10 Tasty Reston Restaurants to Eat and Drink Local in Virginia

Updated on November 7, 2023 by Julie McCool

These 10 tasty Reston restaurants feature local spots to eat, drink, and relax while supporting a Virginia business. In a suburban landscape dominated by national chain dining, we welcome unique experiences. Fortunately, these local restaurants in Reston deliver on the town's mission to “Live Work and Play” in town.

This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every local eatery. Instead, it includes our favorite local Reston restaurants based on personal experience. We have lived in Reston for more than 25 years and return to these favorites again and again.

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Local Reston restaurants are listed below in alphabetical order.

Ariake Japanese Restaurant

We love a tasty bento lunch and pleasant outdoor seating, and Ariake Japanese Restaurant delivers both. Ariake’s lunch menu features bento box and sushi lunch specials as well as an extensive a la carte sushi list.

Ariake Reston shrimp vegetable tempura bento
Ariake Reston shrimp vegetable tempura bento

Our favorite Ariake dishes include the Tempura and Salmon Teriyaki, Sushi Roll Combo, and the Deluxe Sushi Lunch. Lunchtime is usually bustling and is a popular dinner spot as well. When the weather is warm diners can choose a table on the outdoor patio.

Ariake is located at 12184 Glade Drive. Work up an appetite before your meal with a walk on the Glade Stream Valley Trail.

Ariake Reston patio
Ariake Reston patio

Cafesano

Tucked in a corner of the South Lakes Shopping Center, Cafesano turns out delicious pizza, panini, salads, and Mediterranean dishes in a casual spot by Lake Thoreau. Start off with the Dip Sampler with housemade red pepper hummus and tzatziki served with warm pita. Pizzas are a solid choice and the salads are generous and fresh.

Wine and beer are available, and there's a small deck for enjoying an outdoor meal on warm days. You could also order takeout and eat lunch on one of the picnic tables by the lake. Cafesano is close to our home and is our most frequent stop at the Reston restaurants listed here.

Evening at Cafesano Reston VA
Evening at Cafesano Reston VA

Combine your visit with a stroll on the path around Lake Thoreau, or watch the sunset over the lake before dinner.

Cafesano is located in the South Lakes Village Center, 11130 South Lakes Drive. They also have a location in Dulles.

Cafesano patio, Reston VA
Cafesano patio, Reston VA

Founding Farmers

Since opening their first location in Washington DC, Founding Farmers has expanded to 5 locations, including one next to the Reston-Weihle Metro Stop.

The menu offers a wide selection of farm-to-table dishes featuring seasonal ingredients and breads made onsite. We're big fans of the Shrimp and Crab Fettucine and the Southern Fried Chicken has a devoted following.

With a spacious interior and hopping bar, Founding Farmers Reston is a popular spot for group meals, after-work dinners, and a couple's night out. They are located at 1904 Reston Metro Plaza Drive.

Kalypso's Sports Tavern

Tasty Greek dishes dominate the menu at Kalypso's Sports Tavern on Lake Anne. The outdoor tables are a lovely spot to enjoy a meal and cocktails with pretty views of Lake Anne and the Plaza.

Dining tables with a lake view at Kalypsos one of the popular local Reston restaurants at Lake Anne.
Lake Anne Reston Restaurant Kalypso's

The restaurant features live music on summer weekends and is a popular spot to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and other holidays. Head inside to watch sports on multiple TVs.

Kalypso is in the Lake Anne Village Center, 1617 Washington Plaza North. We highly recommend a walk on the Lake Anne Trail to see Reston's first fascinating neighborhoods.

Outdoor seating at Kalypso's Tavern, Lake Anne Reston
Outdoor seating at Kalypso's Tavern, Lake Anne Reston

Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar

A transformed Lake Anne Coffee Shop opened in late 2016 as the Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar. The updated restaurant features rich coffee, a fresh seasonal menu, a welcoming upstairs wine bar, and a large patio for warm weather.

Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar patio
Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar patio

Try one of the breakfasts or special sandwiches with tasty fries. Upstairs, a small fireplace and plaza view seating create a nice space for sipping wine with friends. Visit during Happy Hour (4:00 – 7:00) to enjoy select $5 wines or on Monday when bottles are half-priced.

Lake Anne Coffee House is in the Lake Anne Village Center, 1612 Washington Plaza North.

Upstairs seating at Lake Anne Coffee House in Reston VA
Upstairs seating at Lake Anne Coffee House in Reston VA

Lake Anne Brew House

A nano brew taproom with beautiful lakeside views from the deck, Lake Anne Brew House brings the Virginia craft beer scene to Reston. The space is small, elegant, and comfortable, and the deck is one of our favorite local spots on a warm afternoon.

