Hank's Oyster Bar is one of my favorite spots in Alexandria. A friend and I stopped in for happy hour and shared a dozen fresh oysters along with a glass of the house white wine. Everything was delicious, and the happy hour menu is a great value if you're looking for a relaxing way to unwind. The rooftop is absolutely worth checking out, it has such a fun, laid-back atmosphere and made the evening even better. Our server was incredibly kind and attentive, which really added to the experience. Between the great food, friendly service, and beautiful rooftop, Hank's never disappoints. I'll definitely be back! read more

Hank's Oyster Bar, Old Town - Oysters and white wine. - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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We had a great afternoon lunch at Hank's Oyster Bar in Alexandria! The atmosphere was welcoming, I loved the decor, and the service was great. We started with the hushpuppies, which had good flavor but were just a little overcooked. My husband ordered the Shrimp Po'Boy and really enjoyed it. He said the shrimp were seasoned very well, and the toasted bread made it even better. I had the Shrimp & Grits. The flavor was good, but they weren't the best shrimp and grits I've had. The broth was a little too watery for me, and I prefer my grits thicker and creamier. Still, the dish had really good flavor overall. Overall, we enjoyed our lunch, the great service, and the beautiful atmosphere. Hank's was a nice spot for a relaxing afternoon meal in Alexandria! read more

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Came here on a Sunday afternoon/night. We made a reservation due to it being restaurant week and wanting to ensure we got a seat. The reservation was not needed. There was plenty of room. A couple of misfires on the food is the reason for the three stars. For starters, the starters were delivered 5 plus minutes apart. It was awkward sitting there having not received both at the same time. We had fried oysters and ceviche. Nothing to write home about. The mains, were fish and chips and fried oyster dinner. Both were a bit greasy. Yes, they are fried but it felt as though they weren't dried off a bit post fry. We closed out with chocolate mousse and key lime pie. Both the highlight of the meal! Both were delicious and well rounded. Was the meal worth $55 a person? Probably not but it could be with a few minor fixes to service and food prep. read more

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Located across the street from the Sheraton I was staying at, I was pretty satisfied with the food and service at Hank's. The Butterflied trout was their special and this was a great dish at $30. One of the best trout dishes I've had. Wish they had a location in Maryland! Had couple beers on draft. Their cocktail menu looked good. Will have to try it next time I am in the area. read more

Hank's Oyster Bar, Old Town - Popcorn Shrimp & Calamari - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Hank's Oyster Bar - Alexandria on May 26, 2026 Upon learning that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band would be performing at Nationals Stadium in D.C. toward the end of May 2026 I invited my two brothers, a sister, and a family friend to join me at the concert. As an Old Town resident for the past 15 years, I've always included Hank's Oyster Bar - Alexandria in my short list of favorite restaurants when friends and family visit. Happily, we were able to book a table for five, and we had a perfectly wonderful meal there the night before the concert. We started with a dozen fresh oysters for the table - 1/2 dozen Salty Wolfe Oysters ($23), shown as Hank's own proprietary oyster from the Lower Chesapeake, Virginia, along with 1/2 dozen Chef's Selection of the freshest East Coast oysters on the half shell ($22). The five of us around the table all tucked into some of the best oysters ever. The table ordered fish and chips (Old Bay seasoned fries, Cole slaw, $24), two of us ordered oyster po'boys ($21), one had the Ceasar salad ($14; add: (3) shrimp $8, oysters $8, salmon $16, or crab cake $18), and I had the New England clam chowder with bacon ($12) and a small plate of steamed PEI mussels with grilled crostini ($21). Don't let the description mislead you - this small plate of nicely seasoned mussels was large and when coupled with the soup made a perfect meal. Service was friendly, well-informed about the menu items, and prompt without ever feeling rushed. As always, breaking bread at Hank's is a treat. read more

I stopped by Hank's Oyster Bar for lunch on my trip back home and overall it was an enjoyable experience. Our waiter was super attentive, always in good spirits, and checked on us frequently throughout the meal. We started with a half dozen oysters on the half shell. They missed a few items from our appetizer order at first, but everything was sorted out pretty quickly. The oysters were solid but still fresh and enjoyable. We both ordered the fish and chips, and honestly not bad. The fish was seasoned really well without being overly salty, the fries were solid too, and overall it made for a satisfying lunch. I also tried the mango ginger sparkler, which was refreshing too. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this spot if you're looking for a solid lunch option. Parking can be a little tricky with the construction nearby, but there's underground parking at the Sheraton across the street if needed. read more

