The Wharf

Seafood restaurant · Old Town

The Wharf

Seafood restaurant · Old Town

1

119 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

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Highlights

This cozy, nautically inspired restaurant has been dishing out fresh seafood and good vibes since 1971, making it a must-visit in Old Town Alexandria.  

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119 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314 Get directions

wharfrestaurant.com
@thewharfoldtown

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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119 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314 Get directions

+1 703 836 2836
wharfrestaurant.com
@thewharfoldtown

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Mar 9, 2025

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@eater

"The Wharf’s floating stage at transit pier will show the games on a giant 17-foot screen on the floating stage, presented by Budweiser. Expect giveaways, beer and wine bars, and sound up for every play. And on Tuesday, October 23, there’s a coveted raffle for six tickets to Game 4." - Tierney Plumb

Where to Find Food and Drink Deals During the Nationals’ World Series Run - Eater DC
View Postcard for The Wharf

E Meerbach

Google
had a wonderful meal here late one evening! I started with the fig old fashioned, and followed it up with the she-crab soup, crab cake appetizer, and a side of asparagus, and everything was perfectly delicious. The central location and decent pricing can’t really be beat, and I do recommend it if you’re looking for a reliable crab-based seafood experience in the area. The staff was attentive and friendly without being overbearing or disingenuous, and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant was quite low-key - though I did have to laugh that the music was awfully ‘dad-core’, with Sweet Caroline and Brown Eyed Girl drifting through the historic 19th century building.

Ashley Carswell

Google
Nice cozy dinner date night. Wine bottles are 1/2 price on Wednesdays. Food was good but risotto with scallops was a little thick for my taste. The salmon was nice! Service was a little slow but it was rather busy.

G E

Google
We and our guests who were visiting out of town love this place. The food was so fresh and well prepared. The service was attentive and nice to accommodate with the big group reservation. The restaurant was clean and neat and had a cozy atmosphere. Absolutely recommending their oyster and lobster pasta.

Gina S

Google
My significant other and I have eaten here twice now and both times we have been wowed by the food, enjoyed the atmosphere and been well attended to by the wait staff. The food. The crab cakes melted in my mouth and were very filling. Grey’s swordfish pleased him so much, he’s had it both times! My first trip I had the rock fish, it was good, and the side of leek and corn succotash excellent! The desserts, my oh my! We had the Coconut Oatmeal Pie, which took me back in time while totally satisfying my sweet craving and Grey had the Orange Crème Brûlée, he says, “It’s out of this world!” Enough said there! On to the service, we eat dinner around 5 pm so we are there before it gets busy and if you can, that’s the best time to go. The waitstaff is able to chat some, keep our drinks filled and bring our food out as soon as it’s done. The Wharf is a classy place and the food is worth the trip and the price.

Lia Lu

Google
This spot offers both a charming atmosphere and a fantastic dining experience. The service is exceptionally attentive, and the food is simply outstanding. If you find yourself in Alexandria, a stroll down this historic street isn't complete without stopping in for a memorable meal!

Jason Nettles

Google
Beautiful setting in Old Town Alexandria. The food was delicious 😋. Service was friendly and frequent. Visiting from out of state. Certainly recommend and will be back in the future!

michele c

Google
We decided to eat lunch at a place on King street. The weather was great so we decided to sit outside and listen to the live music. We had been here before and loved the appetizer combo (shrimp, oysters, bacon wrapped scallops and calamari). It was not on the lunch menu, but they fixed it for us anyway. The shrimp was our favorite so we decided to place another order for just shrimp. Great drink options. Service was excellent.

Makayla Jadden

Google
Everything about this meal was great. The service & the atmosphere was a cherry on top. Highly recommend the crab cakes & salmon Oscar.

Dee A.

Yelp
This gem is a go to for a date night. It has a historical feel as the building is modified from its original build from early Alexandria (centuries old!). I visited for maybe the 5th time. Each time I visit is great service, ambiance, and food. Last night, however, was a bit subpar with food but the service and hospitality were excellent. It was valentines dinner on a Friday night and the restaurant was packed, which may had led to the food not being as great as normal. I ordered a filet mignon cooked medium but received a filet cooked almost well done, tasteless, and chewy :( the amazing drinks made up for the sub par meal. I will return of course.

Namir B.

