Best Waterfront Restaurants in Old Town Alexandria

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

District of ColumbiaMaryland - DC SuburbsVirginia - DC Suburbs

Neighborhoods

AlexandriaBuzzard PointGeorgetownNational HarborNavy YardOld Town Alexandria

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

38 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Il Porto

4.5

Awesome(2495)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Alexandria

Booked 38 times today

Welcome to Il Porto ,Nestled in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Il Porto Italian Ristorante has been a cherished destination for authentic Italian dining since 1973. Our mission is simple: to honor the timeless flavors of Northern Italy while embracing modern culinary techniques that elevate every dish.At Il Porto, every meal is handcrafted from scratch in our kitchen. From our pasta—made fresh daily—to our signature sauces and seasonal ingredients, we take pride in offering food that’s as fresh as it is flavorful.Our chefs blend tradition and innovation, creating a diverse menu that remains true to our Italian roots. The heart of our kitchen lies in our daily specials, thoughtfully curated to showcase creativity while paying homage to classic Northern Italian recipes.Whether you're joining us for a romantic dinner, a family gathering, or a special celebration, Il Porto invites you to experience the warmth, authenticity, and excellence that have defined us for over 50 years.

2. 219 Restaurant

4.1

Excellent(977)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern • Alexandria

Booked 10 times today

Please note reservations are only available for the main dining room. The lounge and bar areas are first come first serve. Housed in a historic 19th century townhouse blocks from the waterfront, 219 Restaurant offers modern Southern cuisine with creole influence. Our menu focuses on classic dishes with a southern influence to make for an exceptional dining experience. We offer private dining rooms in addition to our elegant main floor and offer pre-fixed banquet menus suitable for any event. After your meal, you can unwind in our spacious second story Basin St. Lounge, and be entertained by world class blues/jazz music - seven nights a week - or head downstairs to our Bayou Room, for live DJs and dancing. Whether you're looking for a casual night out or something a little more intimate, 219 Restaurant has what you're looking for... seven days a week!

3. Elaine's

4.7

Exceptional(291)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Old Town Alexandria

Booked 19 times today

Elaine’s modern Mediterranean cuisine is based on exquisite food found in Alexandria, Egypt. The unique style is best described as Middle Eastern with French, Greek, and Italian influences. Our award winning restaurant Elaine’s is located at 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. The 1880 building, the previous home of Bilbo Baggins for 38 years, has been completely renovated with a new look and feel. The restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River. Founders Park, The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront are only blocks away.

4. King & Rye

4.1

Excellent(759)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern • Alexandria

Booked 17 times today

King & Rye is the reflection of the bounty of the mid-Atlantic and Southern regions. We feature seasonal, intentional ingredients sourced through real relationships with farmers, makers and butchers. With humble, refined menus rooted in tradition and authentic flavors that go beyond the expected to offer a deeper exploration of Southern cuisine, we're a place where you can expect slow food, proper whiskeys and genuine hospitality.

A photo of Cocktail Garden at King & Rye restaurant

5. Cocktail Garden at King & Rye

3.7

Very Good(7)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Southern • Alexandria

Old Town Alexandria's favorite outdoor dining experience is back! Just steps away from the waterfront.King & Rye is excited to announce the return of our Cocktail Garden experience located in our courtyard. The redesigned space features lounge areas, intimate dining spaces, fire pits, a summer music series and – of course – a special menu of stellar seasonal cocktails to explore.The cocktail program, curated by General Manager and Executive Bourbon Steward Allison Strunk, is an addition to the already-robust cocktail experience at King & Rye, with a focus on a variety of spirits and fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs. Chef Tomas Chavarria has curated a Southern-inspired menu for the garden including shareables like Local Farmer's Charcuterie Board, Drunken Mussels, and a Taco Platter.Book a lounge of a Taste of the South dining experience!

