National Harbor Is Getting a Michelin-Recommended Restaurant

National Harbor’s dining scene is about to welcome one of New York City’s most celebrated destinations for soup dumplings and Shanghainese cuisine.

According to Alexandria Living Magazine, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao is expected to open a new restaurant this summer at 180 American Way in National Harbor, directly across the Potomac River from Alexandria.

The restaurant has earned recommendations from the Michelin Guide for nine consecutive years and has attracted diners from around the world for its handcrafted soup dumplings, traditional recipes and dedication to Shanghainese cuisine.

For food lovers across Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., this means one of New York City’s best-known soup dumpling restaurants will soon be much closer to home.

A New York City Favorite Is Coming to the DMV

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao was founded in Flushing, Queens, in 2006.

Over the past two decades, the restaurant has developed a loyal following for its signature Xiao Long Bao—delicate steamed dumplings filled with flavorful broth and savory fillings.

Guests at the National Harbor restaurant will be able to watch the dumpling-making process through an open-kitchen design. Chefs will mix the ingredients, roll the dough, prepare the fillings, hand-pleat each dumpling and steam them to order throughout the day.

The open kitchen should make the experience about more than simply eating the food. Visitors will also get a firsthand look at the craftsmanship that goes into preparing each dumpling.

The Lucky Six Soup Dumplings

One of the restaurant’s signature offerings is the Lucky Six Soup Dumplings, a colorful assortment featuring six different varieties:

Pork
Crab and pork
Chicken
Pork and truffle
Luffa, shrimp and pork
Scallop and pork

Each variety comes wrapped in naturally colored dough, creating one of the restaurant’s most recognizable and visually appealing dishes.

The assortment gives first-time visitors an opportunity to sample several of Nan Xiang’s best-known flavors without having to choose only one.

The Menu Goes Far Beyond Dumplings

Although soup dumplings are the centerpiece of the Nan Xiang experience, the menu will offer much more than Xiao Long Bao.

Guests can expect a wide selection of Shanghainese comfort food and regional Chinese specialties designed for family-style dining and sharing.

Menu offerings are expected to include crispy pan-fried pork buns, scallion pancakes, dim sum favorites, noodle dishes, wok-fired stir-fries, vegetarian options and house-made fruit teas.

Traditional Chinese breakfast dishes will also be served throughout the day, including fried dough sticks paired with warm soybean milk and Northern-style pastries.

The variety should make Nan Xiang a strong choice for everything from casual lunches and date nights to family dinners, celebrations and larger gatherings.

A 6,000-Square-Foot Waterfront Restaurant

The National Harbor restaurant will occupy approximately 6,000 square feet and seat as many as 160 guests.

The layout will include 136 indoor seats and 24 outdoor patio seats overlooking National Harbor.

The restaurant is expected to blend contemporary design with traditional Chinese influences, with the open kitchen serving as one of the defining features of the space.

Its location near the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, MGM National Harbor and the waterfront promenade should also make it convenient for local residents, tourists, convention attendees and visitors from around the country.

Why National Harbor Was a Natural Fit

National Harbor has steadily become one of the DMV’s most recognizable destinations for dining, entertainment, tourism and large-scale events.

Millions of people visit the waterfront development each year to stay at the Gaylord, attend conventions, visit MGM National Harbor, ride the Capital Wheel, shop, dine and walk along the Potomac River.

Nan Xiang’s arrival gives visitors another major dining option and adds a nationally recognized restaurant brand to the area’s growing food scene.

“For nearly two decades, guests have traveled to Queens to experience our handcrafted soup dumplings and Shanghainese comfort food,” Nan Xiang CEO Eddie Zheng said in a statement published by Alexandria Living Magazine.

Zheng said the company is excited to welcome the National Harbor community with the same recipes, craftsmanship and hospitality that have helped define the restaurant since 2006.

National Harbor Could Also Be Getting Its Own Sphere

The restaurant opening comes as National Harbor prepares for the possibility of another transformative attraction.

In January 2026, Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County and Peterson Companies announced their intent to develop a Sphere entertainment venue at National Harbor.

The proposed 6,000-seat venue would become the second Sphere in the United States and the first built using the company’s smaller-scale design model. Plans include an exterior LED display, an immersive 16K-by-16K interior screen, advanced sound technology, haptic seating and sensory effects.

Sphere Entertainment reported in May 2026 that its plans for National Harbor continued to move forward. However, the project remains dependent on final agreements, government incentives and required state and county approvals.

The proposed project is expected to support approximately 2,500 construction jobs and thousands of jobs after opening, while potentially generating more than $1 billion in annual economic impact.

If completed, the Sphere could dramatically increase tourism and entertainment traffic at National Harbor. That would bring even more visitors to nearby restaurants, hotels, shops and waterfront attractions.

National Harbor Is Entering a New Era

The combination of new restaurants, entertainment venues and major proposed developments could push National Harbor into an entirely new phase of growth.

MGM National Harbor, the Gaylord National Resort, Tanger Outlets, the Capital Wheel and the waterfront have already established the area as a major regional destination.

Adding a Michelin-recommended New York restaurant—and potentially the second Sphere in the United States—could elevate National Harbor even further.

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao’s decision to open here feels especially well-timed. The restaurant is arriving as National Harbor strengthens its position as one of the DMV’s biggest destinations for food, entertainment, conventions and tourism.

A Major Addition to the DMV Dining Scene

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao has the potential to become one of the most talked-about restaurant openings in the region.

Between the handcrafted soup dumplings, open kitchen, extensive Shanghainese menu and outdoor waterfront seating, the restaurant should appeal to both serious food lovers and families looking for a memorable dining experience.

The National Harbor location will be the company’s second restaurant in Maryland and another step in its continued expansion throughout the DMV.

An exact opening date has not yet been announced, but the restaurant is expected to open during summer 2026.

Would you travel to National Harbor to try these soup dumplings?

Restaurant information and original reporting according to Alexandria Living Magazine. Article by Alexandria Living Magazine Staff. Restaurant photos courtesy of Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao.

About Chris Colgan

Chris Colgan is the founder of Real Nova Network and team leader of Chris Colgan – Real Brokerage LLC – Powered by PLACE.

Through colganteam.com and realnovanetwork.com, Chris covers Northern Virginia real estate trends, major developments, and hyper-local market updates to help buyers and sellers make confident decisions.

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Posted by Chris Colgan on July 22nd, 2026

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