Rebecca’s guidebook
Food scene
This is my newest recommendation for date night, solo dining, or gathering with friends. I especially love the outdoor dining scene - you can't beat the location and the vibe! The kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Randall J. Matthews, a Maryland native who has worked with some of Washington, D.C.’s most celebrated kitchens under MICHELIN-starred chefs.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ada’s on the River
3 Pioneer Mill WayThis is my newest recommendation for date night, solo dining, or gathering with friends. I especially love the outdoor dining scene - you can't beat the location and the vibe! The kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Randall J. Matthews, a Maryland native who has worked with some of Washington, D.C.’s most celebrated kitchens under MICHELIN-starred chefs.
Tiny, hole in the wall place with fantastic Vietnamese food. I love the chicken bánh Mì so much that I never order anything else, but guests who've tried other menu items have all been pleased. Since Covid, they expanded to include some outside dining which is great since inside space is really limited.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Caphe Banh Mi
407 Cameron StTiny, hole in the wall place with fantastic Vietnamese food. I love the chicken bánh Mì so much that I never order anything else, but guests who've tried other menu items have all been pleased. Since Covid, they expanded to include some outside dining which is great since inside space is really limited.
This tavern & hotel were the center of Alexandria’s economic, political, & social life in the late-18th and early-19th centuries.
Notable visitors, aside from yourselves, include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison & James Monroe.
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gadsby's Tavern
138 N Royal StThis tavern & hotel were the center of Alexandria’s economic, political, & social life in the late-18th and early-19th centuries.
Notable visitors, aside from yourselves, include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison & James Monroe.
One of our regular favorite restaurants. I've enjoyed everything I've tried, but I especially recommend their individual sized pizzas and their sangria. Nice location on the pedestrian only block of King Street by the Potomac River.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mia's Italian Kitchen
100 King StreetOne of our regular favorite restaurants. I've enjoyed everything I've tried, but I especially recommend their individual sized pizzas and their sangria. Nice location on the pedestrian only block of King Street by the Potomac River.
Good luck getting a table at this highly sought after new hotspot, but do try! Can't beat the location.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
BARCA Pier & Wine Bar
2 Pioneer Mill WayGood luck getting a table at this highly sought after new hotspot, but do try! Can't beat the location.
Bustling neighborhood trattoria with brick-oven pizzas, traditional Italian fare & a wine room. A local, tried and true institution. We love it. Their bread alone is worth the visit.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
A La Lucia
315 Madison StBustling neighborhood trattoria with brick-oven pizzas, traditional Italian fare & a wine room. A local, tried and true institution. We love it. Their bread alone is worth the visit.
Never disappoints. Full variety menu. Great location.
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Virtue Feed & Grain
106 S Union StNever disappoints. Full variety menu. Great location.
Best kept secret in Alexandria for Japanese cuisine - that is until the Washingtonian magazine listed it as #13 in its "100 Very Best Restaurants" in 2020.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nasime Japanese Restaurant
1209 King StBest kept secret in Alexandria for Japanese cuisine - that is until the Washingtonian magazine listed it as #13 in its "100 Very Best Restaurants" in 2020.
This is our "go-to" restaurant for sushi and ramen. Good for dine-in, take out or delivery. Really close by on N Washington.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zento Japanese Restaurant
693 N Washington StThis is our "go-to" restaurant for sushi and ramen. Good for dine-in, take out or delivery. Really close by on N Washington.
Old world charm and traditional style Greek restaurant. The owners are almost always present and really extend a warm, gracious welcome. Delicious food and really pleasant outdoor patio for pleasant summer evenings.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Taverna Cretekou
818 King StOld world charm and traditional style Greek restaurant. The owners are almost always present and really extend a warm, gracious welcome. Delicious food and really pleasant outdoor patio for pleasant summer evenings.
Weiner Schnitzel, chicken schnitzel, pommes, and kase spaetzle... Traditional German fare. Popular, currently #1 on TripAdvisor for Ten Best restaurants in Alexandria.
Old House Cosmopolitan
1024 Cameron StreetWeiner Schnitzel, chicken schnitzel, pommes, and kase spaetzle... Traditional German fare. Popular, currently #1 on TripAdvisor for Ten Best restaurants in Alexandria.
Sightseeing
Spite House is the skinniest historic house in America at just seven feet wide. A private residence located at 523 Queen Street, John Hollensbury built it out of spite in 1830 to keep loiterers out of his adjacent alley. They say the markings of wagons that used to scrap the side walls are still visible. Wander Old Town’s historic red brick sidewalks for so many photo-worthy houses from hundred+ years ago.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Spite House Alexandria
523 Queen StSpite House is the skinniest historic house in America at just seven feet wide. A private residence located at 523 Queen Street, John Hollensbury built it out of spite in 1830 to keep loiterers out of his adjacent alley. They say the markings of wagons that used to scrap the side walls are still visible. Wander Old Town’s historic red brick sidewalks for so many photo-worthy houses from hundred+ years ago.
ART. ART. ART. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to the largest number of publicly accessible working artist studios in the U.S. Each year, more than a half-million visitors interact with its community of artists. It houses more than 82 artists' studios, seven galleries and two workshops, with some 165 professional visual artists who work in a variety of media, including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to the largest number of publicly accessible working artist studios in the U.S. Each year, more than a half-million visitors interact with its community of artists. It houses more than 82 artists' studios, seven galleries and two workshops, with some 165 professional visual artists who work in a variety of media, including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to the largest number of publicly accessible working artist studios in the U.S. Each year, more than a half-million visitors interact with its community of artists. It houses more than 82 artists' studios, seven galleries and two workshops, with some 165 professional visual artists who work in a variety of media, including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture. The repurposing of an old Naval munitions factory is a brilliant conversion and interesting too.
125 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N Union StART. ART. ART. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to the largest number of publicly accessible working artist studios in the U.S. Each year, more than a half-million visitors interact with its community of artists. It houses more than 82 artists' studios, seven galleries and two workshops, with some 165 professional visual artists who work in a variety of media, including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to the largest number of publicly accessible working artist studios in the U.S. Each year, more than a half-million visitors interact with its community of artists. It houses more than 82 artists' studios, seven galleries and two workshops, with some 165 professional visual artists who work in a variety of media, including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to the largest number of publicly accessible working artist studios in the U.S. Each year, more than a half-million visitors interact with its community of artists. It houses more than 82 artists' studios, seven galleries and two workshops, with some 165 professional visual artists who work in a variety of media, including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture. The repurposing of an old Naval munitions factory is a brilliant conversion and interesting too.
Take a cruise along the Potomac - hop on a water taxi and go to National Harbor for a ferris wheel ride, restaurants, shopping and the magnificent Gaylord Hotel. Go further and take the water taxi to the bustling DC Wharf for more food and shopping and to see DC's famous fish market.
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Potomac Riverboat Co
3 Cameron StTake a cruise along the Potomac - hop on a water taxi and go to National Harbor for a ferris wheel ride, restaurants, shopping and the magnificent Gaylord Hotel. Go further and take the water taxi to the bustling DC Wharf for more food and shopping and to see DC's famous fish market.
Sweet treats!
Coolest repurposing of an old Ice House. Old Town’s newest sweet spot is Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats, a 1950s-inspired soda fountain serving Wisconsin-style frozen custard and nostalgic treats like the Apple Cider Donutwich.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats
200 Commerce StreetCoolest repurposing of an old Ice House. Old Town’s newest sweet spot is Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats, a 1950s-inspired soda fountain serving Wisconsin-style frozen custard and nostalgic treats like the Apple Cider Donutwich.
Do you look for lines of people for hints of greatness? I do! Jeni's almost always has a wait for their delicious, creative flavors ice cream. Check it out if you want a treat. (The Goat Cheese and Cherry is my absolute favorite)
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1925 14th St NWDo you look for lines of people for hints of greatness? I do! Jeni's almost always has a wait for their delicious, creative flavors ice cream. Check it out if you want a treat. (The Goat Cheese and Cherry is my absolute favorite)
Start your day off right!
So close you can almost smell the bagels! It is right at the corner of our block (on Pendleton). You'll also see the long line of people. Order online the night before or just pop over. DE-LISH!
The Chewish Deli
807 Pendleton StSo close you can almost smell the bagels! It is right at the corner of our block (on Pendleton). You'll also see the long line of people. Order online the night before or just pop over. DE-LISH!
Local Coffee Shop. So popular it just opened its second location in Old Town. Give Starbucks a break today.
54 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Misha's
917 King StLocal Coffee Shop. So popular it just opened its second location in Old Town. Give Starbucks a break today.
A bright, industrial-chic layout, plus lattes and pastries to-go, perfect for strolling up-and-coming Old Town North.
St. Elmo's Coffee Pub - Old Town North
529 Montgomery StA bright, industrial-chic layout, plus lattes and pastries to-go, perfect for strolling up-and-coming Old Town North.
Happy Hour
People's Drug Store was founded in Alexandria in 1905 - a real drug store complete with a white marble soda fountain counter serving hamburgers and cokes. Today The People's Drug has been reimagined into the perfect place for lunch, HAPPY HOUR or weekend brunch.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Peoples Drug
103 N Alfred StPeople's Drug Store was founded in Alexandria in 1905 - a real drug store complete with a white marble soda fountain counter serving hamburgers and cokes. Today The People's Drug has been reimagined into the perfect place for lunch, HAPPY HOUR or weekend brunch.
A "secret" speak easy, hidden cocktail bar (space shared with Elizabeth's Counter). Reservations a must. Captain Gregory’s is a small intimate space, and with the intention of creating this environment they now cap reservations at 4 guests (used to hold maybe a bit more, but I'm guessing four is covid-specific) . If you can't get a coveted spot at the bar this visit, plan for it next time.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Captain Gregory's
804 N Henry StA "secret" speak easy, hidden cocktail bar (space shared with Elizabeth's Counter). Reservations a must. Captain Gregory’s is a small intimate space, and with the intention of creating this environment they now cap reservations at 4 guests (used to hold maybe a bit more, but I'm guessing four is covid-specific) . If you can't get a coveted spot at the bar this visit, plan for it next time.