Ada's on the River

Name: Ada's on the River
Address: 3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA, United States, 22314
Telephone: (703) 638-1400
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.7

4.7

2953 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Top Tags:

Built around a custom wood-burning oven and featuring stunning panoramic views of the Potomac River, Ada's on the River draws inspiration from the ingenuity of Ada Lovelace, one of the greatest mathematicians of the 19th century. Ada's menus feature a selection of wood-fired prime steaks, fresh seafood and vegetarian fare, in addition to an extensive beer, wine and cocktail list.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 6, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 97 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 11:30 am–11:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–11:00 pm
Phone number
(703) 638-1400
Website
https://www.adasontheriver.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Chef Santiago Lopez
Private party facilities
An homage to 19th-century mathematician Ada Lovelace, Ada’s offers panoramic Potomac River views and features wood-fired prime steaks, fresh seafood and vegetarian fare. ‍ The 260-seat restaurant includes 160 indoor seats, including a 32-seat private dining room, and 100 seats on the outdoor patio. The stylish interior provides a warm, modern feel with 15-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and inviting booth seating. A unique wood-burning grill is the central component to the open-concept kitchen, nestled under sweeping hull-like wood paneling, and accented with vibrant red tiles. Original art features Ada, her father, the poet Lord Byron, and other literary figures such as Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, and Emily and Charlotte Bronte. ‍ Adas talented culinary team has created a variety of delicious, made-from-scratch menus. Options range from delicious hors d’oeuvres to multi-course plated meals.

Location
3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314
Neighborhood
Old Town Alexandria
Cross street
Duke Street and South Union Street
Parking details
There are several public hourly parking garages within two blocks of the restaurant, and hourly street parking is also available on adjacent streets.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 2,953 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Virginia - DC Suburbs
Great for scenic views
Virginia - DC Suburbs
American
Virginia - DC Suburbs
Most Booked

