How is Big Bowl-Reston restaurant rated?

Big Bowl-Reston

4.4

952 Reviews

$30 and under

Chinese

Top Tags:

There’s really only one place for authentic Chinese and Thai, and that's Big Bowl. It all begins with the highest quality ingredients–naturally raised chicken and beef, heirloom pork, sustainable seafood and produce grown locally. Because Big Bowl believes that the best food is made from scratch, you can taste big, bold layers of flavors in every dish, from the curries right down to the dipping sauces. Everyone raves about the pad Thai, our spicy dishes that are truly hot, and our create-your-own stir-fry–and for good reason. Every element adds up to big taste and takes our food to another level, be it a fresh squeeze of lime, fragrant herbs or the seared Thai chilies. Big Bowl is so big on authentic flavors that even the ginger ale is made with fresh ginger root–from scratch, of course.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Chinese, Thai
Hours of operation
Lunch & Dinner Everyday: Monday- Thursday 11:15am - 9:30pm; Friday 11:15am-10:30pm; Saturday 11:30am-10:30pm; Sunday 11:30am-9:30pm
Phone number
(703) 787-8852
Website
http://www.bigbowl.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
11915 Democracy Drive, Reston, VA 20190
Neighborhood
Reston
Parking details
Please note we offer complimentary parking with validation when dining at Big Bowl. We encourage you to park in the orange parking garage. Please see a manager for your validation code. We apologize for any inconvenience this new parking system has created. Please share any concerns with Boston Properties at 703-579-6720.
Public transit
The Reston Town Center.
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 952 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.2Service
4.1Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

