Ellie Bird

Restaurant · Falls Church

Ellie Bird

Restaurant · Falls Church

4

125 Founders Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046

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Ellie Bird by Andrew Noh
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Ellie Bird by null
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Ellie Bird by null
Ellie Bird by null
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Ellie Bird by null
Ellie Bird by null
Ellie Bird by null
Ellie Bird by null
Ellie Bird by null
Ellie Bird by null
Ellie Bird by null
Ellie Bird by null
Ellie Bird by null
Ellie Bird by null
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Ellie Bird by null
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Ellie Bird by null
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Highlights

Ellie Bird features upscale-casual, family-friendly dining from Michelin-starred duo Yuan and Carey Tang. Both were raised in Falls Church, held their first hospitality jobs as teens on Broad Street, and live in the area. Ellie Bird, named for their youngest daughter, provides a chef-driven, fun, and approachable option at Founder's Row.  

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125 Founders Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Get directions

elliebirdva.com
@elliebirdva

$$$

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125 Founders Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046 Get directions

+1 703 454 8894
elliebirdva.com
@elliebirdva

$$$

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Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@eater

"This ambitious addition to the neighborhood has garnered critical acclaim since opening for its eclectic menu of dishes and stellar cocktails. Find everything from a pho-esque take on French onion soup to zingy crudo and carefully made pastas." - Missy Frederick

Where to Eat in the Dynamic, Diverse Neighborhood of Falls Church, Va.
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@eater

"Ellie Bird is a delicious, creative, and ambitious addition to the dining scene." - Adele Chapin

Where D.C. Restaurant Experts Loved to Dine Out in 2023 - Eater DC
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@eater

"Ellie Bird hatched this month in Falls Church, Virginia with a menu full of New American comfort foods and Asian twists. The casual, 70-seat dining room celebrates its namesake with booths under big bird cages and bathroom wallpaper covered in puns. Highlights off the shared plates section include octopus ceviche with passionfruit vinaigrette, avocado, garlic-chili crunch, red onion, and fried plantains. Unique sides include dan dan asparagus, kale with Chinese sausage, or “fancy tater tots” with homemade hot sauce. Prices range from $12 to $19 for the starters and shared dishes, entrees run $21 to $38, and sides are $8. The beverage program features wines by the glass or bottle, and colorful cocktails with cute names." - Aparna Krishnamoorthy

Inside Ellie Bird, a Family-Friendly Cafe for Falls Church - Eater DC
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"The chefs behind D.C.’s Michelin-starred tasting room Rooster & Owl hatch a family-friendly little sister in West Falls Church’s mixed-use Founder’s Row development." - Tierney Plumb

The Most Anticipated Spring Restaurant Openings to Track Around D.C. - Eater DC
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Jessie Wilson

Google
I've come here twice: once for brunch and one for dinner. Both times have been phenomenal. The menu is small, so every dish has a ton of care and planning behind it. Literally everything we've had here has been amazing, especially the duck fat egg tart at brunch. And the tornado omelette. And the Amish chicken and broccoli. Seriously, it's all amazing! Additionally the service is friendly and almost at a Michelin level of attention to detail and level of coordination. Overall, I enthusiastically recommend Ellie Bird and I'm already planning my next trip back 💛💙

H Martindale

Google
Such a cute place with excellent food! Came for brunch on a Saturday and was a little worried at first because the menu is small but honestly I wanted to try everything. Wound up with the sliders and my companion got the fried chicken. Both were awesome. I will definitely come back.

Amanda Cravotta

Google
Every dish was perfection - the focaccia, shishitos, mushroom toast (!!), autumn risotto (made w Farro), rigatoni w bolognese (hearty goodness), & seabream w corn chowder sauce (OMG). Service was courteous, and spot on. Thank you, Ellie Bird, for an elevated cozy dinner!

Hassan Elnahas

Google
Best meal I’ve had in this part of Virginia (Falls Church / Arlington). Great service from the start. My sea bream was cooked to perfection. I’d go back again tomorrow and order the same thing. They change the (limited) menu very often but really know how to serve up a delicious meal and tasty cocktail.

Chris Clarke

Google
Due to a busy schedule, we made very early reservations for bar seating. Our bartenders, Nick and Alex were great. Very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We had terrific cocktails. (Try the kids choice award), and fabulous food. My husband did the three course prix fixe option, and I had an amazing wedge salad and Vietnamese French onion soup. The cherry almond dessert was PHENOMENAL.

Linda A.

Google
Had the pleasure of dinging here! The menu was great. The food was even better. Tried the pre-fixe menu and everything was incredible. The pineapple bun was absolutely our favorite. I would definitely dine here again! Amazing experience!

Ben Aring

Google
What an incredible meal! Easily as good as many of the top restaurants in DC, including their sister restaurant Rooster and Owl. This restaurant has 4.4 stars as of this review which is ridiculously low for the quality and consistency. The Pomelo Larb was a standout-a blue crab pad Thai type lettuce wrap. Insanely fresh and delicious. The poached salmon was extremely unique and perfectly cooked. Fennel bolognese with bone marrow. Amazing. French onion soup, deep and delicious. They were running a very smooth ship. Maybe when they first opened it was not as tight. Right now though, could not recommend more.

Carolina Martinez

Google
Ellie Bird has a pleasant atmosphere, the food was just okay. While the presentation was nice, the flavors didn't quite meet our expectations. Overall, it was an average dining experience.

Kimi S.

