Your insider guide for both trendy and classic spots to eat, shop, and play in the DC area. Read More Here. Fairfax City has long been a place of commerce and tradition, but it hasn’t always had the same name. The city—distinct from the surrounding county of Fairfax—was cemented by the constru ction of the county courthouse, and in 1805 the state named the area the Town of Providence. No one stuck to that name, though, instead just referring to the area as “Fairfax Court House.” In 1874, the state legislature got the message and officially renamed the area to the Town of Fairfax. In 1961, Fairfax gained city status. But despite its historic buildings and old-town Main Street, Fairfax City is yet another up-and-coming community just outside the Beltway. Between 2020 and 2025, it saw some of the fastest population growth in the state, with about a 10 percent bump in residents. Whether you’ve just moved in, are visiting, or are looking for new favorites to frequent, here are some of our most recommended spots to dine, browse, and have fun in Fairfax City—plus a few new spots in nearby Fairfax Corner and the Mosaic District.   Things to Do Play the Market Fairfax Main St. Market location_on 10417 Main St. language Website Photograph courtesy of Old Town Fairfax Business Association. Indie retailers Lucy Loves, Mode on Main by Mara, and Perfect Mistakes teamed up with the Old Town Fairfax Business Association last fall to launch the Fairfax Main St. Market (10417 Main St.). The first Sunday of every month from April to December, visit the market between noon and 4 to explore a selection of vintage goods and handmade art. For more treasure-hunting, check out the Fairfax Funky Flea (4031 University Dr.), where vendors sell antique finds on the last Saturday of every month from April through November. Work up an appetite? Area restaurants and food trucks cater each market.   Movie Star Cinema Arts Theatre location_on 9650 Main St. language Website Photograph by Ahmed Mohammad. For more than 30 years, Cinema Arts Theatre (9650 Main St.) has been an entertainment staple. Catch new releases—upcoming screenings include John Cena’s latest, Coyote vs. Acme, and the Anthony Bourdain biopic, Tony. Or swing by on Montage Mondays to revisit classic films like Cabaret or Chinatown. Want a more social moviegoing experience? Join the Film Club, where members gather on select Sunday mornings to watch and discuss not yet locally released indie and foreign movies.   Puzzle It Out Bonds Escape Room location_on 3949 University Dr. language Website Photograph courtesy of Bonds Escape Room. At the Fairfax outpost of Bonds Escape Room (3949 University Dr.), adults and children alike can solve their way out of themed puzzle rooms—for instance, the Joker’s basement or an abandoned hospital crawling with bubonic plague. To celebrate a decade in business, the entertainment center is also offering immersive virtual-reality experiences.   History Lesson Fairfax Museum location_on 10209 Main St. language Website You don’t have to cross the Potomac into DC for a museum experience. At the Fairfax Museum (10209 Main St.) in the historic Fairfax Elementary School, you can learn about local lore—such as the region’s Native American communities and an area astronaut who flew three space-shuttle missions—as well as check out traveling exhibits. Meanwhile, on Sundays, train enthusiasts can flock to the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum (11200 Fairfax Station Rd.), where old tracks from the Orange and Alexandria Railroad are on display along with Civil War artifacts.   Shopping Bed Habits BedHead PJs location_on 2910 District Ave. language Website Photograph courtesy of Bedhead PJs. On the heels of its popular Manhattan flagship opening, BedHead PJs (2910 District Ave.) is slated to open its first DC-area location in the Mosaic District by the end of August. Find organic-cotton sleepwear for women, men, children, and even pets, plus comfy undergarments. And don’t expect plain-Jane jammies: The brand prides itself on its whimsical patterns, from classic pin-stripes and florals to quirkier prints like Champagne bottles, cityscapes, and even lobsters.   Cut a Rug Ernesta location_on 2920 District Ave. language Website Photograph courtesy of Ernesta. Launched by three Peloton cofounders in 2023, the direct-to-consumer rug company Ernesta (2920 District Ave.) has been generating buzz in the home-decor world since its inception. This year, a showroom in the Mosaic District joins an existing store in Bethesda. Its products are made with high-quality fabrics, including a large selection of natural fibers. But the main draw? Each rug is custom-sized to fit your space.   Fashion-Forward Becky’s Boutique location_on 11879 Grand Commons Ave. language Website Photograph courtesy of Becky’s Boutique. An independently owned Fairfax retail destination since 2023, Becky’s Boutique (11879 Grand Commons Ave.) relocated to a permanent space in the Fairfax Corner shopping center in February. Browse workwear, denim, swimwear, and more from elevated women’s apparel labels like French Connection, Sanctuary, and Z Supply.   Massage Maxxing The Tox location_on 2980 District Ave. language Website The Tox (2980 District Ave.) in Merrifield considers itself a wellness studio, not a spa. Its signature treatment, the Tox Technique, blends body sculpting and lymphatic drainage—a combo that the brand says reduces bloating, fights inflammation, and improves digestion. Customers can also enjoy facials that feature caffeinated masks to de-puff and energize skin.   