RT's Restaurant

Fried Maryland oysters, lightly breaded, tender, great taste. Wasn't to go back soon.

RT’s is a gem. I’ve been coming here since my teaching days in Alexandria and I can say they have remained consistent all these years. After going to the Birchmere to see the Average White Band, RT’s was the best way to end the night. My favorite dish was served expeditiously, hot and as always delicious. Our server was gracious, courteous and friendly. To end my night, the lead singer and founder of Average White Band walked in and was greeted like he was family; I was elated. This just further confirms how special the restaurant. RT’s remains my go to for fresh seafood served with a smile.

Its is a special place and we love their menu offerings.

It's in a funky section of Alexandria and at times it is probably tough to find parking but the food is excellent. The staff was friendly and accommodating and mostly attentive. Four of us all got different seafood dishes (bacon wrapped scallops app, pecan crusted haddock, shrimp & crab etouffee, and crawfish & crab catahoula) and we all loved them. And they even brought out a free chocolate mousse cupcake for my daughter's birthday. A good night all around.

Fabulous evening. Easy to get a table reservation, great food, intimate atmosphere.

Reliable favorite. Portions are getting a little small but I guess that is how they keep prices in check.

My husband got Flat Iron steak which is usually tender. His was tough. The seafood dishes were well cooked. The bread was delicious. Our water glasses were kept filled. Would go back to try other things.

Best oysters in Metro DC. Truly the best ever. Bang for buck!

First time experience was wonderful. The entire staff was awesome and our food was amazing. Thank you for making my Mom's 73rd Birthday special!

Excellent food and service. We enjoyed all aspects of our visit. We will be back!

My sons filet mignon was ok. Was dry and the fries were just ok. Not worth the cost. My dish was great and so were the desserts.

Food was DELICIOUS, but then we haven't had a bad or even mediocre meal at RT's. My husband had the Mahi Mahi and I had the Parchment Shellfish dish, both were outstanding. A nice Merlot to start along with the She Crab soup which is a must! Nice fresh bread. We were too full for dessert and coffee but then that is not unusual for us. Only thing that was a bit disappointing, was that our waiter, although he was pleasant, seemed a bit rushed which made me feel a bit rushed. Overall though the experience was an A.

Food was great! Cocktails were too! Our server was so so and I was overdressed but all in all it was great! It's a very casual environment.

We will return again and again. This is a welcome change and the food is very good.

It was good, not great. Felt a bit like we were being rushed.

Great food and service as always. Thanks

Good service..great food...only thing table wasn't ready at the time of reservation

Make reservations. Great service. We sat at a booth on the side by the bar. This was great for us so we could see the TVs- big sports fans. We order jack Daniels shrimp and shecrab soup. Both were delicious. For the main course we had the fried catfish with mash potatoes. The fish was good but the mash potatoes taste like something out of a box. We also had the broiled crab cakes and Brussel sprouts. The crab cakes were meaty and delicious- not breaded at all. I Love Brussel sprouts but not these. They use some kind of sweet sauce which I was not a fan.

Overall, it was a great dinner. The atmosphere is really quaint and great for a date night. There is so much in the menu to choose from so we will definitely go back.

I'm from Louisiana and, in my own kitchen, specialize in Cajun/Creole food. RT's is the best New Orleans restaurant outside New Orleans. I just wish they would do a complete redecoration and make it look like Galatoire's or Antoine's.

Anytime I visit D.C. I always, always have a meal at RT’s. In the 25 years I have been dining there, I’ve never been disappointed. This could be due to the large amount of butter involved in many of the dishes but, hey, whatever works. My favorite dish is the pecan crusted chicken topped with shrimp and a mustard creole sauce - OMG!

The reataurant sits in a busy neighborhood but free parking is available a short walk away. We showed up early for our 630 reservation and were seated immediately. The food was nice and hot but not overly spicy, I had smothered catfish and my girlfriend had the shrimp and crawfish etoufee. Both were easily made better with the addition of hot sauce. The only thing that was missing from a great Cajun/Creole dining experience was beingets for dessert. They really should add a dessert beignets to the menu. But definitely worth a second visit.

Very mediocre "Louisiana" cuisine. If you are hoping to get comparable taste and aroma, you may be quite disappointed. The gumbo was an average copy of the real thing and the Cajun trout tasted mushy.
Chad our server was competent and friendly.
Do not order the Cajun Martini unless you just want a Bloody Mary in a martini glass.
All in all, not what it's advertised/presented to be. Folks from the Bayou state may say that the food here does not accurately reflect the real deal.

Great food as always with an unbelievable selection! Service was also excellent!

Great food. Very consistent. Have been eating here since it opened.

A wonderful seafood menu and comfortable setting - one of our long time favorite places for getting together on special occasions

Great experience, food was delicious and the service was attentive.

We are great lovers of Cajun food, and we've tried several in the surrounding areas and found all of them to be Cajun "wannabe's". What an absolute delight to find the real thing and we didn't have to drive to Louisiana to get it. We will now be regulars to partake of this delicious food, great service, and New Orleans atmosphere.

Everything on the menu is great, including the desserts! Highly recommended.

Great food and great service.

This is the third time at RT's and we've enjoyed each one. Thank you.

Always a pleasure to go to RTs on FatTuesdays. The shrimp and crab etouffee and she crab soup are the closet things to New Orleans.

Perfect for Mardi Gras

My husband and I dined at RT’s Restaurant to celebrate Mardi Gras this evening. We enjoyed both the crawfish etouffee and the seafood etouffee per the occasion. The apple, blue cheese and arugula salad and brussel sprouts were also quite good. The service was excellent from the host to the friendly waitstaff who were polite and smiled throughout our dining experience. Our order was taken as soon as we were ready and everything came out in a quick orderly pace - drinks, salad, appetizer, and entrees. We were then each treated to a complementary slice of King Cake! No Baby Jesus was found in our slices, but we still felt blessed to have had a great experience 🙂

Best Cajun and Creole cuisine in the greater DC area! Try the "Corpse Reviver" cocktail and the smothered catfish!

My first time at RT. Everything was perfect! Can't wait to go again.

My daughter and I greatly enjoyed dinner. The food was excellent; the serevice friendly and efficient; and the ambience comfortable. I considered the meal to be excellent value.

Excellent as always.

We dine at RTs almost once a month. We almost always have the scallops wrapped in bacon as an appetizer because they are perfectly cooked and sit in a bed of fried onions and cane syrup. Seriously great! My BF always has the crabcakes, sauteed, with a side of asparagus with hollandaise sauce. I LOVE their crab and shrimp etouffee because it is so delicious and there are serious hunks of crabmeat in it. BUT, this last week I had Death by Gumbo. Perfectly seasoned -- spicy -- with LOTS of seafood and sausage. The serving was so big, I took half home for lunch the next day. I was bad and had Melvin's coconut cake for dessert. It is CRAZY good! The service is friendly and impeccable. Make a reservation as the place is popular with neighborhood folks and foodies alike. GO TO RTs!

I've been going to RT's for over 25 years and I've never had a bad meal there. I stick with the Cajun entrees, although the crabcakes are really good, too. They also have an excellent wine list, with lots of options by the glass.

Our server took very good care of us and even made sure to split a few dishes since he knew we were sharing. We really appreciated that extra effort. The food was delicious, especially the gumbo!