You’ll want to try these 10 Virginia restaurants opening in 2026
The new restaurants opening across Virginia range from diners to fine-dining establishments. Check out these spots in 2026 to find your new favorite bite.
Virginia’s culinary scene is, frankly, underrated, but those of us who live here know just how mouth-watering bites all across our state can be. Maybe that’s why so many famous people have come to eat at Virginia restaurants. Or perhaps it’s because Virginia has so many restaurants with breathtaking views. In any case, our eateries are the cream of the crop, and we’ve only got more delicious dining options on the horizon.
That’s right: Several new restaurants are opening across the state in 2026, and they’re not sticking to a single cuisine or taste level. These spanking-new spots range from diners to fine-dining establishments and are expected to serve a variety of meals, giving you even more opportunity to spice up your everyday life. And who wouldn’t feel good supporting a new small business? So, without further ado, let’s look at 10 restaurants that are opening in Old Dominion in 2026.
1. Silver Diner
Address: 5005 Wellington Rd, Gainesville, VA 20155
At the time of writing, Silver Diner has 24 locations throughout the greater DMV area, with 12 of them being in Virginia. Our fair state has the most Silver Diner restaurants, and it’s taking that accomplishment further with a new location in Gainesville. According to Northern Virginia Magazine, a concrete opening date hasn’t yet been revealed, but the restaurant will set up shop on Wellington Rd. where Out of the Blue Crabs and Seafood once operated.
When Silver Diner does open, you can expect to find a mix of pretty traditional diner fare made with higher-quality, fresher ingredients, as well as steakhouse options. There’s a reason this chain has grown so much, after all. This means that you can order breakfast all day, as well as sizzling steaks, chipotle salmon, and elevated meatloaf. There’s even a halal menu! Ultimately, this is one opening you won’t want to sit out.
2. Clarity
Address: 1996 Opportunity Way, Reston, VA 20190
One of the hottest restaurants in Vienna, Va., is descending on Reston in spring 2026, according to Northern Virginia Magazine. The Rammy Award-winning Clarity is a dream for true foodies, as it approaches high-low dining in a unique way.
On its menu, you’ll find bold, fresh flavors, but the restaurant’s environment is calming and cozy, which doesn’t usually go hand in hand with upscale establishments. What’s more, you actually have choices with where you sit at the Vienna restaurant, including by the chef’s table or in the regular dining room.
Like other eateries opening next year, an exact date has not yet been announced, but you’ll want to eat here as soon as it does. Northern Virginia Magazine reported that “several dining rooms and a covered patio” will grace the new establishment, indicating that it will be quite spacious. Essentially, the ambiance meter is already off the charts.
3. Toastique
Address: 11990 Inspiration St, Reston, VA 20190
Toastique is the largest chain on this list, having restaurant locations in 19 states plus Washington, D.C.—and that’s only growing in 2026. According to the restaurant’s website, the new restaurant is slated to open in Reston next year, and it will join six other locations in Virginia. No exact date has been announced.
Haven’t heard of Toastique? You’re in for a treat. With a tagline like “Real healthy food for your really busy life,” Toastique aims to make eating health-consciously easier, and it does so through a variety of toasts, smoothie bowls, sweet treats, and smoothies, as well as wellness shots. Even the sweet treats here are made with healthier ingredients, like nut butters, with the goal being to give you energy without the crash that can come with everyday refined sugar. There’s something for everyone here, but we will say this: You never need to feel guilty for eating sugar or anything someone else has called “bad.” All food is fuel.
4. Floriana
Address: 277 S Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314
We’ve experienced American diner classics and elevated New American fare so far, but now Virginia’s headed to Europe. The beloved Italian restaurant Floriana has been whetting palates in D.C. for more than 40 years, and now it’s bringing those sultry flavors to Alexandria. It’s also filling a big void, taking over the building where Virginia’s Darling, a local-loved wine bar, operated until December 2024, per Northern Virginia Magazine.
Floriana’s flagship location is typically only open for dinner (plus brunch on Sundays), but Alexandrites will be fortunate enough to enjoy breakfast and lunch in addition to primo dinnertime meals. Curious what’s currently on the menu? Only the best, of course. Your choices range from creamy Potato Leek Soup and saucy Steamed Mussels to indulgent Burrata Ravioli and sumptuous Pork Shank. No, you’re not the only one drooling.
5. The Homeplace Restaurant
Address: 4968 Catawba Valley Dr, Catawba, VA 24070
This is a big one for Catawba. The Homeplace Restaurant has a long history in the area, with countless people making memories on its premises, whether they were eating delectable, home-cooked meals or getting married in the gazebo. Sadly, the establishment shuttered because of the COVID-19 pandemic—just one of many small businesses that seemed to be lost to time.
Or not. In an October 2025 Facebook post, local realtor Noah Beckley announced that the property had officially changed hands, and the new owners, a married couple, plan to bring the restaurant back to life by Easter 2026. They also plan to keep much of the menu the same so that locals can relive their favorite memories. “We will continue with the legacy that the Wingate family started by keeping the name, recipes, and majority of the original menu,” the owners contributed to Beckley’s post.
Perhaps needless to say, the commenters were thrilled. “The restaurant is a true gem to the area. I am glad a new set of owners are here to continue the tradition set by the Wingate family,” one wrote. Cheers to that!
6. Ember
Address: 1301 S Joyce Street, Arlington, VA 22202
October was a busy month for restaurant announcements, with yet another one popping up—this time on Instagram.
An Arlington restaurant by the name of Ember is set to open in 2026, and while little is known about it so far, it seems like it will have good vibes. “Not loud or flashy—but rich, surprising, and curated,” Ember’s first post reads. Another post mentions wanting the restaurant to host “soulful gatherings,” so you may just be in good hands when you dine there.
7. Shipley Do-Nuts
Address: 256 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180
From the South all the way up North, Shipley Do-Nuts is on a true Atlantic journey, bringing delightfully sweet treats to Virginia and beyond. The breakfast spot has one existing Virginia location in Lynchburg, but in 2026, it’s setting up shop in Vienna, per FFXnow. “We look forward to opening the first Shipley Donuts in Vienna on Maple Avenue in 2026, bringing our famous handmade fresh daily donuts and kolaches to the community,” Ashley Lennington, a representative of the brand, told the outlet in September.
What sets Shipley Do-Nuts apart is its intriguing menu. Not only does the chain boast a variety of sweet donuts, but it also creates savory items that will make you stop hitting the drive-thru for a McMuffin. Namely, Shipley sells a variety of Eastern European stuffed pastries called kolaches. For example, you might order one with bacon, egg, or cheese, or you might be feeling zesty and opt for one with jalapeno. You spicy one, you!
8. The Cheese Cartel
Address: 922 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046
Taking you straight from sweets to snack time, it’s The Cheese Cartel! This new restaurant is set to open on a currently undisclosed date in 2026, but it’s one you should be looking forward to because of both its “warm, welcoming environment” and scrumptious, cheese-filled bliss.
The restaurant’s website notes that it intends to offer both on-the-go offerings like cheesy baguette sandwiches and items to truly cherish, such as curated charcuterie boards. Did we mention there’s wine?
9. Dogfish Head Alehouse
Address: 11995 Inspiration St, Reston, VA 20190
As it stands, 2026 is looking to be Reston’s year. According to FFXnow, another restaurant is hitting the scene next year, and it’ll be feeding locals and travelers alike. Yes, Dogfish Head Alehouse will operate out of the Marriott AC Hotel and Residence Inn’s second floor, and it’s slated to begin serving the area sometime next summer.
Dogfish Head Alehouse’s path in the area hasn’t been so straightforward. The brewery chain has previously closed two locations in Virginia, so this may mark another step in its comeback journey. If you like good food and drinks, you’ll want to hope this comeback succeeds. Doghead’s menu contains delightful dishes like Cajun egg rolls, Smoked Brisket Cheesecakes, Jambalaya, and so much more. We’ll take one of each.
10. Saki
Address: 2055 15th St N, Arlington, VA 22201
Last but certainly not least, tender and sumptuous sushi is descending on Arlington in the new year. As reported by ARLnow in August, a new restaurant called Saki has been in the works, with the food coming from the mind of Michelin-starred Chef Masaaki Uchino, who has honed his sushi skills thanks to spending more than 20 years in the industry.
The fun doesn’t end there, either. In addition to high-quality food, Saki is intended to be a speakeasy with good vibes and even better drinks. Yes, that does mean Saki won’t be offering omakase, but it’s also not that type of restaurant. It does, however, intend to serve brunch, which is a prospect we’re particularly excited about. Other details about the restaurant remain unknown, but with an expected winter opening, we’ll be dining there before we know it.
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