I'm native Floridian so I'm probably biased but this place is a little piece of Florida in Falls Church. Only downside is the owners are Gators I think so there's no FSU stuff in the entire place! I always enjoy coming here and having a tasty beverage or two on the patio and listening to some live music while enjoying some grilled shrimp tacos. I've had other items and enjoyed but the grilled shrimp tacos are my go to here. Food and drinks are just as good in the winter but it's not quite Florida weather so I'm eating inside when it's too cold for flip flops. The margaritas are always enjoyable as is everything else I've ever had to drink. The grilled shrimp tacos are also always just right and they bring the shells and tortillas separately so you can fill the shells yourself make them just how you want them. I usually choose corn tortillas and black beans but they also offer flour tortillas and refried beans as options. Service is always fast and friendly here, even when they're crowded on a weekend. This place is a must try if you're a Floridian in exile or just want to enjoy the beach bar experience in Falls Church. read more

Clare and Don's - House Margarita - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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I was in love when we walked in and fell progressively less in love as we ate more of our food. Tl;dr - come for drinks, vibes, and simple shit that is good fried. Do not come expecting a solid seafood dinner. We came here after a nearby event. There was live music in the very sizable back lot area. People were actually up and dancing and having a great time. The vibes were stellar. I don't know if I would be into tbis place in the winter if I had to eat inside because the inside is kind of dingey, but outside in the summer is pretty paradisiacal. I did notice that they were doing karaoke in a weird little side room and it did not seem crowded on a Saturday night so that might be worth checking out. Servers were also all super nice. Pretty sure we entered the wrong way and kind of just let ourselves in through the back lot area and then we had no idea where to go to find a host(ess). So we asked the first server we could find where to go and she went "oh I can seat you" and grabbed two menus. Excellent. She also gave us our choice of wherever. The place is huge. Our assigned server was also nice and really knew the menu, which is not small. The menu had a ton of options including some really interesting tofu options and I had a hard time picking so I got excited. Also very customizable where you can choose your preparation. The beer list was not exactly artisinal...a lot of like...michelob ultra. And they had those island slushy kind of drinks. So at first I was like...this is my new weekend hangout. Then our drinks came. They were small and in little plastic cups. Wuhoh. Then our food came. I should have known it wouldn't be fresh. The price wasa little *too* good. When I asked about the catch of the day it was like four different things. I ended up with a buffalo grouper sandwich (grouper was one of the four things). I have had a fresh buffalo grouper sandwich in Clearwater before and that was in 2019 and I still remember it 7 years later. This buffalo grouper sandwich? Oh no. First of all it was this thin, flat battered fried cutlet thing. The breading absorbed the buffalo sauce so I couldn't taste it very much though they did bring me a lot of Bleu cheese dressing. The fish was bad. I bit into it and it tasted fishy and it was dry. Honestly if I hadn't been super hungry I would have just not eaten it. On top of that, I paid an extra dollar to upgrade from fries to hushpuppies. These were legit hushpuppies, but hushpuppies are small and how many did they bring me? 5. Are you kidding? Again, in Florida these are brought free by the basket. They're literally just fried up balls of corn meal. I think that may have offended me more than the bad fish. My husband went witb BBQ pulled chicken and fries and said both were good. So. Here are my thoughts. Would I come here again in the summer for fun vibes and good service? Yes. Would I set low expectations for my food and drink? Yes. Would I probably just order a softdrink and stick to something simple they can't screw up like a quesadilla and fries? Yeeeeeeeah. read more

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Always busy & crowded, but some of the best crab cakes in the area. Servers do a great job, but are always running. read more

This place is a super cool little tiki bar located in the city of Falls Church! It is mostly outdoor seating. The food is really amazing - the guac was so fresh and flavorful. The service was also great. The only issue was my orange crush. It was SO strong and heavy in the alcohol that it didn't taste very good. Overall, super fun little spot great for a summer day! read more

Clare and Don's - Appetizer Platter - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

