Guidebook for Alexandria
Food Scene
Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge
101 N Union StGreat waterfront dining!
On Thursdays at Taverna Cretekou, there’s live Greek music, dancing, and plate-breaking that’ll make you want to join in and shout, “Opa!” On other nights of the week, things are a little more refined in the formal dining room, but the food is quintessentially Greek. Take your pick from any of the traditional dishes like pastitsio, moussaka, spanakotiropites, and dolmades, or try something you probably haven’t heard of from the ancient Greek section of the menu. Whatever you order, make sure to pair it with some of the great Grecian wines.
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Taverna Cretekou
818 King StOn Thursdays at Taverna Cretekou, there’s live Greek music, dancing, and plate-breaking that’ll make you want to join in and shout, “Opa!” On other nights of the week, things are a little more refined in the formal dining room, but the food is quintessentially Greek. Take your pick from any of the traditional dishes like pastitsio, moussaka, spanakotiropites, and dolmades, or try something you probably haven’t heard of from the ancient Greek section of the menu. Whatever you order, make sure to pair it with some of the great Grecian wines.
Virtue Feed & Grain is exactly what you picture when you think rustic American tavern. Situated in a building that used to be a feed house in the 1800s, the place has that shabby chic look with flooring from an old oak barn, Victorian-era wallboards, and grain-sack pillows. The food has a farmhouse vibe, too (think wild boar burger and BBQ brisket sandwich), but there are modern touches like tuna tataki tacos, quinoa salad, and duck meatloaf.
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Virtue Feed & Grain
106 S Union StVirtue Feed & Grain is exactly what you picture when you think rustic American tavern. Situated in a building that used to be a feed house in the 1800s, the place has that shabby chic look with flooring from an old oak barn, Victorian-era wallboards, and grain-sack pillows. The food has a farmhouse vibe, too (think wild boar burger and BBQ brisket sandwich), but there are modern touches like tuna tataki tacos, quinoa salad, and duck meatloaf.
The kitchen team is all about sustainable sourcing and works with local farms to make sure its getting the best ingredients for the seasonal tasting menu and a la carte options. Twice a month, they go all out with the Farm Table, a dinner party highlighting local farmer and forager friends. The restaurant also partners with an Alexandria nonprofit, the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture. All that to say, you can feel really good about downing the Berkshire pork loin or the garden vegetable salad.
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Vermilion
1120 King StThe kitchen team is all about sustainable sourcing and works with local farms to make sure its getting the best ingredients for the seasonal tasting menu and a la carte options. Twice a month, they go all out with the Farm Table, a dinner party highlighting local farmer and forager friends. The restaurant also partners with an Alexandria nonprofit, the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture. All that to say, you can feel really good about downing the Berkshire pork loin or the garden vegetable salad.
When someone tells you about an upscale, five-course Japanese tasting menu executed by a Tokyo-trained chef in a 20-seat restaurant, you’re probably bracing for sticker shock. At Nasime, it’ll only set you back $48 per person. It’s a real steal consider the quality of the various styles of Japanese cuisine, from tsukuri (raw), to yakimono (grilled) and agemono (fried).
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Nasime Japanese Restaurant
1209 King StWhen someone tells you about an upscale, five-course Japanese tasting menu executed by a Tokyo-trained chef in a 20-seat restaurant, you’re probably bracing for sticker shock. At Nasime, it’ll only set you back $48 per person. It’s a real steal consider the quality of the various styles of Japanese cuisine, from tsukuri (raw), to yakimono (grilled) and agemono (fried).
This fine dining institution is the place everybody recommends in Old Town. Impeccable service, top-notch ingredients from sustainable local farms and the restaurant’s garden, and flawless culinary technique keep Chef Cathal Armstrong’s magnum opus at the top of an ever-changing list of the city’s best spots. It is, justifiably, on the pricey side, so if you can’t afford the splurge, you can still sample Armstrong’s cuisine at one of the other, more casual establishments in his restaurant group, like restaurant-market hybrid Society Fair and Irish chipper Eammon’s.
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Restaurant Eve
110 South Pitt StreetThis fine dining institution is the place everybody recommends in Old Town. Impeccable service, top-notch ingredients from sustainable local farms and the restaurant’s garden, and flawless culinary technique keep Chef Cathal Armstrong’s magnum opus at the top of an ever-changing list of the city’s best spots. It is, justifiably, on the pricey side, so if you can’t afford the splurge, you can still sample Armstrong’s cuisine at one of the other, more casual establishments in his restaurant group, like restaurant-market hybrid Society Fair and Irish chipper Eammon’s.
