Location: Fairfax
Top Restaurants in Fairfax
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Top 10 American food in Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Find out what American restaurants to try in Fairfax. Fairfax (/ˈfɛər.fæks/ FAIR-faks), colloquially known as Central Fairfax, Downtown Fairfax, or Fairfax City, and officially named the City of Fairfax, is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 22,565, which had risen to an estimated 24,013 as of 2015.
Things to do in Fairfax
10. 21 American Bistro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By sidediva
Friend recommended this restaurant. Not a big menu but the food was good. i had the Chicken Francese with Pappardelle. The Chicken breat was breaded and flavored with a lemon sauce. The Papparadelle have a light tomato sauce. Both were good. Atmosphere is pleasant and service was good. Couple of little hang ups, depending on when you go parking could be an issue. Also, the waiter told us right away when we ordered a soda there were no refills which I thought was odd, considering our soda was half ice. Other than that will go back.
9. matchbox
Overall Ratings
4 based on 315 reviews
We're known for wood-fired pizzas, mini burgers, fresh salads and chef-inspired entrées, like pan-seared sea bass and oven-roasted filet mignon. It's American bistro fare, crafted from high quality ingredients with a chef at the helm in every kitchen.
Reviewed By Paul B
Went there for happy hour. The drinks were good, the food was "just okay" and the service was practically non-existent. Worse, they got our order wrong and it when the replacement didn't come, we had to hunt down the manager. Three stars may be generous.
8. The Cheesecake Factory
Overall Ratings
4 based on 413 reviews
The Cheesecake Factory offers something for everyone featuring a wide variety of over 200 menu items prepared fresh to order each day, plus over 30 legendary varieties of the Finest Cheesecake.
Reviewed By gwenw184
We really enjoyed our recent visit for lunch at this Cheesecake family. I never knew that they served brunch and we were very impressed. Great options and great service too. I had the blueberry pancakes with poached eggs and both were perfect. The bacon was crispy and delicious. Try it!Hi Gwen. Thank you for your review. We're glad you enjoyed your meal and we look forward to your next visit.
7. Dogfish Head Alehouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 325 reviews
Reviewed By P5491EFgaryg
Returned to Dogfish for a midweek lunch after a year or so since our last visit. Staff was welcoming and friendly, and service was fast. Was looking forward to having the fish and chips based on last visit, but unfortunately found the fried fish overcooked and dry. The onion rings I subbed for the fries were excellent, as was the cole slaw. My wife had the Canary pizza, which was tasty, but unremarkable, although it did qualify for their happy hour discount, as did their always delicious 90 minute IPA. Will likely go back again, but only to enjoy their incomparable craft ales on draft (Worldwide Stout is out of this world!), not for a mouthwatering pub style meal that we used to find part and parcel of their offering.
6. True Food Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 372 reviews
Reviewed By Melaney68
I hope this restaurant continues to build more locations- especially in Maryland! If you go I would suggest making a reservation. We preferred outside seating, but do be prepared for some âhot rodâ street traffic noise. The hostesses were delightful, our server went above and beyond, and we never felt rushed. I could get used to clean eating and knowing calorie counts and being served perfect portion sizes. The menu is seasonal and they are about to switch over to the summer menu. Instead of sodas they make healthier versions and their house drink choices were fascinating, such as a rhubarb margarita. Be sure to sign up for their App and get $10 off of your first meal. They also give a complimentary birthday dessert. The guacamole was mind blowing with bits of grapefruit. My only recommendation would be to have the corn tortillas be warm, which I know can be a challenge. The birthday dessert had us smiling. It included lavender and coconut.
