Ada's on the River
1 / 10

Ada's on the River

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Trendy riverside venue in Old Town Alexandria serving wood-fired steaks & seafood with panoramic Potomac River views.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Ada's on the River

Ada's on the River

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Trendy riverside venue in Old Town Alexandria serving wood-fired steaks & seafood with panoramic Potomac River views.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"The food and the view are the stars of the show at Ada's on the River!"

TIP

Make a Reservation

Ada's can get busy, especially on weekends. Booking ahead ensures you won't have to wait.

Ask About Wood-Fired Options

Inquire about dishes prepared with coal or wood-fired grills for a unique and flavorful culinary experience.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11:30AM

Cuisine

American

Price

$$$

Phone

(703) 638-1400

Address

3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Riverside Dining with a View

Riverside Dining with a View

Breathtaking views of the Potomac River create a romantic and vibrant atmosphere, perfect for any occasion.

Wood-Fired Culinary Creations

Wood-Fired Culinary Creations

Experience unique dishes cooked over open flames, from French fries to seafood and steaks, offering a distinct smoky flavor.

Old Town Alexandria, Virginia Dining Guide
Exceptional Crab Cakes

Exceptional Crab Cakes

Savor lump-filled crab cakes with minimal filler, consistently praised for their delicious taste and generous portions.

The Best Restaurants In Old Town Alexandria, Virginia - Washington DCGoogle Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Make a Reservation

Ada's can get busy, especially on weekends. Booking ahead ensures you won't have to wait.

Ask About Wood-Fired Options

Inquire about dishes prepared with coal or wood-fired grills for a unique and flavorful culinary experience.

Don't Skip the Sides

Sides like creamed spinach, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower are highly recommended and flavorful.

Save Room for Dessert

Indulge in delectable desserts, with apple beignets and chocolate soufflé receiving special mentions.

Tips

from all over the internet

Make a Reservation

Ada's can get busy, especially on weekends. Booking ahead ensures you won't have to wait.

Ask About Wood-Fired Options

Inquire about dishes prepared with coal or wood-fired grills for a unique and flavorful culinary experience.

Don't Skip the Sides

Sides like creamed spinach, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower are highly recommended and flavorful.

Save Room for Dessert

Indulge in delectable desserts, with apple beignets and chocolate soufflé receiving special mentions.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Ada's on the River garners praise for its stunning Potomac River views, attentive service, and delicious, often wood-fired, cuisine. Diners rave about the crab cakes, steaks, and desserts. However, some reviews mention inconsistent food quality and occasional slow service, particularly considering the price point.

"Been back multiple times to Ada’s! It’s always delicious food and the service is great. Make a reservation so you don’t have to wait. Highly recommend the crab cakes as they don’t use filler. Our server split the crab cakes for us on different plates without us asking. So kind of him and that’s another reason why the service is always amazing. I’ve liked every dish I’ve had. Was too full for dessert this time but I’ll be back!"

Kacy C

"One of my friends had been raving about this restaurant, so I was excited to try it out. It didn't take long to see why she spoke so highly of it. First, the location is right at the river, which is a lovely setting. Many people were seated outside, but we chose to sit inside. The restaurant was bustling, so it was good that we had made a reservation.

The menu has a lot of appealing options, but I had already decided to get the crab cake. It was delicious. Between the three of us, we also had swordfish, prawns, brussel sprouts, creamed spinach, and fries. Everything was scrumptious. Our server, Brenda, was great. I wouldn't hesitate to dine there again."

Sharon Keyser

"Had such a lovely dinner at Ada’s! The food and wine were amazing, but what really made our experience was our server, Alex. From the first recommendation he made from the menu we knew he was extremely knowledgeable. He made incredible recommendations and was so professional and polite. We were so impressed that we’re looking to bring our holiday party to Ada’s. Can’t recommend enough!"

Amy Witt

What People Like

Breathtaking river views
Exceptional service
Delicious crab cakes and steaks

What People Dislike

Inconsistent food quality
Occasional slow service
High price point

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend dining, to avoid long wait times.

Google Review+1

Diners frequently praise the lump-filled crab cakes, wood-fired steaks, and desserts like apple beignets.

Old Town Alexandria, Virginia Dining GuideGoogle Review+1

Yes, Ada's offers outdoor seating with scenic views of the Potomac River, which is a popular choice for diners.

DC Summer Restaurant Week Best Patios and RooftopsGoogle Review+1

Yes, there are vegetarian options on the menu, such as spiced coal roasted cauliflower.

