A New York-style deli that ticks off every box, from egg creams to complimentary pickles and matzo ball soup. Chutzpah serves all-day breakfast, which includes bagels and bialys, and has sandwiches packed with brisket, chopped liver, and tongue. Entrees stay classic, too, with corned beef and cabbage, chicken in a pot, and bacon-wrapped meatloaf.

Japanese skewers are among the specialties available at this stylish newcomer; find more homestyle dishes like cream croquettes and Instagram-bait dishes like tornado omelet fried rice. There’s also a Wagyu selection and plenty of sushi.

This Korean barbecue joint has quickly become a favorite, commanding hours-long waits for its pork belly, bulgogi, and stellar customer service.

Great American Restaurants often boast similar menus (though Fairfax also boasts a location of Ozzie’s Good Eats, which is more Italian-leaning), but they’re beloved for a reason: consistency and good service among the highlights. This standby still draws crowds for jambalaya pasta, Tex-Mex egg rolls, and pecan-crusted trout.

One of the area’s best Chinese restaurants, this offshoot of the Peter Chang empire focuses on the homestyle cooking of the women in the Chang family, particularly Lisa and Lydia Chang. There’s a selection of dim sum, plus standout dishes like hot and numbing beef in stone pot, dry-fried cauliflower, and pickled chili flounder with tofu. Some Peter Chang classics like giant bubble pancakes also make a cameo.

Ned’s may be the D.C. area’s first introduction to tender, messy North Shore roast beef sandwiches. It’s also a great destination for lobster rolls of either style, and features a “fluffy” lobster bisque that certainly doesn’t skimp on the butter.

A neighborhood favorite for more than 20 years, Dolce Vita excels at the red sauce-joint classics, from fried calamari to a mean penne vodka. Find Italian-American dishes here that aren’t universally prevalent around D.C., like veal saltimbocca and chicken sorrentino. The restaurant makes its own pastas and incorporates a festive wine bar under the roof of the same restaurant. Order online here.

This Latin American shop serves a rotating array of cheesy breads, saltenas, tamales, and traditional Bolivian dishes such as silpancho, which is breaded and fried ground beef served with rice, potatoes, and eggs. Up for a challenge? Try the tranca pecho, a giant sandwich filled with steak, fried eggs, rice, and pico de gallo.

Of Fairfax’s two breweries, Ornery has the more extensive food selection (though shoutout to Chubby Squirrel for offering both poutine and pierogi). Lunch, dinner, and brunch are all options at the full-service restaurant, with a full slate of pizzas, eclectic entrees ranging from jambalaya pasta to schnitzel, and lots of sandwiches.

This traditional Irish pub is a destination for live music and offers formidable food to match. Give items like the french fries with curry sauce, a nice chicken club, or traditional fish and chips a try. Crowds get busy for brunch.

After a tiny boom a few years ago, Uyghur food has again become tricky to find in D.C. But Fairfax has a couple options, and this restaurant (which has multiple locations in the area) excels at the cuisine’s signature dishes, from cumin-scented kebabs to hand-pulled Laghman noodles and plenty of lamb dishes.

This is an excellent option for sushi — go with the nigiri specials on the menu handout, which are consistently excellent and often flown in from Japan, and the chirashi is a consistent bet. The restaurant also serves an extensive menu of Japanese dishes, from katsu curry to negimaki.