The charming Alexandria in Virginia is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to DC, historic architecture, antique shops, theaters, and galleries.
It is also home to some vibrant and eclectic restaurant scenes that provide you with just about any cuisine you fancy.
Most restaurants in Alexandria pride themselves in using natural and fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers, cheesemakers, seafood producers, and local farms.
If you’re looking for a place to dine with your spouse, family, or group of friends, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will list 12 of the best restaurants in Alexandria, VA, to help you make an informed decision.
Le Refuge
$$ | (703) 548-4661 | WEBSITE
Le Refuge is the oldest restaurant in the old city of Alexandria. Apart from the fresh country aromas and flavors, this restaurant has the perfect ambiance to set off a romantic dinner.
It is compact and intimate, keeping customers close together while enjoying the delightful flavors of a French country bistro.
Some of their great dishes include Frog’s legs, French Onion Soup and pork tenderloin with creamy Roquefort sauce. Le Refuge has an excellent collection of wines at affordable prices.
If you’re looking for a place to try some French dishes, Le refuge might just be the right place for you.
Landini Brothers Restaurant
$$$ | (703) 836 8404 | WEBSITE
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The Landini Brothers Restaurant has been running since 1979, serving Alexandria with incredible aromas of the Tuscan dishes and martinis in the most sophisticated stone-framed setting.
The restaurant uses some of the most straightforward cooking techniques and simple ingredients to create unique dishes. Most dishes cost between $6 to $56, depending on what you select.
The most popular dishes cost more, such as the tenderloin cuts, milk-fed scaloppini, and homemade agnolotti Alla Florentine stuffed with ricotta and spinach.
Seafood enthusiasts can enjoy the grilled Atlantic squid, boiled or raw Chincoteague clams, Md. Oysters, and Cambridge. The Landini brothers also have a collection of over 400 wine bottles neatly stacked on a nice wooden rack.
If you want to hold a special event, the restaurant can help you plan and hold the event in their restaurant. They also offer off-site catering services.
Bastille
$$$ | (703) 519-3776 | WEBSITE
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Another great restaurant with great French dishes is Bastille Brasserie & bar-restaurant. The restaurant promises to serve delicious food, cocktails, and wine in a relaxed, approachable setting.
Their food is created from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. If you like to dine in a quiet, serene space free of sounds and other distractions, this could be the restaurant for you.
believes in keeping the environment quiet. Customers are forbidden from turning on music, playing videos, or making phone calls.
However, their table settings accommodate all types of guests, including couples, families, singles, and larger groups of people.
You can opt for an intimate table for two or go for a group table in the dining room or take your lighter meals at the bar.
The restaurant serves three and four-course meals at a fixed price, but you can also choose individual items from the la carte menu. They also have daily specials at discounted prices, such as the French Quickie special.
Old House Cosmopolitan
$$ | (703) 717 9361 | WEBSITE
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Finding excellent German cuisine in Alexandria is not easy, but Old House Cosmopolitan does a great job bringing you some of the best German and Bosnian dishes.
Apart from the detailed menu, the restaurant provides the chef’s daily specials. You can try the mixed grilled platter, the jager schnitzel, grilled branzino bratwurst, and vegetable sandwich.
The restaurant also serves some great cocktails, wine, and beers. Happy hours start from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm every weekday.
Nasime Japanese Restaurant
$$$ | (703)-548-1848 | WEBSITE
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Nasime is a compact Japanese restaurant with a completely new dining concept—upscale Japanese cuisine with an intimate setting.
Stepping behind the curtain shielding the dining room and the chef’s counter feels like you’re dining in Japan. Nasime serves a six-course lineup that goes for an average of $95.
It features a traditional Japanese soup, some raw dishes, a grilled dish, fried dishes, and a Japanese-style casserole. The restaurant aims to introduce high-quality, authentic and modern Japanese cuisine in a friendly atmosphere.
If you want to go for a tasting that costs $48, the restaurant recommends giving a 24-hour notice. The restaurant is open from 5:30 pm to 10: 30 pm.
Oak Steakhouse Alexandria
$$$$ | (703) 840-3395 | WEBSITE
The oak Steakhouse Alexandria is the perfect definition of elegance. From their neatly designed website to the crimson-colored leather banquette, the Oak steak house is here to make a statement.
Whether you are looking for a private dining space for your next special occasion, Oak steakhouse has enough event room options to choose from and book.
