The service and food were exceptional! Definitely one of the best places to dine in NoVa.

Today, I stepped into Cafe Renaissance for the first time and was immediately impressed with the beauty of the interior. From the paintings to the fresh peonies, hydrangeas, and tulips, everything was lovely. From the first impression to the moment we left, everything was superb. My friends and I came for afternoon tea to celebrate a birthday, and we enjoyed the food, tea, cocktails and the service. Henry, our waiter, was attentive and charming as was the owner. This group loves tearooms and we are always on a quest for new ones. Cafe Renaissance is now rating at the top of the list. read more

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Recently, we had dinner there and were not treated well. First, they couldn't locate the reservations. Once seated, we asked for the wine list and clearly stated the taste we wanted to saying we wanted an Italian wine. The almost rude waiter came and just sat an unopened bottle on the table. When we inquired about it he said it was a house bottle. We asked for a wine from the Italian wine list. When it was served he spilled. Then another waiter sat a tall base and other items on our table without asking if it was ok to do so. The table was for four. The good was ok but the service was horrible. read more

This is a hidden gem ! We loved everything about this restaurant. The food was amazing, the service was excellent and the atmosphere was great. They even gave us complementary desserts and drink! We will definitely come back again. read more

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Came here with my girlfriend for an evening dinner and couldn't have been happier with the experience. The space is intimate and cozy with staff offering a warm welcome upon entry. The service here was unmatched, we were served by Henry who was an absolute gentleman throughout; he had the utmost patience and was a pleasure to chat with throughout the night. We both ordered daily specials (spare rib and flounder) and both dishes were cooked perfectly. Our cocktails were also incredible and they provided an extensive wine menu. Overall would 100% recommend Cafe Renaissance for anyone seeking a top tier dining experience in Northern Virginia; this was easily the best dinner we've had in the DMV in quite some time. We'll be back soon! read more

The food was so good but the service and warmth were even more impressive. My family of 5, including 3 kids ages 5, 8, and 10, celebrated my birthday here this evening. Each course was better than the last but honestly, our server and the gentleman at the front of the restaurant were the true highlights. They treated my family as their own and were so kind to my kids. I felt totally at home and in addition to savoring every single bite, felt so cared for and welcomed. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed my birthday meal thanks to every single person in this fabulous restaurant. We will be back time and time again! This place can't be beat! read more

Roundup to a 4-star! Attentive services, especially from the super nice/ friendly owner! However, foods is only average to above average at the most. Duck Confit appetizer & Veal are the highlight, Halibut, Snapper & Salmon are only ok! read more

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This restaurant is an absolute diamond hidden in the heart of Vienna. Lovely atmosphere, quality food, a great owner and overall service. Every table has fresh flowers, and the cocktails are delicious. I am not usually a fan of French food, but here I am ready to go every special occasion! read more

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Siad and staff went above and beyond to make my daughters baby shower a memorable event. We went for tea. The presentation of the sandwiches and desserts were beautiful and equally tasty. I had asked if I needed to bring flowers, and was told there would be plenty, and there were!! Highly recommend. read more

I came for afternoon tea. It was good, but I may have arrived with too high of expectations. Service was nice, but a bit inconsistent in terms of order delivery, tea refills, etc. I didn't hate it, but there are better formal tea options for the same price point that I prefer more. read more

The absolute BEST food, service, hospitality, and drink list you could ask for! We have loved coming to Cafe Renaissance for years and each time it gets better and better. The owners treat you like family and provide you with the best conversation. This is a true European meal; if you're ready to enjoy then expect to order drinks, relax, soup, wine, relax, dinner, dessert, and coffee. It's always a nice long evening full of conversation. We could not speak more highly of this restaurant! Visit for a week night dinner or a special occasion. Don't forget to finish the night with an Irish (decaf?!) coffee, it's a table-side show! read more

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We had a wonderful experience at Cafe Renaissance Last night from the moment we walked in. In spite of being short on staff, we had excellent timely service. All dishes were cooked perfectly and so tasty. We had the Caesar salad, eggplant starter, French onion soup and Cod dish. The bread and desserts were all perfectly made. I liked the bread so much, we even got a loaf to take home! You are made to feel so welcome and treated like family when there. I highly recommend for a special occasion or any occasion! read more

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Service was off. Two women had to ask waiter to remove plates after 30 min with fork "signal" and plates pushed to edge of table.