Yelp
My wife and I came here for Winter Restaurant Week and we had a great time! We had a full 3-course meal: Apps (Caesar Salad & She Crab Soup), Entrée (Salmon Oscar), and Dessert (Basque Style Cheesecake). You can't go wrong with Caesas Salad, but it was okay. Nothing special. My wife enjoyed the crab soup but the sherry took away from the experience. It wasn't bad though. The Entrées were BANGIN!!!! So gooooddd... the salmon, postatoes, and grilled asparagus - was "LIKE THAT!" It was so good, we were apalled. The entree alone sealed the deal for us. We WILL be coming back. Customer Service was so personable, and the waiters were "ON IT!" Super attentive; 10 out of 10. We weren't fans of the cheesecake. Just not what we were used to (i.e. New York Style) but it wasn't "the worst," or bad. It was decent. All in all-- We're gonna have to come back and try some other dishes.

Kelly F.

Yelp
I tried the Wharf in Old Town and it was a great way to spend a beautiful evening! I sat outside and watched Old Town Alexandria go by. Service was stellar; i was dining alone, so I always appreciate a kind server. We started with bread! It's always a treat to get warm bread as you sit down. I got the she crab soup, which was super flavorful and had a decent amount of crab in it. I also got the Caesar salad and topped it with a crab cake. The Caesar was good, but the crab cake was stellar. It was all lump crab, had a perfect light sear, and was perfectly seasoned. Was it probably a little pricy? Sure, but it was a delicious dinner in a great setting!

Susan B.

Yelp
Great service! Great atmosphere !Great food! Totally recommend this restaurant! We love the seafood and how attentive our waitress was.

Kris M.

Yelp
We come here almost every Christmas Eve and we love it! We split a fee appetizers, order lobster and steaks, and then split a few different desserts. The service is always amazing, but I definitely recommend getting a reservation because they are booked during the holidays. The restaurant is busy, but is also moderately quiet allowing for an enjoyable dining experience. Highly recommend!

jasmine R.

Yelp
The service was really great!! Same goes for the food we loved it! The restaurant it self was very relaxed which was nice. The Location was good it was near the water just a 3 min walk.

Bicycle M.

Yelp
The service and ambiance was so enjoyable. I was happy to enjoy the service of more mature, polite and attentive staff. The complimetary bread and butter was a nice treat. The blackened scallops were prepared delicious. The crab cake was not my very favorite, but I liked the lighty battered crust. Everything prepared nicely and professional staff. Large wine selection.

Will M.

Yelp
Pictures from the outside make this spot seem much more fancier than it actual is. There was a leak from the ceiling in the middle of the dining room. The wooden paneling on the walls looked unwell. The waitstaff was over dressed. Pasta and sauce had some nice kick to it. Lobster was pretty standard and the sides balanced it well.

Marleny E.

Yelp
The Louie salad is fresh. It's a big salad for one person, perhaps enough for two side salads if you want to share. The complementary salad dressing is delicious, however the flavor sets in a few hours later. I started the salad at the restaurant and took it home. I also had the she crab soup. It's was filling, creamy with very small lumps of dumplings and crab. I was craving the "she" flavor the entire time. I would skip it and try another soup. Salt, pepper, and chalula on everything for flavor and spice. The recipes are American and geared towards salt conscious customers. Wine was a savvy blanc from NZ. Yes! Refreshing, citrusy and crisp. The wait staff are very well trained and friendly, as is the manager (host). Checked on me frequently and asked me if I needed different things to enhance my experience. I appreciate that very much. Sit outside if the weather permits!

Sandy L.

Yelp
Visited The Wharf this past Sunday for an 8pm reservation. We lucked out with street parking as there was someone pulling away when we arrived. The restaurant was rather empty inside as most people were sitting outdoors on this cooler evening. Inside, the restaurant is cozy with a nautical theme. We ended up being seated indoors next to a window near the bar, and had the space all to ourselves. My date and I ordered from the Restaurant Week menu, which had limited options compared to the regular dinner menu, but figured it was the last day of Restaurant Week, so why not? We both had the She Crab soup and crab cakes (+$10 up-charge) for our appetizer and entrée respectively, and while he had the bread pudding, I had the cheesecake for dessert. Service was excellent, but as expected when the restaurant is hardly at half capacity. The bread we were served upon sitting down was delicious and paired well with the creamy She Crab soup, which comes with oyster crackers; however, the proportion of soup to crabmeat was slightly disappointing - I would have liked for there to be more chunks of crabmeat in the soup, but honestly, who wouldn't? The crab cakes come with two decent sized cakes with only a small amount of filler, but would have looked slightly more appetizing if broiled for just a few minutes at the end of cooking, so that the top is slightly browned and not so soft (as if just reheated in a microwave); the dish is served perfectly salted with grilled asparagus as well as mashed potatoes. It's a good value for the price (despite the $10 up-charge)! Neither the bread pudding nor the cheesecake were anything to write home about, so probably could have skipped that unless you ordered from the Restaurant Week menu, which includes dessert. Overall, The Wharf was a solid experience. Although I wouldn't make the drive specifically for the crab cakes here, I would definitely come back to try their other seafood dishes!

