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    Del Ray Cafe

    4.1 (931 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 2:30 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Del Ray Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    DEL RAY CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Del Ray Cafe

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    Lobster Benedict
    Tori N.

    A really delicious brunch with my friend on a Saturday in Del Ray. We got to the restaurant around 10:20am and the inside was already full, as it's a small place, but they had outdoor seating available on the enclosed patio. Our server was very nice, everything was efficient, and we were in and out in about an hour. The food was very good, my friend came in wanting the lobster Benedict and asked if they had it when she didn't see it on the menu, and the server confirmed they did. I got the Rotisserie Chicken, Asparagus & Curry Crème Fraîche crepe and that was delicious. We also split the side piece of French toast. Overall a very nice brunch.

    Supreme Court
    Art H.

    April 2021 First Visit. Wife and I were visiting our Son who worked in DC and lived in Alexandria Va. We spent almost two weeks exploring Old Alexandria and Washington DC history. During our visit we were treated to a wonderful Dinner Service at the Del Ray Cafe. Parking 3/5 Old Alexandria has historic narrow streets and parking is a challenge everywhere. The small driveway parking was full and we ended up finding a spot further down the street. Ambiance 4/5 This repurposed Home was now a wonderful French restaurant. The backyard was setup for service with ~6-8 tables with metal umbrellas. This was a quaint space on a beautiful spring afternoon. Service 4/5 Our server was friendly and helpful walking us through the menu. The Kitchen was slow because the restaurant was busy. We made use of our wait chatting in great weather! Menu 5/5 This was our first French restaurant and had no idea what to order. Food 5/5 Starters My wife opted for the Brussels sprouts. My son ordered something else I can't remember. We dove into our Brussels and OHhh my! What a blend of char, oil, and sweet something that worked well with the Brussels bitter. Our Son tried some and he immediately placed his own ordered. This experience started our quest for ordering Brussels whenever we find them on Menus. Main course selections My Wife and I enjoyed their French dip which was great and can't recall what our Son ordered. This was a fantastic experience for all of us. After returning to Arizona we learned our Son brought friends to the restaurant to enjoy. Great Job Del Ray and thanks for the hospitality, food and memories! Recommend you give Del Ray a try if you're in the area.

    Lobster Benedict
    Mia A.

    Just updating as I went to have dessert for breakfast with a friend last week lol. I asked for Choux with the vanilla ice cream and have chocolate sauce on side instead of drizzled on (not sure how much more messier that would've been lol). And I had another hot chocolate. Recommend for when u want something sweet and savory!

    Chouquettes and chocolate mousse
    Vidhika B.

    Been meaning to check out this place for a while and glad to have finally done so! My friend and I came here for brunch and everyone was so friendly and welcoming when we entered. That was super refreshing -- made us feel like we made a good choice off the bat. The café is in a charming little house and has such cozy vibes! We sat upstairs and I loved the checkered napkins, the skylights up above, the cabin-like simplicity. The noise level was perfection too: not too quiet, not too loud. Just the perfect amount of buzzy conversation all around us, with some light music in the background. The ambiance gets five stars from me. (I also love that it's located in the middle of a neighborhood, feels unassuming and local.) As for food, I ordered the vegetarian eggs Benedict and my friend got the dish that had spinach and goat cheese and smoked salmon with eggs. We were both happy with our selections! The veggies included as part of my Benedict felt fresh and well-selected, and the eggs were perfectly poached. Would get again. We also got a side of sweet potato fries, and they were probably the most disappointing part of the meal. They arrived cold and were incredibly dry and over-salted. It felt like they'd been sitting out for ages before they were served to us. Not a fan. We ended our meal by being a bit gluttonous and ordering two desserts: the chocolate mousse and the chouquettes. I didn't really like the mousse; it felt too sweet for my taste. But we were impressed with the chouquettes -- they were soft and fluffy and the serving size was huge, definitely a shareable item. Overall great experience and I'd love to go back. Glad this non-pretentious little eatery (with its impressively (read: scarily) large menu) exists just outside of Old Town. P.S. This is really more of a 4.5-star review; I'm hoping to try eating here again and have a 5-star experience next time (it feels like that's totally within the realm of possibility)!

    Soufflés Raspberry
    Maggie R.

    I never get to have quail or soufflés, so I knew that's what I had to go for here. I'm so glad I did. The waiter was very friendly and had a wine recommendation to go with my meal. The setting is intimate, which is good so that you can hear who you're with. Why 4 stars out of 5? There was a mix-up with one of our orders, and it took too long to get the check. They were closing down and we had to start leaving before they finally gave it to us. Still, I would come back.

