We were walking to the park and smelled the food coming from Vola’s and decided to eat there at a whim. Despite not making a reservation we got seated within 10 minutes! Our waitress was friendly and the service was good. They have pretty good happy hour specials, $6 cocktails and $3 beer. The fish was fresh and served hot! The hush puppies were just okay (3/10). The fries were good but definitely not old bay style, there was no seasoning at all on them. They have a great view of the waterfront!! Would come back because the food was fresh and served hot with a decent drink special!

We came here for brunch. The food is excellent, and the outdoor seating on the waterfront can't be beat. I would recommend going on a day where that seating will be pleasant. The wind off the river can be biting in the winter.

We had dinner here during g the Christmas holidays. It was a last minute decision but they were very accommodating. We ordered the Chesapeake Bay chowder, which was quite good; mixed selection of Oysters- signature green torpedo, James River, blue Point, also very good; hush puppies also very good; crab cake sand which, was good;Salmon Entree, which was good; the fried chicken breast sandwich which was ok. And the hamburger which was ok. All in all, the food was average to good. The wait staff is friendly and attentive and the location is awesome.

This place serves fresh seafood dishes and really good drinks. I ordered half dozen oysters, fish and chips, and lobster roll. All dishes were very delicious with the good portion sizes. They serves different kinds of oysters and I enjoyed all of them. Really fresh! Fish and chips were very crispy and well seasoned. Although it was a bit pricy, lobster roll was incredible! It was cooked to perfection and so juicy. The place has an extensive drink menus and also serves great appetizers. Staffs were very attentive and friendly. This place could get really busy especially during the weekend brunch and dinner services. I would definitely make a reservation before visit this place. I highly recommend this restaurant if you want to get some great seafood and drinks!

Fun place especially if you can get outdoor seating. Good brunch menu and excellent service. Pay full price for brunch adult beverage and get refills of the same for $4. Pretty good deal. Shrimp and grits are great.

I’ve been to Vola’s a few times, but my most recent experience was worth a raving review. My friend and I went here for an early dinner, and we decided to sit outside since it wasn’t supposed to rain until 11. Well the weather report was wrong and it started pouring. Lightening, thunder, wind making the rain come in sideways, it was crazy. They had around a 45 minute wait for an inside table, so we were going to stay outside even though it was pouring (they had a canopy over the tables). The manager quickly came over and I explained there was a wait to get inside and he immediately took us in and got us a place to sit. He checked on us multiple times to make sure we were okay and was awesome our entire meal. Our server was also great, she still continued serving us even though we had moved to a totally different section of the restaurant. Wonderful service from both of them. Now, onto the food. The crab hush puppies are to die for. Literally the best hush puppies I’ve ever had. I would come just for those. The crab dip is amazingly crabby and I love the crackers they give you with it. We also ordered the coconut shrimp and they were super crispy and delicious! As an entree we split the lobster roll and fries. WOW! The lobster roll was so creamy and tasty! The bread it comes on is perfectly toasted with butter and just melts in your mouth. It makes the whole roll that much better. And their old bay fries are PERFECT! Some of the best fries I’ve ever had. If you really wanna try something delicious, dip the fries into the crab dip and thank me later. Love this place and will definitely be back!

Some of the best fries I’ve had! Asked if the lobster roll could be toasted/buttered. Rico our host was super nice!

Vola’s is a great place! Enjoyed lunch here, sitting by the water on a beautiful day. Service is good, food is delicious, and the drinks were great. The Poke was delicious, great fresh flavor but it needs some crunch. Actually paired really well with the chips provided for the crab dip! The Fried shrimp basket was also very good. The shrimp were cooked well, not over cooked. The fries were crisp on the outside and soft inside, very tasty. Highly recommend, we’ll be back.

Came here Sunday for dinner and it was great! Located right by the water, our table was by the window with a nice view! Food was great, my favorite was the Cajun Grouper & Shrimp—it was delicious, well flavored and huge portion! The Crab Dip appetizer was good too. For cocktails, enjoyed the King Street Kool and Orange Crush drinks.

Two of us had dinner at Vola's on a Saturday night at about 6:30 pm in July. We were seated immediately in the patio but they really pack the tables so close together it is difficult for the waiters/waitresses to bring out the food. The view from the patio is fantastic and there are lots of young people and couples their enjoying the views and the good food. I tried the oysters and they were great along with a coconut shrimp appetizer. I had Grouper and shrimp ($34) for the main and it came with small grilled potatoes. The Grouper and shrimp ($25) were good and my friend really liked his Honey-Bourbon glazed Salmon. Considering the high cost I thought it would have been reasonable to include a side salad or additional vegetables. Our waitress CJ was fantastic and kept our water glasses full, made sure we were served quickly, and kept tabs on us in case we needed anything even though she was really busy.

