So so good! The vodka pizza with pepperoni is one of my favorites in the world, and they have great salads, burgers, and cocktails.

We came in with low expectations because of previous experiences from past years, but we were pleasantly surprised. We had not been in over a year because of management/service but came in to find both upgraded. The ambiance was much better as well. Brunch is great, try the breakfast pizza and Benedict. Bloody Mary's are great as is the continuing happy hour (awesome beer list) that is every day. Will return & recommend read more

Horrible Valentine's Day dinner. They were doing "contactless service" which did not go smoothly at all. I think we had MORE contact with them than a normal dining experience because they came to our table so often with the WRONG food. All the tables around us also had issues with the food and the service. We didn't even get our appetizer until the very end of our dinner and had to take it to go!!! The wait staff were running around like crazy trying to serve the wrong food to every table, which is not covid safe. And unfortunately we had to buy every item separately over the phone and tip on every single purchase. The contactless delivery made it difficult, we didn't get our orders right, our steak was cooked wrong, we didn't get our appetizers, and no one from the staff told us about the special Valentine's Day menu with the three course options so we weren't able to order from it. Overall horrible service and since we don't go out often for dinner this complete ruined our Valentine's Day date. read more

Like a friend and resident of the neighborhood where Rustico resides said, "The beer selection is good but the food is kind of 'frou-frou.'" My husband and I went there for our second time last night. We sat in a very romantic two seater couch in the bar/lounge area. The restaurant had an energetic buzz about it, and there were people waiting for tables as the hour got later. The server was very knowledgeable about the beer list and he gave excellent recommendations. The restaurant has an enormous selection on draft (but not enough Dogfish Head for my husband). The food is definitely good for foodies. We had the polenta appetizer that was wonderful; we split the mushroom, goat cheese and spinach pizza - which was more than enough for the both of us. Overall, I would recommend it for a new place to try. The decor is awesome and it's a good place to go as a date, with the parents, or with a group of friends. It'd be good for happy hour for sure. Note - parking can be somewhat of a pain. read more

My opinion is that, if you go, get the pizza. The first time I went to Rustico, I went as part of a group of four and I got the macaroni and cheese. It was fancier than that and had other stuff in it, but it was still WAY over-priced for the serving that they gave me. I'm not one to pack away a massive meal, but I left hungry with a lighter wallet. They do have a full bar, which is nice, and a massive selection of both domestic and imported beers. The selection is fabulous, but as it is one of the best in the area, the bar draws a huge crowd on the weekends and can get noisy. This isn't necessarily a down-side of Rustico, just be prepared that you will not be in for a quiet, romantic dinner with your honey-bear on a Friday night. As I love a good import, I found the bar to be a major point in their favor. The second time I went, as a group of three I believe, I was told to order the pizza. Dinner was a MILLION times better that way. Their pizza is great, super fresh and very filling. Highly recommend it. Bottom line: I'd go back with no complaints, it just isn't at the top of my list. ETA on 6/7/10: Get their fries on the appetizer menu with either ranch or ceasar drizzled over them. Best. Fries. Ever. read more

This place is good. Our table ordered a few app's and a few pizzas- so I can not speak for the entrees, but the things we did get were delicious. It also is pretty reasonably priced for the size of the pies and it being a sit-down place with nicer decor. The only complaints I have are: - No place to sit and wait for a table, unless you go to the somewhat awkward placed bar -Service was a bit under-confidant read more

