18 Places to Have a D.C. Dining Experience in Arlington
Arlington, Virginia has outposts of much-loved D.C. restaurants that bring more of the same delicious eats right across the river…
Crystal City
National Landing
Comprised of three distinct Arlington neighborhoods: Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard, National Landing is home to major anchors like Amazon HQ2 and Virginia Tech Institute for Advanced Computing, innovative start-ups, hotels, and a booming local restaurant scene. This thriving urban core of Northern Virginia offers the best of city life with unparalleled transit access, over a dozen green parks and trails, hundreds of community events and much more.
High-tech and innovative, Crystal City is a high-octane urban community and Arlington’s largest downtown, perched on the Potomac River. An epicenter of innovation and technology fast-transforming Crystal City stands tall and proud.
Marked by high-rise apartments and offices, this high-energy urban community is just steps from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Arlington’s largest downtown boasts an enviable location along the Potomac River with dramatic views of Washington, DC, and the national monuments.
More than 75 trendy stores, hip restaurants and cool cafes beckon visitors along the walkable streets of Crystal City Shops, which peddle jewelry, fashions, gifts and more. Meanwhile, studios and exhibits at Gallery Underground showcase the work of regional artists. Weekly farmers and artisan markets create lively social gathering spots.
Opportunities to exercise abound — from cycling and climbing to bike lanes and yoga. Stay fit at the world-class Long Bridge Park Aquatics & Fitness Center with Arlington’s only Olympic-sized pool (accessible to many hotel guests) and a waterfront esplanade with dramatic views of DC, and at Movement’s gyms and climbing walls covering more than an acre. Amid the area’s hustle and bustle, wellness center Mind Your Body Oasis invites you to relax and renew with hot and cold yoga, pilates, fascia blasting, cupping therapy, reiki, deep soul channeling and various types of massage.
Visitors can also access the region’s extensive network of bike paths via the Mount Vernon Trail, which offers opportunities for recreational riding and two-wheeled tours of local monuments.
Dining
From 23rd Street Restaurant Row to Crystal Drive, diners enjoy an array of winning flavors. Get your taco and guac fix at Tacombi and luscious pastries at Mah-Ze-Dahr from James Beard semifinalist Umber Ahmad. Another celeb chef, local star Spike Mendelsohn, dishes slices of heaven from We, The Pizza and inventive burgers from Good Stuff Eatery next door. Tuck into northern Italian food at The Portofino Restaurant, modern Thai dishes at Urban Thai or Neramitra Thai Cuisine and Tex-Mex and Salvadoran cuisine at Los Tios Grill. McNamara’s Pub & Restaurant serves Guinness on tap with Irish fare and live music. At The Freshman, an all-day cafe located near Amazon HQ, chef Tim Ma creates distinctive dishes from lemon pepper chicken to lemongrass pork spaghetti. Steak lovers can satisfy their red-meat cravings at such classic outlets at Morton’s, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Ted’s Montana Grill.
For a one-of-a-kind experience, visit Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique, a charming wine bar, bottle shop, bistro and sweets boutique all rolled into one. Chocoholics rejoice at the Schakolad Chocolate Factory, where master chocolatiers fashion artisanal bonbons right on the premises following methods developed over three generations.
Nightlife
Sample 40 drafts while enjoying trivia and karaoke at the hip Highline RxR and go for comedy and poker nights at Crystal City Sports Pub. Catch a cutting-edge production at award-winning Synetic Theater or enjoy food, beer and a film, all from your seat, at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Families love the lanes and video games at retro-cool Bowlero, and there's no place like Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant for an unforgettable night out!
After you're done enjoying Crystal City, be sure to check out the other neighborhoods in Arlington. For more information on Crystal City, including hundreds of events each year, visit the National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) website.
Explore Our Neighborhoods
Ballston
Driven by innovation
Driven by innovation and urban cool, Ballston is a lively neighborhood surrounded by quiet park-laced residential areas.
Clarendon
An original urban village
This upscale village defines urban chill with a mix of upscale businesses and mom-and-pop shops, of buzzy coffee shops and hip restaurants.
Columbia Pike
Culturally Diverse
The world in a zip code, this 3.5-mile-long corridor represents 150 nationalities and Arlington’s largest selection of ethnic restaurants.
Courthouse
Urban food and fun
Considered Arlington county’s civic center, Courthouse has the bustling appeal of an urban city but the quiet and charm of a suburb.
Langston Boulevard
Historic and welcoming
Family-friendly Langston Boulevard boasts inviting recreational parks, fascinating historic sites and great restaurants, local and exotic.
Pentagon City
National Landing
Comprised of three distinct Arlington neighborhoods: Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard, National Landing is home to major anchors like Amazon HQ2 and Virginia…
Westover
Find hidden treasures
Considered a hidden neighborhood gem with a small-town feel, this suburban residential community is highly livable, walkable and bikeable.
Shirlington
Al fresco dining on a tree-lined promenade
Stroll through the Village of Shirlington's tree-lined sidewalks and spot sidewalk cafes, local boutiques and bustling restaurants.
Rosslyn
Flourishing social and cultural hub
Take in some of the region’s best capital views, including Georgetown and the National Mall.