***Please note that this Your Guide To Cafes in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia dining guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date Alexandria brunch scene. This guide was most recently updated as of June 2026.***

Whether a local spot or a well loved DMV area chain, there are several excellent cafes in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia to try! This dining guide will walk you through some of the many cafes in this historic district to give a try.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page. For more Washington, DC area travel inspiration, check out my Exploring The DMV page.

Your Guide To Cafes in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia (2026 Edition)

This dining guide will focus on cafes in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. If you are interested in checking out spots for all kinds of eats in Old Town Alexandria, then look no further than my dining guide and/or my spots for brunch guide. And, if you are interested in checking out wine bars in Alexandria, then check out my local wine bars guide. For small businesses to shop and support in Old Town Alexandria, then look no further than my local small businesses guide. If you’re venturing into Washington, DC and want a historic and very Washingtonian-like experience, then be sure to check out my Old Ebbitt Grill Restaurant Review.

Table of Contents

Plan Your Visit

Getting There

Cafes in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

Plan Your Visit

If you’re visiting Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, then be sure to use this map to help you decide where to stay!

 

Getting There

Weekends (and occasionally weekdays) are a popular time for diners, including for visiting cafes in Old Town Alexandria, so it is a busy time especially in the heart of Old Town. I recommend, regardless of how you choose to get there, that you plan ahead and allow for extra buffer time in case you are meeting someone at a particular cafe.

Parking: Parking can also be limited and a tricky thing to navigate especially when traveling to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. If you opt to drive and park your car, then be mindful that it is a busy time especially on the weekends and be prepared to pay upwards of $20+ for parking, especially as you get closer to the waterfront.

Public Transportation: That being said, I highly recommend, from personal experience, using public transportation via Metro (King Street-Old Town Station is accessible via Metro’s Blue and Yellow lines). It is worth noting that King Street Station is about a 20-30 minute walk to Old Town Alexandria’s waterfront and the heart of its historic district. The walk is pretty easy and a straight shot on the historic King Street (Old Town’s main street!) and a fun way to get to know the charming town and its several small businesses and people. However, if you’re not up for walking, then don’t fret! Old Town Alexandria also has the DART Bus and King Street Trolley’s, which are free shuttles to visitors to use to/from King Street Station. When using Metro, be sure to plan your trip via WMATA’s Trip Planner which has the most up-to-date information, as sometimes stations are closed due to maintenance or there are train delays.

Cafes in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

Call Your Mother Deli (1300 King Street) – Having several locations across the Washington, DC area and in Colorado, Call Your Mother Deli is a well-known deli and bagel shop and cafe paying homage to its owners’ Jewish roots. Call Your Mother has an adorable branding of pink and teal and has beautiful interiors!

Cherry On Top (1021 Queen Street) – A newly-opened as of June 2026 woman-owned coffee and wine bar that also doubles as an event and community gathering space, Cherry On Top is more than just a coffee and wine bar: it’s a spot to bring together people from all walks of life.

Dolci Gelati (107 North Fairfax Street) – Offering free samples and delicious gelato and coffee, I had an amazing time and will be coming back for more gelato at Dolci Gelati! It’s location is in close proximity to Market Square – the heart of Old Town Alexandria’s downtown and home to the historic Alexandria City Clerk and Clerk of Council Building alongside several town events and festivities and the weekly farmers market – making it a perfect stop along an Old Town Alexandria walking journey!

Eclairons (430 South Washington Street) – Proudly serving French and Lebanese desserts and coffee for over 30 years made by owner Chef Toni Srour, Eclairons has recently opened a brand-new location in Old Town Alexandria. 

Fontaine Caffe & Creperie (119 South Royal Street) – A gorgeous French-inspired cafe and creperie serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as wine, beer, and cocktails. I have passed by Fontaine Caffe & Creperie on a few occasions and knew I would LOVE dining there before having a wonderful dining experience with my college best friend Hannah when she came to visit from North Carolina. The atmosphere is adorable and the eats and drinks are delicious!

