20 Best American Restaurants in Reston

“Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge (BCI: 86) 11927 Democracy Dr, Reston, VA Step into Jackson’s and you’re stepping into a space that bridges eras - a Reston mainstay that blends classic Americana with a contemporary culinary pulse. The curved brick façade, glowing neon, terrazzo floors, and murals set a retro-modern stage that feels both familiar and fresh. The menu is as versatile as the atmosphere. The Blue Crab & Shrimp Fritters arrive golden and crisp, with a lobster-ginger sauce that balances sweet and tang. Deviled Eggs topped with pecans and sugar-cured bacon hit nostalgic notes with a twist. For mains, the Short Smoked Salmon Filet was balanced and flavorful, while the 5 Star Reserve Rib Eye stands out as the indulgent showpiece - perfectly grilled and paired with Brussels sprouts, bacon, and spiced pecans. Gluten-sensitive diners aren’t sidelined here, with Ozzie’s Brick Chicken and even flourless desserts on a dedicated menu. Save room for dessert: the Flourless Chocolate Waffle with Ice Cream was rich yet not overwhelming, and the Lemon Marshmallow Meringue Pie playful and bright. Cocktails, like the Jackson’s Mule, are well-crafted and fairly priced. Service was attentive and well-paced even in a bustling room, though weekends bring a lively (and loud) crowd. Reservations are smart for dinner; weekday lunches are easier. My only miss: the French Dip. Beautifully presented but mine arrived closer to raw than medium rare, with a lukewarm au jus. For $30, I expected more precision. That said, many online reviewers rave about it. So consider it a hit-or-miss item depending on your taste for ultra-rare beef. Whether it’s a business lunch, a date night, or a family dinner, Jackson’s delivers. A broad menu, strong service, and lively atmosphere keep it at the center of Reston dining. BCI: 86 reflects weighted and normalized ratings across multiple platforms, showing that Jackson’s consistently delivers strong experiences. The Brodbeck Confidence Index (BCI) is a proprietary algorithm that blends multi-platform ratings into a single, normalized score to give diners a clearer picture of overall consensus.“

“This lakeside spot in Reston is everything you want in a local favorite, stunning views, warm ambiance, and a team that genuinely cares. The staff goes out of their way to make families and kids feel welcome, which is rare and deeply appreciated. The food? Always fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Whether you're catching up with friends or having a low-key meal with little ones, Red’s Table makes it feel easy and elevated. Consistently excellent.“

“We went to the restaurant down at the wharf….. To start, the hostess at the front was on her phone and not really paying any mind to the people walking in the door. Come to find out after that was the floor manager. Then we get sat and none of the workers talk about who is in charge of that section. We did. It get me is or silverware. The very nice bartender comes up, gets us some water and menus gets us started and finally the sever comes over to us. The server took our order and checked on us twice. When the food was brought to the table we still didn’t have silverware and had to ask the food runner. Our server had a a ten top when we arrived and she was checking on her the whole time not paying any mind to the other tables she has. It was to the point I had to go up to someone ask for water refill bc both our glasses were empty. We finish our meals that were very good and no one but the bartenders are on the floor. I see our sever walk over to the restroom, she comes out looks at us and sees that we are sitting doing nothing, then walks over to a new 10 top and disappears. It’s at thing point I now have to walk over to the bartender and get our check and they are the ones that cash us out. Thank you to the bartender that took care of us“

“We ordered around 15 lunches in advance for a training that we were running. The food was ready on time and several of my teammates said the sandwiches were very good and tasted fresh.

Vegetarian options: We were very happy that they have vegetarian options.“

“My fiancé and I tried this place last night and we 10/10 recommended! Great staff & service. Food was amazing! We recommend the crab dip and pizza! Will come back again“

“We enjoy Open Road - Reston a lot. It's a 40min ride for us, but we think it's worth it. The food is good, a little pricey, but most things are these days. Most of our service has been great. Everyone has been friendly, but occasionally we have gotten a waiter that forgets us in the back of the restaurant or brings fries instead of sweet potato fries. It's the details you know. I highly recommend it and look forward to going again.“

“Great place to celebrate your milestones .“

“Best cappuccino around! Perfect for business meetings“

“We live out of the area but we drive to Reston for special occasion dinners. It was a perfect dinner. Our servers, Henry and Sasha, did an amazing job. Both are extremely professional and personable. We also had a nice meeting with the manager, Sierra. She is very attentive and highly professional. It is obvious all the staff at Ruth's Chris love their job. And the food....outstanding!“

“Best wings everrrrrrrrrrrrr“

“We had a nice evening! Thank you!“

“I've been going to the Silver Diner in Reston for over 15 years. Food is always good, new items added to menu seasonally, staff are real folks who are easy to talk with and joke with as well. You get a sense of "family" when you are there as staff and customers interact. Servers are fun people and make your day. Today was Rubia's day and she is special. Come out and see for yourself.“

“good food and service. first time here. I plan on coming back again.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First Watch was a delight! The food was fresh, with vibrant flavors—loved the avocado toast and their signature coffee. Service was friendly and quick, and the cozy atmosphere made it a perfect brunch spot. Especially, the one and only, Marvin was great!!! Highly recommend!“

“Excellent service!!! I recommended 😊“

“We were completely and pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. They were a bit understaffed but that seems to be a challenge many restaurants are experiencing. Our server was attentive and friendly. The salmon was delicious, the Wagyu burger as well. The wings were flavorful but not overwhelmingly hot. But the highlight were the French fries. Probably the best we’ve had.“

“Great first time experience and my dinner was delicious. Ian was awesome and very knowledgeable and gave wonderful recommendations. Another amazing birthday day dinner.“

“Honey baked ham is a secret gem. People forget they serve everything from full meals to amazing sandwiches. And they offer order online and pick up in store. So you can be in out and quick. This location was really quick and super clean. If you are looking for a side dish and cant decide. Try the Mac and cheese it is really good.“

“Our server (Kenneth) was extremely professional and prompt with our orders despite the restaurant being under staffed at the time we were there. Great food and our waiter and the manager were very accommodating to our food orders/request. We will be back soon!!“

“I recommend this place for it's food choices, alternative non-alcohol yummy adult type drinks, awesome chefs and food service staff (everyone here was super nice and totally hospitable, especially Chris at the bar where I sat to eat), and last bit not least -the cleanliness and open design hides nothing. You can see the kitchen prep and the ambiance is lovely... bright and clean with clean HVAC! I love this place. My dinner was delicious and the black tea had lavender... delightful!“