Best Restaurants for People Watching in Falls Church

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBethesdaDowntownDupont Circle

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

36 restaurants available nearby

A photo of CIRCA at Clarendon restaurant

1. CIRCA at Clarendon

4.8

Exceptional(1474)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Arlington

Booked 31 times today

All of our CIRCA restaurants are neighborhood bistros serving delicious food and drinks. Each CIRCA is warm, inviting, and offers an energized social scene.Whether dropping in for brunch, lunch, dinner — every meal is accompanied by an extensive wine list, including over 20 wine offerings by the glass and a seasonal cocktail list. Our patios are located on the best city corners for a vibrant dining experience. Join us and dine well!Our Dining Room and Patio are Open!

2. Barrel & Bushel

4.5

Awesome(1172)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Tysons Corner / McLean

Booked 21 times today

We want our neighbors and guests visiting us in Northern Virginia to experience our region’s growing craft food and beverage industry. Purchasing local and creating handcrafted elements wherever possible, Barrel & Bushel embraces the philosophy of serving handmade, handcrafted, and hand-harvested food through a menu of regionally-inspired American food. Our food is complemented by our barrel-forward drink selections, completed by 22 local and regional craft beers on tap, more than 30 bourbons, and a wide assortment of unique wines and handcrafted cocktails that will satisfy any palate.Our friendly and knowledgeable staff, led by General Manager Amy Giles, are beer enthusiasts, wine lovers, spirit specialists and food fanatics. Stop by for a great time to meet the team. Barrel & Bushel is located in the heart of Tysons Corner’s business district on the Tysons Corner Center Plaza. Barrel & Bushel is open for business.

A photo of Mazaro Italian Restaurant restaurant

3. Mazaro Italian Restaurant

4.4

Awesome(367)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Arlington

Booked 14 times today

A new Modern Italian Restaurant that will offer classic Italian cuisine and Neapolitan pizza baked in specialized, Wood-fired oven imported from Italy

4. Härth

4.5

Awesome(984)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Tysons Corner / McLean

Booked 5 times today

Inspired by our namesake, we provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere anchored around our wood-burning oven where guests and groups can gather over seasonal food and drinks, sourced from local partners and elevated by our international culinary team.Whether you're in town on business, enjoying a night out with friends or hosting a special event, härth is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing experience made warm by the wood-fired oven that anchors the convivial atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming you to our table.Executive Chef I Laurent Hollaender

A photo of matchbox Merrifield restaurant

5. matchbox Merrifield

4.0

Excellent(1582)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Merrifield

Booked 21 times today

Bubbling, thin crust pizzas, mini burgers, crisp salads, and craft cocktails...four great reasons to visit matchbox today. We’re the neighborhood gathering place for fun, upscale casual dining, with local, award-winning beers, broad spectrum wines, and handcrafted signature cocktails you won’t find anywhere else.Overlooking Strawberry Park in the vibrant Mosaic District, our 40-seat patio offers outdoor dining and front row seats to Angelika Film Center’s outdoor screen and prime people-watching.Inside, exposed pipes and warm brick line the walls surrounding 220 seats, all with views of the glowing wood wall, reclaimed from barn-wood from Rochester, New York. The private Barrel Room accommodates 50 guests and comes with plush booths, a wood-burning fireplace and private wine coolers to store your favorite vintages.

6. Punch Bowl Social - Arlington

3.6

Very Good(58)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Unspecified • Arlington

Booked 15 times today

We're all about good vibes and unforgettable hangs. Whether you're looking for a chill night with friends, belting out karaoke tunes (even if you don't know all the words), or just laughing over a few gutterballs, we've got you covered. With fourteen locations, each offering their own unique adventures, there's always a reason to come through and make some memories with us. Every night brings something new, from our crowd-favorites, Music Bingo and Trivia, to Silent Disco with 3 DJs. Bring your besties or get ready to meet some new ones! Let us host your next event! We've got the beats pumping, drinks flowing, and games ready to go. From full venue buyouts to exclusive gatherings, we have options to fit your every need.

