My wife, Kate, and I discovered Revel @ New Years Eve 2023 when we had to take our dog to the emergency vet on the other end of the mall and had time to kill. We didn't expect much from a little place in a strip mall and, boy were we pleasantly wrong! Brett and Madeline have not only remembered us every time we've come back but their seasonal wine options and excellent food menu have always been pure enjoyment. We've introduced some friends to them and they've also had the same experience. if you're a wine drinker or appreciate creative cocktails, don't drive by Revel! read more

The restaurant is beautifully decorated, small, cleaned; and super bright. The server was excellent! My lasagna was not flavorfuly and super small for the price, the dessert was light and airy but not dark chocolate flavor. However, the wine was delicious! We went back to Unwined, its sister place twice for wines; the service there is excellent too. read more

Revel - Gigi Bolognese Lasagna - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Tucked in the corner, I forget it's there. But, I love this upscale neighborhood place in Belle View. I came for the old fashioned but stayed for the food. So many excellent choices. I wanted to eat every appetizer. Service is customer friendly and efficient. They aim to please. Love the design and decor. It does get busy on weekends. I'll be back. read more

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For those that go to Alexandria for some good food and drinks always think of Old Town, but no more than 2 miles away south you will find this gem in a conner of a random shopping center. Super clean, great ambience and friendly! Drinks: I'm passionate about old fashioned and it's my standard, with that said, it was one of the best old fashioned I have had. The bartender (I can't remember his name, but had a nice bow tie) knows so much about drinks and the best part the story/history behind the drink. Then, I told him to surprise with a drink, OMG and it was so good!! Food: we had the charcuterie and it was amazing, so fresh and very knowledgeable of each item. It remind us of Paris! Seriously! Since our first visit, this is a to go place for my girlfriend and I. Highly recommend to give a try! read more

Revel - One of the best old fashioned I had have...on my top 3! - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Revel is a hidden gem in Alexandria. Located in a neighborhood strip mall in between an ABC and a Safeway, you'll find one of the tastiest menus in the area. And aside from the fact that it's located in an odd spot, once you step through the door you are immediately transported to a cozy upscale wine bar with cheerful and trendy atmosphere. We sat at a high top table next to the service bar so our waiter was our bartender. I'm not sure if all the waitstaff do that, but he had some great insight into the rotating drink menu. But the food at this place is out of this world. They have a seasonal menu that changes frequently and the dishes are at the same time familiar and different than anything you've had before. Don't expect to walk in and get a table. The place is small and incredibly popular so plan your visit and reserve a table. read more

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Great restaurant for the area. Initially i was skeptical since it is in a shopping center but they have great cheese and charcuterie. Decaf espresso is very nice. Cocktails were aight. Would come back again. read more

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I don't know why it took me so long to try this place, but I regret not getting to spend more time here. The staff is fantastic. The food is amazing. And the cocktail and wine pairings are superb. But shhhh... don't tell everyone out it might be impossible to get a table. read more

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I went the Champagne tasting/workshop they offered. It was fabulous!!! The presentation by Brian was informative without being too lengthy. He gave us time to taste the food pairings, which were very, very good! We had a chance to ask questions and the crowd was involved and lively. There were singles, couples, and families who all enjoyed the evening. The setting was beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance throughout the night. Needless to say the champagne variety was exceptional! read more

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As others have stated, Revel is truly a neighborhood gem. Nestled in the Belle View Shopping Center this wine store/restaurant combo (they are connected, but still separate areas) features a tasty menu of bites, boards and a few mains. The decision to focus on fewer mains (but all with outstanding preparations) serves us diners well as they pair so nicely with starters, and allows them to keep their focus on quality over quantity. The vibe of the restaurant is casual and neighborly, yet with a sophistication that really shows. I can't say enough about the manager, Nikki, and our server Rob, who took excellent care to welcome and serve us, which we noticed they did with all of our co-diners. I'll start with our sole nit from the experience, which was on the charcuterie board with six. First the good on it; they have a great selection of non-pork based meats (Lamb, Beef and Duck!). The not so good, they only had 2 small tastes of the duck and lamb (but 4 of the beef). All in all, it was an okay way to start our meal, but could have been a bit more up front that for the meats it wasn't going to be a bite, but more of a small taste. That's the only downside to our time at Revel. The Lasagna was something all pasta lovers need to try; it looked like most, but was spicier than almost any I've ever had. And in a good way; it was balanced seasoning so not a hit you in the mouth spice, but a warm afterglow one. The Sea Bass was probably the hit of the table; a nice portion of what had to be very fresh fish cooked to a perfect temperature in a very light butter coating allowed the flavors you want from fish, along with the texture and presentation, to really sing. And it sang beautifully. The Gnocci was also exceptional in a light tomato cream sauce which again was in balance and quite delectable. The winter salad was huge and based on an abundance of lightly seasoned with a blood orange kale, sporting nutty and wonderful sunchoke along with a wild rice and green onions. Oh, and for the comfort food loving among us, the pimento cheese spread was a delight (Full disclosure, I am a sucker for pimento cheese and this variation is among the tops of my lengthy career of consumption). As we learned, the menu changes regularly so this review may not be as specifically useful, but given the quality across the board being so high, I am confident that on our next trip in, whatever the offerings are, they will be as focused and delicious as this time. One more shout out to the staff here; they make a great evening, outstanding. read more

