5 Menu Highlights From Alexandria Restaurant Week Participating Eateries

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria Restaurant Week kicks off Friday, and there are no shortage of restaurants to dine at and sample special menus.

During the 10-day summer restaurant week, participating eateries will offer $30, $40 or $50-per-person special dinner menus. Visit Alexandria hosts the restaurant week twice a year in January and August to promote the city's diverse culinary offerings.

We're highlighting a few menus from participating restaurants, but we encourage readers to check out the full menu book to find something that satisfies their taste buds. For diners on the go, some restaurants are offering casual dining specials.

Here are five places to try:

1. Bastille Brasserie and Bar, 606 N Fayette St, Alexandria, VA

This brasserie is a favorite for its French cuisine and special prix fixe menus. For restaurant week, it will offer $40 and $50 three-course menus. With entrée choices like Seared Yellowfin Tuna, Duck Leg Confit and Steak Frites, there will be something for every taste. On the $50 menu, you can try the French specialty of escargot, or snails.

2. Havana 151: 401 E Braddock Rd 2nd Floor, Alexandria, VA

Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap has whisked diners to Havana with its Cuban-themed Loft at Lena's dining experience, and now it's joining restaurant week. The three-course menu for $40 per person is centered around entree choices like the traditional Cuban sandwich, seafood paella or birria tacos. Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap also its own restaurant week menu with its standard Italian offerings.

3. Spice Kraft Indian Bistro, 2607 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA
This Indian restaurant has been a favorite among Taste of Del Ray attendees for its creative offerings. The restaurant week menu provides a five-course menu for $40. Vegetarians will be delighted to find offerings like Jackfruit Biryani Cheese Balls, Mini Samosa Veg, Vegetable Do-Piaza and Mutter Panneer. There are also meet-based favorites such as Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Madras and Mini Chicken Kati Roll.

4. Founding Farmers, 461 Swann Ave, Alexandria, VA

This farmer-owned restaurant opened its Alexandria location in March at the Oakville development. For restaurant week, Founding Farmers will allow diners to choose from a wide range of its farm-to-table menu offerings for a $40-per-person three-course menu. The first course includes a choice of appetizers, sushi bites, soup or salads. Entrée choices include the entrée-sized salads, burgers, sandwiches, signature dishes, pastas, chicken and grilled meats. Diners' choice of cakes, pies or sundae finish the meal off.

5. Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen St, Alexandria, VA

In 2023, Elaine’s brought the cuisine of Alexandria, Egypt to Alexandria, Virginia. The owner named the restaurant after her grandmother, whom she promised to open and name a restaurant after while growing up in Cairo, Egypt. The restaurant describes its cuisine as Middle Eastern with inspiration from France, Greece and Italy. During restaurant week, the $50 prix fixe menu includes a mezza course, entrée and dessert. A few highlights are the Grilled Chicken Shish, Alexandrian Grilled Shrimp and Baklava Cheesecake.