Herndon Welcomes Indian Microbrewery as NoVA Indian Dining Scene Expands
Northern Virginia's Desi dining scene reached a new milestone this summer with the opening of NH44 Indian Brewing Co. in Herndon, the region's first Indian-themed microbrewery. Simultaneously, acclaimed chef Ram Thapa expanded his culinary footprint with the debut of Masti Indian Restaurant in Reston Town Center. Together, these openings signal a growing appetite for innovative Indian cuisine across the DMV's vibrant South Asian community.
🍛 NH44 Indian Brewing Co. Opens in Herndon
NH44 Indian Brewing Co. officially opened its doors in Herndon, Virginia on June 24, 2026, making it one of the first Indian-themed microbreweries to establish itself in the Northern Virginia region. The brewery is located off Centreville Road just south of the Dulles Toll Road, in a retail center that also houses the Paris Baguette restaurant and the Super Kyuramnen Japanese ramen restaurant, along with the upcoming first Huey Magoo's Chicken Tenders location in Virginia. The Burn newspaper had first reported on the concept back in February 2025, meaning the project took more than a year to come to fruition. The name NH44 pays direct tribute to National Highway 44 in India, the country's longest highway, which stretches from Chennai in the south all the way to Srinagar in the north, a powerful symbol of the subcontinent's geographic and cultural breadth. The establishment offers a full restaurant menu that blends Indian and American culinary traditions with considerable creativity. Starters include Stuffed Jalapeños, House Wings, and Onion Rings. For the main course, guests can choose from hand-tossed pizzas such as a Classic Cheese Pizza, a Chicken Tikka Pizza, and the Kisan, meaning Farmers, pizza loaded with fresh vegetables. More traditionally Indian options include Shrimp Tandoor and Lamb Seekh Kabob. The dessert menu features Kheer, a classic rice pudding flavored with cardamom, offering Desi diners a comforting and familiar sweet finish after a meal. [4]
🍛 Masti Indian Restaurant Arrives in Reston Town Center
Reston Town Center is welcoming a bold new addition to its dining lineup with the opening of Masti Indian Restaurant at 1825 Discovery Street, nestled within the Hyatt hotel complex in the heart of one of Northern Virginia's most dynamic commercial districts. The restaurant is the latest venture from Chef Ram Thapa, a well-known figure in the Northern Virginia Indian restaurant community who already operates two Indochen restaurants in Alexandria. Masti represents his expansion into Reston's growing dining market and brings a fresh perspective to Indian cuisine in the region. The concept behind Masti is a marriage of beloved Indian classics with inventive, modern interpretations that push the boundaries of traditional South Asian cooking. According to Patch, the restaurant opened on a Thursday in mid-October 2025, offering diners a blend of familiar favorites and surprising new dishes crafted to appeal to both longtime fans of Indian food and newcomers curious about the depth and variety of Desi flavors. Chef Thapa's Indochen restaurants in Alexandria have already established a strong reputation for quality and culinary creativity within the diaspora community. Masti's Reston location is particularly well-positioned to serve the large Indian-American professional population that has made the Reston and Herndon corridor one of the most vibrant and culturally rich South Asian communities on the entire East Coast. [5]