Service was wonderful! Drinks and food delicious. Only wish we could have had a window table as requested in my reservation. I will definitely return!! read more

I cannot say this enough, we had the BEST experience at Ada's by the River!! Bryan, our waiter, gave our party of 8 an amazing evening!! The food was unbelievable, service incredible. The crab cake was huge and full of flavor!! Thank you Bryan for making this experience wonderful. read more

The food was rather tasty/had the short rib ravioli. We ate outdoors and Amir was our server-he did a wonderful job staying on top of our needs and was verily amiable. read more

We had dinner at Ada's on the River on a weeknight to meet a vegetarian friend. Since Ada's has a nice vegetarian menu in addition to the meat menu, we snagged a reservation. It was a nice day so we seated outside, although it got a little too windy. For appetizers, we got Wood-Fried Chicken Thighs and Artisan Cheese Plate along with cocktails. Both dishes were delicious and nicely presented. For entrees, I had Crab Stuffed Carolina Trout which was impressive! We also shared coal-roasted mushrooms and coal-roasted vegetables. We were too stuffed to order dessert but our server gave us complimentary baklava. The service was excellent and the food was delicious! I would definitely love to return to try the steaks. read more

See all

Exceptional Food + Service + Ambiance We stopped into Ada's on the River for happy hour, and it was the perfect way to start the evening. The happy hour menu gave us the chance to sample a little bit of everything, from the crab rangoons and mini lobster rolls to a seasonal Old Fashioned, a Vesper, and an espresso martini. The lobster rolls were the standout of happy hour, while the cocktails were well-crafted and made for a great pairing. Once happy hour ended, we stayed for dinner, and boyyyyyyy, we're glad we did. The lobster mac and cheese was rich and indulgent (like most ppl have mentioned), the stuffed fish was flavorful, and the hanger steak with the gem salad was cooked beautifully. To finish, we ordered the apple beignets, which were warm, light, and the perfect sweet ending to the meal. From start to finish, Ada's delivered a memorable dining experience with excellent food, attentive service, and a beautiful waterfront atmosphere. It's the kind of place that's just as great for happy hour as it is for a full dinner. Definitely worth a return visit, will order the scallops on the next visit. read more

Was such a beautiful sunny Saturday and my hunnie and I decided to go down to old town and spend the evening just like we used to do when we first started dating. Originally we were going to Barca however they were crazy packed so we decided to just come here and I'm glad we did. We placed our name one the list to sit outside however we found a perfect spot at the bar. We love finding seats at the bar unfortunately there were no TV's but it was all good. More us time. My hunnie opted for an old Fashioned smoked with his fav Angel's Envy Rye and I tried the Balanced Algorithm. My drink was a bit toooo sweet!! Reminded me of a holiday drink lol but it was good. The "East Side" one of the bar tenders made was refreshing and delicious too! I really enjoyed this cocktail. It was giving Green Juice from Cabo with a shot of Hendricks lol For dinner my husband ordered the lamb chops. The lamb chops were fatty...not so much meat on them...however he said the flavor was good from what he was able to cut around. I ordered the mushrooms lasagna and it was just OK...very bland...& lacked flavor... The noodles were also a bit over cooked. I wasn't expecting crispy noodles. The sides were very good. We went with Brussels sprouts minus the bacon and the roasted sweet potatoes. Was a perfect date night. Perfect restaurant for date night, girls/guys nights out... Check them out! I'm glad we did. Happy Yelping! read more

See all

Shout out to Peter G! We were a party of 9 celebrating a 40th Birthday. The restaurant accommodated us in the back room and Peter took great care of us! There wasn't a side dish that I tasted that I didn't like! We all passed around the shareable sides. For my main dish I had the pork chop which was cooked to perfection I am definitely returning to try other dishes and get my own serving of the lobster mac and cheese. Parking isn't the easiest. But I will plan accordingly. read more