First time here! Had no idea how big the place was! The outdoor space is charming -- very Key West vibe... Especially on an evening with beautiful weather. Service was great. Love their menu... Lots of options for carnivores, pescatarians, vegans and vegetarians. The fried pickles were great -- love the cornmeal crust. The fried oysters were also very good. I loved the burrito bowl with blackened fish. Also at our table were the outstanding shrimp tacos. Both the fish and shrimp were cooked perfectly and "blackened" in seasoning only -- NOT overcooked like some restaurants do with blackened seafood. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Absolutely my favorite in the area! Always positive energy and good vibes. Live music, busy areas, quiet areas, outdoor/indoor areas, great variety of food to please everyone. Today I was starving so I ordered a bowl of chili knowing it'd come out quickly, then a crab cake sandwich with fries and great Cole slaw. I usually sit outside but picked a quiet spot inside today. I always see the same staff which speaks volumes. I know there are many great restaurants in the area but I almost always end up here. read more

Clare and Don's - Crab cake sandwich (minus the bread) w Cole slaw and fries. - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

Clare and Don's is a very fun and lively place. The vibe is relaxed and you really feel like you are at the beach. They have an outside patio, one side equipped with a tent so you are really outside and they also have a covered patio that leads to the inside dining area. Service was great. There were plenty of staff so you could ask anyone for small things like extra napkins, etc. Our server was friendly and took care of us. One thing I don't like, the prices are not listed on the drink menu. So, you need to ask and inquire what the rates are - o not, if your pockets are deeply loaded, lol!! We ordered fries, chips and salsa and drinks which all came out quickly. The fast service was appreciated since we only had a little bit of time before a concert at The State Theater. There was a live band that added a nice element to the experience. Fun place! Highly recommend! read more

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Fun place with decent food and drink selection. I came here with a friend for an event. Staff are friendly and ambiance is a great blend of outdoors and indoor. read more

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I love coming here for apps and drinks. I think their food has gotten a lot better in the past year. It's a great tiki bar for summer time. Servers seem to be kids on school break that could use a bit of training but besides that I really enjoy this place. read more

Unfortunately, Clare & Dons has gone way downhill. We used to enjoy meeting up there with friends, with and without kids, but the last two times we went were very disappointing. The food was less than meh, the service was slow and the atmosphere was way too unappealing for the prices they charge. It must be that with the expansion they can't handle the increased business well. It's a shame because we used to love Clare & Dons but we won't be going back. read more

Love this place. Beachy atmosphere with an island flair. Fried oysters were good and so was the Admiral's Feast. Others got the pasta and the chowder- all good. Service was also good. Outdoor seating is greater than the indoor seating, but there was plenty of seating, no matter which you choose. read more

Clare and Don's - Admiral's Feast - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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The food here is not something I would recommend or eat again. I ordered the shrimp that was supposed to have lemon and butter on it. Unfortunately the shrimp tasted like dirty dish water. I was with friends and just didn't eat the shrimp but was concerned about its freshness. The salad came straight from a bag. They placed the fries next to the zucchini so my fries were sopping wet. Overall, just concerned about the likelihood of getting food poisoning here. The service was good and I can see the attraction of outdoor bar seating in the summer. Overall, though, would not recommend. read more

Clare and Don's - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

I met with the owner David to plan a 40th work anniversary party for my wife. I have never received such specialized care. He and Susan totally designed a menu to our specifications, including filet mignon, fresh fish, fresh pasta, etc. He also reorganized the swamp for seating for 50 people. I met with Misa and Anna a few days before the event and they were in instrumental in making sure the room was decorated properly. With live entertainment and Sergey heading the wait staff the service was impeccable. The food was delicious and the surprise was awesome. I could not be happier. You should give Clare & Don's a chance to do your private party. It will be awesome. read more