Yelp
I want to thank Ellie Bird for reminding me a little bit of my past self this weekend. Since becoming a parent, brunch has become a thing of a past. We're either eating cereal at an ungodly time of the morning, gulping down coffee and croissants a coffee house, or if we're feeling fancy dining at the International House of Pancakes (a family favorite). I was feeling brave and suggested a brunch date with my family this weekend, and we all had a great time. From the moment we walked in the front door we were greeted with smiling faces, crayons, and little children's menus with birds of every kind to color. I'll have to admit, I panic ordered due to not knowing what my kids would eat...but everything turned out great! We tried: - Breakfast Bread Basket: Chocolate and Maple Scone, Portuguese Egg Tarts, and Coconut Almond Croissant -- what a winner ... and made for perfect after park snacking - Tornado Omelette ... Our favorite menu item of the day it came on top of a bed of kim chi fried rice with sweet Chinese sausage - Mochi Waffle: Light and fluffy, such a fun texture - Kids Chicken Tenders and Fries: Coated in a cornflake crust, it was super light and crunchy..we might have enjoyed them more than our kids - Eggs and Bacon: My daughter did not eat this but that's because she had not one, but two sides of tater tots. The toum dip and homemade hot sauce was a really nice touch - Ube Latte: NOT TOO SWEET! It was so perfect, I could have cried. We were sat outside which was perfect on a beautiful, almost fall-like morning. We'll definitely be back for dinner!

Annette L.

Yelp
A little skeptical at first due to the small menu of Ellie Bird, but let me tell you how lovely of an experience I had and the food was lovely. The ambiance never fails to make me feel right at home and the waiting staff is so kind. The tater tots are a must try when you dip it into the garlic and do a little hot sauce to top it off. I loved loved loved the spam musubi sliders, those were the highlight for me. The parking validation confused us a little bit as it was our first time parking there. The gentleman at the front was a little sassy about it but oh well! Overall, come for the food and the vibes, and don't forget to get parking validated at the BEGINNING of your meal.

Austin G.

Yelp
Ellie Bird's menu is unique. For example, they make a "Cacio e pepe," which isn't noodles at all. It takes the flavors of the famous pasta and drizzle it on fresh pears. Their French onion soup has a Vietnamese twist. It's a delightful menu to read. On a date night, my wife and I sat on the patio on a Saturday around 6pm without a reservation. Service was friendly and fast and the space is beautiful and quaint. The food was unique and good from the onion soup to the "cacio e pepe." The bread basket for $9 is also worth it. For dessert, we got the olive cake with local figs on it.

Yulee K.

Yelp
I had such high hopes for this restaurant because of the reviews but my god were the prices unreasonable. I thought the pastries were fine. Nothing about them was outstanding. The pineapple bun sliders were good with the seasoned fries. But again, for two tiny sliders, the price was unreasonable. Nothing about them was special with just some egg, a green spread, and spam. The wedge salad was good and was the only thing I thought was reasonably priced. The tornado omelette, however, was bland. Not pictured, we also had a side of spam that came with three small thin slices of spam for $6. I don't know if that's worth it to be honest. The service was great though. Everyone was super nice and accommodating. The interior is very cute and colorful, making it for a great brunch cafe. All in all, everything was good except the food that happened to be wildly expensive for mediocre taste.

Jackie B.

Yelp
Honestly for the restaurant being created by Michelin star chefs, I was a little disappointed. I felt it was overhyped for the food that I ate. I appreciated that the menu was different to what you might typically get at a brunch, with the mochi waffle (vs. a regular waffle). However, the flavors of the food were underwhelming. I will say that the aesthetics were super cute, there was accessible parking via the garage, and the person who was our waitress was very accommodating. We tried to make additions to the meal (adding blueberries for the waffle), but unfortunately were unable to do so. They do take allergies into account though if there's something that needs to be omitted from your meal. Overall, I don't necessarily see myself raving to come back here again.

Angela S.

Yelp
At first glance, Ellie Bird's menu seemed unremarkable until we tried the dishes. The roasted chicken was incredibly tender. The meat was cooked perfectly. It's clear that this restaurant operates at a higher level of fine cuisine. We also enjoyed the scallop ceviche and pork ribs. Considering that the restaurant is owned by a Michelin-starred chef, Ellie Bird gives patrons a chance to sample excellent food at a relatively reasonable price point. Overall, we had a great dining experience.

Emma Z.

Yelp
Ellie Bird gets rave reviews for a reason. It's a cozy yet airy restaurant that's just a little bit further than the main drag of Falls Church. The menu miraculously manages to please kids and parents alike! Ellie Bird is one of the few places where I'll order a cocktail, because the selections are unique and deliciously well crafted. The flavors of the drinks and the meals combine American comfort dishes with Asian flavor influences. Everything is well executed, although their brunch menu is my favorite. Try the bread basket and the ube-bae-bae drink. Despite the elevated cuisine, Ellie Bird also manages to be quite kid friendly. They have meals and cups for little eaters, which is a nice treat as a parent. They are also mindful when asked about food allergies for your party. I recommend making a reservation, even on a weeknight. There is ample paid parking in the complex. I wouldn't be surprised if this part of Falls Church continues to grow with Ellie Bird as one of the star restaurants.

Jessalyn L.

Yelp
This place really lived up to the hype. The server was funny and personable and service timing was pretty good. Ambiance was trendy, not super fancy. The pineapple buns in the bread basket were delicious along with the other bread and homemade butter. The appetizers were honestly the best part of dinner. We got a cute little happy anniversary note and the wines were are very good. 100% would return if only to leave extra room for dessert next time.

Yvonne L.

Yelp
I absolutely LOVE Ellie Bird. We've been here for both brunch and dinner and all the dishes and drinks are incredible. The oxtail soup for dinner and the sliders at brunch were standouts but you really can't go wrong with anything you choose!

