When in Old Town, you pretty much have to dine on the waterfront, and the best new spot to do that is Vola’s. The patio is in the prime position for people watching and boat ogling over seafood and beers. You’ll find a great ocean bounty—Crab Dip and Conch Fritters, plus raw oysters and seafood cocktail to start, and options like a Crab Cake Sandwich and Fish and Chips for main dishes.

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge (101 North Union Street) – Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge is located alongside the Potomac River with sections both indoors and outdoors. In the Summer months, Vola’s also offers alongside their outdoors section cocktail stand where people can grab a drink and walk alongside the nearby pier and waterfront park. One of the beautiful things about Vola’s is that it’s named after and pays tribute to Vola D. Lawson: the Washington, DC area’s first female city manager.

For stunning riverside views, head to Vola’s Dockside Grill & Hi-Tide Lounge to enjoy seafood classics, fresh oysters and their delicious house-made salt-and-vinegar crisps. Grab a pint at Port City Brewing Company, just two miles west of Old Town, or take a food tour to get a taste of the area’s historic and delicious dining scene. You can also check out the hot spots frequented by American presidents, like The Majestic and The Dairy Godmother, favourites of the Obamas.

On a nice day, there's nothing like enjoying a meal and a cold drink on Vola's large patio on the Old Alexandria waterfront and watching the boats cruise along the Potomac River. The menu is seafood-heavy as expected, but also features a few non-fish options including fried chicken, a burger, and a chopped salad. There's also a kids' menu with chicken tenders, grilled cheese, fried or grilled shrimp, and more.

With one of the most coveted locations on the Alexandria waterfront, Vola’s Dockside Grill is another must-visit destination. Known for its fresh-off-the-boat seafood and refreshing tiki drinks, Vola’s is a perfect spot to unwind and bask in the sun. Diners can now enjoy dining out on the spacious Airstream Patio at Vola’s, making this the perfect spot to relax and have fun with family and friends.

Nearby at Vola’s Dockside Grill, enjoy fresh-shucked oysters, crab cakes and New England or Carolina low-country steamer pails. There are plenty of riverside restaurants to choose from in Alexandria, including mainstays Blackwall Hitch and Chart House. Or, dine al fresco at new eateries like Ada’s on the River (highlighted in ESSENCE and The Washington Post) and BARCA Pier and Wine Bar.

Vola’s Happy Hour (Monday – Friday from 3-7 p.m.) is the perfect place to come after work to grab a cocktail ($6), a glass of wine ($6) or beer ($3). Be sure to order one of the “bar bites” to hold you over, like the crab nachos ($3) or shrimp sliders ($5). Located along the Potomac at the Torpedo Factory, the atmosphere is a great pairing to Vola’s food and drinks.

Here, you can choose from a wide range of options for eating out, including al fresco dining at restaurants such as Hops n Shine, Vola’s Dockside Grill, Rockland’s Barbecue, or the Lost Dog Cafe. At Buzz Bakeshop, you can grab snacks for yourself and your pup, and at Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato, your dog can enjoy homemade dog gelato made with lactose-free milk.

Located on the Waterfront in Old Town (just steps away from the Torpedo Factory Art Center), Vola’s offers seating next to the marina slips. Little ones will enjoy watching the boats come and go and seeing the airplanes make their descent into Reagan National. The menu features seafood, but you’ll also find simple, kid-friendly fare like chicken and burgers.

To experience one of the best restaurants in Old Town Alexandria, look no further than Vola’s Dockside Grill/Hi-Tide Lounge. They are offering a combination of dining and drinks that will impress you. Their menu includes pan-fried swordfish, lobster rolls, tacos, seared halibut, crab cake sandwiches, molasses-braised beef short ribs, and fried oysters.

Surf and turf, pan-seared Chilean sea bass, and a seafood tower for two are on the Valentine’s Day specials menu at this waterfront spot in Old Town Alexandria. The seafood tower includes oysters Rockefeller, ceviche-style oysters, Alaskan crab legs, mussels, and shrimp cocktail. The à la carte menu with tacos and American cuisine is also available.

Vola’s Dockside Grill offers a unique dining experience on the waterfront, combining stunning views with a seafood-focused menu. Located along the Potomac River, it’s a popular spot for diners looking to enjoy fresh flavors in a laid-back setting. The restaurant is known for its vibrant atmosphere, making it a favorite for locals and tourists alike.

