I was in town and decided to check out First Impression. Right away, I could tell it was a…read morefamily-oriented spot. They had some good soulful music playing in the background, and it gave off a real welcoming, at-home type of vibe. I believe the owner took my order, and broke everything down for me, which I appreciated. I ordered the fish and shrimp. The fish was very good and well-seasoned. The shrimp were jumbo, fried golden, and had a lot of flavor. Portions were solid -- I didn't even finish everything in one sitting and had some left for the next day. They also had a frozen fruit punched lol. That was a nice touch and fit the whole vibe of the place. Not a sitting area but this is a place you call your order in before you get there and take it back to the house. Overall, I was very pleased with my experience. If I'm back in the area, I would definitely come back and grab another plate. If you're looking for some good seafood (and more), this is a spot worth checking out.

My friend had First Impression saved on her list, and we made plans to check it out a couple…read moreFridays go for lunch. It's carry-out only and located on the top of mini hill with some auto repair shops surrounding it. Parking was a bit stressful, but the promise of good food made it worth it. The menu was pretty straightforward, and we got our food after a short wait. DINNER: WHITING - 20 + two sides: mac & cheese, coleslaw The fried whiting fish was thin, but perfectly crispy (even after a 20 minute car ride) and well-seasoned. Each bite was flavorful. The mac & cheese actually tasted 3D, unlike the bland, powdered cheese that is used at most places. It was on the thicker and chunkier side, the more I ate, the more addictive it got. The coleslaw was very refreshing and not too creamy. The portions were large, and my friend and I were full after sharing the platter. BREAD PUDDING - 4 This was fine, but not out of the ordinary. Probably wouldn't get it again. Overall, this is a hidden gem that is worth going to. I was worried the fried foods and heavier sides would irritate my stomach's sensitivity, but none of that happened here! Will definitely be back for other entrees and sides!

After a very disappointing dining experience the night before at Planta Queen, the restaurant Gods…read morerebounded and handed me one of the very best nights I could imagine. We were celebrating an old friend's birthday, so I wanted a special evening. We went to the Signature to see "Safety Not Guaranteed" which was so good and so much fun. Then on to dinner at Carlyle in Shirlington. Carlyle always pumps out some of the most satisfying meals. You are almost guaranteed to love what the kitchen presents you with. This event was no different. I started with the crab & corn chowder. Thick, luxurious, savory perfection! My main course was Jambalaya Pasta which was outstanding. The chicken was moist, the shrimp was perfectly prepared and the andouille sausage added a perfect piquant note. The creamy sauce finished a great dish. There was so much that I could not eat it all (and I usually eat everything that is placed in front of me). But the best - the ABSOLUTE BEST - part of the evening was our perfect server Sebastian. He was professional, friendly, fast, funny, helpful and everything you want in a server. Plus, he did it all with one of the best personalities that I have ever come across in a server. At one point, we were all laughing so hard, that he had to sit down because he was ready to fall over. He served us, yes! But more than that - he ENTERTAINED US!!!! How often has that ever happened to you??? It is a night that I will not soon forget! Sebastian is a smart guy who will no doubt go far in his life. But, for now, for right now, he is at the top of his game at Carlyle! If you love Carlyle, you will absolutely LOVE Sebastian. Please ask to be placed in his station. I promise he will not disappoint you. Thank you, Sebastian, for making my evening wonderful and for making my BFF's birthday dinner a stunning success, thanks to you!!!! I highly recommend Carlyle - and especially Sebastian - to one and all!

I stopped in for lunch with my coworkers and everything was on point. The deviled eggs and…read morecommunity bread basket were a great start to share. My coworkers, said the short smoked grilled salmon salad was fresh and flavorful, the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich and cheeseburger were both satisfying. I had the 6oz grilled filet mignon which was cooked perfectly. Service was friendly, food came out quickly, and the quality was exactly what I expected. I would definitely come back.