I'm willing to give Rustico another shot, but my first experience of left me a little wary of returning. Went for brunch today with some friends, and had a very underwhelming experience. I was excited when I looked at the menu, because everything looked right up my alley -- mussels! unique pizzas! polenta! oh my! -- however my meal left much to be desired. First of all, I think our waitress was high. She was just a crappy, flighty waitress, who ignored us for about 3/4 of the meal and was a complete space cadet when she actually worked with us. Next, my food was middling, at best. I got the chicken and waffles (which I generally love), and it was just weird. The chicken was dark meat, which I really don't like (but that's a personal preference), and it reminded me of what I would guess that turkey from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation might have tasted like -- the poor bird was so overdone that the bones were disintegrating with the meat, and I was having to pick out bone shards with each nibble of meat. The braised greens were sweet, which I guess was to complement the sweetness of the waffles, but it was an odd choice, and they didn't taste good on their own. The waffles, however, were perfect. My tablemates enjoyed their meals, however, and I saw some delicious looking meals on some of the surrounding tables -- mostly involving burgers, fries and pizza. Might be back to try those, but I don't think I'll try another actual entree. read more

After driving 8 hours or so to get to DC for a short weekend, my boyfriend and I got in later than expected, which usually ends up with a frustrating drive around town and settling on whatever is open at that hour. Not this time. This was exactly what we were looking for that night. A casual place to get some beers and good food. The beer selection is awesome so it was great to try a few different ones. We ordered two salads, one had warm acorn squash wedges, pomegranate seeds and blue cheese, the other had granola, apples and smoked cheddar. Both were amazingly good. Then we had a spicy shrimp pizza. When we first looked at it, I thought for sure it was going to be way too spicy since it had big green globs of jalapeño pesto, but it was actually the right amount of spice. Whatever the cheese was on it was the perfect compliment, really flavorful. The decor was really great too, we both loved the big mosaic wall with the broken dishes. The service was awesome, I always hate how when you go to some places near closing they try to rush you, but our waitress did nothing of the sort. Usually, you end up with something wrong with a place, you know the foods great, but the service sucks or something of the sort, but everything was great. I wish I lived closer, and if I'm ever back in the area I will definitely be back. read more

Great place, good pizza, great atmosphere, great beers, and decent wine selection. I've been here three times and thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere. That is my favorite aspect of the place. The tiled walls, the warm colors, and decor make this place incredibly cozy and homey. I have had better pizza, but the pizza IS good. Most recently I had the wild mushroom pizza which is delcious. read more

I'm really sad I just discovered this place, but it does seem really brand new. Our experience at Rustico was great. The server was awesome and very personable. She notified us that the executive chef was in the house tonight and told us how the chef likes to switch up the menu sometimes. We had the huge binder of beers in front of us, which was impressive (300!). What we liked was that we were there during Happy Hour, and it was not only limited to the bar, like other restaurants. The beers on tap were good and our server was very knowledgeable with the different kinds of beer. We started off with the Crustini & Salsa of the moment, which was sun dried tomato. That was great. My BF had the Rockfish, which our server informed us that they get the rockfish fresh everyday and that his was caught that morning. I had the slow roasted duck breast with dirty rice. The flavors for both dishes were amazing! Good contrast of extremes on one plate. We ended the night with Red Velvet Cheesecake, which was extremely rich! We ordered a Spinach Pizza to go for movie night and lunch tomorrow and it was great, even the next day! Everything there was served in good sized portions. Restaurants nowadays have oversized portions and make you feel overly stuffed. I'd definitely come back here again! Maybe one day we'll tackle the extensive beer list! read more

My girlfriend and I hit Rustico for lunch a few weeks back. This was our second time visiting Rustico. The first time was about 2 years ago before we moved to Alexandria and it was just for drinks. I am sorry we don't get here often enough. Few "beer" places execute the food/beer combination properly. Either they have great food and a ho-hum beer list or really great beer but you end up eating somewhere else. Rustico seems to have perfected the concept. For our lunch, we split a pizza and a couple of beers. The pizza was fantastic, excellent flavor and perfectly cooked. Their beer selection is extensive but easy to navigate, with rotating seasonal choices at a variety of price points. They offer traditional sized pours as well as 4 oz 'tastes' if you're into variety. The space is beautiful as well. We love sitting in the bar area. Our bartender was helpful in navigating the food menu and selecting a beer that complimented our meal. Overall the experience at Rustico is excellent. I highly recommend it for food and drink! read more

