Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant

Reviews

• Herb D.

  star star star star star_border 13 June 2026

  I had lived in Alexandria, Virginia for 20 years, haven't moved away about a decade ago.  I never went to Gadsby's while I was a local.  Coming back for a visit as a "tourist," we finally made reservations for dinner to give this piece of history a try.
  
  This is the oldest restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia.  So old, that George Washington himself used to frequent it.  The staff does a great job of giving you that old school feeling with traditional dress of the period, and the ambiance is very rustic.  Wooden floors, tables, chairs, candlelight, etc.
  
  The is a full bar and the menu is fairly extensive.
  
  Once interesting thing on the menu was the Peanut Soup.  I'm a fan peanuts, so I had to try it.   It had a very interesting flavor and I'm glad I ordered it, but not so sure I'd be in a hurry to get it again.  There are other varieties of foods on the menu, but on this particular visit, my entire group stuck to ordering the prime rib.
  
  Aside from coming out very slightly overcooked to my personal taste, the prime rib was delicious.  It came with a compliment of vegetables and some creamy horseradish sauce.
  
  Our server was very good, although he did manage to spill a little of the prime rib blood on my shirt as he was serving me.  Having realized what he did, he quickly jumped to action and brought me a remedy of sorts that I used to dab the blood, and amazingly, when my shirt dried, there was no stain.  No harm, no foul.
  
  I'm glad we came here and I'm happy that it was a good experience and that I can now check off a piece of history in Alexandria, VA from the bucket list.

• Dan H.

  star star star star star 8 June 2026

  An excellent "colonial tavern"  with a lot of history. A very reasonable menu with many tasty items. Well suited for families with an excellent luncheon menu with a full bar. A museum is adjacent to the restaurant.  
  
  Plenty of on-street parking is available.

• Sabina D.

  star star star star star_border 5 June 2026

  I got Washington's favorite. It was duck. I love coming here because it's very authentic to the older days. Everyone is dressed up and some employees come to your table to reenact a scenario from back in the day. The only problem is trying to see your menu as you are using a candle. I use my phones flashlight really quickly. Their drinks are very good and strong. This is one of my moms favorite restaurants.

• Laura P.

  star star star star star 2 June 2026

  Visited here for restaurant week brunch. I loved the period decor and how the waiters wore period clothes in the fun historic setting. The food was delicious and the prices for brunch were very reasonable given the size and quality of the food. The butter was freshly whipped and you could taste the difference. Our waiter was fantastic and brought us everything we could possibly want and more with a smile. I will be back!

• Richard C.

  star star star star_border star_border 24 May 2026

  This is quite an historic place. George Washington came here as well as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Monroe, James Madison and in fact nearly all the founders of our American Independence at one time or another paid a visit to Gadsby's Tavern. In fact there is no building in America that is more associated with our independence that's Gadsby's Tavern. Because no where else has so many over so many years did business and went over the struggles for American Independence than here inside Gadsby's Tavern. Gadsby's Tavern is located in Old Town Alexandria Virginia.
  
  This should give the building five stars just for its history but, there are some issues. This building is so significant it and the building next door should be a museum. Somehow a private restaurant runs here and a small museum next door.
  
  The restaurant looks old and probably like it did more than 230 years ago when it was built. Which I like. The waiter dressed in period clothing was good. We ordered apple cider which was the best I ever had, we both loved it. We both ordered the William Caton Burger, the burger was cooked as ordered and was delicious, hot and the bun soft moist and very fresh, the fries that came with it were a little cold, I like my fries hot. Here is the bad part, it took almost 40 minutes to get our burger. Way to long. Way, way, way to long.
  
  So now I have been in an amazing historical building just the thought of the conversations and meetings that our founding fathers had in this building makes the visit truly remarkable.
  
  The question is will I come back? Probably not. I gave it three stars more for the historical aspect of the place, but for the restaurant I'd give it one or two stars. If the place was a museum instead of a restaurant, I'd probably give it five stars. Kinda sad really.