As first time Alexandria vacationers, Del Ray was a pleasure to go to. We loved the cozy and home-y vibe of the place and all the staff greeted us warmly. Our food was also great! Their menu had a full Breakfast - Brunch/Lunch - Dinner options. My family and I were all satisfied with our food orders. This was a great recommendation for first time Alexandria visitors like us. read more

Del Ray Cafe - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Stopped in for brunch this past Wednesday (Sep 16) and it was our first visit -- definitely won't be our last. Del Ray Café has such a warm, welcoming feel, which makes sense once you learn the building itself is a lovingly restored 1925 Del Ray house. It gives the whole place a real "home away from home" charm rather than the usual restaurant vibe. The food was excellent -- you can tell they take the French country cuisine and fresh, local ingredients seriously. It's clearly a family-run operation, and that care comes through in both the cooking and the service. One heads-up for fellow diners: parking can be a challenge. There's a small lot in the rear, but it only fits a handful of cars, so be prepared to look for street parking if you're visiting during a busy brunch stretch. Worth the extra few minutes of circling, though -- we'll definitely be back. read more

Service - 1 Star Noise/ambience - 1 Star Food - 2 Stars Price/Value - 1 Star Reservation process - 5 Stars After hearing good things about this spot, I finally decided to stop walking past it and actually check it out. My cousin was running errands in the area, so we made a reservation for a weekday afternoon. It was very easy to reserve online the day before. We were seated upstairs to the right in a very sunny room with skylights, wooden rafters, and a thin carpet. Unfortunately, the carpet isn't thick enough to muffle sound, so it was very noisy. Our server, Nadir, seemed distracted, using his phone in a corner of the dining room, and wasn't too attentive. Another female server helped him manage his tables and took my drink order. My cousin ordered the veggie quiche and I opted for the French dip. Nadir asked if I wanted cheese and I assumed it came with cheese, so I said sure. When he then listed four different cheeses, I chose Swiss. When it arrived, it was clearly not Swiss. When I pointed it out to Nadir, who was nowhere to be found until we were ready for our bill, he said, "At least it is all natural cheddar!" Hmm... Then I saw that it was $4 for cheese. Our lunch total was $60 (no alcohol). My cousin said she will not be returning due to the low quality of food and service. I'll likely give it another try, but my expectations will be much lower next time, and I'll probably just order takeout instead. read more

Del Ray Cafe - French dip with Swiss cheese (obviously not--ordered Swiss but got this instead) - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I really enjoyed our brunch here. There were four of us and we all enjoyed our meal. My son and daughter-in-law suggested it as a place to meet since they really enjoy it when they go. I love that there are so many options to add to the build-your-own omelette. My omelette turned out delicious! The staff were awesome, from the hostesses to the waiter to those who helped the waiter table wise. In the area? Check them out! read more

Del Ray Cafe - Create Your Own Omelette - bacon and feta - breakfast platter - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

My best friend was kind enough to call ahead to get reservations for a group of us (4 adults and 2 kids). We were so lucky we made reservations ahead of time because it was soooo busy when we arrived for brunch. Del Ray Cafe is in a neighborhood... almost suburb area of Alexandria. Street parking is what is available so I would advise coming a little early to try to grab a spot and be prepared to potentially walk a bit. We were seated as soon as we arrived at the restaurant. It is a very, very tight fit throughout the restaurant. We were so lucky we had a table upstairs setup for us. The kids loved looking out the window and it definitely helped extend our typical mealtime countdown till our toddlers had had enough. I ordered an Omelet with a Mini Croissant with sides of both Bacon and Veggie Hash. I don't know how a simple omelet could be so delicious... the eggs were perfectly cooked and it was buttery, flavorful and a good portion. The croissant was super flaky and delicious as well. The sides were good as well, veggies were enjoyed among the table and the bacon was cooked to crispy perfection. Overall, the staff were great about checking on us often and getting the food out to us quickly. I will say that this spot can be a hit or miss when it comes to being family friendly depending on where you are seated. We were lucky enough to be tucked in a corner upstairs with a wonderful view. If we were seated elbow to elbow in the middle of the restaurant somewhere then I don't think we would have had the same experience so request our table if you can! i would definitely come back for the omelet alone and maybe try a few other items on the menu in the future :) read more

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Very cozy French-inspired breakfast & brunch spot with a very large menu The place is pretty popular, so they won't seat your party until everyone is there I came here for brunch and got both a latte and the eggs benedict. Both were solid I had a party of 5 people and we were seated at a table that only had a bench for seating (so no backs) read more

