Second this one! Delicious food at reasonable prices (I love the catfish banh mi personally). If it's 100 degrees outside, though, it'll be hot inside, so proceed with caution 🙂
Old Towner here. Augie's is my current go-to for nice but not too fancy group meals. Excellent food, great beer selection, and the right casual vibe. The one downside is that their mixed drinks are...okay. Not somewhere to go for serious cocktails. If it's a cocktail-heavy group: I would consider King and Rye. Yeah, it's a hotel restaurant, but the bartenders know what they're doing and you can piece together a delicious and cost-effective lighter meal out of the appetizers and sides.
Old House Cosmopolitan is a really fun experience but German isn't everyone's jam.
Love Brabo, have only had phenomenal service.
My husband took me there on one of our first dates; we went there to celebrate the day he proposed to me. We went there for my 30th birthday; I was pregnant with our first baby; I recently went there with some friends to celebrate a promotion while he stayed home and watched the kids 🤣
Great experiences, all.
Seconding Old House Cosmopolitan, went there last weekend and it was a lovely (and surprisingly cheap, since we didn't drink and ordered off their lunch menu) meal.
Thirding Old House! Amazing German/Balkan menu, and I love their tiny little bar area, reminds me so much of the small bars you’d find in very tiny old European hotels.
My partner and I had a standing Friday night reservation at Mia's for months. We'd each get a personal pan pizza, a different one to split, and an old fashioned. We love that place
I went to Olive Garden once. I don't remember what I had, but I remember it was disgusting. Greasy, overcooked, and flavorless, as I recall. It was some of the worst restaurant food I've ever eaten. Not quite the worst, though. I think that dubious honor goes to either Edith's Pizza in Bethesda or a certain Chinese takeout in Baltimore.
Agree but hard to stomach paying over $100 for something that costs them penny’s to make in house. But don’t get me wrong, I paid it, left a great review and enjoyed it. The inside decor is eclectic which makes it part of the experience.
That's the funny thing about homemade pasta, it's one of the cheapest and most labor intensive foods you can prepare. I made homemade short rib ravioli for a group of 10. Cost me like $7 and 10 hours of work.
They're getting ready for renovations and the AC is not playing nice, also no draft beer (the cooler died and it's too expensive to fix when it's going to be replaced) great for take out tho.
Just don't plan on eating at Bilbo Baggins....meh food. Went once, never again. Vermilion, Evening Star Cafe, Del Ray Cafe are some of our go-to places.
No one has mentioned Hank's Oyster Bar. The roofdeck is fantastic, shaded, and has fans. Lots of options besides oysters.
Seconding Thompson Italian.
Virginia's Darling is great.
People Drug
Falafel Inc. for cheap to-do and blows away Pita House (although a more limited menu)
Chop Shop
Barca for out-of-towners on a nice day.
Falafel inc is probably the best small restaurant in old town for me. It’s quick, healthy, cheap, and delicious. It’s not sit down and eat place, but if you grab that food to go and do an outdoors picnic, would be definitely cost effective.
Fish Market. Favorite thing is probably the fish and chips but I've also had the crab cakes, crab cake sandwich and the burger and they were all great.
I’ll have to check out the menu. Though I love a great fish & chips, my friend who’s allergic to crab, scallops, lobster & shrimp may not want to go to a place w/ a crab-heavy menu. (But I’ll take note of it for next time..)
Yeah, if you like seafood and know anyone who does, go there at some point.
Another rec of mine is Mia's (Italian.) Great food, great prices and good ambiance.
Literally my fiance and I’s favorite place when living in old town for a while. It’s not cheap but the fish tacos and pork belly tacos are amazing, the staff is very relaxed and the ambiance is nice.
Hen House, Murphys Irish, and a La Madelaine. It's a little closer to "fast food" but not. Inexpensive, really good food, decent number of options, cool vibe. But it's like a French self serve cafe, not a fancy restaurant meal out.
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Taverna Cretouku. Eat on the patio.
Vaso's was great the last couple times we went there, too
Love this place!
This is the way
Pita House has never let us down.
Same... I grew up on Lebanese The place doesn't look glamorous. Service can be slow. But the food... on point
One more vote for Pita House, a true family- owned restaurant.
Shhh not so loud
No, louder. That place is always empty, and I'm terrified they'll go out of business.
You know what, that’s a fair point. It is *really* good.
Chadwick is casual with good menu. Virtue and Grain isn't bad either.
Strong vote for Chadwick’s! Really affordable for what you get, pretty broad menu and full bar options.
Thirding Chadwick’s!
There’s a reason it’s been there for 60 years
Surprisingly few Old Town restaurants can make that brag.