I've been to this restaurant a few times in the past. The first few times were several years ago and the experience was great back then. However, the most recent experience has been EXTREMELY disappointing!! To start with, I receive a call the day prior to my reservation, asking if I'll be coming in as per my booking. I confirm that I will. And then I'm told they're checking since I cancelled the previous year, and wanted to see if I'll be repeating the behavior!?? What the??? So I should have come into the restaurant the previous time, after I had taken ill, especially with COVID-like symptoms, rather than cancel out. A very "professional" way to confirm the reservation!! After we get there, get the menu and order our drinks, our server expects us to order the appetizers and main course right away, along with the drinks! No introduction is made about the special menu for the evening. He expected us to have already figured out prior to arriving there that it was a prix fixe menu, already know the price (since there is no mention of the price on the menu itself), and order our choices right away. When we asked for time, he exclaims "Looks like you're not ready to order. Do you even know it's a fixed price menu?". Visibly, there were no customers giving our server a hard time. Most of the customers were above 65/70 years of age and are just there to have a pleasant evening dinner. So his excuse for this attitude? At this point, the overall attitude thus far should have encouraged us to leave. But I didn't feel it was fair to my family to break off and make reservations at another restaurant at this last minute. So we continue to tolerate their unwarranted behavior. After we finally placed our orders, the appetizers arrive and we eat them without incident. When the main course arrives, we discover that they delivered a wrong dish to the table. When the server finally comes by to check in, we ask what the dish is and then explained it wasn't what we'd ordered. Rather than verify/recall with us (forget even the apology), he immediately gets confrontational and states that we're wrong and he's right, since that's what he wrote down on his notepad!!! He had even asked how we wanted the dish cooked when we were first placing the order. After we confirmed we had ordered correctly, he grabs the plate and walks away and comes back with the right dish, in less than 2 mins.!!! He then raises his voice against my daughter saying "HERE'S YOUR LAMB SHANK!! THIS IS THE LAMB DISH, THE LAMB DISH, OK. NOT THE FILET MIGNON THAT YOU ORDERED!!". He then lashes out stating that the LAMB is never cooked to medium or medium rare, but rather "all the way through". Why the hell did he ask at what temperature we wanted the lamb cooked in the first place? If this isn't the MOST UNPROFESSIONAL and CONDESCENDING behavior towards a family, especially towards a young lady, then I don't know what is!! She lost her appetite and could not finish her dinner. Her ENTIRE evening was ruined, and she stayed hungry for the rest of our time there. There's no apology by the server for his behavior. I should have walked out of the restaurant right then and there and asked to speak with the owner on the way out to describe this RUDE, DISRESPECTFUL behavior towards a customer. What exactly had we done to deserve this treatment? Not knowing the menu was prix fixe? To be clear, there was ABSOLUTELY no mention of this during reservation time, when they had called me to confirm, when we walked in through their doors, or even as we had been seated and handed the menus. And yet, somehow, they expected us to know and behave accordingly?? Besides, is this how a restaurant of such history is willing to treat their customers in the first place??? SO Food - Had historically been good, and is still decent. Recent Service - Get your server enrolled in an Anger Management and Attitude Adjustment session. Enough people have already complained on yelp. If not, several more of us will experience this arrogant behavior at one point or another, and you WILL LOSE more customers!! It's very possible that a good amount of the people who've seen flashes of this attitude may continue to be tolerant. After all, why would they feel that any form of polite feedback would make a difference? They may not even have accounts on review sites. I'm afraid that until 1 out of every 10 customers are equally disrespected, this behavior will go un-remedied, especially if the server is senior staff. And there will always be an owner or two out there who would rather keep experienced staff regardless of their attitude. I will be sharing this experience with my food/restaurant critic friends who'll be more than happy to record this incident on their channels. read more

Great food, wonderful ambience, and outstanding service . I have been going to Cafe Renaissance for many years, and it continues to be superb. read more

Celebrated our anniversary there this year, again, and always wonderful. There were 3 other tables celebrating their anniversaries at the same time reflecting that this is a special place for a special occasion. The food is always excellent and priced fairly for the quality. The service is also excellent. They make you feel like you are the only customers; such care and special treatment. They encourage you to relax and enjoy the experience. They do not rush you out like other restaurants, unless you are in a hurry; but to enjoy the experience, don't rush. Looking forward to returning for our anniversary next year and probably seeing the same people at the other tables once again celebrating their anniversaries there but we'll be back before then. We've lived in NoVa for almost 30 years and there's no question that this is one of the top restaurants in Northern Virginia. read more

I picked this place to celebrate my 7 years old daughter birthday based on Yelp review. When I entered the restaurant, I was doubt about this place. The restaurant is kinda out dated. Even all the customers are over 65. When I looked at the menu, everything was so overpriced. We ordered escargot. It was too hot to eat initially. My husband immediately said this is microwave made. I had a seafood pasta. I saw the piece of plastic bag. I feel like even the chef is too old to see what he is cooking. Our kids had a simple pasta but it was $28. It was so overpriced. I don't get why this place is getting high rating. read more

This place is an older establishment. The food and service is 3-4 star. I gave it a try once and haven't been back so that's probably telling me something. I remember it being okay, but not much to talk about in a review. read more

Cafe Renaissance has been on my "to try" list for quite some time. They are always on OpenTable's most romantic and special occasion lists for the DC area. I was in a party of 6 for a Mother's Day dinner here and was not impressed. We arrived early for our reservation but were not seated until 20 minutes after our reservation time. I know these things cannot be controlled per say but we did not like standing outside. The restaurant is not very large and there is no waiting room. Located in an out-dated strip mall in Vienna, the place does not look very appealing from the outside. A manager did offer us wine, which was a nice gesture. The interior of the place is old dated and cozy...I would not say its one of the most romantic places I have been to. Service was above average but food was average. My mom and I had the lamb shank and soft shelled crabs for our entrees and the lobster ravioli for an appetizer. The ravioli order was only 2 pieces..tasty and very creamy but I could only taste a hint of lobster. The lamb shank was a very large portion but was not tasty. The soft shelled crabs were also just alright. I would not go back to this place because it is out of my way and frankly the food is not worth the trip. read more

Cafe Renaissance - Lobster ravioli - French Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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We came to Cafe Renaissance on Saturday night as a double date. My gf made our reservation and when showed up separately (they beat us there) we were quickly pointed to our seats. Our server was wonderful! He had us cracking up all the while making us feel completely taken care of. We split oysters and escargots as our appetizers and I was very impressed with both. I also really liked my entrée of Veal Scallopini Français. After our dinner both the owner and the chef stopped by our table and after striking up a conversation about a local winery, the owner actually brought us all some sparkling wine to go with our desserts. So sweet! For dessert our table split the sampler and bananas foster. Both were spectacular. The bananas foster is made table side, so it is always a crowd pleaser, but I would be remiss if I didn't also specifically mention the Limoncello cake. Oh.My.Goodness. Yum! Over all we had a lovely meal. Cafe Renaissance is a charming European eatery tucked into a strip mall behind Jammin Java that I probably never would have found if it weren't for Yelp. I can't wait to bring my parents here next time they visit; they will love it. read more

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We were greeted by two servers dressed in tux. The interior design was very elegant and romantic. My brother ordered squash and sweet potato bisque for appetizer. He seemed to love it as it was sweet and smooth. Four of us ordered filet mignon, chicken breast, angel hair pasta, and beef liver. We were okay with our meals. The consensus was that it's about 3-star for food but I gave 4 stars because the service was remarkable! They gave two plates of complementary delicious desserts for my parents birthday. I don't think I'll be coming back any time soon but maybe later. read more

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We've been twice during the pandemic and both experiences were wonderful. The ambiance and food is always great. Today we celebrated a friends birthday and they sat us in a private little room. The waiter went out of his way to make sure the food arrived on time for each meal. At the end they helped us celebrate with complimentary cakes and pastries. Highly recommend this place any day. read more

My wire, granddaughter and I celebrated Mother's Day today (Saturday) at he Cafe Renaissance MD Tea. It was fabulous. Owner Saeed and Chef Ocean along with the staff absolutely outdid themselves in terms of food, ambiance and even cocktails. We have been fans since the day they opened more than 25 years ago. Today is one ofthe reasons why. read more

We came here tonight as a family to celebrate my husband's birthday. The whole experience was very pleasant and way beyond our expectations. The moment we walked into the restaurant, we were warmly welcomed by the manager. The restaurant has a classic style and the atmosphere is cozy. The food was good too. I had a dinner appointment before this, so we only ordered the onion soup, lamb shanks, sea bass and duck legs. All was great. The highlight were the desserts and a surprise birthday song for my husband organized by the restaurant manager. The presentation of making Irish coffees for a table next to us was amazing too, definitely a ceremony. We were glad that we chose Renaissance for my husband's birthday celebration and will definitely visit again. read more

