Sponsor Spotlight: Arlington

Arlington Restaurants That Fit Your Dietary Needs

Whether you’re eating paleo, sensitive to dairy, allergic to nuts or have Celiac disease, Arlington restaurants have you covered.

Here, dietary restrictions won’t keep you from eating your way around the world with global cuisines like Thai, Vietnamese, Balkan and many more.

You’re already ahead of the curve by researching, and we’ll help you scope the dining scene. Whether it’s for dairy, nut, shellfish or other allergies, many Arlington restaurants are prepared to inform diners of potential allergens and are happy to accommodate their special requirements.

“We live in an area with a lot of choice and more awareness of people needing things a little bit different or to their needs,” said Lise Gloede, a registered dietician and nutritionist in Arlington. “Become fast friends with your waiter, ask if foods can be prepared in a certain way, ask if the food is already prepared. That’s helpful and often it can be accommodated.”

If you are really severely allergic, make sure to confirm that the staff cleans surfaces and cooking utensils before preparing your food to avoid cross-contamination. Some restaurants with small kitchens might not be able to accommodate this request, so it is best to call ahead.

Here are some Arlington highlights, and you can find more here.

Vegetarian and Vegan

You’ll find an abundance of vegetarian and vegan options throughout Arlington’s neighborhoods. At Galaxy Hut in Clarendon, you’ll find a menu where almost everything can be made vegan: Try a vegan Reuben or cheesesteak with eggplant fries.

Sweetgreen, with locations in Arlington’s Ballston, Clarendon, Crystal City, Pentagon City and Rosslyn neighborhoods, is a homegrown chain serving up made-to-order salads with gluten-free dressings and protein-packed bowls.

In Ballston, Silver Diner is modeled after the classic American diner and has locally sourced ingredients, with its famous “flexitarian” menu options clearly marked for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and heart-healthy diets.

At Elevation Burger, you’ll find two meatless burgers are on the menu. Veggie and vegan burgers are made with whole grains and veggies seasoned with organic spices, and you can order it on iceberg lettuce or a potato roll.

For international flavor, Ambar’s Balkan cuisine in Clarendon has a large selection of vegetarian dishes artfully presented such as baked beans with paprika, braised cabbage with a hint of spice, and eggplant and garlic spread.

A vegan-friendly Ethiopian restaurant in the Crystal City neighborhood, Enjera Ethiopian offers vegan chicken strips as part of its vegan sampler. Try sides of collard greens, spicy lentils, and yellow split peas.

Fresh, colorful and delicious! Greens N Teff is a family-owned café specializing in Ethiopian plant-based cuisine, available for carry out and delivery. This vibrant eatery’s mission is to connect diners with Ethiopian culture through the love, flavors, and colors of the country’s unique cuisine. Their menu consists of popular plant-based Ethiopian dishes, including Split Pea Stew, Spicy Mushroom Enguday Tibs, Beans and Potatoes Keysir and more. Greens N Teff’s dishes are best enjoyed in small bites, accompanied by the traditional injera bread, a sourdough-risen flatbread with a slightly spongy texture.

Located in Arlington’s Columbia Pike neighborhood Dama Ethiopian Restaurant & Pastry is family-owned and operated. This quaint spot is known for its traditional Ethiopian fare and unforgettable cakes. Their vegetarian selection is unbeatable, with everything from Vegan Kitfo to Vegan Doro Wot, and Vegan Tibs.

Urban Thai provides convenient, healthy, and authentic Thai food and modern counter service. Enjoy your favorite Thai dish and grab a seat on their charming patio. Their menu features an extensive vegetarian section incorporating classic dishes such as Pad Thai and Green Curry made with vegetables.

GLUTEN-FREE

Planning to dine out when you have gluten-free dietary restrictions can be a challenge in some destinations, but here in Arlington, it’s easy to find plenty of options.

Inspired by a healthy, outdoor lifestyle, bartaco combines fresh, upscale street food with a coastal vibe in a relaxed environment. Located in Ballston Quarter this charming eatery serves a variety of delicious tacos and boasts a menu that is almost entirely gluten-free.

Lebanese Taverna, a family-run Arlington restaurant with locations in Pentagon City and Westover neighborhoods, has a mezze-rich menu with assorted styles of hummus. The restaurant also offers a variety of gluten-free options, including a version of fattoush salad with a pomegranate dressing, along with other Mediterranean favorites.

At Busboys and Poets in the Shirlington neighborhood, nearly every menu selection has a gluten-free alternative at this favorite known for its shrimp and grits, fried chicken and vegan “beef” sliders.

Also in Shirlington, sit down to eat at nearby Carlyle restaurant, a high-energy bistro, and you automatically get a separate gluten-free menu without even asking.

The brand new SeoulSpice in Rosslyn offers a customizable menu of fast-casual Korean-inspired comfort food, and all items on the menu are touted as being gluten-free and free of any tree nuts. Try traditional bibimbap or japchae, or you can easily customize your choices to make your entire dish vegan-friendly as well.

For a true night out on the town, look no further than Rosslyn’s Sfoglina, where celeb chef Fabio Trabocchi ensures his staff is well-versed in gluten-sensitive dining, offering a variety of gluten-free pasta dishes and entrees, and of course, its famous mozzarella bar is completely GF as well. And local favorite Ruthie’s All Day keeps its GF diners in mind as well with a variety of GF bread offerings and its famous BBQ that’s gluten-free as well.

Meanwhile, Fire Works American Pizzeria & Bar in Courthouse offers gluten-free options for all of its wood-fired pizzas.

You’ve only just gotten a taste of what’s in store. See all of Arlington’s diverse dining scene.