Evening Star Cafe

4.5

1531 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

The Evening Star Cafe is a rollicking neighborhood gem located in the heart of Del Ray. Opened in 1997, Evening Star is well known for its friendly vibe and convivial setting and continues to shine with a fiercely loyal crowd. Evening Star combines friendly, gracious service with a seasonal American menu featuring produce grown on our rooftop garden and by local farmers throughout the region.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Nov 28, 2023

9:30 PM

Booked 10 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, American
Hours of operation
Wed–Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 10:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(703) 549-5051
Website
http://www.eveningstarcafe.net/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Owned/operated by
LGBTQ+, Women
Catering
We offer chef-driven catering through Neighborhood Provisions. If you're looking for thoughtfully curated home experiences, chef-made holiday spreads, or delicious meals for your corporate clients, we're the foodie's favorite one-stop shop. We'll even pair your meal with rare beers, hard-to-find bottled spirits, wines, and custom cocktails!
Private party facilities
The No. 9 Lounge is a wonderful space for private parties! We can accommodate all types of events-casual birthday bashes to seated full-service dinners, wedding parties, wine tastings, & more! We also host more intimate private Farm Table Dinners in Planet Wine. Come celebrate with us! Please reach out to dharrop@neighborhoodrestaurantgroup.com
Private party contact
our Private Dining Coordinator: (703) 549-5051

Location
2000 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
Neighborhood
Alexandria
Cross street
E. Howell Ave.
Parking details
Street Parking on Mount Vernon Ave or cross streets
Public transit
Ten minute walk from the Braddock Road Metro.
Entertainment
Please note that our downstairs bar opens daily at 4:30 PM. The upstairs bar, No. 9 Lounge, is open Wednesday through Saturday at 5:30 PM. You can find the full calendar of bands playing in the No. 9 Lounge on Wednesdays and Thursdays here: http://ow.ly/om8GN. Shows in the No. 9 start at 8 PM and there is no cover charge.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Popular dishes

Charred Asparagus$14.00
farm egg, saffron butter, crispy ham, Espelette
Roasted Beets$12.00
hazelnut gremolata, pickled onions, preserved lemon yogurt
Broccli Rabe$11.00
Nduja sofritto, grilled lemon, toasted hazelnuts
Crispy Brussels Sprouts$10.00
Stracciatella, Pomegranate Seeds, Aji Dulce, Maple Gastrique
Meatballs Pomodoro$12.00
pork, pomodoro, parmesan grits, basil oil
Smoked Wings$15.00
buffalo or salt & pepper, ranch or bleu cheese
Heirloom Tomato Salad$15.00
burrata, garlic breadcrumbs, basil
Caesar Salad$12.00
Romaine, Grana Padano, Garlic Croutons
Arugula Salad$13.00
Heirloom Carrots, Fennel, Pickled Onion, Grana Padano, Lemon Vinaigrette
Fried Oysters$14.00
Olive tangello fennel salad, citrus calabrian aioli
Smoked Boudin Balls$11.00
smoked pork shoulder, honey mustard custard, pickled onions

Snacks

Cheese Plate$20.00
with crostini, apple butter, candied pecans
Marinated Olives$5.00
Calabrian Chili, Lemon, Garlic Confit
Smoked Pimento Cheese$8.00
with crostini
Smoked Whitefish Dip$7.00
smoked whitefish, cream cheese, Crostini

Mains

Seared Scallops$29.00
asparagus, confit tomatoes, hollandaise
Braised Lamb Shoulder$25.00
Rigatoni, whipped labneh, za'atar
Cavatelli$22.00
Wild Mushrooms, Truffled Pecorino Fondue, Red Wine Reduction, Parmesan
Grilled Bavette*$29.00
Crispy Red Bliss Potatoes, Mushroom Puree, Red Wine Jus
Grilled Pork Chop$26.00
Spring Peas, Pearl Onions, Parmesan Grits & Mustard Jus
Grilled Bacon Meatloaf$24.00
buttermilk mashed potatoes, spinach, bbq sauce
Seared Scottish Salmon$25.00
summer pesto risotto, pomegranate gastrique
Smash Burger*$17.00
twin patties, american cheese, iceberg, pickle, secret sauce, fries
Spicy Chicken Sandwich$17.00
Slaw Sauce, jalapeno jelly, Iceberg, Pickles
Pan Seared Chicken$22.00
summer vegetable terrine, brown chicken jus

Cocktails

Purple Rain$11.00
Blueberry vodka, lavender, elderflower, lemon
The Arcadian$10.00
cucumber gin, Mint, lime, soda
Drunken Lullabies$10.00
Bourbon, lemon, orange, cherry bark Vanilla bitters
Bad Bunny$11.00
Jalapeno Mezcal, cachaca, carrot, lime, soda
Paper Plane$12.00
Bourbon, amaro nonino, aperol, lemon
Campari Kiss$12.00
gin, strawberry campari, rouge vermouth
Alien Superstar$11.00
rye whiskey, cardamaro, carrot, lemon, tajin
The Desi Arnaz$12.00
Rum, mint, lime, angostura bitters, sparkling
Bourbon Slushie$11.00
Bourbon, orange, lemonade

