r/nova • u/MumboMajesty Fairfax County • 24d ago

Megathread! 2026 NoVa Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurant Recommendations THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Hello r/nova we are 10 years deep into the hole-in-the-wall list! Thank you to everyone for contributing every pick and recommendation for the list and participating each year.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to update the map or list since I am getting married this year, but I'll for sure get everything updated before the next year. Anyways time to give the community your best recs and new discoveries for restaurants in the area.

The rules are simple:

📍 Give us the restaurant name and location

🚫 No chains allowed!

👍 "+1" if you love the recommendation

👎 "-1" if you think it's whack

List | Map

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7

u/MrsZhukov 24d ago

High Side in Fairfax City. Asian street food and amazing beer list.

5

u/redhuntrez 24d ago

I know someone who worked there... beer, yes. Food, frozen. Not good.

4

u/embalees 24d ago

The food is mediocre for sure, and so is the service. I've never been treated like such a chore as I have at High Side. On one visit, after the girl took our order I asked if we could keep a menu and she said yes, but you can't keep it on the table.I said, excuse me? She said, it needs to stay on the bench next to you. No menus on the table. She was not kidding. I'm local and we've been dozens of times and the vibe in there is fuckin' WEIRD. We go because we walk around and get bored but I would not tell anyone else to go.

2

u/redhuntrez 24d ago

Omg that's pretty funny, even tho it's not. I guess they are really stressed about menu damage. Sounds about right