Southern Restaurants in Northern Virginia

Consisting of a handful of mid-sized cities and suburban towns to the south of Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia (NOVA) is fast-paced, cosmopolitan and populated by type-A, overachieving Washingtonians. At the same time, opportunities for outdoor activities abound. There are excellent biking trails in the area, and the legendary Shenandoah National Park is less than 2 hours away. Unlike the rest of the state, NOVA is decidedly not "Southern," but it has a thriving, eclectic restaurant scene, and great Southern food isn't be hard to come by.

Okra's Louisiana Bistro

Located in the revitalized Battle Street area of Old Town Manassas, Okra's Louisianan Bistro is dedicated to all things Creole and Cajun, complete with Louisianian beers on tap, such as Abita and Turbo Dog. The restaurant's southern standards, such as po' boys and jambalaya, are consistently excellent. Also try the thick, hearty shrimp and grits. The cozy dining space was expanded in July 2009 and has many colorful southern touches. There are also live music performances---mostly blues---on Friday and Saturday nights.

Okra's Louisiana Bistro
9110 Center St.
Manassas, VA 20110
http://www.okras.com

Flavors Soul Food

Voted as one of the best bargain restaurants by Washingtonian Magazine from 2001 to 2009, Flavors serves home-style soul food. The storefront is simple and no-frill, but as of 2009, you can get a generous portion of pulled-pork sandwich with buttery cornbread and candied yam for less than $10. Its fried chicken is fresh and crispy. Lastly, make sure you leave enough room for a homemade fruit cobbler.

Flavors Soul Food
3420 Carlyn Hill Dr.
Falls Church, VA
http://www.flavorssoulfood.com

Southside 815

A popular local hangout in Old Town Alexandria, Southside 815 specializes in Southern cuisine in the low-country style, which is signified by the abundance of seafood. The atmosphere is congenial; the staff is very friendly and always happy to explain the menu or accommodate various dietary constraints. With its menu heavy on creamy gravy and buttery biscuits, this is a place perfect for a rainy day when you crave some comfort food. Don't miss its sweet potato biscuit with crab and ham gravy.

Southside 815
815 South Washington St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
http://www.southside815.com

OId Hickory Grille

Old Hickory Grille is tucked inside a small shopping center in Falls Church, but it has been a local favorite for more than 10 years. The juicy, all-you-can-eat ribs on Wednesday and Thursday evenings tend to draw a big crowd. Its crawfish is also delicious, whether fried, grilled, or in a po' boy.

Old Hickory Grille
7263-G Arlington Blvd.
Falls Church, VA 22042

Resources

Southern Comforts

Article Written By Stella Ying-Ju Lai

Stella Ying-Ju Lai is a writer in Virginia. She recently returned to the U.S. after a two-year stint in Asia as a financial journalist, and hopes to broaden the scope of her writing career to pop culture, arts and education. She received a master's degree in literature from The American University.

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