    Veggie quiche
    Tom P.

    Absolutely delicious place for brunch! First, they have the only authentic croissant in the DC area. Perfectly laminated, fresh, and soft with a slightly crunchy exterior. I've only had a better croissant in Paris (and probably only better because I was eating it under the Eiffel Tower). Don't sleep on the croissant as a side. I got the crab meat eggs Benedict and it was quite possibly the best Benedict I've ever had. Plenty of crab meat, perfectly poached eggs, but the differentiator was the bread that they served it on. I don't know if it was a challah, or brioche, or what... but it was a game changer. The wait staff here is incredibly pleasant and accommodating. We arrived without reservations and they found us a spot immediately. I like that they are all wearing kit from their favorite football teams. But for the first time diner, everyone working here is a joy to talk to. The Del Rey is tucked away on a side street but has plenty of seating. You have a choice of eating inside or in their back garden area. Definitely make this a must-dine spot if you are in the area.

    Sautéed Icelandic Loin of Cod topped with Leek Fondue in Chardonnay Dill Sauce & side of Rotisserie Potatoes
    Sandy L.

    Came to Del Ray Cafe for the first time for Restaurant Week, and was surprised by the look of this place. Situated on a street in a residential neighborhood, the house-turned-restaurant serves up decent French cuisine. My date and I had a reservation for 7:15pm, and upon arriving, was offered a 2-top table in a small den on the entry floor of the establishment. The entry of the restaurant has 5 steps to the door where the hostess greeted us as we walked up. We told her we had a reservation and she said she only had a table "downstairs," which is in a small den area about five steps to the left of the door on the same floor as the entry. If we wanted a table upstairs (in the more spacious area of the restaurant/house), the wait would be ~40 minutes. When we got to our table in the den, there were 4 other couples in that area, making the seating feel very cramped as the tables were only inches away from each other. (A word of caution for those who are claustrophobic!) On one side of the table is a wooden bench, and the other side a wooden chair with a butt cushion to provide additional comfort for the guests. The best part of the entire experience was the food. My date and I each ordered an appetizer and an entrée for $40/pp. Our favorite appetizer was the Burgundy snails served in a garlic parsley butter, which was served with 3 (small) slices of baguette. The garlic parsley butter was rich in taste, making the dish very tasty. I would've liked more of the baguette (given their small size) for dipping into the garlic butter, but the snails tasted good on their own, too. My date enjoyed the seafood medley in puff pastry, which was perfectly flaky and flavorful, but the snails were the clear winner between the two appetizers. For our entrées, I had the Icelandic cod while my date had the Coq Au Vin. Topped with leek fondue and sautéed in a tasty Chardonnay dill sauce, the cod loin was above average, but portion was small (I would've been completely okay with paying more for a slightly bigger portion), so beware those with a big appetite who come here for restaurant week. Similarly, the coq au vin, cooked in a red wine sauce, was pretty good, but the portion was also very small (a chicken leg and thigh piece on top of polenta with pearl onions and smaller slices of smoked bacon). We opted out of getting dessert based on the selection they offered and our taste. Overall, I'm unlikely to come back given the better French options nearby in Old Town Alexandria.

    Veggie Hash
    Dawn B.

    Missed this place... I had enjoyed many breakfasts at Del Ray Cafe when I lived in the DC area and was excited to return. It still lived up to the hype I had remembered it for. I got the veggie hash with two eggs. It was such a great dish from the numerous well cooked vegetables and nicely cooked eggs. The potatoes were also nicely roasted and paired well with the other portions of the dish too. The staff were super friendly and continued the vibe I remembered it for. I love when you return to a place and it's just as great as you remember it.

    Pork Belly**
    Suzie Z.

    Attempted to make a reservation at this quaint cafe but to no avail. We decided to try our luck by doing a walk in and gave our contact and went to saunter around the town center. 35 mins later, they contacted us and told us a table is available. We were seated at the porch which was heated so that's nice amidst the cold wintery weather but since I was seated near the dishes, it smells a little foul. Everyone there is really nice but the wait time for the food is longer than expected, approx 30 mins. The portion is a bit small but maybe just right for some people.

    Bouillabaisse Mussels - all tasted the same and lacked flavor
    Brittany L.

    Del Ray Cafe once was THE SPOT. Now it's desolate and I can see why. While the service was good, the food was subpar leaving us frustrated and disappointed. The price point and decor hasn't changed in 6+ years but the food has certainly gone down hill.

    Charlie S.