Revel - Outside of Revel - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I had dinner on a Thursday evening with 2 friends and we all enjoyed it. The place was pretty packed so I'm glad that I made a reservation. The wine selection is extensive and my friends were able to find options that suited their palettes. I had the non-alcoholic ginger hibiscus sour and loved it. For dinner we ordered the wedge salad, chicken sliders, duck and andouille gumbo, lamb meatballs, and bolognese lasagna. The gumbo comes in 2 sizes so I opted for the cup which was plenty with the wedge salad and one of the sliders. I would definitely order the gumbo and wedge salad again. My friends enjoyed the lasagna and lamb meatballs. Portion size was great. The ambiance was clean, intimate and chic. I'll be back. read more

Revel - Duck and andouille gumbo - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Hidden Gem, diamond in the rough; it all applies to Revel. The outside belies the setting and the ambience within. As soon as you walk in, you're in a space that meets or exceeds anywhere in DC. The menu sets expectations which the food easily exceeds. All of the above is exceeded by the service, which is friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and , above all, warm and inviting. This is a rare place in which you could go for both special occasions and be a weekly regular. read more

Really nice spot, gorgeous ambiance and service was top notch. We went for our anniversary and the servers took care of us! Cocktails were great. Only downside is the food menu is pretty pricey. I would probably go back for just drinks or dessert at the bar. read more

Revel - Espresso martini and seasonal cocktail - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Very excited to have discovered this little gem. The food was so delicious! Such a thoughtful menu, which is seasonal. We had tasty cocktails, couple of apps (delicata squash and hamada crudo) which were sooo good and then the tilefish and lasagne which we loved. Everything was so tasty with perfectly balanced flavors. I'm a bit sensitive to salty foods so I appreciated that none of the food was salty so you could taste all the unique flavors. Our server Rob was very knowledgeable and attentive. The ambience was very pleasant, lively but not too noisy. Very elegant and chic interior. Perfect date spot. Also had some ppl doing group dinners so good group spot too. Will definitely be back! read more

Revel - Tilefish and lasagne - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

This local hidden gem is a fantastic place for a quick drink or a full night out. Revel offers a complete wine list along some great bites. I was thoroughly impressed when my husband stopped by while our dog was at the nearby vet. We received excellent service and discovered most of the folks there are regulars. We'll most certainly be back soon for another glass (or three!). read more

Revel - Beautiful decor - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Truly a hidden jewel south of Old Town Alexandria. If I had been blindfolded and didn't know that I entered the establishment via the parking lot of Belle View Shopping Center, I would have thought I was in an upscaled restaurant in downtown DC. This has become our favorite date-night spot. Delicious food options and creative cocktails along with exceptional service (Brett) made our evening one to remember. I love a well-made Old Fashioned and I wasn't disappointed. The secret ingredient of the quarter branch apple brandy took it to next level. We are looking forward to our next date night already! Herb Hughes read more

This place is so unassuming from the parking lot of a Safeway strip mall, but OH MAH GAWSH. Revel is fantastic. The food, ambience, and the service were outstanding. It's pricey, but worth it. read more

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Great neighborhood restaurant tucked away at Belle View Shopping Center. The restaurant offers a great selection of wine, beer, and specialty cocktails. I highly recommend The Old Fashioned, so good. They also have a variety of cheese. Service was great too. Definitely check this place out and don't forget to check out their wine store next door. read more

