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.

A very nice Cajun style seafood restaurant. Good service was quick to refill drinks and make sure…read moreeverything was satisfactory. Ambience is casual and roomy even during peak service. A bit noisy for me to hear a conversation easily. The food was excellent. I tried the seafood jambalaya with had fish, scallops shrimp and spicy sausage with Cajun seasoning over brown rice. The fish was flaky and scallops and shrimp were sweet and perfectly cooked. I appreciated that the server made sure I understood that it was going to be spicy which it was but not unbearably so (I like mildly spicy to medium spicy). I loved the spinach crab dip appetizer. It was creamy and hot and delicious. The hushpuppies, of you are a hushpuppy fan were a must order. The arrived hot and very crisp coating with a moist interior. They come with a honey butter which really put them over the top. My spice got the grilled shrimp with shoestring potatoes. The shrimp were grilled perfectly with just the right amount of seasoning. Reservations are recommended for peak service times. There plenty of parking in the back if the lot in front is full.

The bartender Caroline was showing some superb hustle that I would definitely hire if I still had a…read morebusiness. She's been behind the bar for three weeks and is obviously an asset not just for her hustle but for maintaining a positive attitude during a rush that the restaurant is still training to cope with. Kudos girl The fried fish was terrific although the fries needed more time in the fryer. The sweet potato fries were excellent. The Cole slaw was delicious I even liked the tartar sauce. I had a seltzer from RAK honey lavender quite tasty. The new management is trying to offer the local products and it's the right direction. I believe this place has lots of potential and I look forward to my next visit when I hope to give more stars.

"Not Your Average Joe !" Classy Restaurants come with a certain charm the minute you enter the…read moreestablishment , and their inner decor for one reason or another ( which I can't explain ) makes you feel comfortable and at ease. Well Joe's Seafood checks every box and some others I didn't mention. The entire staff is professional, in a warm welcoming way. They ensure that your experience is a delightful one, filled with superb pampering service. And then there's the food !!! This is when I was totally floored... for starters the assorted bread basket for the table is absolutely delicious ( I literally had to force myself to stop alternating between the muffins and mini biscuits ) Since I was eating light today I ordered the seafood salad ( chilled lobster & shrimp on top ) and the salad was so fresh and had that crisp salad crunch that mesmerized my taste buds with every bite !!! DC hands down is one of the top restaurant city's in the country and Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is a big reason I can make that statement with absolute confidence !!!

The most overpriced restaurant I've been to in Washington. No where near as good as Joe's in…read moreFlorida. $54 for a dozen of the smallest oysters I've ever seen. They could have fit in a thimble. The stone crabs were tasteless. The best was the coleslaw. It took forever to get a glass of wine and ice tea. I will not recommned it to anyone. Ambiance was OK, the place was packed. People were very casual, which surprised me for such an expensive restaurant.

If you've never had a lobster roll, they're worth having at least once. Ideally, you should have…read morethem in Maine at a place that will pile on the lobster. But if you're in Belvedere Square, Mason's is a good substitute. The menu is pretty simple: a variety of lobster and shrimp items, mostly in the form of a sandwich roll or soup. I went with a classic roll with some drawn butter on it. It was good - nice bits of meat and it allows the flavor of the lobster to shine. I wouldn't call it filling, at least not for me, but it was tasty. I also got a small soup and the guy behind the counter offered me a sample of each type without me even asking. Overall pretty solid. It's lobster, so it won't be cheap, but for what it is, it's a fairly priced meal.

Lobster bisque has NO lobster. This is the 2nd time they have done this in my carry out order. My…read morehusband didn't know to check. And for what they charge? Reporting to their corporate office.

Made a pit stop on the way home from camping and it was worth the small detour!…read more This is not a sit down joint and fyi does not have a bathroom for the public to use. They do have a small parking lot and some benches around back but not ideal for colder weather. The menu is pretty extensive with many options of hot dogs, burgers and dessert. We got the Chicago dog, chili dog, patty melt and onion rings. The onion rings were the best! The breading did not fall off and stayed with each bite of the onion! Not to mention the crunch! The hot dog was also delicious! The way they dressed it was neat and you got a solid bite each time! The patty melt was juicy and the rye pairs so nicely!! The service was quick. It seemed like our small group of 6 may have overwhelmed them slightly with the amount of food we ordered but nonetheless did not take too long !

