Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for many of America’s greatest military heroes, and invites thousands of visitors a year to contemplate their sacrifice. We’ve put together a list of the best restaurants near Arlington Cemetery, so you’ll have plenty of choices for your visit. Visiting our nation’s capital? to Chek out articles about the best restaurants near the White House and the best restaurants near the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument here!
The Top 10 Places To Eat near Arlington Cemetery
Ambar Clarendon
$$ | Eastern European | Laid-Back Atmosphere
With roots in Eastern Europe, this Balkan-inspired restaurant is the perfect mix of traditional food and modern décor. They offer diners a rich culinary experience in a large, open dining room with plenty of windows and greenery that give the place a greenhouse-like atmosphere.
For starters, the lamb prosciutto is your friend. Delicately smoked and served over a golden brown slice of sourdough bread, it’s the perfect thing to get your meal started off right. The prices here are very reasonable, so it’s worth your while ordering a few things for the table. We recommend the Lamb Lasagna, the slow-cooked Short Rib Goulash, as well as the Pork Belly sliders, which is a tangy-sweet toss-up that’s sure to satisfy.
Address: 2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 11AM–10PM
CIRCA at Clarendon
$$$ | New American | Creative
Creative cooking and a playful atmosphere combine to form the varied and unique dining experience on offer at CIRCA. Offering diners spacious patio seating, as well as plenty of spots at the red velvet chairs dotted around the interior, it’s the perfect spot for lunch. Prepare to be amazed!
CIRCA is one of our favorite restaurants near Arlington Cemetery for the unique spin they take on New American cuisine. Appetizers like the Tuna Poke Nachos seem far-fetched at first, but are a serious effort at combining a wide variety of international flavors. It definitely pays off! We recommend first time diners order the Jambalaya, which is packed full of penne pasta, shrimp, chicken, Andouille sausage in a smoky, rich sauce. It’s the best we’ve had outside of New Orleans!
Address: 3010 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Hours: Monday-Friday: 11AM–10PM, Saturday-Sunday: 10:30AM–11PM
Green Pig Bistro
$$ | Nose-to-Tail | Rustic
Nose-to-tail dining means that no part of the animal is wasted in the preparation process, and is a philosophy that the chef’s at Green Pig Bistro take very seriously. The charming, rustic interior and oaken communal tables speak to the cherished Southern homestyle roots that are at the heart of this restaurant.
If you’re not a fan of pork, this may not be the spot for you. Otherwise, this place offers a wide variety of dishes that totally transform what you might think is possible in a pork dish. Options like the Center-Cut French Rack Pork Chop include the cornbread & cheddar pudding, roasted heirloom carrots and apple-onion puree. It’s the kind of dish where every flavor is perfectly chosen and balanced, and we recommend it! You’ll definitely want to try the Perfectly Porked Panini, which includes an incredibly flavorful cut of pork shoulder.
Address: 1025 N Fillmore St, Arlington, VA 22201
Hours: Monday, 4–9PM, Tuesday-Friday: 11AM–2:30PM, 4–9PM, Saturday: 10AM–2:30PM, 3–10PM, Sunday: 10AM–2:30PM, 3–9PM
Silver Diner
$ | Diner | Open Late
There’s nothing quite as reliable as a diner. The classic diner look on display at the Silver Diner may seem trite to some, but when it’s nearing midnight and everywhere else is closed, then there really is nothing better. So take a seat at one of the many leather-seat booths, throw a quarter in the jukebox and get ready to eat!
Like most diners, you’ll probably know better than we do what you want. We can say with authority however that the pancakes, Belgian waffles, oatmeal and scrambled eggs are all fantastic and made with the kind of attention that’s often missed. If you’re looking for something a bit of the beaten path, they have a huevos rancheros here that’s made with real bison meat! Topped with goat cheese and salsa roja, it’s some of the best breakfast in town.
Address: 3200 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 7AM–1AM
Texas Jacks BBQ
$$ | BBQ | Big Portions
Hands down our favorite of the barbeque restaurants near Arlington Cemetery, Texas Jacks Barbeque is a slice of Southern hospitality just when you need it. The spacious dark-wood interior, lit warmly beneath yellowing incandescent lights, is a wonderful compliment to the mesquite-smoked offerings on the menu. And in case you have trouble finding the place, look for a big neon sign that reads “EAT”.
You’d have to try pretty hard to find something that isn’t delicious here. If you’re looking for a great all-around experience, the regular meat medley sampler is our recommendation. Included is brisket, chicken, ribs, pulled pork and sausage links. With a side of mac & cheese and cole slaw, you might need sometime to walk this one off. The brisket sandwich is also out of this world.