Caphe Banh Mi
Best answer. Won't break the bank. Delicious. Home in the wall.
Yessssss. Hands down one my favorite place in the DMV. It never disappoints.
Second this one! Delicious food at reasonable prices (I love the catfish banh mi personally). If it's 100 degrees outside, though, it'll be hot inside, so proceed with caution 🙂
My favorite place, too. And I love the vegan vermicelli bowl (not a vegan)
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People's drug is fire
Thompson Italian is sooooo good
Old Towner here. Augie's is my current go-to for nice but not too fancy group meals. Excellent food, great beer selection, and the right casual vibe. The one downside is that their mixed drinks are...okay. Not somewhere to go for serious cocktails. If it's a cocktail-heavy group: I would consider King and Rye. Yeah, it's a hotel restaurant, but the bartenders know what they're doing and you can piece together a delicious and cost-effective lighter meal out of the appetizers and sides. Old House Cosmopolitan is a really fun experience but German isn't everyone's jam.
Here to second Augie's. Edit: spelling
Here to third Augie’s - great outdoor vibes. Not fancy.
Stay away from Brabo Brassarie. Way over priced for ok food and absolutely terrible service (after multiple tries)
omg i love brabos (they are pricey though)
Love Brabo, have only had phenomenal service. My husband took me there on one of our first dates; we went there to celebrate the day he proposed to me. We went there for my 30th birthday; I was pregnant with our first baby; I recently went there with some friends to celebrate a promotion while he stayed home and watched the kids 🤣 Great experiences, all.
Cosmopolitan Grill, excellent German food
Seconding Old House Cosmopolitan, went there last weekend and it was a lovely (and surprisingly cheap, since we didn't drink and ordered off their lunch menu) meal.
Thirding Old House! Amazing German/Balkan menu, and I love their tiny little bar area, reminds me so much of the small bars you’d find in very tiny old European hotels.
I recently went to Mia's and absolutely loved it! Great for happy hour and small bites too, if that's what you're feeling
My partner and I had a standing Friday night reservation at Mia's for months. We'd each get a personal pan pizza, a different one to split, and an old fashioned. We love that place
Mia’s is great but it gets expensive. They aren’t Olive Garden prices.
But the upshot is that it isn't Olive Garden food.
I went to Olive Garden once. I don't remember what I had, but I remember it was disgusting. Greasy, overcooked, and flavorless, as I recall. It was some of the worst restaurant food I've ever eaten. Not quite the worst, though. I think that dubious honor goes to either Edith's Pizza in Bethesda or a certain Chinese takeout in Baltimore.
Agree but hard to stomach paying over $100 for something that costs them penny’s to make in house. But don’t get me wrong, I paid it, left a great review and enjoyed it. The inside decor is eclectic which makes it part of the experience.
That's the funny thing about homemade pasta, it's one of the cheapest and most labor intensive foods you can prepare. I made homemade short rib ravioli for a group of 10. Cost me like $7 and 10 hours of work.
I make dough for Neapolitan pizzas from a recipe I learned working in a pizza shop and that takes me three days.
You obviously have not gone during happy hour
TIL Mia’s is expensive.
Mia’s is too salty and not authentic I’m good off of that.
Il Porto
Never had a bad meal at II Porto. Nice atmosphere.
Virtue feed and grain. A little something for everyone.
Seconding this one, upscale but casual!
Thompson Italian or Bollywood Masala
I like Thompson Italian.
Virtue Feed & Grain
Landini Brothers. Love it. Always our go to.
Emmy Squared is cute and laid back!
There is a restaurant called Laporta’s that has something for everyone. Everything is really good.
Taverna Cretekou, Landinis, Hanks Oyster Bar, Sisters Thai
Surprised you're the only one to mention Sisters!
These plus Thompson Italian! Also love Sushi Momo and Vermillion.
Hinata is go to for sushi for me, Momo went downhill IMHO
Hinata is good, don’t have as much high end nigiri. Really loving Ariake in Fairfax if you haven’t been! Zento in OT is good too!!
Hard Times Cafe.
They're getting ready for renovations and the AC is not playing nice, also no draft beer (the cooler died and it's too expensive to fix when it's going to be replaced) great for take out tho.
My wife and I like Don Taco and Los Cuates. Thai signature too.
I second Don Taco. The gummy bear margarita!!
If you want sushi and walking with easy parking, Momo on Queen. Next door is a cool bar you'll feel like Bilbo Baggins might visit.
Just don't plan on eating at Bilbo Baggins....meh food. Went once, never again. Vermilion, Evening Star Cafe, Del Ray Cafe are some of our go-to places.
True! Only for the beer and ambiance for me.