TLDR: Old-school burger & dog stand with outdoor seating only. Food is delicious, prices are great,…read moreand it's a perfect stop on a sunny day. Expect a wait at peak hours, but worth it. Beef 'N Buns 'N Paradise is one of those hidden gems that feels like summer. This fast casual burger and hot dog stand is walk-up only, with outdoor seating and a handful of parking spots (which fill up quickly during peak times). You order at the window from a huge menu and wait for your name to be called over the loudspeaker. We tried a few of their hot dogs, the Chicago Dog and the Chili Nacho Cheese Dog and both were awesome. The dogs were snappy, flavorful, and loaded with toppings. We also grabbed the double patty melt, which was superlative. The patties were juicy, the rye bread was perfectly griddled, and the whole thing just hit. The onion rings deserve their own shoutout too, crispy, hand-breaded, and the perfect side item. And of course, we had to finish with dessert. We got vanilla soft serve cones with black cherry flavor burst on one and coffee on the other. Super tasty and the perfect ending. The prices are reasonable for the quality and portion size. It's exactly the kind of place you want to hit up on a sunny weekend or for a casual dinner after work.

The absolute best wings my wife and a I have had in years. We got the BBQ ones. They steak, egg and…read morecheese breakfast sandwich is also really good. Everything was great.

Impressively delicious sandwiches etc. made with tasty Boar's Head meats, friendly service, air…read moreconditioned indoor tables for hot days, and orders come to you quickly. We got a juicy roast beef sandwich and a grilled cheese. Both were top-notch, and this place is a real oasis on the C&O trail, which is quite the food desert. You order at the register. Fries or chips are a la carte. Minus one star because all drinks come in cans or bottles, yet in 2025 White's Ferry Grill still lacks any recycle bins whatsoever. I suggested adding them to the owners via their website and Facebook page, but never heard back. As a result, the trash can outside may be full, and tons of recyclables go to the landfill. I carried my empty Gatorade bottle with me. I would love to take the ferry again, but meanwhile, this casual restaurant and store is a gem.

I came at 8:40AM, hoping to pick up lunch before work, but it was unfortunately closed! I'm…read moreassuming they open at 9 or later. When I came back for lunch, I was surprised this had replaced Cappelli's Café! I loved Cappelli's sandwiches. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich, which I thought was worth the price because it came with fries and a drink. The sandwich was freshly made and not half bad! The workers were efficient and courteous. I asked one of them what "guma" means, and he said "gu" in French means "taste," so "gumax" is intended to mean maximum taste. Hopefully I'm feeling more adventurous next time so I can try one of the guma pies!

My rating is now only 2 after our second visit which became a real test of patience. While the…read moremanager at Gumax is friendly and earnest, the operation is too disorganized and slow. Ingredient supplies were low so items were not prepared as described on the menu. At first he would not accept a Local Flavor deal (which got us to even try Gumax) because of previous deal reimbursement problems with the Gumax owner. After a delay of about 30 minutes and several phones calls, it was finally accepted but that was just too much hassle for getting lunch.

Wow...where do I even start? Whether you're looking for a cozy café with great coffee / pastries,…read morean intimate restaurant serving some of the best New American cooking, or just a place that has some of the friendliest, most inviting staff to ever grace the DC restaurant scene, Elle has you covered. They operate a cute little coffee counter in the day, which includes some of their amazing scones, croissants, and other goodies, as well as outstanding espresso drinks. There isn't a ton of seating in the café section so it ends up being quite crowded, but if you're lucky enough to snag a seat, it's super cozy and the perfect place to read or just hang out. The café area is confined to two mini counters in a small corner next to the front window, so it always gets plenty of natural light and is a great place to people watch. I dropped by on a Sunday morning to grab an americano and their maple pecan scone; the americano was phenomenal, and the scone was such a delightful ode to autumn flavors. It was quite large, super buttery and rich, and packed with maple and pecan flavor without being overly sweet. Come back in the evening and you'll stroll into what feels like a completely different restaurant. The coffee bar is transformed into a standard bar, and the ambient lighting, dark wooden furniture, and brick walls make the space feel incredibly cozy and intimate. Their dinner menu is quite pricey, but it's genuinely worth every penny. My friend promised that Elle had the "best vegetable he's ever tasted," and they absolutely delivered -- the roasted broccoli with sardines and parmesan was delightful. It was super simple, but I appreciated how well it let the natural flavor of each ingredient shine, and each component had plenty of its own flavor, with the parmesan and sardines offering a hit of salt, umami, and sight funkiness. We also got the grilled cucumber which, at first glance, seemed like such an odd menu item. After giving it a try, however, I'm now questioning why we don't always grill our cucumbers -- the cucumber was beautifully charred on the outside, and heat helped to bring out some of the vegetable's natural sweetness to counterbalance the smokiness from the grill. It was served on top of a bed of savory, tangy yogurt and with chopped hazelnuts, which offered a great crunch. I was most impressed by the skate; this fish is a rare find in DC, but they prepared with perfectly. It was super tender, which contrasted beautifully against the crispy, crunchy fried outer shell. The skate was topped with crispy onions and a savory, slightly spicy sauce, as well as swimming in a rich, incredibly umami broth. The skate may have been the single best thing I put in my mouth all year -- I'm going to be devastated when it falls out of season and rotates of the menu, but I'm also super excited to come back and sample Elle's next season of items.

