The 10 Best Restaurants In Falls Church, Virginia

| © Kurman Communications/Flickr
Nina Starner

Falls Church, a small city in Virginia with a population of just over 12,000, isn’t lacking in great options for first date spots, fine cuisine, romantic restaurants, or dining establishments fit for the entire family. Read on to check out our list of the ten best restaurants in Falls Church, Virginia.

1. Sweetwater Tavern

Restaurant, American, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free

If you’re looking for a cold beer and a great meal, look no further than Sweetwater Tavern, a brewpub with three locations, one of which is in Falls Church. You can order beers that are handcrafted and brewed in hours and enjoy them there, or you can grab a growler of your beer of choice and bring it home. Either way, you can pair it with a wide selection of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and other classic American bar foods. Sweetwater doesn’t take reservations, but if you call ahead and there’s a bit of a wait, they’ll give you priority for a table when you arrive.

2. Peking Gourmet Inn

Restaurant, Chinese, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free

Peking Gourmet Inn, Falls Church
© stu_spivack/Flickr
Since 1978, Peking Gourmet Inn has been serving up delicious, high-end Chinese food to the good people of Northern Virginia. Everything served at this spot is made fresh to order and with the highest quality ingredients possible to ensure that each guest has a delicious and fulfilling dining experience. They even have a farm in Purceville, Virginia where they grow most of their own produce so as to achieve complete authenticity. Enjoy specialties like Peking Spring Chicken and traditional dishes like pan fried noodles, which are large enough to share. The restaurant recommends reservations on weekends and holidays and does enforce a dress code, so make sure to keep it classy but casual.

3. Present

Restaurant, Vietnamese, Asian, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free

Present Restaurant, Falls Church
© Kurman Communications/Flickr
Present serves gourmet, inventive Vietnamese cuisine with clever names and unique twists that will keep you coming back for more. The name comes from a quest for mindfulness that is, well, present in Vietnamese culture and isn’t always found in the hustle and bustle of everyday American life, and the owners of Present hope that when you join them at their restaurant, you can relax and be completely in the moment while you enjoy your meal. Order specialties like the ‘Seaside Banquet’ (rice vermicelli with grilled shrimp and bean sprouts) or the ‘Gift from the Sea on a Fresh Haystack’ (jumbo lump crabmeat and other seafood served over egg noodles), and let yourself be completely in the now.

4. Sea Pearl Restaurant

Restaurant, Seafood, American, Sushi, Asian, Gluten-free

Sea Pearl Restaurant‘s focus is on fresh seafood inspired by both Asian and American cuisines, ensuring that your meal here will be one of a kind. The decor is refined and unique, with mother-of-pearl chandeliers and curtains that complete your experience and delight all five of your senses. Though the menu changes depending on what ingredients are in season, you’re always certain to find something that will satisfy your palate here, and be sure to stop by during their happy hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 4-7pm and offers $1 oysters and $4 sushi.

5. Four Sisters Restaurant

Restaurant, Vietnamese, Asian, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free

Four Sisters Restaurant is another home to Vietnamese cuisine in Falls Church but serves a more traditional, yet always delicious, menu of Vietnamese favorites. Open since 1993, Four Sisters has prided itself on providing home-style, freshly made Vietnamese dishes that reflect their culture and celebrates the food Vietnam has to offer. Try one of their prix-fixe meals for two, four, six or ten guests, or order dishes à la carte like pho, shrimp toast, or your choice of meat on rice vermicelli noodles. The restaurant does take reservations and recommends that you call ahead to grab a table in advance.

6. Clare and Don's Beach Shack

Restaurant, Seafood, American, Vegetarian, Gluten-free

Clare & Dons Beach Shack, Falls Church
© pointnshoot/Flickr
Clare and Don’s Beach Shack is a casual seafood joint that also features live music and performances regularly to make your dining experience way more exciting. Service is attentive yet laid-back, and the relaxed atmosphere and excellent food and drinks will make you feel like you’re relaxing on the beach, drink in hand and your toes in the sand. Enjoy basic beach bar food like Old Bay wings, deep-fried shrimp and crab, onion rings or fish fingers, or if you’re feeling adventurous, try the gator tail. The prices are reasonable, the portions generous, and the environment welcoming and comfortable.

2941

2941 is Falls Church’s premier fine-dining destination, with a pedigreed chef, Bertrand Chemel, creating fresh, thoughtful dishes that will delight and astound each and every guest. Though the restaurant transitioned from traditional fine dining to upscale casual in 2012, 2941 still offers a high-end, classy experience, without being stressful or overly fussy, by serving up excellent cuisine in a beautiful yet relaxed atmosphere. Pull up a seat at the bar and enjoy snacks like truffle popcorn or chicken liver mousse crostini, or make a reservation, grab a table, and order up crab rolls to start, smoked duck breast for your main course, and sachertorte to finish.

2941, 2941 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church, VA, USA, +1 703 270 1500

Courtesy of Taco Bamba

7. Taco Bamba

Restaurant, Mexican, Fast Food, Vegetarian

Taco Bamba is a fresh, exciting taqueria that offers up a huge variety of tacos, along with tortas, breakfast items, and an entire section of the menu that’s called ‘tac-nos,’ meaning, well, not tacos! Taco Bamba is a bit of a hidden gem in Falls Church, and as one of the only spots to get not only great Mexican food but also great tacos to boot, it’s quite popular among its devoted fanbase. As a result, this spot can get very crowded very quickly, so be prepared to wait in line; however, the end result is completely worth it. Because Taco Bamba is usually a bit packed, only offering counter service, the only seating options are metal bar stools, so if you’re looking for a comfier spot, simply grab your food to go.

8. TRIO Grill

Restaurant, Healthy, American, Steakhouse, Seafood

A modern American grill, Trio Grill specializes in steaks and seafood and is also home to Falls Church’s only cigar bar. Their menu is varied and diverse, however — beyond the traditional preparations like boneless ribeye and lobster and pearls, you’ll find dishes like five-spice roasted duck, burrata crostini, lemongrass shrimp fritters, tuna tartare nachos, and a Mediterranean mezze plate. The dining room also features live music from time to time, so settle in for a great meal, a live performance, and an overall amazing experience.

9. Sfizi Cafe

Restaurant, Cafe, Italian, Vegetarian, Vegan, Coffee, Tea , American

Sfizi Cafe is the go-to spot in Falls Church for amazing, fresh and authentic Italian cuisine. The word sfizi itself translates to ‘special treat’ in Italian, and the goal of Sfizi Cafe is to make sure you feel special and well treated during every single visit. This trattoria is family run, but goes far beyond a simple restaurant, as they also offer a market, which sells Italian cheeses, meats and prepared foods, alongside a wine store that only sells Italian bottles. Sfizi Cafe gives their guests many choices — either they can grab a table and a comforting bowl of spaghetti con polpette (spaghetti and meatballs), or they can stop in and buy some Italian imported cheeses and wines for an exotic picnic.

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