We were greeted and seated right away . Our server was very courteous. We ordered couple of…read moreappetizers and drinks from the Happy hour menus which was great. We also ordered an entree and a sandwich and they were delicious as well. The owner has kept the prices very reasonable compared to other restaurants in the area and we really appreciate that. The restaurant is very inviting and has a great vibe with the set up , the vibrant colors , the murals and pictures and of course the unique bookstore.

Was craving some gluten free pancakes and Busboys popped up on my search. I'm glad it did…read more Nestled in the walkable Shirlington development, which feels like a mini Reston Town Center, lies a gem in Busboys and Poets. I thought it would be a small coffee shop but it is much more. Ample seating inside with some outdoor seating, it is a fun atmosphere with a mini bookstore as you walk in and the main restaurant in the other half. There's a small stage for when they have different events. It is a positive and fun environment. I ordered the Turning Violet Latte. I am a big fan of lavender flavor and this latte hit the spot. For my food, I ordered the gluten free pancakes and bacon. You never know what you're going to get with gluten free pancakes and these were some of the good ones. They were fluffy with some fresh fruit sprinkled on top. The syrup was the perfect amount needed for these hot cakes. The bacon was crisp and a great add on. They have a robust menu so you can get a lot of great options here. The service was good and overall I had a great time.

Ichiban Sushi & Ramen is a solid addition to the Shirlington dining scene. The first thing that…read morestands out is the environment, the restaurant is very clean and nice, which makes it a pleasant spot for a sit-down meal. Parking is a hit or miss, as far as the street, but there's garage parking nearby. Regardless, both you have to pay. The portions here are quite generous, and you definitely won't leave hungry and most likely with food to go for another meal at home. I.S.H. ROLL - $16.95 This roll was so delicious and very filling. It's packed with deep-fried tempura shrimp, jalapeño, cream cheese, and avocado, then topped with spicy kani, eel sauce, and spicy mayo (I omitted the eel sauce). The flavors work really well together, though for the price point, I do wish they used real crab meat instead of the kani (imitation crab). It would have taken the roll to the next level! I thought I would want more rolls to try but I barely could finish this alone. SHRIMP RAMEN BOWL - $18.95 I ordered this with the veggie broth, and it was a huge amount of food. It's a very hearty bowl, I added chili paste for some heat, though I personally wish they had chili oil instead, as it usually mixes into the broth a bit more smoothly. SHIRLEY TEMPLE $4 I had a Shirley Temple, it was a good drink, but be aware that they don't offer free refills on it which kinda was disappointing. As for the service, it was nice and perfectly decent. The staff was polite enough and the food arrived in a timely manner. Overall, Ichiban is a great choice if you want a clean atmosphere and large portions. While there are a few small areas for improvement like the crab meat and the drink refills, it's still a very satisfying place for a meal in Shirlington.

Good place in Shirlington, VA for sushi and ramen. The prices are comparable with the area, the…read morefood is good, staff is friendly and the place is clean. One of my favorites is the Washington Nationals roll, the ramen is on the spicy side. We didn't ask to adjust the spiciness, but I'll recommend if you're sensitive to the heat. I highly recommend for a bite before going to the theater, located around the corner.

Our Mom Eugenia has been on my list to try for a while. Service was great with attentive servers…read more Unfortunately the menu does not have photos so make sure to check online to see what catches your eye. Started off with saganaki flame grilled cheese right in front of you. It is savory and paired well with a bread suggestion from our server and spanakopita. For the main entree ordered the mixed grill which was really tasty. It would have been nice to have an orzo with it. It came with a potato and asparagus. All the meats were tender and flavorful. Topped it all off with loukoumades which are like beignets but make it Greek, topped with nuts and Nutella and ice cream. It was delicious!

Very nice venue. I left hungry though, and the prices didn't make it worth ordering more food…read more The staff was amazing, just incredible team they have. Great ambiance. Decent salads. It was the mixed meat platter that was so disappointing. $41 for the smallest "platter". Recommendation; change your prices or increase the portions. This was so disappointing.

