Alexandria residents and visitors alike have a vast array of restaurants to choose from, including eateries that might get overlooked — at local hotels.
If you think they’re only for tourists, think again. Beautiful views, rave reviews, patio dining in warmer weather....we're excited to stop by and try one of these spots this spring. Act like you’re on vacation and drop into one of the city’s hotel restaurants during this cherry blossom season!
Image courtesy of Aparium Hotel Group
Hotel Heron rendering
Kiln Restaurant at Hotel Heron, 699 Prince St.
Kiln is the flagship restaurant for the new Hotel Heron opening soon in Alexandria. The name gets its name from an open hearth in the eatery. The all-day restaurant will feature beloved classics “skillfully reimagined with a contemporary twist, as well as locally inspired dishes that celebrate the best of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond.”
Dishes will be “infused with open flame, smoke and char over the embers of the open-hearth grill.” Hours at the new restaurant will be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The hotel, located at 699 Prince St., was occupied by the George Mason Hotel from 1926 to 1971 and was most recently used as office space. The 134- room hotel, part of the Aparium Hotel Group, will also include a rooftop bar in addition to Kiln, which will be located on the ground floor. For more information call (703) 662-1900.
EAGH Alexandria
AKA Hotel
A. Lounge at Hotel AKA Alexandria, 625 First St.
At Hotel AKA Alexandria, you’ll find A. Lounge, offering a menu of classic and signature bites, wines and light bites. The A. Lounge offers a happy hour each day from 5-7 p.m. Hours of the lounge are Sunday-Wednesday, 5-10 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday, 5-11 p.m. The 180-room hotel, which opened last year, was designed by Pierro Lissoni of Lissoni New York.
Decor includes artwork by photographer and artist Sabine Pigalle. An eye-popping circular bar is highlighted by large cloud light sculpture designed by Frank Gehry.
Hummingbird at Hotel Indigo, 220 S. Union St.
Owned by Alexandrians Meshelle and Cathal Armstrong, Hummingbird Bar
and Kitchen is a waterfront indoor/outdoor eatery at Hotel Indigo, 220 S. Union St. Start with the Southern Fried Oysters with Shishito (a sometimes-hot East Asian pepper) tartar sauce. Try the signature Hummingbird cake, a Southern-style pineapple and banana cake with pecans, rum glaze and cream cheese frosting.
King & Rye at The Alexandrian, 480 King St.
At King & Rye, whiskey connoisseurs can enhance the dining experience at
this centrally located restaurant near Market Square in Old Town. A family-style dinner with a fixed price of $95 per person, pairs four whiskeys with biscuits, a starter, an entree and dessert. Keep an eye out for King & Rye’s fun “yappy hours” on the patio behind the restaurant, where you can bring your pup and enjoy treats and libations for you and your pooch.
Like many locations in Alexandria, there is interesting history to be found here. The hotel is where the first Union soldier, Col. Elmer Ellsworth, was killed May 24, 1861, after a fight with the secessionist innkeeper. He was the first Union soldier to die in the Civil War. The 24-year old New Yorker was killed while removing a Confederate flag from the then-Marshall House Inn.
Brabo Brasserie Restaurant; The Tasting Room, Lorien Hotel & Spa, 1600 King St.
Yelp reviewers rave about the European-inspired menus at The Tasting Room and Brabo. The most talked about menu item are the flatbreads at The Tasting Room, a casual and cozy spot that offers a smaller menu then Brabo. Brabo offers a wider array of entrees including Steak Frites, Asado Argentina, Roasted Halal Chicken, Wild Mushroom Risotto and much more.
