50 Best American Restaurants in Alexandria

“Definitely try the bison burger. If you’re ok with meat that melts in your mouth.“

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

“Had the Tropical Shrimp Salad sandwich on sourdough bread and a strawberry lemonade. It was incredibly fresh and delicious, with lots of shrimp and mango. The lemonade was the best I've ever had. If you are in the area, definitely check this place out.“

“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.“

“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 bartenders great staff service drinks music food!!“

“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“

“Great brunch spot. The breakfast pizza was absolutely delicious and a standout on the menu. We came in as a group of five, and the staff was incredibly kind, attentive, and accommodating. They made the whole experience easy and enjoyable. Would definitely come back.“

“Great find! Good music and great food!“

“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!!!“

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

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

“Always a great place to stop for food and drink.“

“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!“

“Loved this place and looking forward to coming back when the seasonal speakeasy opens. The food was delicious - the chef did some thangs honey with that octopus! The drinks were made by their mixologist and it shows that he knows what he is doing!! Next time I go I’ll take pics. Our server was Rodney I believe and he was excellent. I am gluten free and pescatarian and ate quite well.“

“Try the extra crispy tater tots!“

“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.“

“We are from Ohio visiting the area and Tim was GREAT! Very personable and gave us some great tips! Food was great too!“

“Great Happy Hour menu. the Double smash burger w/ fries for $10 is a steal! We can't wait to try the Brunch and dinner menus! Highly recommended!“

“This was my second visit and somehow it was even better than the first. The drinks menu is genuinely one of a kind — creative, carefully crafted, and unlike anything else in the city. The overall dining experience is truly unparalleled; from the moment you walk in, everything feels exceptional. The service is first class in every sense, and Will in particular went above and beyond — an absolute gem. This place has my heart. I’ll keep coming back!“

“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.“

“Had a great experience at Southside 815. The food was excellent and everything came out fresh and flavorful. Nick was our server and he was awesome. He was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. Great service and great food. I’ll definitely be back!“

“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.“

“One of our all time favorites!“

“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!!!“

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

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

“When this place is good it is excellent but there are times when the food and experience are just a bit inconsistent. Sometimes the French toast or bacon will be dried out or like it's been sitting for a little bit under the light but when it hits it really is the best. I've rated it four stars just because consistency is so critically important with a restaurant and we often debate if we're even gonna go because we know when it's not great it's just not worth it especially for the cost.

I will also say the atmosphere itself is fine and what you'd expect. It's at least very clean, which is important. Our favorite items are:
- the French toast
- the biscuits in general
- the fact that they have kids' portions and options for some of these“

“I only drink Whiskey, so the bartender Garrett recommended both the old fashioned and the soul kitchen. Both were great, but the soul kitchen was my favorite by far. The bar was quiet even though it was busy. We didn’t try the food, but look forward to it next time we’re in the area.“

“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!“

“I had the Steak and Cheese Omelet. 😋 Also, love the "ROBOT" Server at the Richmond Rd, Alexandria VA Location“

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

“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.“

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

“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!“

“Really enjoyed, simple, delicious, good variety. Pleasant service! We live about 2 hours away and were in the area, had never been there before and wanted to try it. Breakfast meanu and lunch menu available at the same time of day!!! We really enjoyed it.“

“Good food and service! Recommend“

“We live right by Mason Social so I’m not sure why we aren’t here all the time. Our server/bartender Trish should always pick the music. Killer kale salad and great (surprise!) 50% off wine bottles on Wednesday! Will be back“

“I’ve loved Bob and Edith’s for over 15 years. However, this location just took it up a notch. The service was blazing fast. The interior is squeaky clean. However, it was the food that stole the show. My steak omelet and my kid’s B&E Burger were the BEST we’ve had since coming to any Bob and Edith’s. I know this is a new location, but I hope they can keep everything to such a high standard.“

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

“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!“

“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!“

“Best fried chicken in the DMV, hands down. Good food at a good price. It’s literally a hole in the wall but who cares, they do what they do and keep the prices low as a result.

SO GLAD something in town hasn’t changed from the old days!“

“Juan Ramirez and his team, including our server Kevin, made my dad's 80th birthday celebration our best yet! With my dad's birthday falling on Valentine's, I reached out to Bastille months in advance to accommodate our large party - and they were happy to coordinate with me, and made sure our space was accessibility-friendly. We've eaten at Bastille many times, and this meal was extraordinary (cheers chef!)! We all left the table satiated in body and soul. Thanks for a memorable event for our entire family, Juan! We look forward to the next one.“

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

“My fiancé and I had a fantastic date night out at 219! Everything from the service to the band was absolutely wonderful. Our server Tom was very attentive. We enjoyed food, jazz and the cigars! We’ll definitely return. This is easily now one of our favorite places.“

“I’ll start by saying Gerson, our server, was so sweet and genuine and gave us excellent service. The spicy margs were everything they needed to be and more. The salmon on my salmon salad was greatttt. Perfectly cooked. Say outside with my dog and appreciated the doggy menu and water bowl.“

“I gave 5 starsbecause the energy I received when entering, the staff, the atmosphere felt like I walked in someone’s kitchen ready to throw down were all so good🤗 I can not wait to visit again another day for lunchtime lol. I was looking for places near me and this particular place caught my eye with the reviews. It definitely did not disappoint. Thank you!!“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

While exploring Alexandria’s waterfront, we stopped for lunch at Vola’s Dockside Grill and it ended up being one of our favorite dining experiences of the trip.

The location is hard to beat. We were seated on the outdoor patio right along the waterfront with beautiful views of the marina, boats, and the Potomac River. It was the perfect setting to relax, enjoy the weather, and watch the activity on the water while having lunch.

We started with a selection of oysters on the half shell and were impressed with both the freshness and quality. The oysters were cold, clean, and flavorful, served with all the traditional accompaniments. For our main appetizer, we ordered the coconut shrimp, which was outstanding. The shrimp were large, perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside, and paired with a delicious dipping sauce that complemented the sweetness of the coconut coating.

To drink, I ordered a Bloody Mary that was every bit as good as the food. Nicely seasoned, refreshing, and garnished generously, it was the ideal waterfront cocktail.

What really completed the experience was the service. Our server was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable without being intrusive. Food and drinks arrived promptly, and we never felt rushed despite the restaurant being busy.

Vola’s combines fresh seafood, excellent cocktails, attentive service, and one of the best waterfront dining locations in Alexandria. Whether you’re looking for oysters, seafood, drinks with a view, or simply a relaxing place to enjoy the riverfront atmosphere, this is a spot that should be on your list.

We’ll definitely be returning the next time we’re in Old Town Alexandria.“