The Ultimate Arlington, VA Food Guide -

The following is my ultimate Arlington, VA Food Guide for every occasion from first dates to bottomless brunch along with my top healthy picks & favorite spots for different types of food. I have lived in Arlington for the past 4 years now and had a blast pulling together all of my favorite places I have tried & loved!

Top Healthy Picks:

Breakfast:
- South Block – try the almond butter bowl with blended kale + collagen in the base
- True Food – try the Earth Bowl + ginger tea
Lunch:
- CAVA – try the supergreens base, roasted chicken & vegetables, and lemon tahini sauce
- The Little Beet Try the poke bowl, beet falafel, or brussel sprouts
- Sweet Green – try the Harvest Bowl with avocado
Dinner:
- Barley Mac – try the Crispy Brussels, or Roasted Sea Bass.
- True Food – try the ancient grains bowl, inside out quinoa burger, or spaghetti squash casserole

Best Bottomless Brunch:

Buena Vida – $35 bottomless food & drinks pp – make sure to try the huevos rancheros and chilaquiles. Best for large groups, birthdays, surprises, etc.
Pamplona – $35 bottomless food & drinks. Tapas style with outdoor seating. Try the spanish tortilla, avocado toast, and potatas bravas.
Baba – $29 bottomless food & drinks. Mediterranean themed buffet style with a lot of variety of options. Great spot to disconnect as there is no service downstairs. Try the Burek, Baba’s Perfect Bowl, along with the variety of options at the buffet.
Cava Mezze – $35 bottomless food & drinks. Great spot for meat lovers. Try the biscuits & honey, village frittata, and brussel sprouts benedict.

Best Date Spots:

First Date (casual drinks + apps):
- Buena Vida Rooftop (drinks + apps only)
  - Cutest rooftop (top left photo below) & cocktails. No reservation needed.
- Don Tito Rooftop
  - Great happy hour options and the nachos are delish!
- Courthaus Social
  - Great for a casual beer – especially in the warmer months with outdoor seating.
- The Lot – summer & fall only
  - Casual picnic tables with variety of drink options.
- Crafthouse
  - Chill, casual spot to grab a beer and appetizer
Second-Third Date:
- Circa
  - Sit down restaurant with solid food options. Try the tuna tartare or seared scallops.
- Pamplona
  - Fun spot to order a few plates to share. Try the croquetas, brussel sprouts, and gambas al ajillo (shrimp).
- Sushi Rock
  - For the sushi lovers. Outdoor seating for warm months but the indoor seating is also nice. Try the rainbow roll or salmon lover roll.
- Barley Mac
  - Great food and outdoor seating for warm months. Try the truffle mac ‘n cheese or sea bass.
- Fireworks Pizza
  - Amazing pizza with a cozy vibe. Try the buffalo chicken and RT (pesto) flatbreads.

Best Dinner:

Barley Mac – American comfort food located in Rosslyn with healthy options and a specialty liquor menu. $18-$30 entrees.
District Taco – Mexican restaurant in Rosslyn offering tacos, burritos, quesadillas, etc. Try the chicken tacos. ~$10 per item.
Tupelo Honey – Southern comfort food in Clarendon with a twist. $11-$30 entrees.
Cava Mezze – Greek restaurant in Clarendon with vegan & gluten free options. $11-$18 entree. Must try the saganaki (flaming cheese)!
Ambar – Mediterranean restaurant in Clarendon with $35 bottomless option. ~$9-13 entrees a la carte.
Buena Vida – Mexican Restaurant in Clarendon with 3 stories. Try the second floor for the best sit down meal and $35 bottomless small plates option. Must try the guacamole and chicken enchiladas.
Pamplona – Spanish Tapas in Clarendon offering small & large plates + paella. Some must try are the croquetas, patatas bravas, and pan con tomate.
Mala Tang – A hidden hot pot gem in Ballston. Great for groups around 5-6 people with rotating turn table options. Can choose hot or spicy pot and best to order a variety of meats & vegetables for the table. ~$35pp depending on how much is ordered.

Most ‘Grammable:

Ambar – Chic ambiance with green canopy in restaurant. Great to bring your girlfriends for bottomless brunch.
Buena Vida – Trendy interior and the cutest rooftop. Perfect for nice summer days to grab an app and cocktail.

Best On-The Go

CAVA – Mediterranean to-go bowls with pita. Try their chocolate chip cookies – SO GOOD!
South Block – On-the go acai bowls & smoothies. Can order ahead of time to pick up.
Sweet Green – Healthy salad bowls that are customizable and ready in just a few minutes. Can order online for pick-up.
Roti – Healthy Mediterranean bowls with kabob options. Try the rice with salmon kabobs.

Best Hidden Gem:

Mala Tang – One of my favorite secret finds in the Ballston area. Our friends love going here and this is such a fun spot with a larger group (~5-6 people).

Best Acai

South Block – Considering South Block has made the list twice already then you know the love is real. They offer a variety of base bowls with fun toppings for every personal preference.
Vitality Bowls – Located in Rosslyn this spot has a variety of smoothie bowls that are delish! Less aesthetically pleasing for an Instagram but they taste amazing.

Best Pizza

Fireworks Pizza – Amazing flatbreads in Courthouse. Great for a date night or night out with friends!
Bronx Pizza – The best spot for drunk pizza after the bars in Clarendon. Huge slices with dipping sauces available.

& that is a wrap on my Ultimate Arlington, VA Food Guide! Be sure to check out my guide to a perfect 24 hours in DC Next! Hope you enjoy and let me know which places you end up trying out!

xx,