One of our favorites for beer and pizza. They have lots of other entrees and an excellent beer selection. Loads of taps! They had a fantastic beer festival last Fall. Hoping they do the fest again this year! read more

Rustico - New American Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I could eat here daily. I love a menu that has high and low, expensive and cheap, and everything is good. They make it very easy to have a quick bit or a 5 course meal. The staff is knowledgeable and accommodating. we asked for a lot of waiters choice. Who knows their food better than them, right? If you get nothing else on the menu, make sure to order the grilled Cesar salad. it will change the way you see salad forever. I also recommend getting a couple of beer tastings and letting the bar tender fill in the rest of the flight with interesting options that go with what you have ordered. The neighborhood is a weird pocket of commerce, but i think it will grow with time. read more

I've been here twice, and both times it was packed. Call ahead for a table, for sure! In those two times, here's what I got: Rustico burger. Both times. It's a really flavorful party and dressed simply. It's a basic, awesome burger unlike so many places that try to make a burger something special and end up making something that's a mess to eat. I want to try the pizzas.... Next time! Some appetizers I've tried : 1. Steamed mussels- good, basic. 2. Cheese risotto tots- GET THESE. Fantastic. We placed a second order. 3. Pretzel bites- skip these. I was disappointed and won't get them again. read more

Wow. Rustico is headed down the "less food for more money" road. Just stopped by for a beer and a salad, a usually dependable proposition. The small Caesar salad, for years has been $6, and perfectly sized. More than a side, less than dinner sized. To my great disappointment it's now smaller and $8. Really? You can do better. But they're part of the NRG group where this is par for the course. Sad. Still got a great beer list, so they've got that going for them. read more

Rustico - The new small caesar @ Rustico. The $8 side salad. - New American Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Rustico is a wonderful, comfortable neighborhood pub - boasting lots of beer varieties and fabulous pizzas. But you'd be wise to stick to that basic formula. I remember when Rustico had good food besides the pizza. I might have just picked the wrong thing on the menu - the $27 ribeye -- but I couldn't have been more disappointed. It was so thin that the grill cook even after 3 tries could not achieve a medium rare steak. Twice it was well done, once it was very rare. Gone are the interesting experimental dishes Rustico used to feature. C'est dommage. read more

Rustico - dynamic interior, mosaic design - New American Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I have two words for you: Brisket Pizza. Let me repeat that: Brisket Pizza. Yep. My pizza was covered in brisket, BBQ sauce, and cole slaw. And it was mighty tasty. The pizza was hot and it was good. It was also slightly over-priced. I would go back again for the pizza, but that's it. The vibe of the restaurant is that of one that's attempting to be uber hip. And that's not my thing. Also, our waiter kept trying to rush us through the meal. He kept coming by to further the meal along. As soon as we sat down we got an "are you ready to order." "Nope, we need a minute." He literally gave us one minute. And this is how the entire meal played out. While I did love my brisket pizza, next time I'm getting the goat cheese dumplings. I'm still kicking myself for passing that up! read more

Eclectic American pub food and wood-fired pizzas with an impressive beer list. Living nearby and often working across the street at Buzz coffee shop, I'm at Rustico once month on average. The food is good to great, and the beer list has something for everyone. Often busy enough to have a wait on weeknights, it can be loud and is not cheap; facts that are not unrelated. Deep fried deviled eggs or mac-n-cheese with truffle and pretzel topping, both are great options. Honestly, the appetizers are often better than the entrees, such that my wife and I often order a bunch of small plates and salads. Wood-fired pizzas are tasty with gourmet topping options, but nothing stunning. As a restaurant with a great beer list, it's 3 stars. As a bar with great food, it might be 4 stars. Since I'm not within walking distance, it's the former to me. Nothing special enough to make one go out of their way, but if you're in the 'hood a good option. read more

