A pizza franchise with a flair for the psychedelic has its eye on Arlington and Alexandria as it plans a major new expansion into the D.C. area.
Mellow Mushroom has named the two localities among its “highest-priority growth markets on the East Coast,” a spokesperson told ARLnow. The business — known for its “stone-baked pies,” appetizers and kaleidoscopic colors — is planning to open eight to 10 new locations in the region, according to Jamie Cecil, vice president of franchise development.
A longtime Thai restaurant and sushi bar has closed for business in Clarendon, but it appears the business won’t be gone for long.
Rien Tong Thai Asian Restaurant & Sushi Bar plans to spend the next 10 months rebranding at 3131 Wilson Blvd, located just across the street from the Clarendon Metro station. A message posted in the restaurant’s windows teases improvements under new management.
A family-owned chain of fast-casual Chinese restaurants, known for having dishes once celebrated by Anthony Bourdain, is eyeing Clarendon for its next location.
Xi’an Famous Foods is planning a new restaurant at 2800 Clarendon Blvd, in The Crossing Clarendon shopping center. The New York City-based eatery offers cuisine inspired by CEO Jason Wang’s childhood in Xi’an, China — including a variety of hand-ripped noodles, dumplings, and a spicy cumin lamb burger favored by Bourdain on the show “No Reservations” in 2007.
A popular West Coast-inspired burrito shop and cafe from D.C. is opening for business next week at Crystal City’s Water Park.
Monstera Burrito opens Monday at 1721 Crystal Drive, bringing its signature San Diego-style, French fry-packed burritos and an extended menu of burgers, bowls, sandwiches and other bites. It’s the restaurant’s second location, joining a residency inside Georgetown’s Grace Street Coffee Roasters that opened in 2024.
Women’s sports fans could soon have a bar of their own in Arlington.
Sarah White, a longtime local restaurateur and partner at Westover Taco, is in the process of buying out of the taqueria at 5849 Washington Blvd. After that?
A D.C.-based bubble tea shop is now serving up colorful signature beverages in Crystal City.
Spot of Tea opened last week at 1631 Crystal Drive in Water Park, offering customizable fruit tea, milk tea and matcha. With flavors including vanilla taro milk tea, mango sticky rice matcha and passionfruit green tea, the cafe’s brightly hued beverages — adjustable by the level of ice and sweetness — match its vibrant decor.
A new restaurant and private event space is coming to Courthouse, replacing a rooftop bar and restaurant that closed there after less than a year in business.
Rooftop Recess permanently closed in late December after just seven months at 2424 Wilson Blvd, property owner Raghav Dumera told ARLnow. Now, Dumera and his family — who also own and operate Delhi Dhaba Indian Restaurant on the property’s ground floor — say they are in the early stages of planning “The Willow” in the same spot.
Cafe franchise Paris Baguette is planning a new location in Crystal City, and a previously announced Clarendon spot is set to open in a couple weeks.
Signs for the French-inspired eatery have appeared at 2000 S. Bell Street in Crystal City, on the ground floor of Valen apartments. The location is expected to open this summer, targeting a debut “in the third quarter of 2026,” according to property owner JBG Smith.
A long-awaited restaurant and bar in Virginia Square will officially open its doors today (Friday).
Richmond-based Wood & Iron will serve diners at new outpost at 3401 Fairfax Drive starting this afternoon, owner Steve Rogge confirmed to ARLnow.
A charcoal chicken restaurant blending “bold Brazilian inspiration with Lebanese flavors” is expected to open next week in Lyon Village.
Signage for Tio Pelé is up at 3110 Langston Blvd, the former space of The Block Oven and, before that, Tarbouch.
After a year and a half of delays, a Clarendon nightlife spot with an upscale approach to dining and cocktails is targeting next month to finally open its doors.
Cielo submitted a liquor license application late last month and intends to open at 1137 N. Highland Street in mid-April, owner Michael Sina told ARLnow.
It will take a little longer than expected for two “exploration-inspired” businesses to open their doors in Crystal City.
As renovations continue at 2011 Crystal Drive, Altitude Wine Bar and Constellation cafe and gourmet market have pushed back their expected openings to early this spring, a spokesperson for developer Episcope Hospitality told ARLnow.