When you head to Magnolia’s on King, prepare yourself for a “Southern immersion.” That means indulging in elevated Southern fare like pulled duck BBQ; shrimp and grits with maple bourbon butter; and stuffed dates with duck fat ranch, Berkshire bacon, and blue cheese. The menu boasts regional ingredients and seasonal dishes, along with a splash of local wines and beers. There’s also a cocktail lounge upstairs, which overlooks King Street and features live music on Thursdays.
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Magnolia's on King
703 King StWhen you head to Magnolia’s on King, prepare yourself for a “Southern immersion.” That means indulging in elevated Southern fare like pulled duck BBQ; shrimp and grits with maple bourbon butter; and stuffed dates with duck fat ranch, Berkshire bacon, and blue cheese. The menu boasts regional ingredients and seasonal dishes, along with a splash of local wines and beers. There’s also a cocktail lounge upstairs, which overlooks King Street and features live music on Thursdays.
The fresh fish and friendly service at this Japanese spot make it a local favorite for sashimi, nigiri, rolls, and more. There are sushi combinations aplenty as well as enormous party platters featuring up to 64 pieces of the rolls. If raw fish isn’t your thing, you also can sample a variety of teriyaki, katsu, yakisoba, or udon.
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Momo Sushi & Cafe
212 Queen StThe fresh fish and friendly service at this Japanese spot make it a local favorite for sashimi, nigiri, rolls, and more. There are sushi combinations aplenty as well as enormous party platters featuring up to 64 pieces of the rolls. If raw fish isn’t your thing, you also can sample a variety of teriyaki, katsu, yakisoba, or udon.
While the iconic Hank’s family has outposts all over the DMV, Old Town is home to the only one dedicated to pasta, with homemade plates of linguine, fettuccine, bucatini, and all the other -inis, -olis, and -ettis you can think of. Choosing just one would be like asking a parent to choose a favorite child, so avoid drama and go for the family-style option, which allows you to pick three-to-five pastas for the table.
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Hank's Pasta Bar
600 Montgomery StWhile the iconic Hank’s family has outposts all over the DMV, Old Town is home to the only one dedicated to pasta, with homemade plates of linguine, fettuccine, bucatini, and all the other -inis, -olis, and -ettis you can think of. Choosing just one would be like asking a parent to choose a favorite child, so avoid drama and go for the family-style option, which allows you to pick three-to-five pastas for the table.
This taco and tequila bar bucks tradition with their namesake item. Fillings range from the usual suspects like pork belly and Mexican short rib, to head turners like fried oyster, lamb chimichurri, and buffalo chicken. For dessert, there’s a Nutella banana split taco, as well as the obligatory churros. If you’re not feeling taco Tuesday, opt for a rice bowl or a few small plates, such as empanadas, tortilla soup, and mahi-mahi ceviche.
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Don Taco
808 King StThis taco and tequila bar bucks tradition with their namesake item. Fillings range from the usual suspects like pork belly and Mexican short rib, to head turners like fried oyster, lamb chimichurri, and buffalo chicken. For dessert, there’s a Nutella banana split taco, as well as the obligatory churros. If you’re not feeling taco Tuesday, opt for a rice bowl or a few small plates, such as empanadas, tortilla soup, and mahi-mahi ceviche.
Originally built in 1883 for the Columbia Steam Engine Fire Company, the preserved firehouse lends old world elegance to what is now a brasserie and bar. The seasonal menu runs the gamut with raw bar offerings, steamed mussels, hearty sandwiches, and sizable supper dishes. The cocktail list is an archive of drinks dating as far back as the 1850s, from the Sazerac to the sidecar.
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Columbia Firehouse
109 S St Asaph StOriginally built in 1883 for the Columbia Steam Engine Fire Company, the preserved firehouse lends old world elegance to what is now a brasserie and bar. The seasonal menu runs the gamut with raw bar offerings, steamed mussels, hearty sandwiches, and sizable supper dishes. The cocktail list is an archive of drinks dating as far back as the 1850s, from the Sazerac to the sidecar.
For Vietnamese staples like bánh mì, pho, vermicelli, and summer rolls, Caphe Bánh Mì is the move. This shop nails the expected dishes, but they also get creative with broiled catfish bánh mì and vegetarian soy chicken with lemongrass. The prices can’t be beat -- grab a sandwich for under $10, while rice or vermicelli entrées will only run you a couple bucks more. And don’t skip the coffee.
