Washingtonian’s annual ranking of the “100 Very Best Restaurants” in the D.C. region has arrived, and several Fairfax spots made the cut, both from the county and the city.
Joon, the high-end Persian restaurant that chefs Najmieh Batmanglij and Christopher Morgan opened in Tysons in 2023, once again led the way, coming in at no. 24 — one notch down from its placement on the 2024 list.
In its write-up, Washingtonian notes that Joon, which can be found at 8045 Leesburg Pike, Suite 120, in Fairfax Square, is expensive with a dinner for two costing over $200, including taxes and the tip. A $20 prix-fixe meal on the lunch menu, however, offers “a terrific escape” from Tysons Corner Center across the street, the magazine says.
“At this Persian fine-dining restaurant, all gleaming wood and brass, Iranian cookbook star Najmieh Batmanglij and ex-Maydan chef Chris Morgan turn out feasts that might start with saffron-scented Negronis and end with pistachio ‘love cake,'” Washingtonian wrote. “In between: lavish kebab platters and bountiful rice dishes studded with sour cherries or fava beans.”
Compiled by Washingtonian’s food team, the 2025 “Very Best” list is fully ranked, unlike last year, when it stopped after the top 25.
The only other Fairfax County restaurant to make it into the first half of the 2025 ranking is Chay, a fully vegetarian Vietnamese restaurant that opened at Barcroft Plaza (6351 Columbia Pike, Suite 201) in Lincolnia in late 2023.
Owned by chef Lan Tran and her husband Thi Le, who works at the Washington Post’s printing plant in Springfield, Chay is “one of the best Vietnamese restaurants around,” according to Washingtonian, which highlights the “soulful” and “fragrant” pho, the papaya salad and a signature “clam” dip that uses soy protein instead of the actual seafood.
The remaining Fairfax-area eateries on the list include many that have previously been recognized by Washingtonian as well as a couple of new additions:
- No. 53: Mama Chang (3251 Blenheim Blvd, Suite 101, Fairfax City)
- No. 60: A&J Restaurant (4316 Markham Street, Annandale, with a second location in Rockville)
- No. 67: Fava Pot (7393-D Route 29, West Falls Church)
- No. 70: Elyse (10822 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax City)
- No. 73: Aracosia (1381 Beverly Road, McLean)
- No. 80: Southeast Impression (9530 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax City)
- No. 86: Ingle Korean Steakhouse (8369 Leesburg Pike, Suite A, Tysons)
- No. 89: L’Auberge Chez François and Jacques’ Brasserie (332 Springvale Road, Great Falls)
- No. 98: Honest Grill (14215H Centreville Square, Centreville)
- No. 99: Marib (6981 Hechinger Drive, Springfield)
The selections reflect a range of cuisines, from Korean barbecue and French delicacies to Egyptian and Yemeni staples. However, with the exceptions of L’Auberge, Honest Grill and Marib, they’re concentrated in the northeastern and central parts of the county, leaving out the Reston/Herndon area as well as southern Fairfax.
Residents around Fairfax Corner can look forward to Ruthie’s All Day, which snagged the 95th spot on Washingtonian’s list. Currently based in Arlington, where it opened in 2020, the all-day restaurant will bring its Southern comfort food to the shopping center this fall.