Joy S.

Yelp
This is our second time here. We first tried this place during Alexandria Restaurant Week. At that time, we just thought it was good but nothing special. We ended up trying again today and everything was delicious! The special dish for summer is lobster watermelon salad. It's super good I could swim in it and die happy. Sadly, it's only seasonal dish. Lobster pasta was good but some piece of lobster was little overcooked. The sauce was good. Swordfish skewer was good. My husband really likes it (the fish is little salty for me, but it's good when you eat it with rice and vegetables). Service was great. The host, the manager, and the waitstaff were amazing and attentive. Now we are planning to come back again. PS: This place has a cool historic pierce of the building from 1800s, like the beams and the wall part. They even had a sign giving a brief history of that piece. It's super cool.

Charlie P.

Yelp
Great service fast and kind waiters. The inside is so cute with the brick walls and a very cozy feel as the space is relatively small. The food is ok, the lobster is a bit overcooked, the scallops were really bitter almost as if the pan they're seared on really needed to be changed/washed. The clam chowder had WAY too much potato, they should call it potato chowder instead, it was also more thins and watery than chowder usually is, the raw oysters needed that clear sauce they usually come with. Tbh? It's alright- wouldn't be in a hurry to come back, but wouldn't be mad to try again

Shaun S.

Yelp
I was on a roadtrip and picked Alexandria as my stopover destination. Glad I did- hotel staff highly recommended this restaurant. Excellent service- seated outdoors as soon as we arrived. We were able to enjoy fresh breeze, cool temperatures and live jazz music from locals playing on the street. We were served bread and water shortly after. I settled on a special that they were offering that evening and it was scrumptious down to the last bite. We also ordered a side dish for my toddler which was a crab succotash. I ate about half of it myself!! From the hostess to waiter- everyone was spot on. Definitely a restaurant I would consider if and when I'm back in Alexandria.

Moni T.

Yelp
I came here for lunch and ordered the broiled old-town seafood platter that came with rockfish, shrimp, and a crab cake. The only thing I would recommend is perhaps adding a veggie instead of fries. However, the food was seasoned and delicious. Also, the complimentary bread they give you is good and soft. The inside is spacious and they also offer outdoor seating. I decided to sit at the bar. The bartender was nice, and patient, and continued to check on me. Another recommendation or gripe, they don't offer sweet tea, so I stuck with drinking water.

Kenneth C.

Yelp
Went for Valentines day lunch. Had reservations and service was good. The food was poor. Had a crab cake sandwich that was mush. The broiled sampler was not crisp. More mush.

Vicky M.

Yelp
We absolutely LOVE Old Town Alexandria. The numerous restaurants on King Street make it hard to decide. For my husband's birthday we chose The Wharf. We did the inside dining due to it being so hot outside and we just came back from a boat trip. This historic building was full of details on the walls of what was there before. Very nice, quaint dining, with an upstairs dining as well. Immediately, upon being seated our drink order was taken and our server Diego was there to introduce himself. Side note: Diego is very handsome and was on top of his serving without a doubt, reason this review is a 3 ! I had the crab cakes, mashed potatoes with Asparagus! Crab cakes were ok, no fillers, nothing to really brag about. I also had the Calamari appetizer, which was really good and fried to perfection. My husband had the She-Crab soup, I think I took over, simply delicious! My husband also had the Salmon, potatoes and spinach, he said it was good. Will we return, probably. The Wharf overall, is a nice dining experience! I will let you know our next adventure in Old Town Alexandria!

Nicole L.

