50 Best Bars in Alexandria

“I love a little hidden place, it makes me feel special. The space is quite small and felt very intimate, with whimsical decor. Drinks were lovely and the food was delicious. I really enjoyed the mocktail options. It's on the pricey side, so I definitely consider this a date night destination rather than a regular dinner spot. We came for lunch, and had no problem being seated, but I'm sure this place fills up for dinner so I would recommend reservations“

“After a fantastic dinner at Barca, our group of five headed over to Casa Luna to wind down the evening — and it was the perfect choice. Although the bar was fairly busy when we arrived, Gloria made sure we were comfortable while waiting and kept us informed about the next available table. Her attentiveness set the tone for a great experience.

Once seated, Gloria quickly walked us through the menu and took our drink orders. We started with a round of espresso martinis, which were expertly crafted and a perfect way to kick off our Casa Luna visit. Our table was located near a projector showcasing scenic views from around the U.S., which added a calming, cozy vibe to the space.

Following the espresso martinis, the standout cocktail was the Lychee Martini — fresh, flavorful, and quickly a favorite among the group.

A big thank you to Gloria and the Casa Luna team for the delicious drinks and the warm, laid-back atmosphere. It was the ideal spot to end an already memorable night. We’ll definitely be back!“

“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.“

“Excellent curated cocktails.“

“We were rookies at the Evening Star Cafe. We split a wedge salad and a burger and they split it for us in the kitchen. Great food, super service (Gabriel was top notch). My wife had a Riesling that she thought was very good. My martini was good. Why did we go there? They have an upstairs bar with live entertainment. We knew a member of the band that was playing that night. The bar has various seating options. A fun evening.“

“We had the portobello bao bun, pork dumpling, bbq duck, and little pot. Everything was delicious!“

“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.“

“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“

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

“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!!!“

“Good to come back six years later nothing has changed. Food is still phenomenal. Staff is still great. Bartenders are awesome. Can’t go wrong at this place. Glad to see it’s still open. I was around living in the DC area door grand opening grab the beagle sandwich“

“Revel is unparalleled in pairing high quality, differentiated, and delicious cuisine and drinks with attentive service, unique decor, and upscale ambience in an unpretentious, approachable, and welcoming neighborhood setting.“

“Didn’t get to try the food, but great drinks and atmosphere and Jake the bartender is very passionate and excellent at his craft. Recommend stopping in!“

“Enjoyed my lunch. This is the cafe inside of whole foods that I spoke of in a previous review. Took pics today. The young lady that attended the cafe was very sweet. I asked her if she could change the TV station to the football game and she gladly obliged me. Cudos to Whole Foods for such an inviting place.“

“Combination of great food, ambience and hospitality. This is the place if you are looking for authentic Nepali food and fine dining experience. They have always amaze us with their menu selection options and the way menus are platted and garnished. I will highly recommend this place for dining with your friends and family.“

“We had an outstanding experience at this Ethiopian restaurant. The servers were so nice and eager to show us their culture and cuisine. The food was absolutely delicious and came out quickly. I really enjoyed the music as well, it made for a fun atmosphere. This will be our go-to spot for Ethiopian food from now on!“

“Great drinks and cool bar low key but also fun.“

“You can spend good time with friends Highly recommended“

“Muy buen Lugar la comida fantástica y el cervicio excelente 👌 👏“

“Chicken Fried Rice from this restaurant is causing me to reevaluate Chicken Fried Rice from every other restaurant I frequent for Chicken Fried Rice. As far as my palate is concerned, they have raised the bar. And the Bangkok Beef Stew is spectacular.“

“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.“

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

“Excellent service and food was great with large portions!“

“The food, drinks and service was top notch. Thank you for a great night.“

“The owners and staff are top notch. Fabulous food!!“

“We went to the express one. We didn't know because we are from Mi. They didn't have pancakes there. The waffle was fancy and a little too sweet but it was good. I tasted my sons French toast. It was tasty and I don't eat French toast. They are a little pricey but I would go again. I forgot to take pics but the food looked really good. They have really nice to go food containers too. Definetely keepers.“

“Great customer service!! Treated the Alexandria Aces to a great meal. Awesome food and would highly recommend eating there.“

“I was looking for some quick to go on the road, they packed up multiple orders, made in 15 minutes or less, and I was able to get back on the road. Thank you so much and everything was delicious, with generous portions of the fajitas and sides! The chorizo scramble was very good as well.“

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

“I ordered a plate of appetizer omg so good A very clean place they have fasts to serve your food and they have a buffet ready for lunch super delicious I recommend this place everything is very delicious (I ordered a plate of appetizer omg so good A very clean place they are quick to serve your food and they have a buffet ready for lunch super delicious I recommend this place very tasty everything)?“

“We have been loyal customers of Sam Phao Thai for years because they consistently serve the best Thai food in the Alexandria area. Our go-to dishes include the coconut shrimp, spring rolls, Panang curry, drunken noodles, and pineapple fried rice. Everything is always fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.