Lake Anne Brew House Reston
Lake Anne Brew House Reston

Flagship, Reston-inspired beers like Reston Red and Simon's Stout share the taps with seasonal and special releases. While there is no menu, you'll find delicious pretzels and other bar snacks on offer.

The Lake Anne Brew House is in the Lake Anne Village Center, 11424 Washington Plaza West.

Interior of Lake Anne Brew House in Reston
Inside Lake Anne Brew House, Reston

Pica Deli

Update: Pica Deli is closed but may reopen in a new location.

Small delis are sprinkled throughout Reston's office buildings, serving daily specials and sandwiches to the working crowd. We like Pica Deli for their excellent sandwiches, which we generally get to go and enjoy at home or a local park. Two favorites are the Marco Polo, white meat chicken salad flavored with curry and grapes, and the Thursday special Meatball Sub.

Red's Table

Red's Table overlooks Lake Thoreau in the South Lakes Plaza, right next door to Cafesano. Stop by in the early afternoon for a Happy Hour drink, or visit for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch to enjoy the locally sourced, seasonal menu.

Reds Table patio Reston VA
Red's Table patio Reston VA

The restaurant’s design is rustic, relaxed, and sophisticated, with a sleek bar and varied eating spaces. Red's has a lovely patio overlooking the lake, perfect for a special occasion meal on a warm summer night. The prices are on the higher side for Reston's village centers, but the food is delicious and creative. 

Check out our 2015 pre-opening look at  Red’s Table. You'll find Red's Table in a corner of the South Lakes Village Center, 11150 South Lakes Drive.

Red's Table beautiful interior, Reston
Red's Table interior Reston

Senor Ramon Tacqueria

In 2019, one of our favorite Northern Virginia taco restaurants, Senor Ramon Tacqueria, took over a spot near the Home Depot in Reston. Choose from an excellent selection of delicious fresh tacos and other Mexican favorites.

Senor Ramon tacos Leesburg and Reston VA
Señor Ramon tacos Reston VA

The outdoor patio is a good option for a quieter meal when the weather is warm. The Reston location is at 11790 Baron Cameron Avenue.

Read our complete guide to Favorite Places to Eat Tasty Tacos in Northern Virginia.

Senor Ramon Tacqueria patio in Reston Virginia
Senor Ramon Tacqueria patio in Reston Virginia

Taco Zocalo

Tucked into an office building off Sunset Hills Drive, Taco Zocalo offers a nice selection of delicious tacos, burritos, and chimichangas. Chef Basir opened the restaurant after building a loyal following to his Chef on Wheels food truck. All of the tacos are solid choices, but we favor the grilled fish and the shrimp.

Taco Zocalo shrimp and fish tacos in Northern Virginia
Taco Zocalo, Reston

The restaurant has indoor seating dotted with colorful chairs and a few more tables outside. But we suggest you order your meal to go then head across the street to Bike Lane Brewing. Their fresh craft brews are the perfect accompaniment to those tasty tacos.

Taco Zocalo is located at 1810 Michael Farraday Drive in Reston. They also have locations in Ashburn and Chantilly.

Interior of Taco Zocalo in Reston Virginia.
Taco Zocalo in Reston VA

Willard's Real Pit BBQ

We fell in love with Willard's Real Pit BBQ at their Chantilly outlet, so we cheered when they opened in Reston in 2019. The menu is just what you would expect, hearty servings of pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, and ribs. There's a big green salad with cornbread for the non-meat members of your group.

Willard's is right next door to Senor Ramon, in the Home Depot plaza at 11790 Baron Cameron Avenue.

More Reston Restaurants to Try

Looking back at our list of favorite Reston restaurants it appears we have a special fondness for outdoor patios. Luckily, the weather cooperates for much of the year in Virginia.

Find more great places to eat: 25 Tasty Options for Northern Virginia Outdoor Dining. Or pick up some takeout and head to one of the best Picnic Spots in Northern Virginia.

Happy dining!

These 10 tasty Reston restaurants feature non-chain spots where you can eat and drink while supporting local Virginia businesses and families.

4 thoughts on “10 Tasty Reston Restaurants to Eat and Drink Local in Virginia”

  1. Ariake is one of my favorite places—the staff is always inviting, the food is consistently fresh and well prepared and the menu is flexible. Fun for kids even in small ways (kids plates, training chopsticks, plate splitting).

    Regards,
    Harold

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