This Arlington Restaurant Is Among DC's 38 Best, Eater Says

ARLINGTON, VA — An Arlington Spanish restaurant known for its tapas, paella and sangria has earned a spot on Eater DC's latest list of the 38 best restaurants in the Washington area.

SER Restaurant, located at 1110 N. Glebe Road in Ballston, was the Arlington representative on Eater's fall 2026 list, published Thursday.

The restaurant, which has been serving Spanish cuisine for more than a decade, was recognized for its extensive tapas selection, traditional dishes and inviting atmosphere.

Eater singled out the restaurant's tomato bread, croquetas and fried eggplant as standout small plates. The publication also praised SER's paella, available with seafood, meat or vegetables, and its whole roasted suckling pig.

Other menu highlights include grilled squid, salted cod fritters and lobster topped with crab. Eater recommended gambas al ajillo, a traditional Spanish garlic shrimp dish, as a must-try.

The restaurant's co-owner, Javier Candon, also earned recognition for his house-infused spirits, particularly SER's gin and tonic. The publication highlighted the restaurant's expanded patio as a place to enjoy sangria.

SER serves lunch and dinner and falls into Eater's moderate price category, designated by two dollar signs.

About Eater's Best Restaurants List

Eater DC's "38 Best Restaurants Around D.C." is a quarterly guide highlighting restaurants that its editors consider essential to the region's dining scene.

The list is compiled through visits to restaurants and conversations with industry insiders, with selections intended to represent a variety of cuisines, neighborhoods and price points.

The fall 2026 update adds two new restaurants: Rye Bunny, a casual spot serving creative comfort food in Adams Morgan, and Isla, a Caribbean-inspired restaurant in downtown Washington.

The latest edition removed two restaurants, Elmina and L'Avant-Garde.

The list also features several other Northern Virginia and Maryland destinations, including Mama Chang in Fairfax, J. Hollinger's Waterman's Chophouse in Silver Spring and Aventino Cucina in Bethesda.

The latest edition includes expanded descriptions and price estimates to help diners choose restaurants based on their budgets and preferences.

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