Randomly roaming around Crystal City area. Visiting what's new on our old stomping grounds. This spot intrigued our appetite. Service was very friendly and accommodating! Place is very intimate and vibey at the same time. We ordered Gyoza be Boeuf, Steamed Shumai, Garlic Chives Gao, and the Char Siu Chicken Rice. We enjoyed the dumplings! Very fresh. Chicken was tender and delicious! Great spot for a date night! read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Great little bar I like the high tables by the window, iiit's not that big inside but the space was utilized quite well, they also have plenty of outdoor seating. Great location steps away from Crystal City metro. I ordered the Popiah de Canrad(duck spring rolls), I love duck you know I had to try them! They were soo ducking good! I had two round, the walnut Shrimp was great as well breading was light and flavorful. For the entree I had the Char Siu Chicken Rice wasn't a fan of the soggy skin but, it was delicious and the sweet soy and ginger chimichurri was a nice touch. Oh and try the citrus paradis it was a very refreshing. read more

See all

We hosted a going away party at Bar Chinois and it was the perfect spot! Our server was very attentive and took very good care of us. The restaurant was able to accommodate our reservation of 9 and the addition of 2 more with ease. Their service was spectacular and their Saturday happy hour was great. The drinks and dumplings were remarkable and we had the best time! read more

Came here for our anniversary and I can safely say it did not disappoint! Initially, it seemed empty as we approached the entrance and saw there were only people at the bar, so we had concerns about the food -- however the National Landing location seemed to be new and the area around it seemed to be undergoing construction or openings! Food was amazing! Our favorite was the gyozas (not your typical ones) but these had inspirations from French Onion Soup. The garlic noodles and the luo rou fan were also spectacular, rich in flavor, and just mouth watering :) The service was excellent and extremely accommodating! 10/10 recommend! read more

Bar Chinois - French Vanilla Profiteroles - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

See all

I had a tasty time at Bar Chinois in Crystal City. They typically have HH until 7pm which includes a few cocktail options and your choice of pork, chicken or veggie dumplings. I prefer the pork dumplings - steamed or fried. Now, they have excellent apps such as the walnut shrimp, hoisin ribs, and garlic noodles. All of these were divine. The walnut shrimp features jumbo battered shrimp topped in a light sweet sauce and walnuts. It came out fresh and crunchy. The hoisin ribs are also perfectly seasoned. Not too sweet, not too salty, and perfectly coated I a sticky sauce. Finally, the garlic noodles were my favorite. They're just so simple, yet full of garlic/buttery flavor. The service was great Anne I'll definitely be back to try more! read more

See all

Popped in here because of happy hour specials and needed dinner that was close to the hotel during our stay. This place was already hopping and lively even through the time we left, and we were greeted immediately and brought to a table by the window (we elected to eat inside this evening because it was a little toasty outside), perfect for people watching. We each ordered a drink and dumplings. News flash I didn't like my drink despite how pretty it was (it was a more drier drink and I'm a fruity drink person - that's on me I should've asked first), and my boyfriend was just going to accept drinking it because it was at the table but our waitress was too kind and took it back for something more fruity. He had the chinois mule (2) (Tito's vodka, créme de cassis, berry shrub, lime, ginger beer) and my first drink that I didn't care for was the humble cobbler (del maguey vida mezcal, peach, genépy des alpes, lime), but my second drink I loved was mousse à la pêche (d'ussé cognac, peach, lime, almond orgeat thyme foam). Extra props for that- we were fully expecting to pay for the drink I didn't like because that was no fault of the restaurant's own, I'm just picky and should've asked first, so that one is on me! We ordered the happy hour dumplings - one pork, one chicken, told our waitress one was to be fried and the other steamed, and we didn't care which was which. They were delicious, perfectly steamed and crispy fried and full of flavor. For entree he had the chili karaage (menu says: chinois style fried chicken, spicy chili and garlic sauce, shaoxing wine, toasted sesame seeds, arugula and soy) was delicious and full of flavor, with a bit of pop and zing from the chili but perfectly balanced with the arugula. I had the char siu rice chicken (menu says: Hong Kong style bbq chicken, red soy, Swiss chard, soy egg, ginger chimichurri and sesame) which also had its own unique kick but full of beautiful color and flavor. Our servers were so sweet and everything was very prompt, despite being so busy. read more