With one of the most coveted locations on the Alexandria riverfront, vola’s dockside grill and hi-tide lounge feature the best outdoor dining location in town. The menu at vola’s dockside grill features fresh seafood, tacos and American cuisine favorites, alongside cocktails, beer and wine in a relaxed and casual family-friendly atmosphere.

Vola’s Dockside Grill—Vola’s is one of my favorite spots as its waterfront patio is just so relaxing—talk about great people/boat watching!. Named after Vola Lawson, who was a beloved Civil Rights Activist that bettered the Alexandria community, this place is a must-eat for any meal. Definitely don’t skip their brunch cocktails, either!

Another exceptional waterfront option is Vola's Dockside Grill & Hi-Tide Lounge. Vola's Dockside Grill offers a casual dining atmosphere with outdoor seating and scenic views of the Potomac River. Named in honor of civil leader Vola Lawson, the restaurant pays homage to her significant contributions to the history of Alexandria.

That said, if you’re only in town for a short time, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a meal at Vola’s Dockside Grill or The Chart House. I wouldn’t say that either are particularly kid friendly, though. The Chart House is definitely pricey and Vola’s is hard to manage with young children simply because it is always swamped.

Named for the city's first female City Manager, Vola D. Lawson, this waterfront hangout features both a restaurant and lounge. Featuring an all day menu, folks will want to try some favorites like blackened mahi mahi, crab cakes, and fried shrimp. Marylanders will love the Old Bay fries as a side dish.

Freddy Lopez, the general manager and managing partner of Vola’s Dockside Grill in Old Town Alexandria told WTOP that the restaurant has oysters that are both local and sourced out of the state. From Monday through Friday, the bar also has a happy hour menu with discounted $2 oysters.

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).

These spaces have become some of Alexandria’s most recognizable scenes, from Vola’s picturesque patio on the waterfront with its signature red umbrellas, to the string lights and magenta façade of the Front Porch’s backyard-barbecue hangout in Del Ray.

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314Phone: 703-935-8890 Visit Website. A post shared by Vola’s Dockside Grill (@volasdockside). Overlooking the Potomac River, minutes away from the Athenaeum Gallery, stands Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge.

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge: Soak up the sunshine and panoramic river views at Vola’s. This casual spot boasts a lively atmosphere, perfect for sharing plates of classic American fare and refreshing drinks with friends.

On the water itself, Vola’s dockside is solid, and Blackwell hitch is decent but you’ll pay a premium on the latter. Avoid Chart House, which is the farthest out at the edge of the marina, as it’s basically a tourist trap.

Satisfy your hunger (both for food and views) at such spots as Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge and Virtue Feed & Grain. Both offer the freshest seafood as well as Virginia and southern specialties.

Casual and vibrant, Vola’s is known for its lively outdoor patio and fresh seafood platters. Located at the Alexandria Marina, it's one of the most walkable and family-friendly stops along the waterfront.

101 N Union StAlexandria, VA 22314(703) 935-8890 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. This restaurant offers the most extensive dockside dining experience, serving cocktails and seasonal menus.

Vola’s Dockside down by the waterfront not only allows dogs to join you on the dock, but offers a menu ‘For the Pooch’ that includes tasty options like “Doggie’s Dream” and “Pupsicles and Apples.

This is a casual seafood restaurant with one of the largest outdoor waterfront patio areas in Old Town. We had lunch one day at Vola’s and couldn’t have been happier with the choices!

Vola’s Dockside Grill serves comforting seafood classics with on-the-dock seating made for people watching. Then, step into Vola’s Hi-Tide Lounge for post-dinner drinks.

A friendly, familiar place with a raw bar and the largest outdoor riverside patio where the food, atmosphere, service, and experience are always fantastic.

Try Vola’s Dockside Grill for satisfying seafood fare or Virtue Feed & Grain for waterfront and park-side views on a laid-back patio.

Vola’s Dockside Grill offers a place to eat and drink by the water in Old Town, Alexandria. Photograph courtesy of Vola’s.

Day 1: Start with a tour of Old Hat Bar, then enjoy seafood and brews at Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge.