One of the things that makes Fairfax County unique—and fascinating—and delicious—is its diversity.
Situated just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, the county is considered a gateway to America, attracting people from global cultures who know they will find community here. As a result, we are one of the most diverse areas in Virginia.
From organizations like MicroTech, one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the nation, to GolfZon, a Korean-owned golf simulator business, immigrants contribute significantly to the county’s economy and its reputation of being one of the wealthiest, most well-educated regions in the nation.
Here are a few statistics about Fairfax County residents:
*Data sourced from FairfaxCounty.gov
- 51% identify as non-white
- 30% are foreign-born, and 40% speak a language other than English at home
- We come from over 100 countries and speak over 160 languages and dialects
- More than 40% of our small businesses are minority-owned
All of this makes Fairfax County a great place to explore for ethnic cuisine, specialty items, cultural festivals, intriguing experiences, and more. As we celebrate America’s 250th this year, it’s a good time to reflect on the fact that nearly all of us in this country have immigrant roots, as well as to learn more about our fellow Americans.
Cultural Centers in Fairfax County
While much of the county is more or less evenly integrated, there are a few places you can visit for a more immersive experience.
- Annandale. Known as “Koreatown,” this area is full of Korean businesses, restaurants, bakeries, groceries, services, and people. You can find three Korean Community Centers within a few miles of each other on or near Little River Turnpike.
- Falls Church. Ask any Vietnamese American if they’ve ever heard of the Eden Center and their answer will be yes. Eden Center forms the heart of a town immersed in Asian culture and serves as the largest Vietnamese retail center this side of the Rockies.
- Alexandria. Not just a center of historic significance, Alexandria is also a hub for Hispanic culture with a wealth of restaurants, businesses and markets along Route 1.
- Centreville. Second only to Annandale, Centreville is also a hub of Korean (and other Asian) culture with standout restaurants, grocers and spas.
- Herndon/Chantilly/Reston. These areas have a high concentration of Indian (and other Asian) businesses and services and are well-known for its authentic Indian cuisine.
Ethnic Dining Spots
Perhaps the most evident impact of immigrants on the region is seen in the cuisine. My inaccurate guesstimate would be that for every non-chain, locally owned “American” restaurant in the county, there are at least 3-5 ethnic spots. Taquerias, dim sum spots, pho restaurants, Korean BBQ places, pollo shops, kabob places, curry houses and fufu places fill the area’s shopping centers, tempting travelers to try something new. A very short list of highlights follows. Click on the links or visit our site for other suggestions.
- Korean: Kogiya, Annandale; Honey Pig, Annandale and Centreville; Iron Age, Centreville
- Vietnamese: Eden Center, Falls Church—you can’t go wrong, bring cash
- Indian: Royal Nepal Bistro, Vienna; Dishes of India, Alexandria; Curry Mantra, Fairfax
- Thai: Sisters Thai, Fairfax; Duangrat’s, Falls Church; All Rice Thai, Alexandria
- Mexican: El Paso, Alexandria and Springfield; Mama Tigre, Oakton; Tacos El Costalilla, Alexandria
- Afghan: Afghan Bistro, Springfield; Mazadar, Fairfax; Bamian Restaurant, Falls Church
- Ethiopian: Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant, Herndon; Meaza Restaurant, Falls Church; Manna Bistro & Bakery, Centreville
- Fusion and Other: Yechon Korean and Japanese Restaurant, Annandale; Mama Chang, Fairfax (Chinese/Dim Sum); Su Pollo, Alexandria; Fava Pot, Falls Church (Egyptian and cause-related); Saba Restaurant, Fairfax (Yemeni); Lebanese Taverna, Tysons; Kolbeh Turkish Cuisine, Fairfax
Businesses Tailored to Immigrant Communities
Courtesy Balian Springs
The region is also blessed with a broad range of retail and service options tailored for international tastes. Wherever you’re staying, you’re likely to find a salon, market, boutique, bakery or other specialty shop suiting your interests. Again, this is just a short list. If you are looking for something specific, search online. It more than likely exists in Fairfax County.
- Grocers and Markets: H-Mart, Multiple Locations; Halalway International Supermarket, Fairfax; Lotte Plaza Market; Multiple Locations; India Bazaar, Multiple Locations; German Gourmet, Falls Church; Polish Market, Vienna; Plaza Latina Market, Falls Church
- Coffee Shops and Bakeries: Shilla Bakery, Multiple Locations (Korean); Postres Victoria, Alexandria; Haraz Coffee House, Fairfax (Yemeni); Soricha Tea & Theater, Annandale (Korean); Bakhtar Bakery, Chantilly (Afghan); Amphora Bakery, Herndon (European); The Swiss Bakery, Springfield
- Specialty Stores: Al-Hikma Bookstore, Falls Church (Arabic); TESO Life, Centreville (Japanese imports); Meenal’s Indian Fashions, Herndon
- Self Care: Besfren Beauty, Falls Church (K-Beauty products); Spa World, Centreville; Indus Salon & Boutique, Fairfax; Balian Springs, Alexandria
Annual Cultural Festivals in Fairfax County
Holi at Mosaic District
Fairfax County’s neighborhoods host festivals throughout the year celebrating our diversity. The festivals listed below are annual cultural events, and dates and times will be available on our events page at least a month ahead of time. But if you’re looking for any old festival while you’re in town, you can find one most weekends, year-round. Check our festivals page to see what’s going on while you’re here!
- March/April: National Cherry Blossom Festival, DC (Japanese)
- May: Festival of Colors, Centreville (Indian)
- May: Asian Festival on Main, Fairfax
- May: Fil-Am Springfest, Fairfax (Filipino-American)
- May: Songkran Festival and Thai New Year, Annandale
- August: Vietfest, Tysons
- September: Reston Multicultural Festival, Reston
- September: Middle Eastern Food Festival, McLean
- September: Taste of Annandale, Annandale (Korean)
- October: Vienna Oktoberfest, Vienna
- October: Oktoberfest Renaissance Festival, McLean
- November/December/January: Winter Lantern Festival, Tysons (Chinese)
The cultures highlighted here are just a slice of those represented in the neighborhoods of Fairfax County. A few hundred years ago, the residents of this region were very different. By one path or another, nearly everyone reading this is of immigrant descent. It makes our nation a never-ending font of new things to discover, new tastes to experience and new experiences to enjoy.