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First time at Claire and Don's Beach Bar and it completely blew us away! We only stopped in for cocktails and appetizers, but the drinks were great and the steamed shrimp were amazing. The whole place transported me back to Florida--it reminded me of my favorite spot there, Cherry Pocket. The outdoor seating is spacious and they were setting up for live music as we left. I wish I had more time to stay, but I'll definitely be back for the food, the service, and the vibes! read more

Stopped in by chance on a Saturday afternoon. Jay the bar person was friendly and inviting he made a suggestion for a cold beer and it was perfect. Devils backbone IPA The place definitely resembles Venice Beach IYKYK read more

Clare and Don's - Jaws in falls church - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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I really, really wanted to like this place. A longtime fan of their sister restaurant, Lazy Mike's, I had been meaning to come here for a while. So when I got invited to come to lunch here with some friends, I jumped at the opportunity. One of my favorite things about Lazy Mike's is all of their vegan options. Having previewed the menu here, it looked like there was a similar array of vegan friendly dishes here. I ended up ordering the vegan Phish and chips. The fried tofu was absolutely delicious and their vegan beer batter was perfect. Unfortunately, I had to white pieces of broken plastic that ended up in my mouth. I was very lucky that when I bit down on them, it was at an angle that they didn't go into my gums. I'm not sure if it was in the fried tofu or if it was in the tartar sauce that accompanied. After making the server aware, he was apologetic and offered to put something else in for me. I ordered the vegan chili mac. It was OK. The lentil chili was delicious, but I figured the dish would come with some kind of vegan shredded cheese on it, but it was just a naked lentil chili over a bit of linguine. I asked if they had any kind of a vegan cheese they can melt over the top, assuming that, like their sister restaurant, they would have some vegan cheese slices or something but he said they had nothing. I was also a bit disappointed that the manager never came over to check up or apologize about the sharp shards of plastic in my food. At the end of the day, I'm convinced that my experience was the exception here so I will be giving them another try, mostly because I really want to support vegan-friendly establishments. I probably won't order the vegan chili mac again, though. read more

Idk who Clare and Don are , but you guys figured it out! The restaurant / live music vibe here is great. This is more so a summer spot, but the interior boasts what could complement as a staycation. Great staff and comfortably spaced out seating arrangements. The crab cakes were absolutely gorgeous, were ordered them 3 times in one go as they were so flavorful. 5*! read more

Clare and Don's - Crab Cake Appetizer Side of French Fries - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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05.16.2025 @2:45pm Walking for a table of 6 with 1 dog. We took the outdoor sitting due to the dog. The service was good. We were here just for a little snack and break. I like the crab cake the best. read more

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We return to Clare & Don's repeatedly - mostly because of all the vegetarian options, but also because there are meat, fish, and gluten-free options, making it a great place to meet friends of all eating preferences. The atmosphere is beachy, they add more items on the walls over the years, and they play beachy music too. They have live bands both on their outdoor stage and indoors, usually in the evening. They are also good for sports fans - they have a few screens showing whatever sports are in season. Service is very good for a casual place. I have seen some of the same staff there for years, which I think is a good sign. It does have some grit to it, it's not highly polished, and the bathrooms could use an upgrade. But it is a reliable eating and drinking establishment, we have never had a bad time. read more

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We were wanting to do takeout for dinner but after seeing the menu online, I'm glad we went there and ate. It was hot out on a Wednesday evening. We sat inside along with other customers. We were greeted while we were outside. The tables were but sticky. Service was good although it took a while toward the end to find and flag our waitress. I ordered a crab cake appetizer and a bowl of shrimp gambolaya. The gambolaya was spicy but just enough spiciness for me to tolerate and the flavor was good. (Do not order this if you don't like spicy foods.) The side of crab cake was just right for me. It was flavorful but I came across a few shell pieces. I would order both again. My husband had the crab cake dinner with the side salad entree which he enjoyed since he is a huge crab cake fan. My MIL had the blackened fish tacos which she found it to be a little spicy for her but she did like it. She only ate one of her two tacos since there was a lot of rice and beans to fill you up. Great themed place to check out when you're in Falls Church. read more

