Best Restaurants for People Watching in Old Town Alexandria

35 restaurants available nearby

1. The Warehouse

4.8

Exceptional(4447)

Price: Moderate

• American • Alexandria

Booked 43 times today

Alexandria's Finest Dining - The Warehouse has consistently been highly rated by the nationally known "Zagats Dining Guide" and is one of the most popular restaurants in Old Town. Specialties include their famous all-lump crab cakes, fruit de mer, and veal porterhouse steak. Their Nola Brunch is a "must do" in Old Town. Come and try our hole-less donuts. Reservations are recommended for this popular meal.

2. King & Rye

4.4

Awesome(721)

Price: Moderate

• Regional American (Southern) • Alexandria

Booked 24 times today

King & Rye is the reflection of the bounty of the mid-Atlantic and Southern regions. We feature seasonal, intentional ingredients sourced through real relationships with farmers, makers and butchers. With humble, refined menus rooted in tradition and authentic flavors that go beyond the expected to offer a deeper exploration of Southern cuisine, we're a place where you can expect slow food, proper whiskeys and genuine hospitality.

A photo of Trattoria Da Franco restaurant

3. Trattoria Da Franco

4.0

Excellent(222)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Alexandria

Booked 10 times today

Rustic yet elegant handmade cuisine that celebrates the Italian-American experience. Sit inside one of our cozy dining rooms...fire roaring in winter, and friendly service that treats you like family and royalty at the same time. Listen to the sounds of Frank Sinatra and Louis Prima, or catch our live jazz or opera music several nights a week. When the weather turns warm, we have an inviting patio setting perfect for people watching with a glass of wine and some good friends.

4. Urbano 116

4.3

Awesome(378)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Alexandria

Booked 13 times today

Welcome to Urbano 116.* Please note that outdoor tables are NOT available for reservations, we will be happy to accommodate you outside on a first come, first serve basis.

A photo of matchbox Pentagon City restaurant

5. matchbox Pentagon City

4.4

Awesome(972)

Price: Moderate

• American • Arlington

Booked 11 times today

Bubbling, thin crust pizzas, mini burgers, crisp salads, and craft cocktails...four great reasons to visit matchbox today. We’re the neighborhood gathering place for fun, upscale casual dining, with local, award-winning beers, broad spectrum wines, and handcrafted signature cocktails you won’t find anywhere else. The jewel of Fashion Centre, our 12,000 square-foot refuge offers fuel for shopping, including a breezy terrace that overlooks the bustling streets of Pentagon City. Spanning two levels, with a mezzanine that accommodates up to 150 guests, there’s plenty of space for intimate dinners, large parties and get-togethers. Have a seat at the airy 8-seat pizza bar where bubbling, thin-crust pizzas make their debut, or wave to the people below from a private booth in the sky. It’s hard to ignore the industrial glass and steel elevator, or feel the warm, primal fires from two wood-burning ovens.

A photo of The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC restaurant

6. The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC

4.7

Exceptional(1041)

Price: Very Expensive

• Spanish • Penn Quarter

Booked 102 times today

Set in the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, The Bazaar is the culmination of a 30-year dream for Chef José Andrés. Drawing inspiration from this iconic location, which first opened in 1899 and served as DC’s General Post Office until 1914, The Bazaar is a multi-level destination reinvented with avant-garde and Americana-inspired decor.

7. Dauphine’s

4.6

Exceptional(1405)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 36 times today

Dauphine’s is a modern day incarnation of the dramatic Grande Dame establishments of New Orleans, brought to you by the award winning Long Shot Hospitality - the team behind DC's beloved The Salt Line Restaurants. Dauphine’s utilizes Mid-Atlantic ingredients to prepare classic New Orleans fare while also creating original dishes inspired by the legendary city. All brought to you in a breathtaking spacious downtown restaurant setting with the most beautiful bar in downtown DC, plenty of patio dining, and a festive outdoor bar and garden area. Located in the Midtown Center, Dauphine's is just steps from the White House, National Theater, Convention Center, Cap One Arena and most downtown attractions and provides an elegant yet relaxed dining atmosphere for any occasion. Dauphine’s serves Dinner seven nights a week and Brunch on weekends, with Happy Hour every day 4pm-7pm and an ALL DAY Happy Hour on Sundays - plus don't miss our signature Sunday Live Jazz Brunch! We hope to see you soon!

