Danielle's Guidebook to Tysons
Food scene
Tysons has all the usual suspects, so I thought I’d highlight my favorite restaurants that are unique to the area.
This is my *favorite* restaurant in all of Tysons! Having been to Greece, I can attest the food is authentic. Main plates are offered, but I urge you to try a meal made up of their numerous small plates (kinda like tapas). If you’re daring, ask the waiter to bring whatever s/he recommends — I’ve yet to be disappointed — but insist on the saganaki (fried cheese)! Nostos is located at the bottom of an office building, which is deceiving because it’s a fancier white tablecloth kind of place and often requires reservations (I use OpenTable).
Nostos Restaurant
8100 Boone BlvdThis is my *favorite* restaurant in all of Tysons! Having been to Greece, I can attest the food is authentic. Main plates are offered, but I urge you to try a meal made up of their numerous small plates (kinda like tapas). If you’re daring, ask the waiter to bring whatever s/he recommends — I’ve yet to be disappointed — but insist on the saganaki (fried cheese)! Nostos is located at the bottom of an office building, which is deceiving because it’s a fancier white tablecloth kind of place and often requires reservations (I use OpenTable).
I’m cheating a bit because Clarity is in Vienna, but I promise you it’s worth the 10-min drive! (Okay, 20 minutes in traffic). I like the sharp casual vibe, which reminds me of wine country in California. So does the food; I’d call it modern American. I’ve never had a bad meal here. In fact, I was treated to the best lamb (served three ways) of my life at Clarity! The food is always fresh, unique, and flavorful. Great wine list too. I’d recommend a dish, but the menu is constantly changing — because that’s what *real* chefs do! Which reminds me... Chef Jon is one of the nicest, most down-to-earth guys! Ask for a seat at the chef bar (overlooks the open kitchen), so you can watch Jon do his magic and share a quip or two. “Fare” warning: Clarity is not a big place and it gets BUSY.
Clarity
442 Maple Ave EI’m cheating a bit because Clarity is in Vienna, but I promise you it’s worth the 10-min drive! (Okay, 20 minutes in traffic). I like the sharp casual vibe, which reminds me of wine country in California. So does the food; I’d call it modern American. I’ve never had a bad meal here. In fact, I was treated to the best lamb (served three ways) of my life at Clarity! The food is always fresh, unique, and flavorful. Great wine list too. I’d recommend a dish, but the menu is constantly changing — because that’s what *real* chefs do! Which reminds me... Chef Jon is one of the nicest, most down-to-earth guys! Ask for a seat at the chef bar (overlooks the open kitchen), so you can watch Jon do his magic and share a quip or two. “Fare” warning: Clarity is not a big place and it gets BUSY.
I go to TenPenh when I’m Jonesin’ for an Asian plates sampling. Plus, it’s super close without having to deal with the mall traffic! They do have main plates, but my friends and I usually get dim sum and a bunch of small plates to share (my favorites: steamed pork dumplings, roasted Brussels sprouts, and their cauliflower dish). My vegetarian friends appreciate their multiple vegetarian options. A couple notes: They’re closed on Sundays and don’t forget to get your parking ticket validated at the host stand before you leave!
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TenPenh Tysons
I go to TenPenh when I’m Jonesin’ for an Asian plates sampling. Plus, it’s super close without having to deal with the mall traffic! They do have main plates, but my friends and I usually get dim sum and a bunch of small plates to share (my favorites: steamed pork dumplings, roasted Brussels sprouts, and their cauliflower dish). My vegetarian friends appreciate their multiple vegetarian options. A couple notes: They’re closed on Sundays and don’t forget to get your parking ticket validated at the host stand before you leave!
If you’ve never had middle eastern food, Lebanese Taverna is the perfect place for your inaugural try! Although it’s a chain, they’re only located in the DC area. All the food is YUM. I like to start with hommus (all their hommus options are excellent), but have to stop myself from filling up on too much fresh, warm pita. The “Taste of Lebanon” platters give you a great sampling if you’re in a “I want to try it all!” mood, while the chicken shawarma sandwich is the “safe bet” for those feeling less adventurous. Lebanese Taverna is at Tysons Galleria (the fancy mall two blocks from the condo), lower level between Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.
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Lebanese Taverna
1101 S Joyce StIf you’ve never had middle eastern food, Lebanese Taverna is the perfect place for your inaugural try! Although it’s a chain, they’re only located in the DC area. All the food is YUM. I like to start with hommus (all their hommus options are excellent), but have to stop myself from filling up on too much fresh, warm pita. The “Taste of Lebanon” platters give you a great sampling if you’re in a “I want to try it all!” mood, while the chicken shawarma sandwich is the “safe bet” for those feeling less adventurous. Lebanese Taverna is at Tysons Galleria (the fancy mall two blocks from the condo), lower level between Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Activities
I’m an avid hiker and Great Falls Park hosts my go-to (and favorite) local trails. It’s GORGEOUS and hard to believe this natural wonder is only 15 minutes away! If you’re not a big hiker but love nature, it’s still worth a visit just to see the falls (they’re an easy 5-10 min walk from the parking lot). The park actually spans across the Potomac River, so there’s a VA side and a MD side. I love both. :) Recommended hikes: River Trail on the VA side (easy-moderate) and Billy Goat Trail on the MD side (moderate-difficult). If you don’t have a National Parks pass, the entry fee is $15/car for a three-day pass (valid for both VA and MD sides of the park). But I know how to visit for free — ask me my secret!
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大瀑布公園
9200 Old Dominion DrI’m an avid hiker and Great Falls Park hosts my go-to (and favorite) local trails. It’s GORGEOUS and hard to believe this natural wonder is only 15 minutes away! If you’re not a big hiker but love nature, it’s still worth a visit just to see the falls (they’re an easy 5-10 min walk from the parking lot). The park actually spans across the Potomac River, so there’s a VA side and a MD side. I love both. :) Recommended hikes: River Trail on the VA side (easy-moderate) and Billy Goat Trail on the MD side (moderate-difficult). If you don’t have a National Parks pass, the entry fee is $15/car for a three-day pass (valid for both VA and MD sides of the park). But I know how to visit for free — ask me my secret!
This is your closest movie theater, which is located in the Tysons Corner Center mall. It’s actually a pretty good one with stadium seating, a bar, and online reserved seating (best amenity ever!). The theater is located on level 3 by TGIFriday’s and the food court. Quickest access: Park on the top floor of the parking garage for Nordstrom and use the mall entrance closest to I-495.
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AMC Tysons Corner 16
7850e Tysons Corner CenterThis is your closest movie theater, which is located in the Tysons Corner Center mall. It’s actually a pretty good one with stadium seating, a bar, and online reserved seating (best amenity ever!). The theater is located on level 3 by TGIFriday’s and the food court. Quickest access: Park on the top floor of the parking garage for Nordstrom and use the mall entrance closest to I-495.
Wolf Trap is my favorite DC area concert venue and it’s only three miles away! They have performances year-around, so it’s worth checking out their calendar of events. In non-summer months performances are held in the Barns, which provides a very intimate experience. Summertime brings outdoor concerts at the large arena with big-name headliners. It’s nice to be under the roof with reserved seating in case of inclement weather, but nothing beats the atmosphere of the lawn. GREAT energy from the crowd and the best view of the lightning bugs twinkling in the trees. You’re allowed to bring your own food and beverages (even alcohol) to the lawn, so even if you get reserved seats (rather than the less expensive lawn general admission tickets) I encourage you to arrive early so you can picnic on the lawn before moving to your seats at curtain call.
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
1551 Trap RoadWolf Trap is my favorite DC area concert venue and it’s only three miles away! They have performances year-around, so it’s worth checking out their calendar of events. In non-summer months performances are held in the Barns, which provides a very intimate experience. Summertime brings outdoor concerts at the large arena with big-name headliners. It’s nice to be under the roof with reserved seating in case of inclement weather, but nothing beats the atmosphere of the lawn. GREAT energy from the crowd and the best view of the lightning bugs twinkling in the trees. You’re allowed to bring your own food and beverages (even alcohol) to the lawn, so even if you get reserved seats (rather than the less expensive lawn general admission tickets) I encourage you to arrive early so you can picnic on the lawn before moving to your seats at curtain call.