Came here for Valentine's day with my sweetheart. Lovely ambiance and mood lighting, romantic music and decorations. Food was quite good, tho my limoncello cake was still partly frozen. Rather pricey but that's to be expected in Vienna on a popular day for reservations like Valentine's day so I do not fault them at all! read more

Cafe Renaissance - Lobster and shrimp with potatoes, beets, carrot, string beans - French Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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The owner was very kind and gave us great recommendations. The food was delicious and we were even offered table side flambe. The space itself was very cozy and elegant, would definitely eat here again. read more

Cafe Renaissance - Duck and Fillet - French Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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This cozy yet beautifully decorated restaurant is such a treasure. We initially came here several years ago on a recommendation from a coworker and we're smitten by it for its wonderful food and warm service. We had intended to make it a date night staple but eventually forgot the name of the restaurant and therefore were unable to return. That was, at least, until this weekend when I went in search of and establishment I did high tea service and this restaurant was recommended to us as they do a high service on the last Saturday of each month. We were so happy to walk in and realize that it was the same restaurant! The dinner that we had several years ago it was very elegant and you truly feel like you are in a café in Paris. It is extremely romantic if you were looking for a good date night spot. The menu itself has more than just French food with a little bit of everything including American and Italian foods as well. They managed to do it all well. There is a decent wine list to accompany the rich foods. While high tea is traditionally a British event, this one was a combination of French and British delights. We loved the beautiful tea pots which definitely added something whimsical to the event. There were four varieties of tea available and each table got to choose two types to share. We really enjoyed the herbal citrus tea the most.The scones were the best we ever had and melted in your mouth.The tower of sandwiches and desserts were so beautiful and we left not being able to finish them all and being extremely full. The crab and avocado toast was absolutely divine and I have never had anything like it. There wasn't a single dessert that wasn't exquisite but I believe my favorite was the pistachio raspberry tart. Like with dinner, the staff was extremely personable and entertaining. Also like at dinner, the chef came around the to the tables and was extremely friendly; you could tell that he really loves what he does. We definitely plan to be back at this unique establishment! read more

Cafe Renaissance - French Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

We had chicken breast, duck, and scallops. Along with sides. The green beans were great. Scallops were delicious. The service was okay. It was kind of careless. We got served the wrong drinks twice. I'd go back, in hopes of better service. read more

My hubby and I celebrated our anniversary at this intimate restaurant serving French cuisine with a modern twist and Italian inspiration. There isn't anything "fancy" about this place compared to the some French inspired restaurants in the area. The interior is simple with artwork by various French artists, French and classical music and fake flowers as centerpieces. It's located in a shopping center with other local shops and restaurants. But the food and service is upscale and personable. I thoroughly enjoyed our appetizers, entrees and desserts. The sampler appetizer came with shrimp, scallop, gnocchi, and lobster ravioli. Each item was dressed with a different rich and delicious sauce. The beet salad was dressed perfectly with fresh beets and arugula. My hubby had the lamb shank and it was fall off the bone tender and hardy with the risotto. I had the halibut with scallop and the fish was flaky and cooked well. The vegetables that came with both dishes weren't just garnishes. They were each cooked in a way that brings out their natural flavors. Service was impeccable! The owner and his staff was light hearted, hospitable and personable. As first time diners, we were treated as frequents and as VIPs! The owner graciously served us a dessert trio that consisted of white chocolate cake, cappuccino gelato and creme brûlée to celebrate our anniversary. I loved that creme brûlée and the decadent white sauce on the plate. My hubby also treated himself to the Irish coffee flambé and it was quite a show to prepare. He said the liquor was strong with the first two sips and then it's mellowed out and it resembled an Irish car bomb..... We had such a wonderful time celebrating our anniversary at Cafe Renaissance! read more

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The food was amazing! I would definitely recommend the Aubergine Parmigiana, the Burrata Cheese Ravioli in Tomato Cream Sauce and the dessert sampler. The oysters were amazing too. Also Saeed is a graceful and sweet host who offered us free wine and dessert. I'll definitely be going back for the chocolate mousse! read more

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My friend and I were looking forward to a lovely dinner last night. It was restaurant week in Vienna, VA. The menu and cuisine were delightful. In the beginning of the evening service was good and then it was not. We were two women dining out. As the evening progressed we were totally ignored. Other tables around us were attended. We finally asked the bus boy for another glass of wine and dessert. No one asked if we would like coffee or anything else with our dessert. I do not expect service like this in a restaurant of this caliber. It was the worst service I have received in over 30 years. There are many fine restaurants in Northern Virginia that offer both excellent cuisine and service. Unfortunately, the service at this one spoiled what would have been a delightful evening. Carolyn B read more