Hank's Oyster Bar, Old Town - Fish and Chips - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Had a rough meal here. The food was expensive for what it was. Even the service was rough. We did the restaurant week menu and none of the courses came out together. read more

Seafood spot with a warehouse vibe and a bunch of options for both food and drinks Give you goldfish instead of bread, which is a fun touch Our server was very friendly I liked the vibe here a lot, but all of the food that I tried was underwhelming. I tried the fried oysters, lobster bisque, and key lime pie and they all tasted funky. My fiance got a fish & chips and she enjoyed hers though. I enjoyed my drink (Peety Bird) at least read more

We've been to Hank's Oyster Bar at least 20 times over the years and have always enjoyed it. We loved the original King Street location in Old Town Alexandria, but the new spot is even better. Whether it's picking up holiday orders or dining in, the team always takes great care of us. The oysters are consistently top-notch, and the crab cakes and fresh fish never disappoint. The rooftop bar is a great addition and offers a relaxing atmosphere. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and one of the reasons we keep coming back. A true Old Town favorite. read more

Really enjoyed happy hour on the rooftop at Hank's Oyster Bar. This was my first time visiting the Alexandria location and I really enjoyed it. Our servers were nice, but service was a little slow that day (as far as initially ordering and closing out). However, the food came out with perfect timing. We were hungry so we tried a few different options. The branzino was a hit! The short rib nachos were also, surprisingly, delicious. I always order deviled eggs at restaurants to try them out and these weren't the best. Lacked a little flavor. Otherwise, everything was tasty. It was a peaceful ambiance even as the crowd picked up. I really enjoyed it here and will come back. Might even just put the pasta bar extension of the restaurant! read more

Disappointed to report that both food & service were just OK & overpriced for what you get. Hubby & I dined in during their restaurant week, which was $55 PP for 3 courses. We both started with 1/2 dozen oysters. Small but fresh & tasty. For my main, I got the crab cake dinner, which is a $9 upcharge. Also, subbed onion rings for fries, which they upcharged $3. They literally just gave 3 onion rings & the batter was too thick, not crispy, & bland. The crab cakes were good & meaty, but very small. I was expecting more for my $67 meal. My husband ordered the catch of the day, which was seared salmon. It was alright. Good cook on the salmon, but the sauce was bland & broccolini were incredibly chewy. Mash potatoes were delicious, though. Key lime pie was good. Chocolate mousse left much to be desired. Service was a bit slow. The prices are high & that's okay, but the product should reflect that. Otherwise, it has a cozy & cute casual vibe & I loved all the kids I saw dining with their families. Likely won't be back as there are better seafood restaurants in the area with prices that make more sense. read more

Hank's Oyster Bar, Old Town - Crab cake dinner - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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We had a great time at Hank's Oyster Bar and would definitely come back. We grabbed seats at the rooftop bar to watch the game, and it was such a fun, lively atmosphere. The bartenders were attentive, friendly and the drinks were delicious and generous with the liquor. For appetizers, we ordered the popcorn shrimp and fried calamari. Both were perfectly crispy without being greasy, and I appreciated that they were mostly seafood rather than a plate full of filler. For our entrée, we shared the steak frites. While it was cooked well and tasted good, I didn't feel it justified the price. It was a solid dish, but not particularly memorable compared to the rest of the meal. Overall, the service and atmosphere really stood out, making for an enjoyable evening. Next time, we'll definitely be back to try the oysters, which are the real star of the menu. read more

Hank's Oyster Bar, Old Town - Burnt Pineapple Coconut Colada - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Came here on a Friday with some friends for drinks and had an amazing time! The rooftop seating was a standout--great atmosphere and perfect for hanging out. The burger was incredible--perfectly cooked, well-balanced, and seriously satisfying. I paired it with a Narragansett, one of my favorites, and it did not disappoint. The service was top-notch, and the overall vibe was fun, lively, and easy to enjoy. Absolutely love this spot and can't wait to come back! read more

Hank's Oyster Bar, Old Town - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Went out here with some friends while I was in the area to visit, and it was a pretty good meal, certainly a solid Old Town vibe. It was mega hot out in July as you would expect, and we weren't aware our reservation was going to seat us on the rooftop, but thankfully the fans were blowing hard and it was all shaded. The menu hits you with some unique options for seafood, as well as some classics. The specials were really interesting, and a couple people at the table decided to go for them. I actually decided to order two appetizers as my meal. One was basically a small basket of shrimp with a tasty remoulade, and the other a single crab cake served with slaw. Before we get to the meal, let me just say my North Carolina heart was pretty shook, maybe offended, that hushpuppies were ten bucks and you get 5 of them. Back home, your average fish joint gives them either free with purchase, or would charge you a couple bucks for a giant basket of them. Granted, those are simple, and these are "elevated" but at the end of the day, the taste just flat out did not meet the cost. I'd have felt better at 5 for 5, and I think there is still profit there... it's corn meal y'all. Anyhow, that out of the way. The shrimp in my basket were plump, well fried, and the spiced remoulade it came with was very tasty. I could have been happy with two of those anytime. But... I am glad I ordered a crab cake as my second item, because that was equally tasty with plenty of actual crab meat comprising the patty. The slaw was a welcome refreshing switch up to both items. In combination, I felt this was a great dinner choice. All in all, pretty satisfied. Would come back here if the crew wanted to make a thing of it again, perhaps at a cooler time of year. read more

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If you're looking for fresh oysters, this is the place to be. I love the feel of the restaurant when walking in, nice crisp clean feel and you know you're going to get some good seafood. There is a good selection of available oysters of the day, at least 6 on the day we were there. The fresh oysters and fresh clams on a half shell were so good. We ordered 4 different oysters ones based on our servers recommendation of "small and sweet". The appetizers: Our party of 6 shared the deviled eggs, taste as expected. We all thought the clam chowder was good, portion was big. The oyster Rockefeller, would not order this again, felt overwhelmed with all the ingredients where it overpowered the oyster itself. Entrees: One of my friends and I decided to share and split our entrees. The lobster roll was really good, sweet and fresh with good amount of warm butter. The roll was toasted and the French fries were unexpectedly really good as well. It was my first time attempting to eat all the fries on my plate because they were so addictive. We also shared the crab cake Benedict, tasted great, no complaints with this dish. Overall, we enjoyed our lunch here. I will come back. Next time I'm In town for more fresh oysters. I would also like to try some of the PO boys. read more

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Great food and service! The butterflied trout was delicious and definitely one of the best trout dishes I've had. I also enjoyed the beers on draft. I'll definitely come back next time I'm in the area! read more

Hank's Oyster Bar, Old Town - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Stopped by on an early Tuesday afternoon, for a quick eat before an event. You can sit downstairs, on the ground level or rooftop. We took the elevator to the rooftop and sat at the bar Place was pretty, clean and comfortable We had a dozen oysters. The "salt water" was the best!!! Unisex single bathrooms, spacious read more

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We went to the restaurant for dinner after my son and daughter-in-laws wedding earlier that day (small ceremony no big reception). Our waitress asked how we were doing and I said "fabulous these two just got married" and pointed to them. The food was not great and was all very salty. I ordered the popcorn shrimp and calamari and it was very greasy; fried food does not mean that it needs to be dripping with grease. The service was terrible...I was completely out of water and started drinking my husbands. They brought out champagne for the newlyweds with the check which was a nice gesture however neither of them wanted to drink it so it was wasted. read more

I did a Cocktail Class with friends except this was with Zero Proof Alcohol. I had a great time doing this class with friends. However, I thought we were going to make a mocktail and instead we made something else. Small bites were included in the class cost: fried pickles & meatball + bread. I ended up ordering raw oysters & their fried shrimp & calamari-- all were delicious. Our instructor and lead bartender was excellent. The class was held upstairs of this restaurant location. I think it's a great event for those wanting to do something with friends that doesn't involve alcohol. read more

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Ordered via UE and Carlos was wonderful! I called and spoke with Josh, I think, and requested extra tarter and remoulade sauces, gold fish crackers and chocolate and he made sure they were included in my delivery order. Food arrived hot. Shrimp and calamari never disappoint and I adore their onion rings. The sandwich came with a little container of coleslaw and I it was tasty. My only gripe is HOB says the sandwich comes with catfish but mine came with cod. I am not a fan or cod and it makes me ill. I immediately called the restaurant and was told they would update their website. Josh did say he would contact UE and see if they would issue a refund. UPDATE: UE did issue me a refund for the sandwich and I received a message from HOB management regarding the issue. I appreciate HOB management for reading customer reviews, acknowledging concerns and acting on them. KUDOS! read more

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Everything here is absolutely delicious. The staff was so friendly and the service was helpful and prompt. The oysters tasted so fresh and clean. The crab cake didn't have a lot of filler so it was just tasty chunks of crab meat. Lobster roll was also fantastic. I really really enjoyed the crab dip. It was perfectly creamy and cheesy. An employee told us to dip our old bay fries into the dip and oh boy was that a tasty combo. The rooftop is such a nice place to sit on a cool summer evening. read more

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For the area, this is a very good place and the oysters were actually quite good here better than other places I've been to like Guinness or some other restaurants in Annapolis. Along with the two dozen oysters that we had, we also had the shrimp Poboy and seared Dorado. Both were amazing probably the best po boythat I've had and the fish was cooked perfectly. The poor boy was super buttered. I had Texas toast to accompany the fried shrimp and the shrimp was perfectly cooked not chewy at all. There's a good amount of mayo and sauce along with the sandwich which made everything very flavorful and it was lighting up with the coleslaw that I combined on the top. Perfect light crisp from the shrimp and bread. I like the oysters they're great for Maryland; little bit of brine and they tasted fresh. I liked the marinara sauce that came with it. We ordered a second dozen since the first batch was quite good. I've tried better ones on the West Coast, but for the East Coast these were quite good. If you don't taste much, you should definitely chew a lot more on the oysters and the flavor will start to come out. The Dorado was cooked perfectly and the sauce of it was amazing. I think it was some sort of basil, oil, and other sauce combined, but regardless it tasted so good. It reminded me of a fish dish that I got back in Washington state. The drinks were good but quite strong. I had the not your nana's banana, but I was not a fan since it was quite strong. We got the watermelon punch which was great. Wish we had gotten two of those. The atmosphere is good although quite busy we came on Valentine's Day so they're a lot of couples and most of the tables were filled, but we were still able to sit down on a small table next to the door a little bit cold when the door is open, but it's understandable since the restaurant is is making the most out of the space we still enjoyed our dinner. Service was OK. Our waiter was nice, but it sort of seemed like he was putting a fake smile on. I get it though we're probably his 100,000th customer that he's seen. Regardless, we had a good experience and I'll definitely will be back here. read more

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The downstairs atmosphere wasn't my favorite, just the layout, seating, & decor I guess, but hear the rooftop is really fun. Service was good, oyster po'boy & fries also good but not amazing. It was a fine dinner but nothing really memorable. read more

Hank's Oyster Bar, Old Town - Oyster Po'Boy - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Today my wife and I decided to be adventurous. We walked over to Hanks Oyster Bar in Alexandria and to our pleasant surprise it had a roof top. It was very relaxing and had a mix crowd of friends, family's and couples. They have fans and it is a very breathable and enjoyable space. The service is as good excellent and our server not only worked the bar but also the tables and he was very attentive. I would come back here with the lady or with the guys. You can make it a date night or afternoon hangout. Say Jalapeño to my Little Friend 8/10 - this stick has enough spice and flavor. It is refreshing and tasty. I have it 8/10 because as you get towards the e end, it starts losing its pizazz. Trio of deviled eggs (all lobster) 9/10.. I found these to be great. If you like salty with a hint of sour, I say go for them. I added tobacco sauce to it and it definitely took it to a whole other level. I got all lobster because I don't eat fish. Shrimp po'boy with old bay fries 10/10 - the bread was buttery, the shrimp was seasoned, the sauce was excellent. It was light, flakey, flavorful and just great for a lunch, brunch, or dinner. Smoke break 8/10 - the drink was good and had an aromatic taste to it. Personally, I don't like wine mixed with my mezcal read more

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This was a make-up visit from a previous experience that left me wanting more, and I'm glad I came back because what a difference. The hostesses were extremely nice and friendly -- they even wished me a happy birthday, which set a great tone for the evening. Now let me talk about the caprese salad, because I completely slept on it and it ended up being the best thing I had all meal. Fresh, well balanced, and not something I expected to be the standout. The food overall was solid. My one gripe -- and I'm going to put it out there -- the hostesses knew it was my birthday and made a point of it, so it was a little disappointing that the waitress never offered a birthday dessert or even acknowledged it. That small disconnect between the front of house and the table experience left a mark on what was otherwise a much improved visit. read more

Met up with a friend in Old Town for happy hour and we decided to hit the rooftop. I've been a couple times before, but I love the view and the people-watching--it's always a good vibe. I was craving oysters (been thinking about them all day!) and this spot was perfect since I was working across the street. Our server, Paco, helped us pick a few and they were sooo good--I don't even remember the names, just that they were fresh and tasty. We were both super hangry, so nachos with brisket were a must. Totally hit the spot--great flavor and those jalapeños on top were the best part. I also wanted something a little lighter, so we got the roasted cauliflower from the menu and it was surprisingly delicious too. We each tried a house wine (red for me, white for my friend). Nothing fancy, but solid and went well with the food. Overall, I'd definitely come back here for happy hour. The specials seemed a bit different than last time I visited, but the seafood, apps, and prices are hard to beat. Perfect place to chill, snack, and hang out. read more

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What a fun place. Great rooftop patio. Service was great. Waiter was very accommodating to member of party with shellfish allergy. Oysters were delicious. Build bloody mary was fun. Added splash hot sauce & that was what was missing. Old bay fries were salty in the best way. Mussels were big n meaty. Prices were reasonable read more

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Loved my visit to Hank's Oyster Bar! The lobster sandwich was packed with flavor -- so glad I went with that choice. The bun was awesome too. Every bite of that sandwich melted in my mouth! The oysters were fresh, delicious, and just hit the spot. The second-floor view was great, and I loved being able to catch the football game on the flat screens. Can't wait to come back -- I'll probably order the same thing again! I sat at the bar, and the service was great! Go check them out! read more

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This is one of our favorite spots for oysters--my wife and I have been to every location! We stopped by this past Sunday for dinner and, as always, ordered our go-to favorites: oysters, calamari, shrimp, and the seafood pasta. Baby, everything was delicious as usual! This time, we sat on the rooftop for the first time (we had no idea they even had one!), and the vibe was perfect--definitely giving summertime energy. Service was top-notch, as always. read more

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OK, so where to start? I loved the happy hour prices, especially the $2.50 oysters and $7 sparkling wine. And my soft shell crab was HUGE, as well as tasted amazing. The sliders my friends had also looked amazing. I thought my service was great. The table was constantly bused (arguably too soon; don't take my oysters before I eat them!) but my main server was friendly and knowledgeable. The rooftop bar was great. It was busy, but that's only because it was so popular. The only minor complaint it took a little longer than I expected to place my first order. But after that, everything was spot on. Yeah - I'll be back. read more

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There is something very special about the rooftop at Hanks in old town. Everyone is enjoying themselves and taking in wonderful weather and fantastic food. Chris is a wonderful host and makes everyone feel very welcome and very appreciated. Do not miss visiting Hanks when you are in old town. It's worth a trip. read more

Hank's Oyster Bar, Old Town - Seafood Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Ambiance and service top notch! Came here for oysters while in old town. Highlight of the visit was definitely attentiveness of the staff plus if you have the opportunity to sit upstairs, it adds a wonderful outdoor element to the already fine cuisine at the restaurant. It was great that I got to experience the atmosphere from the drinks to the food was amazing for my peaceful birthday dinner. Parking for the most part is street parking unless you can find garage parking close by. read more

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A gem in North Old Town, just a couple of blocks north of King St. It has outdoor space which is great during the non humid days. It's a great place for some oysters and drinks with friends. The services is really good, very attentive. I didn't have any cocktails, but the seafood and the beer were really good. I have visited their other locations and I had really good experiences. read more

I really miss when they were located on King Street. In my opinion, I would pass on Hanks. The food was overpriced and average. My husband hated his chicken sandwich (which was all dark meat) and my crab cake eggs Benedict was just OK. I was sad the Bloody Mary wasn't more impressive; I think they may be using store bought mix? They forgot the stuffed peppers I opted for on my Bloody Mary card (I didn't tell our server because it was only a $2 up-charge) but I doubt they would have salvaged it. Our server was fantastic and very attentive and there is ample free street parking. It's also much more quiet than the King Street location. read more

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Kind of hard to get seating and the oysters are better at viola's but decent i guess. I prefer other places down the street

Still a great spot!!!! Today's service was amazing as always....due to rain rooftop was closed. Tried the short rib nachos and wow they were pretty good.... fried pickles were good that sauce was the real winner. The fried oysters were just OK. Ambience is always a winner read more

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Good service, good food. Came here for oysters. I forget the name of it but the MD oysters were so fresh and not salty at all. If you like that fresh water oyster taste, be sure to ask your waiter for recommendations. We also tried the VA local oysters and those were good too but a little bit more salty. Overall, I would come back but probably during happy hour. Prices are expensive. read more

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Food and service were both excellent. Very nice sitting up on the roof. Margaritas were excellent, made fresh like in mexico instead of standard US using a mix. Always a good place to stop for a drink and a bite. read more

Delicious! Great variety of seafood, great price, fast and friendly service. Love the little extra gold fish welcome snack and chocolate nib as a closing bite. I definitely would come back when in town. Love the open decor too, they know how to run this ship! read more

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Love it all!! Drinks Food Ambiance Love it all! What more can you ask for?! Love the oysters and shrimp the best!