2,953 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
My sister and I took my mom to Ada’s on the River for her birthday and we loved it! The service was outstanding, the vibe was soothing and dressy, and the food was great! I highly recommend the oysters, lamb shank, and chocolate soufflé!
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SR
SR33
San Francisco
27 reviews
vip
5.0
27 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
I appreciate whatever request I make, the restaurant always accommodates! Love this place
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Experience is the same every time. Top notcch. Brunch consisted of two cocktails, 3 entrees, a side of yogurt and fruit. The bill was 100.00. For the quality service and ambience this is a steal and alot of value for what you get im the DMV
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food and attentive wait staff. It was too foggy to enjoy the view, but we'll be back to see it another day.
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DC
DCGirl
Washington DC
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food is always exceptional at Ada’s! Don’t let the price of the crab cake deter you - it’s amazing! And no one knows what a pave is but I’m telling you, you’ll never have a hash brown elsewhere again! We had Keith today and he was so personable and kind and awesome. We would love to give 10 stars to Keith!
Is this helpful?
EQ
EydieQ
Washington DC
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent food (pork chop and Chicken). Dessert was amazing (got Apple beignets and Almond Joy chocolate cake). Excellent service. My only criticism is that the place was very loud. Other than that I really enjoyed the food and service. I would definitely come back here.
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KA
KAAL
Cleveland
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food was delicious and service was excellent on a very busy night.
Is this helpful?
LC
LisaC
Baltimore
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was fabulous and portions were very generous. Steak was cooked perfectly. Our server, Cortez, was outstanding.
Is this helpful?
D
Diningindmv
Washington DC
234 reviews
vip
5.0
234 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ada’s was the usual excellent experience with an extra bit of sparkle due to the holiday lights. The wonderful service, cocktails and conversation with bartender Nick made for a perfect evening. We highly recommend Ada’s!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
The new waitress SHAE was amazing, all of her recommendations was spot on, she was pleasant, and attentive. The food was absolutely amazing!
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WM
WillM
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It is always a pleasant experience at Ada's on the River. The prices range from high-end steaks to delicious salads. I had a Grilled Shrimp and Avocado salad. I thought the Avocado was a bit light, given that it is billed as Shrimp and Avocado. In mentioning it to our server Ben, he promptly went and got extra avocado. All-in-all, the food and environment, along with the great service, were delightful.
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CM
CynthiaM
Washington DC
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Every element of our dinner was delicious and the whole night was lovely. The food at Ada’s has been quite good and it is now wonderful! The service was perfect, just a terrific evening. Thank you
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c
cmra
Washington DC
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Sevice and brunch were both very good. Recommendations from server for drinks were spot on!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Baltimore
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Pricey but excellent everything! Highly recommend and we will definitely be back!
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JR
JenR
Washington DC
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful brunch! The food and service were excellent! Great Bloody Mary and Mimosa selections. Highly recommend!
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r
rivermom
Washington DC
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It’s a beautiful space on the water. The staff was attentive and service was seamless. The omelettes were fluffy with a hardy serving of fingerlings on the side. The lemon ricotta pancakes were delicious!
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KC
KevinC
Alabama
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great food and service in a great location on the Potomac.
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H
Hellfire
San Antonio
5 reviews
vip
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 24, 2023
overall4food3service3ambience4
I am a huge fan of Ada's and go there a lot. Tonight's thanksgiving meal was lackluster and it truly looked like a leftover plate. It was also rather salty. Not worth $80 per person.
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BK
BarrytheK
Washington DC
20 reviews
vip
3.0
20 reviews
Dined on November 24, 2023
overall3food3service5ambience3
We went for Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey was dry and massively salty. I think it was kept warm for a long time. We ate at 8 pm. And when it was time for the desserts we had ordered they were out of both of them. Great server and it’s a nice room. We have eaten here often and it is inconsistent. Some good dishes. Some bad.
Ada's on the RiverResponded 7 days ago
Thank you for your honest feedback, Barry. We take great pride in the quality of all our dishes and are sorry to hear that we fell short during your recent dine. We have shared this feedback directly with our culinary team and do hope you’ll give us another opportunity to impress you.
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D
Diningindmv
Washington DC
234 reviews
vip
5.0
234 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The burger from the wood fired grill tastes wonderful and the crispy french fries are a perfect accompaniment. We enjoy dining at the bar for relaxing service and great cocktails.
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H
Hungry
Washington DC
52 reviews
vip
5.0
52 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
As always, just an exceptional meal , exceptional service and a wonderful experience . Such a great place to celebrate Thanksgiving! Hats off to all of the cooking staff and our wonderful waiter Devnyn Honestly you will not find a better restaurant in the DMV!!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Overall great meal and service. Would definitely dine here again!
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JL
JulL
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Delicious offerings. Nice views. Great American cooking. Origins of restaurant name interesting add-on.
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MG
MGoo
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful clear day on the water, a great day to spend the Thanksgiving holiday out of the kitchen. Loved the hangar steaks and wood-fired veggies even more. Our waiter, Patrick, was the perfect host.
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c
cliviab
Washington DC
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience4
The food was good, we just wished our waiter would have been friendlier. He was quiet, and never smiled.
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L
Local
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We all ordered different entres and shared some sides.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Met with some friends for a Sunday night dinner. Great place!
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KK
KennethK
Wilmington
35 reviews
vip
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Our server was excellent. The specialty drinks were excellent. Everything, the wedge salad (that dressing!), the cooked oysters, the scallops, the trout, the almond joy cake were all delicious.
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DM
DianeM
Washington DC
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Salmon Benedict was excellent and bloody Mary was delicious!
Is this helpful?
AM
AdiatuM
Washington DC
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Our server was excellent and the food was amazing. This was a great brunch location.
Is this helpful?
EJ
EricJ
Los Angeles
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The crab cake and the hash brown pave were delicious.
Is this helpful?
BY
BYBS84
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
GF & I went for brunch and had a great time! The staff initially wanted to seat us in the dining area, which would’ve been if there weren’t already people to the left & right tables. So we asked to sit at the bar so we could have some “elbow” room! She had the steak n’ cheese omelette & I ordered the crab Benedict!! Our cocktails were delicious!! Overall, awesome time catching up over great food & drinks!!
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LL
LeslieL
Washington DC
77 reviews
vip
5.0
77 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
The food here is excellent but it is VERY loud inside. Our server was attentive and friendly.
Is this helpful?
HI
HungryInVA
Washington DC
52 reviews
vip
5.0
52 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, great service (Dominic), and great view. Really enjoying Ada's, especially for brunch.
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LI
LILRICK
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My wife and I had a reservation last Saturday to celebrate our 18th anniversary. We arrived 40 minutes early and were seated immediately. Our server Janice was mice and helpful with our order. Our meals were amazing!! My wife’s salmon and my crab stuffed trout were out of the world!! Overall, the restaurant is amazing. We look forward to going back.
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TT
TripleT
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ben is a very attentive server. My family have a good dinner in the restaurant.
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MG
MaryG
Washington DC
33 reviews
vip
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We dined outside since it was a nice day. William was our server and was attentive and polite. The crab cake sandwich and fries were amazing.
Is this helpful?
MB
MarcB
Cleveland
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ada's gave us an evening of great food, pleasant and efficient service, and an ambience that, with waterfront views that can't be beat, always a pleasure. WE return often to this place for special occasions because it is, far and away, the best restaurant in Old Twon Alexandria.
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S
Soup
Washington DC
159 reviews
vip
4.0
159 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
This aas our first visit and we were suitably impressed. The interior is lovely, the staff gracious and informative, and the food was excellent. We had the scallops, hanger steak, and mushroom lasagna. For dessert we had the chocolate souffle, beignets, and the lemon tart. All were delicious! We would love to return and eat outdoors when the weather is a bit warmer. A great spot for dining!
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T
Tugba1
Washington DC
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The view, food and service were all incredible! William, our server, was so kind and friendly!
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Ada's on the River using the Order Online button. Ada's on the River also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (703) 638-1400.

