Went in to escape the cold and ended up buying two “Parisian” hot chocolates at $8 a pop - with hot chocolate, Chantilly cream and a half croissant. The cream and croissant were fine, but the hot chocolate was so salty it was undrinkable. It was like they accidentally added a tablespoon of salt instead of sugar. When we went to tell them, they insisted there was no salt in it, then said “I told him not to add salt,” and then asked what we wanted them to do about it. They wouldn’t remake them, didn’t offer a refund or even anything comparable like a latte. The woman working the register walked away mid conversation to do something else. Then they finally said “you can have a self serve drip coffee if you want.” Things happen, but the drink was so gross and the response really unsatisfying. There are too many good places in Old Town to justify going back here.
Peggy Poncelet
Far too slow
Service: 1
Shane J
Disappointing experience. We have visited this location several times over the years and had enjoyed the ambience and the cuisine. Things have clearly changed. The food quality is not what it was. The staff were polite, but the service was very slow. There were two people trying to deliver food to about four tables while also trying to take orders and make coffee drinks. In short, they could not keep up. We ended up just going up and retrieving our food so it wouldn’t get cold(er).
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Michael K
The food was mediocre but the people behind the counter were rude. I had mentioned I'd never been here before and after I walked away I noticed they were pointing and laughing at me
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
William Dornetto
The mens restroom was filthy.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Milan BALAZ
Spacious, French-style bistro serving a variety of French pastries, baguettes, meals, and sweet and savory crepes. Nothing fancy, but the food was tasty and the service was friendly. Aug2025: French dip sandwich, French onion soup and (French) crepe with Nutella and strawberries. All delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bakery, Pastries, French Onion
Gastón Reboredo
It's fine.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
digo
A young man named Steven was working the cashier and was very kind. He even helped out with making my drink! A very handsome young man who made my experience so much more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Natalia López
Delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grace Strong
I went here with my boyfriend not too long ago, he got the Croque Madam and I got the tomato soup. We love the food here so much, 100% worth the price! They even sell jars of tomato soup that you can reheat at home. I love the atmosphere and the staff here were very friendly!
Used to love how unique and original this place was! The food was alright, but the atmosphere made it 100% worth it. They recently renovated and it feels like a McDonald’s. It’s so boring inside, they took out all the character to make it look like every other corporate restaurant. Food isn’t good enough to really go back now 🤷🏽♀️
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 5
Carol SR
Great place for breakfast or lunch! Highly recommend the croissant and the cappuccino. The staff is friendly, tons of options, and very nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
HappierInNewEngland
La Madeleine Bakery is conveniently located in Old Town Alexandria, in close proximity to the waterfront. There is ample seating, much more indoors than out. The ambiance inside the spacious restaurant is cozy because of the design, with a shelving unit holding specialty products dividing the space. Immediately upon entering the bakery, guests are transported across the pond to France. This is especially evident when you step into the restrooms, where basic French lessons are piped through the speakers. The oversized framed photographs hanging on the walls depict iconically French scenes. The baked goods shared between me and my sister were delectable. The unique Nutella® Croissant Muffin (Nutella®-filled croissant baked in muffin pan & finished with pearl sugar) was magnifique! When we finished our treats, I was searching for a bussing station that doesn't exist. I understand that the staff may want to have used tables be easily identifiable, but in similar eateries, I am used to clearing my dishes and discarding trash. We conjured up wonderful memories for a longtime Alexandrian now living in Florida when we called her from her go-to place in the "Port City."
Ken Barlow
I had the grilled cheese and bowl of tomato basil soup. Both were excellent. Too much food. Came with a side salad or small pasta salad which was also yummy but I couldn't finish the pasta salad and I'm a big eater. Dear wife had half sandwich and veggie soup which was also very nice. I'm a sucker for tomato soup and grilled cheese, and on a rare snowy day in Alexandria, this really hit the spot. It was $40 after tip, so not cheap but I would absolutely order this again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tomato Soup
Abigail
I’ve ordered delivery and it was always quite good but in-person was a let down. The inside is beautiful but the service was quite poor. They didn’t have a menu visible and got annoyed when we asked for one. Then when we asked what was in the chicken salad, they kept saying “it’s chicken salad.” I ordered the potato soup that I’ve had several times before but they left off the cheese and bacon. First soup spoon I pulled out still had food on it. Their tomato soup in the jars is absolutely amazing though. Just didn’t seem like they took pride in anything beyond the beautiful building
Went in to escape the cold and ended up buying two “Parisian” hot chocolates at $8 a pop - with hot chocolate, Chantilly cream and a half croissant. The cream and croissant were fine, but the hot chocolate was so salty it was undrinkable. It was like they accidentally added a tablespoon of salt instead of sugar.