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So disappointed! We have eaten here several times and always had a good experience. Not today! I ordered a burger WELL DONE, and what I got was a pink inside burger except for the outer ring. Nothing turns my stomach more than an under cooked burger. It also had no seasoning whatsoever. Our fries were pale, baked, frozen French fries, with no seasoning either. My husband ordered fish and chips and got a frozen batter dipped fish that was deep fried in old oil with no seasoning either. Now to the drinks..my husband ordered a 16 oz. Beer and I ordered a soda. Both came out in little plastic kiddie cups that looked to be about 8 oz. My husband questioned it to our server who assured us they were their 16 oz. drinks. We saw other tables behind us getting regular size cups... what gives? After our server brought us drinks we never saw him again until he brought our check. Never offered a refill on drinks, never asked how our food was, nothing. We are very good tippers but we did not leave a tip, we have never done that before! We will likely not go back again, and I hope we do not get sick from this low quality meal. read more

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Met a friend here for a quick dinner on a Sunday night, so it wasn't very crowded. Luckily parking isn't too bad since there is a large garage nearby. The interior is like a dive bar meets tiki hut, which is fun and casual! The menu has a good amount of options on it, and even my friend who's a vegetarian could find something to choose from. I got a burger and tater tots as a side. Both were good, nothing to write home about but perfect for a quick bite. Service was fine, nothing to complain about. I ordered did get swapped with our sides, but no biggie. Pricing was overalll reasonable too. read more

A great atmosphere, fun drinks and good food. Nothing fancy but good fish n chips. LO liked the fish bowls. Saw a lot of kids playing outside too. read more

We love Clare & Don's! It has something for everyone: lots of vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian choices and a great menu for children. We love their huge, relaxed outdoor space - often featuring live music. They usually have fun, creative specials too. One of our favorite places to go with family and friends read more

Great food, great service. We are definitely coming back soon! I sometimes miss the beach shack bar vibes from Tampa or Naples... you get similar Florida vibes without any of the humidity! read more

We went for Mother's Day. It was an excellent experience. The food is very fresh. Our server Ben was extremely friendly, very professional, and very pleasant. I highly recommend that you go to this place you won't be disappointed. We had the seafood platter, admirals, and it was very delicious. read more

Lots of space - we enjoyed the outside seating. I had the admiral's plate with deep fried oysters, blackened scallops, and battered fish filet. The plate arrived within 10 minutes of ordering (fast). My wife had the bowl of chowder and deep fried pickles which she really enjoyed. Great casual dining. Highly recommended! read more

First time trying out Claire and Don's. Had lunch with my daughter while in town visiting. The service was very good waitress was very helpful. Cute atmosphere very beachy themed looks like it would be a fun place in the warmer months. Also appears to be a good late night spot. The food was fantastic. I'd have to say it was the best jambalaya I've ever had. read more

Clare and Don's - Crab Cake Sandwich and my daughter had the fried oysters which were very good as well - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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Just...gross! Was it the filthy walls, the sticky tables, the worn out floors, or the black mold growing on the ventilation pipe over my head? Some of our friends love this place, and they were certainly busy. Good for them. FOOD It wasn't great. Fish tacos is their big thing, and our friends all say they're good. I got two 6oz. fillets, which was more than expected, but awkward with the three tortillas provided. No seasoning, nothing to add into the tacos provided, except some bright pink slaw. It was okay. Add some dry uncle Ben's rice and some beans for the complete meal. There was a lemon wedge, but it was full of seeds -- not worth the trouble. SERVICE All the servers seemed cheerful and helpful. Ours was upbeat, if dilettante. We saw him about every 20 minutes or more, and he was off again in a flash. Thankfully, my wife shared her drink with me, so I didn't choke. After an hour long ordeal, we gave up on dessert , drink refills and boxes for leftovers and asked simply, "can we go?" AMBIANCE Noisy, dirty, packed tight. Restroom is unisex. Clearly appeals to a certain kind of customer. Just not me or my family. BOTTOM LINE It was painful. Not going back until they make some big changes, if ever. read more

Clare and Don's - Fish Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

The food menu here tastes like La Croix. Everything is flavorless or watered down. I've tried to like it so many times but I've have multiple food items from soup to pasta to burgers and salad. It's all the same. The venue is great, drinks are okay, but Clare and Don't eat here. read more

Food amazing! Service amazing! Vibes amazing! First time here and can't wait to go back. The staff is so nice and informative. Even the owner was incredibly personable. He treats everyone like an old friend. Food was quick and fresh and we never waited too long for anything . Definitely a must try read more

Clare and Don's - Shrimp Basket half fried half buffalo. Comes with coleslaw but that's not my cup of tea. - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

I've been here many times and always had a great time. That being said currently there's construction so parking might be tighter than usual. The ambiance at this place is like going to a tiki bar at the beach without the sand. Definitely a nice place for day drinking. I ordered a burger and seafood chowder. The chowder was great, however I thought the burger could be better. Service was wonderful and fast. There was only one guy in our section but he was attentive and always came around at the right time. I definitely will be back when it gets warmer. read more

Clare and Don's - Bowl of Seafood Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

Great spot! It's our favorite! Great food ! Great Drinks! Family and dog friendly Good music Try it you will like! read more

There is no more laid back, fun restaurant in Northern Virginia than Clare and Don's Beach Shack. I went with my family, ordered the fish and chips, a band was playing outside (but we sat away from it) and my kids had the onion rings, the shrimp and the fried oysters. And we loved every minute of it. Now I used to go to the original Clare and Dons 20 years ago- but this location is much much better. So while on a lunch break I decided to really take time to unwind and I ordered the "Phish and Chips" basket. If you're a vegetarian or have vegetarian friends and you're struggling for a fun hang-out, you have got to try this Fried Tofu and french fries. Honestly, truly, it's great. I am going out on a limb to say that the Phish and Chips is hands-down the most innovative vegetarian entree in the Washington, DC region. read more

Love this place, great vibe (music, decor), a lot of healthy options (eg grilled fish and veggies), excellent prices, large portions, and most importantly I enjoy the food. Service has been consistent and good. I like going out to eat and I'm trying to eat healthier and spend less money. This is the best place to achieve all those goals. read more

Fun atmosphere with live music. There were plenty of indoor and outdoor seating available on a weekday. The food was hot and fresh and paired great with a nice cold beverage. The music can a little loud if you are trying to hold a conversation and are seated in close vicinity to the band. A great time overall with friendly service! Enjoy! read more

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Had only been there once many years ago and wasn't memorable. Today after donating blood for a on-site fundraiser my family and I stayed for a bite to eat. Food was delicious. Service was good, but then I had a delayed reaction from my blood donation with decreased blood pressure. I knew it would pass eventually with fluids and salt. The staff was fabulous. They were supportive to me and my family, including my 101 year-old mother. They even pushed her wheelchair and get her into the car. I will definitely become a regular after this experience. I'm only disappointed that I hadn't frequented this gem sooner. read more

Service was great - food not so much, grilled shrimp tasted like rubber seemed to be cooked then reheated same with catch of the day Mahi mahi no flavor and rubbery. Was really hoping for better food. read more

I went to Clare and Don's before a concert last weekend (at the recommendation of a friend), and it was great! It's a cool space with lots of room outside if you're not able to find a table inside the restaurant. They have heaters, so you can definitely sit out there when it's cooler weather. My date and I shared the hushpuppies, and they were delicious. I had the Baja fish tacos and they came with guacamole, cabbage, and black beans. I had the corn tortillas...yum! My date had the shrimp basket, and it was really good, too. It was a busy night, but our server did a good job of taking our orders, checking on us for additional drinks, water, etc. The place has a wonderful beach vibe, which I really like. Highly recommend! read more

Clare and Don's - Baja-Style Fish Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Falls Church, Virginia

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Got takeout it was awesome highly recommend I will return when in area for my work trip