Revel - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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We've lived in the area for 11 years and just discovered this gem about 5 months ago. Opened since 2020 (I believe), I can't believe I've passed it countless times when I've been at other stores in the shopping center. Not to be dramatic but when we walk in, I can feel my blood pressure drop and know it's going to be a great night. The staff is one of the key ingredients. They are friendly, incredibly helpful and (my litmus test for a restaurant) work together and seem to really enjoy being there. The food has always been on point. My husband and I often share the charcuterie plate and always appreciate the suggestions from staff. Last night we both had a carrot soup with Thai flavors. It was one of the best soups I have ever had. My husband called it "complex" which cracked me up because he's not what you'd call a foodie so you know it made an impression. Because of the shared wine store next door, the wine list is long and very diverse. Their sommelier (so sorry I cannot remember her name), has always suggested a great bottle. And the prices are fair and very reasonable this area. I have mobility issues due to metastatic breast cancer and would love to venture into DC more often but since finding Revel we have no reason to leave the area. We're getting close to being 'regulars' but even now, they always keep a couple bar stools ready for us when we make a reservation. This place checks every box for a perfect dinner out. read more

Ambiance is really hip, and food and wine is delicious. The chicken sliders are phenomenal. Friendly staff and good recommendations for wine to pair with food read more

I stopped in for food after an event at Unwined next door and it didn't disappoint. The food, atmosphere, and service were top notch. The staff was very attentive and easily took into consideration my allergies before hand crafting my drink. I had the meat pies and charred wedge salad as my meal...the salad was fantastic and the pies were not bad. My friends had the lasagna and duck gumbo which seemed to be delicious! Definitely a place I could visit again and again. read more

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I recently died at Revel, and I was pleasantly surprised. From the moment I walked in the warm ambience wrapped around like a cozy hug. The staff was equally amazing, attentive and friendly. The menu was not too diverse but everything our table ordered was delicious. read more

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learned about this place on a whim and when i showed up i never imagined how much greater it'd be inside, the atmosphere is everything. the decor, the vibe. everything was curated and thought of, the entire staff is so incredibly thoughtful and attentive. food and drinks were equally as incredible, 10/10 no doubt :) read more

We love Revel for date nights! The food, wine and service are always just perfect. I would recommend making a reservation for Friday and Saturday evenings. This a small, local establishment located in a strip mall, but the ambiance inside is so clean and elevated with lots of attention to decor and lighting. read more

I was on the hunt for a dinner option and a nice ambience that would be different from all the places we have tried in old town. I can't even remember how I finally got to this restaurant, but I kept putting in dinner in Alexandria and boy was I oh so thrilled. First of all you step inside and by no means do you feel like you just came in from a strip mall or a strip mall parking lot. It is as nice if not nicer than some of the high end places in DC right now. Also, I have no idea how she is able to afford to pay her servers Whatever she is paying them because they are all so incredibly professional, kind, calm and engaging!!! They legitimately feel like one big family. I was excited that the chef and owner had routes from Louisiana and curious to see how that translated into the dishes. Nothing that we ordered was a disappointment. Everything exploded with flavor even the salad was a treat. The cocktails were really special as well, and this place is a A MUST visit if you are in the Alexandria area! read more

Revel - Lamb and fish entree - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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This is, even by the highest DC standards, a fantastic cocktail bar. Highly creative, their revolving specials are well balanced, never too sweet or otherwise polarizing - i loved them all. Top notch service. read more

Wonderful venue with fantastic food a amazing wine selections. Highly recommend for a quiet evening dinner. read more

Revel - Bar area. - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Recently visited for dinner service after visiting the owner has right next door. There is plentiful free parking as the restaurant is located in a shopping center area. The restaurant is truly a hidden gem in an intimate space that is minimally yet chicly designed. We were greeted immediately upon arrival and although we made a reservation the restaurant was not very busy for a weekday dinner date. The staff was courteous and very attentive giving great recommendations for wine pairings and about the entree options. We had the Spanish garlic shrimp entree with was good but with a thicker than normal sauce that I've experienced with similar dishes. The lasagna was filling and the tilefish was not as flavorful but mixing with the bed of chow chow really made the fish taste better. The lavender blues mocktail was the perfect mix of tart and sweet. The restaurant has amazing wine options. A special place for a date night or if you want to experience an elevated dinner of the beaten path of Old Town Alexandria. $$ @sharpandsoundstyle read more

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Friendly staff, beautiful space, delicious food and wine. What more could you want? Tucked away in an unassuming retail center, it's definitely a gem of the Belle Haven neighborhood. read more