Jamey B.

Yelp
Delightful neighborhood spot for elevated basics. I enjoyed an anniversary evening with my favorite dinner date on a weeknight. We snuck in without a reservation on the earlier side. A few tables with kids were departing and older couples were filtering in. The atmosphere was friendly, not stuffy, and I think the goal of making this a place for multiple generations has been achieved. The pasta was a standout for me, wonderful flavor to the ragu. The lamb shank was melt in your mouth and nicely presented. My appetizer was also outstanding and I loved the kick and flavor of the larb. The bone marrow was a disappointment and felt like bone marrow for people who don't actually like bone marrow. The waitress had recommended it and I so I didn't take a close look at the menu before saying yes and it came with breadcrumbs and aioli and sadly not much marrow or marrow flavor. I ordered the ice cream for dessert, which was outstanding. I was pleasantly surprised at how much flavor the honey ice cream had. My wine was a little slow to arrive but overall I think the service had a nice cadence. I would definitely recommend Ellie Bird to anyone who likes a bit of fusion. Getting a good spicy larb and homemade pasta in the same meal was a treat!

Sanchita G.

Yelp
I came here for dinner a week ago with my friend and I thought it was really good. I felt like the service was absolutely amazing! The ambience of the place was also super good as well. What I like about the space was that It felt trendy. The food that I ordered was a prefix menu for $55. I also liked how they gave bread as well before you started the meal. I got the pan con tomato and the olive oil poached salmon and Rachel's chocolate cake all that were amazing with my fav being salmon! I highly recommend it was so good. I will definitely be returning specially when I feel splurging.

Gina H.

Yelp
The food came out really fast even though it was a busy Saturday brunch hour. Overall food was good but the portion sizes are not that big. We enjoyed the chicken and biscuit the most. The mochi waffle was not really a mochi-like consistency. Just more like a regular waffle but less crispy. The egg on the tornado omelet was yummy but the kimchi fried rice was mediocre (maybe I'm biased as a Korean person). There's a lot of natural sunlight in the restaurant and overall a nice ambience.

Vivian Z.

Yelp
Amazing brunch restaurant located in falls church! I really enjoyed coming here on a weekend with a friend. I made a reservation and definitely Recommend to make a reservation as the restaurant is very busy during brunch hours! The menu has great drink options from alcoholic beverages to lattes. I ordered the Ube latte! I thought the Ube latte didn't have a very strong Ube flavor, but overall it was good. We ordered the pastry basket that consisted of Portuguese egg tarts , almond croissant, and cinnamon roll. This was absolutely amazing. All of the pastries were so delicious!!! For the entrées, we got the tornado omelette which consisted of kimchi fried rice, and of course, the egg on top and the pineapple bun sliders. The pineapple sliders were incredible! You can really taste all the different ingredients within this dish such as the spam, the egg and the guac. The fries came was so crispy and sprinkle with scallion, which was very interesting and honestly made the fries even more. The tornado omelette also was amazing. I thought the kimchi fried rice had a great flavor. Service here was great. Parking was also free in the parking garage directly across the restaurant. You do have to use the coupon code provided on Ellie Bird's website to get three hours of free parking. I definitely recommend this spot for brunch and can't wait to come back !

Kimberly L.

Yelp
Outstanding brunch - even the husband and 1.5yo were pleased. We went right when they opened and service was rather fast but didn't feel rushed. We got a signature latte and the espresso latte which both were smooth and satisfying. The bread basket came out before the coffee and we enjoyed all of the pastries. For entrees we did the chicken and biscuits (husband said it was the best he's had in a long time), tornado omelette (as gorgeous as the photos and satisfying) and the pineapple sliders we took home. Plan on returning for dinner. Parking was easy at the nearby garage and with their discount code was free.

Jenna Alexa I.

Yelp
Family came for brunch this weekend. Some quick notes from my time: * Service was quick & friendly on a busy Saturday brunch. They surprised my BIL with a birthday waffle, which we appreciated. * My boyfriend and I both got the ube-bae-bae drink and ube latte. For anyone considering the ube-bae-bae drink, I am giving you the heads up that it is HEAVY on whiskey with a *hint* of ube. The drink is super strong & honestly I'd consider a milder alcohol in the future or a suggestion to Ellie to revisit their recipe. He said the latte was mid but we can be a bit choosy in our coffee so I'd say it was still on the better side. * I enjoyed my waffles! They were super delicious - not life changing but no complaints either. The prices here aren't on the cheaper side (me getting two sides of sausage and eggs was recognized as treating myself) but you're paying for the good food, atmosphere, and trendy location. Wouldn't rush here but I'd be interested to see what the dinner is like, it looks amazing.

Joshua H.

Yelp
I try to give out 5 star reviews sparingly. For some restaurants I know it will be five stars right away; for others it is a more difficult decision but ultimately it is worthy of 5 stars. For Ellie Bird, I knew it was going to be a five star review from my first bite of the egg tart. As an Asian food snob I tend to be a skeptic when it comes to Asian fusion; however, I could not have been more impressed with the craftsmanship of asian flavors and it's seamless integration into their dishes. To start with the pastry basket; each pastry had amazing texture and quality. I was most amazed with the Chinese egg tart. It tasted like it had been made by a master Chinese baker from the streets of Hong Kong. It even had a bit of extra flare with the duck fat and some kind of savory aftertaste that added depth of flavor. The tornado omelette was a beautiful creation. The Vietnamese French onion soup was so unique with the addition of oxtail. My favorite entree was easily the pineapple bun sliders. Pineapple bun is another Chinese baked item that is incredibly difficult to pull off unless you have a Hong Kong baker in your kitchen and he must be back there working hard because it was delicious. Perfectly paired with the spam for a savory sweet flavor blast. Lastly the Ube latte was subtle and delicious. We will definitely be back and we will bring friends.