One of the things we appreciated most was how well they handled special requests through delivery apps. This was especially important for us because my husband is allergic to shrimp, and his favorite dish—the pineapple fried rice—comes with shrimp by default. They always took the time to accommodate that, which made it easy and stress-free to order from them regularly.

Unfortunately, they recently stopped allowing special requests through delivery apps, which has made it harder for us to order safely. As a result, we’ve had to branch out and try other places.

We still love the food and hope they consider bringing back the option for special requests. It made a big difference for families like ours“

“If you are looking for a karaoke dive, look no further! This place has a fantastic and eclectic mix of people and the karaoke mixes all across the musical spectrum. The best part of this place is the wait staff. They are very personable and attentive to your needs. Great late night food and the drinks are everything you need to keep your night fun and interesting. Can't recommend enough!“

“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.“

“Superb dining restaurant!“

“This continues to be the best little seminary pub in the world. The staff is excellent. The food is great. The people are all happy. I first told my wife I love her outside on what is now the patio. It's a very special place. If you're reading this you should go, have a blast, and tip lavishly.“

“You can't just walk up to the Front Porch and be seated. You first have to go to one of the sister restaurants next door, ask to be seated at the Front Porch, then they'll escort you back to the Front Porch. It's a little strange and we watched many succumb to this unnecessary back and forth.We all enjoyed our meals. The smash burgers were especially amazing! The menu felt a little limited in terms of selections, which is why two of us ended up choosing the burgers in the first place.All in all, a decent experience.“

“We ordered the rigatoni pasta with the marinara sauce and grilled chicken and we also ordered the macaroni cheese with Parmesan cream and grilled shrimp. Honestly, both of them were to die for. Me and my husband absolutely loved the place and we will definitely be regular customers.“

“Good tacos and great pupusas (fresh, fast, handmade when you order) at this hispanic bar & grill. No crowd at noon on a Saturday when we visited. Waitress says they're busiest around 10pm on Fri & Sat nights for music, dancing & karaoke. We'll go back!“

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

“Our first visit. Won’t be our last. Good to have this restaurant in our neighborhood. Rice and beans could have been warmer. Music just a tad loud. Difficult to have a conversation. Still will go back. Mushroom and Pork Belly tacos were delish.“

“Food is nice 👍 and friendly staff as well no negative comments“

“this is easily the best and most authentic Mexican food I've ever had in Alexandria. Everything is fresh and interesting and delicious. Go eat there now! 😀“

“Excellent food; great variety!“

“Chips cold but not stale. Salsa good; not too watery. Queso okay, served steaming hot (most likely microwaved).

Margaritas good, quesa birria tacos good, flan good.

Definitely better than some other places in the area. I would eat here again.“

“Cool as spot coming across the bridge for the first time“

“Great stop to dance a little. Beers are not crazy expensive. I got pique macho which I'm not usually a fan of but their steak is amazingly soft and tender. I definitely recommend that. The dance floor gets tight but usually everywhere else is the same. Service was ok just not as attentive as I'd expect.“

“Service was good and so was the food. Great little place to stop in and have lunch or dinner, safe environment too.“

“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. ❤️“

“As soon as we walked in, the bartenders waved us to the bar like we were old friends and were so friendly. We came at 10pm on a Friday night and didn’t know they have one side of the restaurant as a club so be warned it gets very loud because of the music. We didn’t care but I know some people may find the info useful. We got the steak fajitas and ceviche and the steak was some of the best I’ve ever had. The ceviche was really good but super spicy and a lot of lemon. We had a good laugh at the guys singing karaoke and everyone included us in the shenanigans! If you want a fun night out, try this place. If you want a quiet peaceful dinner, maybe try to dine at an earlier hour.“

“LOVE this restaurant! Stopped in last evening for dinner and enjoyed the Oysters,Oysters,Oysters off the restaurant week menu! The fried and grilled oysters were perfection and the raw oysters were fresh and DELISH! We stick to appetizers on this visit, after the oyster feast we moved on to the peel and eat shrimp, perfectly cooked and seasoned with Old Bay and the Mussels in the spicy broth! Do yourself a favor and get extra bread to dip in the broth, you won’t be sorry! We didn’t have them on this visit, but one of the must try’s in my opinion is the Lobster Poutine! AMAZING! The amount of lobster in this dish at the price point of under $20 is OUTRAGEOUS in the very best sense of the word! The whiskey offerings at this establishment are some of the best that I have seen. I literally discovered one of very favorite bourbons here, Jefferson’s Ocean! The selections range from your basic line up, interesting new finds and hard to get must try’s. The man behind this whiskey magic is Edward, the bartender/manager. Edward is knowledgeable and loves to talk about his offerings, so don’t be shy, ask questions and be prepared to learn a little something! We have enjoyed everything from their brunch offerings, seafood and burgers! Wine to whiskey and everything in between and have never been disappointed! We recently moved, and now have to brave 45 minutes of Beltway traffic (and that’s on a good day as we all know..lol) to get to this spot. So if you good food, attentive service and an amazing selection of whiskey are your thing, trust me when I tell you this is the place for you!“