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Alexandria Restaurant Week 2026

The Mom's Guide to Restaurant Week

75+ restaurants. 10 days. A lot of menus.
Here's the part you actually need.






Don't start with the restaurant.
Start with the kind of dining experience you want to have.


DATE NIGHT | 1799 Prime • Ada's on the River • Bastille Brasserie & Bar • Josephine • The Majestic • Thompson Italian

BRING THE KIDS | Del Ray Café • Holy Cow • Lena's Wood-Fired • Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar • rf • Sweet Fire Donna'sf

WATERFRONT | Ada's on the River • BARCA Pier & Wine Bar • Blackwall Hitch • Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge • The Wharf

ZERO CHILDCARE | Cooper Mill • Foster's Grille • Junction Bakery & Bistro • Market 2 Market • St. Elmo's Old Town North, Fairlington & Del Ray

STAY UNDER $40 | Augie's Mussel House • Bollywood Masala • Bugsy's Pizza • Cafe Pizzaiolo • City Kitchen

TRY SOMETHING NEW | Little Birdy • Umiya Sushi • Pak Soii Izakaya & Bar • Dok Khao Thai Eatery

THE ALX MOM FORMULA | What kind of night are you having? → What's your budget? → What neighborhood do you want to visit? → What's your energy level? → Book it.


Restaurant Week runs August 14–23 with prix-fixe dinner menus at $35, $45 or $55 per person, plus additional fast-casual offers.



You don't need another giant restaurant list.

You've probably already seen one.

And if you're anything like me, you open it, start comparing menus, scroll through reviews... and suddenly 20 minutes have disappeared.

So I did the sorting for you.

Think of this as your Restaurant Week shortcut.


Skip the endless scrolling. Start with what actually matters.


Then pick a restaurant and call it a plan.



The ALX Mom Forumla.


01 - What kind of night are you having?

Kids in tow / date night / girls' night / solo dinner / family night


02 - What's your budget?

Stay under $35 / $45 dinner / $55 splurge


03 - Where neighborhood do you want to visit?

Old Town / Del Ray / Waterfront / West End / Carlyle


04 - How much energy do you have?

Let's make a night of it → cocktails, dinner + dessert

Keep it easy → good food, no overthinking

Please just feed everyone → casual, family-friendly and done


05 - Book it.

That's it. You do not need to scroll through 75+ restaurants to find the one that's right for tonight.


Start with your night. I'll help you find the restaurant.



Start Here.



For the mom who needs a date night.

You have a few precious hours.
Make them count.


MOM HACK

Make the reservation before you make the plan.


When your childcare window is short, don’t leave dinner to chance. Pick the restaurant, lock in the reservation, then build the rest of your night around it — even if that means a quick cocktail before dinner or dessert somewhere nearby. A few precious hours deserve a little planning.



For the mom who wants to bring the kids.

Whether you're on the hunt for a family night out or if the sitter fell through.

Either way,

Restaurant Week still works.


MOM HACK

Don’t overthink the “family-friendly” label.


For Restaurant Week, look for pizza, pasta, shareable plates and broad menus — the kind of places where you can order something familiar for the kids and still feel like you’re actually having a nice dinner out. And if the sitter falls through? Consider it a family night.



For the mom who wants dinner to be part of the outing.

Don't just pick a restaurant. Pick the whole mini-adventure.

PIZZA + PLAY

Dinner → playground → home.


DINNER + THE WATERFRONT

Dinner → boats → walk → home.


DEL RAY FAMILY NIGHT

Dinner → Mount Vernon Ave → treat → home.


EASY DINNER WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY OUT


MOM HACK

Make dinner the middle of the adventure, not the whole plan.


Pick a restaurant near something you were already going to do—or somewhere with an easy next stop. A playground, waterfront walk or quick treat turns “we’re going out to dinner” into an actual family outing, without adding another complicated activity to the calendar.



For the mom who has zero childcare.

You don't have to wait until dinner.

Make it a daytime mommy & me date or a mom date.


MOM HACK

No sitter? No problem. Make it a daytime date instead. You’ll still get the fun of trying somewhere new — just with your little one in tow, and home before the dinner rush (and bedtime).



For the mom who wants the waterfront.