Elle is a great spot for breakfast, especially if you are looking for somewhere comfortable to…read morespend a bit of time. The space is open and inviting, and they are very accommodating if you plan to sit and work for a while. The food and drinks really deliver. Their matcha was delightful, and the egg sandwich is an absolute must. It comes on a house-made potato roll that makes the whole thing feel extra comforting. I would highly recommend adding brisket. It takes the sandwich to another level. Service was friendly and attentive throughout. Even though it is a bit out of the way from downtown DC, I would definitely make the trip back.

Absolutely incredible!! It was my first time at a tasting menu and the fourth time for my parents…read more-- we all loved it! They're a farm to table restaurant so they have a small farm in the back and use local fishermen, beekeepers, and farmers for the majority of their food. The inside portion of the restaurant is in a converted green house and you look out over the Potomac River and the bridge that connects MD and VA along 15. They also have outdoor seating and a gazebo with one table (for an additional price). Sometimes restaurants with tasting menus pack you in and have low lighting but this place had the tables spread out and it was bright and airy inside with lots of plants and decor along the walls. The tasting menu is 9 courses in total but our waiter brought several surprise mid course tastings like a sourdough milk bread and tempura oysters. They change the menu every 6-8 weeks to reflect what is fresh at the moment and supplement with pickled vegetables. I loved everything I ate but my dad didn't care for the abundance of fish that's currently being served. The waiters are so coordinated and excellent at providing an explanation for each course. It was paced perfectly, where we weren't rushed between each course but also weren't waiting around forever. Just a note: they're business casual, but the driveway up to the restaurant is gravel and the parking lot is also gravel, so swap your stilettos for wedges or flats!

Friends made reservation for dinner here and I am so glad they did. First, I have to say I…read moreappreciate they honored our reservation when I was 30 minutes late driving from DC. But the restaurant did not act annoyed at all. Thank you. We were seated outside with views of Potomac River. Located on a farm, this was one of the first certified organic farms in Virginia. The menu: Welcome Basket-Beautiful presentation and a great way to start the meal Tuna Watermelon (Banana Peppers, Purslane, Mint Dashi) Crab Caramelle (English Peas, Aleppo, Egg Yolk) Yaki Porgy (Summer Squash, Heirloom Tomato, Nasturtium) Bison (Wax Beans, Wagyu Tongue, Blueberries) Cucumber (Cantaloupe, Cream) Peaches & Corn (Corn Ice Cream, Peach Bavarian, Corn Cake) Sweet Treats (assorted candies) *added bonus, zucchini bread to take home! Everything was delicious. Fresh, seasonal and quality ingredients. Every dish was a joy to taste. Service was excellent and I am so glad our server inquired whether we wanted our picture taken. I had forgotten! He led us to a beautiful spot for some pictures. A lovely, memorable evening. I highly recommend.

We were in from out of town for a basketball tournament and decided to stop a Ned's. We are so glad…read morewe did! We had the New England Clam Chowder and Bang Bang Shrimp Roll both were amazing!

We reserved the play area with some friends and were able to enjoy a nice meal while the kids…read moreplayed. The gentleman running the place at the time was super friendly. The food was absolutely fantastic. We ordered the down east lobster roll, and the north shore beef sandwich. Everything tasted fresh and of high quality. The lobster roll had huge chunks of lobster in it. I love having a local restaurant where we can enjoy a delicious meal while the kids play. It was the most relaxing and delicious meal out we've had in a long time.