NH44 Indian Brewing Co. Opens in Herndon as Minerva Renovates and Masti Debuts in Reston
The Northern Virginia Indian dining scene has seen significant activity, with NH44 Indian Brewing Co. quietly opening at Arrowbrook Centre in Herndon. Across the region, Minerva Indian Cuisine — founded in Herndon in 1998 — has temporarily closed its Gaithersburg location for kitchen equipment replacement, while Chef Ram Thapa has opened Masti Indian Restaurant in nearby Reston Town Center.
🍛 NH44 Indian Brewing Co. Opens at Arrowbrook Centre in Herndon
The Burn reports that NH44 Indian Brewing Co. has opened for business in Herndon, Virginia, at the Arrowbrook Center off Centreville Road just south of the tollway. The restaurant and brew pub kept its soft opening quiet, but word has begun to spread. The Burn had initially reported on plans for NH44 in February 2025, making the June 2026 opening more than a year in the making. NH44 features a menu combining Indian and American dishes. Starters include Stuffed Jalapenos, House Wings, and Onion Rings. Pizza offerings include a Classic Cheese Pizza, a Chicken Tikka Pizza, and a Kisan Farmers pizza loaded with fresh vegetables. More traditional Indian items include Shrimp Tandoor, Lamb Seekh Kabob, and Kheer — a rice pudding flavored with cardamom — among the desserts. On the beverage side, NH44 brews its own beer lineup including a Sarpanch Amber Lager, an Asli Tiger West Coast IPA, and a Dharma and Karma Pilsner. The name NH44 is a reference to National Highway 44, the longest highway in India. The Arrowbrook Center also houses Paris Baguette and Super Kyuramnen Japanese ramen restaurant, along with the upcoming first Virginia location of Huey Magoos Chicken Tenders. [4]
🍛 Minerva Indian Cuisine in Gaithersburg Closes Temporarily for Kitchen Renovations
The MoCo Show reports that Minerva Indian Cuisine at 16240 Frederick Road in Gaithersburg, Maryland, has temporarily closed due to renovations. A store representative confirmed the closure is related to the replacement of kitchen equipment. No reopening timeframe has been provided. Minerva is known for serving authentic Indian cuisine representing multiple regions of India, with a focus on traditional flavors and presentation. The restaurant chain has its origins in Herndon, Virginia, where the first Minerva location opened in 1998. Over the years, the brand expanded to additional locations across Northern Virginia and Maryland. The temporary closure of the Gaithersburg location is attributed solely to the kitchen renovation project, and no permanent changes or closures have been announced. The restaurant has not provided a specific reopening date, leaving customers without a clear timeline for when normal service will resume. According to The MoCo Show, the closure is renovation-related and the business intends to reopen once the kitchen equipment replacement is complete. No other Minerva locations were mentioned in the report as being affected by the renovation work. [3]
🍛 Masti Indian Restaurant Opens in Reston Town Center
Patch reports that Masti Indian Restaurant has opened in Reston Town Center at 1825 Discovery Street, located within the Hyatt Hotel with views of the center's covered plaza and seasonal ice skating rink. The word Masti means fun in Hindi and reflects the restaurant's character. Masti is the latest venture by Chef Ram Thapa, who also operates two Indochen restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia. Thapa partnered with co-owner Kumar KC, who is heading up the Reston project. The restaurant occupies approximately 3,915 square feet of space. According to the Patch report, the restaurant opened on a Thursday in October 2025. The menu blends Indian classics with inventive new dishes as described in the official press release cited by Patch. Chef Thapa brings experience running the Indochen brand in Alexandria to the Reston venture, and Kumar KC is taking the lead on operations at the new location. The Reston Town Center restaurant marks an expansion of Indian dining options in the Northern Virginia corridor. [5]
Sources: [4] The Burn · [3] The MoCo Show - · [5] Patch