    Ambiance is an interesting hole in the wall. We begin with the fluffy warm bread. Soft and fresh and distracting from eating. Then the octopus salad. The octopus is just right; a good sear with a bit of smoky taste, cooked through and just right. Mussels: served with a few pieces of chorizo. Not too many to blot out the flavor of the mussels, mind you. The mussels were a bit dry, this one wasn't swimming in liquid like other places so it. Always fall for the liquid, ordering extra bread to dip into it like a weirdo. Grand marnier soufflés were good. Ask about the dog biscuits!

    Stairs to upstairs seating
    Heide D.

    Very first thing to notice about this establishment is that it is inside a house, super cute location! I love that its setting really sets it apart from other restaurants. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, parking appears to be plentiful albeit street parking. We were immediately greeted once going inside, and also promptly served by our waiter. They have an extensive brunch and lunch menu alike. Average prices for a restaurant in this area. Portion sizes were not massive which I really appreciated, but perhaps others might want multiple items from the menu if extra hungry. I couldn't decide what I wanted, so I requested my server surprise me with his favorite sandwich. He chose the croque monsieur and I was very happy with this option. Thanks for a great lunch today, Del Ray Cafe!

    Mussels!

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    9 months ago

    The service and food here are always top notch. You will never be disappointed here, for breakfast, brunch or dinner.

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    8 months ago

    Best brunch in DelRay. Service is always great and ambience is fun. Great eggs benedict and pancakes!

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    Page 1 of 24

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    Ask the Community - Del Ray Cafe

    Is there parking at Del Rey?

    Not much. Maybe 9 spaces in the rear. Though street parking is not metered. And it's safe to park in Del Ray. And it's worth the walk.

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    Jula’s on the Potomac

    Jula’s on the Potomac

    4.1(243 reviews)
    1.2 miOld Town Alexandria
    Outdoor seating
    Private events

    Bottom line front - you won't find a more beautiful view with exquisite menu options in the area…read more Service is sunburn and they know how to present! The food, flavor, and service are what you'd expect from a 5*. The food are cooked to order. The Drink menu is superb. With refreshing options and great flavors. And yes for your simpler folk the have bud light in frosty glasses. So for a bit of the elephant the prices, they are not cheep but the perception of value is there. I'm not a fan that if you decide you don't like vodka in a bloody marry they up charge you for whiskey. In this posters option whiskey is much better option for Bloody Mary. Recommend you allowing an option for vodka, tequila, and whiskey. The bloody marry is also not house made. I passed but your server and I had a good laugh about it. Drinks are very expensive!!! When we sat down before we opened the menus he offered to bring us hot biscuits...no they were not complimentary 6 biscuits at $5 a biscuit was a nice treat on the bill. Our server Quintin was awesome! Recommend him for sure. Polite professional and factual but more than willing to upsell so make sure you ASK What charges will be made for offers.

    Food/price:…read more Charcuterie Service $35.00 rosemary focaccia, prosciutto, genoa salami, manchego, greek olives, artisan olive oil & balsamic vinegar, grated parmesan (presented tableside)

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    Jula’s on the Potomac
    Jula’s on the Potomac
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    Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar

    Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar

    4.5(15 reviews)
    1.1 miOld Town Alexandria

    Love love love Narman. It was easy to find, and the parking was free & nearby. We decided to…read morecelebrate my husband's birthday at a Turkish restaurant. He was in the mood for Lahmacun (sounds like Lahamajoun) super thin, crispy pizza topped with a mixture of minced meat with peppers, tomato, herbs, and spices. More fine, light, and delicate than the typical American thin pizza. The service, drinks, and food were beyond stellar in Narman. We felt like the only customers there and were waited on by many staff. The highlight of the day there was their pizza and their beverage presentation and flavors. We came on a weekday night and were the only people there in the end. My husband was impressed at how upscale the restaurant was and it was the finest Turkish restaurant he ever visited. He said it was similar to the hotel dining place he lived at in Turkey. This was our first restaurant in downtown Alexandria and one of our best experiences in Alexandria. The Lahmacun was the finest Turkish pizza my husband ever had. He ordered three of them! Each pizza was served on a large wood board with extra toppings on the side like lemon wedges, cilantro, and onions. They are so fine and thin that you can roll them up to eat. We had to put some of the last pizza aside for take out. I ate the takeout piece and was very impressed how delicious it was after being in the fridge overnight & re-heated. I loved the flavors of the Lahmacun and I don't even care for pizza that much. It is my most preferred pizza in my life ever next to the Crazy Ex in The Thirsty Goat in Clarksville, Tennessee. I ordered a Turkish dish with a rich and ancient history, Hunkar Begendi, or "Sultan's Delight." It dates back several centuries, and it was prepared for the sultans and high-ranking officials, and was served during special occasions and celebrations. The Hunkar Begendi had lamb and velvet soft eggplant with spices. I ordered it with a side of rice. It was very delicious and unique. Yet the Lahmacun despite its simplicity stole the show and cost 1/3 of the price of the Hunkar Begendi. For my beverage, I ordered The Elma. It has a stunning presentation in a smoke filled glass box. The Elma is a beverage with Bourbon, Peach liquor, vanilla maple, Apple butter,Lemon juice, and Apple cider. You have to watch the videos of how it is presented at the table. At the end of our dinner, they played happy birthday and surprised my husband with an ice cream and pumpkin dessert with a candle. So wonderful & heartfelt. It was a fascinating and flavorful dish. The pumpkin tasted like sweet potato & was different. This is a must see place for Turkish cuisine and the finest restaurant service. Prices are low to fair for such high quality food and service. Five Stars.