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. read more

Del Ray Cafe - Lobster Benedict - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Such a cute restaurant and in such a beautiful neighborhood! I live in Virginia and had never been here or in the area and I loved it. The restaurant is in a house next to residential homes but it didn't feel super busy or out of place. The parking is a bit stressful but if you're willing to search for street parking and walk, then you can do it. Once there, they sat my group outside but it's covered and has heaters, I kinda forgot I was outside it was perfect. The food was delicious, the Onion Soup was SO good, highly recommend. Everyone at brunch ordered something different and enjoyed their meal. The service was great, nothing to mention there. Highly recommend for a group or even a date spot. It's right next to the street with stores and cafes so you can walk around a bit beforehand or after your meal. read more

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. read more

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Wonderful meal at Del Ray Cafe. Excellent service, food, and wine as part of Bastille Day celebration. read more

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Even better than 3 years ago, lamb dinner and dessert, outstanding, pleasant service and a concern for guests seldom experienced anywhere, any more...same classic old, well cared for converted house... read more

I always like to take my friends here when they visit out of town. There's so many different breakfast and brunch options its great for those who cant make decisions haha or people who like so many options from classic choices to unique combinations. The little crossaint and jam is surprisingly something to look forward to. Service is always friendly. And the location is in this cute little house and it makes it very cozy and fun. read more

Delicious food (lamb and steak entrees, especially) with enticing presentation. Professional and friendly service. Nice house, but a bit noisy downstairs near the open kitchen. Will ask for upstairs seating next time after dinnermates have healed up from knee injury. Yes, will look forward to returning. Thanks for a pleasant evening. read more

I REALLY wanted to like this place. The ambiance was lovely , the service attentive , but .... The mechanics of the food was poor. My salmon Benedict was served on a cold plate , on a refrigerator cold croissant , on cold salmon so the eggs were cold and congealed when it hit the table. My partners rotisserie chicken salad was attractive , but uninspired with ( understandable for the season ) inedible "tomatoes " sigh. read more

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)! read more

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This is my "go to" place for a good meal and wonderful service. The food never disappoints. It is a quaint neighborhood bistro with a country French flair. It is the kind of place that makes you feel at home. So many of the customers are regulars because it is always a pleasure to come in the door. Don't miss it. read more

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. read more

Del Ray Cafe - Veggie quiche - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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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. read more

Del Ray Cafe - Veggie Hash - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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

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. read more

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Really solid brunch place to take family or friends. The food is good, staff is nice and helpful and the inside is really cute, with a few different rooms since it's the inside of a house. The wait can be long on the weekends though so come early or be prepared to wait a bit for a larger party read more

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! read more

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I am torn between 3 and 4 stars for Del Ray Cafe, so this is a 3.5 star review. I went on a Saturday, and my friend and I waited around 30 minutes for a table. We were seated in a small upstairs room that was filled with large parties with children - it was rather deafening. The service was friendly and prompt, however. I ordered the two eggs your way, which was just okay. The scrambled eggs were somewhat lukewarm and the accompanying fruit salad was rather uninspired. However, I also ordered a gluten free Nutella crepe, which was delicious and redeemed the meal for me. If I returned, I would definitely stick to the crepes. My friend had the special Benedict of the day, which has fried oysters, and she enjoyed it. read more

Del Ray Cafe - Crêpe - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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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. read more

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My friend and I came to Del Ray Café for dinner on a Saturday night and were immediately welcomed by a friendly, enthusiastic host who clearly loves the menu. He walked us through his favorites and mentioned their rotisserie chicken dinner for takeaway, which is now firmly on my list to try. We were seated upstairs, where our server carefully explained the many daily specials. The fresh baguette arrived warm with butter and set the tone right away--simple, comforting, and perfectly done. I ordered the lobster bisque, which was rich without being heavy and packed with sweet lobster in every spoonful. One of the better versions I've had. The snapper special with risotto, fresh vegetables, and a saffron butter sauce was beautifully cooked and full of flavor. My friend loved her beet salad, which tasted genuinely garden-fresh, and the tenderloin, which was cooked just right. Dessert was a highlight--the profiteroles with peppermint ice cream were seasonal, thoughtful, and a fun twist that worked surprisingly well. Between the cozy atmosphere, friendly and knowledgeable service, and ever-changing specials, Del Ray Café is the kind of neighborhood spot that makes you want to return again and again. read more

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. read more

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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! read more

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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! read more

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Love the friendly energy of the super-attentive staff -- and the food is spectacular! This was our first visit and we cannot wait to go back! Hits at the table included the cheese plate, the mussels (LOVE the kick of the chorizo), the duck and the pork chop with squash purée. EVERYTHING was so fresh and flavorful! The chouquettes were a perfect end to the meal -- the raspberry sauce was to die for! Only one tiny suggestion-- the pork chop would have benefitted from a little more sauce. read more