Yelp
Let's just say I stumbled upon this place and couldn't be more ecstatic that I did. Let's start off with the fresh baked bread and whipped butter that was delivered upon being seated. Bread served hot, with a crispy outside and soft center. Yum! I love fresh baked bread and butter. I'm a oyster enthusiast so I had to get a dozen oysters on the half shell. Oysters were tasty, kinda big, I like smaller ones. Overall they were fresh with a crisp sweet finish. Mussels The main attraction in a robust, flavorful tomato sauce. OMG! The best mussels I ever tasted. The sauce was remarkable and executed perfectly. It packed so much flavor, I almost licked the shells clean, I sopped it all up with a extra order bread! I couldn't get enough of the sauce! These mussels took my to tastebuds to heaven! You have to get these if you visit! Drops Mic‼ Chicken Milanese-The fried chicken was fried to perfection over a bed of mashed potatoes and spinach. The sauce drizzled over this was tasty ASF! Executed very well! No complaints here! This place is something to write home about‼

Cheryl T.

Yelp
We made a reservation for Valentine's Day here and I wouldn't recommend this spot for a busy day / dinner. We were seated on the second floor and there were so many tables packed in the room. The tables were so close it didn't feel like we could have an intimate dinner conversation. Also, barely enough room to get around the tables. It seemed the staff also wasn't prepared for the Valentine's Day rush because few tables sat around for a while like they were forgotten. When one table finally called out that they were seated but hadn't been checked on, one server admitted to not realizing they were in their section. For the meal, we ordered the calamari to start and i ordered a seafood pasta for dinner. The food was fine. Nothing excited me enough to want to return any time soon. We were ready to just quickly eat and leave.

Dora S.

Yelp
I came here with my colleagues one monday evening and everything we got was pleasantly good. We shared deviled eggs, they were vinegary and light which were delicious. I decided to go with the seabass with miso soysauce cooked black rice. The seabass was very fresh and im a big fan of seabass so it was great. The rice couldve been better. It was way too sweet and on top of that, there was too much sauce which made it even more sweeter. For dessert, we got the bread pudding to share and it was mediocre, the bread pudding was too spongey in my opinion but i know some people like it like that! Sit outside if the weather is nice and its just beautiful to see people walk around and theres a guy who's playing music every night.

Mark B.

Yelp
I have not been here in at least two decades. Surprisingly, I believe the quality of the food had diminished despite being the costliest dinner on this block except the omakase place a block away. We had the swordfish skewers, seafood cioppino with linguini pasta, and salmon. All lacked significant seasoning to make it distinct from other seafood competitors in Old Town Alexandria. Service was good.

Alison H.

Yelp
Solid food, big portions, attentive service, and warm atmosphere. My family ordered the Maryland seafood chowder, miso sea bass, horseradish crusted salmon, crab stuffed lobster with shrimp, scallops, etc., and scallop risotto. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. With that said, the ambiance felt very old-world, dark, and the server was very green. At $100/pp all in, with alcohol and tip, we felt it was a bit overpriced for the atmosphere and presentation of the dishes.

Lenita G.

Yelp
While in town for a brief trip, I researched local restaurants for lunch and The Wharf had excellent reviews and ratings! It did not disappoint!! It wasn't super busy at that time so getting a table was effortless. The Lump Crab Cake, Crab Stuffed Flounder, Crab Succotash, and Pear Martini were delicious!! I had enough food to eat for a late night snack and breakfast the next morning. lol. I recommend sitting by the window so you can people watch the shoppers on King Street. There was also a saxophonist playing right outside the window which made it even more perfect. Nick and Fidel provided excellent service and I recommend that you seek them out as they will take wonderful care of you!!

Tiffany S.

Yelp
I came in yesterday for Alexandria restaurant week. The place is really charming inside and I like the decor. The service was great! I never went without anything and the waiter was very attentive. Now the restaurant week special is one appetizer, one entree and one dessert for $55. For my appetizer, I ordered the calamari. It was soggy, lukewarm and tasted like flour. I had maybe 3 bites and I couldn't stomach anymore. Now for my entree I had the seared scallop risotto. The risotto was very bland, but ended up being okay after seasoning it with salt and pepper. The scallops were over cooked, nearly burnt. I ate a few bites of this and decided I was done. The food was so disappointing, I didn't even bother taking the free dessert included. I really had high hopes for this place but I left hungry and very disappointed...

John J.

Yelp
Everything was top notch at our first visit to the Wharf. We loved the ambiance as we dined in a 200 year old building that has been meticulously cared for. From the moment we were shown to our table the service was perfect. Our drinks were refilled regularly. We took our time and ordered our appetizers first and waited to order our entrees until we were done. Absolutely no problem doing this with the waiter, even though it was a Friday night. The quality of our food was what I would expect for a high end restaurant. Portions were good, food was at temperature, presentation was done right. We have a wonderful time and will certainly be visiting again.