My wife and I each had a couple of glasses of wine and ordered an amazing charcuterie board. The service was excellent, and the ambience was great as well. Brett was our server and his wife, Nikki (sp?) gave us a tour of their attached wine shop. This will definitely be one of our regular stops when we visit Alexandria, Virginia. Very enjoyable evening. read more

I'm gonna give them 5 stars based on my first impression - which was kick ass. I started with a small bison dish, which was awesome. Tasty yet fulfilling. Then I went through several glasses, including a Petit Syrah which was suggested to us. Great find! Our sever was on top of things with her suggestions, and overall very knowledgeable about wine. The place is bigger than it looks, although it's in a fairly unassuming shopping center. It has 'hidden gem' all over it! read more

Revel - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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In an unassuming strip mall. Service was wonderful. The place is beautiful and the food is delicious. I don't think you could go wrong with anything on the menu. The only thing i wasn't a fan of was the dark chocolate pot du creme. read more

Outstanding dinner. Excellent new dishes suggested by Brent were delicious. Carrots grilled over whipped ricotta was great followed by asparagus risotto fantastic. The strawberries over ricotta cake was also delicious. Drinks were also great. Love the salted maple pecan bourbon old fashioned and my wife enjoyed the ElPtesidente also delicious. We always enjoy our dinners at Revel thanks to the staff and chefs. Thank you and keep up the good work. read more

Food, service, ambiance all good. Also, very affordable prices. The wine and the food are superior.

Revel is an excellent wine bar with superb service! Highly recommend a cheese plate to pair with your wine! Also love that this place is away the hustle and bustle of old town and right beside Unwined so it's easy to grab a bottle to take home. read more

Amazing restaurant! We came here for girls night out on a Saturday. The atmosphere, menu and service - everything was perfect for the relaxing, intimate evening with my friends. The menu is not necessarily big but they have very good selections of drinks and food. I am not a wine drinker but I was still able to enjoy other beverages. What a hidden gem in this residential neighborhood. Highly recommended! read more

Excellent attentive service and great food. We enjoyed every course from the creative cocktails, to the salads, the entrees, cheese and dessert. This place is a neighborhood gem! read more

I'll start by saying if you're a wine drinker or even if you're not if you haven't been here already you need to go asap. I popped in on a random Saturday afternoon looking to do some wine tasting and this spot did not disappoint. I will say when I first arrived this was a very unsuspecting spot as the place is located in the corner of shopping center so that gave me some hesitance but once I stepped through the door I was completely surprised. The decor was simple but elegant with a bar in the center of the room and a combination of bar stools and cozy couches lining the interior. They also have an outside area with tents and seating but I'd recommend the indoor area for the best experience. As for the wine tasting it was everything I could have asked for. The staff was very friendly and attentive and there was a gentleman assisting me with an impeccable knowledge of every wine on the menu providing a detailed story and history behind each one. Generally, when you do a wine tasting there's one or two wines that may not appeal to you but in this instance I can say I truly enjoyed all 4 options I was provided, even ones that wouldn't usually appeal to my taste. The glasses range from about $12-$15 and they also serve a full food menu to compliment your beverage as well in addition to smaller items like cheeses and charcuterie. Overall a wonderful experience and I'll certainly be making a return trip soon. read more

Revel - Wine Bars Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Drinks...yum. Appetizers...yum. Ambiance...loud but beautiful (acoustics). Main dish...meh. We had the pimento cheese and empanadas to start. I thought the Haddock was bland. I understand the en papillote preparation, but the whole dish was just lacking something. That being said, I would definitely return to try more of their dishes! read more

Beyond excited to find this place! Amazing location/atmosphere and the food is out of this world. Fabulous wine choices paired with incredible menu that makes me want to come back every week just to try out new dishes. Possibly the friendliest staff ever and my new go-to spot. Would also be amazing location for a private party!! read more

My son and his wife had a beautiful, outdoor garden wedding on one of the hottest days in July. Their reception was held at Revel at 5:00 PM, where they had reserved the entire restaurant for their private event. Everything was PERFECT. It was welcoming, cool, and the service was fantastic! They had worked with the event planners in advance and selected their menu choices after having a private tasting. They also selected special celebratory drinks to serve with the passed appetizers to include a cool and refreshing Frose. Of course, there was a delicious cake also made by the chef to facilitate the traditional cutting of the cake. Everyone had a wonderful time! We were able to mingle, move about freely, and have a scrumptious, seated dinner. I highly recommend Revel for your special event. Ours was fantastic! read more