15 Best Restaurants Vienna VA (By a Local!) 2025

Looking for some great places to eat in Vienna VA?

I’ve lived in Vienna VA for most of my life, I’ve eaten at almost every restaurant in this small town. There are so many amazing restaurants in Vienna VA, and I’ve even worked at some of the restaurants listed below over the years. So, if you’re hungry while visiting Vienna, I’ve got you covered!

This post is all about Vienna’s amazing food scene. Without further ado, here’s my list of the best restaurants in Vienna VA! 

Best Restaurants Vienna VA: A Quick Guide

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the best restaurants in Vienna. These are my go-to spots as a local:

• Bear Branch Tavern – quality food and service, plus they open late! 
• Nozzo Pazzo – best all-day breakfast, cafe, and deli in Vienna 
• Caboose Brewing Co. – amazing burgers, quality beers 
• Hawk & Griffin – the best British pub in Vienna, their signature “Beef and Veg Pasties” are the best

Best Casual & Family Restaurants In Vienna

Vienna is a very family-oriented, outdoors-y, walkable town. Local restaurants are used to families coming in with small children or cyclists stopping by for a beer after cruising along the W&OD trail.

Here are some of my top five casual and family restaurants in Vienna VA, listed in no particular order:

Caboose Brewing Company & Tavern 

Caboose Brewing Co. is a family-owned brewery known for its award-winning craft beers and seasonal menu. I love that they have farm-to-table items on their menu. Their sweet potato fries, with maple bacon aioli, are something else!!

Pair it with a tart cherry beer, and you have yourself the ultimate comfort food. Locals also love Caboose’s mac and cheese and build-your-own burger. Be sure to snap some photos of their beer barrels behind the bar!

Hawk & Griffin

Hawk & Griffin is my favorite pub in Northern Virginia! There are other good pubs in the area like The Auld Shebeen in Fairfax, and Old Brogue Irish Pub in Great Falls, but in my opinion, nothing beats Hawk & Griffin in Vienna.

If you’re looking for a place to kick back, watch the game, and enjoy some pub fare, this is the spot. I love their fish and chips and their monthly special pies (the owner of Hawk & Griffin also owns The Pure Pasty Co. in Vienna, so pasties and pies are a specialty).

They also have an impressive selection of beers. I highly recommend their House Cider and the Old Speckled Hen.

Pazzo Pomodoro

Pazzo Pomodoro is a local Vienna favorite, serving the area since 2012. Pazzo serves delicious authentic Italian dishes alongside award-winning wines (their wine list has earned the prestigious Wine Spectator Restaurant Award), and their dishes often include seasonally fresh ingredients from their local garden.

My favorite dish is their Ravioli Aragosta, a lobster ravioli served in a creamy sage-butter sauce. Pazzo Pomodoro is also open late, so if you have a late-night craving for pizza, they have you covered!

Bear Branch Tavern

Bear Branch Tavern is another local favorite – locals love their $1 oysters on the half shell during their special hours. The bar is open late, until 2 AM, so you can savor seafood and other delicious dishes all night long.

Some of my favorites include their crab-stuffed salmon with Israeli couscous and bacon mac and cheese. The atmosphere is family-friendly and they’re pretty accommodating for families with small children.

Plaka Grill

For me, Plaka Grill is the ultimate comfort food. This authentic Greek restaurant has won several awards for their gyros and souvlakis, and their fried calamari with garlic aioli is honestly addicting!

The no-frills atmosphere makes it great for families. There’s a bit of a “fast food” feel, but the food is far from “fast food” quality. Plaka Grill has good food, great service, and generous portions. Locals who have been to Greece say that Plaka is as close to the real thing as it gets!

Best Breakfast Restaurants

If you need to fuel up on a hearty breakfast before you explore more beautiful cities in Virginia, you’re bound to find exactly what you want in Vienna.

Here are my favorite four breakfast spots and cafes in town:

Nozzo Pazzo Delicatessen

Voted the best breakfast spot in Northern Virginia in 2024, Nozzo Pazzo has the best breakfast sandwiches and deli sandwiches in the area. Their sandwiches are always fresh and made to order, and the portions are very generous for the good price.

Nozzo Pazzo also sells Italian imported goods like premium olive oils, real Italian parmesan, and they have a large selection of deli meats and cheeses you can get sliced to order. 

They make their croissants and pastries fresh daily, and with so many delicious cakes and pastries on display, you’ll find it hard to choose just one. Nozzo Pazzo is the perfect spot for a late brunch, and the atmosphere is great if you want to enjoy a nice cup of coffee and get some work done!

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

I stumbled across Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. after seeing a reel pop up on Instagram. After trying their matcha latte and a slice of their honeycomb bread, I was sold.

