American cuisine, like burgers, is a staple for many local families. Yet sometimes you get a craving for something unique. Next time you want to explore flavors from around the globe, use our guide to find the best ethnic cuisines in the Port Potomac area.

Presto! Pizza

Presto! Pizza is the place to go in Port Potomac for all your favorite Italian dishes. It’s one of the area’s best family-friendly restaurants for good reasons. You’ll never find fried foods, preservatives, or anything made with artificial ingredients on the menu here. The talented pizzaiolosat Presto make the pizza dough and sauces from scratch daily with imported Italian tomatoes, fresh herbs, and spices.

The kids will love their build-your-own pizza options with 20 different toppings to pick from, including meatballs. Parents will enjoy a plate of authentic spaghetti with meatballs, Italian breadsticks, and a side salad or the Quattro Formaggi. It’s a panini with four kinds of melted cheese. You can also order a 50-piece plate of all-natural, antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken wings for the whole family in hot, mild, or barbecue flavors. You’ll even get a free Sicilian cannoli for dessert when you get a large calzone or stromboli.

• Location: 4135 Merchant Plaza in Woodbridge.
• Dine-in Hours: Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bistro L’Hermitage

This pick is the perfect place to go for an upscale dining experience near Port Potomac. Whether you make it brunch, a date night, or you want to introduce your older children to French cuisine, we suggest the Bistro L’Hermitage. Its lively yet warm ambiance will remind you of the French countryside, and the servers will dazzle you with their attention to detail. Everything is top-notch, from the presentation to the execution at this local gem.

Even connoisseurs of French cuisine will love sampling this Bistro’s numerous offerings. They’re some of the finest around, like the Crevettes a L’Ail with sauteed garlic shrimp, Israeli couscous, and baby spinach. Also enjoy the Moules Gratines with braised tomatoes and garlic cream. Remember to ask for a wine recommendation. The experts here know exactly what pairs well with your dish.

• Location: 12724 Occoquan Road in Woodbridge.
• Hours: Brunch – Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m; Dinner – Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Chiyoshi

Chiyoshi is a family-owned restaurant in the Marumsco Plaza Shopping Center that specializes in Japanese and Chinese cuisine. It’s a terrific option when you want some of the city’s best ethnic cuisine but you want to eat in. You can order online and have it delivered hot and fresh to your door. They even serve Halal foods that meet strict Islamic dietary guidelines.

Chiyoshi offers a variety of flavorful dishes for adults, like the signature Mongolian Twin with sliced chicken breast and beef that the chef stir-fried with shredded white onion. We also recommend the seafood combo with scallops, jumbo shrimp, and imitation crab sticks. Don’t worry, Chiyoshi offers plenty of kid-friendly options, too, including lo mein and fried rice with teriyaki chicken. If you’re feeding a hungry group, consider ordering a party tray. It comes with enough food to feed a family of six.

• Location: 14087 Jefferson Davis Hwy. in Woodbridge.
• Hours: Daily from 11:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Taste of Tandoor

Whether you want to try Indian food for the first time or you’re a longtime fan, you can get your fill of authentic cuisines at the Taste of Tandoor. We love the complex flavors the chefs serve here, from sweet and savory to spicy. The dishes are aromatic and sophisticated yet simple and fresh. The elegant decor at this restaurant offers diners a warm and inviting experience that complements this pick’s delicious menu of ethnic dishes.

Stop by for lunch and sample a variety of flavors on the all-you-can-eat buffet. Bring your appetite and take advantage of this terrific value. It’s also within walking distance of the Potomac Mills Mall, so make it an afternoon or visit the Taste of Tandoor for dinner. Try the lamb-based Rogan Josh cooked in a creamy yogurt and curry sauce, plus a blend of classic Indian spices. There’s also a large section of the menu dedicated to vegetarian dishes and traditional Indian desserts.

• Location: 13836 Smoketown Road in Woodbridge.
• Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday between 11 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

El Paso Mexican Restaurant

Take your family’s taste buds on a trip south of the border at El Paso Mexican Restaurant. This small local chain brings Mexican food and culture to the city with bright decor and festive music. The reasonable prices and massive portions make this restaurant the best ethnic place to go with the family. In addition, its regular fundraising events help support our community here in Port Potomac.

Try a sizzling plate of fajitas or stuff your tummy with one of the super burritos. You can choose any hand-prepared entree cooked as mild or as spicy as you like. There’s even a full-service bar where mom and dad can sip a margarita and turn the occasion into a fiesta or relax and unwind. Order a churro or a honey-filled sopapilla if you have a taste for something sweet. It’s the best way to finish a delicious ethnic dish. Check out El Paso’s daily deals, like Taco Tuesday, and get military discounts on the weekends.

• Location: 3031 Golansky Blvd. in Woodbridge.
• Dine-in Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Well, there you go. The team at Crème de la Crème of Port Potomac put together this guide to some of the city’s best places to get ethnic cuisine. Which International dish has your mouth watering? Let us know which local eateries are your family’s favorite places to try delicious new foods. We want to share your ideas with other Virginia parents.