Went to Rustico yesterday during brunch. We got the sausage egg and cheese biscuit sandwich which was fantastic. Next was the spicy rotisserie chicken dip with toasted bread for dipping. If you like buffalo wings you will love this dip. We debated and asked our great server about the Carolina bbq pork pizza. It sounded good but as a pizza we weren't sure if we should get it. We decided to go for it and what a great pizza it was. Bbq pork with smoked gouda cheese and caramelized onions on the best crust I've ever had. We finished our meal with the small powdered donuts with caramel and chocolate dipping sauces. Rustico was a very pleasant surprise. I'll definitely be back. read more

A small place that easily pack with people during brunch. I love their beers sampler and great luncheon pizza. I also like their sausage egg biscuit. Our waitress was awesome and very friendly. However, the hostess need have more smile and more friendly to the customer. Try to be there before 1100 on weekend, otherwise it will be a long wait before you can taste the food. Now, I need to try their HH. read more

Five-star mushroom pizza and a dessert-style English ale--another terrific meal. Strongly recommend that beer and pizza lovers come here.

Great location that always has parking. But the changed my favorite dish--used to be salmon w curried chick peas that was perfectly balanced. But now it's kind of a bland quinoa, which was disappointing. Overall there aren't a lot of other stand out dishes, but everything is decent. read more

Great first impression, as soon as I walked in here! Stunning colorful art on a brick wall- this creation was front and center in the restaurant with a mosaic kaleidoscope of pieces of glass, pottery, mirrors, and even whole cups even cemented into it. I found the menu options here to be equally colorful and creative. This is one of the places that you can probably order anything and it will be delicious. I tried my friend's honey pizza without knowing what it was, found it unexpected and unique, but the harmony of flavors worked! I also liked that for indecisive people like me you can choose 3 options for lunch. One of mine was the pear salad and it was far better than expected! The dressing was so good, I wish I knew the recipe to recreate it myself. I did splurge on a kiwi drink (non alcoholic) that came out in a small tumbler glass. It tasted pretty good but overpriced. I eyed some enticing cocktails for a future visit but again, keep in mind, if you order drinks they will be a pricey splurge here. I am excited to come back here and order a pizza next time. read more

I've been going to Rustico for years now. This review is meant to highlight an exceptionally good experience I had there this past Saturday evening, May 6. I made a reservation for a large party (about 11 of us). I asked in advance if we could have separate checks (some single people, some couples, etc.). The restaurant was more than happy to oblige. Our server, Dan, deserves a huge shout-out for his friendliness, professionalism and great sense of humor. We could not have asked for a better server. He even kindly took pictures of us after our meal. This was a special event and the pictures will be cherished. I'm surprised by one of the below reviews talking about tasteless burgers, etc. I LOVE the Rustico burger. It's always done perfectly for me (medium rare) and has great flavor. The French fries have a wonderful smoky flavor that always makes me glad I ordered them. Everyone in our group had clean plates after we finished eating. I live just one block from the restaurant and am happy to have Rustico as my neighborhood go-to. An improvement I'd suggest to management: Since I organized this dinner for my friends, I and one other person arrived at the restaurant about 10 minutes before our reservation just to make sure others would see us if they came in looking for our table. Plus I was taught as a child that, as unofficial hostess, it was my responsibility to be there first to make sure the other guests were comfortable. When I gave my name to the hostess, I was told I couldn't be seated until more people arrived. Why? I clearly had a reservation and the table was ready. This, to me, shows a small lack of customer service. I did not make a fuss with the hostess but my interaction with her left a bad taste in my mouth. She stated it was 'restaurant policy' but didn't explain the reasoning behind said policy; that left me assuming she was more concerned with keeping herself comfortable than with making a paying customer feel special. Maybe she was following the rules but the lack of explanation made me wonder. I encourage management to reconsider this policy, if it indeed exists. One small change would've had me singing the hostess's praises, too. read more

The pizza combinations are interesting, but the pizza itself wasn't anything special. We sat at the communal hightop in the bar, and had probably the worst service, well, ever, at least in terms of attentiveness. It was like pulling teeth to get waited on, as if we were interrupting some far more important task. This is probably because our section had, for whatever reason, a bartender assigned to wait on us. Go figure. The beer selection is wonderful, and the location is fabulous if you're dropping or fetching at the airport. read more

