50 Best American Restaurants near Clifton

“Great music on a Friday night!“

“Clifton Cafe is our new favorite evening spot on the weekends. We’ve been customers since the original owners opened it years ago, but until this past fall we did more to go orders than dine in since the service and time to prep food was often slow and unpredictable. Now we go almost every week. We’ve noticed big improvements since they expanded their kitchen and redesigned the bar area. Their new pull up bar is beautiful and spacious. The new owners and management are great too! We love the evening staff as well, especially Ian and Nicole. They are very personable, accommodating, and attentive. They have great happy hour specials from 3-6 and make the best margaritas and espresso martinis. Some of our favorite dinner items include the crab dip, Mediterranean salad, cuban sandwich, burgers, crab cakes, quiche specials, banana pudding, and too many crepes to name! We also appreciate that they have become more family friendly. We had a last minute party of 14 on a Friday evening (half of which were children ages 1-11) and they didn’t hesitate to pull some tables together in a private nook to accommodate our large group (again thanks to Ian and Nicole). We noticed they finally got a changing table in the large bathroom, which they are about to install. Our kids are past that stage, but there were several times when they were little that a changing table would have been helpful.“

“Loved the shakes, and burger“

“Great service and food! Thank you to the gentlemen who served our table last night (we had gotten stuck in the rain and he helped get us seating inside). Also, thank you to Rachel for helping escort me to find my car in the pouring rain with an umbrella. I highly recommended this place and look forward to next time. Thank you!“

“If you're in Fairfax, don't miss Andy's Pizza! Their delicious pies are always fresh, with a perfect crust and flavorful toppings. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is cozy, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal. Whether you're dining in or taking out, Andy's Pizza never disappoints. Highly recommend!“

“Food excellent in quality, preparation, textures, flavors and presentation. The jarring and omnipresent noise (which also bounces) renders the fore-described qualities frustratingly moot - almost. I would dearly love to recommend as well as return and bring friends along but will have to forewarn them as well as brace myself.“

“Carlos is the very best! He is a great server and took care of us. My daughter's birthday was awesome because of him! Kudos to this location which also takes GREAT care of its Beer Club members! We'll be back soon!“

“A friend and I meet at Theisman's restaurant for lunch quite often. I live in Alexandria and she lives in Warrenton so it's a great middle point. We both love the food and the hostesses and waitstaff are excellent. The atmosphere is nice.. the reason I gave it 4 stars is that the music in there was so loud. We decided to sit on the porch thinking it would be quieter and it was such a beautiful day... unfortunately the music was extremely loud out there too and seemed to increase in volume as we were out there for about 2 hours. I noticed a few other people were saying that it was so loud too. We should have said something to the hostess but we had not seen each other in awhile. Wonderful place, but people do want to be able to talk and hear each other. Hopefully, this will get to the right ears ?“

“Friendly, good food. Our waitress, Nicole, was outgoing and great!“

“Mike was amazing and the food was great!“

“There is a sign on the door as you walk in that states “Best Breakfast in town” there has never been a more true statement. Well done Yorkshire!!!!!“

“ONE Bar&Grill is our number one restaurant choice in Old Town Fairfax. We have visited several times and EVERY meal has been amazing! Mina the owner, and Stephanie along with all the servers are first class people. Fairfax is fortunate to have such a top notch restaurant! We look forward to many future visits.“

“Great food and the roof top searing was a great place to enjoy the band on a First Friday evening!“

“I love the food and great service!👍♥️“

“It’s been two years since I’ve been back here and I ordered the same lovely cranberry salad with warm goat cheese on top. The difference in two years was that the goat cheese was 1/4 of the original size. It made me sad. Servers were great. Outdoor location was wonderful. Food was just so so.“

“This ruby susie's off of old bridge road was excellent.The young lady who served us was courteous thoughtful.Considerate and two steps ahead of us.I can't remember her name, but she had braids.And we sat up front by the window.If that helps. The food was excellent, and she even upsealed a salad bar after dinner by just being kind.
I've been there before, and I'll come back“

“I have lived in Chantilly for 30 years and you CANNOT find a rack of ribs better than Backyard Grill! The potato skins and beignets are wonderful as well!“