Quinniece C.

Yelp
Service was amazing and the food was great! It was such a perfect vibe to sit outside with the sax musician playing. Loved every bit!

Elvin M.

Yelp
Another jewel in Old Town Alexandria. Went for brunch and sat outside. Servers were quick to come over and take our drink and food orders. The food and drinks came out quickly. Sundays they have 5 dollar Mimosas which were prepared well. The food was delicious. No complaints for out first time visiting this restaurant.

Rebecca W.

Yelp
Yeah man, I gotta be honest with you...this place was a disappointment. I love a classic, old school eatery, but the food was not great, bordering on bad. Our table ordered she crab soup, chowder, popcorn shrimp, scallops with risotto, crab cakes, swordfish skewers, and steak (oddly the dude that suggested this seafood place ordered this and yes I judged him). Of the dishes we ordered, only the swordfish was "good"--the rest was either bland (soups), over cooked (steak, crab cakes, scallops) or stodgy. The risotto was a solid mound of paste. The crab cakes were hellishly over cooked on the outside and cool in the centers. Even the complimentary bread was stale and dull. For the shmeckles we dropped, I would have expected much better quality. I definitely didn't expect to be wowed, but come on. Execute your menu. Drinks were similarly disappointing. Old fashioned was all bitters, and the hot spiked cider had whipped cream on top which was...a choice. A poor choice. Service was fine, albeit the food and drinks came out slowly. The space was interesting, but needs some love. Cannot recommend.

Danielle S.

Yelp
We stopped here for lunch while walking around Old Town. We sat outside in the street seating area, which is done up as a cute European-style patio. The food and service were both good. We ordered a half dozen oysters on the half shell, which came out quickly and were yummy. For an entree, my partner and I split a lobster roll. The roll was good and came out quickly. The server also brought us two small plates for sharing. Overall, we had a great experience and I recommend stopping by! Be sure to sit outside if the weather is nice for a lovely afternoon lunch.

Rachel V.

Yelp
Stopped in with my husband and baby on Sunday for brunch. We sat inside and it was pretty quiet at 1130am. By the time we left it picked up a bit. I liked the brunch and regular menu option. I opted for an eggs Benedict with lobster and the eggs were poached to perfection! The soup was pretty good but a tad salty and a bit too much pepper. I like pepper but there was a lot! Main gripe is the downstairs bathroom did not have a baby changing table. Maybe there was one upstairs but I made due with what I had. I would dine here again. Very friendly wait staff.

Ken C.

Yelp
It was ok type of high end restaurant in old town. The service need some improvement because of new trainee. As I stated this is the high-end place on King street. You expected to pay more (a little more than expected) and the service is about average. The wait time for your disk are depending if you want your order come in the same time or separate. The portion is good and build for average adult. The restroom is in the 2nd floor (kind of odd). There is limited option, but also good because the overall taste and texture of our disk were good. The lobster pasta and chicken Milanese were OK. Overall, I prefer lunch and/or brunch over dinner.

Brian E.

Yelp
Went last week with a group of colleagues. Was unimpressed. The food was just not good. Several dishes were sent back because they were too salty. I ordered a filet mignon (I hate fish) and they overshot the mark by a long shot. Ordered medium, got well done. No need to ever return

Neli R.

Yelp
Food is good but some portions are too small. Service is good and the patio is nice. I sat at the bar. I started with a fig old fashion, but I realized they didn't have fresh figs and the cherries were not the kind u put on an old fashion so I canceled my drink. I had the shrimp cocktail appetizer and I'm from Texas. We normally get six pieces, but here they give you 3 for $14. The shrimp was good along with the sauce. Then I ordered the special which was 2 fried crabs with mashpotatoes, greenbeans, and carrots. Food was delicious. I will definitely go back.

KC M.

Yelp
A delightful restaurant week find. The ambience is cozy from the minute you step inside, and the waitstaff friendly and welcoming. We sat upstairs, which had a cozy nautical vibe. The house made bread and butter were ample, and the cocktails the right amount kick. We both started with the Arancini, which was delightful. I had the salmon for dinner; the fish was great but the spinach accompanying it was the freshest and the tastiest I've ever had, easily stealing the show. Hubs had the crab cakes, and he reports there is definitely a reason that is their signature dish. All the food came to the table piping hot, which was very welcoming on such a cold night. We can't wait to return, and encourage others to check it out as well!