The ambiance, staff, decorations and food are clearly geared and prepped towards a old fashioned dining style that reminds you of those movie schemes (1800s setting) where it's dimly, but nicely lit (with candles and soft lighting). There are roses on the tables and the servers, dressed in suits, greet you with a "good evening ma'am and sir, we are happy to have you tonight." It wasn't my style, but I still enjoyed it. For someone who appreciates the formality of such restaurants, you will have a good time. Foods good, but nothing that really stands out. Food: 3/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Staff: 5/5 Recommendation: not for millennials, unless you appreciate old school formal style dining read more

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A great place to have breakfast, especially if you have out-of-town guests. It's a swanky place with a full bar - which is a fun place to cool your heels if there is a wait - try the Bloody Mary's. I especially love their Smoked Salmon Benedict - and the fact that you can order one (1/2) a la carte. My friend's French Toast was over-the-top amazing - enough for a crowd. My husband says their house-made hash is 5 stars. Great service, too. All their servers are exceptionally beautiful and very professional. Burn off some of your calories by taking a walk along the river which is just steps from the restaurant. read more

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Wonderful food, service and atmosphere! Definitely going to return to try more of the menu items and wine choices!

Eh This was an OK experience. The restaurant is pretty dated in terms of Decour and the service is really slow. The food really wasn't that great I was kind of bland and I expected a bit more from a restaurant that has been around for a while like this one. I definitely wouldn't recommend this restaurant and I will not be coming back! read more

I'm pretty picky with the actual food they provide at afternoon tea (I don't like things that are too sweet or cream intensive and afternoon tea in general tends to be overpriced for something expensive) but this place was quite decent! Their price was more reasonable compared to other afternoon tea places. I did really enjoy the teas! Very lightly floral for the flower ones. Most noteable is the service is the best service I have ever experienced!! The owner is EXTREMELY nice and was so patient with us taking pictures for us and even offering to take pictures of us with their store iPad which we can use to email the photos to ourselves. He was super friendly :) their website claims if you go you're not just customers but are their friends and I definitely felt that :) service was also very quick! Once we sat down we were immed asked about which tea we would like. read more

Cafe Renaissance - Afternoon tea last Saturday of each month. You can choose two teas! Love how they show you the tea leaves beforehand :) - French Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

In the past 20 years we did go to cafe Renaissance a few times. The food is decent but too expensive for what they serve. Recently we made a reservation with few of our friends to go to this restaurant. The food was disappointing, the service was horrible. Their appetizers on the menu does not have any variety and the worst part is when they served the appetisers to share there was no plate it was pasta with some weird tomato sauce, eggplant with same tomatoe sauce etc I asked the waiter to bring a plate and he was giving me an attitude and asked me why do you need a plate?? I would not recommend this restaurant. Mediocre food, bad service and frankly no ambiance! It was our last time and I would never recommend this Restaurant. read more

We have been to Cafe Renaissance many times over a period of years. It is consistently a wonderful restaurant. The menu items are consistently good; and, there are specials every day. On this occasion, we visited for Sunday brunch. The meal was, as usual, top notch and a great "value for money" (i.e., soup or salad, choice of three different entrees, dessert and coffee for about $20 per person). read more

This place and staff are superb. I was walking back from the bank and ordered take out. They were quick and the food was superb. The wife took my leg of lamb and I had the stuffed bell pepper. Both were superb and you would not believe it was take out. A little dessert and sipping a bottle of good Oregon Pinot noir added to the flavors, enjoyment and ambiance at home! We usually go for the filet mignon and lobster or superb fish but these dishes were a delight I will never forget. We must spread out over the menu again to get full benefit if this great restaurant. I am craving the duck as well. read more

Arrived at opening (5:30) on a Saturday evening. The first patrons, we had a unique opportunity Before the crowds arrived to chat with the host, wait staff, and even the chef. The food was incredible. We had the "5 course meal" - which consisted of an appetizer (actually they served a sampler of three of them - the shrimp in a cream sauce was my favorite) followed by a goat cheese and arugula salad with the best damn beets I've ever tasted, followed by 2 main course dishes - a tasty almond crusted halibut and then a steak course covered in peppercorn sauce. The final course was another sampler, this one with 5 small dessert samples on each plate. Incredible meal. We will be back - for the fun and interesting staff experience as well as the incredible food, which we couldn't stop eating even after we were beyond full. read more