Judy L.

Yelp
First, I think our experience was an outlier and the restaurant did comp the bill. We appreciate that the restaurant owned their mistake and did their best to better the situation. It took over an hr to get our food. We watched everyone who came in after us got their food and left. Not sure what was amiss, maybe the kitchen lost our ticket. Restaurant is bright and modern. Everyone else around us seemed to be enjoying their experience. We were very fond of Rooster and Owl and wish we feel the same about Ellie Bird.

Jenny O.

Yelp
One of my new favorite brunch spots in the DMV! Everything was absolutely scrumptious. After deliberating for awhile on the menu (everything sounds so delectable), my husband and I decided to divide and conquer to get max coverage. He ordered the chicken & biscuit and I ordered the pineapple bun sliders. We also had the pastry basket. OK but how did they prep the spam? It was SO buttery yet light and just melted in my mouth. This paired perfectly with the scrambled eggs and guac. This dish was definitely a fork and knife situation though - the sliders are tall and massive! This dish came with scallion-vinegar fries. Unfortunately, I didn't get much of either. Perhaps the potato to crisp ratio was too much in potato's favor. In any event, I would order this dish again in a heartbeat! The hubby's chicken & biscuit was deeelicious, too. Very tender country fried chicken was smothered in dashi gravy. Why don't we put dashi in gravy all the time? Genius! It rendered such depth to the gravy that I kept dipping my fries in it to enjoy. The pastry basket is bountiful! I thought this pairing was great because the savory dishes was a smidge salty, so the sweetness of the pastry basket really rounded it out. My favorite was the coconut almond croissant, but kudos to how sticky the sticky bun was. I also tried the seasonal latte. This was very interesting - the honey, cardamon and almond flavors melded together to create this roasty, floral, piney and sweet flavor. I liked it. Finally, I just have to rave about the ambiance here! I loved all the natural lighting, the high ceiling, all the marble and the saturated colors running throughout the restaurant. It was warm and welcoming and quite chic. I can't wait to come back - I'm already planning my next meal!

Zack G.

Yelp
Chic, modern, restaurant in Falls Church that was recently rated as one of the Best New Restaurants in the DMV for 2023. Have an indoor dining area, a "chefs table", and a patio. I came here with my GF for brunch, and we sat at the "chef's table" which was essentially a booth that faced the open kitchen. Plenty of options of both classic and unique food and drink options. We both opted for the "mochii waffle", but we also got a side of bacon to share, a nitro iced coffee for me, and a "seasonal latte" for her. Everything was pretty solid. Quick and friendly service

Dona P.

Yelp
This review is for a desperate women, in search of coffee- before a pilates class across the street. Shockingly Founders Row still doesn't have a strong coffee shop- despite phenomenal other offerings ! I walked in with 14 minutes to class (in workout clothes while folks are in their Sunday finest), and asked if there was any way to get a to go cup of coffee- they actually APOLOGIZED for not having to go cups and encouraged me to grab a quick cup at the bar. Bar tender was AMAZING and super encouraging of making it happen quickly and nonjudgmental of this unconventional request! Beautiful bar (we sat in the middle of the restaurant before), and just so pleased to have such a cool special place in Falls Church!

Christina M.

Yelp
From the great service to the incredible food, we loved everything about our brunch at Ellie Bird! I'd describe it as Asian-American comfort food, with lots of familiar dishes interpreted in new ways. We tried a few things and really liked all of them: - Pastry basket: this came with a pasteis de nata/egg tart, coconut almond croissant, and sticky bun. I don't think I've ever had a croissant with coconut in it and I loved it! All three pastries were great, though. - Tater tots: these came out piping hot and perfectly crispy, and were served with two different sauces, garlic toum and hot sauce (which I believe was housemade). Excellent individually and together. - Tornado omelet: I've never seen anything like this and it was SO delicious. It was stuffed with Chinese sausage and kimchi fried rice and had such great flavor while being hearty and comforting. - Pineapple bun sliders: Another really filling comfort food dish- the pineapple buns were a nice unexpected vehicle for spam, scrambled eggs, and guacamole. Definitely messy to eat but well worth it! The fries were excellent, outshined only by the incredible tater tots. We also really appreciated the great service we had. We started off out on the patio, and hadn't realized a couple of things: 1) the patio does not have any cover, so it was in direct sunlight, and 2) it was colder and windier that day than expected. We stuck it out for a bit, but eventually asked if we could move inside, where we were seated at the bar. I didn't catch the bartender's name but he was so friendly and attentive.

Jonathan R.

Yelp
Perhaps Ellie Bird is just not the type of restaurant for me. The prix fixe menu, at $55/person, was a good deal, just not necessarily enough food for a large person of my size. I got the spring pea rangoons, chicken and broccoli, and chocolate cake. All were tasty, if small. I also got the Up in Smoke cocktail, which lived up to its name and wasn't too sweet, which I appreciated. The weather was great so we sat outside in their patio space, which was nice. Service was very attentive. Overall -- food was good, small portions, and well-presented, if you're into that sort of thing.

Angela N.

