The Best Restaurants to Check Out in Arlington

Arlington is known as a historic area of Virginia, the home of the Arlington National Cemetery, Pentagon, and United States Marine Corps War Memorial.

It’s an area with great schools, much green space, ample job opportunities, and a variety of Arlington real estate for sale.

It’s also got a lot to do in the way of arts and entertainment, with the culinary scene being a big draw.

If you’re looking for a night of good food and drink, check out these top restaurants in the area.

Ambar (2901 Wilson Boulevard)

This high windowed, brightly-lit restaurant serves up the best in Balkan fare. It’s the first of its kind in the area and noted for the authentic flavors it brings to patrons.

The plates may be small, but the flavor is big. Share some beef short rib goulash, cheese pie, or pork neck for dinner.

Brunch includes a menu of salmon benedict, Balkan kabob, beef prosciutto benedict, and a list of endless drinks like mimosas and bloody Marys.

Green Pig Bistro (1025 N Fillmore Street, Suite D)

This notable eatery is named for the pork dishes that draw diners in, and the fact that the pig is used nose-to-tail for dishes.

The name of the game is classic rustic French dishes, hearty meals that use obscure cuts of meat.

There’s pork cassoulet, pork schnitzel, gnocchi with crispy pork belly, and pork and eggs benedict.

And there’s plenty to eat that is not of the pork variety: pepper and fennel crusted halibut, rack of lamb, soft shell crab and caulini, and crispy goat cheese and quinoa cakes.

Pupatella (Various locations)

Neapolitan pizza is a popular choice among those who love a good pie, and Pupatella delivers on taste and authenticity. The eatery requires every pizza maker to go through training to make them certified to sling dough the right way.

Pizzas are done in a wood-fire oven that was built in Naples, Italy.  

Pies include the classic, chorizo, eggplant parmesan, diavola, and prosciutto arugula.

In addition to pizza, Pupatella serves up paninis, pasta dishes, and small plates like arancini, bruschetta, and a burrata platter.

Taco Bamba (Various locations)

Taco Bamba is headed by Victor Albisu, a chef with experience in French, American, and Latin American cooking. He combines his Latin American heritage with his culinary expertise to produce unique dishes.

You can get everything from breakfast to dinner at several taqueria locations. The Slumdog Billionaire is a fusion taco of chipotle pork vindaloo, raita verde, cucumber, and candied chili. One night in Bangkok combines seared shrimp & spicy chorizo larb with mint, basil, chiles, and crispy onion, and the Salim Abu Aziz is a vegetarian option made of shawarma spiced zucchini, grilled halloumi, sumac onion, parsley, burnt eggplant, chipotle yogurt, and mint.

Sushi-Zen (2457 North Harrison Street)

Shoji Mochizuki made his dream of running a sushi restaurant a reality in 1997, and it has since been carried on by his son Brian beginning in 2010.

This Arlington mainstay is consistently ranked among the top eateries in the city, serving up classic sushi fare for lunch and dinner.