Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in Arlington

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Adams MorganAlexandriaArlingtonBethesdaCapitol HillChevy Chase

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

252 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Texas Jacks Barbecue restaurant

1. Texas Jacks Barbecue

4.8

Exceptional(1376)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Barbecue • Arlington

Booked 25 times today

Texas Jack's Barbecue is a rustic-modern hangout in Arlington, Virginia, serving Lone Star-style 'cue & unique sides since 2015. Our full bar features local craft beers, whiskey, & creative cocktails. Come for the brisket, stay for the atmosphere!

2. Ruthie's All-Day

4.8

Exceptional(3273)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Arlington

Booked 128 times today

The menu follows a Southern-fried meat-and-three concept, meaning diners order a meat, plus three sides. Those will include Ruthie’s mac and cheese, of course, but also white-soy-braised greens, stewed chickpeas and smoked cauliflower with a spicy soy glaze. “We’re going to be changing it a lot based on seasonality,” Hill says of the menu. “ Every vegetable has got to be fantastic because it has to stand on its own.” One thing that will help that: Hill is already growing all of the restaurant’s own herbs at his South Arlington community garden plot.

A photo of Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom restaurant

3. Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom

4.6

Exceptional(34535)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Foggy Bottom

Booked 313 times today

Our award-winning Founding Farmers DC flagship restaurant opened in 2008 just three blocks west of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Open 365 days a year, our team is passionate about crafting dishes and drinks from scratch with high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers we know and trust. Join us for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, weekday happy hour, and a la carte weekend brunch. Majority owned by American family farmers, including the more than 50,000 farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union, our restaurant is guided by a very simple principal: we see and share everything Through The Eyes Of The Farmer.™ We actively care about our guests, our communities, the planet, and the next generation. This all comes together in our everyday neighborhood restaurant.

A photo of Wagamama Clarendon restaurant

4. Wagamama Clarendon

4.4

Awesome(118)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Arlington

Booked 10 times today

just one block from the clarendon metro, experience a modern twist on classic asian cuisine. dive into signature ramens, noodles, salads, craft cocktails + fresh juices for lunch and dinner. enjoy our vibrant ambiance that embodies the equalitarian wagamama way, nourishing both body + soul

5. The Hamilton

4.7

Exceptional(11954)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 201 times today

The Hamilton, located in downtown Washington, DC, is a vibrant restaurant known for its diverse American cuisine and lively atmosphere. Showcasing an expansive menu that includes fresh seafood, savory steaks, and inventive sushi, it caters to a wide range of tastes. The Hamilton also features an impressive bar with handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list. With its spacious dining areas and a music venue hosting live music performances, The Hamilton offers a unique dining experience that blends culinary excellence with entertainment. Across the street from the Treasury building, the W Hotel, and the Willard Hotel.

6. Succotash PRIME

4.6

Exceptional(4039)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Penn Quarter

Booked 103 times today

Succotash PRIME is a progressive perspective of classic Southern favorites. James Beard Award winner Edward Lee brings his Korean roots and Southern repertoire to a soulful Southern Steakhouse menu.SUCCOTASH is named after the classic dish that has been a longstanding staple of the Southern table. While many know “Succotash” when they see it, the dish has been interpreted, modified, and passed from generation to generation for centuries. Our “Succotash” is special to us and we invite you to experience the South from our point of view.

A photo of The Liberty Tavern restaurant

7. The Liberty Tavern

4.7

Exceptional(4034)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Arlington

Booked 41 times today

We are not just a restaurant, but an institution in Arlington. The first floor of our restored historic property houses an inviting bar and lounge that remains vibrant all hours of the day. Our upstairs dining room offers professional service, a warm ambiance, and a menu featuring rustic, modern American cuisine. We are devoted to in-house production: we bake all of our own bread and pastas, sausages, and desserts. Our beverage program features creative specialty cocktails, a diverse wine list, and a great selection of premium draft and bottled beer. We are known for our unlimited small plates brunch on the weekend and late night dancing Friday through Sunday. Liberty To-Go offers a separate carry-out entrance on Irving Street where wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, fresh salads and other specialties are offered for enjoyment at home.

