Barnside Diner

Diner · Lincolnia

Barnside Diner

Diner · Lincolnia

1

6306 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA 22312

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Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by Andrew R./Yelp
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null
Barnside Diner by null

Highlights

Breakfast & other American grub whipped up 24/7 in diner digs with comfy booths & counter seats.  

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6306 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA 22312 Get directions

orderbarnsidediner.com

$10–20 · Menu

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6306 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA 22312 Get directions

+1 703 256 3318
orderbarnsidediner.com
barnsidediner

$10–20 · Menu

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Jul 11, 2025

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"Look for the red roof off the Little River Turnpike for diner staples at Barnside. Specialties include eggs Benedict with corned beef hash and chicken tenders with fries. Its 24-hour days are long gone, however (now open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily)." - Tierney Plumb, Tim Ebner

These D.C. Diners Are (Really, Truly) Actual Diners
View Postcard for Barnside Diner

POP Studios

Google
Barnside Diner was a def reminder of another diner I use to go to. They have a very large menu which is great! I’m a simple girl but I love a good breakfast. The woman that was our waitress was very nice and accommodating. The food was really good. My brother and I both enjoyed our food right before our road trip.

Paul Schneider

Google
A classic diner. The portions are large and delicious, coffee is hot and refilled often, and the service is friendly and quick. Highly recommend.

Branden Lee

Google
I didn’t like the food to me Half cooked food - I ordered a western omelette sub sausage, grits the grits or bland. I asked for shell eggs instead of liquid eggs they got that wrong then my omelette had a half a cup of peppers and onions. The toast taste still because they’re doing it early and they wasn’t that busy.

Amanda Turcotte

Google
Barnside is always a solid diner for breakfast. The food is good, portions are large and the staff are quick as well as friendly. The vibe is true to diners we grew up with in other states on the east coast. The coffee could be better, but it is standard diner coffee. I wish they had other options like espresso, but regular drip coffee is good enough given the other upsides. I ordered the Humpty Dumpty omelet with a side of wheat toast and my husband ordered the Big 3 Breakfast also with a side of wheat toast. Both dishes were exactly what we were hankering for that morning and plenty filling. The place can get busy, so plan ahead. We came in pretty early on a week day, so no issues with parking or waiting to be seated. Thanks for a good experience, we will be back.

Ben Rylander

Google
Great little diner! Looks family ran. Food was great! Only downfall was the chip beef gravy, wasn’t the best. But all the other food was amazing!

Jamie Alijah

Google
A great place to go, a fantastic diner. Delicious food, great coffee ☕, and excellent service.

Terry’ion Brisco

Google
This is a great diner! Came here recently with my family. The food was delicious! And the service was fast and great. Our server Janet was so so kind toward us! I definitely recommend coming here. This is the best diner I’ve ever been to. (Added some more photos from other times dining here)

Luke Dice

Google
My wife and I have wanted to come here for awhile since we passed it all the time and we finally had the opportunity to go. While the diner feel is there, food is decent, and the place was clean/comfortable, the prices are simply out of the question. Yes, prices are rising, but the quality to price ratio is unbalanced. It seemed to be reasonably priced a few years ago based on reviews I read. Another negative aspect to my experience was the waitress we had. Very disappointing and uncomfortable. Where’s the southern charm that you expect in a diner? Overall, I don’t think I will come back but if you don’t care how much you want to spend on a meal, stop by and give it a try. I would recommend the French toast.

Joelle M.

Yelp
Tried for the first time, reminds me of a Waffle House-limited seating and front row seating. The establishment is warm and cozy and well staffed. Treated upon entrance and told I could sit at front corner or find a booth. Settled on a booth, ordered coffee to start: everything is at your table creamer, condiments, sugars, Chula, butter n jellies and hand sanitizer. Decided on vegetable hash with scrambled eggs, comes w/toast $10.89 ( instead of the vegetable omelette-same thing but with/shredded cheese vs American slices)@$14.89 quite a savings. The only difference is your omelette would have been folded and the hash was stacked. I would have preferred shredded cheese but once I sliced it up and stirred it around the cheese melted and it was delicious. Breakfast for one and a coffee to go, w/tip $17. Will be returning, thanks for you nice breakfast.

Jens J.

Yelp
The appeal of Barnside Diner for us is the friendly, kind and hard-working women that work here. Prices are reasonable too. Barnside is popular and almost always busy. Food is decent. I will always either order the chicken-fried steak (served with eggs and hash browns) or the Big 3 Breakfast (egg, hash browns, choice of meat and toast). I'll eat the hash browns even though they taste like instant out of the box. Some things could be better. There are occasionally order mistakes when the server chooses to not write down our order. The other problem is that they always bring the toast over quite a while after you have been served you your main order. Yesterday, they just plain forgot to bring out the toast and had to be reminded twice to bring it. The restaurant is kinda lax on clean-up. Tables will be left uncleared for a significant amount of time. And yesterday, we were seated with a straight shot view into the kitchen. Three grease-covered flattened cardboard boxes were lying on the kitchen floor and the staffers were walking over the boxes.

Teresa B.

Yelp
Great value, food and service. Easy access from the bus stop and plenty of parking if you drive.

Shanesta H.

Yelp
I have been eating here for over 7 years, and the food never disappoints. The staff are so friendly, and the wait is never long. I ordered breakfast this time around, and it was delicious! Eggs were fluffy, and I love my waffles each time!

Mark M.

Yelp
Used to be good..... Have gone here many times over the years.... May 21st my breakfast was burned black underneath! And still served it to me.... They didn't think I would notice?? This place is no longer good diner food.... too bad. Must have changed owners or management??

Carrie M.

Yelp
My husband was a regular here since he was in college. Now the whole family (three kids in tow) regulars here every weekend. We love to sit at the counter, watching the hustle bustle of the nice cooks and waitresses making and serving our food. My kids cheer when we tell them we're going here and they pile in the car with no problem. Top recommendation for a breakfast/brunch traditional American Diner.

Mike R.

Yelp
Used to go here a lot. Am relieved it is still in business. It's a greasy spoon, and a fun place to eat. The pancakes and other breakfast foods are my favorite. You won't find anything fancy, but that's the point of it. This is a place to kick back with friends at. Located off of 236, getting in and out of here can be unique. This is close to 395 as well, so the location is excellent. The employees here are great, and will get to you in a timely manner. Easy going and casual, you can relax a bit here. A quick meal and time with friends is important. Seating is comfortable enough, and if your looking for a quick meal, here will be what you seek.

David L.

Yelp
I've been eating at the diner (or its previous iterations) for over thirty years. It's a consistently reliable place for decent food, especially breakfast. Service is fast and friendly. Plenty of parking and easy to get to. Pricing is moderate. Recommended!

JRose B.

Yelp
I went here for the first time since it wasn't too far from my house and I wanted to have breakfast with my friend. I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes with a side of scrambled eggs and turkey sausages. When I tell you these pancakes tasted better than iHop! The pancakes were super fluffy and thick, and there was plenty of chocolate chips to satisfy my sweet tooth. The pancakes were so filling that I couldn't finish my turkey sausage but I highly recommend trying the pancakes here as they are a nice size and very thick and fluffy. In addition, my waiter was super nice and courteous. I would definitely come back to this location to eat breakfast.

Jacqueline D.

Yelp
They have the best breakfast in town. I love the veggies omelettes. I could eat there everyday.

Rmc r.

Yelp
Food was perfect and on point for your all fab home style breakfast! Service completely spectacular! Great attitudes, service and cleanliness. Nice, quit and quaint. Loved them!

Ang K.

Yelp
Super busy and crowded, small diner. Nice staff and service was good. We got there after noon on Sunday and waited maybe 10 minutes to be seated. Took another 15-20 mins for food. I got the humpty dumpty omelette, which was good and biscuit which came toasted (yum). You definitely walk out smelling like bacon since they have an open kitchen, but overall good diner.

Matthew F.

Yelp
Not a lot to look at, but it gets the job done. I visited an hour after opening on Sunday and it was already packed. Service was good, food was decent-to-good. Not my most memorable diner experience but I'd return.

Tom S.

Yelp
First time here at this diner. The diner was pretty full. Small parking area. We waited for a couple of minutes but got a seat at the counter. The restaurant is very popular. Very friendly staff. Service was spot on. The food was classic diner food. Delicious. Food came out quickly. The blueberry pancakes were amazing. I enjoyed the chicken fried steak, two eggs over easy, hash browns, and toast. The ambiance is very laid back. We will be back. After our meal the waitress offered coffee to go and tea to go. How awesome is that?

Glenda J.

Yelp
Great food! The service was better pre pandemic, I hope the current owners get a clue.

Tiffany C.

Yelp
Small but it has everything a diner typically has friendly staff good food it's definitely a spot locals go to, it's pretty hole in the wall - it's on the side of the road so if you're not looking for it, you'll probably miss it. Ordered: chicken + waffles chocolate chip waffles - were my favorite humpty dumpty omelette was really filling as well the service is particularly fast but that's what you do at a diner, you just wait and chat with your friends and have a good time : )

Luis G.

