With white-tablecloth dining continuously on the decline, this year’s list celebrates the small, family-owned restaurants that are the foundation of Northern Virginia’s food scene. There’s the relocated Lebanese restaurant named after one of the chef’s eight children. There’s the last remaining restaurant from Arlington’s Little Saigon, now managed by the owners’ son. And then there’s a 20-seat restaurant gliding through service with three employees total and serving inquisitive, eclectic Japanese cuisine that will leave you breathless. And it’s not only because of that tingling buzz flower. Scroll down for more on this year’s best restaurant, plus the full list.

By: Stefanie Gans

Photography by: Rey Lopez, Christin Boggs Peyper, Aaron Spicer and Jonathan Timmes

Best by County

Hank’s Oyster Bar

Hank’s Pasta Bar

La Fromagerie

Live Oak

Namaste

Nasime

Restaurant Eve

Ambar

Green Pig Bistro

Kapnos Taverna

Nam-Viet

Peter Chang

Ray’s The Steaks

SER

2941

Afghan Bistro

B Side

Brine

Ciao Osteria

Clarity

Dolce Vita Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

Elephant Jumps

L’Auberge Chez Francois/Jacques’ Brasserie

Maple Ave Restaurant

Marib

Marumen

Nostos

Our Mom Eugenia

Padaek

Pizzeria Orso

Red’s Table

Requin

Rice Paper

Tachibana

Takumi

Trummer’s on Main

Villa Mozart

Field & Main

Girasole

The Whole Ox

Foode

Peter Chang

1947 Indian Restaurant

Aggio

Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant

Market Table Bistro

Mokomandy

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

Sense of Thai St.

Tuscarora Mill

Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant

Extras

In & Out

Directory

Layla’s

Villa Mozart

Nostos

Ambar

Clarity