50 Best American Restaurants in Alexandria

“The Sea Bass was a total suprise. More often than not I am dissapointed when I order fish. Not the case here. The presentation was superb. The blend of flavors, textures and colors was an epicurean delight. Our waiter/bartender Damany was thoughtful, always on point without being intrusive. The whole experience was one worth repeating.“

“I don’t typically take the time to write reviews, but that was the best ribeye I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Highly recommend the surf and turf. Put Fort Worth to shame 10/10“

“Places in strip malls really have to work extra hard to make people forget they're in a strip mall, and this place doesn't quite get there. Food was good, not fantastic. The concept of dishes from different cities is not new and gives the impression they're not really skilled at any one thing. (Also cheese curds are yellow, not white, I'm from Wisconsin.) Service was fine. Layout is a little weird, trying to be both a sports bar and a restaurant and it doesn't really have room for both. If I'm in the neighborhood again, would repeat. Won't specifically seek it out.“

“We shared the roast beef sandwich and home fries. It was delicious!“

“Update 2025:

Sooooo great!!!!! Has only improved since we had to move. New setup is incredible and drinks have surpassed the original menus leaps and bounds! GO HERE!

Sets the bar by which we measure all cocktails. Never disappointed, each menu always multiple amazing options. I can count on my hands the number of times i have got a cocktail someplace else and NOT been totally disappointed in comparison.

Ambience is brilliant, lively but not too loyd. Brilliant date night. Service is always wonderful and light bites are incredible.

Brussel sprouts are the best around and the pork belly is beyond amazing.“

“My girlfriend and I had the same cocktail which was very tasty and the 1st on menu. We ordered the tots and got something very different than expected that she could not have and i thought was fair at best. However our entrees were great. I had a very tasty steak in a good salad and her burger was modified to her liking with a little input from staff. We sat at the bar and service was good despite it being one persons first shift there. Will go back and order off the great wine selection!!!“

“Fine, but with so many great dining options in the area I doubt Id return. Pros: Clean and modern. Quality food. Some friendly staff members. Cons: Criminally small portions (kale salad had less than 10 pieces of kale), flavor optional, charged for bread, service experience dependent on staff member“

“I went to Hummingbird with friends for dinner and we had a wonderful time. Lovely selection of creative cocktails from the bar, great atmosphere, excellent service, and incredible food!“

“Amazing Steakhouse ?,,,,!!!!!! Incredibly delicious!!!! Quality in Every Way!!!!“

“There is always a line out the door, so I finally decided to check this place out. The service was quick, and the chicken was hot and delicious. It was freshly cooked, perfectly seasoned, and reasonably priced. I ordered mine with hot sauce. Please note that they only accept cash. I highly recommend giving it a try!“

“Two big pieces of French toast and fresh fried eggs. Simple and delicious! Friendly wait staff who treated me like a regular even though I’m a newcomer. The restaurant smells fresh and looks cozy like you’d expect. Glad I stopped in for an evening breakfast. Thanks for being open 24 hours in Arlington.“

“This is our neighborhood go to. We love the staff and the food is always very good. My only wish is that the menu had a more often rotation. Many of my favorite dishes are only available during happy hour or on specific days, like the blackened fish only on Friday. It’s great to be able to take our kids here where on the bar side their noise level is drowned out by the patrons. Tons of games available to watch and many fans of different teams converging to root them on. The vibe is great on either the restaurant or bar side, and the regulars are great fun to enjoy company. Highly recommended and we will be there as a regular when you come!“

“Super cool! Cocktails are awesome and the service was top notch!! Just happened to wander in yesterday, what a find“

“Service:
This was our first time visiting Old Town Alexandria, and while we originally had another restaurant in mind, Vola’s won us over with its waterfront location and inviting menu. We were told the wait would be 25 minutes, but we were seated in just 15, already a great start. The staff was warm, friendly, and helpful with recommendations throughout the meal, making us feel right at home.

