Stephanie Spear 
While all eyes were on the holiday cookie platters in December, January brings a handful of important news headlines for Northern Virginia diners. Two big players in the pizza game make plans for Northern Virginia locations, the Fairfax County meals tax begins, and three local Restaurant Weeks are announced. Read on for more January dining news to know in Northern Virginia.
More Pizza, Please
There are few things Northern Virginians enjoy more than arguing about which is the best pizza place in the area. Two more regional pizza styles will join the lineup in 2026.
Read more: Inside Virginia’s First Buc-ee’s Through the Eyes of Virginia Tech Students
Donato’s Pizza, a Columbus, Ohio-based chain, will open several locations in the DMV this year and next. A handful will be in Northern Virginia. Donato’s is known for its ultra-thin crust pizzas and ‘edge to edge’ toppings.
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Connecticut-based chain Sally’s Apizza will open 15 locations in Virginia over 2026 + 2027. Sally’s was ranked one of the top slices in the US by Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports and the One Bite app, dedicated to ranking + reviewing pizzas. Sally’s serves Neopolitan-style wood-fired thin-crust pizzas.
Fairfax County Meals Tax
In Spring 2025, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an additional meals tax, which took effect on January 1, 2026. The new tax applies to prepared food and beverages sold by a restaurant or other type of vendor that is classified as a restaurant under the Virginia Code. Restaurants in Towns of Clifton, Herndon, or Vienna, or in the Cities of Fairfax or Falls Church, are not subject to the County tax.
This County-specific meals tax is in addition to a 6% statewide meals tax. According to the County, the tax will generate $65.1 million in the first six months of the program. The purpose of the tax is to create another revenue stream for the County, with the goal of reducing reliance on property taxes.
See more: Mina Kim of Virginialicious Connects Korean Food and Community in Annandale
For comparison, a handful of other Northern Virginia communities already have meals taxes in place, in addition to the statewide tax. Including the City of Alexandria: 5%; Arlington County: 4%; City of Fairfax: 4%; and the City of Falls Church: 4%.
Winter Restaurant Weeks
It’s cold and dreary outside, but there are dozens of local restaurants participating in Restaurant Week events across the area. The number and variety of restaurants participating is worth bundling up and heading out for a bit.
January 16th – January 25th – Oakton Restaurant Week
Over a dozen Oakton restaurants will offer special deals during Oakton Restaurant Week. Some participating restaurants include Mama Tigre, Yalla Pita, and Settle Down Easy Brewing Co.
January 19th – 25th – Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week
Several Northern Virginia restaurants will take part in the RAMW Restaurant Week, with special three-course prix fixe menus. Brunch or Lunch: $25 or $35 and Dinner: $40, $55, or $65
January 23rd – February 1st, 2026 – Alexandria Restaurant Week
Dozens of Alexandria restaurants will offer their own promotions during restaurant week, with many offering a three-course prix fixe dinner for $55 per person. There are also several fast-casual spots participating, such as Holy Cow in Del Ray (offering The Daily Double: 2 Del Ray Burgers, 2 hand-cut fries for $25, from 11AM to 5PM, during RW) and the Del Ray and Old Town North locations of St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub (offering $9.99 combo meals).
January 23rd – February 1st, 2026 – Falls Church Restaurant Week
Falls Church is known as the Little City, but it has more restaurants than cities twice its size. Over 60 restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week, representing cuisines from American to Thai. This year, several restaurants in the Eden Center are participating, meaning it’s a great opportunity to try some classic Vietnamese dishes.
Follow @thefairfaxgirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Northern Virginia updates, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.
