Fairview Park’s 2941 Restaurant is back on top in Northern Virginia Magazine’s annual list of the region’s 50 best restaurants.
After dropping to second last year, the West Falls Church-area restaurant returned to the no. 1 spot for 2025, a feat it has now managed in three of the past five years. Both times it missed (in 2024 and 2022), 2941 was bested by The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm in Lovettsville, which closed its doors for good at the end of August.
Northern Virginia Magazine’s food critics, who released their top 10 last week, again lauded chef Bertrand Chemel for his five-course tasting menus, which are updated monthly and “course the planet for both the best ingredients and the most creative techniques.”
In addition to highlighting unique dishes, such as a “buttery kampachi crudo swimming in marbled tomato-tarragon sauce,” critics Alice Levitt, Dawn Klavon, and Monica Saigal call 2941’s rib-eye steak “the best you’ll find.”
Established in 2002 with Chemel serving as executive chef since 2008, 2941 Restaurant thanked Northern Virginia Magazine for the recognition in a Facebook post.
“This achievement reflects the passion, precision, and dedication of our entire 2941 team — from kitchen to dining room,” the restaurant said. “Thank you Northern Virginia Magazine for the recognition, and to our guests for inspiring us every day to create unforgettable experiences.”
Tysons was also well-represented in this year’s top 10, with Nostos coming in second, followed by newcomer Modan at no. 6 and Ingle Korean Steakhouse at no. 7.
For Nostos, which has been serving up Greek cuisine at 8100 Boone Blvd since 2011, the no. 2 spot represents a jump up after it placed sixth in both 2024 and 2023. The upgrade was earned by a “delightful” wine list, dips, a “standout” moussaka and an atmosphere that Northern Virginia Magazine’s critics suggest effectively transports diners to the Mediterranean.
“At Nostos, consistency is the secret seasoning,” they wrote. “Each visit feels like a homecoming, only with better olive oil and a little more sunshine on the plate.”
Modan is making its debut on the list after opening last November at Heming (1788 Chain Bridge Road) in the Scotts Run neighborhood. Developed by a hospitality group led by Joon Yang, the restauranteur behind American Prime, the upscale Japanese restaurant boasts a menu by former Nobu chef Micheole “Chico” Dator, who hoped to apply modern techniques to traditional dishes.
By Northern Virginia Magazine’s account, the Modan team has succeeded at delivering a sophisticated experience that can rival any fine dining in D.C., with dry-aged lamb chops flavored with spicy miso among the “marquee” items and desserts worth making room for.
“With attentive service, sleek interiors, and food that entices both visually and on the palate, Modan feels like a quiet celebration. It’s part art show, part sushi reverie,” the magazine said.
This is the first time Northern Virginia Magazine has ranked Ingle Korean Steakhouse among its top 10 since the Korean BBQ joint opened at Pike 7 Plaza (8369 Leesburg Pike) in October 2022, though it was featured on the 50 Best Restaurants list last year.
Before Ingle opened, owner James Jang said he wanted to give local residents a taste of more “elevated” Korean cuisine, ultimately closing the D.C. and Tysons locations of his previous restaurant, Donburi, to focus on the new venture.
Northern Virginia Magazine describes Ingle as a “wagyu-powered equivalent” of the old Choose Your Own Adventure books, with diners selecting everything from whether to put cucumbers, lime or lemon in their water to the shared appetizers and individual entrees.
“The six-course prix fixe dinner includes a collection of American wagyu cuts of the day, but from there, you have almost as many options to devour as you did as a book-hungry youth,” the critics said.
Unranked after the top 10, Northern Virginia Magazine’s full list of the 50 Best Restaurants of 2025 is now available online, as of last Friday (Oct. 24), and can be found in print in its November issue.