Yelp
Went to brunch and absolutely loved the vibe, the service, drinks and food! Would love to come back and try dinner. We had the white lotus cocktail - refreshing with cucumber, lime, kiwi and vodka. Ellie bird salad was delish - love a kale salad. We shared the buttermilk pancakes which were phenomenal and took a chance on the pineapple bun sliders which also were good. Haven't seen spam since I was very young and surprised to see Halo Halo on the menu (it's a Filipino dish). One small issue...I'm very sensitive to mold/water issues and I started having breathing/sinus issues. I didn't notice the dehumidifier next to us until we had already been seated and ordered. I would like to come back and try dinner items so will try to sit in front of the restaurant where more air will flow from the door.

Christine T.

Yelp
Indulging in a culinary journey at this Ellie Bird was an absolute delight! Each dish, from the comforting Vietnamese French onion soup to the delectable mushroom toast, was a harmonious blend of flavors that left my taste buds tingling with satisfaction. The fried oyster larb was a unique and delicious twist, while the fennel rigatoni and duck confit was delish! But what truly was underrated was the bread basket, a delightful surprise with pineapple buns and focaccia with scallion butter. This unexpected treat added an extra layer of delight to an already exceptional meal. Combined with impeccable service and a charming ambiance, dining here was an experience to remember.

Raychelle S.

Yelp
WOWOWOOWOWW!! 5 stars all around. To being greeted to sitting down to everything in between. We sat in the chefs corner and it was intimate and unique. I loved that you could see everything be prepared before you. The service was impeccable. Everyone was so nice and helpful. They knew their stuff. I felt seen and heard. When looking at the menu I wasn't sure but man everything was done so well! The flavors, the presentation, the portion size, well done! I can't say anything poor about my experience. 10/10 recommend. I can't wait to come back for brunch. Every appetizer we got was amazing. Hamachi crudo, wedge salad, rangoons! Wow please order. Also the bread to share was warm, a little crispy, and perfect. The steak was perfectly cooked and flavored. Don't forget to get dessert - the cherry ice cream with custard and cherry sauce was amazing.

Thasin S.

Yelp
Really cute brunch spot! Loved the mochi waffle. We also got the French omelette but wasn't a fan (the potatoes were too salty). We were going to say something to the server but didn't want to make a big deal out of it. I would come back and try again!

Gwen B.

Yelp
I've been to Ellie Bird twice now and while I wanted to LOVE it, it just didn't hit home. I positively adore their sister restaurant Rooster and Owl but Ellie Bird is a DC priced restaurant with tiny portions. The service was mostly good and I got the kids choice award drink which I enjoyed at Rooster and Owl but didn't love it quite as much at Ellie Bird for some reason. The avocado toast was SO tiny that us 4 girls barely got in a bite and while the pasta was al dente, the flavor was lacking. The star of the meal was definitely the oyster larb but again, we all only got 1-2 bites to eat. The chicken was incredibly small for $33 and it genuinely offended me to see chicken priced that high for a tiny slice of thigh. Overall, it was disappointing for the price and none of my party were particularly impressed. With so many options in the DC/NoVa area, you can skip Ellie Bird.

Cassandra S.

Yelp
Came for dinner in July 2033 and had a great time (the lamb shank and spinach spaetzle were highlights). Came back in May 2024 for brunch and we were worried we wouldn't enjoy it because of the mixed reviews, but we're glad we trusted our gut! The pastry basket is delicious, especially the egg tart. I got the tornado omelet and didn't expect to finish the whole thing but the plate was clean at the end of the meal! And whatever you do, don't skip the tater tots.

Amanda H.

Yelp
Beautiful interior decorating for a chic and modern restaurant from the founders of Rooster & Owl. We went for brunch and really enjoyed the meal. The fresh juice blends were good and the pastry basket is a must order. The kale salad was fine but not very memorable. My friends liked their pineapple bun sliders, mochi waffles, pork hash, and French onion soup. Go with a group to try all their dishes! They have a parking code for free parking as well.

James H.

Yelp
Came here to try their brunch menu on a Saturday. Parking was fairly easy as the only parking is found at the parking garage across the street. I would describe the interior of this restaurant as cute and aesthetically pleasing. The dining room was spacious with great lighting. The food genre is Asian fusion and offered interesting flavor combinations, however, portions were a bit on the smaller side for price. I ordered the Mochi Waffle and a side of Berkshire Bacon. The waffle was fresh and had a light but crispy texture. The fermented banana anglaise added sweetness in addition to the caramelized bananas. The coffee-candied pecans gave a bit of crunch, but didn't necessarily add much to the flavor profile of the waffle. The bacon was crispy, cooked to the way I like it. Overall, a great dining experience. The servers were attentive and generous. A must try spot in the Falls Church area. Next time, I'd consider trying their dinner menu.

Allison N.

Yelp
Food was tasty for sure but definitely up there in price, comparable to restaurants that are actually in DC versus in the suburbs. Went for brunch. We ordered a bread basket which was quite good. The cinnamon roll was my favorite but also really liked the almond croissant. My pork hash was likewise a really flavorful dish and my friend said she liked the tornado omelet too. The reason I'm docking stars off is completely for the service which was not friendly at all. Our waitress completely ignored my friend and seemed annoyed with us the entire time, and really tried to rush us, popping up every few minutes before we had decided on drinks or entrees. It kind of felt like diner service vs. what I know the Rooster and Owl service the owners probably pride themselves on. Then after we got our food, she only came back to drop the check off. We were catching up and had not been there past our allotted reservation time and then another staffer came in, took our check, then replaced it with another check (for the same order) I guess to speed us up? It was super awkward. Probably wouldn't come back based on the service and expensive menu.

Matthew H.

