and the ad-free Pro Update daily newsletter.

Hi everyone, this is Katie Taranto, with more updates for ARLnow Press Club members on food and drink in Arlington and Falls Church.

It’s Labor Day weekend: a time to unwind and savor the remaining days —and flavors — of summer. Arlington’s many farmers markets provide a great opportunity to make some seasonal produce runs.

A couple restaurants in town are also offering Labor Day specials, including brunch deals at Inca Social, Quinn’s on the Corner and Brass Rabbit Pub. Lyon Hall will also host a “special holiday lunch” from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Labor Day.

Searching for more leisurely activities? Try Sunday Sunrise Yoga at 8 a.m. at Water Park, or join MoCA on the Move for chalk, bubbles and live music at 10 a.m. on Sunday in Met Park.

As always, here’s a recap of the latest dining headlines over the past few weeks.

The latest in local food news

Recently opened 

We’ve also tracked and compiled a sizable list of future restaurant openings in Arlington and Falls Church.

Anticipated summer openings

  • Toastique, opening Saturday, Sept. 6 at 244 19th Street (Crystal City) 
  • El Mercat Bar de Tapas, “coming soon” and previously expected by mid-August at 1301 S. Joyce Street (Pentagon City)
  • Bowl’d Masala, expected this month at 1100 S. Hayes Street (Pentagon City)
  • Mezeh Mediterranean Grill, expected this month at 1100 S. Hayes Street (Pentagon City)
  • Dok Khao Thai Eatery, expected this month at 180 W. Falls Station Blvd (Falls Church)
  • Nash and Smashed, expected in September at 310 N. Glebe Road (Ashton Heights)
  • Kilwins, expected in September at 3101 Wilson Blvd (Clarendon)
  • Little Beast, expected in September at 111 E. Broad Street (Falls Church)
  • Dolan Uyghur, expected in mid-September at 320 23rd Street S. (Crystal City)
  • Lapu Lapu and Gwenie’s Pastries, currently hiring; expected this summer at 1417 S. Fern Street (Pentagon City)
  • BurgerFi, expected this summer at 168 W. Falls Station Blvd (Falls Church)
  • Buffalo & Bergen, expected this summer at 1028 N. Garfield Street (Clarendon)
  • Scolapasta, expected this summer at 4238 Wilson Blvd (Ballston)
  • Scapegoat Beer Garden, expected in late summer at 556 22nd Street S. (Crystal City)
  • Daydrift, expected by late summer at 1550 Crystal Drive (Crystal City)

Anticipated fall openings

  • McDonald’s, expected to re-open in October at 4834 Langston Blvd (High View Park)
  • Fish Taco, now expected in October at 109 Founders Avenue (Falls Church)
  • Rocoto’s Restaurant and Bakery, expected in October at 2111 Wilson Blvd (Courthouse)
  • Duck Donuts, expected in October at 1100 S. Hayes Street (Pentagon City)
  • Paris Baguette, expected in October at 3101 Wilson Blvd (Clarendon) and in November at 169 Hillwood Avenue (Falls Church)
  • Takumi, now expected by November at 11oo S. Hayes Street (Pentagon City)
  • Top Pot, now expected in November at 671 N. Glebe Road (Ballston)
  • Paradise Juice, expected in November at 4219 Fairfax Drive (Ballston)
  • Panera Bread, expected in mid-November at 2450 Crystal Drive (Crystal City)
  • Lil Cakes & Creamery, expected this fall at 110 Founders Avenue (Falls Church)
  • Tatte, expected this fall at 1001 W. Broad Street (Falls Church)
  • Maman, now expected this fall at 2055 15th Street N. (Courthouse)
  • Life Alive Cafe, expected by late fall at 818 N. Quincy Street (Ballston)

Anticipated winter openings, 2026 openings and TBD dates

  • Saki, expected this winter at 2055 15th Street N. (Courthouse)
  • Ember Kitchen and Spirits, expected this winter at 1301 S. Joyce Street (Pentagon City)
  • The Angie, expected in “late 2025” at 3901 Fairfax Drive (Virginia Square)
  • MyHome Thai Bistro, expected by the end of 2025 at 1001 W. Broad Street (Falls Church)
  • The Cheese Cartel, expected in early 2026 at 922 W. Broad Street (Falls Church)
  • iPanda Dumplings, expected in “early 2026” at 110 Founders Avenue (Falls Church)
  • Three Notch’d Brewing Company, expected in fall 2026 at 2800 Clarendon Blvd (Clarendon)
  • Loopers Tavern, arrival date TBD at 4238 Wilson Blvd (Ballston)
  • Takagi Coffee, arrival date TBD at 721 15th Street S. (Pentagon City)
  • Boe, arrival date TBD at 2854 Wilson Blvd (Clarendon)
  • Falafel Inc, arrival date TBD at 500 23rd Street S. (Crystal City)
  • Sushi Seki, arrival date TBD at 480 11th Street S. (Pentagon City)
  • Stratford Gardens, arrival date TBD at 300 W. Broad Street (Falls Church)
  • Van Leeuwen, arrival date TBD at 2831 Clarendon Blvd (Clarendon) and 4075 Wilson Blvd (Ballston)
  • Port of Subs, delayed; multiple locations expected with arrival date TBD (addresses TBD)

Anything missing? Let us know.

About the Author

  • Katie Taranto is a reporter at Local News Now, primarily covering business, public safety and the city of Falls Church. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 2024, where she previously covered K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Macungie, Pennsylvania.