Kristy M.

Yelp
Walked into the restaurant and was greeted by the host who asked if my mom and I wanted to eat inside or out (we chose to eat outside). We were able to choose where we sat and the waiters were very friendly. The food was delicious and amazingly cooked! There was a saxophonist playing right across from us playing wonderfully, adding to the overall atmosphere.

Olesya P.

Yelp
Amazing place with absolutely amazing seafood. We came here for Memorial Day Weekend, and we loved it. We didn't have to make a reservation even though the place was pretty busy and it was a very busy weekend. We had cold seafood platter that was really amazing. I loved their oysters. I also ordered scallop risotto which was very good. I love risotto but unfortunately many restaurants always mess it up. The Wharf did amazing! We had a great meal with nice wine! Definitely recommend this place. Outdoor seating is amazing, super pleasant and inviting.

Christine A.

Yelp
I was dying for oysters and we popped in on a Thursday for lunch. The oysters were super briny, the horseradish was scarce and the server failed to ever come back to ask us if we wanted an entree. We left after a glass of wine and a half dozen sub par oysters.

Loretta H.

Yelp
Last night my family took me here for my birthday. The food was amazing; as usual. The wait staff was very professional and on point. Did I say the food was sooooo good! We all had a great time, our space where we sat was a little tight/small but doable. Noise level was comfortable, the table to my left was a little loud but again, nothing to spoil our evening. I had the crab cakes as my entree, a delicious appetizer with scrimp, oysters, calamari, and a peach mango drink. Thank you Wharf for making my birthday very memorable.

joel miller ..

Yelp
the maryland seafood soup is the star of the show here--but the misquoted price on the crab cakes (of course it was higher than stated, even if only $2) left a bad taste in my mouth and tainted the experience. i dislike the "machine" bills rather than paper ones. at least the tip percentages were property calculated on the pretax total.

David M.

Yelp
The Wharf is an excellent spot for seafood in Old Town. I did feel that I wasn't dressed appropriately this place is a white table cloth restaurant. Everybody was dressed pretty casually though. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating and didn't have to wait at all for a table. They have both brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. Started with their famous crab cake I was a little disappointed by the size of it but it was super delicious. Incredibly soft and just melts right in your mouth. Served with their own aoli sauce and some greens. We also got an order of the chesapeake bay crab soup this was also really flavorful and the crab mixed really well with the soup. Then for our entree we got the seafood sampler. It was super delicious and included roasted potatoes, lobster, shrimp, and scallops. Everything was cooked to perfection and we got great service. It is on the expensive side but a great place to check out in Old Town.

Ronisha S.

Yelp
I had the opportunity to visit The Wharf. I will say the overall ambiance is a 5 out of 5. It was nicely intimate for the occasion. I will say that after having visited another restaurant in the area, this one did not QUITE measure up. The food was overall pretty decent. No jarring complaints. I got the crab soup and stuffed flounder. My significant other got the stuffed rockfish and we shared oysters on the half shell (not pictured). The service was decent as well. The meal was overall pleasant just nothing standout worthy to me. I may try again at a later date.

Joelle D.

Yelp
The Wharf was such a great place to eat dinner! The restraunt is darling. The staff was attentative and very nice. The food was simply amazing! I had the lobster (it was so sweet, no butter was needed) and the clam chowder was to die for. My spouse had the steak and shrimp and he loved it. They serve warm bread and butter before and during the meal. We were too full to have dessert. It is located on a quaint street with other restraunts and shopping. No cars are aloud so you can walk around freely.

Robin R.

Yelp
Not impressed. Busy beautiful Saturday and all of the other restaurants had a wait for outside seating. The Wharf had lots and lots of empty outdoor seating. I have been in the past (pre-Covid) and recall the food was good and the staff was attentive. Not any more. The staff literally had me wait while they finished their personal conversations. When they did look up the response was "can I help you". DUH I was seeking a table outside for lunch . How many? JUST ONE? Yes, just one. In this day and age can't a woman take herself to lunch? Seated and waiting someone finally took my order. The lobster sandwich was ok but the fries were the typical bar fries from days past. The service was non existent. No one bothered to ask me if I wanted anything else and they even brought me the check before I finished eating. Rude . I watched a couple of other patrons being seated in the sun and then reseated when the customers spoke up. Not sure who they are saving the shady umbrella tables for --with the just ok food and terrible customer experience I won't be back. There is a reason the outside tables are empty

Ang K.