868 Reviews

S
Sunflower
Washington DC
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on March 5, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent as always.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
5 reviews
2.0
5 reviews
Dined on March 4, 2020
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Wouldn’t recommend unless you’re a group of teens or college students. The food was mediocre, greasy, and for a Thai restaurant it didn’t offer most of the traditional Thai dishes.
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FD
FerdinandDBull
Washington DC
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on March 2, 2020
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Very nice and we’ll be back!
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GP
GregP
Washington DC
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on February 28, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The stir-fry was pure awesome! Great service and nice atmosphere.
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P
Philiezfan
Philadelphia
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Love this place... wish they had one in Philadelphia
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JR
JimR
Washington DC
2 reviews
vip
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 22, 2020
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Food was good, service was not. Took awhile for food & drinks to come out (doesn’t take much time to pour a draft beer). Ordered 2 appetizers only received one of the two, when we inquired about whereabouts of the 1st (chicken satay), server claimed he didn’t hear us, even though he recommended the second appetizer, egg rolls, as an addition when we ordered. Server failed to inform us about kid’s drink options as part of their meal. Have dined there many times in the past, unfortunately this was our least favorite experience.
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KC
KipnCandi
Washington DC
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and good price. Date night at Everyday Dining Rate
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DH
DonH
Washington DC
71 reviews
vip
5.0
71 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Dinner with my wife. Milton was our server, took care of superbly as usual! The receptionist was great too, she knew to place us at Milton’s table. This is our go to place!
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i
iluvfroyo
Western NC
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on January 31, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food and service!
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 12, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Yummy food
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orlando
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 11, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great experience with our family and friends. Food is always yummy! Great food for the kids and not too pricey!
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S
Steakisgood
Washington DC
46 reviews
vip
5.0
46 reviews
Dined on January 5, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Big Bowl never disappoints. My husband and I come here frequently and always get the Stir Fry Bar. Food is plentiful, fresh, and piping hot - the way it should be! Delicious!
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HD
HelenD
Washington DC
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on January 4, 2020
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Party of eight, seated at a smallish table. Service was slow even though the restaurant wasn't that crowded. Waiter left our finished meals in front of us for at least 20 minutes, ugh. Our birthday person got a birthday dessert, yay, but the rest of us were never offered the dessert menu? Strange. Kinda funny.
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H
Howardh
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 21, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very good food and the waiter was patient with us 1st timers. Howard
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AB
ABAB
Washington DC
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on December 21, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Noise level was bit high but otherwise as usual food and service was excellent.
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F
Foodie200
Washington DC
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on December 17, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, outstanding service! We come here for all special occasions.
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AB
ABAB
Washington DC
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As usual, the food was great, and the price was worth it.
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FQ
FireeyeQ
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 6, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Lot of Nice Vegetarian options... you can choose your Veg bowl... though little pricy....
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MI
MICHELELISTANBAL
Washington DC
74 reviews
vip
4.0
74 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Empty night but good food and company. Good sangria
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 30, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Food was excellent but waiter was forgetful and had to be reminded of things we had asked for. He asked if we’d like to see a dessert menu and we said yes and he never ever came back so we finally just asked for a check. There were five of us celebrating a birthday party
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AM
AmitM
Washington DC
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on November 30, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
As always, our family dining experience was excellent. Good food and drinks all around.
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S
Steakisgood
Washington DC
46 reviews
vip
5.0
46 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Stir fry bar is always awesome. Delicious,fresh, served piping hot!:
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious and super attentive service!
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AJ
ArchieJ
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 22, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We were able to get a table when the other areas restaurants were booked out for at least an hour. Table service was average, only complaint was that it wasn't very timely. It was very friendly just waited a long time for refills and secondary meal requests.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I absolutely LOVE their create your own stir fry bar. You get so much food. It’s definitely the best deal on the menu and most delicious.
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JL
JoLaineR
Philadelphia
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Love this place! I have been going there for years. Food and service always consistent.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 10, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Milton is great
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QR
QuianaR
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is my favorite place our waiter Milton, was amazing he’s so attentive, gives awesome recommendations, moves so quickly at bringing out our orders. I can’t wait to go back
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J
Jerseyboy
Washington DC
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on October 19, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Was welcomed warmly. Food tasted fresh and warm and service was quite good. Will return again.
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LL
LauraL
Washington DC
39 reviews
4.0
39 reviews
Dined on October 7, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
This is one of the few places you can go where, if the menu says it is hot, it is HOT! I love it!!! They really need to bring the Shrimp Summer Rolls back to the menu. Do not sit outside at this location. Your server will forget about you!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 4, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Service was great and the food was pretty good - just not as good as I remember it being.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on October 3, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
The food was great, as usual. My only downside is the fact that I reserved the table for my mother’s birthday and they failed to find it. I called ahead of time and the woman on the phone gave a lot of attitude and “ did not find” the reservation that I had made through Open Table. Not too happy with the rude staff members and not sure about returning there because of it.
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OZ
OliviaZ
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 28, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Big Bowl's environment is amazing, and the staff were all so nice! We went there as a group for homecoming, so as you can imagine, our group was very noisy. However, the waiters were still extremely patient and helpful throughout the whole night. Eating here was one of the highlights of that day, it made our first homecoming so much fun. I would definitely recommend coming here, especially for a special event!!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 28, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 1
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Good was nothing to write home about. Very average.
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G
Gymrat
Portland
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 21, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 1
As usual, the food was great. We had a large party and had made reservations. The manager was rude and disinterested. Certainly not the Big Bowl we had come to expect.
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p
potato
Washington DC
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on September 19, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
RIP Big Bowl, you will be missed
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LF
LenF
Washington DC
5 reviews
vip
2.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 6, 2019
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
Food is filled with sodium. Nothings changed in 20 years
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RR
RestonRocks
Washington DC
18 reviews
vip
3.0
18 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
I like the concept of Big Bowl, which allows you to build your own dish through their vegetable bar. However, service is often inconsistent.
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NB
NoraB
Washington DC
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is our go-to place when my husband and I feel like going out for dinner. Food is always great and service is usually excellent. This time our server recognized us (how often does that happen any more?) so it was particularly nice. Food was very tasty and cooked well (Shrimp Pad Thai and a spicy Chicken with Peppers and Other Vegetables over brown rice-sorry, not sure what my husband's dish was called!). We cleaned our plates. Then...dessert. Big Bowl has the most delicious desserts! We shared my favorite - banana egg rolls with ice cream and caramel sauce. Yummmmmm! Service was, of course, excellent. Still our favorite place!!!!
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TG
ToddG
Washington DC
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
The best way to describe the service is awkward. The greeting as we entered was without a smile and not warm although helpful. The server was friendly, but seemed unsure of herself and the menu and nothing flowed easily. Nothing was wrong with our order, but the interaction was awkward.
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FAQs

Big Bowl-Reston is rated 4.4 stars by 952 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

11915 Democracy Drive, Reston, VA 20190

Additional information

Neighborhood
Reston
Hours of operation
Lunch & Dinner Everyday: Monday- Thursday 11:15am - 9:30pm; Friday 11:15am-10:30pm; Saturday 11:30am-10:30pm; Sunday 11:30am-9:30pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Chinese, Thai
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Please note we offer complimentary parking with validation when dining at Big Bowl. We encourage you to park in the orange parking garage. Please see a manager for your validation code. We apologize for any inconvenience this new parking system has created. Please share any concerns with Boston Properties at 703-579-6720.
Public transit
The Reston Town Center.
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.bigbowl.com/
Phone number
(703) 787-8852