Medical
Hopefully you won’t need this, but emergencies happen. Fairfax Hospital is your closest hospital (6 miles away).
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Inova Fairfax Hospital
Hopefully you won’t need this, but emergencies happen. Fairfax Hospital is your closest hospital (6 miles away).
Inova Urgent Care - Tysons
8357 Leesburg PikeThis is your closest urgent care center. It’s decent.
Can’t get any closer than this! The Harris Teeter next door has a pharmacy — with really nice and helpful pharmacists! Btw, if you haven’t downloaded the GoodRx app yet, do it now. It’s saved me a bundle on my prescriptions!
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Harris Teeter Pharmacy
1350 Potomac Ave SECan’t get any closer than this! The Harris Teeter next door has a pharmacy — with really nice and helpful pharmacists! Btw, if you haven’t downloaded the GoodRx app yet, do it now. It’s saved me a bundle on my prescriptions!
Grabbing a Drink
Beer fan, eh? Then this is your spot (although if you’re into craft brews, I recommend the 15-minute drive to Caboose Tavern brewery in Vienna instead). Tysons Biergarten has a very relaxed and festive atmosphere with the bar fare you’d expect at a Biergarten (sausages and pretzels; pretty good). The place really comes alive in summertime when the patio is open. They use a token system for buying beer, which is a little weird at first but you’ll get the hang of it. Check out their website for events.
Tysons Biergarten
7581 Leesburg PikeBeer fan, eh? Then this is your spot (although if you’re into craft brews, I recommend the 15-minute drive to Caboose Tavern brewery in Vienna instead). Tysons Biergarten has a very relaxed and festive atmosphere with the bar fare you’d expect at a Biergarten (sausages and pretzels; pretty good). The place really comes alive in summertime when the patio is open. They use a token system for buying beer, which is a little weird at first but you’ll get the hang of it. Check out their website for events.
This brewery is a 15-minute drive to Vienna, but if craft brews are your thang, go here. Really good beer and a fun vibe (it’s located in an industrial park as all good hole-in-the-wall breweries are). I took a beer snob friend here and he approved.
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Caboose Tavern
520 Mill St NEThis brewery is a 15-minute drive to Vienna, but if craft brews are your thang, go here. Really good beer and a fun vibe (it’s located in an industrial park as all good hole-in-the-wall breweries are). I took a beer snob friend here and he approved.
Caffeine Fix
This Starbucks is right next door in the Harris Teeter. There’s seating and free WIFI, but not the best coffeehouse ambiance if you’re looking to hang out for a bit. On a budget? Grab the Harris Teeter pastries/muffins/donuts (way cheaper) and pay for them when you order your drink at the Starbucks counter.
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Starbucks
10116 River RdThis Starbucks is right next door in the Harris Teeter. There’s seating and free WIFI, but not the best coffeehouse ambiance if you’re looking to hang out for a bit. On a budget? Grab the Harris Teeter pastries/muffins/donuts (way cheaper) and pay for them when you order your drink at the Starbucks counter.
If you’re looking for a true coffeehouse experience, this is your closest bet. This place is somewhat new, so I’ve only been a couple times. The coffee is good and the breakfast sandwiches fair. I need to go a few more times to be able to give solid recommendations. If you go, please share your experience so we can help future guests! Free parking and free WIFI.
Republik Coffee Bar
4401 Wilson BlvdIf you’re looking for a true coffeehouse experience, this is your closest bet. This place is somewhat new, so I’ve only been a couple times. The coffee is good and the breakfast sandwiches fair. I need to go a few more times to be able to give solid recommendations. If you go, please share your experience so we can help future guests! Free parking and free WIFI.
Feeling adventurous? I haven’t been here yet, so if you go, please let me know how it is!
Bourbon Coffee
7900 Westpark DrFeeling adventurous? I haven’t been here yet, so if you go, please let me know how it is!