With all of the love from the recent news of Bojangles opening its first location in Northern Virginia, it’s hard not to get excited about even more new restaurants on their way (or already open) across the region.
It’s not just about the biscuits. Find your new favorites below. We won’t judge if you scour the menus first.
Baddpizza
Status: Open
With an endearing name, this new stop might seem off-putting, but it’s worth a try if you’re into Buffalo, New York-style pizza and wings. “Not a thick crust. Not a thin crust. A sweeter sauce. Toppings to the edge. Cup and char pepperoni,” reads the website. What’s not to love? // 25150 Loudoun County Parkway, Suite 145, South Riding
Bites Wine & Grilled Cheese Bar
Status: Open
This Loudoun County-favorite (because who doesn’t love a gooey grilled cheese and a glass of wine?) has opened its second location in Great Falls, bringing all of the comfort with it. Grab a King Street Classic (four-cheese house blend on sourdough bread), the Hogback (the four-cheese blend with smoked mozzarella, bacon, apple butter on sourdough bread—the most loved) or the Azul (gruyere, fontina, bleu cheese crumbles, prosciutto and fig spread on cranberry walnut bread). You can’t go wrong. // 9900 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls
Buford’s Biscuits
Status: Expected 2020
The short-lived Balls of Glory location is out, and Buford’s Biscuits is coming in. The restaurant owner is Lauren Barrett and she’ll serve simple Southern fare, including cat head biscuits and quick-and-easy counter service in downtown Leesburg. // 15 Loudoun St., Leesburg
Bun’d Up
Status: Open
Right before the end of 2019, this local favorite (which made a name for itself at the FRESHFARM Ballston Market and Union Market in Washington, DC) started serving up its Taiwanese-style steamed buns with traditional Korean-style toppings at Pentagon Row. // 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington
Canal Quarter Coffee
Status: Open
Get your caffeine fix at this new Fredericksburg stop, where lattes and espresso are at the ready, as are locally inspired events. Think book signings, local handmade items for sale and much more, right next door to Canal Quarter Arts. // 1517 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg
Celebration by Rupa Vira
Status: Open
From one Indian restaurant to another (in the space of the former Sitara Indian Cuisine), this location is now owned by the same people who own and operate Rupa Vira’s The Signature. The “modern Indian cuisine,” according to the website, features mango chile paneer, black currant dahi puri and more. // 44260 Ice Rink Plaza, Suite 120, Ashburn
Choong Man Korean-style Fried Chicken
Status: Open
It’s a good time to be a fried chicken fan in Loudoun County. News of an incoming Bojangles, a new Popeye’s location and more could overshadow Choong Man’s debut, but the Korean-style spot is fresh and has flavorful varieties of everyone’s favorite finger food. // 20020 Ashbrook Commons Plaza, Ashburn
Colony Grill
Status: Expected 2020
Gallery Clarendon, the temporary art space operated by Arlington Artists Alliance, will be moving out to make way for a New England-based pizza chain to open up shop. The chain currently has one location in New York and four in Connecticut, so this will be its first further south. // 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Suite R-800, Arlington
Dana’s Cake Shoppe
Status: Expected 2020
Despite being a local, well-known name (especially in the wedding circuit) and operating a location out of Chefscape Loudoun, this will be the company’s first standalone location. Be on the lookout for more incredible cakes headed to weddings near you. // 1606 Village Market Blvd., Suite 100, Leesburg
Flavour
Status: Open
From wheels to brick and mortar, Flavour now operates a hub in ChefScape Food Hall, which was formerly Rice & Noodles. The menu remains close to the original favorites, including short-rib sandwiches, vegetarian tacos and more. // 1602 Village Market Blvd. SE, Suite 120, Leesburg
Fork N’ Biscuit
Status: Expected 2020
All biscuits are not created equal. There is still space for a great new biscuit spot in Fredericksburg and there’s one on the way (with ham biscuits potentially on the menu, by the way!). Look out for more updates on Fork N’ Biscuit’s Facebook page. // 715 Caroline St., Fredericksburg
GoGi 92
Status: Expected spring 2020
In the works for the current owners of Noku (a sushi restaurant in the Village at Leesburg) is Gogi 92, a Korean barbecue restaurant that will take over the former space of Frilly Frocks clothing store. No word on a menu or price range, but expect more to come from this new local spot. // 1603 Village Market Blvd. SE, Suite 112, Leesburg
Hinata Sushi Bar
Status: Expected late March 2020
The first location of chef Hyun Su Kim, who has spent the last 14 years working at local sushi restaurants, is in the work for Alexandria. As of late January, there is a goal expected opening of early spring and no formal menu, with extensive building work still being done in the 2,200-square-foot space. // 909 N. Saint Asaph St., Alexandria
KungFu Kitchen
Status: Open
The doors are open, but there is no website, so you’re going to have to trust us on this one. Alexandria Commons is home to a new spot serving up soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, peking duck buns and more. // 3221 Duke St., Alexandria