Yelp
Came here for brunch after seeing tiktoks and other online posts raving about the brunch. Overall: food did not live up to my expectations... 1. Tornado Omelet: egg texture was not as moist and fluffy as I imagined it would be - I guess I was expecting something closer to what I've seen from other versions of the dish online. The fried rice texture was good, but the kimchi didn't have enough acidity to me IMO. If the kimchi was more fermented (sour), I think the dish would've been a lot better, but I could see that being a turn off for some. I personally think the flavors are played too safe.. 2. Mochi Waffle: super mid. I was expecting more texture from the mochi, and there wasn't too much flavor either. I think the ube mochi pancakes from Trader Joe's honestly is better than this lol. 3. Vietnamese French Onion Soup - the cheese was like, one, sad single slice of Gruyere laid on top of the soup. It didn't really melt that nicely.. I kinda prefer French Onion Soups with more gooey cheese better distributed within the soup. The flavor also was very pho-like. This definitely had the most flavor of all the things I tried. I saw other reviews call this "too salty" - I disagree.. but overall this was kinda mid to me too. 4. "Ellie Bird Latte" - basically an Ube Latte. This was fine... but again... IMO not enough flavor. If you're going to serve a purple ube latte, I kinda want more Ube flavor to hit me. The ube flavor is just a bit too subtle imo. Also.. this being $8 kinda feels like a rip off. I wouldn't be mad if I had to come here again, but I don't think I'll ever seek it out myself, and I would never reorder the things I listed out above. Everything looks so good, the interior is cute, service was good, but IMO the food's flavor was just so lacking :/

Kelsey H.

Yelp
This was our third time at Ellie bird. I see negative reviews that seem to be all about their brunch but we've only ever had dinner or cocktails here. The food has always been innovative and flavorful. The food: Scallop ceviche: no complaints. We ate every bite. Dry-aged New York strip: solid, well seasoned, sauce was good and came with a side (we chose some sort of zucchini kebab which was surprisingly flavorful and yuca tots which did NOT disappoint). Hamachi collar donburi: absolutely amazing, 10/10. I was so happy I ordered this and my boyfriend definitely had some food envy after he tried it. Particularly loved the salmon roe and pickled mango it came with. Dessert: we ordered the chocolate cake which was the only slight let down. The portion was very small and I don't know what could have made it a "wow" but it didn't do much for me personally. Cocktails: you can not go wrong, they are all great. Their bartenders are friendly and their cocktails are so creative. Not to mention they taste delicious!! Wine: our server didn't know too much about wine pairings but we both ended up happy with our choices. Ellie is 100% a splurge but I think it is worth it from time to time. The restaurant itself can be a little loud but the open kitchen makes for an energetic, buzzing feel in the dining area. Not to say that it isn't a date spot. The tables are still intimate and the lighting is moody. They change their menu to accommodate the seasons so you will constantly see new items. Can't wait to come back!

Judy R.

Yelp
I appreciate the questions Resy asks for reservations. I had a friend joining us that has several pretty severe allergies. On seating, the servers were confirming the allergies listed and had menu marked up with what was safe, not safe, and could be modified. She was almost emotional about the care the staff took to be accommodating and how everyone who touched our table was aware of her allergies. We all really enjoyed our food and drinks. I had the bread basket to myself because of my friend's allergies. The almond croissant was unique in its filling and absolutely delicious. The egg tart was tasty, but I wanted the pastry browned a bit more. I took the cinnamon roll to go but it looks incredible. For brunch, I had the tornado omelette and couldn't stop eating it! The kimchi rice was perfectly seasoned and just the right level of spice. Can't wait to go back for dinner! Overall ambiance and design is lovely. Beautiful logo, menu design, and wall accents in the space.

Charles R.

Yelp
Very courteous and attentive service in a very nice area that appears to be finishing up development. We sat outside in the courtyard next to the water fountain and it had a very laid back vibe. We came for brunch and the food was unique and amazing, the chicken and biscuits and the tornado omelet that my wife and I split were both delicious! She also enjoyed the Ellie Bird latte which had a cool purple tone from the ube. Will definitely come back again for brunch as well as try the dinner menu. Couldn't recommend this enough for the area!

Michael J.

Yelp
The good: - The food was excellent. We really liked everything we tried, including: the pineapple buns, salmon poke, butternut squash with burrata, upscale tater tots, Amish chicken, and the Branzino - They validate parking The downsides, - noisy - strict policy about ordering all food at one time - pricey: 3 people with one drink each was $290 plus tip

Britney B.

Yelp
I came in on a Sunday for brunch with some friends and was pleased with the service and food! While the brunch menu is limited, there were some really great options to choose from. Since it was so busy, my party opted to sit outside. Our server was very attentive and ensured that we were comfortable with our seating. I ordered the Tornado Omelet and my partner ordered the Pulled Pork Hash. The omelet was the perfect size and had great flavors all around from the kimchi fried rice to the lap cheong. The hash was also really tasty and incorporated lots of fresh ingredients which I appreciated. As a French Onion Soup lover, I was curious to see how Ellie Bird was able to include Vietnamese flavors into their version. You can definitely taste the oxtail, but it's not too overpowering. It surely was a savory treat on a chilly day.

Sheena S.

Yelp
The dishes were stupendous! Everything tasted wonderful, and the plating was simple, and not overdone. The Piccata has a home cooked feel - it was one of the best I've tried yet. The salad was lightly dressed, and the crunchy bits were tasty. Perfect start to a meal. A friend had the rigatoni and loved it. We sat at the bar and were served by Alan- who was responsive, courteous, and diligent. We experienced a little snafu and it was addressed to the GM who was identified as Joe. He responded to my concern in a respectful manner. I do hope they will be addressed. The place is a bit small, but mighty. The colorful decor is lovely, and I look forward to try the brunch sometime soon.