    We're so excited to see a new restaurant in Old Town North! That space has been teasing a new…read morerestaurant for a while now, so it's awesome to see one stick! We went on opening night a few weeks ago and we had an awesome experience! You can tell everyone working in that restaurant is passionate about their food and service. We had the pide (vegetarian and meat), the hummus, and two other recommended dips. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. We will definitely be back to Narman!

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    Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar - Grilled Octopus with Baby Veggies

    Grilled Octopus with Baby Veggies

    Narman Restaurant, Cafe & Bar - Prawns cooked in terracotta plate

    Prawns cooked in terracotta plate

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    Fontaine - Just Peachy

    Fontaine

    3.8(929 reviews)
    1.6 miOld Town Alexandria
    $$

    Tucked just off King Street, Fontaine offers crêpes and classic French dishes in a charming, bistro…read moresetting. The crepes were good, I tried the Alexandrian and enjoyed it. The menu leans traditional, with a variety of options that highlight classic French flavors. That said, it's a bit on the pricier side for the overall experience. I'd recommend Fontaine more for a specific occasion, like taking visiting parents, or if you're dining with someone who needs gluten-free options, as they have good choices. Overall, a quaint and inviting spot that brings a touch of France to Old Town.

    To quote the great Tyra Banks: "I want to give you a zero, but that's not possible. So I give you a…read more1." Let's just say the food here was absolutely disappointing. All of the hip young girls in high school recommended this place to me and my friends and lets just say, they have never been more wrong. My girls and I went this weekend for a birthday brunch. I wanted a crepe, but when I saw it was 17 DOLLARS to slap some Nutella and strawberries on a piece of crepe is outrageous. I ordered a "Continental Breakfast," which, with tax and tip, cost me $30 DOLLARS. I wish you could have seen the look on my face when they gave me a plate of rabbit food. All 6 of us looked at the plate and laughed. Seriously, my 5 year old neice can eat 3 times as much of that in one sitting. So, in what world would that be enough food for a grown woman? My friend then went on to order the French toast for a grand total of $36 DOLLARS. Mind you, there was only one piece of toast, and the Inside was raw and soggy. Tasted like eating wet, soaked toilet paper. On top of the overpriced food and small portions, our "server" came to our table for a total of ONE SINGULAR TIME. My friend had also ordered a Chai Latte. Surprise, Surprise! It never came, and they still charged her for it. I think the nice man who brought us our food could see the look on our faces when we received our food, because he then brought us a free side of French fries. It is a huge problem when the french fries were the only sufficient thing I put in my mouth at this restaurant. I please, genuinely beg all of you to NOT waste your money. I promise there is anywhere else where you can get a crepe for double the size and half the cost. Once we left, we went down to Call Your Mother, the Jewish Deli, to get more food, as all of us left with our tummies still rumbling. Mind you, a full bagel sandwich and coffee cost HALF THE PRICE of one meal at Fontaine. Horrible. Mind you, it is 2 days later, and I am still thinking about this. I fully created a Yelp account just so I could leave a review. I think I would have a better experience eating an IHOP Continental breakfast than whatever I put in my mouth at this restaurant. Not worth the hype at all. Save your hard-earned cash and be a big baller elsewhere!

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    Fontaine - Back

    Back

    Fontaine - Egg salad with cucumbers. Delicious!

    Egg salad with cucumbers. Delicious!

    Fontaine - French 75

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    French 75

    Del Ray Cafe - french - Updated May 2026

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