This cozy cafe serves traditional Yemeni coffees and pastries – nothing is overly sweet or artificial-tasting here. Their refreshers are really good too, 10x better than any Starbucks! This is a popular cafe to enjoy a nice coffee and catch up on work, and seating can be hard to find at times, but when you can snag a spot, enjoy the atmosphere. They play nice traditional music which really enhances the experience while you work or chat with friends.

Carnegie Diner & Cafe

Carnegie Diner Cafe recently opened in Vienna, and it’s already a hit among locals. Coming from NYC, Carnegie Diner is a popular brunch spot for their all-day breakfast and over-the-top milkshakes.

Their dishes use fresh, organic ingredients (I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they only use organic eggs and certified organic burgers), and they have some great happy hour specials.

Caffe Amouri Coffee Roaster

Caffe Amouri is located on Church Street. They have a good selection of bagels and muffins, and their homemade sodas are really unique (I loved their sparkling lavender lemonade).

It’s a good spot to telework in the mornings, but keep in mind that it can get crowded on weekends. Caffe Amouri has a very cool interior, quick service, a cozy ambiance, and fun community activities (ask them about their coffee roasting classes!).

Cheap Places To Eat

If you’re visiting Vienna on a budget, don’t worry! There are plenty of delicious, cheap places to eat in town. Here are five local favorites:

Vienna Inn

The Vienna Inn was built in 1960 and has been serving the Vienna area ever since. This family-friendly establishment is a local hangout spot, with trophies and photos of local sports teams on display.

The Inn is famous for its chili macs and chili dogs. They sell over 10,000 chili dogs every month! Don’t miss out on their hot dogs loaded with chili, cheese, spicy mustard, and diced onions.

Taco Bamba

Taco Bamba is a chain. They have lots of locations across the DMV, but their Vienna location is a solid choice for some cheap, quality street-style tacos.

I love their El Pastor taco with pork and pineapple and the crispy shrimp is also a local favorite. The service here is super fast, and the menu offers a wide array of tacos with various meats and toppings to accommodate different dietary needs.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread is also a chain, but it’s a solid spot if you want something quick and filing. They have good soups and sandwiches, smoothies, and most importantly: free wifi. Lots of locals telework in Panera during the day, so it can get a bit busy.

Fancier Eats

There are plenty of upscale restaurants in Vienna if you’re looking to splurge on a good meal. Here are my top three picks, based on my own experience and other local opinions:

Ristorante Bonaroti

Ristorante Bonaroti has been serving the Vienna area for over 30 years. They have some great handmade pasta & other classic dishes.

It’s more of a traditional “old school” Italian restaurant with linen tablecloths, fresh bread with seasoned olive oil for dipping, and a great wine selection.

Clarity

This restaurant serves creative New American dishes in an open kitchen. They have a seasonal menu and their steak is fantastic! You can order from their menu à la carte or try a gourmet prix fixe four-course tasting menu with optional wine or whisky pairings.

Maple Ave Restaurant

Maple Ave Restaurant is a Modern European restaurant on Maple Avenue, serving farm-fresh plates & creative cocktails with an Asian-Latin flair. The space is small and cozy, with a focus on prix fixe menus and creative dishes.

Where To Stay

Vienna doesn’t have any hotels, but you can find excellent lodging options nearby in Tysons, VA. Here are a few recommendations, based on budget:

📍Clarion Inn (Budget Option): The location is very good and rooms are spacious. It’s a clean and budget-friendly hotel within 20 minutes of Washington, DC. 

📍Archer Hotel Tysons (Mid-Range Option): This stylish modern hotel is comfortable and a very close walk to the metro. You’re also a walking distance from Tysons Corner shopping center, one of the largest shopping centers in Northern Virginia.  

📍The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner (Luxury Option): The Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner is in a league of its own. The hotel is beautiful and luxurious, and the service is top-notch. 

Best Restaurants Vienna VA: FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about the best restaurants in Vienna, Virginia.

Food recs along Maple Ave in Vienna?

Depends on what you’re in the mood for, but as a local, I recommend Plaka Grill, Hawk & Griffin, and Nozzo Pazzo as quick, quality, budget-friendly options along Maple Ave in Vienna.

Restaurant Recommendations Near Jammin’ Java?

If you’re seeing a concert at Jammin’ Java and you’re looking for a place to eat nearby, go to Caboose Tavern! It’s a quick 15-minute walk, and well worth it. You could also go across the street for a pizza at Pazzo Pomodoro. They open late (until 2 AM), and it’s about a 7-minute walk from Jammin’ Java.

Is Vienna, Virginia walkable?

Yes, Vienna is quite walkable, with beautiful neighborhoods, accessible parks, and a calm vibe that makes it great for leisurely strolls.

Conclusion: Best Places to Eat Vienna VA

Vienna is full of amazing and original places to eat, and there are always exciting new restaurants opening, too. Regardless of your foodie preferences or budget, you’re bound to find the perfect restaurant or cafe for you.

Hope you enjoy your visit to the beautiful town of Vienna, Virginia. Happy travels!