Taste:
We started with the crab hush puppies and oysters, both were so flavorful, perfectly seasoned, and reasonably priced. For our main course, we had the shrimp and grits and the fish and chips. Both dishes were fresh, satisfying, and generously portioned. Every bite was devoured. The drink of the night was a summer Prosecco and passion fruit special, light, refreshing, and delicious. The best part? The refill was cheaper. More restaurants should definitely take notes on that.

Ambiance:
Vola’s has the perfect laid-back yet elevated waterfront vibe. The view of the water, paired with a lively but not overwhelming crowd, made for a relaxed and memorable evening. It’s great for first-timers to Old Town, date nights, or a dinner out with friends.

Overall Review:
Vola’s was a pleasant surprise and a spot we’ll definitely be revisiting. From the quick seating and great service to the flavorful food and creative drinks, everything hit the mark. Highly recommend if you’re in the area, you’ll want to come back too.“

“Very welcoming from the time we walked in the door. Had the Bison filet and it was perfect. The entire staff was on point with everything. Great for a date night or to bring the family out for dinner! Can’t wait to come again“

“Love this place! Dinner is always 10/10 but service, we had Alena or elena and she was just the sweetest young lady and she knows was shes doing, and she was honest too with her recommendations! We always have a tuna and oysters! Then steak this time we shared the cowboy ribeye and added scallops which by the way is not on the menu but elena said they could do it and it was delicious!! 5 star service“

“Great find! Good music and great food!“

“Stopped in JAWA on a lunch break and will definitely be back! Their vegetarian selection was large and the grilled veggie panini was SO good like truly best I’ve had. Great service great vibes lots of smiles in there and really affordable. Thank you JAWA! 🫶“

“Burger was a bit pink at the ends but it was still delicious. Fries were super salty though. But also delicious. Definitely try it out.“

“We enjoyed an amazing dinner. Our server, Micaela went over and above to ensure my gluten allergy was taken care of by the kitchen. Loved the atmosphere. Ps being Canadian I loved the hockey game was playing!!!“

“Absolutely the best food and service in old town !! Amazing chili and cornbread!! I would recommend this for great prices and excellent food !!“

“Amazing food and service. Love the atmosphere ❤️💙“

“Absolutely incredible experience. The steak was, hands down, the best I've ever had in my life. Chef Keymoni personally came out to share how he prepared it — such a thoughtful touch. Phenomenal food, service, and atmosphere. Can't wait to go back.“

“Had plant- based and beef sausage corn dogs. Excellent. Really tasty. Highly recommend.“

“Definite potential. Service is good and a nice atmosphere. I went here as my wife met with a friend for dinner. The place was close and looked promising so I checked it out. I started with fried green tomatoes, which were good but I think the batter wasn’t fully cooked through. But I would order again. For my main meal I had the Charleston chicken, which was a solid choice. Well priced, tasty, and filling. Finally, I closed my meal out with the key lime pie, which was great. Overall, I think this restaurant deserves your visit.“

“The staff is fantastic. Steve & Kendall gave great customer service“

“Try the extra crispy tater tots!“

“great bartenders great staff service drinks music food!!“

“The tinier the French fries the better 😃 Excellent burger too.“

“They were great!!! Great food, nice people!“

“First time back since renovations and wow what a story this place is. It started with the chicken & waffles. The meat was really pink and hard to bite into so I decided to do french toast instead. (Minus the almond cookies.) and it was delicious but it was soft as butter so I had to request a spoon 😮 On top of that, the bartender complimented not only my neurodivergent tattoos 🏳️‍🌈♾️ but also gave me a free mocktail. Though I will warn you it’s real strong. I tasted mostly lemon but it had a hint of maple and tea. Which is ironic because strong taste is why I prefer tea over coffee (if I had to pick between the two). Regardless, these people deserve some love especially in the economic crises we have.“

“Great service and delicious food! Definitely recommend and will come again next time I am in town. Staff is super friendly and welcoming and suggest great options for my dietary needs.“

“It was great Rigat definitely knows how to treat her patrons. She provided friendly service while still maintaining professionalism. Highly recommend Rigat as the one to assist you. By the way FOOD WAS GREAT!“

