In this week’s Neighborhood Spotlight, we are sharing a throwback video of some of the best restaurants in Crystal City, VA! In this guide, we'll take you on a culinary journey through some of the best restaurants in Crystal City, where flavors, ambiance, and exceptional service come together to create unforgettable dining experiences.
As always, we are looking for more places to highlight in our Spotlight series. So if you have a favorite restaurant or nightlife spot that you’d like to see us share, just let us know down in the comments — we’d love to check it out!
BOB & EDITH’S DINER
539 23rd St S, Arlington, VA 22202
As a 24/7 joint that’s been run by the same family for 3 generations of owners, Bob & Edith’s Diner has existed as a mainstay in the Arlington dining scene for over half a century. Bob and Edith Bolton first opened their doors in 1969, and their family has been serving traditional diner fare ever since.
If you are looking for a classic diner experience in Arlington, you can’t do much better than Bob & Edith’s. From the homey, “seat yourself” atmosphere to the no-nonsense, southern-inspired food, everything about this joint screams comfort.
Some of our favorites include steak & eggs, pork chops, hotcakes, omelets, sausage & gravy, and fluffy french toast, all cooked to order any time of the day!
FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR & RESTAURANT
555 23rd St S, Arlington, VA 22202
You don’t have to go to Virginia Beach to get the full beachside experience in VA! Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant is a high-energy, vibrantly colored spot for cocktails and classic American fare in Crystal City. The tiki bar decorations were born from the mind of owner Freddie Lutz, who based the bar’s decor off of an impromptu party spot that he created at his travel trailer in Delaware.
As one of NoVA’s most prominent LGBTQ nightlife spots, Freddie’s has become famous for its welcoming atmosphere and drag nights, though there are plenty of other specials to enjoy, as well. Their signature “Crazy Hour” lasts from 4-7 PM every night that they are open, and they host massively fun karaoke offerings to boot!
FEDERICO RISTORANTE ITALIANO
519 23rd St S, Arlington, VA 22202
Right down the road from Freddie’s is another establishment owned by Freddie Lutz, the Italian restaurant Federico!
For 25 years, Lutz worked as a maitre d’ at Cafe Italia, a long-standing institution in the world of Arlington food. When the eatery shuttered its doors in April of 2018, he stepped in to revive it as Federico.
Federico boasts authentic Italian food in Northern Virginia, as well as a unique collection of drinks and desserts to sate your appetite for the sweet and exotic!
Like its brother restaurant down the street, Federico is currently open for takeout as well as in-house dining, so you can enjoy their amazing menu of Italian fare in the restaurant or from the comfort of your own home.
CRYSTAL CITY SPORTS PUB
529 23rd St S, Arlington, VA 22202
Founded in 1994 by Bill Bayne, Art Dougherty, and Jim Madden, Crystal City Sports Pub has grown into one of the most lauded sports bars in Arlington VA — and in the DMV at large! The joint was originally just a single room in its building, but in the 25 years since its establishment, it has grown to span three entire floors. In addition to three separate bars, the Crystal City Sports Pub also boasts a bevy of televisions and projection screens for you to enjoy watching your favorite teams play, all 365 days out of the year!
It’s not just the locals who love Crystal City Sports Pub, either — this bar was listed on Sports Illustrated’s collection of the “Top 10 Best Sports Bars to Watch the Super Bowl Across the Country” in 2018!
Crystal City Sports Pub is currently open for both takeout and dine-in, so make sure to stop by or check out their menu online.
HIGHLINE RXR
2010 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202
As a newer addition to the Crystal City entertainment scene, Highline RxR has already created a name for itself as a flagship beer bar in Arlington VA. In addition to a robust menu of bar favorites like wings, nachos, and fries, Highline RxR also offers a variety of unique sausages, burgers, and sliders to sate any carnivore. Perhaps most famously, however, Highline RxR has a massive selection of 40 different draft beers on tap, as well as a respectable selection of house cocktails.
It’s not just food and drinks that you can enjoy at Highline. The bar features a fun selection of classic arcade machines and innovative twists on classic board games. Grab some friends and one of the games and you’re sure to have a blast while drinking, eating, and playing games in Arlington.
For sports lovers, Highline RxR shows all major sporting events on the televisions scattered around their space — so there’s nowhere better to grab a beer from a Northern Virginia brewery and watch your favorite team! If you are more interested in testing yourself in a game of wits, the bar also hosts a weekly trivia night that is run by District Trivia.
Highline has re-opened their doors to the public, so you can stop by and enjoy their wide selection of food and drinks in person or order some of their delicious bar bites to go.
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