Welcome to the last post in my Old Town Alexandria mini-series! This incredible little gem right outside of Washington, D.C. is packed with charm, activities, and amazing local eateries! I was absolutely shocked to discover how much there was to do in a single weekend, and I know we barely scratched the surface!
Today, I’d like to take you on one final tour of Old Town Alexandria: a foodie tour!
We hit a different unique restaurant for every meal during our 3-day excursion, and each of them hit the spot with flavor, style, and atmosphere. Check out my top 5 recommendations below, and be sure to try them out for yourself the next time you’re in Alexandria!
Breakfast & Brunch in Old Town Alexandria
The Majestic
Step back in time and dine in 1930’s style at The Majestic Cafe on King Street. Despite several renovations, this charming restaurant has still preserved much of its original flair, including the decorative tin ceiling and terrazzo floor. The vintage style is accentuated even further by the old-time music playing overhead, taking you right back to simpler days.
The atmosphere is cozy and warm, with a long line of deep red booths lining one side and small tables on the other leading toward the open display kitchen in the back. At the front, a handful of pub-height tables lined up along the bar offer window views onto bustling King Street.
The interior has kept its 1930s feel 
Check out this tasty brunch menu!
The Majestic offers both brunch and dinner with a wide selection of tasty treats, from charcuterie boards to the Majestic Burger. Sadly, I can only attest to the incredible flavors of the brunch menu (I plan to fix this problem soon!). The monkey bread with house-made brioche-challah bread was absolutely heavenly and could have fed two. Likewise, the pecan smoked bacon, spinach and feta quiche, and parfait with orange blossom honey were all mouth-watering treats!
Next time I’m in Old Town, The Majestic will be the first on my list of restaurants to revisit!
Cafe du Soleil
Tucked away on South Union Street, right by the Potomac River, Cafe du Soleil offers a welcoming atmosphere on even the rainiest of days. This quaint family-owned coffee shop specializes in fair trade coffee and yummy French-inspired dishes like crepes and croques.
The cafe’s interior is rustic and simple, with brick walls, exposed wooden beams, and a split dining area. However, it still manages to embrace an open feel and welcome plenty of sunlight. (It is named the cafe of the sun!) Each half of the coffee shop is separated from the entrance hallway by a wooden wall topped with a tall bank of windows. Bar-height stools and counters run the length of these windows, offering a unique spot to sip coffee and try both sweet and savory crepes, while lower benches and tables line the brick walls.
If you’re looking for a snug cafe for your morning (or afternoon) refresh, Cafe du Soleil is a prime spot. The coffee is delicious, and the selection of fresh-made treats is fantastic! Besides the french-inspired specialties, the cafe also offers quiches, salads, sandwiches, and specialty toasts. Yum!
Toastique
If you’re a fan of oatmeal bowls, breakfast smoothies, and juice, Toastique is the perfect spot for you. Located on King Street, right across from the Kimpton Lorien, Toastique offers an impressive selection of gourmet breakfast and brunch treats in a chic setting.
Toastique is a relatively new addition to the Old Town scene, with this location opening in 2019. The entire franchise began not long ago (2018) but has rapidly gained popularity in the area. It’s one of only four locations (three of which are in the Alexandria/D.C. area), and it carries that upscale boutique-style feel that sets it apart from your average breakfast cafe.
While small, this little juice bar feels bright and airy with bright white walls accented by wooden beams and panels, windows all along the front wall, and minimalist seating. The cafe is tied together with a simplified green and white map of Old Town, embellished with Toastiques cute and quirky emblem.
Everything on the menu is designed to give you a healthy, energized start to the day. All the ingredients are fresh, responsibly sourced, and creatively combined. They even have juice “shots” for sale in small bottles for future pick-me-ups.
While we couldn’t even come close to trying everything on the menu, we highly enjoyed the Gingerberry Smoothie, PB+B Bowl, and coffee. We also tried a Refresh energy shot, which was made with cold-pressed lime, ginger, and blue Majik juices. It had a powerful taste but definitely provided a shocking wake-up effect!
Lunch & Dinner in Old Town Alexandria
Brabo Brasserie
If you’re looking for a fine dining experience, Brabo Brasserie should be at the top of your list! Located within the Kimpton Lorien Hotel, Brabo offers an upscale selection of French dishes made with local ingredients.
The atmosphere is intimate and refined, with plush seating, wooden floors softened by ornate rugs, and minimalist decor. Those sitting along the wall will also enjoy window views facing Old Town’s quaint King Street or the Kimpton’s upscale courtyard and clocktower. The meal presentation follows suit with carefully arranged portions and aesthetically pleasing garnishes.
While on the higher end of pricing, the food is absolutely delicious and comes in large servings. We thoroughly enjoyed a birthday celebration at Brabo with a warm French baguette, a packed cheese plate, duck breast, Parisienne gnocchi, and French macarons. Everything was tasty, fresh, and utterly satisfying!
The duck breast was incredibly tender 
We finished off our meal with macarons–my favorite!
Theismann’s Restaurant
For those who prefer a more casual American dining experience, Theismann’s Restaurant is hard to beat! This unique restaurant is an “upscale pub experience,” with an atmosphere where a sports bar meets fine dining.
Outside, guests can dine on the cozy restaurant patio tucked right along the brick sidewalk of Diagonal Road. It’s the perfect spot for people-watching and enjoying a meal with your furry friend, as it’s dog-friendly. Inside, diners can relax in tufted booths, at square tables with sleek, low-profile chairs, or along the lengthy bar in pub-height stools. Sports decor and a plethora of TVs along the walls bring in that sports-bar feel, but deep wood paneling, tin ceilings, giant windows, and elegant lighting provide an upscale touch. It’s a unique experience but a welcoming one.
The menu is full of classic bar & grill fares like burgers, chili fries, and wings, but it also throws in some more elevated fare like a 45-day aged filet mignon and Maryland blue crab cakes. If you’re looking for comfort food, I highly recommend the soft pretzels and cheese and the bacon-cheddar burger. And if your meal doesn’t come with fries, get some! Theismann’s delicious take on skin-on fries is positively mouthwatering!
Sadly, I didn’t have room for dessert (I had half a burger left over because it has enormous!), but the apple crumble and peanut butter pie come highly recommended as well!
Bonus: Dessert in Alexandria
If you want a quick sweet fix while you’re out and about, check out Alexandria Cupcake! This cute little shop is located on King Sreet on the bottom floor of a row house. It’s a cute block with brightly painted blue and green buildings and fancy trimmings.
The cupcake selection was fantastic and the presentation was so cute. Most importantly, they tasted delightful!
Which one of these has your mouth watering? I can’t wait to get back and try a few of these again, along with some new unique local treats.
If you’ve eaten at any of these before and have additional menu recommendations, please drop them below to help others who may visit in the future!
I hope you enjoyed this foodie tour through Old Town Alexandria! If so, be sure to save and share this post so others can, too!
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I hope to see you back here in the weeks ahead! We’re both fully vaccinated, so we have some exciting adventure coming up in California, Florida, and who knows where else! We have to make up for lost time, right?
Thanks again for stopping by, and I hope you have an amazing day.
Happy travels!
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