See all

I had a friend visiting for a family reunion and she was staying in old town, so we decided to try Ada's on a Friday night. We arrived at 7pm and snagged a table on the patio with a view of the river. Ada's had a few specials for food and cocktails. I went with the Chilean sea bass dinner special and margarita cocktail. My friend ordered the large crab cake and Brussels sprouts. Everything was really good the blackened sea bass could have offered a little more flavor but overall the dish was outstanding- I finished it all. My friend loved her crab cake and the Brussels which she was able to get them with no bacon. For dessert we asked our server for a recommendation and to our surprise he brought the peanut butter s'mores cakes. The dessert was three perfectly formed mini dessert that offered the perfect amount of flavor! The meal was outstanding, with perfect ambiance and great company. I'll definitely return to Ada's again. read more

See all

Amazing spot next to the river deep in Alexandria, great for lunch or date night. We went during the day but at night I'm sure it's beautiful. Had wonderful Virginia oysters to start and they were medium size. I had the swordfish sandwich, perfect, the bread was so fresh and so were the veggies with a generous portion of fish. We had multiple people helping us and it felt great, good attention to details read more

See all

I have been here a few times now and have nothing but great things to say. The location is awesome with great views. The service is excellent, and the food is great. If you are in Old Town, you have to put this on your list of places to try. read more

Ada's on the River - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Food was delicious! We actually went in for lunch and wanted to try the chicken and we were bummed since it's a dinner option. We tried the angus burger and wedge salad! Both were delicious. Our burger was cooked perfectly medium rear and our wedge salad was bit only beautiful but delicious. The salad was not traditional and had a spicy chili on it. It was incredibly good. Did not disappoint. I would definitely come back again. I would come back for dinner and try the chicken. We sat out with the river view and it was a perfect day. Not too hot for a summer day. Our server was great other than forgetting our extra request for a pickle. He forgot, maybe he was busy. read more

See all

Came back for Happy Hour which is only available at the bar or outside high tops. I came around 4:30 and didn't find any issues with seating at the bar but the restaurant did get fairly busy after that. The bartender was a little busy and so it took some time to get my order. We really enjoyed the Happy Hour bites Mini Lobster Roll - this was really good, decent amount of lobster and the buttered roll was delicious. French Dip Slider - flavor was amazing but a little difficult to eat. This fell apart pretty easily but overall, I really enjoyed it. Peruvian Steak Skewer - this was also very flavorful and cooked perfectly. My friend got the crab rangoon and she said that she also really enjoyed it. The only issue we had was we ordered last minute for Happy Hour for another French Dip and it was accidentally rung up under the individuals next to us. We asked after realizing it was put in 30 minutes ago and they offered either a comped drink or have the kitchen make another one even though it was only offered on the Happy Hour menu. I really enjoyed everything and would definitely come back again. read more

See all

We went for brunch and really enjoyed the experience overall. The mocktails were fantastic everyone at the table liked them. I had the Cobb salad, which was very good, and my sister ordered the crab cake, which was also tasty and well prepared. We also tried one of the fish specials (I can't remember the name), which was just okay compared to the other dishes. The service was fast and casual, which worked well for brunch. I also ordered the vanilla chai crème brûlée. The flavor was good and unique, but the texture was a bit different from what I usually expect from a crème brûlée, so it wasn't my favorite version of the dessert. Overall, it was a great brunch experience and I would definitely return, especially for the mocktails and main dishes. read more

Ada's on the River - WOOD-GRILLED FISH - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

See all

DELICIOUS! Had the fried chicken biscuit and had lobster mac and cheese( they were able to accommodate for brunch)! Both are a must try! Biscuit was light fluffy and not dry. Chicken and pimento weee the perfect combo and the lobster mac and cheese spoke for itself. Perfect balance of cheese and noodles and right amount of lobster. Service was spot on as well. Along with the views of water a must try for the brunch. read more