“Great service and wine! Good place to bring your dog“

“Great place to eat at the food is really good they have plenty of variety the facility is nice I really enjoy how it's comfortable in there they don't have no music playing where you can't talk to somebody the staff is really friendly and provide Quick Service my waitress was a little overwhelmed with the clients but the manager stepped up and made sure we still received quick service great place to go with friends or the family I highly recommend“

“When we come up from Atlanta to visit family in Alexandria, Aldo’s is a must visit. The service and food are excellent. It is a must visit and multiple occasions for our family. Consistent excellence.“

“The food was delicious. We had a large group but the service was very good. I will definitely visit again“

“Good food and service! Recommend“

“Our server Jayla was awesome! She was very friendly. We went on a Saturday afternoon around 2 p.m. weather was gorgeous outside and the outdoor patio was well covered, but we decided to sit inside. The restaurant wasn't too crowded. Jayla asked if it was our first time at Blackwall Hitch, which it was, so she went over the local favorites. She recommended the flaming crab dip and it was delicious!!! Jayla offered us extra Naan chips which I thought was generous for an upscale restaurant. I asked if she could bring us extra with a to-go box to take the rest of the dip. We also had the mahi mahi tacos and chicken-pancetta flatbread - both were great. Jayla often checked on us. We had a lovely time and the service was great! Thank you!“

“We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary at 219. The window seat they reserved for us was great! The food was delicious, especially the she crab soup and shrimp and grits. Our server was extremely friendly and attentive. All in all a great experience and we will be back!“

“You know that feeling when you discover something amazing right next to home and wonder how did I not know this before? That was me today! First time at Shooter McGee’s, and honestly, it felt like finding a little hidden gem in the neighborhood.

The place had such a lively yet cozy vibe ,friendly faces, warm lighting, and that classic pub charm that instantly makes you feel comfortable. I went with my husband and best friend, and it turned into one of those easy, laughter-filled afternoons that you never plan but end up cherishing.

We ordered the Blackened Bistro Steak Medallion Risotto one with beef, one with chicken and the Grilled Pork Chops. Everything came out perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and beautifully plated. The risotto was creamy, the seasoning just right comfort food with a little kick.

Sometimes the best moments really are this simple good food, good company, and a new favorite spot found by accident. ❤️“

“Enjoy going on date night with hubby at least once a month… great affordable food and drinks 🍹“

“If you're intimidated by French cuisine, Bastille is a great place to try locally sourced, healthy variations on classic French dishes. The kitchen is ready and willing to accommodate any food restrictions. The staff are friendly and happy to advise on choices. The Prix Fixe menu is a great deal, but I have to remember to save room for the delicious desserts.“

“Burtons is such a blessing for those with allergies! Staff are highly trained, and everything is labeled so carefully! Every server has been top notch and the food is amazing!“

“been going there for over 25 years!Great food!.Jack Daniels shrimp is always a hit!“

“So delish!!! Forgot to take any photos of our food except the bignets. But we ordered the biscuit & gravy, the breakfast sandwich with bacon, iced latte & a tea latte!
the bacon was super thick and delicious...of course the biscuits themselves were so so good. tea latte is a great option for those who don't want coffee, and the gravy is vegetarian & looks just like regular sausage gravy. 10/10 would recommend this place!!“

“food was amazing. Korean BBQ wings, spaghetti and meatballs, custom pizza, all of it tasted amazing. Nice ambiance and pretty great location.“

“The service and food were absolutely wonderful! First time visiting but definitely not the last! The salmon avocado toast was a smash! It was so pretty I almost didn’t want to eat it but I did of course!“

“Borrowing from their words. More than 30 years later, the Silver Diner has gone from a nostalgic American icon serving affordable family food to a highly overrated restaurant serving overpriced food that allegedly reflect’s today’s lifestyles. But the one thing that will never change is the stench of their restrooms throughout the diner.“

“This is a tiny, and I mean TINY place that you will easily miss if not looking specifically for it. The staff were great, and my panini and hash brown were delicious.

The most surprising part is the cost! Quite easily half the price of any other restaurant in old town.“