Wax On District Candle Lab location_on 2910 District Ave. language Website Photograph courtesy of District Candle Lab. Following the success of its Union Market location, District Candle Lab (2910 District Ave.) opened its second do-it-yourself shop in the Mosaic District last spring. Peruse the signature scents or schedule an appointment to create your own candle or diffuser. Just like the DC store, the Fairfax space houses a Fawne Charm Bar, where private parties can design custom jewelry.   Dining All-Day Affair Ruthie’s All-Day location_on 11951 Grand Commons Ave. language Website Photograph by Rey Lopez. Ruthie’s All-Day (11951 Grand Commons Ave.), whose Arlington location won a RAMMY Award for Casual Restaurant of the Year in 2022, opened a location in nearby Fairfax Corner this spring. True to its name, Ruthie’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus brunch on the weekend. Try a different menu for each time of day, with items ranging from apple-pie pancakes to a crispy cod sandwich and a New York strip. It also has a bar with draft beers, spritzes, and mocktails.   Lone Star Tastes Doña Mesa location_on 10621-C Braddock Rd. language Website Longtime Fairfax resident Aaron McDade opened his spin on Tex-Mex this past June. Just outside the city, Doña Mesa (10621-C Braddock Rd.) marries Texan and Mexican influences in both food and atmosphere. The largely shareable menu includes nachos, queso, and empanadas. A lively bar anchors the room—check out the specialty cocktails, such as the Agave and Ash, a smoked old-fashioned that’s set on fire.   Revolving Doors Elyse location_on 10822 Fairfax Blvd. language Website Photograph courtesy of Jon Krinn. You’ll rarely have the same meal twice at Elyse (10822 Fairfax Blvd.), a 30-seat fine-dining experience that opened in 2024. Chef Jon Krinn curates a seasonal five-course tasting menu, which he changes regularly, while prioritizing high-quality ingredients. Equally thoughtful are the drink pairings, which include wine and nonalcoholic beverages. Have something specific in mind? You can bring your own wine for a corkage fee of $35.   Family Feast NAJA Mediterranean location_on 2911 District Ave. language Website Photograph by Kelsie Otero. Chef Tariq Alaeddin wanted to honor his Lebanese heritage and his grandmother’s home cooking. Opened in Merrifield in 2025, NAJA Mediterranean (2911 District Ave.) is named for her and serves dishes reflecting the intersections of Alaeddin’s childhood spent between Lebanon and the United States. Snack on Mediterranean classics like hummus, falafel, and tabbouleh or try spins on American dishes such as a burger topped with feta and za’atar or a fried-chicken sandwich with Lebanese pickles and toum.   Go Bananas Layered location_on 3924 Blenheim Blvd. language Website Bite into a raspberry the size of your face at Layered (3924 Blenheim Blvd.), which serves realistic fruit-shaped pastries. Huge fruit not your thing? You can also try the coffee and matcha, as well as desserts such as a crème brûlée with vanilla mousse, ube cheesecake, or the new viral dot cake. The kitchen is fully halal, and the menu rotates often to add new desserts.   Classic Craic The Auld Shebeen location_on 3971 Chain Bridge Rd. language Website The Auld Shebeen (3971 Chain Bridge Rd.) recently celebrated its 21st birthday. The Irish pub serves such classics as a full Irish breakfast, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and brown bread. It also offers entertainment on two floors, including weekly events like pub quizzes, karaoke, and traditional Irish music sessions. You can watch football, futbol, basketball, and more on one of 11 HD TVs.   Twice as Nice Two Burritos location_on 4290 Chain Bridge Rd. language Website Photograph courtesy of Two Burritos. Rafael Lobo and his brother opened Two Burritos (4290 Chain Bridge Rd.) in 2025 to dish up the Mexican street food of their childhood, including tacos, quesadillas, and, of course, burritos. They also bring Mexican flavors to other cuisines in options such as “birriamen” (birria plus ramen) and nacho-style French fries. In the morning, breakfast starts at 11 and features breakfast quesadillas, tacos, burritos, and tortas.   Family Favorite Mama Chang location_on 3251 Blenheim Blvd. language Website Photograph by Rey Lopez. Named to Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants list, Mama Chang (3251 Blenheim Blvd.) is an ode to the female cooks of chef/restaurateur Peter Chang’s family. Favorite dishes include the dry-fried cauliflower and the lychee pepper chicken, though our food team recommends ordering at least one of the seasonal specials—especially the Guanzhong hand-pulled noodles.   What’s Selling Photograph by Constance Gautier. Options in Fairfax City range from amenity-rich condos and townhouses to stately, historic single-family homes. Here’s some of what’s sold in the past few months. $280,000 A 940-square-foot condo with two bedrooms, one bathroom, an open floor plan, and a community that includes a pool, a fitness center, and assigned parking.   $750,000 A 1,530-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom brick rambler with built-in bookshelves, a gas fireplace, and a fenced backyard.   $1,560,700 A historic 4,850-square-foot house with six bedrooms, five bathrooms, four levels, a two-story columned porch, and a pool. $725,000 A five-bedroom, two-bathroom, 2,700-square-foot house in Country Club Hills with a covered porch and two fireplaces on a fenced corner lot.   $1,300,000 A 3,700-square-foot four-bedroom, four-bathroom townhouse in Farrcroft with a two-story family room, a two-car garage, and a community pool. This article appears in the September 2026 issue of Washingtonian.The post Neighborhood Guide: Where to Eat, Shop, and Play in Fairfax first appeared on Washingtonian. ...read more read less