Rocklands is one of the area’s oldest sources for smoky barbecue. The local brand is also known for its catering operation, providing ribs, chicken, sausage, and more for parties. COVID-19 additions to Ballston include an ordering window for carryout and heat lamps along outdoor picnic tables.

The sister restaurant to Merrifield’s Uncle Liu’s, Mala Tang is where Arlingtonians go for Chinese hot pot. The menu also offers a variety of appetizers and Sichuan dishes such as cumin lamb. Hot pots are customizable with dippers like fish balls, prawns, “mala’ spicy beef, and a number of vegetables. Choose from spicy, mild, and vegetarian broths, too. Delivery and online ordering available, with limited outdoor seating.

This hidden gem just off of Ballston’s main thoroughfare is one of the area’s underrated destinations for Spanish food. Find robust paellas, a variety of tapas, Spanish wines, and traditional preparations of salt cod and roasted pork. Ser consistently provides stellar service, too, courtesy of gregarious proprietor Javier Candon. Outdoor seating includes an open-air tent featuring heat lamps throughout. Order takeout online here.

Russian and Uzbek dishes appear alongside each other at this neighborhood restaurant, which serves sharp vinaigrette salads, plump manti dumplings, and savory pastries such as samsa and pirozhki. The Uzbek section of the menu tends to edge out the Russian fare (including the country’s national dish, rice-based plov), but there are still solid examples of the latter including beef stroganoff and chicken Kiev. The restaurant infuses its own vodka, but a simple Moscow mule is a pleasure during a sunny day on the patio. Order takeout here.

Giant stuffed pretzels, chorizo and chicken brats, and schnitzel all go well with the 16 beers on tap at this modern German beer hall. Settle in at a communal table — there’s plenty of them outdoors — or play games like shuffleboard, bocce ball, corn hole, and ping pong. Order takeout or delivery through Doordash.

Ballston’s original wine bar serves up a European-influenced dinner menu here with dishes such as French onion soup and braised lamb shank. Wine flights are available alongside bottles. Ample outdoor seating outfitted with heat lamps lines the outside of the restaurant. Order takeout here and call for curbside pickup.

This homegrown burger spot keeps locals happy by serving substantial combinations — including customizable options and specials full of global flavors — as well as local brews, boozy milkshakes, and frozen cocktails. And if burgers aren’t your thing, the restaurant also features fried chicken sandwiches and vegetarian options. There are plenty of picnic tables for outdoor seating. Order takeout online here.

Rustico, which started out in neighboring Del Ray, is known for its extensive beer list as well as respectable pizzas and pastas and comforting apps like a take on tater tots that’s made with risotto. The Ballston location features a large outdoor tent with ample seating and heat lamps. Diners place orders online by scanning a QR code assigned to each table, and orders (including drinks) are brought to the table.

The DMV’s food hall craze extends to Ballston at Quarter Market, where diners can load their trays with District Doughnuts, scoops from Ice Cream Jubilee, barbecue from Sloppy Mama’s, and pies from Timber Pizza Co.’s Turu stall. Another can’t-miss stop at this expansive food hall: Sichuan-hot hot fried chicken sandwiches from chef Kevin Tien’s  Hot Lola’s stall. Recent additions to the market include American sandwich and cocktail shop Suprette (make sure to check out their cheesesteak); Zofia’s Kitchen, an experimental pierogi stall; and Bollywood Bistro Express, a fast-casual Indian spot.

Popular D.C. diner chain Ted’s Bulletin opened its first location with a sleekr, modernized design in in Ballston in 2019, pairing it with sibling bakery Sidekick. In addition to treats like Ted’s tarts (aka gourmet Pop-Tarts), cookies, and cinnamon toast crunch banana bread, Sidekick is known for its inventive “fancy croissants.” Example: a Frostee and Fries croissant stuffed with a malt chocolate and french fry cream and topped with a dark chocolate glaze and potato chip pieces.

A must-stop for doughnut lovers, Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe boasts an extensive rotating menu of yeast and cake doughnuts that in specialty flavors such as blueberry buttercream, Nutella toffee, and cherry vanilla bomb, as well as staples like cinnamon sugar and chocolate cake. In addition to doughnuts, Good Company has an all-day menu with other breakfast options, sandwiches, and booze. Online ordering and outdoor seating are available.