Dinner with a view & a reason to stay out a little longer.

  • Ada's on the River | Polished waterfront dining with a little special-occasion feel.

  • BARCA Pier & Wine Bar | Waterfront views, Spanish-inspired small plates and a more relaxed vibe.

  • Blackwall Hitch | A spacious waterfront setting with a broad menu and plenty of options for a group.

  • Jula's on the Potomac | Contemporary dining with Potomac River views and a more elevated feel.

  • The Wharf | Classic Old Town establishment with seafood just steps away from the waterfront.

  • Vola's Dockside Grill & Hi-Tide Lounge | Lively dockside dining with a casual feel and a front-row seat to the waterfront.

  • Thompson Italian | Casual Italian on King Street with pasta, pizza and an easy transition to the waterfront afterward.


MOM HACK

Pick a waterfront spot where you can linger over dinner, then leave room for a walk along the river, a quick drink or dessert nearby.


The view is part of the experience — you don't need to add another activity to make the night feel special.



For the mom who wants to try something new.

Restaurant Week is the perfect excuse to finally try the place you've been saving on Insta.

A few newer or less-familiar names worth putting on your radar.

  • Dok Khao Thai Eatery | A fresh Thai option.

  • Kiln | An elevated Indian restaurant with a more modern feel.

  • LaPluma Coffee & Wine Bar | Coffee by day, wine and food when you're ready to stay awhile.

  • Pak Soii Izakaya & Bar | newer Del Ray option bringing Japanese-inspired small plates, drinks and a more energetic dinner vibe to Mount Vernon Avenue.

  • Rus Uz | A chance to try Russian-Uzbek-inspired cuisine and get outside your usual restaurant rotation.

  • The Loft at Lena's – Havana 151 | Latin-inspired food, cocktails and a lively atmosphere upstairs at Lena's.

  • The Study | An intimate Old Town option with a more elevated, tucked-away feel.

  • Trademark | A modern American option with a polished atmosphere that still feels approachable.

  • Umiya Sushi | A new-to-Restaurant Week sushi option for when you want something beyond the usual Old Town dinner rotation.


MOM HACK

You don't have to find Alexandria's next best restaurant.

Just pick one you've never tried before.



For the mom who wants to stay under $40.

Restaurant Week doesn't have to mean $55 dinner.

There are plenty of $35 prix-fixe options - including pizza, pasta, Indian, Mexican, Asian, and neighborhood favorites.

PIZZA & ITALIAN


INDIAN & SOUTH ASIAN

ASIAN

  • Indochen | A fun mix of Indian and Chinese flavors when you want something different.

  • Kisso Asian Bistro | Sushi and Asian favorites in a casual, easygoing setting.

  • Sake Japanese Steakhouse | Hibachi-style dining makes dinner feel like an activity, too.

  • Taste of Asia | Broad Asian menu when your table can't agree on what sounds good.


MEXICAN

  • Urbano 116 | Mexican food, margaritas and a lively Old Town setting.


MEDITERRANEAN & SEAFOOD


PUBS & AMERICAN

  • City Kitchen | A casual West End option with something for everyone.

  • Daniel O'Connell's | Classic Irish pub atmosphere, hearty food and a laid-back night out.

  • Mason Social | Neighborhood restaurant with a lively atmosphere and approachable menu.

  • Murphy's Irish Pub | Old Town classic with hearty pub fare and a relaxed atmosphere.

  • Ramparts Tavern & Grill | Classic neighborhood tavern with burgers, sandwiches and comfort food.

  • RT's Restaurant | A longtime Alexandria favorite known for Creole and Cajun-inspired dishes.

  • T.J. Stone's | Casual American food, burgers and a lively neighborhood atmosphere.

  • Union Street Public House | Classic Old Town pub atmosphere with a broad American menu.R


MOM HACK

$35 doesn't mean you have to settle. Start with the restaurants where the menu already sounds like something you'd actually order — then check what's included in the prix-fixe before booking.



For the mom who wants to splurge a little.

This is perfect opportunity to make date night happen and explore one of Restaurant Week's $55 dinner options.

If you're going to get childcare, put on real clothes and leave the house, you might as well pick somewhere that feels worth it.