Ailun H.

Yelp
My friend and I stopped by Ellie Bird for Restaurant Week (August 2023) this past Tuesday evening. I'd recommend making a reservation in advance (if possible). Maybe it was just really booked for RW, but we were only able to get a 5 PM reservation the night before (and that's after checking Resy multiple times before that reservation got freed up). The Restaurant Week deal is 55.00 for a three-course meal. Additionally, you get two slices of Tori's focaccia with some grilled scallion butter to go with it. The focaccia was soft and glistening with oil to begin with, but I won't say no to more butter. The grilled scallion butter is definitely the highlight. The scallion has a strong flavor and worked well with the smooth and whipped butter. My friend and I ended up getting the same starter and entree: SALMON POKE The appetizer is salmon sashimi (cut into small cubes) mixed with some red onions, charred pineapple and zucchini (I think, if not that it's cucumber) sitting on top of a smooth and creamy avocado spread. Not a huge fan of zucchini, so I avoided them. Otherwise, it was a light and pleasant appetizer. I enjoyed the avocado spread the most as it was nice and flavorful. The red onions and charred pineapple were great toppings with the salmon since it provided pungent, sweet, and juicy flavors for every bite. GRILLED PORK CHOP I liked the almond pesto with the mustard jus because it was so tangy and all the flavors hit you at once. I enjoyed dipping the grilled pork into the sauce and enjoying those flavors with the charred and lightly salted savoriness of the pork. The few pieces of smoked peaches were nice but I'm not sure how they added to the entree. (Was I supposed to eat them separately or together with everything else? Not sure.) Sauteed spinach on the side was nice. Overall, a pleasant entree with lots of unique flavors. The pork chop was on the smaller side, but I love that it was juicy and tender. We got different desserts to share and liked both of them for different reasons: CREME FRAICHE PANNA COTTA The cream was thick and dense with noticeable vanilla bean flavor (I think). The berries on the side definitely added some tartness to every bite, and the raspberry sorbet was full of raspberry flavor and was very tart and nice. Overall, the dense and sweet panna cotta went well with the tart and juiciness of the fruits and sorbet. HOUSEMADE SEASONAL SORBET We got a couple scoops of the peach sorbet which had a super intense peach flavor that we really enjoyed. If you're looking for a lighter dessert option, we would recommend this one. My friend and I enjoyed the food here and found that everything was good, but nothing mind-blowing. It's worth trying Ellie Bird at least once -- just know that you won't be extremely full after the three-course meal. Their interior is nice and I really like the color scheme and bird-themed decorations. I hear their brunch options are good here, so the next time I come back, I'll make sure it's for brunch.

Emily M.

Yelp
My husband and I enjoyed a great date night at Ellie Bird for Restaurant Week. We were seated at the chefs counter which is the bar overlooking the kitchen. It was really fun to watch the chef and pastry chef plate entrees and desserts. My favorite parts of the meal were the focaccia bread with scallion butter and the entrees. The branzino was phenomenal and my husbands rigatoni was delicious. The chocolate chai cake was good, and I was mostly disappointed that there wasn't more of it. Ellie Bird is located in the new Founders Row complex which has ample free parking. I think Ellie Bird is a fine dining experience at an affordable price.

Jenni L.

Yelp
A delicious new addition to Falls Church! Went here for dinner on a Saturday night with reservations for the making dining room - it was moderately busy so I suggest making one! You can choose from the main dining room, the bar, or the chefs bar (where you can watch them cook) We ordered: 1) Pineapple buns and focaccia with grilled scallion butter (so good, don't miss this! Especially that butter) 2) PEI Mussels - came in a coconut broth with aioli 3) Fennel Rigatoni with duck sausage and ricotta 4) Cacio E Lote - think Mexican street corn meets cavio e Pepe All the items we got were delicious and had unique flavor profiles. The portion sizes were just right, not too big, not too small, and we left happy and full! Would love to return to try their brunch or to see if their menu rotates with the seasons.

Parth R.

Yelp
Note that this is a review of their brunch. The ambiance of this spot is incredible and what nice up-n-coming real estate on founders row. I found all the ube drinks palatable with the ube rye cocktail a bit too heavy on the whiskey. Maybe another coconut liquer would do well to make this more brunch friendly. Next, the mochi waffle was barely mochi and the only redeemable part of it was the brûléed bananas. But again, a $20+ sticker tag for a single waffle is just not worth. Next, the tornado omelette over a kimchi fried rice, gochugaru, scallions, and what seemed like Chinese sausage. This was solid, instagrammable, and definitely worth coming back for. Finally, the star of the dish was the Vietnamese style French onion soup with oxtail. Deep, rich, velvety, cheesy, meaty, and hearty. I could've downed a vat of this. It is sad that THIS was the best item. Overall I was generally unimpressed with Ellie bird brunch but will for sure be giving them a chance for their dinner at a later point!

Celina G.

Yelp
For anyone who is not around Falls Church and would likely have car, this is a trek as it is quite a walk from the metro station. But my friend and I made it! We made a reservation which feels required since the restaurant was filled up when we got there. As we waited for a table to open up, we were kindly seated at the bar and got drinks. Spice Up Your Life has gochujang in it, which gives the drink a kick. If you like the flavor or pandan, the Kids' Choice Awards is perfect. When we got to our table, my friend and I ordered four starters to share. Some of them were recommended by the bartender who served us earlier and they did not disappoint. They were fresh tasting and flavorful. We were quite full at the end. I think the starter items appealed to us more than the rest of the menu just because they sounded more unique than anything on the entrees side. The restaurant interior had a modern look, but nothing special about it. It couldn't have been like an IKEA food court. I dunno.