20 Best Restaurants In Old Town Alexandria, VA, 2024Google Review

The restaurant has a vibrant, trendy ambiance with a relaxed yet refined feel, especially on the patio.

Google Review+1

Absolutely, the stunning views and excellent food and service make it a perfect spot for anniversaries and celebrations.

Google Review+1

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A power lunch, perhaps with a martini or two, is what Ada’s dining room is best for. But we also come here to sit outside, because, as its name implies, the restaurant has stellar waterfront views. Unsurprisingly, the menu is seafood-focused, and they’re known for their jumbo leek and shallot crab cakes.

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Ada's on the River is a standout waterfront restaurant in Alexandria, paying homage to Ada Lovelace, the pioneering mathematician. Located along the picturesque Potomac River, it offers views for a memorable dining experience that easily makes it one of the best restaurants in Old Town. Ada's on the River combines modern Southern cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and wood-fired prime steaks.

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Ada’s On The River (3 Pioneer Mill Way) – Named after Ada Lovelace – the founder of computer programming and a pioneering woman in STEM, Ada’s On The River offers delicious eats on the Potomac River. Everything on the menu at Ada’s is wood fired, from the French fries to the seafood and steak and everything in between, making it uniquely delicious!. The scallops and French fries are my FAVORITE.

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Savor a three-course Thanksgiving dinner at Ada’s on the River, known for its wood-fired prime steaks, fresh seafood, and vegetarian dishes. Ada’s special holiday menu features a choice of appetizers, entrées, and desserts, including pan-seared crab cakes, smoky turkey breast roulade, and wood-fired prime rib. 3 Pioneer Mill Wy., Alexandria, $79 per person for adults, $29 for kids 12 and under

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New to Old Town, Ada’s offers stunning panoramic views of the Potomac River for its brunch dinners. Its brunch menu offers specialties like a Maine Lobster Omelet ($29) and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes ($15). Enjoy your meal with Ada’s signature brunch cocktail Bubbles on the River ($11), with La Marca prosecco, strawberry-infused New Amsterdam vodka, and hibiscus syrup.

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In Old Town Alexandria, Ada’s on the River is a trendy riverside venue serving steak, seafood, brunch, cocktails, and an extensive wine list. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood dishes from Head Chef Randall J. Matthews and prime steak selections that have won acclaim. For lunch, try their tasty salad and indulge in smoked swordfish for dinner.

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Founded in 1749, Alexandria’s haunted history comes to life on one of many ghost tours led by a lantern-carrying costumed guide. Roam through graveyards, stroll haunted neighborhoods and visit historic locales known for their eerie legends. Those over the age of 21 can enjoy a Nightly Spirits ghost tour and pub crawl.

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True to name, riverfront views—indoors and out—are a draw at this Old Town destination, which is participating in Alexandria Restaurant Week. On tap: steaks, seafood, and brasserie fare. If you’re going for drinks before or after, sister tapas/wine bar Barca, which is right on the pier, has even better views.

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The 260-seat restaurant includes 160 indoor seats, including a 32-seat private dining room, and 100 seats on the outdoor patio. Ada’s talented culinary team has created a variety of delicious, made-from-scratch menus. Options range from delicious hors d’oeuvres to multi-course plated meals.

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Venture to Virginia for a delectable crab cake at Ada’s On The River. The tasty plate is served with creamed leeks, pickled shallots, and lemon remoulade. Other tasty seafood dishes include coal-roasted prawns, grilled octopus, seared tuna, lobster mac and cheese, and more.

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Waterfront Wow Factor: Let the Potomac River breeze ease you into the weekend at BARCA Pier & Wine Bar and Ada’s on the River, or raise a glass in the midst of the buzzing waterfront at Vola’s Dockside Grill (check out Vola’s Spring Oyster Festival this Saturday, April 2).

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At waterside Ada’s on the River, the menu centers around meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes cooked to perfection in the wood-burning oven. Enjoy elevated brunch options including the Maine lobster omelet and lemon & ricotta pancakes served with smoked citrus syrup.

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If you’re looking for drinks beforehand, plenty of spots do craft cocktails but Ada’s on the river and it’s companion (Barca) are my pick. Ada’s food is top-notch as well, my firm does lots of celebratory lunches and dinners there for groups of 8-20.

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3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314Phone: 703-638-1400 Visit Website. A post shared by Ada’s on the River (@adasontheriver). Ada’s on the River is one of the best restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia, with a panoramic view of the Potomac River.

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Ada’s (Instagram: @adasontheriver): Modern American and seafood restaurant along the water. The food is good (and drinks are great) but the views are what make it.

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