See all

Stumbled into Bar Chinois for a weekday happy hour and, let me tell you, this little corner joint is sneaky good. Tucked just out of view like a secret level in a video game, it's easy to miss from the street--but once you're inside, the vibe is lively, the music's bouncing, and the dumplings are ready to party. Happy hour deals? Chef's kiss. Cocktails for $8 and dumplings--four to a plate--for just $4. We did what anyone in their right mind would do: sampled all the dumplings. Chicken, pork, shrimp, and veggie--steamed and fried--like a tasting tour through flavor town. Honestly, they were all on point. Crunchy, juicy, flavorful... I could have kept going, but my waistband had other plans. When happy hour ended, the Chili Karaage (fried chicken nuggets, but make them spicy and dramatic) took center stage. Coated in a bold red chili garlic sauce, they had flavor for days--though some pieces were a bit too crispy, like the chef got carried away with the crunch. But hey, we still demolished the plate like champions. Next up: Popiah de Canard--crispy duck egg rolls that practically demanded a slow clap. That soy apricot sauce? I'd pour it over everything if I could. Let's not forget the cocktails--they were the real divas of the night: * Chinois Mule: A fresh twist on a classic--Tito's, cassis, berry shrub, lime, ginger beer. Summer in a glass. * Iron Goddess: Smoky, rich, complex--bourbon, Montenegro, pimento dram, egg white, and cherry vanilla bitters. Basically a cocktail with a plot twist. * Coco Marseille: Creamy, herbal, and unexpectedly refreshing--like a minty spa day for your mouth. Service was on point. The staff were attentive without hovering--always within flagging distance, always clearing plates like they were in a choreographed routine. We never had to wait long for anything. Bottom line? Bar Chinois may be hidden, but it's got the goods. Come for the happy hour, stay for the cocktails--and make peace with the fact you'll be unbuttoning your jeans before dessert. read more

See all

Walked by this place a few times but never stopped. Today, saw a sign outside and decided to try their dumplings for HH. Tasted like they were from a large batch/mass produced/purchased. The pork one was better marinated and we chose the crunchy version. The chicken was really bland, which we had steamed. The inside was trendy... which made us a little skeptical that it was really Asian food but the vibe was perfect for th neighborhood full of younger bar hoppers and good food. read more

See all

I love everything there but the dumplings . I went there during Happy Hour. Those dumplings for me had too thick of a wrapper. I have tons of good Dim Sum in my home town so I was shocked to go to Michelin Guide restaurant with those dumplings. Everything else was really good though. read more

See all

I really love the vibe here! The bar area is super cute and aesthetic and the music selection is great too and sets the mood. The food itself is pretty good. The garlic noodles are very buttery. Our favorite item were the wontons which were very flavorful. The duck spring rolls were not super memorable. Service was good and food came out fast. read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

We came for happy hour, which offers discounted drinks and cheap dumplings. I wish there were more food options on the happy hour menu, but that's okay -- the drinks made it worth it. The neon signs inside make the space feel fun, and although it was quiet when we first walked in, it got super lively (and loud!) later in the evening. It can get hard to hear your friends, so keep that in mind. Service was great -- our waiter was friendly and answered all our menu questions. Coco Marseille Exactly my style of drink! It had a light touch of creaminess from the coconut cream but still felt refreshing. Sweet but not too sweet, and the flavor combo really worked -- I could taste the basil too, which added something special. 4.5/5 Iron Goddess Very refreshing and not too sweet. Simple and easy to drink. 4/5 Mousse à la Pêche The drink underneath leans stronger, but it's topped with light, fluffy peach foam that adds a sweet, flavor-packed contrast. Nicely balanced overall. 3.5/5 Humble Cobbler I expected something sweeter because of the peach, but it wasn't sweet at all. This one's for people who like a strong, smoky whiskey-forward drink. Not for me, but I could see someone enjoying this. 1/5 Pork Dumplings (Happy Hour) Great deal for the price, but taste-wise they reminded me of grocery store dumplings. Filling was packed but not juicy or moist, and the pan-fry gave it a light crisp. I'd probably go for steamed next time. 2/5 Red Chili Wonton Packed with meat, which wasn't dry but also not juicy. Sauce had decent flavor but wasn't spicy at all for me -- though my friends said it was too spicy, so your mileage may vary. 2.5/5 1970s Garlic Noodles with Fried Chicken Gets repetitive quickly. A little salty but otherwise fine. The fried chicken on top was dry. 2.5/5 Char Siu Chicken Rice Tasted like a familiar char siu marinade -- normally on pork -- and worked well on the chicken. The chimichurri sauce helped brighten it up. Chicken was cooked nicely. 3/5 read more