A photo of Ada's on the River restaurant

6. Ada's on the River

4.8

Exceptional(4072)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Old Town Alexandria

Booked 105 times today

Discover Ada's on the River, an esteemed culinary gem situated at 3 Pioneer Mill Way in Alexandria, VA. Famed for its upscale American fare with bold, wood-fired flavors, Ada's is your go-to restaurant, for lunch, happy hour, dinner, and brunch. As one of the best restaurants in Alexandria, VA, our diverse menu showcases a steakhouse worthy selection of aged meats, fresh seafood, indulgent desserts, some of the best cocktails in Old Town, and extensive wine list make your dining experience unforgettable. Enjoy stunning Potomac River views and impeccable service, making us the top choice for both intimate date nights and grand celebrations needing private event space.

A photo of Chart House Restaurant - Alexandria restaurant

7. Chart House Restaurant - Alexandria

4.4

Awesome(11018)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Alexandria

Booked 91 times today

Chart House Restaurant in Alexandria is a waterfront eatery, as mentioned in the restaurant's description and multiple reviews. The restaurant offers stunning views of the waterfront, as patrons have mentioned enjoying the 'spectacular views', 'waterfront location', 'view of the river and marina', and 'great harbor view' from the restaurant.

A photo of Barca Wine Bar & Pier restaurant

8. Barca Wine Bar & Pier

4.7

Exceptional(1859)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Old Town Alexandria

Booked 146 times today

BARCA is Old Town Alexandria's newest riverfront neighborhood restaurant. Located in Robinson , BARCA (Spanish for boat) styles shipyard chic and Catalonian coastal influence into a waterfront Pier and Wine Bar. Both indoor and outdoor locales serve up Spanish-Mediterranean small plates, wine, sangria, and cocktails plus weekend brunch.

9. Virtue Feed & Grain

4.7

Exceptional(4690)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Alexandria

Booked 101 times today

Virtue Feed & Grain is a modern American dining room and bar located near the Potomac River in Old Town, Alexandria. Our menu offers an array of original recipe, flavorful, scratch-made dishes, along with extensive selections from the bar, like handcrafted cocktails, craft and small-batch beers, and an impressive wine list. The rustic elegance of our large, two-story restaurant provides a vibrant atmosphere for any dining experience, as well as private and semi-private spaces for private events, celebrations, weddings, business meetings, and gatherings of all types. The seasonal outdoor patio on historic Wales Alley offers views to the Potomac and a fun, casual destination.***Unfortunately we do not take advance reservations on our outdoor patio, but we will do our best to accommodate requests as space is available.

A photo of Jula's on the Potomac restaurant

10. Jula's on the Potomac

4.6

Exceptional(3325)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Alexandria

Booked 79 times today

Jula's on the Potomac is a waterfront restaurant located in Alexandria, with outstanding views of the Potomac River. Customers rave about the 'beautiful views of the river', 'waterfront dining', and 'al fresco dining by the river'. Its location offers a perfect blend of contemporary American cuisine and stunning river views.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
JoshuaVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •17 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Amazing as always. One of if not my favorite restaurant in Old Town. Great service, food and drinks.
More info
Elaine'sPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Old Town Alexandria
•
4.7
S
StevenVIP
Greater Boston •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Beautiful spot. Great service and really good food.
More info
Il PortoPrice: Moderate• Italian• Alexandria
•
4.5
L
LaurenVIP
Washington, D.C. Area •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
The service was good and most of the attendees enjoyed their food. I found the shrimp and grits to be nearly inedible. I think the bisque-like sauce would be better drizzled. It drowned everything on the plate.
More info
King & RyePrice: Moderate• Southern• Alexandria
•
4.1
A
AliciaVIP
Baltimore / Maryland •39 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 30, 2025
Perfect place for a great date night. Service and food were great!
More info
219 RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Southern• Alexandria
•
4.1
M
Mattk
Central Kentucky •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on Sep 23, 2022
Great food, fantastic service and a wonderful atmosphere.
More info
Cocktail Garden at King & RyePrice: Expensive• Southern• Alexandria
•
3.7

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
Waterfront

Old Town Alexandria

Georgetown
Van Ness
Penn Quarter
Wheaton
Ivy City
Palisades Northwest
McPherson Square
Tysons
Foggy Bottom
NoMa
Lorton
Arlington
Adams Morgan
Bethesda
Alexandria
Silver Spring
Waterfront
U Street Corridor
Downtown
Columbia Heights / Brightwood