With its proximity to Washington, D.C., northern Virginia has become a trendy area rife with eateries and bars. With the influx of young professionals taking up residence in that portion of the state, cultural eateries have sprouted up in the area, including those of the German variety. Now you don't have to go to D.C. to get your German potato salad fix; several locations are right in Virginia.
You don't have to travel to Germany to get a taste of German foods; just head to Stafford, Virginia's Rheingarten restaurant. An old stone house serves as an outpost for German dishes and treats. Weinerschnitzel, potato pancakes and black forest cake are all on the menu, as well as some dishes you may never have tried. Wash it all down with a traditional German beer, including Spaten, Weihenstephan Hefeweizen and Hofbräu Dunkel on tap, and 11 varieties of bottles.
Rheingarten
3998 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
Stafford, VA 22554
703-221-4635
zumrheingarten.com
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe is an authentic German bakery in Arlington. Those with a sweet tooth are drawn in by the bakery's confections such as strudels, cookies and tortes prepared with German flour. The lunch-time crowd is satisfied with sandwiches served on house-baked bread. For a true taste of German cuisine, try the authentic German sausages, like bauernwurst, that are available each day. They're served on a homemade bun and topped with sauerkraut. The bakery is open daily for breakfast and lunch.
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
2150 N. Culpeper St.
Arlington, VA
703-527-8394
Cosmopolitan Grill serves up dishes from all over the world. On the menu, you'll find everything from Greek salad to the restaurant's Bosnia Burger. But German specialties abound here, including dishes like jaeger schnitzel and doboj schnitzel. The restaurant has a full liquor license, too. Washingtonian Magazine named Cosmopolitan of the 100 best bargain restaurants.
Cosmopolitan Grill
7770 Richmond Hwy.
Alexandria, VA 22306
703-360-3660
restaurant-cosmopolitan.com