Came to this area on the metro on our last day of touring DC. FYI There is a free trolley that will take you all the way down King Street to this waterfront area. I’m so glad we came here. We popped in for a late lunch (so we could enjoy the monuments at night one more time). Our server was great and offered recommendations for our meals. I had the pan seared scallops and she had the creole shrimp and grits. This was no kidding the best tasting meal we have ever had. The frozen orange crush drink was really good too. Quite refreshing on an extremely hot day. We were stressing about finding just the right places to eat while on this vacation, and this was it. A perfect meal, great service, tasty drinks, and good atmosphere. If you are searching the depths of the internet for a place to eat while in the DC area, this is it.

I can't begin to tell you how many times I walked past Vola's and told myself I need to stop in sometime. There are so many great food options in Old Town, but not all have a great view of the Potomac. Well, my mother-in-law was intown; so we stopped in for a late lunch. I should have definitely come a long time ago. The staff greeted us right away and showed us to a table. It was chilly that day; so we decided to sit inside, but near a window. We ordered a couple cocktails (spicy margarita and a frozen mango margarita), smoked fish dip and a half dozen oysters to start. Then a grouper sandwich, bacon cheddar burger, and shrimp with grouper as entrees. All the food and drinks were tasty. There are also several TVs tuned to sports channels. It looks like they have a good happy hour menu as well. I recommend Vola's for some casual seafood near the river and great atmosphere. We'll be back. Thanks! :-)

Are you in the area? Do you like seafood? Then you should definitely come here! The Frozen Orange Crush was delicious (but sneaky...take it easy on those). The crab hush puppies were amazing, and the crab cakes were top notch. It was a little pricey, but all the food was top quality and the service was excellent and incredibly friendly (shout out to Nicole!). Absolutely recommend!

I've been to a lot of places and the food and service here was amazing! During our time, a horrible storm came over us and not only did the staff make sure we got to a safer area. They pulled out umbrellas and walked each person to a dry place. Really went out of the way! Views are amazing

Great happy hour during the weekday 3-7 pm. Only available at the bar or Hightops. Got a dozen mixed oysters and the crab dip (with delicious cheesy slightly spiced bread). Good selection of cocktails and draft beer. The view is beautiful as well of the Potomac River.

Appetizers - crab dip and shrimp 🦐 was tasty and cooked to perfection. The right amount of crab in the dip. Dinner - Honey glazed salmon with corn cakes, cilantro rice with tomato butter. Delicious. All of the food was fresh, served warm and didn’t disappoint !

Melt in your mouth food! The crab cakes were made to perfection with delicious crab chunks, all meat, golden brown and lightly crisped on the outside. The lobster roll had lots of fresh hearty lobster meat, and it was made right, like they do it in Maine. The only drawback to the restaurant is that the restrooms are not sufficient enough for the capacity, and wait time can be long, so don't wait until the last minute if you really have to go. Other than that, the service was spot on, and the atmosphere is bustling in a prime location.

Sweet dreams are made of this. Listen, this gem is hidden from the masses because of the extra effort that it takes to reach. How it started: they had me with happy hour, crab hush puppies, Buffalo chicken sliders, old bay fries, and a love potion cocktail! All were absolutely amazing 💯 ordered the filet with potato gratin and spinach! An amazing selection. How it went: the food was top notch. It arrived quick, it arrived hot, and it arrived deliciously. All told it was a memorable meal made better by the service and bar convo. Patricia, Vinny, and Mia, are the bomb. Dot com! How it ended: it was a most satisfying meal and experience and I would come back again, and again I would return, and recommend. Pro tip: if its nice out, bring your fan, swimsuit, sunblock. The crab hush puppies are worth the trip

First time experiencing this place and it was an excellent experience. They have a puppy menu which was nice for us since my boyfriend has a puppy. Service- prompt, professional and friendly even to the puppy. Food/drinks - good mocktail and a sunrise drink. I’ve heard my boyfriend brother in law order it twice so I’m assuming he liked it. I had the tacos from the brunch speciality menu which were tasty. My boyfriend liked the avocado toast and said it was right amount of salt to the dish. The number one best food item amongst the 7 of us was the old bay fries. Everyone loved those fries. They looked tasty. Liked seating outside blocked from the sun. Nice outdoor seating place. Overall I would recommend this place!

The restaurant's location, offering a breathtaking view of the water, added an extra layer of charm to the dining experience. As I indulged in my meal. The crab cakes were okay. Expertly cooked to perfection, they were packed with generous chunks of succulent, tender crab meat. The seasoning was lacking. The service throughout the meal was impeccable. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to ensure my dining experience was memorable. They were more than happy to offer suggestions and answer any questions I had.

Party of 3 for a noon reservation on a Saturday. Would suggest grabbing a reservation as this place is busy! Indoor and outdoor seating available. Parking is a nightmare in the area, so leave early but they do have a 15 minute grace period for reservations just in case. The view is awesome, right on the water near the dock. I didn't order an alcoholic beverage this date but all coming from the kitchen looked awesome! They also serve brunch with a variety of menu options. My favorite food item of the day were the crab hush puppies, highly recommend. They are cheesy, with a hint of spice from the jalapeño. I would skip the fish and chips, the batter was very thick and heavily flavored of beer. Tarter sauce is a bit strange with hints of olive and jalapeño?. The shrimp tacos were awesome though! Overall, will be back but the service was a bit slow and the bathroom were very dirty with a sink over flowing. The food and view though are worth the visit!