Yelp
Had a wonderful night celebrating my husband's birthday. Our server Diego was super attentive the entire time and also gave us a complimentary cheesecake for the birthday. The oysters were okay since a few had very little meat. We came on Wednesday, which I didn't realize was half off certain bottles. We got a bottle of champagne for less than the cost of 2 glasses which was a wonderful surprise. The she crab soup was so delicious and flavorful, thanks to the recommendation of the server. The clam chowder was also very good with chunks of clam and potato. I enjoyed the seafood cioppino which was a tasty red sauce with fish, mussels, calamari, and shrimp - plenty of seafood. Hubby got the seafood sampler which was stuffed half lobster with crab, scallops, and shrimp over potatoes and spinach. A lot of food and delicious. Decorated for the holidays and older restaurant feels, but a perfect night.

Doug F.

Yelp
Very good. Highly recommend. Seafood sampler was excellent. Staff was friendly. Nice ambiance.

Tom I.

Yelp
We ate at The Wharf on 9/13/24. Service was terrible; our order was finally taken by the manager and then n we waited 45 minutes for food. I ordered their specialty: crab cakes. What I received was undercooked (nearly raw) mush. This was a very poor experience and I do not recommend this place.

Paige J.

Yelp
The Wharf in Old Alexandria literally has the best crab imperial in the Mid-Atlantic... hands down! The service and atmosphere was amazing. Most of our food was outstanding with the exception of the lobster, unfortunately the lobster meat was under-cooked. We shared this information with the waiter and he passed this information into the chef. I would definitely recommend this restaurant because they take pride in the presentation of the building, their team, and of course the food. Happy eating!

Jennifer L.

Yelp
Our food, service, and ambiance at The Wharf were exceptionally good for our table of 9. Not one complaint from any of our age 9 - 91 year old diners. Thank you for a lovely and delicious experience!!

Kalila W.

Yelp
I just stopped in for a lunch. This establishment is white tablecloth and i was clearly underdressed but I felt welcomed by the manager and waitress and still comfortable (there were only 1-2 other tables dining at this hour anyway). I ordered the soft shell crab special which came with mashed potatoes and veggies, also ordered the lobster roll out of curiosity. Everything i had was top notch. The soft shell crab was fried crisp and the batter was well seasoned, the sides were perfectly executed, so tasty- even the veggies. The lobster roll was good, i wouldnt get it again but there was nothing wrong with it. Good amount of lobster, not mayonnaise-y, the bread was thicker than i like but i think it was standard lobster roll bread. My drink was a spicy margarita type drink and it was great. I would come back!

Melanie S.

Yelp
I went to The Wharf with a group from work while in town for a conference. We heard good things and are pleased to share further good things! I made a 7:30 reservation for a group of 5. We got a nice table in the bar area and were accomodated by a friendly bartender named Nick. I guess I like gin now, because I got another winner of a gin-based cocktail! I had the Plantation cocktail, which was a refreshing concoction of gin, grapefruit and basil. I ordered the clam chowder and the seafood platter for the table. The chowder was very nice! You can't go wrong with a cup of clam chowder! And, bonus for me was that it did not include bacon. I, as well as 2 of my companions, ordered teh Cioppino. Normally I try not to order the same thing as my table mates because, sharing, but it looked so darn good that we each got one! The Cioppino did not disappoint! We received very large servings of pasta and tomato sauce/broth (theirs was more saucy, which I liked) topped with shrimp, mussels, calamari, and, my favorite in this serving big chunks of a meaty white fish. So good in the sauce! I also sampled (several time) my friend's lobster pasta. It was fantastic. So creamy with a good seasoning and big chunks of lobster! Winner! When our bartender dropped our entrees, we realized that we had not received our seafood platter. He apologized to us, and shortly after dinner, returned with a complimentary dessert platter! A few of us had been hoping for dessert and were both pleased and surprised with our treat. We were treated to a piece of the oatmeal pie, a piece of cheese cake, ice cream, and I think the bread pudding. The cheesecake was kind of a stand out! I also enjoyed the oatmeal pie as very different. Kind of a cross between like a pecan pie and an oatmeal cookie, maybe? Anyway, it was a very nice end to a lovely meal.