Marco’s Pizza
Status: Open
Staking out a second location in Loudoun County is Marco’s Pizza, which recently opened an Ashburn location to add to its more than 900 locations nationwide. The delivery and pick-up pizza location promises pizza every day of the week. // 43300 Southern Walk Plaza, Suite 112, Broadlands
Mezeh
Status: Expected early 2020
In the likes of other fast-casual restaurants with a healthy twist, Mezeh is a NoVA-founded, Mediterranean-inspired spot that should be opening soon in Ballston Quarter. It will be the brand’s 18th location across Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. // Ballston Quarter: 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Open Road
Status: Open
The second location for the local operation is serving up more American fare, this time in Rosslyn (in addition to the original location in Merrifield). Catch favorites like the four-cheese mac, crab pretzel and tropic thunder rib-eye at this new outpost. Plus, there’s another in the works for The Boro in Tysons. // 1201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 213, Arlington
Pupatella
Status: Open
After a three-year-long wait from the ever-popular food truck (which also has additional locations in Reston and the Mosaic District, as well as outside of NoVA), Pupatella opened to serve even more Neapolitan pizza, gelato and more to South Arlington. // 1621 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington
Rock N’ Claws
Status: Open
Fresh seafood with a Vietnamese twist? In the former space of Kaiser’s, The Austrian Gasthaus (now permanently closed), comes the new seafood fusion restaurant, Rock N’ Claws, which is owned by a trained chef in Vietnamese cuisine who promises rotating specials and other international influences. // 44110 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, Ashburn
Salt
Status: Open
Look no further for a great local cocktail lounge. Yes, it has happy hour too. Small plates fill the menu, ranging from a selection of fresh seafood (although there are three full-size entrees if you’re really hungry), and the cocktails surely pair well right alongside. // 1201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Smokecraft Modern Barbecue
Status: Expected spring 2020
The award-winning barbecue pitmasters Marc Leone and Andrew Darneille are all-in to open a standalone space in Clarendon, looking toward March or April. The duo has won several awards in the Mid-Atlantic for their barbecue with unique dishes, and will occupy the former Citizen Burger Bar space. // 1051 N. Highland St., Arlington
Taco Zocalo
Status: Expected 2020
This Reston-based local taco spot will open its first Loudoun County outpost with its popular dishes, ranging from chimichangas to burrito bowls. The space was formerly occupied by Antonio’s New York Pizzeria in the University Commerce Center. // 44927 George Washington Blvd., Ashburn
The Buffalo Wing Factory
Status: Expected 2020
It doesn’t matter if you like them sticky, spicy, sweet or covered in ranch dressing, you’ll soon be able to get your hands all over “craft wings and craft beer,” according to the company’s website. The new location will open in the Compass Creek development. // Estimated location on Compass Creek Parkway, Suite number to be announced
The Casual Pint
Status: Open
So, you’ve been on the hunt for a place to find pints, flights and more. How about 35 different fresh, rotating taps to try? Grab a glass or a growler and enjoy pub food while you’re at it. This new local watering hole is planning on having its grand opening on Friday, Jan. 24. // 6410 Arlington Blvd., Suite E, Falls Church
The Salt Line
Status: Expected spring 2020
Yes, this news broke a year ago. But the casual seafood restaurant serving up oysters and ale is getting closer to becoming one of the newest outposts in Ballston. It’s not in Ballston Quarter either, it’s planned to open in the eventual tallest building in the neighborhood in a mixed-use development known as Liberty Center, and will feature open-air and indoor seating … eventually. // 4040 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Uncle Rico’s Cantina
Status: Open
From specialty tacos and burritos to tortas (Mexican sandwiches) and Coctel de Camaron (Shrimp cocktail), this new spot opened on Jan. 10, and is offering Tex-Mex cuisine in Old Town Manassas, including breakfast. // 9685 Liberia Ave., Suite 101, Manassas
Wicket Door Pub
Status: Open
Tucked into the University Commerce Center in Ashburn, this American-fare pub is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and boasts breakfast, lunch and dinner. Be sure to check out the menus for your favorite comfort foods: breakfast bowls and cinnamon rolls, as well as chicken chili and loaded tots. Served with drinks, of course. // 44921 George Washington Blvd., Ashburn
Zainy’s Flyin’ Grill
Status: Expected late January 2020
This bright-pink food truck is taking to the streets of Loudoun County and currently booking appearances at local breweries to serve up puffy tacos. That’s right, fresh-fried puffy tacos topped with chicken, steak, ground beef and a variety of toppings. Look out for news on its Facebook page. // Loudoun County
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