Ada's on the River - FRIED CHICKEN BISCUIT - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Happy Hour Review: Monday-Friday from 3-6pm, if you want to be outside they have limited hightop seating, first come first serve. I got a white cosmo for $9 and my friend got a Moscow mule for $17. The mini lobster roll was indeed mini, we asked them to cut it so we could share but didn't realize how mini it was at $8. You could finish it in 2 bites. Waitress was nice read more

See all

Wonderful brunch. Finally doing two reviews after several meals. Love, love, loved the porkchop. It was amazing. I've had it four times and it is always an easy 5*. Had the cheeseburger and it was phenomenal. I asked to add tomatoes and they came out grilled. It was a real steak on a bun. Loved it. Salads are unique in that they char them. It is a cool feature. Tasty too. Best view of the water in Old Town (next to Barca). read more

I had my Birthday brunch here and it was great. I will be back with another group very soon.

Ada's on the River is the perfect spot in Old Town to enjoy a beautiful, sunny day. Sitting outside on the patio with views of the water makes for a relaxing meal. The service was fast and helpful. We went for seafood dishes and tried the giant crab cake and the tuna tartare. The crab cake had big chunks of delicious crab. Both were fresh, flavorful, and had a nice presentation. With its waterfront views, welcoming service, and strong seafood options, Ada's is a great place to unwind and enjoy a meal outdoors. I highly recommend visiting when the weather is nice. read more

Ada's on the River - Tuna Tartar - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

See all

Beautiful restaurant and great service. The food is delicious. The steaks are great, but a bit pricey. read more

Ada's on the River - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I enjoyed a nice date night at Ada's bar. The bartenders were attentive throughout the night. I really enjoyed the lavender fields and loved the lavender imprint on the drink. I my husband and I shared the prawns, trout and brussel sprouts. I loved how Ada's split the trout for us. All of the dishes were delish, I loved the flavor from the coal grill, especially on the prawns. I also really enjoyed the black brioche bread- the orange butter really set it off! My husband also enjoyed his lobster mac and cheese. My least favorite dish was the salt and vinegar potatoes, they reminded me of potato salad, however the vinegar overpowered the rest of the side. read more

See all

We had high hopes for Ada's as this was recommended by a few people to me. Unfortunately, my experience did not hit the mark. The service was excellent especially our server who went above and beyond to celebrate our friends' recent wedding. We had brunch here to celebrate our friends' wedding a couple months ago. The food was very mid. Despite the recommendations from other people, we found the food to be very mediocre. We ordered a couple of things and my brunch item was the crab cake Benedict. It lacked flavor and honestly needed seasoning. It was such a let down. My husband got the gnocchi and also lacked flavor unfortunately. The drinks were ok as they were very watery. And the appetizers we ordered were just ok. I wished the food had better flavor and they really need to add more seasoning and be thoughtful about doing that, given the prices are on the high end side. Unfortunately, I won't be recommending Ada's to anyone else and most likely will skip this place moving forward. read more

Ada's on the River just became one of my favorite spots in Old Town! The service was fantastic. I called the day of to change my reservation from 5 to 8, and the hostess accommodated me easily! Our waitress was attentive and had a great personality. The vibes inside are great. It is low-lit and elegant. I would recommend dressing up a bit for dinner. We ate inside, but they have a lovely outdoor seating area right by the water. The best dish of the night was by far the smoked swordfish with brussel sprouts. Fish was flakey had had a great wood fire sear. My boyfriend got seared scallops and said they were fantastic! He really enjoyed the flavor of the corn soubise the scallops were served with. Parking is a bit rough. The side streets in Old Town are always crowded. There are garages available, but they are about $20. The restaurant does not have valet. read more

See all

Good service and selection of items. Went for brunch. Accommodated our food allergies. Everything was very tasty. Nice view of the water. read more

Ada's on the River - Shredded cheesesteak omelette - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

See all

Beautiful setting on the Potomac. Service was top tier and the food was amazing. I had the PorkChop and son had trout stuffed with crab. The sweet potatoes were the best I've ever tasted. Oysters were a little too cheesy for me but good flavor otherwise. It's pricey but well worth the money for the food and experience read more