One restroom for each gender? Seriously? There was a 10 minute wait for the men's room at dinnertime. Very loud and crowded, even on a Tuesday night. Service was attentive but also somewhat rude and eye-roll heavy. The one page menu leaves a lot to be desired, as the food is okay but not worth the prices. For a place so far off the beaten bath, I'd expect a lot more for my money. This restaurant is basically a yuppie Arlingtonian version of a cool pizzeria/microbrew place. read more

Went here on a recommendation and am absolutely in love. I will definitely be going back to this restaurant. First off, the beer list is amazing. I studied abroad in Germany and have missed a lot of the diverse German beers, but this place had some of those which I have not been able to locate in the US. Secondly, where else can you get tuna tar tar and pizza? And not just any pizza, but duck confit pizza? Both were very well prepared and thoroughly enjoyed. Lastly, the atmosphere and decor were modern and unique. However, I sat outside, which was pleasant for a summer evening, but still nice as it is a great place to people watch. read more

Love the beer selection! Great selection of beer on tap. The pizza was decent. I tried the duck pizza and the pepperoni pizza. Both a little too crispy for me. A pizza is plenty for one person. I'll probably come here again for a light dinner (share a pizza) and have a few beers. The wait staff was great and I liked the decor and general layout of the restaurant. It's not a place I would hang late in the evening, but it's nice for dinner or early drinks. Also would like to note that they have a full menu of other items besides pizza. Be prepared to search for parking. The parking lot is tiny! We found street parking a few blocks away. read more

Fantastic beer selection, waiters/waitresses who actually seem to know something about the beer selection, and a wall mosaic that draws my daughter in for a closer look every time we visit. Oh, and the food's not too shabby either. I had the swordfish club during my last visit but have a longstanding relationship with their pizzas as well. read more

Although I haven't been in a while, Rustico is one of my favorite restaurants in Alexandria. Most restaurant/bar combos that I've been to tend to focus more on either the restaurant side or the bar side, with the other being somewhat neglected. Rustico, on the other hand, puts a lot of work into both the food and the beer selection, and does very well with both. There is an absolutely amazing selection of beers, with plenty for everyone. The better beers (or maybe just the ones I like) tend to be on the expensive side, so I wouldn't come here just to drink, but if you want great beer with a great beer I don't think there's anyplace better nearby. The food here is what I would call "gourmet but not pretentious". The pizza's are not traditional by any means, but have always been excellent. And the rest of the meals that I've tried have always been very satisfying. The service, even when the place is packed (which is quite often), is always excellent. The bartenders are surprisingly knowledgeable about the beer, and can always recommend something if you have trouble deciding. The servers aren't as knowledgeable, but are still better than I'd expect. Overall, good service, great food, and amazing beer. I'd suggest going during off-hours if you mind crowds, but otherwise I can't think of a single thing I don't like about Rustico. read more

Read about their impressive beer menu from Imbibe Magazine - decided to swing by the next time I was in the area and was not disappointed. The draft menu was fairly extensive with a good variety of beer types, from crisp lagers to robust roasted malts and stouts. The bottle menu was more of a binder with lots of prions as well. Pizza was good - thin crust style very similar to Matchbox and others. Also really enjoyed the spring vegetable salad... Easy parking and a great beer menu with comfortable bar seats makes this a place I will be back to. read more

This is my annual birthday dinner spot. Can't beat the fun atmosphere (bar and restaurant sides are completely different feels). The bar side has large TVs, high table tops, and a great view of their beer selection. Same great food available with wait service available most times. When it's packed, the bar service may be slow, but what else is new in the DMV area? The restaurant side is a bit more formal feeling, no tv views, great view of the cooking area, great decor, and of course a fantastic seasonal menu. I've taken just about every out of town guest here for a either a quick-bite / drink in between events or a great place to start an evening out on the town. Also great for all ranges of tastes, from the picky teens (pizza) to the more adventurous folks. I've had just about everything at least once and will continue to keep returning. read more

