If you know me, you know that I LOVE finding cute spots around the Washington, DC area! Most recently, my friends Brittany, Brianna, and I checked out the most adorable AND Instagrammable cafe/bar spot in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia (located at 277 South Washington Street) known as Virginia’s Darling.
Virginia’s Darling doubles as a wine bar at night and a market and cafe via its shared space with Mae’s Market and Cafe during the day. Its hours are Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm, and is closed Sunday-Monday. Reservations are accepted, too. We went around 2pm and enjoyed some day time treats via Mae’s Market and Cafe while taking in ALLL the gorgeous views and decorations of Virginia’s Darling. It also wasn’t crowded at 2pm, too, and the atmosphere on Virginia’s Darling was empty yet all in its beautiful and floral glory.
The deli menu on Mae’s Market and Cafe consists of freshly made quiche (which was THE BEST that I ever have had made of kale and feta aka the recipe of the day!) and flatbread pizza and soups and salads. Coffee and tea are also served daily in a PINK coffee machine that’s drop dead gorgeous. Everything is gourmet and down to earth in the fact that every item is made with love and, needless to say, worth the somewhat pricey price tag (depending on your selection) that comes with dining there. Read more when it comes to your dining experience here: https://www.maesmarketandcafe.com/virginiasdarling
According to their website, Virginia’s Darling places an emphasis on female wine-makers (empowering women empower women!!!) and prides on its laid back environment for its customers – something that I found to make this place pretty unique and a fun place to come to. At the same time, Virginia’s Darling via Mae’s Market and Cafe has the most adorable little gift shop, including carrying Fair Trade Coffee, confetti printed mugs and wine glasses, and Fair Trade tea. The place is ALL about empowering those all around the world which is truly a testament to how great this sweet spot is!
Virginia’s Darling is located right by the Lyceum – Alexandria’s History Museum that’s free for active military and Alexandria residents and $3 for everyone else and home to many local events such as a Film Festival over the weekend that we went – on South Washington Street. It’s a one-level museum with the MOST adorable gift shop! It is rather on the outskirts of the main tourist areas of Old Town Alexandria (mainly naming King Street here!) making it a more peaceful yet still historic place to go. There were churches and gorgeous colonial Old Town Alexandria, Virginia charm lining the streets right by Virginia’s Darling. We just went to check out Virginia’s Darling, but it is definitely worth visiting if you have time and want to soak in ALL the history beyond King Street that Old Town Alexandria has to offer AND snap a photo for Instagram.
Indeed, Virginia’s Darling is one of THE MOST darling places that I have dined at since moving to the Washington, DC area. I look forward to dining here again and potentially in the evening, too as their dinner menu looks amazing!
XOXO – Katie <3