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Very cozy eatery in Del Ray with the best service located in a little house. Unless you intend to come here, very unlikely to find this place. 1. Reservation: not necessary if you coming for brunch. 2. Service: super attentive, polite and knowledgeable 3. Food: Great! - escargot: a must try, amazing! - burger: very good, the best FRIES! - mussels: I normally love mussels, but did not like it here, too strong fish smell - lamb: is just okay. 4. Drinks: excellent - Bloody Mary was delicious, very pepper forward - Irish coffee was great. By far the best in Alexandria All in all, I will for sure be coming here again. Not everything is perfect to my taste, but enough is so I will just order what I liked here next time read more

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Had dinner at the Del Ray Café. In general I found that the quality / cost to value expectation was not met both on the food and the service. The meals were mediocre and the service appeared to be larger untrained. Outdoor seating, while basically in a parking lot, was fine but marred by staccato music evidently interrupted by a poor blue tooth connection that staff were unable to address. Maybe for breakfast or lunch but not for dinner. read more

What a lovely little surprise. I didn't have to wait for brunch as I went the tail end on a Sunday and I was a party of one. I chose to have fried oyster egg Benedict. The oysters were good and chewy enough, and the eggs were perfectly done. No complaints although service was a bit slow. All the servers were very kind and friendly. A fun little place that is far quieter than Matt and Tony's. The fact that they believe in local is something to be considered if you choose to support these types of businesses. I do and will probably come back. read more

lovely little local cafe! not a very big place -- maybe 20 tables max. party of 5 on a saturday at 2pm and didn't need to wait for a table. limited street parking. our service was good, nothing exceptional. the menu is very interesting. it's not your classic american brunch spot with loads of options for all dietary needs -- it's a bit more limited and has a french flair. not a ton of options for vegetarians and certainly not many for vegans. half of the brunch options are some variation of eggs. that being said - everyone did enjoy their food! it was hot and fresh and tasty. i would come back if i was in the area but wouldn't necessarily seek it out. read more

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I went here with my family after my husband and I got married. The waiters and waitresses were the best and made us feel so celebrated! The food was delicious--definitely order the beignets!!! The farmhouse decor was also so cute. read more

A very solid and pleasant find! Food/drinks: For Sunday brunch, I kept it simple with (gluten free) buckwheat blueberry pancakes and a side of bacon! Everything was delicious, fresh, and generously portioned. And the menu was labeled with allergens to be aware of, which is always helpful. Service: Very efficient! We were luckily seated quickly, attended to quickly, and the food came out quickly. If you're willing to sit outside in the heat, they had more availability. Ambiance: Cute! Simple, clean, wooden decor inside. Nice open outdoor patio. Tables were close but not on top of each other. I'd be back for their pancakes and bacon! read more

Del Ray Cafe - 4 Organic Buckwheat Pancakes with Powdered Sugar and Blueberries - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

We took my mother-in-law (MIL) to celebrate her 84th birthday we loved the coziness/family vibes of the place. The staffs were very friendly, knowledgeable, and quick, MIL and I ordered the lobster bisque which we always do when offered. The bisque was briney, earthy, a bit of bitter after taste but the white/foam coolie gave it a hint of sweetness. My MIL said her Salmon cake sandwich was the best she ever had, thank goodness because my Pancakes were a bit dense and I like my Pancakes light and fluffy. The eggs and sausages were just okay, same with my husband's egg Benedict but we will go back for the Salmon cake and the Waygu burger, which we didn't ordered. read more

Del Ray Cafe - Lobster Bisque - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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My favorite place to eat in Del Ray/Alexandria!! They have really wonderful service and the food is always great with really fresh ingredients. They definitely have some more unique options on the menu that you can't just find anywhere, but also some classic staples if that's what you're in the mood for! read more

One of the best quaint French breakfast spots this side of the Mississippi! I have been here twice now, tried the Lobster Benedict my first time, and most recently went back and tried the Burrata and Prosciutto Eggs Benedict. The Prosicutto Eggs Benedict is loaded with Prosicutto and the pairing with the cold Burrata works gloriously. This is a true blue French restaurant that serves escargot, duck, you name it! And yes I did have the escargot on my prior visit and it was delightful. Snails are hard to find but just wasn't in the mood for them on my last stop in. My girlfriend and I love this spot so much we always go out of our way from the D.C area to dine here before making the trek back to our home state. As always people SYOY!!! read more

Del Ray Cafe - Burrata and Prosciutto Eggs Benedict - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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

This is a very nice restaurant that is located in a house in Del Ray. Food - Good, their homemade fries are delicious. I enjoyed their black angus burger. They have a few different varieties of lemonade and their peach lemonade was great. Service - Good Parking - There is not a designated parking lot but there are many spots to be found on the streets nearby for free. Overall, this place is great. read more

Del Ray Cafe - Del ray cafe: excellent fried and decent burger - French Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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