5. Silver Diner
Overall Ratings
4 based on 289 reviews
At Silver Diner, we're much more than a diner. Whether you choose a classic dish or a vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free option, Executive Chef Ype Von Hengst has created a menu of customizable, healthier choices that all share one thing: the highest quali
Reviewed By dawnfromseattle
I hadn't been to a Silver Diner in five years because the three times I had tried them had been disappointing. Same thing with the food again.Service was excellent - friendly, prompt, helpful. She went out of her way to help my friend who has a significant food allergy.I had skipped a meal so I could enjoy fully a platter of American breakfast. The scrambled eggs clearly showed the ravages of a heat lamp. The pan fries looked and tasted like they had sat in oil for a long time. The chicken sausage had very good flavor but it was so thin that it looked like shoe leather and was a little hard to cut. The great part was also the most important part: the biscuit. It was very good! Paired with their great raspberry jam, the biscuit saved the day.Overall, it was not a meal I would repeat. If I was with someone who really wanted to go, I would try another dish.
4. The Auld Shebeen Irish Pub
Overall Ratings
4 based on 227 reviews
The Auld Shebeen is Fairfax City's only authentic Irish Pub and Restaurant. In Ireland a Shebeen was an illicit drinking den, an after hours speakeasy where once inside people found good familiar conversation, drink, friends and great food! Fascinating hi
Reviewed By SpainloverLiverpool
Went here to watch a footy match and have some food. Tim looked after us very well and nothing was too much trouble for him. My friend and I enjoyed bottomless mimosas while we all had a brunch meal which everyone really enjoyed.Thanks for stopping by and great to hear Tim took good care of you and you enjoyed your brunch. I hope you got the result you wanted in the match! Hopefully we will see you again soon. - Mick
3. Ozzie's Good Eats
Overall Ratings
4 based on 529 reviews
GAR's tribute to Chris "Ozzie" Osborn, GAR's Head Foodie since 1981. Offering reservations for parties up to sixty and featuring our full menu to go.
Reviewed By jaseaton
When we were partners in an Alexandria business, my friend and I routinely staged our office Xmas parties at the Carlyle Grand, which is part of the same chain as Ozzieâs. The formulas are pretty similar, too: excellent, fresh dishes, sumptuous seats and booths, perfect service, and a sort of fashionable airiness to the dining space. We made a meal of appetizers and desserts (loved my fish tacos) and they left us in peace to catch up on he last eight years over two+ hours. We had a great time, and Ozzieâs helped in every way they could.
2. Coastal Flats
Overall Ratings
4 based on 930 reviews
Reviewed By Malcolm K
Coastal Flats is one of the local Great American Restaurants chain with the pleasing character of the chain. Each one reliably produces tasty and appetizing dishes from a limited range special to the restaurant and which has, however, something to please everyone. Coastal Flats understandably focuses on seafood and does it well. The roasted smoked salmon filet with mustard sauce is slightly unusual and deeply satisfying; the crab cakes have large chunks of crab and taste freshly marine. For myself I am unashamedly fond of the fish fingers - not your usual breaded bricks from the freezer but, instead, lumps of lovely moist cod in a crisp and light, tempura-like, fried batter chemise accompanied by creamy, crunchy cole slaw and matchstick fries. Nowhere else comes close far less could do it better. Worth the journey for that alone. Service, as always, is attentive and ready to meet diners' requests in a nicely open room with a fascinating mural of a street in old Havana.
1. Arties's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 846 reviews
Since 1978, Fairfax City's most popular restaurant. Enjoy boathouse favorites surrounded by handcrafted wooden boat scale models and Jack Gable's view of Lake Winnipesaukee.
Reviewed By Myles R
Surprising local restaurant with great ambiance, courteous and attentive staff and a bread basket that is one of the best ever presented. Ordered the crab cake dinner that was SUPERB. Two 3.5 oz patties filled with lump backfin meat. Lightly breaded and cooked to perfection. Side of sauteed spinach and a side salad to big to finish. Other party ordered the plank grilled salmon on Caesar salad that was outstanding. Other ordered grilled chicken breast that was perfectly cooked. Special pumpkin dessert was a wonderful finish to an excellent meal. Most entree's were in the $20-25 range. Definitely worth a try - you will not be disappointed.