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Caphe Banh Mi
407 Cameron StFor Vietnamese staples like bánh mì, pho, vermicelli, and summer rolls, Caphe Bánh Mì is the move. This shop nails the expected dishes, but they also get creative with broiled catfish bánh mì and vegetarian soy chicken with lemongrass. The prices can’t be beat -- grab a sandwich for under $10, while rice or vermicelli entrées will only run you a couple bucks more. And don’t skip the coffee.
Belgian fare takes center stage at this classy establishment, featuring a tasting menu with dishes like foie gras torchon and Atlantic striped bass a la plancha. You can also opt to order a la carte from a succinct list of apps, entrées, and steaks. The brasserie area has familiar Belgian standbys like steak frites and mussels, and if you’d rather keep things more casual, try BRABO Tasting Room, the more laid-back café next door.
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Brabo
1600 King StBelgian fare takes center stage at this classy establishment, featuring a tasting menu with dishes like foie gras torchon and Atlantic striped bass a la plancha. You can also opt to order a la carte from a succinct list of apps, entrées, and steaks. The brasserie area has familiar Belgian standbys like steak frites and mussels, and if you’d rather keep things more casual, try BRABO Tasting Room, the more laid-back café next door.
If you can’t get to Paris, dining at Bastille is a worthy alternative. The brasserie and bar is owned and run by the husband-and-wife team of Chefs Christophe and Michelle Poteaux, who infuse French flair into the decor and food. The menu includes mainstays like coq au vin, cassoulet, and escargots, as well as more avant-garde creations like shrimp beignets with spicy guacamole. During the week, opt for a “French Quickie” -- two courses for lunch in the bar and café space.
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Bastille
606 N Fayette StIf you can’t get to Paris, dining at Bastille is a worthy alternative. The brasserie and bar is owned and run by the husband-and-wife team of Chefs Christophe and Michelle Poteaux, who infuse French flair into the decor and food. The menu includes mainstays like coq au vin, cassoulet, and escargots, as well as more avant-garde creations like shrimp beignets with spicy guacamole. During the week, opt for a “French Quickie” -- two courses for lunch in the bar and café space.
Visit the oldest farmers market in the country each Saturday morning year-round for gifts to take home, a quick breakfast or a taste of living like a local. George Washington sold his produce here, and today you’ll find everything from fruits and vegetables to fresh pasta. https://www.visitalexandriava.com/listings/old-town-farmers-market/2677/
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Old Town Farmers Market
301 King StVisit the oldest farmers market in the country each Saturday morning year-round for gifts to take home, a quick breakfast or a taste of living like a local. George Washington sold his produce here, and today you’ll find everything from fruits and vegetables to fresh pasta. https://www.visitalexandriava.com/listings/old-town-farmers-market/2677/
Sightseeing
Centuries-old architecture, brick-lined streets, cobblestone alleys and a canopy of twinkling lights during the holidays make strolling King Street the #1 thing to do in Alexandria. Explore dozens of independently owned restaurants and boutiques, or take a ride on the free King Street Trolley.
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King Street
King Street Centuries-old architecture, brick-lined streets, cobblestone alleys and a canopy of twinkling lights during the holidays make strolling King Street the #1 thing to do in Alexandria. Explore dozens of independently owned restaurants and boutiques, or take a ride on the free King Street Trolley.
Take in stunning views of the Potomac River and D.C. monuments, people watch, hop on a Potomac Riverboat Company cruise, or dine at one of our many waterfront restaurants.
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Waterfront Park
1A Prince StTake in stunning views of the Potomac River and D.C. monuments, people watch, hop on a Potomac Riverboat Company cruise, or dine at one of our many waterfront restaurants.
Arts & Culture
See art in progress at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof. A fully operational munitions plant during WWII, the center is now home to 82 artists’ studios, seven galleries, two workshops, the Alexandria Archaeology Museum and The Art League School. Free admission!
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Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N Union StSee art in progress at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof. A fully operational munitions plant during WWII, the center is now home to 82 artists’ studios, seven galleries, two workshops, the Alexandria Archaeology Museum and The Art League School. Free admission!
Drinks & Nightlife
Whether you head to the brewery and tap room or find the beer on the menu of local restaurants, trying a pint from Alexandria’s award-winning local brewery is a must. Named the Best Small Brewery in the U.S. in 2015, at only 6 years old, Port City Brewing Co. is the oldest craft brewery in the D.C. region.
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Port City Brewing Company
3950 Wheeler AveWhether you head to the brewery and tap room or find the beer on the menu of local restaurants, trying a pint from Alexandria’s award-winning local brewery is a must. Named the Best Small Brewery in the U.S. in 2015, at only 6 years old, Port City Brewing Co. is the oldest craft brewery in the D.C. region.