Welcome to High Side
High Side is a vibrant culinary gem located in Fairfax, VA, blending the essence of Asian street food with a modern craft beer experience. Known for its delightful twists on traditional flavors, the menu features gems like braised pork belly over rice, braised egg, and zesty lemongrass fried chicken, all crafted from fresh ingredients. Patrons rave about the cozy ambiance, expert service, and an impressive selection of beverages, from enticing craft beers to unique hard seltzers. With an inviting atmosphere and a diverse range of dishes, High Side invites both adventurous eaters and families to savor a memorable dining experience.
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4009 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States Hotline: +1 703-865-8181
If you’re looking for a delectable fusion of Asian street food and a curated selection of craft beers, look no further than High Side in Fairfax, VA. Located at 4009 Chain Bridge Rd, this charming bistro offers a culinary journey that satisfies both adventurous eaters and those seeking a taste of home.
Step through the doors of High Side, and you’re welcomed into a cozy atmosphere where the aromas of braised pork belly, fried chicken, and Dan Dan noodles waft through the air. As one enthusiastic customer noted, the braised pork belly over rice offers a taste reminiscent of home-cooked meals, perfectly complemented by a rich braised egg. The plate showcases the high-quality ingredients that go into each dish, ensuring every bite resonates with depth and flavor.
The menu at High Side is a delightful blend of traditional and fusion dishes. One standout is the lemongrass fried chicken over rice, which delivers on flavor and provides a gentle kick of moderate spice. For noodle lovers, the restaurant promises a heavenly experience with its sesame noodles and garlic noodles, which have garnered rave reviews from patrons who appreciate the vibrant taste profiles.
Beyond the food, High Side also boasts an impressive selection of craft beers and spirits, earning accolades for its pairing options. Guests have noted that the Smooj hard seltzer and the Humble Bumble offer refreshing alternatives that pair beautifully with the food. There’s even a thoughtful selection of four-pack options for those wishing to take some brews home.
High Side takes pride in creating an inviting atmosphere, whether you opt to dine indoors or enjoy the fresh air outside. While the space may be limited, it fosters a cozy dining experience that enhances the flavor of each delightful offering. Customer service shines as well, with attentive staff members ready to provide insightful recommendations and ensure an enjoyable meal.
For those adventurous at heart, don’t miss the chance to try the unique presentation of potstickers—a giant fried pancake that conceals delicious dumpling goodness, or the famous pork belly bao which has left visitors clamoring for more. If you have a sweet tooth, the ube custard cake is worth saving room for, offering a delightful yet lightly sweet finish to your meal.
In a nutshell, High Side is a culinary oasis in Fairfax, VA. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite, a cold beverage, or a full-fledged dining experience, you’re bound to leave satisfied and eager to return. Explore this hidden gem and discover why it’s quickly becoming a beloved spot in the local dining scene.
We tried this place in Fairfax City for the first time. They have a nice selection of beer and spirits. We tried the braised pork belly over rice. It comes with a braised egg. This plate tastes like home cooked meal. It was delicious! I would highly recommend this place! It tastes like my mom's home cooking! Absolutely the best. The other plates were also delicious. We ordered the lemon grass fried chicken over rice with a fried egg. The chicken has a nice flavor and moderately spicy. The scallion pancake with stir fried beef was okay. I will definitely come back to try all the other menu items and order the braised pork belly again! It is the menu item and always consistent. If you like hard seltzer, they have Smooj and the Humble Bumble is the best if you like a fruity tropical seltzer water. They taste like spiked fruit juice... So delicious. We got the beef noodle soup, there are some flavor of anise in it is basically a very concentrated flavor of pho. It comes in a smaller bowl than the pho. The Dan Dan noodle is pretty decent You can add chicken or pork belly with it. It is pretty flavorful. We also got the dessert ube custard cake which was not that sweet and it was delicious. Can't wait to come back here!
Not quite Taiwanese food; closer to Taiwanese fusion, and delicious! Great pairing with beer and hard (dry) cider. Kids are welcome, but they either must be adventurous eaters or of Asian descent since the spices are different. Love the fact that one can hang outside or inside. Spaces are on the small side, but still very cozy. Limited parking on the site (back of the restaurant) but there is a bigger parking lot on the next block. Tons of traffic outside so it's probably better to park elsewhere.
Very good food. I have been ordering food several times here during the pandemic. I love all their noodles, pancake, chicken wings, and braised pork on rice. They also have great appetizers like pickled cucumbers and etc. I realized I didn't leave any review for them when I keep ordering almost biweekly there. You can tell that they are not trying to be cheap with their ingredients. I really recommend their sesame noodle or garlic noodles. Try them! If you don't like it then go with either chicken wings because they are both great too )
This place is a little slice of heaven in Fairfax, VA, not too far from DC. It's a combination of a high-quality Asian street food bistro with a well-curated craft beer taproom and bottle shop. The fresh ingredients that clearly went into the dishes is respectable. Sunny-side instead of scrambled eggs with the fried rice is novel and scrumptious. The presentation of the pot stickers as a giant fried pancake you must turn over or crack apart like a savory Creme brulee to access the dumpling goodness underneath was fun, if a bit greasy. The beer selection is outrageously good. Highly recommend. And get some beer to go! Clothing and glassware merch in supply, but no stickers.
I will not admit to how many chicken sandwiches or bao I've purchased. Bar staff is on point with recommendations. There's a lot of options and there's no bad choices from their menu. My favorite spot in downtown Fairfax, and one I'm very happy to see made it through a tough couple of years during the pandemic. Follow all their festivals and events because the Asian Festival on Main, shouldn't be missed.
Went based on a reconnection from a friend. Loved it. Food was excellent. Shishito Peppers, Dan Dan noodles, and more. Vegan options. Server helpful and attentive. Interesting beers. Will recommend this place to our friends!
A must visit for anyone passionate about good food and outstanding beer. The staff is incredibly insightful and provides great suggestions. The take on street food generates unforgettable dishes and the tap selection alone is worth a trip. There’s also an exciting array of four pack options to go!
First time visitor and I’ve never been more satisfied. The Nova Reddit page recommended this as a good small spot to stop and get a bite/drink and we were not disappointed. The beer selection has a good mix/variety & the small plates are perfect for that quick bite. I personally loved the pickled cucumber bites & my partner loved the Pork Belly Bao. We had the pleasure of having Derrick as our server & he made the environment so fun and carefree. He has such a great attitude and we look forward to coming back when he’s there!!