You can't go wrong with any of the lobster roll. The chowder are great too. We've ordered both on…read moreUber Eats and dined inside and the quality and taste is consistent.

We enjoyed the lobster roll here so much. The crab roll is so good too. We asked for less butter,…read morethe workers are so friendly and nice and accommodated us. The restaurant is clean and spacious. Will definitely come back next time when visiting.

The food was excellent, and the ambience had a wonderfully eclectic charm. I especially appreciated…read morethe artwork and the painter's style throughout the space. Our server was incredibly helpful and provided top-notch customer service that made the experience even better. Unfortunately, the hostess left a very different impression. They came across as rude and passive-aggressive, which was disappointing since they are the first point of contact for guests. I understand weekends can get busy and stressful, but a more welcoming and professional attitude would greatly improve the overall experience.

We have always had such good experiences with the restaurant! The food, the staff - always super…read morefun! We always take my dog as he enjoys going out - the last time we went to palette 22 i dont know if they were just insanely busy? They normally either have dog bowls out or ask you when you sit down does your pup want a bowl. The last waiter we had did not. I asked probably 5 times. I finally just gave my dog water out of my cup... and they got mad. They then apologized and "would offer me free drinks next time." Sorry guys there isn't going to be a next time since you're unable to accommodate to a very dog friendly area.

The service was overall great. The main server was attentive and the kitchen staff brings out food…read moreas soon as it is ready. We had a large group and took up a couple tables. We sat along the front window which was a great space mixed with bench and chair seating. I ordered the Winter Hash and the poached eggs were overcooked. As soon as I let them know, they brought out newly poached eggs right away. Great bar set up with large TVs. A fun table side treat is the popcorn that is on every table at the start. It is worth a visit and a great spot for brunch. I was not a fan of the automatic 22% tip charge for a group. I have seen 20% auto which is fine and normally what I tip. I was surprised by the 22%. Not sure if that is new or always been that way.

Don't always believe the old adage that if a restaurant isn't crowded, the food must be…read moretrash--because that's definitely not the case here. We stopped in for lunch before taking some family to the airport, and Copperwood Tavern was perfectly on the way. From the start, things felt easy and relaxed. A few family members ordered the fried green tomatoes. Since they're Southern, they felt the tomatoes could've used a bit more batter--but that critique is very subjective. Flavor-wise, they still enjoyed them. Several of us had the onion soup. It leaned a little on the watery side, but it was still comforting and did its job warming us up on a cold day. My mom ordered the farmer's salad with squash, and that maple mustard vinaigrette? Chef's kiss. The flavors paired beautifully and made the dish shine. A few family members ordered the tavern burger, which was huge--easily enough for two meals. I went with the grilled rosemary chicken, which was flavorful, well-cooked, and very satisfying. We didn't even make it to dessert because everyone was full, which says a lot. The ambiance was very holiday-focused and cozy, service was efficient without being rushed, and parking is metered with a two-hour limit. Overall, a solid stop with comforting food, generous portions, and a warm atmosphere. Copperwood Tavern proves that sometimes the quieter spots are absolutely worth the visit.

I absolutely love this location of Hook and reel. I enjoyed the seafood boil with the hook n reel…read moreseasoning. Blue grabs snow crab legs also enjoy the lemon pepper, wings, calamari mozzarella sticks, and mac & cheese bites. This is overall a great place. Amazing customer service and easy to park - I highly recommend you check it out!

It was my first time ordering from this place and my last. Fried calamari were overcooked, rubbery…read moreand greasy not to mention old and funky smelling. I only ate couple of pieces before I trashed both orders and end up sick in the stomach the next 2 days. If I could give a negative number of stars I would. It's a shame they charge money to make people sick Simply awful!

Hank's Oyster Bar - Alexandria on May 26, 2026…read more 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.

I stopped by Hank's Oyster Bar for lunch on my trip back home and overall it was an enjoyable…read moreexperience. 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.