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Vacation is the perfect time to let a little loose on the diet and indulge in some delicious food. If you’re planning a trip to Alexandria, Virginia, here are five restaurants you must add to your eating itinerary.
King and Rye
If you are headed to Virginia, you should absolutely visit charming Alexandria. Among some of the best King Street, Alexandria restaurants sits King and Rye, an elegant eatery dedicated to bringing the heart and soul of Southern comfort food to its patrons. With an extensive whiskey lineup thoughtfully curated to pair with the menu, King and Rye is the perfect place to unwind and recharge after a day exploring the historic Old Town district. Dishes feature hand-selected ingredients from the local farmer’s market and sourced from local butchers, farmers, and makers. In addition to supporting the local community, King and Rye also emphasizes freshness, a fact evident in its seasonally changing restaurant menu. This is one of the restaurants on King Street in Alexandria, VA where the food is inspired and the hospitality is warm.
Hard Times Cafe
There can never be enough chili. Especially not at Hard Times Cafe. Using a method of preparation passed down from chuck wagon cooks of the 1800s and inspired by the American chili parlors of the Great Depression, Hard Times Cafe pays homage to some of the oldest American culinary traditions. Despite being voted one of USA Today’s 10 Best Places in the Country for a Bowl of Chili, Hard Times doesn’t limit its chili to bowls. The chili-centered menu features chili-smothered cornbread, chili taters – even chili over spaghetti! Stop by on open mic Tuesdays and enjoy dinner and a show.
The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm overlooks the Potomac River and is one of the first farm-to-table restaurants in the US. The fields are quite literally the chef’s pantry: when customers sit down to a meal, they’re eating food that was picked by the farmer that same day. Sustainability is a key part of the restaurant’s approach to food, so reservations are required. This allows the staff to only pick as many ingredients as necessary to make the day’s meals, encourages less waste, and promotes mindful food preparation. The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm also supports other local producers who provide ingredients not grown or raised on the farm. When you dig into a meal at Patowmack Farm, you’re eating the collective creation of a community of growers.
Thompson Italian
A true family restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia, Thompson Italian is the perfect place to gather for a great meal in a warm and welcoming place. Reservations are required for seating at the dining room and patio tables, but the bar is always available for spur-of-the-moment drop-ins. Want to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal from the comfort of your home? Thompson Italian offers meals to cook at home with detailed heating instructions and supper trays for pickup. From the main course to dessert, at home or seated in the restaurant, Thompson Italian has you covered.
Omar’s Carriage House
Built in the early 1840s, Omar’s Carriage House is a historic site in Norfolk, Virginia where patrons can take in a historical location over a delicious meal. The Carriage House has seen a number of different culinary traditions through the years, first as a tea house, then a night spot, and finally returned to its original menu featuring aged, seasoned beef and fresh seafood in 1998. For a truly unforgettable dining experience, stop by on Moroccan Mondays and enjoy the traditional flavors of North Africa in Virginia.
Unique restaurants have carved out their own special place in Virginia. Use this guide as a good starting point on your adventures and explore the many exciting dining experiences the state has to offer.