Address: 2761 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA
Hours: Sunday-Friday: 11AM–10PM, Saturday: 10AM–11PM
Sfoglina Rosslyn
$$ | Light Lunch | Waterfront Views
In case you were missing some of the classier restaurants near Arlington Cemetery, this elegant Italian spot is just for you. Sfoglina Rosslyn offers up its well-rooted Sicilian dishes in an airy interior full of soft velvet couches, classy modern-industrial seating and a pop-art sensibility to the décor.
First off, let’s talk about the mozzarella. Sfoglina has a full-fledged mozzarella bar, which offers a rotating selection of luscious, creamy cheeses in flavors like Buffalo, Flor di Latte and Burrata. Paired with basil marinated eggplant or grilled artichokes and you have an excellent appetizer to a great meal. The best here can be found on the pasta menu. We recommend the Bucatini Carbonara, which includes Pork Guanciale and a Sunny Side Up Egg in the house’s signature sauce. It’s the perfect lunch.
Address: 1100 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209
Hours: Thursday-Sunday: 5–9PM
Quarterdeck
$$ | Seafood | Local Favorite
Quarterdeck’s proximity to the Potomac river makes it one of the best seafood restaurants near Arlington Cemetery, and it just had to make our list. It’s a local favorite bringing the best of the sea to diners over checkered tablecloths and ample outdoor seating. There’s an easy, casual feeling here that’s hard to find anywhere else.
The main event (in the opinion of this writer) are the crab cakes. Broiled jumbo crabs served with a sauté of green beans, julienned carrots and mashed potatoes, it’s more than enough food for $30. Those looking for something a bit less heavy should definitely try the Pan Seared Salmon, which is topped with a zesty lemon beurre blanc sauce that really takes the dish to a whole new level. Make sure to grab some hush puppies to share as well!
Address: 1200 Fort Myer Dr, Arlington, VA 22209
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 11:30AM–9:30PM
District Taco
$$ | Mexican | Fast
Don’t let the modern décor, exposed ventilation, and naked incandescent bulbs fool you. District Taco is anything but the contemporary, hipster taco spot that it might look like. When you get down to the food itself, what is abundantly clear is the cherished Yucatan roots and respect for tradition that goes into every dish.
The menu here is pretty small, but that will hopefully make the decision-making process a little bit easier. Served all day, the salsa-topped breakfast burrito is the kind of hearty fuel that any tourist needs to get through a long day of walking. The spicy Burrito Mojado was the best we had here, and seasoned travelers should at the very least get the Colorado salsa. It’s not the spiciest option on the menu, but it’s flavorful and adds exactly the right amount of zing to any dish.
Address: 1500 Wilson Blvd Suite 102, Arlington, VA 22209
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 9AM–10PM
Kanpai Restaurant
$$$ | Sushi | Family-Owned
Intimate and limited in seating, Kanpai is the place if you’re looking for a classic sushi experience. The family-owned bistro setting really stands apart from the higher-end Japanese restaurants near Arlington Cemetery. Sitting at the tightly packed sushi bar, you can clearly see the years of experience that go into your meal, making every bite that much more meaningful.
If you’re here for lunch, the Kanpai Lunch boxes are an excellent choice. The chef will pick out the freshest cuts of the day, ranging from tender flounder to flavorful eel, served beside shrimp tempura and a Japanese pickle. It’s the perfect amount of food for lunch. After splitting an appetizer of Shrimp shumai, we recommend trying the Yaki Onigiri. It’s a simple dish of grilled rice and salmon roe, but is absolutely bursting with flavor. Paired with the chef’s choice of sashimi and sake, and you’re in for a real treat.
Address: 1401 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209
Hours: Monday-Friday: 12–2:30PM, 5–8:30PM
FYVE
$$$$ | Modern American | Elegant Atmosphere
Located inside of the Ritz-Carlton on Hayes Street, elegance and panache are the first words we think of we when we think of FYVE. Dimly lit and decorated with a black & white color scheme that just screams “class”, this restaurant is the perfect way to end our list of best restaurants near Arlington Cemetery. Whether you’re here to enjoy a meal, or just looking for a classy spot to enjoy a drink, it’s a must-visit.
Whether you go for the buttery Truffle Fries or Burrata Antipasti, the appetizers here are sure to set the tone nicely for elegant meal ahead. Classics like the Pan Seared Salmon and 1855 Grilled Ribeye are excellent choices, but we found the Figs Pizza to be the sleeper-hit of our evening here. Balancing sweet figs, bleu cheese and caramelized onion on a warm, flaky pizza, this dish should definitely be one you consider. Enjoy!
Address: 1250 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA 22202
Hours: Monday-Friday: 6:30AM–10PM, Saturday-Sunday: 7AM–10PM
We hope this list is helpful to you as you explore the solemn and hallowed grounds of Arlington. Visit us again when you get hungry!
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