Jemily H.

Yelp
We tried out a new spot today for my friends birthday, Ellie Bird! It just so happened that we were getting permanent bracelets done down the street and I quickly looked for a yummy spot to grab a drink or brunch beforehand. I saw the pictures on yelp and the four stars, and I knew that this would be the perfect place. I made my reservations online and heads up you do have to put a credit card down in case of a late cancellation fee. Upon arriving I was so impressed by the decor and the presence of the restaurant. The colors are so vibrant , and the inside was created perfectly to fit the bird theme. Very modern and eclectic! I went to school in this area, but I hadn't been in a couple years and it's so refreshing to see new restaurants opening in this area of town. Seems like an up-incoming spot! The outdoor seating was very simple with a very cute, iron table and umbrella next to an area for children to play with water features. The hostess was very kind and gave me some insight into her recommendations. She recommended the mochi waffle, and I'm so glad I listened to her because it was absolutely delicious, not too sweet while being unique, and the banana pieces were perfectly flambéd. I mentioned to her that was my friends birthday, and the server gave us two complementary mimosas, and a card that said happy birthday from the staff!! Very intentional and well managed. They care about their guests and have superb service. We ordered the fancy tater tots. They were absolutely delicious and came in sticks with two types of dipping sauce. One was like a garlic aïoli and the other was a little marinara tomato-based sauce. We asked the server why they called it fancy and turns out it takes 48 hours to prepare. I'm not sure if it's double fried or what but it was absolutely delicious. Seems as though they carefully grate the potatoes in order to form the stick, light yet crunchy. A must order. So many tempting options on the menu! We also ordered the fresh, squeezed guava grapefruit and carrot juice . My friend absolutely loved this and it was good to know that they freshsqueeze the orange, and the grapefruit that they put in our mimosas as well. The cold brew was not my favorite, but the espresso shots that we ordered were delicious and freshly brewed. We also ordered the pastry chef selected breakfast pastries. One was a coconut filled almond croissant, egg custard tart and cinnamon roll. The server informed us that the pastry chef was the top 10% of her class at the culinary Institute and comes in every morning at 4 AM to specially prepare these. They were absolutely amazing . This place is packed with so much character and so much talent! Upon leaving, we handed our leftovers to the server who offered to wrap them up for us. We were in a hurry to make it to our appointment and forgot so we decided to start walking... within 2 minutes We were greeted by a server, running after us with fresh take-home meals!! Turns out they accidentally threw our leftovers away and immediately prepared a brand new fresh entrée for us to take with us free of charge. This place is worth the visit. And I'm so thrilled and excited to dive into the leftovers and return!

Jana L.

Yelp
So good, our friend ate the salad!!! I mean, I have known this guy for 8 years now and I don't think I have ever seen him eat, let alone order something that even resembles a salad! Soo... whatever you are doing Ellie Bird to sell those salads, keep on doing it (I think it might be the candied bacon) I had been looking forward to trying this place since there were just whispers of it coming Falls Church and let me tell you, it was worth EVERY.PENNY and I can't wait to go back! Everything from the beautifully appointed dining room, on theme with bird cage booths...and NO! it was not kitschy at all -- to the attentive and knowledgeable servers (SHOUT OUT to their staff who took our party's allergy seriously and stopped us from ordering a dessert. It was the hummingbird cake - it has bananas - it would have been bad) -- to the gorgeously presented food, was utterly delightful! I already mentioned the salads, seriously don't skip them - sometimes a salad is worth it! Especially that Kale Salad with those crispy chickpeas and yuzu pickles - it just hit all the right notes: fresh, tangy, salty, crunchy.... hmmmm, so good! Oh and the Fried Oyster Larb Gai, truly wonderful melding of flavors and textures. I love Larb Gai and order it whenever we get Thai food, but Ellie Bird... Alas... you have RUINED THIS DISH FOR ME! NO WHERE ELSE WILL EVER COMPARE. So -- is that a recommendation to not pass up this dish? Yes, yes it is :) Honestly our whole meal was wonderful, but I would be remiss to not just mention that cheesecake ice cream dessert because I have never... ever... had ice cream that tasted so much like cheese cake! If you like cheese cake, do not pass on this dessert. Even if you are full and can't possible eat anymore, shift all that aside and carve out a tiny space in your stomach for this incredible dessert!

Yaz R.

Yelp
So happy I finally got to try this place! Super cute and vibey inside. Everything was very fresh in a farm to table style. I tried the pea Rangoons which were so unique and delicious. I also tried the Amish chicken and broccoli which did not look great when it initially arrived but omg tasted so amazing! The chicken was so tender and although it was a smaller serving size it was still so good!

Rebecca A.

Yelp
Really excited to try this place for restaurant week. Decor is minimal and cute. Wait staff are excellent. The dishes were a bit lackluster, portions were small, with the worst aspect being an extremely salty chicken dish that was inedible. I was disappointed this trip.

Mauricio M.

Yelp
Food - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Ambiance - 5/5 Food was delicious. Seasoned perfectly. Service was outstanding. Ambiance was great. The only complaint was the temperature. It was a bit too cold where we were seated. Will be back!

Em N.

Yelp
The place is the cutest. The ambience is very date night. We got the salmon tar tar and French onion soup as apps and they were both great. The pasta and steak were pretty good but not worth the price in my opinion. Food was pretty good. Drinks were pretty good. Overall, just pretty good. Service was amazing. I give this place a 3.5 if I could.