Food: 4 Beer: 5 Service: 3 at a table, 5 at the bar Ambiance: 3 in the restaurant, 4 in the bar Price: 3 Rustico has great pizzas, with just the right amount of char, and a wonderful selection of beer. That's all you really need to be happy. The italian sausage with fennel that they use on their pizzas is fantastic. Service sitting at the bar is great; service at the tables is lacking and can be borderline rude, so we only go in if there is room in the bar. We return fairly frequently. read more

We chose to eat a Rustico for a team lunch. There were 7 of us in the group. We were not given the option to split checks and were charged 25% gratuity for our 'large' party. We arrived just after 11:30 and there was hardly anyone in the restaurant. Our server was slow to arrive and we mostly just ordered waters to drink...which meant they had to get it from the stream out back and purify it for us because it took quite awhile for the waters to come out. We each ordered our lunch and while the menu is eclectic, it is also somewhat limited. Our food came out and while we all enjoyed it, the service as just so damn slow. After clearing our plates, it was at least anther 20 minutes for us to get our check and which time, we were all getting a little antsy. I suppose it's a good place to go if you're wanting something different and craving an IPA but it's just not my cup-of-tea, especially when the service is lacking. read more

The food gets 4 stars, with a kicker for being consistently good. I've never had anything that I didn't find totally delicious and creative. The carrot hummus (which I never would think to order) was topped with a lamb ragu that was wonderfully spiced. Their salads are phenomenal and special (I've never heard of herb granola, or fried kale combined with farro, which all treat you to flavors you've never seen). They also had lamb meatballs that were delicate and satisfying (so much so we got another order). I'm always drawn to the pizza, which goes deliciously with the HUGE beer selection that--again--treats you to flavors you've never seen. A beer that tastes like red wine? Like bourbon? Like (legit) pumpkin? They have em all. I've tried the mains and pastas before, all of which had been hearty, flavorful and satisfying (and I'm a big eater). Order the desserts if you have room (or even if you don't). A simple scoop of ice cream (in unusual flavors) or fresh doughnuts (with chocolate dipping sauce) are elevated and worthy to try. They had a bread pudding in the past that my friend raved about and ordered repeatedly. read more

5 stars is for the grilled caesar salad alone. Literally grilled pieces of lettuce with a great garlicky caesar dressing. I had never had a salad like this before, and I know some people who don't care for it, but I think it's really good. Makes me want one just writing about it... The rest of the food and experience is fine, but grilled caesar is all I remember. read more

Great find! Went with our three kids on Saturday for lunch. The kids menu portions are great for the price. Loved the beer and lunch selections for us as well. Staff was great, food was good, no wait, restaurant was clean. read more

Rustico - Bars Bing Breakfast Burger - New American Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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This place was amazing! We walked in and we're seated in a nice booth immediately. We ordered several apps and all of them were very well prepared and tasty. They were very accommodating to the gluten free member of our party. She ordered the gluten free pizza with chickpea crust and loved it. I ordered the greek pizza with caesar salad. All of it was well prepared and tasty. Our waitress, Rebecca was very nice and accommodating. The prices here were very high but definitely worth it. I loved this place and I will definitely be back again. read more

Frequently eat here with my wife. Food variety and ambience bring is here. Excellent assortment of beers too. we enjoy the service; very professional and friendly. Parking is easy too. read more

I take this place for granted because it's a block away from my office. I usually need to get far far away from my office when I want to drink. But I shouldn't hold that against it----they have an outrageously good beer selection, but no Labatts. Where oh where in DC can one find Labatts???? Most microbrew and international beers (regular size bottles) are $5 to $7. I've seen dudes order Miller Lite here. I'd love to see Rustico take Miller Lite off their menu, and watch the cookie cutter alpha males freak out. The food is great, albeit pricey. Order the pizza. You can't miss. read more