See all

FANTASTIC cocktails. Truly. As home bartenders ourselves, we really appreciated this place. Every drink we tried was so good and so interesting, we couldn't even choose a favorite. Came for happy hour, and also enjoyed the pork dumplings. Great service. Will be back for a proper dinner sometime soon! read more

Bar Chinois - Coco Marseilles and Fall in Normandy - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Popped in to try a few items since this location just opened. Though it has huge windows, the lighting is dim and intimate. I sat at the bar and both bartenders were friendly. I ordered the Iron Goddess as my drink, and had the garlic chives gao dumplings, the karaage (fried chicken), and the popiah de canard (duck spring rolls). Everything was good but the duck spring rolls were amazing. I expected the fried chicken to be spicier, but I wasn't upset that they weren't. I look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu. read more

Bar Chinois - Garlic Chives GAO Chili Karaage Popiah de Canard Iron Goddess - drink - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Came here with two people and no reservations on Friday night and was seated at high top tables. We ordered the chili oil wontons and salt and pepper shrimp for food. The shrimp was cooked well but needed a lot more salt and seasoning. The chili oil wontons were okay, spicy but the sauce was too acidic and not quite the flavor that chili oil wontons should be. The drink was good so if we come back, we would probably opt for the drinks and skip the food menu. Service was pretty fast for a busy Friday so no complaints there. read more

See all

Had high expectations, great ambiance and a dumpling-focused menu. The gyoza de boeuf were unique and tasty- and the chili wontons were average, but XLB were a disappointment. read more

I went to Bar Chinois for an early dinner, I've been eye-ing this place for a while since they have a great happy hour menu. They have some steals 4 for 4 dumplings (steamed or fried) and drinks for a good price too. I do try other food on their menu and was quite impressed. They have a nice ambiance and vibe and service is great. This will definitely become a neighborhood staple for me! read more

See all

Stopped in on a Saturday night after seeing a movie in the area. There weren't many people in the restaurant so though we had a reservation it wasn't needed that night. When the server came I asked about their restaurant week menu that is online and he wasn't aware of it. That wasn't a problem but it was interesting that he had no information on it. For food I ordered the 1970's garlic noodles with chicken and it was so so good... ever better the next day too! I would absolutely order that again, we also tried the chicken & shrimp steamed shumai which was also really good. I intend to stop back on for happy hour. read more

Bar Chinois (Arlington location) is very good. Amazing Happy Hour (4-7 M-F), $1 dumplings with discounted drinks. I'm not sure if a lot of people know about this location compared to its DC counterpart. Service was good and the dumplings came out very fast for the amount we ordered. read more

Bar Chinois - Dumplings (Happy Hour) - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

The drinks were fun, that staff is very attentive and offered suggestions, and the vibes are really cute inside. read more

See all

Was craving Asian food, found a parking space and decided to finally try Bar Chinos in VA. VEGGIE DUMPLINGS $4 I honestly did not like this at all, kinda had an earthy taste and texture that I wasn't a fan of first bite. SALT & PEPPER SHRIMP $12 These shrimps were huge, extra crispy and perfectly seasoned. I'm definitely a fan and wish they came with way more or a high quality option. CRAB RAGOONS $11 OMGGGGG! These are my favorite, super crispy and filling was amazing. These came on top of a duck sauce glaze that added a layer of goodness. It's hard to find places with delicious ragoons so this def my #2 favorite spot for this item. NL MULE (HH) $6 Made with ginger beer and a semi fruity hint with a dried blood orange slice. Refreshing with a kick, good to try and different to my norm. I wouldn't mind getting this again. I wish they had fried rice and more options, this is mostly bar food small plates. Not a dinner date vibe unless you just going for drinks and small bites. Staff was nice and checked on me a few times which I greatly appreciated. Will come back when I want something slight and light. read more

See all

Great happy hour and it's nice that it's walkable. The bartenders are nice and the place looks clean and still brand new. Tried their happy hour gyoza dumplings and a couple cocktails. Not a bad way to spend $20 and decompress after work. read more

Excellent! We came happy hour! Incredible value and some really great original and complex drinks! We started with Pork and Chicken Dumplings which were exquisite. So branch into regular entree Garlic Cream Sauce Noodle with fantastic crispy flavorful chicken. Bar staff well above par in hospitality and attentiveness. read more

See all

Checked out new location for HH . Same vibes as the DC location , came on a Sunday and it wasn't too busy which I appreciated . $4 dumplings ( for 4) not pictured but worth it! Also hh cocktails are half off ! A bill under $20 you cannot beat. I parked on the street and walked to location but there may be a garage! Can't wait to come back and check out more of the menu ! read more