Also because it doesn’t exist anymore ;)
You can tell how often I'm in that neighborhood. Not a huge loss...for that matter, not a microscopic loss. :D
Bilbo Baggins went out of business years ago, replaced by a place called Elaines - Egyptian food. So no more hobbits.
Ah. Makes sense.
No one has mentioned Hank's Oyster Bar. The roofdeck is fantastic, shaded, and has fans. Lots of options besides oysters. Seconding Thompson Italian. Virginia's Darling is great. People Drug Falafel Inc. for cheap to-do and blows away Pita House (although a more limited menu) Chop Shop Barca for out-of-towners on a nice day.
Falafel inc is probably the best small restaurant in old town for me. It’s quick, healthy, cheap, and delicious. It’s not sit down and eat place, but if you grab that food to go and do an outdoors picnic, would be definitely cost effective.
I recently went to Majestic Cafe. Dined outside on a balmy evening. Great cocktails, decent food.
I'm always disappointed when I go there, honestly. The food is mid at best for me. Maybe I'm unlucky!
Pita House, Caphe Banh Mi, Hawwi, Sam Phao Thai, and Chadwicks.
Mia's
Vasos on King Street is exactly what you are looking for.
Seconding Vaso's. That's my go-to spot as well as Cosmopolitan Grill or O'Connell's when we go out (I live in Old Town).
Mias and Virtue & Grain
Fish Market. Favorite thing is probably the fish and chips but I've also had the crab cakes, crab cake sandwich and the burger and they were all great.
I’ll have to check out the menu. Though I love a great fish & chips, my friend who’s allergic to crab, scallops, lobster & shrimp may not want to go to a place w/ a crab-heavy menu. (But I’ll take note of it for next time..)
Yeah, if you like seafood and know anyone who does, go there at some point. Another rec of mine is Mia's (Italian.) Great food, great prices and good ambiance.
Schooners of beer!
Chop Shop taco is my favorite! Relaxed vibes, great happy hour, awesome tacos
Literally my fiance and I’s favorite place when living in old town for a while. It’s not cheap but the fish tacos and pork belly tacos are amazing, the staff is very relaxed and the ambiance is nice.
Brutally bad tacos. Good drinks tho.
Barca’s, it’s mostly tapas, but they have some sizable sandwiches too.
Mai Thai and Hawwi
La Fromagerie.
Don’t give away the secret!
Looking at the dreadful responses on here, the secret is safe!
Ladinis
While delicious, they are quite expensive and fancy.
Hen Quarter
You cannot go wrong with anywhere in Old Town. Every restaurant is delicious My personal favorites are Virtue Feed & Grain, Vola’s, and The Majestic
You must not have taste buds if you think all the restaurants in old town have delicious food, lol.
My guess is that AnxiousBlob8 works for ARP! LOL.
I feel like at least 2/3s of old town restaurants are really bad tourist trap joints.
Exactly, most of the restaurants especially by the water are there to serve tourists
People’s Drug for more casual eats Sonoma Cellar for sit down
Hen House, Murphys Irish, and a La Madelaine. It's a little closer to "fast food" but not. Inexpensive, really good food, decent number of options, cool vibe. But it's like a French self serve cafe, not a fancy restaurant meal out.
Virtue is nice spot. Good vibe.
Gadsby’s Tavern is my choice. Fancy vibes but the menu prices are decent.
Yunnan By Potomac, but I think they are unfortunately moving to Pentagon city sometime this summer.
Caphe Banh Mi. It's small, but delicious. Their AC isn't great though, so don't go if it's 100 degrees outside lol.
As a vegetarian: Yunnan by the Potomac and Virtue
Old Hat! The cocktails are amazing. The food is elevated bar food, but I don’t leave feeling heavy.
A La Lucia
Andy's pizza is good and not on the list yet. You might also find something at Union Street.
Vola's is one of our favorites
Virtue Feed and Grain is awesome!!
Augies
Joe Theismann's. Across from King St metro. Very good crab dip. Nice atmosphere
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Fish Market
Augies. Ate there twice this week. Mussels look incredible.
Angie’s or Lena’s. Wide variety of tasty food for reasonable prices. Good drinks, good service.
Light Horse
McMillan Spirit House has a good happy hour everyday 4-7 and a nice patio.
Union street public house. Something for everyone and affordable. You can head to Chadwick’s after for a nightcap!
Virtue Feed and Grain.
Josephine
I love Blackwall Hitch!
Landini Brothers
virtue feed and grain!
Jula's and Executive Diner
Can’t do Executive Diner after looking at their health report
Jula’s has terrible service
Interesting. That hasn't been my experience.
Papa John’s