See all

Ryan and Chris took amazing care of us - we took our family who were visiting from NOLA and are in the restaurant industry themselves. They were super impressed with the service, quality of the food, ambiance, and drinks ! We've loved this place a long time and Chef Adil has curated an amazing solid menu - our continued go to in old town! read more

As always the food is Fantastic and the service is amazing and some of the best bartenders it's like home cooked meals next time I must try the fish dishes read more

See all

This is my second time coming to Ada's -- once i came for a Mother's Day Brunch, I believe and the other was for my Boss retirenment party. the party was really fancy whcih is what you see posted here: there was a set menu that we were able to enjoy. AMBIANCE: Classy, cute, finely decorated. Right on the water so tbh for ME i'm not coming here on the regular -- it's a little pricier than what's in my budget, but if you got it spend it!! SERVICE: Service was okay -- i'll be honest. i'm not sure if it was because it was a big group but we had a team member request a SIMPLE modification on the burger: no cheese... do you know he waited an hour to get his food, after everyone got there (i was able to finish mine and LEAVE) because he had to send it back twice due to there being cheese on the burger... i think that's pretty simple, so I was shocked at that. I don't believe in knocking a restaurant over one mistake, but.... I deff haven't seen that happen before. FOOD: We come for the food though, RIGHT??? Like, unless the service is abysmal, food will always trump everyting. for me, that BREAD that heavenly. like, eating the black bread is great for affect, it does something to the mind because you think it's going to taste not good at all, pair it with the sweetness of the orange butter and it's an incredibly culinary experience. Ceasar salad -- also SOOOO good haha. i was quite peeved that they served it with a singular cruton (like you couldn't spare more???) but it dind't even matter becasue it was especailly seasoned. pepper, garlic, salt, and not overpowering at all. FInally, i had a sip of my supervisors spicy margarita and it was like HOT HOT. like jalapeño hot-- it was terribly intense. so unless your looking for HEATTTTT. i'd stay away from that. read more

See all

During our DMV trip, Ada's was one of our favorite restaurants! We came in with a big group, and the restaurant was packed and bustling at dinnertime. Even so, the service was incredible; we were served very promptly, and everything ran so smoothly. The dishes that stood out most to us were the scallops, sea bass, lamb shank, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and mushrooms. We were especially amazed by how smoky and flavorful the mushrooms were. The drinks were wonderful as well; I ordered an Old Fashioned, and it was just so fantastic!.\ read more

Ada's on the River - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Came for a girls lunch. We ordered varying items. I had the burger how it is describe, my friend had the burger completely modified to just have cheddar cheese and my other 2 friends had the fish and ravioli. Every one said their food was good. I ordered a side of Brussels sprouts and they were really good and served with some kind of white cream. The only 2 things we were fans of was the seasonal watermelon zero proof drink. It was very smoky like ashes fell in it. And the mac and cheese don't really have any flavor which was a bummer for the price tag. Also we all were fans of the black bread but only 2 of us liked the butter, it had hints of orange in it. The view and atmosphere is top tier and the service was amazing. We chose to sit outside but soon got cold and the manager quickly brought a heater close to our table. I would definitely come back . read more

See all

Ada's on the River is beautiful. We sat outside and had dinner, we ordered a variety of menu items to share and the pork chops were outstanding. The Hash Brown Pave paired perfectly with the pork chops. We ordered Grilled Chicken Thighs, Sweet Potatoes, and a Citrus Kale Salad. Our server was so kind and helpful. She recommended great drinks and the items we ordered for dinner. She made sure we were happy and enjoying our meal several times throughout our visit. We'll be back! #EnjoyTheRiver #PeopleWatching #GreatExperience read more

Ada's on the River - Grilled Pork Chop - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

