Tupelo Honey Cafe Brings Southern Flavor to Arlington

Asheville favorite, the Tupelo Honey Cafe, is known for it’s innovative take on traditional southern cuisine. It already has nine locations throughout Tennessee and the Carolinas, and now it’s bringing that southern flare to us yanks in northern Virginia. Okay, so maybe we’re not really yanks, but the new location in Arlington, which opened on June 1st, is Tupelo’s northernmost spot so far.

The iconic southern restaurant was one of the leaders of the movement that turned Asheville into the hipster mecca it is today. It was also one of the first farm-to-table restaurants in the city. Their philosophy of locally and responsibly sourced southern fare will continue in its new location, with some new additions to cater to DC diners.

The menu features southern small plates, local craft beer and craft cocktails.

Beverage Director Tyler Alford curates a drink selection that packs a punch, with everything from monster bloody Marys and tropical Mai Tais to do-it-yourself champagne cocktails and old fashioned. The DIY drinks come with a notecard/coaster with a list of customizable liquor, bitters and garnish options.

In addition, the Arlington location has a signature drink that pays tribute to this area’s political history: The ‘Ode to Eleanor Roosevelt’ Draft Sparking Sangria. It’s less a sangria and more a clever way to sneak a draft cocktail on the menu in spite of Virginia ABC’s laws about not serving any cocktail on draft unless it’s a sangria. The drink is a mixture of Prosecco, white brandy, thyme and elderflower. Crisp, refreshing and delightfully thyme-y, it’s available for $5 during happy hour (Monday-Thursday, 4-7 pm).

The majority of the cocktails on the menu feature southern-distilled spirits, and the draft beer list is dominated by local breweries, including DC Brau, Devils Backbone and Dogfish Head.

As for the cuisine: the ingredients are mainly from independent and regional farms and food vendors. At first taste, here are a few of the highlights:

NC Country Ham Wontons served with a shaved honeyed Brussels sprouts salad.

Fried Avocado served with fresh tomato salsa and whipped sour cream.

Herb-Crusted Scallop served with creamy garlic risotto and marinated baby heirloom tomatoes.

And a Grilled Frenched Lamb Chop served with green bean salad and a mint chimichurri.

Just a short walk from the Court House metro and surrounded by ample parking options, Tupelo’s 202-seat dining room and comfy outdoor patio make it the ideal new hangout for after-work happy hours and lazy weekend brunches. But brunch is no longer just a morning turned afternoon (turned late afternoon…) affair. Tupelo offers Moonrise Brunch for night owls and party people from 10 pm – 12 am on Friday and Saturday nights.

The weekend is upon us, so it’s the perfect time to head over to Tupelo to check it out for yourself! Cheers!

Tupelo Honey Cafe

1616 N. Troy Street, Arlington, VA 22201

Monday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am – 12:00 midnight
Saturday: 9:00 am – 12:00 midnight
Sunday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm