Del Ray is a charming neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia, full of cute shops, people walking their adorable dogs, and cobblestone sidewalks.
It’s also a neighborhood that boasts some great restaurants. Here are the best eats to check out in Del Ray.
2411 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
If you're a cheese lover, you need to check out Cheesetique, located along Del Ray’s popular Mount Vernon Avenue. This place is part restaurant, part cheese shop. At the
cheese shop, you can buy blocks of your favorite cheese, custom-made cheese, and charcuterie boards, as well as wine pairings. If you’re planning a party or event, this is a great place to pick up large sizes and quantities. They also offer catering options.
Prefer to dine in? The
restaurant’s menu is full of fabulous cheesy options! You can choose from a variety of boards to start, or create your own. Then move on to cheese fondue, because is there really anything better than dipping bits of bread into warm melted cheese? For entrees try one of the specialty grilled cheeses or mac 'n’ cheeses.
And if you’re looking for a wine to pair with your meal, you can check out the full wine list
here.
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2312 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
Holy Cow is a must on your Del Ray food tour. It’s got a fast-casual vibe with restaurant-level customer service. There are plenty of seating options inside and out, and in the summertime, it’s recommended that you sit outside and people-watch on Mount Vernon Avenue.
The burgers on the
menu are all gourmet, and everything is curated in-house. You can try one of the signature burgers like the Holy Pig (a natural Angus beef patty topped with smoked gouda, pulled pork, coleslaw, crispy onions & Pork Barrel BBQ sauce on a toasted potato kaiser roll) or the Sacre Bleu (a natural Angus beef patty topped with Brie, carmelized onions, applewood bacon, and truffle honey on a toasted brioche bun).
Or you can go for an alternative burger, like the Turkey Reuben or the Roma Melt. There’s also an option to create your own burger. You can check out the process and choices on the build-a-burger menu
here.
As a beautiful bonus, Holy Cow will donate 25 cents from every purchase to a local charity in Alexandria.
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2400 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
Taqueria el Poblano is one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Washington, D.C., area. It was voted as having the No. 1 margarita four years in a row and is listed in Zagat’s Top Ten Mexican Restaurants in D.C. With those credentials, you know you can’t go wrong at this lively little spot.
The
menu focuses on fresh ingredients and bold flavors, and that’s evident no matter what you order. Start with one of the delicious appetizers, such as guacamole or Poblano’s queso dip. Next, try out one of the homemade tacos; the L.A-style crispy taco and duck carnitas are favorites.
For the entrée portion, order the Steak Tam Steak Tampiqueño, with Achiote-seasoned 5-ounce grilled rib-eye steak, served with two cheese and onion enchiladas, salsa verde, rice, and refried beans. Or if you’re a vegetarian, try out the Chile Relleno, which features roasted poblano pepper, stuffed with cheese and served with ranchero sauce, rice, and refried beans.
And of course, you can’t skip the margaritas!
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2310 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
If you’re just looking for a refreshing snack and then plan to wander and explore the neighborhood, pop into The Dairy Godmother for a delicious ice cream fix. The shop, which will remind you of a vintage parlor, serves up unique flavors of homemade custard and sorbet.
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And if you’re looking for a fun, touristy activity to do before or after spending time in Del Ray, check out the
Mount Vernon Estate, just a short drive from the neighborhood. Or check out the adjacent neighborhood of
Old Town, which is located on the waterfront.
Have you tried any of these Del Ray eats? Let us know your favorites in the comments below!