Loudoun is a world-famous wine and beer destination, but we’re an exciting foodie destination too. With access to abundant seasonal ingredients, grass-fed meats and farmers markets, our chefs deliver a mouthwatering feast. Moreover, thanks to a dynamic and innovative immigrant population, we have scores of ethnic restaurants too - cuisine from Asia to Latin America and much in between. And after you’ve tried our dishes? Well, we have cocktails and craft distilleries to wow the most sophisticated of palates. Here are some highlights from Loudoun’s robust food and drink scene.
Farm-to-Table Favorites
Chef Jorge Chicas, an alum of José Andrés, creates seasonal farm-to-table dishes inspired by Spanish tapas in this cozy wood-floor Ashburn gem. The made-from-scratch dishes usually include the names of the farms or regions where ingredients are sourced, so we have “Amish” chicken croquetas and “La Belle Farm” foie gras. Don’t miss the Farm & Fork Seafood Stew featuring lobster tail, grilled octopus, shrimp and mussels, and there's a chef-curated market selling everything from Spanish rice to Blue Ridge Pickling Co. pickles.
The elegant restaurant of the new Hotel Burg elevates farm-to-table to fine art. Chef Vincent Badiee’s menu is divided into four sections – larder, classics, market and hunt – and under each are unique seasonal dishes such as ash roasted beets, mushroom kebabs, game pie and hummingbird cake. Steaks cooked on the wood-fired grill are next level.
The Wine Kitchen: This cozy King Street gem pairs local and world wines with sublime small plates created from regional produce, the farms and suppliers listed on the menu. Try a beef tenderloin with sautéed summer squash and eggplant Caponata with Walsh Family Wine’s 2023 Cabernet blend rosé.
Magnolias at the Mill: This Purcellville icon in a converted grain mill sources its greens, roots, tomatoes, mushrooms and meats locally, but they also waive corkage fees if you bring in a local wine.
Market Table Bistro: Chef-owner Jason Lage partners with local growers, vintners and culinary artisans to offer “origin specific cuisine” at this Lovettsville landmark. The Goat Cheese Gnocchi comprises of two cheeses from nearby Georges Mill Farm.
World Cuisine
India: Loudoun has its share of superb Indian restaurants but you know a concept has hit the spot when it has three locations. Opulent Biryani Grill with outposts in Aldie, Ashburn and Chantilly specializes in biryani (seasoned rice cooked with meat, fish, or vegetables) but there are dozens of other classic Indian dishes on the menu such as Hariyali Chicken and Lababdar Paneer. The garlic naan is divine.
Mexican: There’s no shortage of Mexican food in Loudoun. Senor Ramon Taqueria in Leesburg and Sterling is different: simple, street-style tacos using traditional family recipes and an astonishing array of ingredients. Try ‘The Patagonia’: carne asada (steak), shredded cheese, guac, chimichurri sauce, red pickled onions, cilantro and sour cream.
Middle Eastern: The Sahara is a desert in Africa but the food at opulent Sahara Restaurant Lounge in Sterling – grape leaves, falafel, tabouleh, chicken shawarma, succulent lamb kabob – is delectably Lebanese. Diners sit at low-slung lantern-lit tables and Arabic music fills the air.
Catch the Spirit
Distilleries and craft cideries are giving beer and wine a run for their money.
Flying Ace Distillery & Brewery on a farm near Lovettsville does a cask-strength Blended Bourbon, an award-winning Silver Rum and a White Dog three grain whiskey made from an heirloom corn farmed on the premises.
Becky and Scott Harris’ Catoctin Creek Distillery in Purcellville produces hand-crafted brandy, gin and award-winning organic rye sold in bars from Malibu to Manhattan.
In Middleburg, Mt Defiance Cidery & Distillery is on a quest to bring back “lost spirits” – liquors that fell out of fashion in post-Prohibition America. They make a superb green absinthe, an 80% proof Apple Brandy as well as bourbon, white rum, tequila, amaretto and cassis.
As for cider, Henway Hard Cider Co in Bluemont mixes plums, cherries and strawberries into the apple foundation of some of its batches; Corcoran Vineyards & Cider does gluten free ciders at its Waterford location and Wild Hare Cider based out of an 1840s log cabin in downtown Leesburg dry ages cider for a year. Loudoun Cider House near Lucketts does still, sparkling, single-varietal and custom blend hand crafted ciders.
Cocktail Culture
A raft of stylish cocktail bars and restaurant lounges are driving a heady Loudoun cocktail scene.
Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen in downtown Leesburg was named one of the best whisky bars in America by Whisky Advocate. Night Shift, part of the SideBar complex, is a cool, low-slung top-floor lounge with an epic cocktail list. Order the Corpse Reviver #2. Mixologists at speakeasy-style Tarbenders Lounge and classy Shutters on King do spectacular Old Fashioneds and Manhattans. Order the martini at The Diana Lounge in the Hotel Burg and it comes with a small carafe of gin or vodka resting on a bed of ice. Wildly popular Sense of Thai at One Loudoun and in Chantilly brings in the crowds as much for the drinks as the Thai food. Ask for a Daiquiri made with rum, fresh lime juice and sugar and served in a cocktail glass garnished with a lime wheel. Delicious.
