Gadsby's Tavern
This historic restaurant, located just off King Street, Old Town's main thoroughfare, has served locals and visitors since the 1770s. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, the Marquis de Lafayette and even George Washington visited the tavern. Gadsby's serves traditional American cuisine. Its signature items include George Washington's Favorite--a dish consisting of grilled breast of duck, corn pudding, scalloped potatoes and red cabbage rhotekraut--and Gentleman's Pye--a lamb and beef-filled pie topped with whipped potatoes and a flaky crust. The restaurant serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every day of the week.
Gadsby's Tavern
138 N. Royal St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-5324
gadsbystavernrestaurant.com
The Majestic
John Gadonas opened this Old Town institution in 1932 and moved it to the building it has occupied since 1949. Gadonas turned the Majestic's building into an art deco masterpiece, and although the restaurant ownership has changed hands a couple of times, it's retained its art deco facade and interior. The Majestic serves new southern cuisine and its menu features local, seasonal produce. Choose from a well-curated selection of entrees, including Majestic Seafood Chowder--a rich and creamy chowder with shellfish, hake, white wine, potatoes, fennel, celery and carrots--and Coco'a Vin--a modern take on a traditional coq-au-vin with onions, mushrooms, lentils and cocoa. Or come for Nana's Sunday Dinner, a three-course, prix fixe Sunday special that changes from month to month. The Majestic serves lunch Monday through Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5:30 to 10:30 Friday and Saturday and 1 to 9 Sunday.
The Majestic
911 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-837-9117
majesticcafe.com
The Wharf
This popular seafood and chop house, open since 1971, occupies a building that dates from 1790. The restaurant retains much of the original interior, including wood columns and support beams that were charred by fire during the Civil War. Diners looking for a hearty portion of seafood should try the jumbo Norfolk combination, which includes jumbo shrimp, jumbo lump crab meat and lobster meat. Those who want some steak with their seafood will find a number of surf and turf options, all of which feature a 6 oz. filet mignon steak along with a seafood item. A side of sauteed spinach topped with Parmesan cheese will round out the meal. The Wharf serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and dinner from 4 to 10:30 on weeknights, 4 to 11 on weekend nights and 3 to 10 on Sundays.
The Wharf
119 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-2836
wharfrestaurant.com
