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A fully dressed hoagie from the Italian Store.

Where to Eat Along Lee Highway (Rt. 29) in Arlington

The well-traveled thoroughfare has everything from NY-style pizza and monster subs to Cajun seafood

by Missy Frederick@bylinemjf Jun 28, 2018, 9:28am EDT

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A fully dressed hoagie from the Italian Store.

| The Italian Store/Facebook

by Missy Frederick@bylinemjf Jun 28, 2018, 9:28am EDT

Lee Highway (also known as Rt. 29) is one of several main thoroughfares through Arlington. Along this stretch of highway, diners can find everything from rich German pastries to spicy Sichuan cooking. Though the area has lost some mainstays in recent years, such as Alpine Restaurant and Linda’s Cafe, several restaurants remain that have stood the test of time, including Ruffino’s Italian Kitchen and Cowboy Cafe.

Here are 15 essential restaurants, both new and old, along this well-known stretch of road.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Crisp & Juicy (Multiple locations)

This mini-chain offers Peruvian chicken and sides. Despite the name, the chicken is more juicy than it is crisp, but there’s plenty of flavor there. The restaurant offers a more extensive selection of sides than nearby competitor El Pollo Rico, and assertively spicy green sauce.

4540 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

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Rotisserie chicken with fries at Crisp & Juicy.

Cassatt's

Cassatt’s has the distinction of being the area’s only Kiwi cafe. Some menu items show their New Zealand influence, like meat pies, lamb kabobs, and “flat white” latte. But diners also can find standard brunch fare, Saturday jazz, and specials like a savory chicken cabbage soup.

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4536 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

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A mushroom pie from Cassatt’s.

Pastries by Randolph

This European bakery offers intricate cakes and Italian cookies (including the cult-beloved rainbow cookie), among other sweet treats.

4500 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

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Fruit tarts at Pastries by Randolph.

Metro 29 Diner

This old-school diner, open until midnight daily, serves plenty of breakfast fare (think: pancakes and corned beef hash) as well as everything from burgers to a shrimp Caesar salad. Metro 29 also holds the dubious honor of having appeared on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

4711 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

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A breakfast plate at Metro 29.

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Peter Chang

The renowned chef continues to wow the D.C. area with iconic Sichuan dishes including bamboo fish, scallion bubble pancakes, ghost pepper beef, salt and pepper shrimp, and dry-fried eggplant. Peter Chang frequently has various specials worth exploring as well, such as snow peas with Chinese sausage, and a stellar rendition of beef chow fun.

2503-E N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207

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An order of pork belly at Peter Chang in Arlington.

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Duck Donuts (Multple locations)

This Outer Banks favorite for fried cake doughnuts garnished with various toppings now has a significant presence in Northern Virginia. Expect long lines at peak times. And don’t miss the popular maple-bacon doughnut.

2511 N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207

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Duck Donuts

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Taqueria el Poblano (Multiple locations)

This California-style Mexican mini-chain is a destination for crispy fish tacos and some of the best margaritas in town; the japapeno and habanero offerings have a nice kick. Keep an eye out for seafood specials.

2503 N Harrison St A, Arlington, VA 22207

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Drinks at Taqueria Poblano.

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Sushi-Zen

This sushi mainstay, known for its artful presentations of fresh fish, has been around for 20 years. Beyond the raw stuff, there’s teriyaki, tempura, and more.

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2457 N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Ornate sashimi at Sushi-Zen.

Cowboy Cafe

Cowboy Cafe is one of Arlington’s most beloved dive bars. The former biker bar, which first opened in 1990, now draws in brunch crowds and regulars. Offerings range from beefy burgers and spicy chili to brisket tacos and barbecue spareribs.

4792 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Tacos at Cowboy Cafe.

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The Italian Store (Multiple locations)

The Italian Store is mostly famous for its hoagies, stuffed with meats like capicola and prosciutto. But this Italian market also makes a pretty solid NY-style pizza. There’s also gourmet sweets, calzones, pasta dishes, and imported winses.

