Taste Of Del Ray: See Winners, Patch's 5 Picks For Best Tastes

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Hungry patrons lined up to get a taste from new restaurants and returning favorites at the 15th annual Taste of Del Ray Sunday.

Taste of Del Ray, a ticketed event hosted by the Del Ray Business Association at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center field, sold out once again in 2024. Over two hours — and an extra hour for VIPs — attendees sampled sweet and savory bites and cast their votes for the People's Choice Award.

People's Choice and Judge's Choice Awards were awarded. Each attendee could cast one vote for the People's Choice.

People's Choice winners were:

1st: Spice Kraft Indian Bistro

2nd: Del Ray Cafe

3rd: La'Baik

Judge's Choice winners were:

1st: Spice Kraft Indian Bistro

2nd: La'Baik

3rd (tie): Taqueria Poblano and Evening Star Cafe's Hi-Fi Tex-Mex BBQ

Patch Picks: Best Tastes

Patch was also present to try the Taste of Del Ray entries. Here are our picks for the top tastes:

1. Spice Kraft Indian Bistro's Paneer samosa cannoli

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro continues to impress with its flavors and presentation. In a unique twist on Indian fusion, the restaurant offered a savory samosa cannoli filled with either paneer cheese or lamb. The paneer cannoli was especially tasty. Filled with spices and presented with photo-worthy toppings, it was a clear favorite that rivaled last year's Taste of Del Ray winner, its bite-sized dhai puri.

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro is located just across the street from Taste of Del Ray at 2607 Mount Vernon Avenue.

2. Del Ray Cafe's avocado crab soup and chouquettes

Del Ray Cafe offered sweet and savory options that became favorites among Patch's group. The chouquettes, a regular Taste of Del Ray offering, are delectable served with chocolate and raspberry sauces. Soups were available with and without crab, but the crab option won us over for its refreshing coastal flavor.

Del Ray Cafe serves its French-inspired cuisine for brunch and dinner at 205 E. Howell Avenue.

3. Hi-Fi Tex-Mex BBQ's pulled pork sandwich

Evening Star Cafe's barbecue operation in the back of its restaurant has gotten local acclaim for a reason. Its pulled pork sandwich paired with slaw could easily become a favorite for those backyard barbecues in the summer.

You can enjoy Hi-Fi Tex-Mex BBQ's dishes — and smells fresh from the smoker — at 2000 Mount Vernon Avenue.

4. Zuki Moon's lumpia

Zuki Moon, the replacement concept for Kaizen Tavern, brought its Filipino flavors into play. The restaurant offered its lumpia, also known as Filipino spring rolls, in the chicken and pork/shrimp varieties. Paired with sweet and sour sauce for dipping, it was the perfect combination of flavors. Find the lumpa and more Asian fusion dishes on the menu at Zuki Moon, located at 1909 Mount Vernon Ave.

5. Bella Napoli's Italian options

This Italian restaurant had the longest line throughout Taste of Del Ray, and there's good reason why. Bella Napoli allowed attendees to choose from various Italian delicacies, from chicken Parmesan, eggplant Parmesan and creamy gnocchi to almond cake, cheesecake and cannoli. Our favorites were the chicken Parmesan and almond cake.

These options and more are served at 1310 Mt Vernon Avenue.

Even those restaurants that didn't win People's Choice and Judge's Choice Awards are worth a visit. Other participating Taste of Del Ray restaurants were:

• Benny Diforza's: Pizza slice
• Cheesetique: Pimento cheese sandwich
• Dreampt (Del Ray Pizzeria): Cheddar polenta with beef
• District Biscuit Company: Biscuit bread pudding and doughnut bites
• Hops N Shine: Wings (ghost pepper, Old Bay and more varieties)
• Junction Bakery Bistro & Bar: Gluten-free brownie
• La’Baik: Falafel
• Pork Barrel BBQ: Barbecue meats
• Swings Coffee Roasters: Bourbon-aged nitro and cold brew coffee
• Taqueria Poblano: Pork taco with avocado pico de gallo