Yelp
Nestled in the heart of the city, Barnside Diner shines as a true culinary gem, beckoning patrons with its delicious offerings and exceptional service. Stepping inside, one is greeted by a cozy, inviting ambiance that exudes classic diner charm. The dedicated employees, the backbone of this establishment, epitomize hard work and dedication, seamlessly delivering impeccable service with an air of grace and efficiency. Their synchronized efforts create a harmonious dining experience, showcasing the power of teamwork in a bustling restaurant setting. This level of professionalism is a testament to the passion and commitment of the staff at Barnside Diner, who go above and beyond to ensure that every guest leaves satisfied and content. Kudos to the team for their unwavering dedication and outstanding service; they truly embody the spirit of hospitality. Here's to continued success and excellence at Barnside Diner!

Tori W.

Yelp
This place is becoming a staple for our breakfast dates. We love the two women who own it and they are the sweetest people. They're always so grateful and appreciative of all their customers. Classic small diner style, couldn't love more

Keren C.

Yelp
Skip IHOP and head to Barnside. They make the best pancakes I've had in Northern Virginia. Service is friendly, portions are generous, and prices are great. I've been disappointed when I didn't order breakfast so stick to that side of the menu.

Michelle N.

Yelp
Really enjoyed the country fried steak and hash browns. Staff is friendly and service is fast

Rachel V.

Yelp
Stopped here on Memorial Day around 10am. It was busy but we were seated within 5 minutes. I ordered a ham and cheese omelette with a side biscuit and my husband got eggs and sausage. We both liked the hash browns- they were quite tasty. Eggs were fluffy and fresh. My only disappointment was the diced ham in the omelette- I prefer sliced ham and also it was a tad bit salty. All in all would return and hope to try some other menu options. The staff was very friendly and efficient.

Ross L.

Yelp
Small family diner. Layout is pretty much exactly the same as a waffle house so don't expect anything fancy. The food here is great, my omelette was super flavorful, the bacon was crispy, the pancakes were delicious. Places like this are hard to dibs in NoVA.

Jason M.

Yelp
Food was pretty decent, standard diner food. Pretty quick with order times. Would eat again.

Scott W.

Yelp
You can tell this is a local favorite. My wife and I decided to try it for breakfast yesterday and could immediately tell there were a lot of regulars. The menu was wide. The food was good. The diner was clean. Happy And the service was excellent. My wife went plain with eggs and hash browns while I went with chicken and waffles. It's a place worth going back to.

Marli R.

Yelp
Looking for a new breakfast spot? Look no further! Barnside Diner is where it's at. Although it was busy on a Sunday at 12:30 pm, we were able to grab two seats at the bar. We really enjoyed watching the cooks, wait staff, and the employees move seamlessly around, despite working in a tight area. I had the chipped beef gravy with hash browns; my husband had eggs Benedict with scrapple - yes, you read that correctly - no ham. My gravy was peppered; I didn't have to season which rarely happens! The staff was super inviting and we can't wait to take our families.

Katie J.

Yelp
Love this place!! It's a small family diner with friendly and quick service, delicious food, and cozy atmosphere. I'm a repeat customer and everyone I've brought here asks to come back. It's also become my mom's go-to spot as she recovers from chemo treatments - getting delicious simple foods, a friendly smile, and warm bright table helps her recover both physically and mentally. For that reason alone Barnside has gone from being a favorite spot to becoming a beloved memory.

Pj G.

Yelp
We stopped at Barnside yesterday morning after a short trip, just before 8 in the morning. We needed a quick breakfast, but didn't want to go through a drive-thru. The place was bustling, in the midst of the opening rush, but we were seated immediately. The waitstaff was prompt and friendly (even the bussers were polite and efficient!), the portions generous for the prices, our orders were correct, and we didn't have to wait for anything. I had the Humpty Dumpty omelette, my companion had scrambled eggs, sausage, and a waffle. Everything was as described on the menu. The menu selections are basic diner fare, what you would expect: eggs, pancakes, burgers, sandwiches. I appreciate the fact that they do "all day lunch" as well as the breakfasts--so if you want a cheeseburger at 7 am, you can get it! It's a small diner, so it fills up quickly, and we were in the middle of a rush, so there were, of course, a few tables that needed bussing, but mostly the place is neat, well-stocked, and very bright, with lots of windows. They have hot sauce on the tables and they keep your coffee filled. Overall, we were thoroughly satisfied with our visit. This place may not be a "destination" restaurant, but if you're looking for old-fashioned diner-fare at a reasonable price, with a pleasant and competent staff, this is recommended.