3123 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

A patriotic-looking pizza at the Italian Store.

Maneki Neko Express

A spin-off of the Falls Church original, this tiny Arlington cafe has a more streamlined set of traditional Japanese dishes, including katsu curry, duck ramen, and agedashi tofu. But unlike its sister restaurant, Maneki Neko also serves a number of Thai dishes, including drunken noodle and spring rolls, as well as the occasional dish that bridges the gap between the two cuisines, like Tom Yum ramen.

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3813 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

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Katsu at Maneki Neko Express in Arlington.

Gaijin Ramen

Ramen’s the main event at this Arlington restaurant, though several appetizers (like shrimp lollipops, Asian wings, steamed buns, and gyoza) are available as well, not to mention a few rice bowls. Gaijin serves a mix of classic ramen styles (tonkatsu, miso) as well as some of their own creations, such as garlic ramen, soft-shell crab ramen, and a Korean-influenced “Bam Bam Ramen” with beef.

3800 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

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Bam Bam Ramen from Gaijin Ramen.

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Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

Fans praise this traditional German bakery for its danishes, strudels, and cakes. But there’s also a German deli serving pretzels, sandwiches, and sausages, too. On Saturday afternoons during the warmer months, staff cook sausages on an outdoor grill.

2150 N Culpeper St, Arlington, VA 22207

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Pastries from Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe.

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Yayla Bistro

This Mediterranean restaurant offers a variety of mezze, from grilled halloumi to various spreads. There’s Greek and Turkish specialities including borek, manti, and flatbreads. Find doner kebab on Friday and Saturday evenings, and both standard and international brunch fare on the weekends.

2201 N Westmoreland St, Arlington, VA 22213

Visit Website

Halloumi at Yayla Bistro.

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Chasin' Tails (Multiple locations)

Located in Arlington right on the Falls Church border (incidentally, Falls Church boasts two other crawfish restaurants), Chasin’ Tails is a destination for New Orleans-style seafood, boiled in a bag, plus other novelties like fried gator bites. There are also happy hour specials and drinks served in fishbowls.

2200 N Westmoreland St, Arlington, VA 22213

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Steamed crawfish at Chasin’ Tails.

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Crisp & Juicy (Multiple locations)

4540 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

This mini-chain offers Peruvian chicken and sides. Despite the name, the chicken is more juicy than it is crisp, but there’s plenty of flavor there. The restaurant offers a more extensive selection of sides than nearby competitor El Pollo Rico, and assertively spicy green sauce.

4540 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Rotisserie chicken with fries at Crisp & Juicy.

Cassatt's

4536 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Cassatt’s has the distinction of being the area’s only Kiwi cafe. Some menu items show their New Zealand influence, like meat pies, lamb kabobs, and “flat white” latte. But diners also can find standard brunch fare, Saturday jazz, and specials like a savory chicken cabbage soup.

Open in Google Maps

4536 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

A mushroom pie from Cassatt’s.

Pastries by Randolph

4500 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

This European bakery offers intricate cakes and Italian cookies (including the cult-beloved rainbow cookie), among other sweet treats.

4500 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Fruit tarts at Pastries by Randolph.

Metro 29 Diner

4711 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

This old-school diner, open until midnight daily, serves plenty of breakfast fare (think: pancakes and corned beef hash) as well as everything from burgers to a shrimp Caesar salad. Metro 29 also holds the dubious honor of having appeared on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

4711 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

A breakfast plate at Metro 29.

Peter Chang

2503-E N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207

The renowned chef continues to wow the D.C. area with iconic Sichuan dishes including bamboo fish, scallion bubble pancakes, ghost pepper beef, salt and pepper shrimp, and dry-fried eggplant. Peter Chang frequently has various specials worth exploring as well, such as snow peas with Chinese sausage, and a stellar rendition of beef chow fun.

2503-E N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

An order of pork belly at Peter Chang in Arlington.

Duck Donuts (Multple locations)

2511 N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207

This Outer Banks favorite for fried cake doughnuts garnished with various toppings now has a significant presence in Northern Virginia. Expect long lines at peak times. And don’t miss the popular maple-bacon doughnut.

2511 N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Duck Donuts

Taqueria el Poblano (Multiple locations)

2503 N Harrison St A, Arlington, VA 22207

This California-style Mexican mini-chain is a destination for crispy fish tacos and some of the best margaritas in town; the japapeno and habanero offerings have a nice kick. Keep an eye out for seafood specials.

2503 N Harrison St A, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Drinks at Taqueria Poblano.

Sushi-Zen

2457 N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207

This sushi mainstay, known for its artful presentations of fresh fish, has been around for 20 years. Beyond the raw stuff, there’s teriyaki, tempura, and more.

Open in Google Maps

2457 N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Ornate sashimi at Sushi-Zen.

Cowboy Cafe

4792 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Cowboy Cafe is one of Arlington’s most beloved dive bars. The former biker bar, which first opened in 1990, now draws in brunch crowds and regulars. Offerings range from beefy burgers and spicy chili to brisket tacos and barbecue spareribs.

4792 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Tacos at Cowboy Cafe.

The Italian Store (Multiple locations)

3123 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22201

The Italian Store is mostly famous for its hoagies, stuffed with meats like capicola and prosciutto. But this Italian market also makes a pretty solid NY-style pizza. There’s also gourmet sweets, calzones, pasta dishes, and imported winses.

3123 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

A patriotic-looking pizza at the Italian Store.

Maneki Neko Express

3813 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

A spin-off of the Falls Church original, this tiny Arlington cafe has a more streamlined set of traditional Japanese dishes, including katsu curry, duck ramen, and agedashi tofu. But unlike its sister restaurant, Maneki Neko also serves a number of Thai dishes, including drunken noodle and spring rolls, as well as the occasional dish that bridges the gap between the two cuisines, like Tom Yum ramen.

Open in Google Maps

3813 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Katsu at Maneki Neko Express in Arlington.

Gaijin Ramen

3800 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Ramen’s the main event at this Arlington restaurant, though several appetizers (like shrimp lollipops, Asian wings, steamed buns, and gyoza) are available as well, not to mention a few rice bowls. Gaijin serves a mix of classic ramen styles (tonkatsu, miso) as well as some of their own creations, such as garlic ramen, soft-shell crab ramen, and a Korean-influenced “Bam Bam Ramen” with beef.

3800 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Bam Bam Ramen from Gaijin Ramen.

Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

2150 N Culpeper St, Arlington, VA 22207

Fans praise this traditional German bakery for its danishes, strudels, and cakes. But there’s also a German deli serving pretzels, sandwiches, and sausages, too. On Saturday afternoons during the warmer months, staff cook sausages on an outdoor grill.

2150 N Culpeper St, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Pastries from Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe.

Yayla Bistro

2201 N Westmoreland St, Arlington, VA 22213

This Mediterranean restaurant offers a variety of mezze, from grilled halloumi to various spreads. There’s Greek and Turkish specialities including borek, manti, and flatbreads. Find doner kebab on Friday and Saturday evenings, and both standard and international brunch fare on the weekends.

2201 N Westmoreland St, Arlington, VA 22213

Visit Website

Halloumi at Yayla Bistro.

Chasin' Tails (Multiple locations)

2200 N Westmoreland St, Arlington, VA 22213

Located in Arlington right on the Falls Church border (incidentally, Falls Church boasts two other crawfish restaurants), Chasin’ Tails is a destination for New Orleans-style seafood, boiled in a bag, plus other novelties like fried gator bites. There are also happy hour specials and drinks served in fishbowls.

2200 N Westmoreland St, Arlington, VA 22213

Visit Website

Steamed crawfish at Chasin’ Tails.

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