Peruse mouthwatering menus at more than two dozen new restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia, located just outside of D.C. Keep reading for new and coming-soon concepts, from cafes to buffets and beyond, in neighborhoods throughout the city, including Old Town, Del Ray, Carlyle and Eisenhower and the West End. Check individual businesses for the latest updates.
Riverside Restaurants
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Alexandria’s waterfront welcomes a wave of exciting new spots to eat, drink and unwind—whether you’re craving historic charm, the perfect slice or sunset cocktails.
Open Now:
Cooper Mill: With its grand opening celebration in February 2025, Cooper Mill transformed one of Old Town’s last waterfront warehouses into a market, tavern and private event space. Pop by the market for convenient breakfast foods, sandwiches and beverages or grab a seat in the tavern to enjoy pizza and other tavern fare.
Catboat Pizza Bar: Reopening in spring 2025 for its second season, Catboat Pizza Bar offers pizza slices, sandwiches, a rotating wine and beer selection and other snacks. Grab a slice to go and set up a picnic along the water.
The Pier Bar: Also reopening in spring 2025 for its second season is The Pier Bar. Have a drink, listen to live music and catch a sunset at this riverside bar nestled alongside tall ship Providence which offers dockside tours and cruises along the Potomac during the warmer months.
Buzzworthy Beans
Alexandria’s coffee scene is brewing up some new offerings, with new cafés and bakeries serving up fresh coffee, delicious pastries and inviting spaces to relax and recharge.
Coming Soon:
Mudhouse Coffee: Launched as a coffee cart more than 20 years ago, Mudhouse Coffee has grown into several brick-and-mortar locations, with one coming soon to Old Town Alexandria.
Sharbat Bakery and Café: Find a variety of bakery options at Sharbat Bakery and Café, coming soon to Old Town. This women-owned, immigrant family business offers made-from-scratch sweet and savory pastries and all-day breakfast items.
Café du Soleil: Café du Soleil will soon open its second Old Town location. Stop by in the morning or the afternoon, as this spot serves up coffee, French-inspired dishes and beer and wine.
Baku Delicious: An art café serving freshly baked pastries, coffee and teas is coming soon to Old Town. This will be the second Baku Delicious location; the original in Fairfax County has been running since 2016.
Open Now:
Hypergoat Cafe: Alexandria-based Hypergoat Coffee Roasters opened its first coffee shop, Hypergoat Cafe, in Old Town in August 2024. At Hypergoat Cafe, sip on specialty coffee roasted in-house while relaxing inside the historic building or lounging outside in its dog-friendly space.
Ben’YaYs: Indulge in authentic, fresh and warm Louisiana-style beignets at Ben’YaYs. For a perfect pairing, grab a cup of Ben’YaYs’ freshly roasted coffee. Open since May 2024.
Paris Baguette: French-inspired bakery café chain Paris Baguette opened in December 2024 in Alexandria’s West End.
New to Old Town
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Old Town Alexandria’s dining scene keeps getting better, with new and upcoming restaurants, bars and sweet spots offering inviting spaces to gather, sip and savor.
Coming Soon:
Continues Arcade: Continues Arcade, Bar and Restaurant is coming to Old Town this spring. The restaurant of this retro gaming and entertainment space will be run by D.C. celebrity restauranteur and Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelssohn.
The Parlour and Madame Coco’s Chocolates: Opening in February 2025, The Parlour and Madame Coco’s Chocolates will delight guests with creative craft cocktails, coffee and chocolate.
Pizzeria Paradiso: In March 2025, Pizzeria Paradiso will return to Alexandria, popping up in Old Town North and offering Neapolitan pizzas and more for pick-up and delivery.
Pupatella: A household name for Neapolitan pizza throughout the region, Pupatella is coming soon to Old Town North.
Eclairons: French and Lebanese pastry shop Eclairons, with an existing Arlington location, plans to set up shop in Old Town.
Greenhouse Juice: Looking for something quick and nutritious? Featuring prepared salads and cold-pressed juices, Greenheart Juice Shop is coming soon to Old Town.
Open Now:
Mystic Bar & Grill: Open since April 2024, Mystic Bar & Grill offers a diverse southern-inspired menu. Don’t forget the bananas foster bread pudding for dessert!
Frankie’s Kitchen and Cocktail Bar: Enjoy craft cocktails, flavorful wood-fired pizzas, and a relaxed, welcoming ambiance at Frankie’s Kitchen & Cocktail Bar, open since April 2024.
Valletta Port: Open since January 2025 in Old Town North, Valletta Port is a Mediterranean restaurant, wine bar and café.
Thanida Thai Restaurant and Bar: Find Thai traditional dishes plus street food at Thanida Thai Restaurant and Bar. Here, recipes come from the owner’s father, who moved to the area 40 years ago to work as a chef.
Lil’ Creamery: Have a sweet tooth? Pop by Lil’ Creamery in Old Town North for some delicious ice cream, open since May 2024.
Potomac Yard Eateries
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Find new favorites along Richmond Highway across from Potomac Yard and steps from the newly opened Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.
Coming Soon:
Founding Farmers: Coming in March 2025, regional favorite Founding Farmers will bring its sustainable food and drink menu to the new Oakville Triangle development.
Dok Khao Thai Eatery: Also opening in Oakville Triangle is Dok Khao, a destination for Thai street food with locations in Woodbridge and Columbia, Maryland.
Open Now:
Omar’s Pita & Platters: Located in a charming standalone outpost across from Potomac Yard, Omar’s Pita & Platters is a family-run operation serving halal takeout to satisfy your cravings.
The Big Greek Café: Open since early 2025, the Alexandria location of The Big Greek Café promises Mediterranean fare “just like yia yia used to make.”
Hotel Dining
Alexandria’s newest hotels have added dining amenities to sweeten your stay.
Coming Soon:
HomeGrown: A Daytime Eatery: Opening in spring 2025 inside King Street’s Archer Old Town Alexandria, an independent and innovative daytime eatery will feature breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
Open Now:
AKB: Duck into AKB, Archer Old Town Alexandria’s cozy bar and gathering spot offering hand-crafted cocktails and sharable plates since late 2024.
Francis Hall: This sophisticated bar opened inside Hotel Heron in October 2024. At Francis Hall, choose a craft cocktail or glass of wine from the menu or opt for the “dealer’s choice” and receive something special from the bartender.
Brews and Bites
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Alexandria’s beer garden and tasting rooms have brought in top-tier dining to pair with your pints.
Open Now:
Le Jardin Beer Garden: Outside Del Ray’s Gustave Boulangerie, Le Jardin is a delightful new watering hole open since spring 2024 with plentiful outdoor seating to sip and savor eats alongside friends.
La Tingeria at Port City: In the West End, award-winning craft brewery Port City Brewing Company brought on locally-based taqueria La Tingeria as its first permanent food vendor last fall. Now, in addition to pints, tasting flights, growler fills and brewery tours, patrons can enjoy delicious tacos, tostados and more.
Andy’s Pizza/Atlas: Alexandria’s newest brewery and taproom, Atlas Brew Works, opened in the Carlyle neighborhood in June 2024. The taproom features fifteen taps, a dozen TVs and pizza and wings from Andy’s Pizza. This is the first Northern Virginia location for Atlas, which has two additional locations in Washington D.C.
…Hungry for More?
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But wait, there’s more! Discover new eateries in Del Ray and fresh global cuisines around the city.
Coming Soon:
HoneymoonChicken: Build-your-own buckets from Honeymoon Chicken will soon be available in Alexandria, as a Carlyle Crossing location is expected to open by early 2026.
Yami Buffet: Expected to arrive in Alexandria’s West End in 2025, Yami Buffet is set to serve up a feast of Japanese and pan-Asian dishes.
Salad Topia: Also in the works in Del Ray, Salad Topia would bring colorful, veggie-filled concoctions to Mount Vernon Avenue…plus a French toast food truck in the back!
Open Now:
Shorty’s Deluxe: Your new go-to lunch spot has arrived! Open on Mount Vernon Avenue since early 2025, Shorty’s Deluxe serves up craft sandwiches on fresh baked bread and combos galore.
Como En Casa: Since spring 2024, Como En Casa has brought Honduran flavors to the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood.
Read more about what’s new in Alexandria in 2025 here.
Header Image Credits, left to right: Hotel Heron (KILN); David Colman (Cooper Mill)
Table of Contents Image: Zachary Gawthorp Photography (Francis Hall)