Angel D.

Yelp
Great food! Best breakfast I have had in a long time, and even my picky kids think so too. No one's plate had food left on it before we left and it's def not because they don't give you enough. Highly recommend. Only issue is there is limited seating and limited waiting area, but def worth the wait!

Julie L.

Yelp
Basic, no-frills diner. My pecan waffle was delicious. We went early on a Saturday and got a table right away.

Jared A.

Yelp
We had ordered takeout and the order consisted of french toast and a Barnside burger. One I arrived at the diner I was greeted with good customer service and collected our food relatively fast. However once we got home and looked inside our food we found one staple in the corner of the box. If that staple would have ended up anywhere on the food itself it would have maybe caused internal damage from us consuming or caused one of us to choke. This was absolutely unacceptable and extremely unsafe. Would not recommend ordering takeout from here when so little care is put to the food.

Laura W.

Yelp
Prior to last Tuesday I hadn't stepped foot in Barnside Diner and have always been curious as to how it rates in the diner game. My verdict: very middle of the road. We were the first table in a little after opening on a weekday. Service was friendly but very slow. I think she might have just been learning the menu and computer system. She didn't understand what sunny side up meant. My boyfriend's eggs were over easy (not as desired). My eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast were bland. My boyfriend's Dad liked the pancakes so maybe that's the way to go? I'd go back, definitely, but it's not my first choice.

Deborah P.

Yelp
I got in the wrong darn lane and noticed this place while trying to figure out how to get back where I needed to be. Since it had the word "diner", I made a mental note to come back. I finally did and was was pleasantly surprised. The service was awesome. The food was delicious. I recommend the fries and pancakes or waffles with an omelette. Just make sure whatever you get fries come with it or just order a side of fries or your table will be fighting for fries. Very tasty and crispy. This is a small place so be patient. The staff is kind, patient and responsive. The milkshakes are tasty. I recommend going with a group and sharing your order. By group, I mean 4-6 people. This place is cozy and well worth the drive.

Larry H.

Yelp
Helen and Janet are superstars and super friendly and warm . My friend and I stopped for a quick late breakfast and she struck up a conversation about our upcoming trip to Miami and they gave us their recommendations on where to see and do . The music in the restaurant is lively and upbeat ( mostly reggaeton and Latin) . I had the philly cheese steak omelette and really enjoyed it. The bathrooms are clean and well stocked.

Trisha H.

Yelp
oh man. A friend told me they were a big fan of this place, so we came as a group of four for Saturday brunch. We were there around 11am, and they were very full, and the service and food reflected that they are not able to accomodate a full house. Our food took a while, which is okay, except that when it arrived half of it was cold, a few things were luke warm, and only the eggs were hot. We had to ask them to take the pancakes back to warm them up, which I assume means they just put them in a microwave. The food came out at different times, and the apps we asked for in advance came out at the end. The place also didn't feel really clean, or welcoming. Our server was friendly enough, but had to be asked more than once for things like butter. Very weird to me that there isn't just butter on the table - it's a diner. And, the nail in the coffin, for a brunch for two people it was almost $60. A brunch at a diner. Yikes. Unfortunately, we won't be returning.

Ed S.

Yelp
Excellent service, but the food was kind of bland. Wife's French toast had no nutmeg or anything to add flavor. The corn beef in my corn beef Eggs Benedict gave the impression of coming out of a can; and I would bet money the hash browns were from a frozen package. Everything lacked the homemade Barnside vibe the name suggests. A 3-star "meh" of a meal. Trust me.

Andrew B.

Yelp
Arrived and was busy, told it would be a 6 minute wait and was spot on! Fantastic chocolate chip pancakes (the right amount of chips), hash browns on point and scrambled eggs with cheese were perfectly cooked! Friendly service - will be back soon

Stacy H.

Yelp
I've driven by this dinner for many years and I thought want the heck, I need breakfast after my golf game. They are offering both dine in & carryout. They have social distanced the seating but all available booths were full. i sat at the counter and had the Barnside sampler Breakfast with scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon & toast. Big servings, hot and nicely cooked. They place was busy and it was a holiday. They do close at 3pm. I will stop by again.

Cheryl T.