See all

So glad this spot finally opened up by my work. Def had to be one of the best happy hours in the area. $4 dumplings and the absolute best drink I think I've had in a while, the Mousse à la Pêche. I think it took a minute for our bartender to warm up to us for some reason but he was very knowledgeable of the menu especially when it came to my friend who was looking for gluten free options. Fills up pretty quickly but it's a cozy spot. read more

Bar Chinois - Mousse à la Pêche - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

See all

Great happy hour with $4 for four dumplings and half price cocktails. I got the drink that is green and has coconut cream, very different but very good. Loved the crispy pork dumplings and the Hong Kong-style BBQ chicken! Excellent service from Carlos our server. Classy vibe. read more

Bar Chinois - Hong Kong-style BBQ chicken - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Bar Chinois's National Landing location's grand opening was today! We were seated right away, which was a total plus! The menu offers dumplings, small plates, entrees, and desserts - we ordered: +Red Chili Wontons - pork & shrimp wontons with garlic, chili oil, scallions, a soy vinaigrette, and sesame +Pork XLB Dumplings - pork soup dumplings with onions, ginger, and Chef's soy +Har Gow - crystal prawn dumplings with bamboo shoots, toasted sesame, and Chef's soy +Gyoza de Boeuf - French onion beef gyoza with gruyere, swiss, pickled onions, cilantro aioli, and soy +Steamed Shumai - with chicken & shrimp, water chestnut, carrots, fried garlic, scallions, and Chef's soy +Salt & Pepper Shrimp - with garlic, ginger, scallions, and Szechuan peppercorn +Crab Rangoon - filled with fried crab & cream cheese, with apricot duck sauce, toasted sesame, and soy +Crispy Shrimp Bao - with tempura shrimp, sriracha mayo, chili oil, cucumber, scallions, and toasted same; 3 comes in an order +Chair Siu Chicken - Hong Kong-style BBQ chicken with red soy, swiss chard, soy egg, ginger chimichurri, and sesame +and, the 1970's Garlic Noodles - prepared with egg noodles, shiitake, spinach, garlic butter, Parm, Chef's soy, oyster & fish sauce Items were great portions to share and to sample a variety. Staff were attentive, and the space was dark and sophisticated. There was plenty of seating, and they seem to be setting up some al fresco options as well; note that this is in an alley, so vehicles do pass by often. Reservations are accepted and recommended for larger groups. Limited metered parking as well as garage parking can be found in the area. +shareable plates +friendly service +reservations accepted +metered street and garage parking read more

Came for the happy hour and fusion cocktails. The vibes are great and it's near Alamo (where we went for a movie). Finding parking is a little challenging so be prepared to walk a few blocks. My first impression was that this is located in a little alley with outdoor seating that would be cute if the area wasn't so...industrial? corporate? Sitting outside and facing a loading zone is not exactly my idea of relaxing. The inside of the bar is cute. It's nicely decorated with asian theme. The dividers between the bar and the seats combined with the dim lighting provide a sense of privacy and mystery. They even have private rooms for your next private gathering, executive dinner, or family gathering! Great date night spot! Service was excellent and the drinks were tasty and just strong enough. The happy hour snacks advertised at $1 each were a little misleading in that it's $1 per dumpling, which I guess if the average plate of dumplings is $12 with about 6-8 is a good price but these are small and served in dim sum steam baskets so...isn't it the same price as a cheap dim sum spot? Maybe not around here but in a Chinatown yes. Also wished they had more options for happy hour food. The goal with this visit wasn't to dine, but I'd be interested in returning to try their Chinese food to see how authentic/fusion it is! read more

See all

Stopped by before my part-time shift for a quick early dinner and some happy hours deals; was greeted by a friendly server and seated promptly. The ambiance is quite pleasant, eloquent yet still post-industrial. The happy hours dumplings were solid; meaty and savory, and a decent deal for pricey Arlington at a dollar a piece. The Chinese-Italian fusion 1970s "Garlic Noodles" were also very impressive flavor wise; filled with earthy-sweet garlic butter, umami fish sauce and mildly astringent soy sauce, and layered with spinach, shiitakes and a dash of Parmesan. My only issue was that the portion of the noodles for the price ($18) was a tad bit small; would have liked to see a little bit larger of a portion for nearly $20. I regret that I wasn't able to buy a drink prior to my shift starting, as I do understand Bar Chinois is principally, well, a bar. Will certainly be back at some point. read more