STEAK & SPECIAL OCCASION

  • 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood | Upscale steakhouse energy.

  • The Majestic | Polished but approachable, with a classic Old Town feel.

  • The Study | An intimate Old Town option with a more elevated, tucked-away feel.

  • Trademark | A modern American option with a polished atmosphere that still feels approachable.

  • Vermilion | A longtime Old Town favorite with an intimate setting and a more refined dinner feel.


ITALIAN & MEDITERRANEAN


FRENCH


SEAFOOD & WATERFRONT


JAPANESE & ASIAN

  • Kiln | An elevated Indian restaurant with a more modern feel.

  • Pak Soii Izakaya & Bar | A newer Del Ray option bringing Japanese-inspired small plates, drinks and a more energetic dinner vibe to Mount Vernon Avenue.

  • Umiya Sushi | A new-to-Restaurant Week sushi option for when you want something beyond the usual Old Town dinner rotation.


INDIAN & GLOBAL

  • Rus Uz | A chance to try Russian-Uzbek-inspired cuisine and get outside your usual restaurant rotation.

  • Dok Khao Thai Eatery | A fresh Thai option with flavorful dishes & a casual atmosphere.


AMERICAN & NEW AMERICAN

  • Elaine's | A polished neighborhood option that works when you want something elevated.

  • The Warehouse | Classic Old Town atmosphere with a menu that makes it easy to settle in for a longer dinner.

  • Ted's Montana Grill | A comfortable, classic American option with a little more room to relax.


MOM HACK

If you're going to splurge, splurge on the experience — not just the price tag.


Look for the restaurant where the food, atmosphere, location and overall night actually feel worth the babysitter.



For the mom who wants the middle ground.

Not quite casual, not quite a splurge.

ITALIAN


FRENCH & FRENCH-INSPIRED

  • Bastille Brasserie & Bar | A polished French brasserie serving seasonal classics, steak frites and mussels.

  • Del Ray Café | A cozy neighborhood café with French-inspired dishes and a charming, homey feel.


CHEESE, WINE & SMALL PLATES

  • Cheesetique | A cheese lover’s dream with creative comfort food, wine and plenty of shareable bites.

  • LaPluma Coffee & Wine Bar | A cozy wine-bar setting for small plates, drinks and an easy night out.


INDIAN


AMERICAN, SOUTHERN & COMFORT FOOD

  • Evening Star Café | A Del Ray neighborhood gem with seasonal American fare, great drinks and a laid-back vibe.

  • Founding Farmers Alexandria | Scratch-made American comfort food with something for everyone at the table.

  • King & Rye | Southern-inspired cooking with seasonal ingredients and a polished-but-comfortable feel.

  • Matt & Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar | Lively all-day American fare with brunch favorites, sandwiches, salads and easy crowd-pleasers.

  • Northside 10 | A casual neighborhood spot serving hearty American fare, drinks and plenty of comfort-food favorites.

  • Theismann’s Restaurant & Bar | A classic Old Town sports-bar-meets-restaurant option with American favorites and a lively atmosphere.


GREEK & MEDITERRANEAN

  • Delia’s | A casual neighborhood spot known for its Greek and American comfort food, generous portions and laid-back, family-friendly feel.

  • Taverna Cretekou | A longtime Old Town favorite for traditional Greek cooking and classic taverna hospitality.

  • Royal Restaurant | A casual Alexandria staple serving Greek and Mediterranean favorites with a neighborhood feel.


MOM HACK

Dinner out with kids? Look for the restaurants where you can order a little something for everyone.


The $45 spots aren’t just for date night — many have broad menus, shareable plates and familiar favorites, making them an easy pick when the whole family can’t agree on what to eat.



Let's Go Eat.

Restaurant Week does not need to become another thing on your to-do list.


You don't need to try every restaurant. You don't need to find the perfect menu. And you definitely don't need to spend an hour comparing 75+ options.


Pick your night. Pick your budget. Pick your neighborhood. Then book it.


Whether you're squeezing in a date night, meeting a friend, bringing the kids along or just really want someone else to make dinner for you — there's a table waiting.


Now close the tabs, make the reservation and go enjoy what Alexandria Restaurant Week has to offer.


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