8. Mala Tang

4.5

Awesome(531)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Arlington

The inspiration behind Mala Tang is the street food of Chengdu.. Here you'll find the streets filled with diners sitting at tables gathering around bubbling hot pots, in which dozens of dried chilies bob up and down in an oily red broth, Mala Bites which is the popular skewered dish and the authentic Sichuan stir fried dishes.Our Spicy Pork Wontons won Arlington's Best Appetizer.Our Sauce Bar is available nightly for those who like to create their dipping sauces.We are conveniently located near VA Square Metro Station and a 5-minute walk from Clarendon Area.

9. Ambar - Arlington

4.6

Exceptional(4112)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Tapas / Small Plates • Arlington

Booked 102 times today

Welcome to Ambar, the gem of Arlington, where you are invited to explore the dynamic flavors of Balkan cuisine. What distinguishes us, is our well-curated, exclusive 'Dining Without Limits' experience, which brings you the soul of Balkan dining traditions. Our extensive menu boasts a variety of shareable small plates, perfectly paired with a vast selection of premium Balkan wines. Whether joining us for a leisurely lunch, celebratory weekend brunch, or an evening of indulgence, our unlimited dining menu promises to deliver an unparalleled culinary journey. We excel in serving individual guests, as well as larger groups, and private events. At Ambar, our custom catering services add that extra sparkle to your events. At Ambar, we are revolutionizing dining with inventive Balkan cuisine that blends tradition and innovation, seamlessly. We ensure an unforgettable gastronomic experience with award-winning, extraordinary hospitality. Step into Ambar, the pinnacle of Balkan dining.

A photo of Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown restaurant

10. Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown

4.4

Awesome(13902)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Georgetown

Booked 157 times today

Located at Georgetown’s Washington Harbor on the Potomac River with a lively dining room, full-service bar, and a covered & heated patio, this farmer-owned restaurant is open 365 days a year serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, and a decadent weekend Farmers Market Buffet Brunch. Everything is made from scratch with simple, high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers they know and trust. Expansive menus include an array of seafood dishes, sushi, pizzas, tacos, decadent desserts, Founding Farmers Chocolates, classic and tiki cocktails featuring spirits from their DC-based distillery, Founding Spirits. You can also swing by for a cup of house-roasted coffee and breakfast treat from their First Bake Cafe. Mission driven and operating Through The Eyes Of The Farmer,™ they actively care about their guests, communities, and the planet. This all comes together in their friendly neighborhood restaurant.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

MS
MarlinS
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Exquisite afghan cuisine with knowledgeable caring waiter. Always a nice evening of good food and friends and comfort
More info
Bistro AracosiaPrice: Moderate• Afghan• Palisades Northwest
•
4.8
KC
KipnCandiVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •15 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Grabbed a bite to eat after a Caps game. Great everything. Margaritas are small and pricey for the portion. But overall a great place to pre/post game.
More info
Mi Vida Penn QuarterPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Penn Quarter
•
4.5
L
LoriVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •24 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 4, 2025
Excellent food and service for our large party! Oysters were great! Everyone enjoyed this restaurant lively but not too loud!
More info
The Salt Line - Navy YardPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Navy Yard
•
4.4
SO
SteveO
Washington, D.C. Area •9 reviews
4.0
Dined on Feb 28, 2025
The food was delicious but the service was slow. We waited a half hour before we received our drinks. I had to ask twice for our check because we had an event in the area.
More info
EthiopicPrice: Moderate• Ethiopian• H Street Corridor
•
4.9
E
ErisVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •15 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 16, 2025
We travel from Potomac, MD to eat at Mala Tang. The food is authentic, delicious and an experience. We love to do the hot pot when we have a large group as we can all share the proteins and veggies to put inside. When we are a smaller group we love the dry pot. The vegetables they offer are very fresh and unique. The service is always top notch and the price is very reasonable. We can't wait to go back!
More info
Mala TangPrice: Expensive• Asian• Arlington
•
4.5

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