Restaurants

The outdoor patio at Rooftop Recess.
Live
Outdoor dining options in Northern Virginia
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of NOVA’s many beautiful patios.
March 05, 2026 06:00 AM
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
A person lighting a candle on a birthday cake.
Entertainment
Where to get birthday deals in Northern Virginia
Celebrate your special day with these birthday deals, from sweet treats to discounts on plants.
January 28, 2026
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
A plate of lasagna.
Restaurants
Deals for date night in Northern Virginia
Whether you’re taking advantage of date-night specials or indulging in a prix fixe menu, there are plenty of smart ways to enjoy a great meal on date night for less.
December 16, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
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Sponsored
Eat, sip, celebrate in National Landing
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The Historic Del Ray mural in Del Ray.
City
Wander through the Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria
Newsletter editor Ava Wojnowski toured the Del Ray neighborhood to discover its best spots.
December 9, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
A GIF saying "2025 Wrapped."
City
Your 2025 NOVAtoday Wrapped: The top news stories of the year
Spotify isn’t the only one having fun — dive into your 2025 NOVAtoday Wrapped.
December 4, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
People shopping at a holiday market in Northern Virginia.
City
Holiday markets in Northern Virginia
Check out these six holiday markets happening throughout December in Northern Virginia — offering art, food, and, of course, holiday cheer.
November 21, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
The Panes con Pavo sandwich from Your Only Friend, made with Salvadoran braised turkey, cortido, salted cucumber, Crystal Hot Sauce fried chili oil, Duke’s Mayo, served cold on a soft roll.
Restaurants
Sandwiches, pho, and more: Newly acclaimed restaurants near NOVA
From restaurants to chefs, see which three DC eateries and one culinary talent recently received top accolades.
November 19, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
Brunch at SER in Arlington.
Restaurants
NOVAtoday readers’ favorite restaurants
Here are over 25 restaurants that you, our readers, said were your go-to spots around Northern Virginia.
November 14, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
A photo of downtown Ballston in Arlington.
City
Your guide to Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood
Each month, I take a stroll through a neighborhood in NOVA to see what catches my eye and discover more about the area. Join me this time as I wander through the Ballston neighborhood.
October 29, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
A brunch dish from Ruthie's All-Day.
Restaurants
9 restaurants to try in NOVA, according to a food critic
Explore the top NOVA restaurants recommended by Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema.
October 10, 2025
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
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The main area of Reston Town Center.
Take a stroll around Reston Town Center
Join Editor Ava for a stroll through Reston Town Center — and discover upcoming events you won’t want to miss.
April 8, 2026
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
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Culture
One year of NOVAtoday
NOVAtoday has been coming to your inbox for a full 365 days — here’s a breakdown of some stats.
April 6, 2026
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
Victorian-style homes in the Occoquan Historic District.
Real Estate
Victorian-style architecture in Northern Virginia
Have you noticed all of the architectural styles around NOVA? Learn about the Victorian-style and where you can see it in the area.
April 1, 2026
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
A view of a green gold course with spectators lining the opposite side of a pond in its middle.
Sports
Bring Augusta National to Northern Virginia
You don’t need to travel to Georgia to experience the beauty of Augusta. We rounded up some ways to replicate the Masters experience in NOVA.
April 1, 2026
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Plants outside for the Spring Garden Market with the American Horticultural Society.
Travel and Outdoors
A gardener’s guide to Northern Virginia
Are you an expert gardener or hoping to get into it? Here’s your guide on how to garden in NOVA, from local plant sales to gardening clubs.
March 31, 2026
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
Tulips at the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington with DC in the background.
Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Northern Virginia
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
March 30, 2026
 · 
Staff
The inside of Union Station in Washington, DC.
Airports and Transportation
Inside Newsletter Editor Ava’s Amtrak journey to New York
Planning a trip to New York or somewhere along the East Coast? Here’s what my firsthand Amtrak experience was really like.
March 23, 2026
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
An aerial shot of the coastline that lines Lima Peru. A vast number of buildings line the land atop cliffs, with a deep blue ocean on the right of the image, running alongside a road beneath the cliffs.
Travel and Outdoors
Which cities share NOVA’s latitude and longitude?
Directly north, east, south, and west of Northern Virginia, cities across the world await.
March 19, 2026
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A bracket of sports bars in Northern Virginia.
Business
What’s the best sports bar in Northern Virginia?
Cast your vote in the bracket and help decide the best sports bar in the area.
March 18, 2026
 · 
Ava Wojnowski
Katie Couric hosting the 63rd Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon.
History
Six well-known women with connections to Northern Virginia
March is Women’s History Month, and these remarkable women all have ties to Northern Virginia.
March 16, 2026
 · 
Ava Wojnowski