5 stars!!!! Ada's on the Rocks absolutely nailed our Daughters 19th birthday dinner. If you're looking for a spot that feels special without being stuffy, this is it. The entrance was decorated beautifully with holiday decor, the vibe was warm, stylish, and "we should've dressed up for this (but also we're totally fine)." Service was on point - very friendly, dialed-in, and paced the meal perfectly so we could actually enjoy the night instead of feeling rushed. Now the food: wow. Everything came out looking like it belonged in a magazine; beautiful plates, big flavor, and the kind of little details that make you stop mid-convo like, "hold on... try this." We had a mix of dishes and everyone of them was a hit--crispy, savory, bright, creamy... the whole greatest-hits album. And the drinks? Bright, refreshing, and dangerously easy to finish. The mocktails were lights out! Also, bonus points for the fun smoked old fashioned presentation moments (yes, the kind that makes everyone at the table reach for their phone immediately). Favorite dish = the Lobster Salad! A little eat with delicious crackers. Tons of lobster! Bottom line: Ada's on the Rocks turned a birthday dinner into a memory. We left happy, full, and already talking about what we're ordering next time. read more

See all

Ada's is a seafood restaurant at the waterfront of Old Town Alexandria, with plenty of outdoor seating! Walking in on a Friday night, seating took about 45 mins. I had a lobster tail, lobster Mac and cheese, salmon, and crab cake. I really enjoyed everything I had! The salmon was really tasty and juicy and the crab cake felt pure without fillers. read more

See all

Booked a reservation here to celebrate my Dad's birthday. I've only heard great things so expectation were high. Parking garage is on the opposite side of the restaurant if you don't feel like looking for street parking. We were pretty late but the restaurant was nice and didn't give us any issues about it. Our server Sam greeted us as soon as we sat down and explained everything really well. For drinks we got a Cherry-Vanilla Old Fashioned and a Maple Old Fashioned that were both smoked, and they also made two sweet teas as well. That Smoked Maple Old Fashioned might be one the best ones I've had. For appetizers we ordered the Medium Seafood Tower and the Mini Black Brioche Loaf. The seafood tower was a great size for the 4 of us and came with crackers as well. Everything here tasted fresh with lemon and 3 different sauces. The brioche loaf was very good especially with the orange butter. We ordered 2 14 oz 75 day dry aged NY Strips, Crab Stuffed Carolina Trout, and the Braised Lamb Shank for the Entrees. Sides aren't included but are family style and feed about two people per order. We ordered the Hash Brown Pave, Roasted Sweet Potato, Creamed Spinach, and the Honey Glazed Carrots. The NY strip was probably one of the best steaks I've had since I could remember. What they do with the wood fired grill is amazing. The sides were pretty huge and most of our party could not finish them but you couldn't make a bad pick with any of them. Sam also asked us what desserts my Dad might like and we got him the Caramel Apple Beignets and the Lemon Tart which we weren't charged for and appreciated a lot (the beignets were a MUST). Sam really made the dinner special for us. He never rushed us, waited on us anytime we needed something, and was just so friendly. If you can request a server, he's who you want helping you. The food here is top tier, location gives you a great view, and is great for a special occasion or a date. read more

See all

We had a lovely first experience at Ada's on the River! First off - the service. We came in with a large group and Sam took care of us. He was so knowledgeable about the menu, was quick to get our drinks and solve any issues. He was so great!!! Next - the drinks. I started with the alcohol free red sangria. I really appreciate that so many places are making thoughtful mocktails now that are actually really good. My husband had a smoked old fashioned that they brought out with a cloche and the smoke was very dramatic! Fun! Ok, now the food. Wow! So many interesting flavor combinations and menu items. We had to get their black brioche - which was really delicious with an orange honey butter. So unique! We started with the octopus and lobster mac and cheese as our appetizers. Both were delicious. The octopus was so tender and served with yummy baby potatoes. And the lobster mac and cheese was decadent! For my entree, I got the lamb shank, which fell off the bone! It needed more jus, but Sam brought it right over! My husband's entree wasn't as successful. They undercooked his Waygu a couple of times...But they made it right and it was amazingly tender and flavorful from the wood fire grill they use. For dessert we had the chocolate soufflé and beignets. I am still dreaming of the soufflé - light, fluffy chocolate, with salted caramel sauce and strawberry whipped cream. It was so delicious- I did NOT want to share with the table!! I'm coming back another time for my own. And the beignets were perfectly fried with a yummy apple pie filling inside. Both excellent deserts. We'll be back for sure! read more