For Five Coffee (1800C Diagonal Road) – For Five Coffee started in Queens, New York in 2010 as a micro-roasting facility born from the dreams of two close friends. Since 2010, For Five Coffee has expanded as a well-known cafe across the Washington, DC area and beyond. 

Homegrown Alexandria (1600 King Street) – A breakfast and brunch spot serving locally-sourced and homegrown delights, Homegrown, located in the boutique Archer Hotel, is a popular and affordable place to grab a delicious bite or grab a coffee at their bar. Their pancakes (with a gluten-free option) are to die for good and don’t taste as if they are gluten-free, too, and is something that I am still craving since trying them a few months ago! The staff at Homegrown are extremely friendly, too, and make everyone feel right at home. It is worth noting that Homegrown does not take reservations, but they do have a call ahead list and it’s advised to get there early (before 9-10am) on weekends. Homegrown is also open until ~3pm daily.

LaPluma Coffee & Wine (1000 Cameron Street) – Celebrating Guatemalan and Salvadoran coffee and dishes including delicious churros, LaPluma Coffee & Wine truly is a place to work, catch up, or simply grab a cup of coffee and/or savor a glass of wine.

Lily’s Chocolate & Coffee (631 King Street) – A gorgeous Persian-inspired dessert shop and cafe owned by a woman and mother named Lily. Lily’s Chocolate & Coffee is all-things pretty and pink from the flower walls to the chocolate, tea, coffee, and desserts! Indeed, Lily’s is an excellent place to stop for a sweet refreshment while gallivanting the streets of Old Town Alexandria and perhaps snapping a photo, too.

Maman (701 King Street) – With locations all across the Washington, DC area including in Washington, DC’s Georgetown neighborhood and Fairfax’s Mosaic shopping center and a flagship location in New York City’s Soho, Maman is a whimsy and all-things grand millennial dream of a cafe. Maman serves up delicious pastries, eats, and cafe delights. It is worth noting that Maman is a popular spot and offers online ordering, which is suggested on the weekends due to the potential for limited seating.

Misha’s (6 Prince Street & 917 King Street) – An independent coffee shop and roaster with two locations in Old Town Alexandria, Misha’s has been serving local coffee and selling their coffee to customers since 1991. Misha’s location on Prince Street has a gorgeous rooftop section that is fun to enjoy in the warmer months (and remains on my bucket list!). One unique aspect of Misha’s is that their variety of coffee beans are on display for customers to see.

Starbucks (100 South Union Street) – While I try to steer clear of sharing chain restaurants like Starbucks in my dining guides, I do want to point out that the specific Starbucks on 100 South Union Street overlooking the Potomac River is pretty unique and a historic site within itself! The Starbucks’s interiors are stone-lined and represent Old Town Alexandria’s historic charm. There is a historic plaque in there to honor this Starbucks’ roots as the once Seaport Inn & Restaurant dating back to 1765. It is definitely my favorite Starbucks location due to its unique history!

Tatte (515 King Street) – Tatte has several locations across the Washington, DC area as well as the Boston area, however, I ALWAYS forget that there is a Tatte right in the heart of Old Town Alexandria! Tatte is a Mediterranean-inspired cafe selling everything from breakfast and lunch dishes to baked goods and pastries and coffee and tea. Each Tatte location has the most elegant and sophisticated flair and the staff are always ultra-kind and go above and beyond to ensure that each customer has a wonderful experience there. One thing to note about Tatte is that due to its high popularity, locals and tourists alike will flock here in crowds during peak breakfast and lunch times.

Turkish Coffee Lady (1001 King Street) – With an emphasis on women’s empowerment, Turkish Coffee Lady is a woman-owned cafe focused on bridging cross-cultural friendships between the United States and Turkey through brewing and serving Turkish coffee delights. 

Wrap-Up

One of the things I LOVE about many of the cafes in Old Town Alexandria is how they celebrate several cultures and bridge international friendships intentionally one sip at a time. Truly, coffee can bring people together and the cafes in Old Town Alexandria and their missions are a true testament of community.

XOXO – Katie <3