Loved this place! If I local this would be one if my regular haunts. Liked it so much I went back the next day for more Oysters. Highlights: - Excellent service (Serena was awesome!) - Great bar. - Exceptionally fresh Oysters. - Calamari was great. - Prices are reasonable.

This was our first visit after hearing recommendations that this place was one of the better seafood restaurants to visit in Old Town Alexandria. We started by trying a few appetizers - the Chesapeake Bay Chowder, Baked Green Torpedo Oysters as well as Smoked Fish Dip. We also had one each of their raw oysters from their selection on their menu. Very tasty! For the entrees we enjoyed the Cajun Grouper and Shrimp, and the Seared Shrimp Tacos. Overall, the food was fresh, delicious and the wait was not long. The waitstaff service was great - as first time visitors, we were given recommendations prior to ordering and had all our needs taken care of. Drinks stayed full as well which was impressive as we went during a busy time! In terms of location, this restaurant is right in Old Town Alexandria along the waterfront with views of the Potomac. They have outdoor seating in the warmer months and when the weather is nice. We sat in the main restaurant area and their seating arrangement is pretty snug, but they have a few areas outside of the main restaurant to place groups during peak hours. The drinks offering is pretty standard for a seafood place but not extensive. Overall, this would be a great visit to enjoy some delicious seafood and take in the views along the Old Town waterfront. Would recommend making a reservation during weekend and peak dinner hours.

A friend recommended Vola's and it was excellent! My Wife had the shrimp and fries basket, which she loved, and I had the fettuccine which was highly recommended by our waiter Travis and it's no wonder it's his favorite dish. It was amazing. Tracy recommend the mango cheesecake for dessert, and it was also great. We went in the early and sunny afternoon before the evening crowds. The ambiance and views from dock seating and sitting by the water and seeing the geese and ducks was nice and relaxing. Tracy and Travis provided excellent service and we will definitely go back!

I dined here because I really wanted oysters and I saw that they had them on their menu. While taking a stroll and passing the restaurant, I put my name down for a reservation although they were not busy. I must say the hostess, Black female with brown braids, was super friendly and I really like that. We sat back in the bar area which had a very dim lit atmosphere surrounded by windows you are able to enjoy the scenery outside. The service was pretty fast, who was playing both roles, was very attentive. The food was really good. I ordered the chorizo oysters. You get six for $18. They were superb! Which is the reason why I don’t have pictures of them because I ate them immediately. I ordered the shrimp fettuccine pasta, and my friend had the salmon. My pasta was really good it had jumbo shrimp and shaved parmesan. It kind of reminded me of voodoo pasta that you were getting in New Orleans. I tried the salmon entrée, and it was also very good. It was perfectly cooked (not dry/overcooked) you could taste for honey but I would have like a little more seasoning. It comes with two corn cakes and rice. Those were really good. Both entrées were nice size portion, and we were able to take leftovers home. The meals were just as good as leftovers. If you’re lucky, you will be able to find parking on the street. However, there is some parking garages available and try to find the one with the cheapest flat rate instead of by the hour.

This is a great place to dine. The atmosphere is wonderful and very upbeat! The food was a little bland for my palette, but not bad. The calamari was somewhat chewy, and not very flavorful. The Lobster Roll could use an oriental twist/sauce to it to brighten it up, but it was okay. Wendy, our waitress was very kind and extremely helpful.

Very cozy restaurant! Hospitable hostess. She was very friendly and personable. Delicious dishes and wonderful desserts. The service was fantastic, and our server was very attentive. I highly recommend it to everyone! I want to come back here again and again.

They have a good variety of tasty seafood. Some local beers as well. Options of indoor as well as outdoor seatings. Had very little waiting on a Saturday afternoon. Service was quick. Chef altered our tacos to get us cod tacos instead of salmon and it was nice.

I really enjoyed our meal, the food was excellent. Everything came out fresh and well prepared. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon on the water. 4 🌟 because the hosting staff was not welcoming to me. I received a text telling me that my table was ready and when I went to check in, I was told my name wasn't on the list but I had a text. I should have taken this experience to the manager but I wasn't in the mood. Overall the ambiance and meal suffice.

This was my first time visiting Alexandria and the waterfront. The wait for table seating was 45 minutes and I was parked in 3 hour parking about a mile away so I sat at the bar. It was a holiday weekend and was very busy. My bartender was very pleasant and friendly. My food came out quickly. The shrimp tacos were very good. I didn’t realize they came with fries. I ate a few and they were ok but not spectacular. Overall good experience.

This place has a bar ambience, good food. Known for their seafood. Nice waterfront. We had their signature pasta with shrimp, the calamari fry- which was good and shrimp tacos. Drinks were good as well.

This is me and my boyfriend first time coming here. We celebrated our one year anniversary. They were packed tonight, but the service was still great, everyone is super friendly always checking on you. To our waitress Hannah, Hannah Banana/ Hannah Montana. You were a true sweetheart, thank you for making this a night to remember We had crab appetizers, Oyesters for an app. Lobster roll and creole shrimp pasta.