Ada's on the River is rated 4.7 stars by 2953 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 6, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 97 times today

Order delivery or takeout

3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314

Additional information

Cross street
Duke Street and South Union Street
Neighborhood
Old Town Alexandria
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 11:30 am–11:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–11:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
There are several public hourly parking garages within two blocks of the restaurant, and hourly street parking is also available on adjacent streets.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef Santiago Lopez
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.adasontheriver.com/
Phone number
(703) 638-1400
Private party facilities
An homage to 19th-century mathematician Ada Lovelace, Ada’s offers panoramic Potomac River views and features wood-fired prime steaks, fresh seafood and vegetarian fare. ‍ The 260-seat restaurant includes 160 indoor seats, including a 32-seat private dining room, and 100 seats on the outdoor patio. The stylish interior provides a warm, modern feel with 15-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and inviting booth seating. A unique wood-burning grill is the central component to the open-concept kitchen, nestled under sweeping hull-like wood paneling, and accented with vibrant red tiles. Original art features Ada, her father, the poet Lord Byron, and other literary figures such as Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, and Emily and Charlotte Bronte. ‍ Adas talented culinary team has created a variety of delicious, made-from-scratch menus. Options range from delicious hors d’oeuvres to multi-course plated meals.

Ada's on the River

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Grilled Shrimp & Avocado Salad

Seared Scallops

SEARED SCALLOPS G

STARTERS

MINI BLACK BRIOCHE LOAF V$9.00

BEEF TARTARE*$21.00

SEARED TUNA* G$21.00

GRILLED OCTOPUS G$21.00

COAL-ROASTED OYSTERS$19.00

WOOD-FIRED CHICKEN THIGHS$15.00

COAL-ROASTED PRAWNS G$27.00

SALADS

CHARRED GEM LETTUCE$15.00

"THE WEDGE"$15.00

GRILLED SHRIMP & AVOCADO G$19.00

GRILLED KALE & CITRUS V G$15.00

ENTRÉES

BRAISED LAMB SHANK G$36.00

WOOD-FIRED BONE-IN PORK CHOP* G$36.00

COAL ROASTED CHICKEN V G$29.00

CRAB STUFFED CAROLINA TROUT$38.00

SMOKED SWORDFISH* G$35.00

SEARED SALMON* G$34.00

HOUSE-GROUND PRIME DRY AGED BURGER*$21.00

GIANT CRAB CAKE$46.00

SEARED SCALLOPS* G$39.00

STEAMED BLUE MUSSELS$24.00

WOOD-FIRED CUSTOM AGED PRIME MEATS

14 OZ, 75 DAY AGED, NY STRIP* G$52.00

18 OZ, 60 DAY AGED, BONE IN COWBOY RIBEYE* G$69.00

10 OZ, 30 DAY AGED, HANGER STEAK* G$34.00

18 OZ, GRAIN FED TOMAHAWK VEAL CHOP* G$59.00

6 OZ, 30 DAY AGED, FILET MIGNON* G$39.00

10 OZ, 30 DAY AGED, FILET MIGNON* G$62.00

32 OZ, 40 DAY AGED, PORTERHOUSE* G$149.00

SAUCES

HOUSE STEAK SAUCE

GARLIC CHIMICHURRI

BÉARNAISE

BRANDY-PEPPERCORN

VEGETABLE ENTRÉES

COAL-FIRED MUSHROOM LASAGNA V$21.00

SMOKED RICOTTA GNOCCHI V$24.00

SPICED COAL ROASTED CAULIFLOWER V G$21.00

SIGNATURE SIDES

LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE$24.00

HONEY-GLAZED CARROTS V G$12.00

THICK CUT FRIES V$10.00

HASH BROWN PAVE V G$10.00

BRUSSELS SPROUTS G$12.00

COAL-ROASTED ASPARAGUS V G$14.00

ROASTED SWEET POTATO V G$12.00

LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE$24.00

CURRY SUNCHOKES V$14.00

CREAMED SPINACH V$12.00

COAL-ROASTED MUSHROOMS$14.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Cleaning & sanitizing

Screening

FAQs

Does Ada's on the River offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Ada's on the River restaurant rated?

Is Ada's on the River currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information