“Great, go to place for consistent service and quality food!“

“This is our new special occasion dining spot. Food was amazing and service was great!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I have always had great experiences at Bear Branch Tavern, but today I had Ash and Maria as my server and bartender. They were fantastic. I could not recommend them enough. Every time I go back I am going to try and get Ash as my server. 10/10 experience, 10/10 food. Will definitely be back.“

“This is by far the best meal I’ve had in the DMV area!! The restaurant is a cute, intimate spot that makes you feel like you’re a guest at someone’s home. Our server was very friendly and attentive. Our meal was heavenly, I got the panko breaded chicken with angel hair (I typically order seafood out and this exceeded my expectations by a mile). My boyfriend got the strip steak which was so flavorful and cooked perfectly. The green beans with it were even amazing! We didn’t have room, but we got the white chocolate apple bread pudding because it sounded too good…was as great as the rest of the meal! This will definitely be our new go to spot and it was extremely affordable! I couldn’t believe the menu prices and more so now that I know the amazing quality this spot offers!! Can’t wait to try brunch!“

“I love this place! I tired it the first time last August when my son was here for a baseball event. We’re back and I have literally dreamed about eating this again for a year!“

“Pan AM Family Restaurant gets all stars from me. Their meals, especially their Gyro platters and sandwiches are the best across the State. I have eaten there many times with my family and friends, and have never been disappointed. I highly recommend the delicious food, fantastic atmosphere and especially the detail to service and smiles. It’s worth every dollar and you will leave happy, full and wanting to come back. Great job !! Great Food !! Great Service !!“

“Our first experience here was phenomenal, so the fact that the experience keeps getting better is amazing. The staff is so friendly, welcoming and ensures that you’re satisfied with your food/drinks, but also your experience! It’s always clean, and rarely has a wait time. But when they do; it’s for good reason. This is a place where you can confidently take your kids, pets, and even just by yourself without worry. With present and clearly passionate ownership; it’s always a good vibe where people visibly enjoy their jobs. Even when they are clearly busy and rushing; they always remember your presence and will consistently go above and beyond.“

“Was in the mood for a good cheesesteak so we decided to try out a recommendation from the Vienna Foodies group! Our experience was great, great service and the food was good. My husband got the double double on a pretzel burger and I had the original cheesesteak! We were VERY impressed how the fries at the bottom of the basket were still crispy! We’ll definitely be back! 🔥💯👏🏽“

“Was super bz on a Sunday and service was okay but our waitress wasn’t all that great.“

“I randomly found this place based on some reviews.
I had the chicken Caesar wrap, and let me tell you, this was a perfect wrap. I enjoyed my lunch!!!! Will be going there for sure to try out other items on the menu.
Highly recommended and I love supporting small businesses.“

“I’m only in town for a week, but have already been here twice since it’s short trip from where I’m staying and I enjoy a good brew pub. Ate at the bar both times. Food and service were 💯both times. I had the bacon wrapped meatloaf and the supreme pizza. Meatloaf was great, pizza’s ok. I tried both their hazy beers and the Freedom and Founders IPAs, all good choices. I’m planning on bringing my husband for my 3rd visit before heading home. Looking forward to having the Stroganoff pasta on my next visit. Would highly recommend for food and craft beer selections.“

“Thank you Cracker Barrel for stepping up your "Customer Service" skills. I receently picked up a take out order that I was not pleased with. When I went to pay for the order, the cashier acknowledged the complaint and called for a manager. The manager immediately apologized and corrected the problem. Thank you for getting it right! This is why I keep coming back. ? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ See you soon!“

“Great place. Awesome fries and amazing milkshakes“

“I’m from South Carolina and this place can compete with the restaurants in Charleston!!!! Try it. You’ll love it!“

“We enjoyed brunch here for our anniversary. I have several food allergies and I was well accommodated. The food was wonderful and the service friendly. We will be back“

“My wife and I brought the kids here after spending the day in State College. It was excellent. Fresh food, good prices (kids eat free with a regular purchase). Will definitely be back!“

“I have only been here a few times and Josh the Bartender remembers my name each time!!! GREAT BARTENDER!!!“

“As every other Sunday, great family time …“

“Social House South Riding truly exceeded my expectations! From the moment we walked in, the staff was warm, welcoming, and incredibly attentive. Our server was not only friendly but also knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations and making sure everything was perfect throughout our meal. The timing between courses was spot on, and drinks never went empty.

