Food halls have been popping up all over the nation for the last decade, but Northern Virginians seem to flock towards them. The average person and discriminating foodies alike have been enjoying these great gathering places that offer various types of food to satisfy all your cravings.
Here are several indoor food halls in NoVA to visit and try out the cuisine.
Happy Eatery, Arlington
Address: 1800 N. Lynn St. #102
Hours: Open daily 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Food type: Asian
Happy Eatery is one of the newest NoVA food halls on this list. It opened in 2019 and includes various Asian favorites under one roof. Guests order from multiple menus via a kiosk and can relax while they wait for their orders. You can’t go wrong with pho from Pho Play, but Lei’d Hawaiian Poke offers Create-Your-Own-Poke, so you can get your bowl just the way you like it.
Assembly, Arlington
Address: 1700 N. Moore St.
Hours: Mon. through Sat. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Food type: Various
You’ll find this gourmet food hall at Rosslyn City Center. With all the delicious options, you’ll definitely visit multiple times. Assembly has four bars and a coffee shop, and various eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. James Beard-nominated chef Brian Huston created multiple food concepts to encourage gathering. You can find street food, seafood, pastries, and more. Don’t leave without trying a mouth-watering taco from Charo’s Taqueria.
The Block Food Hall & Bar, Annandale
Address: 4221 John Marr Dr.
Hours: Hours vary by day and vendor, open between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., closes at 10 p.m., but the bar stays open until 12 a.m. Thurs. through Sat.
Food type: Asian American
The Block has a location in DC and North Bethesda but Annandale is their flagship food hall. Guests will find various Asian-inspired treats like Bahn mi, poke bowls, taro-flavored ice cream, roti tacos, and more. The Block is home to Balo Kitchen, Pokeworks, Snocream, and The Block Bar. Make sure to try at least one of several types of dumplings at Bold Dumpling. If you like kimchi, check out their deep-fried kimchi dumplings.
Quarter Market, Arlington
Address: 4238 Wilson Blvd.
Hours: Mon. through Thurs. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Food type: Various
Quarter Market at Ballston Quarter in downtown Arlington has been around since 2019. This Arlington gem has 12 original fast-casual concept restaurants for guests, representing different food from around the globe. You’ll find pizza, fried chicken, Indian food, street food, ice cream, and more. Try the arepa at Maizal with tasty sides like street corn and yucca fries or a Korean rice hot dog at Oh K-dog.
UrbanSpace, McLean
Address: 2001 International Dr., Third Floor of Tysons Galleria
Hours: Mon. through Sat. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Food type: Various
UrbanSpace is the 2018 reincarnation of Mike Isabella’s Isabella Eatery. Guests will find various types of food for daytime snacks and lunch, as well as nighttime eats. UrbanSpace has connections with chefs in its New York City and Chicago locations, providing some great food options and fun pop-up restaurants on occasion. You’ll find pizza at Andy’s and Japanese comfort food at Donburi, but don’t leave UrbanSpace without trying some handmade empanadas at Empanadas de Mendoza.
ChefScape, Leesburg
Address: 1602 Village Market Blvd.
Hours: Sun., Wed., Thurs. 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Food type: Various
This distinctive dining hall is a little bit further out in NoVA than the others on the list. It doesn’t have quite as many options as the others, but different restaurants rotate through the food hall. It’s the perfect indoor food hall to visit if you want to try new things all the time. ChefScape serves as an incubator for up-and-coming businesses, so guests can have the opportunity to try the next big thing. Colombian’s Place has been a staple. You can’t go wrong with the beef or chicken Arepa Loca. Paulie’s Italian Kitchen started offering handmade pasta dishes for those craving some carbs.
epiQ Food Hall, Woodbridge
Address: 14067 Noblewood Plaza
Hours: Sun. through Thurs. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Food type: Various
epiQ is among the largest indoor food halls in NoVA with 10 different food and beverage vendors. Guests will find tacos, soul food, Japanese fare, and more. The food hall boasts some changes in 2023, with a new Jamaican restaurant and a different Mexican street food vendor coming soon. Guests will also find great breakfast and brunch options. Check out an açaí bowl at Sweet Vegan Eats to start your day off right.
Spice Village, Herndon
Address: 2501 Centreville Rd.
Hours: Mon. through Thurs. 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Food type: International
For a truly unique food hall dining experience, head to Herndon’s Spice Village. The food hall has four restaurants that offer distinct flavors difficult to find at other food halls. Guests can enjoy South African flame-grilled chicken from Peri Peri Original and halal Chinese food from Mandarin Halal Chinese. Spice Village is also home to an Australian steakhouse and Khyber Shinwari, which offers Indo-Pakistani wraps and entrees. If you have never tried goat, order Shinwari Goat Karahi—baby goat cooked with tomatoes, black pepper, and green chilies and topped with coriander leaves and ginger.
Jessica Lee A freelance writer, travel buff, and stock enthusiast, Jessica has contributed various travel, lifestyle, and political pieces to several digital media outlets over the last decade.