See all

This place was incredible. We loved all of the dishes, would recommend the Benedict and the beignets. The hash brown pave is amazing! Crème brulee was very tasty. Service was great and the environment was very cozy. Outdoor seating is also available read more

See all

I made a reservation here for my birthday. We came on a Sunday for brunch. We were seated immediately. Everyone was friendly. It was a beautiful day out so it was nicely lit. We had a great view of the water. The food was amazing. I really enjoyed the way they paid attention to detail and taste our waiter. He was awesome. I love the way he changed our forks out after each course. He was lighthearted and funny and he made our experience that much better. I am so sorry I forgot his name. It's because I'm making this post so late.‍Get here and eat this delicious food. I recommend making a reservation on the weekends. I can't wait to go back. read more

See all

Stopped by during their happy hour for a girl dinner and sat at the bar, it was a nice ambiance and the bartender was very nice! I got the cherry-vanilla old fashioned, the beef tartare cannoli, the mini lobster roll, and pimento cheese beignet. Everything is quite small (think 2-3 bites each), but flavorful. Everything I had was a bit on salty side (especially the cannolis), I enjoyed the beignet the most. If I were back in the area, I'd be interested in trying some of their bigger plate entrees! read more

Ada's on the River - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Mom and I had a wonderful dining experience on Sunday, July 12. We were warmly welcomed by our waitress, Rashel, who promptly took our drink and food orders. She told us about the Sunday menu specials and patiently answered all of our questions. We started with the wood-fired chicken thighs served with turkish flatbread and marinated greens, then chose the coal-roasted chicken with roasted vegetables as our entrées, along with the delicious coal-roasted mushrooms and roasted sweet potatoes. Everything was flavorful and cooked to perfection, and the generous portions meant we even had leftovers to take home. My only regret is I forgot to take photos to include with the review. The manager, Bill, was incredibly attentive and stopped by our table several times to make sure we had everything we needed. Rashel's thoughtful surprise of a sweet treat was the perfect finishing touch to my belated birthday celebration. Overall, we had an excellent dining experience and look forward to returning soon, as well as visiting one of the sister restaurants. read more

Had a really nice lunch here yesterday with some friends. It was a warmish, overcast day, so we sat at one of their outdoor tables. It's a really nice vibe and very comfortable. The wait staff (Darryl) greeted us warmly and told us about the daily specials. We ordered a round of beers/wine and then, after the drinks, our food order. Throughout the meal, Darryl checked in on us and filled water glasses (and I drink a lot of water and notice these things!) The food was outstanding. My Shaved NY Strip Sandwich was excellent, with lots of delicious meat, tasty bun and a bbq-type sauce. The fries were excellent, too. Two of my friends got the S African Lobster Roll. They each were very pleased with the dish and the fries. Finally, one person got the Crab Stuffed Carolina Trout, which we all marveled at at its arrival - a complete trout on the plate that, when opened, had been perfectly filleted and filled with pieces of crab. My friend loved this and recommended that each of us get this dish the next time we come. We also shared a side of creamed spinach, which was very good. Not too salty and not too heavy. Overall, it was a great meal at a nice, comfortable spot. Because it wasn't busy, we were able to sit and chat for 3 hours. read more

See all

Matthew was incredible. We went for brunch great recommendation his energy was absolutely beautiful this is not my first time I always bring people here and I love it. Definitely I will come back. Keep coming because this is one of my favorite place in Alexandria. read more