When we went to tell them, they insisted there was no salt in it, then said “I told him not to add salt,” and then asked what we wanted them to do about it. They wouldn’t remake them, didn’t offer a refund or even anything comparable like a latte. The woman working the register walked away mid conversation to do something else. Then they finally said “you can have a self serve drip coffee if you want.”
Things happen, but the drink was so gross and the response really unsatisfying. There are too many good places in Old Town to justify going back here.
Far too slow
Service: 1
Disappointing experience. We have visited this location several times over the years and had enjoyed the ambience and the cuisine. Things have clearly changed. The food quality is not what it was. The staff were polite, but the service was very slow. There were two people trying to deliver food to about four tables while also trying to take orders and make coffee drinks. In short, they could not keep up. We ended up just going up and retrieving our food so it wouldn’t get cold(er).
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
The food was mediocre but the people behind the counter were rude. I had mentioned I'd never been here before and after I walked away I noticed they were pointing and laughing at me
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
The mens restroom was filthy.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Spacious, French-style bistro serving a variety of French pastries, baguettes, meals, and sweet and savory crepes. Nothing fancy, but the food was tasty and the service was friendly.
Aug2025: French dip sandwich, French onion soup and (French) crepe with Nutella and strawberries. All delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bakery, Pastries, French Onion
It's fine.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
A young man named Steven was working the cashier and was very kind. He even helped out with making my drink! A very handsome young man who made my experience so much more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went here with my boyfriend not too long ago, he got the Croque Madam and I got the tomato soup. We love the food here so much, 100% worth the price! They even sell jars of tomato soup that you can reheat at home. I love the atmosphere and the staff here were very friendly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Used to love how unique and original this place was! The food was alright, but the atmosphere made it 100% worth it. They recently renovated and it feels like a McDonald’s. It’s so boring inside, they took out all the character to make it look like every other corporate restaurant. Food isn’t good enough to really go back now 🤷🏽♀️
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 5
Great place for breakfast or lunch! Highly recommend the croissant and the cappuccino. The staff is friendly, tons of options, and very nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
La Madeleine Bakery is conveniently located in Old Town Alexandria, in close proximity to the waterfront. There is ample seating, much more indoors than out. The ambiance inside the spacious restaurant is cozy because of the design, with a shelving unit holding specialty products dividing the space. Immediately upon entering the bakery, guests are transported across the pond to France. This is especially evident when you step into the restrooms, where basic French lessons are piped through the speakers. The oversized framed photographs hanging on the walls depict iconically French scenes. The baked goods shared between me and my sister were delectable. The unique Nutella® Croissant Muffin (Nutella®-filled croissant baked in muffin pan & finished with pearl sugar) was magnifique! When we finished our treats, I was searching for a bussing station that doesn't exist. I understand that the staff may want to have used tables be easily identifiable, but in similar eateries, I am used to clearing my dishes and discarding trash. We conjured up wonderful memories for a longtime Alexandrian now living in Florida when we called her from her go-to place in the "Port City."
I had the grilled cheese and bowl of tomato basil soup. Both were excellent. Too much food. Came with a side salad or small pasta salad which was also yummy but I couldn't finish the pasta salad and I'm a big eater. Dear wife had half sandwich and veggie soup which was also very nice. I'm a sucker for tomato soup and grilled cheese, and on a rare snowy day in Alexandria, this really hit the spot. It was $40 after tip, so not cheap but I would absolutely order this again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tomato Soup
I’ve ordered delivery and it was always quite good but in-person was a let down. The inside is beautiful but the service was quite poor. They didn’t have a menu visible and got annoyed when we asked for one. Then when we asked what was in the chicken salad, they kept saying “it’s chicken salad.” I ordered the potato soup that I’ve had several times before but they left off the cheese and bacon. First soup spoon I pulled out still had food on it. Their tomato soup in the jars is absolutely amazing though. Just didn’t seem like they took pride in anything beyond the beautiful building
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Tomato Soup
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