The Little City has big flavors, and so does Arlington, according to one recent list of Northern Virginia’s best restaurants.
Twelve restaurants in Falls Church and Arlington made Northern Virginia Magazine’s list of The 50 Best Restaurants in Northern Virginia for 2025 — including three establishments in the top 10.
Yume Sushi, a Japanese restaurant in East Falls Church, claimed the No. 3 spot on the list, which was decided by the publication’s three food critics. The magazine described the creativity of chef Saran Kannasute resulting in a menu that “reads like a love letter to excess in the best way.”
“The space fills fast, the service is gracious, and the whole experience feels like a quiet flex,” the list said. “Come hungry, leave enchanted — and possibly a little spoiled for sushi anywhere else.”
Still in the top 10, Seoul Prime, a Korean steakhouse in Falls Church, came in at No. 5.
“The team behind Honest Grill kicks the Korean steakhouse concept up several notches with original creations that taste every bit as fantastic as they sound,” the list reads.
Virginia Square’s Carbonara, which received a recent visit from former President Joe Biden, landed at the No. 8 spot.
“This is one Italian destination where it’s best to keep an open mind and choose the chef’s latest edible innovation,” the list said.
The list did not rank eateries outside the top 10, but a map of all the Arlington and Falls Church restaurants is below.
The magazine’s critics appear to hold different opinions from departing Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema, whose Top 40 restaurants across D.C, Maryland and Virginia featured only two Arlington eateries.
Ruthie’s All-Day made it on both lists, but Greek eatery Our Mom Eugenia in Shirlington — which Sietsema noted as one of the spots he lands “most frequently” — did not.
“Mom’s everywhere/every day approach contributes to food that oozes comfort,” Sietsema wrote.
Sietsema’s list also included two Falls Church eateries, though only one was featured on NoVA Magazine’s list.
Nue: Elegantly Vietnamese, in Falls Church, also drew acclaim from Sietsema, while the veteran critic additionally highlighted Banh Mi Oi, which opened in Eden Center earlier this year.
“It’s easy to pinpoint among the many Vietnamese options at Eden Center,” Sietsema wrote. “There’s probably a line in front of Bánh Mì Oi.”