A photo of CIRCA at Clarendon restaurant

8. CIRCA at Clarendon

4.7

Exceptional(1465)

Price: Moderate

• American • Arlington

Booked 31 times today

All of our CIRCA restaurants are neighborhood bistros serving delicious food and drinks. Each CIRCA is warm, inviting, and offers an energized social scene.Whether dropping in for brunch, lunch, dinner — every meal is accompanied by an extensive wine list, including over 20 wine offerings by the glass and a seasonal cocktail list. Our patios are located on the best city corners for a vibrant dining experience. Join us and dine well!Our Dining Room and Patio are Open!

A photo of The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea restaurant

9. The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea

4.4

Awesome(337)

Price: Very Expensive

• Afternoon Tea • Downtown

Booked 6 times today

Luxuriate in the hotel’s grand lobby lounge for one of our most cherished afternoon traditions. Enjoy the finest selection of teas from Dammann Frères, exquisite tea sandwiches, delicious sweets, and homemade scones. Feel free to lavish your experience with our selective optional Champagne pairings. $109,00 per person, excluding tax & gratuity. Available Thursday - Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:45pm.

10. Georgia Brown's

4.4

Awesome(8809)

Price: Expensive

• Low Country • Downtown

Come and experience our lively interpretation of South Carolina Low-Country cuisine. Enjoy good southern food, servers who bubble over with hospitality, and a dining room that is truly distinctive. With its golden woods and bronze sculptures that crawl across the ceiling, designer Adam Tihany has created an atmosphere to awaken your senses. What better place to enjoy low country cuisine than in this contemporary environment celebrating the south. Offering the flavor of the South - the Soul of Washington; where we will be sure to leave a light burning in the window for you, our guests.22% service charge is included on every check. 18% is distributed directly to service workers on top of their base wages, and the remaining 4% is used to help pay for all staff costs due to the District of Columbia's Initiative 82. You may choose to leave an additional tip!https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaBrownsRestaurant/https://www.instagram.com/georgiabrowns_dc/http://gbrowns.com/

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MaureenVIP
Los Angeles •41 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Our favorite Old Town restaurant we visit at least once if not twice when we visit from SoCal. Many romantic dinners there in the mid 90s and returning to it almost 30 years later, it did not disappoint. We have turned family and friends into Warehouse lovers! Highly recommend the crab cakes but everything we’ve ever eaten there from salad to etouffee to steak to oysters to fish is excellent and will be cooked to your liking.
More info
The WarehousePrice: Moderate• American• Alexandria
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4.8
J
Julio
Baltimore / Maryland •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 4 Jan 2025
Great ambience, service and food! Live piano music was great. Our server was very cordial, he made us feel at home.
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Trattoria Da FrancoPrice: Expensive• Italian• Alexandria
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4
J
JeremyVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined on 28 Dec 2024
The food and drinks were delicious. The staff went above and beyond to celebrate my birthday.
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King & RyePrice: Moderate• Regional American (Southern)• Alexandria
•
4.4
N
Natalie
Washington, D.C. Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 27 Dec 2024
Great service fast and nice and clean establishment
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matchbox Pentagon CityPrice: Moderate• American• Arlington
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4.4
M
Marshall
Washington, D.C. Area •16 reviews
5.0
Dined on 19 Nov 2024
Went on Taco Tuesday for the all you can eat tacos. The food was delicious. The server was mistaken on what exactly we ordered, so the initial plate came with rice and beans. Make sure to order the Taco Tuesday special, or they will charge you for the rice and beans. In any case, the margarita was good too, just a nice place for a mid-week dinner. Saw other menu items brought out to other tables and it all looked and smelled wonder.
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Urbano 116Price: Moderate• Mexican• Alexandria
•
4.3

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Old Town Alexandria

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35 restaurants available nearby

1. The Warehouse

2. King & Rye

3. Trattoria Da Franco

4. Urbano 116

5. matchbox Pentagon City

6. The Bazaar by José Andrés - DC

7. Dauphine’s

8. CIRCA at Clarendon

9. The St Regis DC - Afternoon tea

10. Georgia Brown's

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