Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Arlington

Once again, Ruthie's All-Day made a terrific impression on our out-of-town guests - who wish they had a similar restaurant in their own neighborhood. Our group of four sampled regular menu favorites (smoked duck, roast chicken, healthy grain salad with grilled salmon) as well as one of the daily specials - grilled rockfish. We encouraged our guests to save room for dessert, and they enjoyed the campfire cookies, in-house ice cream and butterscotch pudding. Our friends now wish they lived in South Arlington!

Service was wonderful, all were very attentive! Suggested great pastas that I would love and paired with the best wine! Lovely especially with the Christmas decor still up. Everyone was having a good time.

The overall experience of the Hamilton was amazing. Several of our party have food allergies and they accommodated all of us. The food was amazing. Alexandra our server was the best server we encountered all week in DC and the Hamilton is our favorite restaurant. The standouts were the “boots with the fur” cocktail, sweet potato hummus, all out entrees, and the bread pudding and apple galette. Highly recommend!

This was probably the best experience I’ve had at Old Ebbitt Grill. We got seated in the bar area, which was warm and comforting on a cold, snowy night. Our waiter was awesome…incredible competent with just the right amount of sass. The food was amazing…everything we ate was delicious. And the company was wonderful. I can’t wait for others to come into town to take them here.

Our recent visit to Founding Farmers was exceptional, offering a delightful culinary journey that pleased the entire family. We began by sharing the Buttermilk Biscuits and a medley of autumn vegetables. The biscuits were impressively large, featuring a crunchy exterior that gave way to a soft, fluffy center—truly a perfect start to our meal. For the main courses: •Youngest Son: Opted for the Sirloin Chili, which he thoroughly enjoyed. The chili boasted a balanced spiciness, making it both flavorful and approachable. •Mom: Chose the Goat Cheese Ravioli & Chicken Cutlet, a dish accompanied by butternut squash purée and pecan praline butter. The combination was exquisite, earning a solid 9.7/10 for its harmonious flavors and presentation.  •Dad: Selected the Farmhouse Platter, which included fried chicken, BBQ pork ribs, baby cheeseburgers, street corn, and coleslaw. He cleared his plate, a testament to the meal’s excellence.  •Teenager: Enjoyed the Meatloaf & Gravy, served with mashed potatoes and green beans. He expressed high praise for the dish, noting its rich flavor and satisfying portion.  Even the house-made sodas were delightful, adding a refreshing touch to our dining experience. Our waiter, Anthony, provided outstanding service, enhancing our meal with his attentive and friendly demeanor. The food was so impressive that we decided to purchase the restaurant’s cookbook to recreate some of the dishes at home. Founding Farmers offers a warm atmosphere, exceptional service, and delectable farm-to-table cuisine. It’s a dining experience we highly recommend and look forward to repeating.