The atmosphere was vibrant yet relaxed, perfect for both a casual night out or a special gathering. You can tell the team here really cares about providing a top-tier experience. Can’t wait to come back — this place is a gem in South Riding! Also, bingo nights on Tuesday evenings are a great time for the family!“

“LongHorn Steakhouse in Chantilly never disappoints! The steaks are always seasoned just right and cooked perfectly every time. The chicken wings with their signature seasoning are incredible, and the grilled shrimp and lobster tail are always spot on—tender, flavorful, and delicious. We’ve also tried the burger and the pork chop on past visits and both were excellent.

The restaurant is consistently clean and well-maintained, which adds to the great experience.

Service is another highlight. Sam, the bartender, is fantastic—she takes such great care of guests and even when it’s busy, she makes sure you never feel overlooked. She’s a real gem.

I’ve also noticed the managing partner on several occasions stepping in to help his staff, which says a lot about the culture here.

If you haven’t visited yet, it’s definitely worth a stop—you won’t be disappointed!“

“Amazing food great atmosphere and they except reservations“

“Nice, chill location. the food was good. I ordered the 10pc wings with fries. I don't recommend getting the honey mustard sauce. it's the cost of a drink🥴, literally. Why something the same size as ranch or blue cheese costs the same as a drink (while the ranch and blue cheese don't cost extra), I'm not sure. If you're like me and don't eat ranch or blue cheese, bring your own honey mustard. other than that, I highly recommend.“

“We actually asked up pretty late to eat here after going to the circus 🎪 and were the only ones there but food was so delicious and the place was cool how it was right in the water kinda was a little confusing on finding the entrance though but such a nice vibe at this place I liked it. But next time I'd recommend going at a decent time not so late but highly recommend for sure“

“I went with a friend I haven't seen in a while, we had a blast. We were served by Pia and she was awesome, she already told me her shifts and i am coming to see her again. She helped us with our drinks that were delicious. We sat outside and enjoyed the 80's music that we loved so much! We shared de Buddha Bowl Salad which is very good, and very well served.“

“great food. Tony is amazing cook.“

“Fosters Grille is truly the hidden gem of Vienna. It holds the best atmosphere for sport team parties. It has tasty burgers, chicken sandwiches, and Philly chicken subs. I love this establishment and have been a customer since maybe 2009. The arcade is a great spot for kids and adults who just want to feel nostalgic with a nice claw game to win a prize. I love coming here on my days off and will continue to divulge in the fabulous Monday through Friday specials. The customer service impressed me when I showed up 30 minutes before the opened on accident and they gladly took my order and didn’t bat an eye. Great restaurant!“

“Any cheesesteak, amoroso’s rolls, beer battered fish and chips, any rueben style sammich. Mostly between 13-15 bucks. Typically time of placing order to table is less than ~10 minutes for cheesesteaks, hoagies or sandwiches, makes for a quick in and out for lunch.“

“Pastrami Rueben was awesome!! Great Cole Slaw too!! Definitely recommended!! Thank you our server, Sarah!! A+ service and food.“

“Food is delicious!Great staff! Friendly and very accommodating . Been coming here for years. I would recommend this place to anyone“

“We stand with President Gregory Washington!!!!! This school is great for public policy, police academy, cybersecurity, computer science, and other computational sciences. Diversity is a strength. There is also a campus located in South Korea, which can be cheaper for in-state students to attend for a semester there vs domestically. With the current climate I’m even more proud to have gone here. 💚“

“Kind staff, delicious wings and fries“

“Interesting place. The only brewery I've ever been to that doesn't brew beer. They just think it sounds cool to call themselves a brewery, I guess. That being said, the food is good and they have a decent selection of local brews on tap. But it's not a brewery.“