Yelp
Stopped by Barnside Diner on a Saturday around 1 pm. Surprisingly, there is a decent amount of parking on both sides. It was pretty crowded when we arrived, but two of us were able to be seated right away. The layout is cool with the open kitchen so you can watch them make your food. They have a combination of booths and seats at the counter. I ordered the Barnside Benedict and my bf got the Steak & Eggs Combo. For my Barnside Benedict I chose ham and english muffins for my base. For meat, you have the option of Ham or Turkey and for the base you have the option for toast, biscuit, or english muffin. The benedict also comes with a side of hash browns. I was not too excited about the Benedict. Maybe it could have used more Hollandaise Sauce or something, but it was ok. The hash browns were awesome! Definitely my favorite part of my dish. They were nice and crispy on the outside but tender on the inside. The Steak & Eggs Combo came with steak, eggs, hashbrowns, toast, and 2 pancakes! for only $13.99 I think thats an awesome deal! The steak didn't look pretty but it was delicious. The pancakes were great and fluffy. The dish overall was great and we would definitely recommend.

Hau L.

Yelp
Haven't been here for a while, the hours have changed and so has the service. Used to come here late at night to eat and hanged out when I couldn't sleep. Recognized some of the faces and felt comfortable around them. First the waitress brought my coffee without a stirring spoon,I had to use a straw to stir my coffee. Brought my food without utensil and I had to reached behind the counter trying to get it myself, brought my grits without butter I had to ask for it and brought my omelette without my toast I may have thought they forgot about it(poor communication). Not really a big deal which I did not make a face to give make them feel u comfortable. I normally would just tip 20% doesn't matter how poor the service is since I used to work at the restaurant. When I asked for the check they thought I was paying with a credit card so they brought the handheld machine device over. What bothers me was the first thing appeared infront of my face was 25% tip and up.. nothing less than 25% for tip options. So does any audience in here believe they deserve 25% tip and up? I told them I'm paying with cash and tip 20% as it is poorly served.

Stephanie Y.

Yelp
This place is cute! The service is so friendly and high quality. I went here because it was really close to my Air B&B and the prices were great! I really enjoyed my meal here and I'll gladly go back again if I'm ever in the area.

Cletus V.

Yelp
I've never tried provolone cheese on an omelette, but it was outstanding! Bacon was delicious and so were the hash browns. The biscuits were not anything to write home about, but the service was solid.

Peter G.

Yelp
Amazing fresh tasty food. Pancakes were big and fluffy. Omelette was delicious and hash browns cooked perfectly. This was my first time and will be my go to place. I only wish they had a sign in sheet, since the place was super crowded.

Christopher M.

Yelp
the food was exactly what you want it to be at a diner...it was so good and served up fast. my server Helen was attentive, kind, and exceptionally welcoming. overall the service, food, and vibe were all great and I'll definitely be returning!

Jordan V.

Yelp
Hands down my favorite local diner! Great food and friendly service. The only bad thing is that is very small and can get very loud when busy.

Faith M.

Yelp
Service was not great and the food was right behind it. We stopped here to eat on our way to Saturday sports. The tea was absolutely disgusting. I'm pretty sure they have not cleaned the tea containers like EVER. I ordered pancakes and they pretty much taste as they look...flat. No buttermilk here. Everything here has to be instant or old.

Derek J.

Yelp
I placed an order online, went to the store to pick up my order and I was told by the manager that an order was never retrieved. Nobody knows where this order or my money went. The staff and manager were not very helpful in this manner and shrugged their shoulders at me when I left. Horrible customer service.

Raquel R.

Yelp
Great food and Very warm setting. Perfect combination. My husband loved! Our new place for breakfast

Demeter's D.

Yelp
Awesome food! Awesome service! All of the servers are so nice and the store is clean. When a server noticed that I was uncomfortable with using a sticky ketchup bottle she cleaned it right away. I really appreciated that.

Michael D.

Yelp
I ordered through UberEats and half of my order didn't come. Girlfriend didn't get the French toast she ordered so we had to order breakfast from another location. I called Barnside and the rude woman answering the phone was so arrogantly confident that "I packed this order, it was definitely correct" then proceeded to say that Uber driver must have stolen it even though everything was in one bag, completely closed and tied up. Don't waste your time here. They're moronic fools. Just like the "T" is missing from their sign, your French toast will also be nowhere to be found.

Kayla Y.

Yelp
Came for some quick food at around 12:30 a.m. My omelet was mediocre as were my potatoes (which I wanted to be greasy diner food, but they were rather dry-- good if that's what you're looking for). It surprisingly took a while to get service despite being the only customer in present in the store because the two men working were chatting up a storm. My food was cheap. I think I paid around ~$11 for an omelet and side of potatoes with tip. This is one of the best instances of you get what you pay for.