When it comes to food, you can go for steak frites, pan-seared halibut, or the amazing Oak A5 Wagyu burger.
You also can enjoy some of the celebrated beers, wines, and cocktails from countries such as Australia, the USA, Italy, France, Belgium, and Argentina. They accept reservations and online orders.
Bistro Sancerre
$$ | (703)-634-2720 | WEBSITE
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Bistro Sancerrre promises to give you a truly memorable dining experience. The restaurant pairs the calm atmosphere with well-crafted cuisine and music to give you an exceptional dining experience.
The detailed menu features signature steaks such as the 18-ounce dry-aged prime ribeye and Wagyu Bavette au Poivre 8oz. Entrees include Mushroom Orzo, Beef Short Rib Bourguignon (GF) and the duck breast made from sweet potato puree, cherry wine sauce, and bacon Brussel sprouts.
When you visit for lunch, you can check the lighter menu offering crepes, burgers, and Croque monsieur.
If you’re looking to hold a special event such as a wedding, bridal or baby shower, or a corporate meeting, you can book reservations in one or two separate private restrooms, depending on the number of guests.
Wooboi Hot Chicken
$$ | (703)-405-1205 | WEBSITE
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If you enjoy chicken dishes, you should definitely head to Wooboi’s hot chicken restaurant. Here you will find the hottest and tastiest chicken dishes that are uniquely prepared to give that delightful taste.
The restaurant focuses on minimizing food wastage and maximizing recyclable and biodegradable products. For this reason, they cook birds that are fresh, antibiotic-free, and never more than 4 pounds.
Their menu is quite simple yet affordable, with food items going for as low as $3.
Some of the unique dishes you might want to try include the Sando, which comprises chicken breast, butter pickles, cider slaw, potato buns, and a comeback sauce, the Barahona comprising grilled cheese sandwiches, and chicken breast consisting of cheese, and onion. Note that this restaurant doesn’t sell alcoholic drinks.
Brabo Brasserie
$$$$ | (703)-894-3440 | WEBSITE
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Brabo is a product of an excellent collaboration between chef Harper Mcclure and the Belgian head chef Robert Wiedmaier.
The restaurant reflects the background of the two chefs and unites contemporary American fare with French and European techniques.
There is a chef’s table designed explicitly for diners to sample a tasting menu offered by the head chef. If you want a special dinner, you can book in advance, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy a nice meal every time you walk in.
Their food is prepared from locally sourced ingredients such as trout almondine, beef bourguignon, and confit duck leg.
You can also enjoy a selection of the award-winning wine list collection of rotating cocktails and craft beers. Happy hours run from 5 to 7 pm. You can call to make reservations or order takeout.
Rustico
$$ | (703) 224.5051 | WEBSITE
Located off the parkway at the north end of the Old Town, Rustico lights up brightly, inviting the lively neighborhood to sumptuous dishes.
Apart from their robust cooking techniques, they also offer a fantastic collection of craft beers, cocktails, wines, and butchery items that you can buy and take home.
Rustico prides itself on offering excellent quality food with big, hearty flavors. Expect modern classics on the menu, including steamed mussel, Caesar salad, lamb meatball, and roasted beef.
Some of the entrees we recommend include; pastrami pork ribs, sirloin of beef served with blue cheese reduction, burgers, and grilled rainbow trout.
House of Dynasty
$$ | (703)-922-5210 | WEBSITE
The House of Dynasty has been around for the longest time now. It is one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in the North Virginia region that holds a special space for Chinese food diners.
They had previously closed for some renovations, but they’re now back to creating some of the unique Chinese cuisines.
House of Dynasty is mainly known for adding a touch of Taiwanese dishes to their menu, such as orange beef and prawns served with walnuts, which are only found on traditional Chinese menus.
They also feature other high-end dishes made from chicken, duck, pork, beef, shrimp, scallops, and vegetarian selections. Try the chef’s specialty, like the crystal chicken in garlic sauce, fish fillet, and two flavored fish served in the Szechuan style.
The Majestic
$$$ | (703)-837-9117 | WEBSITE
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Whether you’re looking to treat yourself, your spouse, or your family, The Majestic is the perfect place to be. The Majestic is a classic American restaurant offering some of the finest quality seasonal produce.
Starters on the menu include local clams and chicken liver, while the main courses include stuffed crab shells, majestic grilled pork chops, jerk chicken, and Chesapeake Bay seafood stew.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
