Meagan’s guidebook
Food scene
Southside 815
815 S Washington StBest neighborhood bar plus family restaurant.
This Mexican counter-serve chainlet with food-truck roots defines cheap eats, offering Yucatán-style tacos, burritos and more for breakfast (all day), lunch and dinner. It’s a familiar drill set in a bright, modern storefront: choose a protein for your meal, like carne asada (chopped steak) or al pastor (carved rotisserie pork), pile on free toppings, including shredded cheese and cilantro, then spice it up at the salsa bar. https://www.zagat.com/r/district-taco-alexandria
122 locals recommend
District Taco
656 Pennsylvania Avenue SoutheastThis Mexican counter-serve chainlet with food-truck roots defines cheap eats, offering Yucatán-style tacos, burritos and more for breakfast (all day), lunch and dinner. It’s a familiar drill set in a bright, modern storefront: choose a protein for your meal, like carne asada (chopped steak) or al pastor (carved rotisserie pork), pile on free toppings, including shredded cheese and cilantro, then spice it up at the salsa bar. https://www.zagat.com/r/district-taco-alexandria
Don Taco is a 2 floor restaurant and Tequila Bar that offers a bar and TV's on both floors and is a great spot to enjoy some amazing tacos and small plates. Its also a nice little spot to enjoy some of the amazing nightlife in Old Town, Alexandria.
7 locals recommend
Don Taco
808 King StDon Taco is a 2 floor restaurant and Tequila Bar that offers a bar and TV's on both floors and is a great spot to enjoy some amazing tacos and small plates. Its also a nice little spot to enjoy some of the amazing nightlife in Old Town, Alexandria.
Neighborhoods
A busy, historic district along the Potomac, Old Town is marked by cobblestone streets and 18th-century townhouses. George Washington slept at Gadsby’s Tavern, one of the many small museums in the area. Another is Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, opened in 1783. Indie boutiques and foodie spots line King Street, and there are open-air eateries by the river. The Saturday farmers' market has been operating for 260 years. https://www.tripsavvy.com/walking-tour-of-alexandria-1040412
393 locals recommend
Old Town
A busy, historic district along the Potomac, Old Town is marked by cobblestone streets and 18th-century townhouses. George Washington slept at Gadsby’s Tavern, one of the many small museums in the area. Another is Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, opened in 1783. Indie boutiques and foodie spots line King Street, and there are open-air eateries by the river. The Saturday farmers' market has been operating for 260 years. https://www.tripsavvy.com/walking-tour-of-alexandria-1040412
Avenues are lined with white picket fences and American Foursquare homes, often with children playing out front while mom and pop look on from the porch. The neighborhood was founded in the late 19th century and, because of a light rail that swiftly connected to Washington, became an ideal settlement for commuters.
The Braddock Road Metro station that spills out around the corner from Mt. Vernon Avenue — Del Ray’s main drag — and the recent addition of four Capital Bikeshare stations mean Del Ray has only gotten easier to explore. https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/getting-to-know-alexandrias-del-ray-neighborhood/2014/09/25/91e8dbc2-4016-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html
50 locals recommend
Del Ray
Avenues are lined with white picket fences and American Foursquare homes, often with children playing out front while mom and pop look on from the porch. The neighborhood was founded in the late 19th century and, because of a light rail that swiftly connected to Washington, became an ideal settlement for commuters.
The Braddock Road Metro station that spills out around the corner from Mt. Vernon Avenue — Del Ray’s main drag — and the recent addition of four Capital Bikeshare stations mean Del Ray has only gotten easier to explore. https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/getting-to-know-alexandrias-del-ray-neighborhood/2014/09/25/91e8dbc2-4016-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html
The Wharf, a sprawling, 24-acre project, promises to stretch the city’s nightlife and restaurant boom all the way to the Washington Channel and turn the forgotten quadrant into an entertainment mecca. The Anthem — an anchor in this project and a draw in and of itself — is the dream from the 9:30 Club’s co-owner and features luxe seats, seven bars, a glowing marquee and a star-studded roster.
The Wharf has also attracted many of the city’s best-known chefs. The higher-end restaurants will be dominated by Mike Isabella (of Graffiato and Kapnos), Fabio Trabocchi (of Fiola), Nicholas Stefanelli (of Masseria), Cathal Armstrong (of Restaurant Eve) and Kwame Onwuachi (formerly of Shaw Bijou) — a sort of who’s who of Washington dining. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/going-out-guide/wp/2017/10/05/what-to-expect-at-the-wharf-washingtons-newest-dining-and-entertainment-destination/
12 locals recommend
Wharf Street Southwest
Wharf Street SouthwestThe Wharf, a sprawling, 24-acre project, promises to stretch the city’s nightlife and restaurant boom all the way to the Washington Channel and turn the forgotten quadrant into an entertainment mecca. The Anthem — an anchor in this project and a draw in and of itself — is the dream from the 9:30 Club’s co-owner and features luxe seats, seven bars, a glowing marquee and a star-studded roster.
The Wharf has also attracted many of the city’s best-known chefs. The higher-end restaurants will be dominated by Mike Isabella (of Graffiato and Kapnos), Fabio Trabocchi (of Fiola), Nicholas Stefanelli (of Masseria), Cathal Armstrong (of Restaurant Eve) and Kwame Onwuachi (formerly of Shaw Bijou) — a sort of who’s who of Washington dining. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/going-out-guide/wp/2017/10/05/what-to-expect-at-the-wharf-washingtons-newest-dining-and-entertainment-destination/