NH44 Indian Brewing Co. Opens in Herndon as Minerva Indian Cuisine Pauses for Renovation

Herndon's Indian food scene is in motion this season, with the low-key but buzz-generating soft opening of NH44 Indian Brewing Co. — a novel Indian-inspired restaurant and craft brew pub — adding fresh energy to the northern Virginia Desi dining landscape. At the same time, Minerva Indian Cuisine, whose origins trace back to a Herndon founding in 1998, has temporarily closed its Gaithersburg location for kitchen equipment renovations, leaving longtime patrons of the multi-regional Indian dining institution waiting for word on a reopening date.

🍛 NH44 Indian Brewing Co. Opens Doors in Herndon with Craft Beers and Indian-American Menu

Northern Virginia's Indian food scene welcomed a distinctive newcomer this summer when NH44 Indian Brewing Co. completed a soft opening at the Arrowbrook Center on Centreville Road in Herndon, just south of the Dulles Toll Road. The restaurant and brew pub had been in development for more than a year — The Burn initially reported on the project in February 2025 — before opening its doors in June 2026. Word spread gradually but steadily, drawing the community's attention to what promises to be a unique hybrid destination. The establishment takes its name from National Highway 44, the longest highway in India, running from north to south across the subcontinent. That pan-Indian spirit is reflected across both the menu and the original craft beer program. The food menu bridges Indian and American traditions: appetizers include Stuffed Jalapeños, House Wings, and Onion Rings alongside classically South Asian preparations such as a Lamb Seekh Kabob and Shrimp Tandoor. The pizza menu showcases creative cross-cultural fusion with offerings including a Chicken Tikka Pizza and a Kisan Farmers pizza piled high with fresh vegetables. Paneer Tikka Kebabs and desserts such as Kheer — a traditional Indian rice pudding spiced with cardamom — round out the menu. The craft beer lineup, brewed on-site, includes the Sarpanch Amber Lager, the Asli Tiger West Coast IPA, and the Dharma and Karma Pilsner, each carrying a name drawn from Hindi and Sanskrit language traditions. NH44 joins a growing cluster of dining destinations at the Arrowbrook Center, which also houses Paris Baguette and Super Kyuramnen Japanese ramen, anchoring the center as a destination for adventurous dining in Herndon. [2]

🍛 Minerva Indian Cuisine Temporarily Closes Gaithersburg Location for Kitchen Overhaul

One of Northern Virginia's most deeply rooted Indian restaurant groups hit a temporary pause when Minerva Indian Cuisine closed its Gaithersburg location at 16240 Frederick Road for kitchen renovations. According to a representative, the restaurant is in the process of replacing its kitchen equipment, though no specific timeline has been given for its reopening. The closure came without a formal advance announcement or stated completion date, leaving regular diners uncertain about the duration of the gap. Minerva holds a meaningful place in the history of South Asian dining in the Washington, D.C., metro area. The brand was founded in 1998 with its original flagship restaurant in Herndon, Virginia — establishing itself in the heart of the region's Indian American community at a time when the northern Virginia technology corridor was drawing large numbers of South Asian professionals and their families to the area. From that Herndon founding, the group expanded to multiple locations across Northern Virginia and Maryland, building a multigenerational loyal following among the region's large Indian American population. The restaurant is widely regarded for presenting authentic Indian cuisine that draws on multiple regional traditions from across the subcontinent, maintaining a strong commitment to traditional flavors and careful presentation rather than adapting heavily for a generalized American palate. For the many regulars who have made Minerva a go-to destination for family dinners, festive celebrations, and everyday Indian meals, the temporary closure signals a noticeable absence in the local dining landscape. The renovations, however, suggest an investment in the long-term quality and operations of the restaurant, leaving patrons optimistic that an upgraded kitchen will ultimately enhance the experience when the Gaithersburg location reopens. [5]

Sources: [2] The Burn · [5] The MoCo Show -