A photo of Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC restaurant

7. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Washington DC

4.8

Exceptional(10240)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 170 times today

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is the culmination of a partnership between Lettuce Entertain You and Joe's Stone Crab, the legendary seafood restaurant of Miami Beach. Joe's features an extensive selection of seafood, flown in fresh daily, to complement the world's finest Florida Stone Crab claws. Joe's also features signature Prime steaks, hand-carved by master butchers, such as the 24 oz. Bone-In Rib Eye or Bone-in Filet Mignon. Matched with Joe's famous side dishes, dinner only gets better when capped with a slice of key lime pie.

8. Dauphine’s

4.6

Exceptional(1432)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 24 times today

Dauphine’s is a modern day incarnation of the dramatic Grande Dame establishments of New Orleans, brought to you by the award winning Long Shot Hospitality - the team behind DC's beloved The Salt Line Restaurants. Dauphine’s utilizes Mid-Atlantic ingredients to prepare classic New Orleans fare while also creating original dishes inspired by the legendary city. All brought to you in a breathtaking spacious downtown restaurant setting with the most beautiful bar in downtown DC, plenty of patio dining, and a festive outdoor bar and garden area. Located in the Midtown Center, Dauphine's is just steps from the White House, National Theater, Convention Center, Cap One Arena and most downtown attractions and provides an elegant yet relaxed dining atmosphere for any occasion. Dauphine’s serves Dinner seven nights a week and Brunch on weekends, with Happy Hour every day 4pm-7pm and an ALL DAY Happy Hour on Sundays - plus don't miss our signature Sunday Live Jazz Brunch! We hope to see you soon!

A photo of The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC restaurant

9. The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC

4.7

Exceptional(1132)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Spanish • Penn Quarter

Booked 81 times today

Set in the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, The Bazaar is the culmination of a 30-year dream for Chef José Andrés. Drawing inspiration from this iconic location, which first opened in 1899 and served as DC’s General Post Office until 1914, The Bazaar is a multi-level destination reinvented with avant-garde and Americana-inspired decor.

A photo of Peacock Alley - Waldorf Astoria DC restaurant

10. Peacock Alley - Waldorf Astoria DC

4.6

Exceptional(21)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Washington

Booked 52 times today

A signature in Waldorf Astoria hotels across the globe, Peacock Alley remains the place “to see and be seen” just as it was all those years ago for Manhattan’s high society. Set in the soaring grand atrium, Peacock Alley offers an eclectic menu of refined cuisine, innovative cocktails, and an impeccable wine selection.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
DeidreVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •8 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
This was my first visit, but most certainly won't be my last. I had the burger and it was flavorful and cooked to perfection. The sautéed spinach was delicious. I'm looking forward to trying other items on the menu.
More info
HärthPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Tysons Corner / McLean
•
4.5
D
DanikaVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •15 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Excellent brunch options! We will definitely visit again.
More info
matchbox MerrifieldPrice: Moderate• American• Merrifield
•
4
M
MarkVIP
Tampa / Central Florida West •71 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Great food, great setting ~ every meal is at CIRCA is always just right!
More info
CIRCA at ClarendonPrice: Moderate• American• Arlington
•
4.8
KL
KathyL
Washington, D.C. Area •9 reviews
4.0
Dined on Mar 6, 2025
The food and service were excellent, but the ambiance was staid. The interior decor could use use a serious updating and brightening.
More info
Mazaro Italian RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Italian• Arlington
•
4.4
S
Sandra
Washington, D.C. Area •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on Feb 9, 2025
The chicken with the brussel sprouts was very good.
More info
Barrel & BushelPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Tysons Corner / McLean
•
4.5

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
People watching

Falls Church

Dupont Circle
Georgetown
Downtown
West End
Chevy Chase
Tysons Corner / McLean
Potomac
Arlington
Bethesda
Herndon
Washington
Old Town Alexandria
Silver Spring
Alexandria
Brightwood
U Street Corridor
Keswick
Springfield
Woodley Park
Lanham