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Eight Fairfax-area restaurants earned places among the D.C. region’s 100 best for 2026, with Joon in Tysons securing the county’s highest ranking for the third consecutive year.

The Persian restaurant landed at No. 35, down from No. 24 last year and No. 23 in 2024. Joon opened at 8045 Leesburg Pike in Fairfax Square in June 2023 and is led by chefs Najmieh Batmanglij and Christopher Morgan.

Known for its relaxed elegance, the restaurant serves classic dishes such as duck fessenjoon with pomegranate and beef stew with dried lime. Its more contemporary offerings include lamb-and-pistachio meatballs and grilled whole eggplant topped with crispy onions.

A&J Restaurant was the next-highest Fairfax-area establishment at No. 52, rising from No. 60 last year. The Tang family restaurant has served Taiwanese and Chinese food for three decades in Rockville and 26 years at 4316 Markham Street, Unit B, in Annandale.

The restaurant, which won a 2022 RAMMY award for Best Brunch, is known for consistent, affordable cooking. Popular selections include pan-fried pork dumplings, dan-dan noodles, mustard-green salad with soybeans, fried chicken and rice.

Tiffin Hut, a newcomer in the McNair area south of Herndon, entered the ranking at No. 78. The Bangalore-style, all-day breakfast cafe opened last March at 2338 Woodland Crossing Drive, Suite A, in Woodland Park Crossing.

Its tightly focused South Indian menu features four dosa variations, four idli variations and chai. The signature benne dosa is a crisp, buttery crepe served with options including masala and potato curry.

Five additional Fairfax-area restaurants made the 2026 list: Mama Chang in Fairfax City at No. 81; L’Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls at No. 86; Fava Pot in West Falls Church at No. 87; Southeast Impression in Fairfax City at No. 88; and Aracosia in McLean at No. 92.

Fava Pot is also preparing to open another location at The Boro in Tysons.