Bar Chinois - Chicken Dumplings and 1970's Garlic Noodles - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

All of the martinis here are great. The martinis isn't too strong and they're not too sweet. They're made perfectly. The garlic noodles are my favorite. The salt and pepper shrimp is good too. I love the dim light setting. Customer service is always great. There is a garage parking that's available in the area so you don't have to walk too far. read more

See all

What a great happy hour! Delicious soup dumplings and cocktails under $10 in a place where the staff try to learn your name -- not much more I could ask for. read more

Had such a great time here with my bestfriend. The wine selection was also chefs kisses. We came here for an evening dinner and the staff was very friendly and sweet. Our waiter Connor was attentive and so was Ian. I can't wait to come back. The ambiance was very relaxed and it was busy. Highly recommend booking a reservation. Especially if you plan on going during the weekends. read more

See all

Meh. Not bad but over priced. My test item was the salt pepper shrimp, which a true Chinese place knows should be salty and spicy. These were good shrimp but neither of the above. My cocktail similarly was good, but did not sparkle. It did have a pleasant baiju style smoke. The guy next to me said to try NiHao a few blocks away, and he was works-for-Elon rich, so I'm guessing he knows. Gonna try that next time. read more

Yay so glad one of my fav happy hour spots in DC has made its way to Arlington! They still have their daily happy hour from 4-6 with dollar dumplings and half off drinks during HH. The drinks were delicious and strong. The appetizers were equally delicious. Love the crab Rangoon, ribs, beef gyozas, salt and pepper shrimp...to name a few! Our bartender Hannah was awesome...she took great care of us and the food came out fast. It's super cute and nice in here...this will definitely be one of my go to spots now that it is closer to me. read more

Interesting cocktails and good food. I particularly enjoyed the Lu Rao Fan. Dumplings are also great.

Excellent happy hour, food was amazing. We had a private setting with friends. The service from Mel and Izabel was awesome. Would definitely come back and recommend to family and friends. read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

We had such a great time at bar chinois tonight! I would 1000/10 recommend this place. They have everything from amazing service to amazing food and cocktails! If you are looking for somewhere to go to get a great atmosphere and a great experience I would absolutely recommend. The manager Katherine was amazing as well. The bartenders both Mel and Shaun made our experience unforgettable. I will most definitely be back and also recommending this place to others ! (This is the national landing location) read more

Cool place. Great vibe. Happy hour was fun. Mel was an excellent bartender. We would definitely go back. read more

I had high hopes for this place but after three visits I've been mostly disappointed. The steamed happy hour dumplings were just terrible. Bland and mushy. The pork soup dumplings were pretty good as was the Char Siu Chicken. I'll go back one more time to try the Hoisin Ribs and the Garlic Noodles, both of which I have heard are excellent. The place is also extremely loud - sit outside if you can. read more

So glad that they opened a location in VA! Such yummy food, friendly people, and great atmosphere. Amazing happy hour, dumplings for $1 and there are cocktails that are half off. The garlic noodles, xlb dumplings, gyoza are some of my favorites. read more

Bar Chinois - Chinese Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I live nearby, so I've been anxiously awaiting their opening. Stumbled into their grand opening last week, almost by accident, and I've been back three times since. The service has been just exceptional each time and the ambiance is on point. Maddie, Hannah, Matt, and Frank have all been so friendly and attentive behind the bar. Every cocktail I've tried has been absolutely delicious, though Iron Goddess and Mousse à la Pêche have been my favorites as I work my way through the cocktail menu. The food has been a bit more hit and miss. I tried the pork XiaoLongBao (XLB) dumplings, the har gow, and the red chili wontons at their grand opening and all were delectable. In fact, the XLB were perhaps the best I've found in the DMV, though the presentation was a bit unorthodox (having eaten more than my share at Din Tai Fung while living in Taipei, it has been a frustrating search to find comparable XLB locally and these were the closest I've found). I was equally pleased with the gyoza de boeuf and black pepper duck on my next visit. Unfortunately, I found both the XLB and steamed shumai soggy and overcooked on a Monday night. Hoping it was a fluke and that the XLB will live up to that opening night quality next time. On my fourth visit, the garlic chives gao was a wonderful balance of soft, chewy, and crispy. The 1970's garlic noodles were tasty, but the added fried chicken was dry and tough, so I plan to try it with the shrimp or tofu next time. Overall, I think it's been a great addition to the dining options in Crystal City and a fantastic one for local cocktails. read more

See all