After seeing the success of similar campaigns in Vienna and Fairfax City, among other locations, McLean is planning a restaurant week of its own.
Nearly two dozen restaurants have signed up so far to participate in the inaugural McLean Restaurant Week, which will take place on April 12-19.
Organized by the McLean Revitalization Corp. (MRC), a volunteer-led nonprofit, promotions offered by the participating restaurants could range from special prix-fixe menus to discounted items, a free appetizer or dessert, and more.
“We encourage all McLean residents and visitors alike to come down to our McLean restaurants during Restaurant Week — and celebrate not only the great cuisine these restaurateurs offer, but also the tremendous commitment they have made to our community,” MRC Executive Vice President Peter Appel said in a press release.
As of press time, 23 restaurants have joined McLean Restaurant Week, though not all of them have posted their promotions yet.
- ArTeA
- Big Buns Damn Good Burgers
- Cafe Levantine
- Cafe Tatti
- Capri Ristorante Italiano
- Chiang Mai Thai Cookhouse
- Divan Restaurant of McLean
- Essan Tumbar
- Fresh Baguette
- Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
- Kazan
- Listrani’s
- Masala Indian Cuisine
- Matchbox
- Munch and Match
- Neutral Ground Bar and Kitchen
- Pasa Thai
- Peter Chang McLean
- Pikoteo
- Rocco’s Italian
- Sho Sushi & Izakaya
- Sweet Leaf
- Town Bar and Kitchen
Long anchored by old-school steakhouses like J. Gilbert’s and Fleming’s, McLean’s dining scene has evolved over the years into “a diverse mix of modern, chef-driven spots,” according to local resident Tricia Palaez-Anderson, who runs an 8,700-member McLean Foodies Facebook group.
Recent additions have included Town Bar and Kitchen, which opened last December in the former Café Oggi space on Old Dominion Drive, as well as Peter Chang, Sorn Thai and Sweetgreen.
More options are on the way too, with a new location of the D.C.-based Mexican restaurant Surfside on track to open at the Chesterbrook Shopping Center this summer, per property owner Federal Realty.
“What’s happening in McLean right now feels like a true restaurant renaissance,” Palaez-Anderson said in MRC’s press release. “… The energy is real, and the community is showing up for it.”
According to MRC, McLean is currently home to approximately 53 restaurants that are showcased, along with other businesses, in its online restaurant and retail guide.
Dedicated to advocating for a vision of a vibrant, walkable downtown McLean, the McLean Revitalization Corporation has made a conscious effort to increase its visibility over the past couple of years. That push has included organizing events, such as the revival of the McLean Winterfest Parade in 2024 and a downtown business roundtable, as well as support for placemaking initiatives in conjunction with Fairfax County.
