Lounges in Alexandria, VA

“One of the best meals I've had in Alexandria, if not the best. Pimento cheese is phenomenal, the country fried steak was even better. Brought my parents who eat at high-end restaurants around the country frequently and they were blown away by the food. Server was very knowledgeable and kind. 11 out of 10“

“My wife, mother, and I went here for Christmas and had a great experience. It was a very intimate setting with not a lot of people which I liked. The food was absolutely amazing! We all got the she crab soup as an appetizer and it was delicious! For entrees my wife and I ordered the jambalaya and my mom ordered the blackened salmon. My wife and I loved the jambalaya and my mom said the salmon was excellent. Our waiter was very attentive at the beginning but as more people came in we saw her less and less. She started to forget things that we asked her for towards the end and we would not see her for quite some time. But I give her a bit of grace because it seemed to be only 2 waiters including her and they also seemed to be taking care of the bar as well which is alot! Overall we loved this restaurant and would definitely go back.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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.“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“We sat outside, which was very nice, the tuna tartare appetizer was fantastic, the mahi mahi main and sides were perfectly cooked, and the flourless chocolate cake was the best I have ever had! My husband loves the fact that one can now order Hi-Fi BBQ when eating at Evening Star.“

“Flavor was redundant, but you definitely get what you pay for. The crab cakes were the best thing on the menu and we loved how it was actually a crab cake! A lot of places call a piece of fried bread with some crab meat ij it a crab cake, but not Vola's, they are the real deal! Matisse was our waitress and she was great!“

“This restaurant was great the food tasty and cooked to perfection! I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. My husband and I will definitely dine here again! The price very reasonable and you got a lot of food for the money. They were not stingy with the food portions! You will not be disappointed😊“

“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.“