Gadsby’s Tavern is a historic American restaurant and nightlife destination in Alexandria, VA, serving classic comfort food, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert in a beautifully preserved setting that once welcomed George Washington and John Adams.
Located at 138 N Royal St, Alexandria, VA 22314, this iconic Alexandria, Virginia restaurant is known for its cozy, quiet, romantic, and upscale atmosphere, plus a fireplace, bar on site, and excellent beer, cocktails, and wine selection.
Guests can enjoy dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and on-site service, along with private dining, table service, Wi-Fi, and free Wi-Fi. Gadsby’s Tavern is a top choice for local specialty dishes, solo dining, lunch, dinner, and reservations, with brunch and dinner reservations recommended.
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible with an accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, and accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. With a 4.50-star rating from 776 reviews, Gadsby’s Tavern remains a must-visit historic restaurant in Alexandria, VA.
To experience one of the most iconic traditional American restaurants in Alexandria, VA, call +1 703-548-1288 or visit Gadsby’s Tavern at 138 N Royal St for brunch, lunch, or dinner in a landmark setting.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Gadsby's Tavern
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
roasted peanuts simmered in fresh chicken stock with garlic and ginger
field greens topped with walnuts, gorgonzola, red onion and tomato with balsamic vinaigrette
red onion, slivered almonds, dried cranberries and gruyere with a honey truffle vinaigrette
mixed greens with roasted peanuts, grapes, gruyere cheese and Tavern Vinaigrette
iceberg lettuce, bacon, gorgonzola, red onion and beefsteak tomato with horseradish dressing
corned beef on grilled rye with rhotekraut and Russian dressing
topped swiss cheese, baby spinach and bacon on a brioche roll with chutney mayonnaise
fried oysters and romaine lettuce with spicy rémoulade sauce on a sub roll
on baguette with French onion au jus and horseradish sauce
topped with gorgonzola cheese and fried sweet potatoes served with crisp lettuce and ripe tomato
with house made citrus cocktail sauce
puff pastry stuffed with brie and cardamom-spiced apples, finished with raspberry coulis and sprinkles of cinnamon and sugar
served with sweet corn relish and citrus cocktail sauce
layered with mascarpone cheese and fresh raspberry purée
lightly spiced and served with citrus cocktail sauce
grilled jumbo shrimp finished with balsamic glaze
roasted peanuts simmered in fresh chicken stock with garlic and ginger
roasted peanuts, shaved gruyere and red grapes in balsamic vinaigrette
with dried cranberries, toasted almonds and shaved gruyere
horseradish dressing, gorgonzola, applewood bacon, ripe tomato and red onion
field greens topped with walnuts, gorgonzola, red onion and tomato with balsamic vinaigrette
rubbed with herbs and spices, house made demi-glacé, served with grilled asparagus and mashed red potatoes
grilled and topped with an herbed gorgonzola butter, served with mashed red potatoes and grilled asparagus
served with mint cabernet sauce, roasted red potatoes and grilled asparagus
thick-cut pork chop with brandied apples, mashed red potatoes and vegetable du jour
topped with roasted red pepper rémoulade, served with vegetable du jour and mashed red potatoes
finished with a balsamic glaze, served with jasmine rice and sautéed spinach
beef and veal wrapped in bacon with Port wine and mushroom demi-glacé, mashed red potatoes and vegetables du jour
roasted half duck with corn pudding, roasted potatoes, rhotekraut and a cherry orange glacé
topped with a wild mushroom and madeira gravy, served with mashed red potatoes and sautéed vegetables
flame-roasted vegetables and mascarpone baked in a puff pastry crust, served with jasmine rice
a good Bloody Mary
Peach brunch cocktail
Cranberry Juice & Champagne
coffee & cocoa, served with brandy
Orange Juice & Champagne
resting over biscuits & jumbo lump crab cake with hollandaise sauce, served with asparagus and home fries
scrambled eggs, sausage & country bacon served with home fries
served with home fries
layered with Brie cheese and sliced bananas served with bacon
on a biscuit topped with ham, hollandaise sauce, served with asparagus & home fries
mixed greens with grapes, Gruyere cheese, and roasted peanuts with our Tavern vinaigrette
field greens topped with walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, red onion & tomato with a balsamic vinaigrette
on a baguette served with au jus and hand-cut fries
crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato & mayo on wheat toast with hand-cut fries
on Sally Lunn Bread served with hand-cut fries and coleslaw
our traditional breakfast repast but for a smaller appetite
served with hand-cut fries
served with honey mustard sauce and hand-cut fries
Hear from our valued guests
Enjoyed the pot pie and calamari. Rich in history. Beautiful ambiance. Reservations are recommended. We got there for dinner right when they opened at 5:30 and were successful without a reservation.
Of course you come for the tavern atmosphere but the filet—amazing. So tender and flavorful with crispy potatoes and asparagus. My husband said the trifle dessert was also delicious.
We dined here for our weekly date night. It was really good! "George Washington" walked around and gave laughter to us the entire time. The man who played him really did embody the role very well. I'm a history fan so I chose this place for the atmosphere and out of sheer curiosity of the decor and the menu items looked really good. The taste was great. We had no complaints. We both ordered the salmon which was juicy and well seasoned. I ordered the ham biscuits. Those were just Ok, but the stars were the pastry with brie in the middle and the crab pastry. I ordered extra to take home. The candles on the tables really helped with the old time feel and the service was slow in the beginning but was a bit refreshing because we weren't hounded every 5 minutes asking how our meal was.
Delicious and huge portions! Sorin is a very good and attentive server. Unfortunately, they don’t wear the old times outfits anymore though.
Beautifully staged event for the American Friends of Lafayette’s penultimate event of the 13 month Bicentennial Farewell Tour. The menu was divine and delicious - from the cocktail hors d’oeuvres to the dinner menu and dessert. Beautifully executed. Thank you AFL & Gretchen Bulova, Historic Alexandria! ❤️⚜️🇾🇪⚜️🇺🇸❤️
If you're looking for a historic authentic experience, this place is a must. The outside of the red brick building caught our attention, and we decided to try. Inside, there was the Colonial charm. We sat down in one of the side rooms. Our waiter was quick and attentive. I had the prime rib with mashed potatoes, and my wife had lamb chops. The food was delicious. As it started getting darker outside, there was a warm, dark ambiance to the room. It felt like stepping back in time. The place is a must if you're visiting Alexandria, a place that exceeded our expectations and will leave a lasting impression on us.
Beautiful historic restaurant with lots of holiday charm. I had the most lovely meal with my family. The staff are so kind, sweet and attentive. They made us feel so welcome and special on a birthday occasion. The chicken pot pie, honey ham appetizer and peanut soup were delicious, as was the gingerbread desert. The stone fence and other cocktails hit the spot. And they have a really varied and delicious kids menu. Will definitely be back! An Alexandria gem.
I really enjoyed having a colonial Virginia experience in the DC area. Just 10 minutes from the Reagan airport. I haf the peanut soup and a colonial cocktail called Stone Fence made with Rum, hard apple cider and bitters. You can get it sweet or unsweetened. Parking is easy at the Tavern Square Garage.
We had dinner here a few weeks ago and had a great time. Both George Washington's Favorite and the Prime Rib were very tasty and a great value! The atmosphere is calm and the decor is cozy. We'll be going back again soon.
Such a fun dining experience! I loved the historical theme — it really feels like you’ve stepped back in time. The food was filling and delicious, and everything we tried was well great. I was pleasantly surprised by the live entertainment, too. "John Hall" made an appearance, which added so much fun to the dining experience. Definitely a great spot if you’re looking for something a little different with great food and atmosphere!
Common questions about Gadsby's Tavern
Gadsby's Tavern is located at 138 N Royal St, Alexandria, VA 22314, United States, Alexandria, VA, United States.
You can reach Gadsby's Tavern by calling +1 703-548-1288.
Gadsby's Tavern has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on 776 customer reviews.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following service options: On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in, Delivery.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following highlights: Fireplace, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great wine list, Serves local specialty.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Private dining room, Spirits, Wine.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following dining options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Table service.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following atmosphere: Cozy, Historic, Quiet, Romantic, Upmarket.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, LGBTQ+ friendly, Tourists.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following planning: Brunch reservations recommended, Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following children: High chairs, Kids' menu.
Gadsby's Tavern features the following parking: Paid parking lot, Paid street parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
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