Drafts

Crisp

Halfway Crooks Farina, Kölsch, GA, 4.8%, 13 oz.
- Taster$4.00
- Full$8.00
Perennial Vacation Dad, Blond Ale, MO, 4.7%, 13 oz.
- Taster$3.50
- Full$7.00
Sierra Nevada Summerfest, German Pilsner, CA, 5%, 13 oz.
- Taster$3.50
- Full$7.00

Hop

Bell's Two Hearted IPA w/ Centennial, 7.0%, MI, 16 oz.
- Taster$3.00
- Full$7.00
Bluejacket Full Fathom Five, Hazy Double IPA w/ Galaxy, DC, 8%, 13 oz.
- Taster$4.00
- Full$8.00
Bluejacket the Ave, Hazy Double IPA w/ Centennial, DC, 8%, 13 oz.
- Taster$3.50
- Full$7.00
Cushwa Presidential Tint, Hazy Double IPA (Xul Collab.), MD, 8.3%, 13 oz.
- Taster$4.00
- Full$8.00
Phase Three Pixel Density, Hazy IPA w/ Citra, IL, 6.5%, 16 oz.
- Taster$4.00
- Full$9.00

Malt

Charles Towne Brown Ale: Nitro, Brown Ale (Nitro Pour), SC, 4%, 16 oz.
- Taster$3.00
- Full$8.00
Benchtop Coach Beard, Best Bitter, VA, 4%, 16 oz.
- Taster$3.00
- Full$8.00

Roast

Dutchess Augur, Porter, NY, 4.6%, 16 oz.
- Taster$3.00
- Full$7.00
Great Notion Double Stack, Imperial Stout w/ Maple Syrup, Or, 11%, 13 oz.
- Taster$6.00
- Full$12.00
Grimm Single Negative, Stout, NY, 5.5%, 13 oz.
- Taster$4.50
- Full$9.00

Fruit & Spice

Allagash White, Witbier, 5.2%, ME, 13 oz.
- Taster$3.50
- Full$7.00
Burial without This Fading Daydream, Wheat Ale, NC, 4.6%
- Taster$3.50
- Full$7.00

Tart & Funky

Schenker Mandarin Glow-Up, Fruited Sour Ale, CT, 4.5%, 13 oz.
- Taster$4.50
- Full$9.00
Perennial Suburban Beverage, Gose w/ Orange & Key Lime, MO, 4.2%, 13 oz.
- Taster$3.50
- Full$7.00

Cider

Potter's Strawberry Ginger, Dry Cider, VA, 5.5%, 13 oz.
- Taster$3.50
- Full$7.00

Cans/Bottles

Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pale Lager, 4.8%, TX
- Can (12 oz.)$4.00
Miller High Life, Pale Lager, 4.6%, WI
- Bottle (12 oz.)$4.00
Guinness Draught, Dry Stout, 4.2%, IRL
- Can (14.9 oz.)$7.00
Uncool Hazy IPA Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA, 0.5%, VA
- Can (12 oz.)$6.00

Wines

If you love wine, visit planet wine next door! Shop experts will help you pick out a perfect bottle to enjoy at your table for Just a $10 corkage fee

Sparkling

Terre di Marca, Brut Prosecco, Italy, NV$10.00
Can XA, Pinot Noir, Spain, NV$11.00
Thibaut-Janisson, Fizz, Chardonnay, Virginia, NV$63.00

White

Benoit Lagarde, Sauvignon Blanc, Loire, France, 2020$10.00
Knuttel Family, Chardonnay, California, 2018$13.00
Selbach, Riesling, Germany, 2020$12.00
Kaltern, Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, Italy, 2019$40.00
Three Clicks, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, California, 2018$52.00
Mosbach, Gewuztraminer, Alsace, France, 2017$65.00

Rosé

Gunter Schlink, Pinot Noir Rosé, Germany, 2020$9.00
Cune, Rioja Rosado, Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain, 2019$40.00

Red

Early Mountain, Red Blend, Virginia, 2021$14.00
Eola Hills, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2019$13.00
Crosarola, Valpolicella Classico, Casterna, Italy, 2020$10.00
Cuarenta Cuarenta, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019$13.00
Petit Canet, Grenache Syrah Cinsault Blend, France, 2021$8.00
Château des Antonins, Bordeaux Supérieur, France, NV$13.00
Eschol, Cab Sauv, Napa Valley, California, 2018$56.00
Populis, Revereseé Red, Mendocino, California, 2019$56.00
Two Paddocks, Estate Pinot Noir, New Zealand, 2018$110.00
Ca'Viola, Barolo Classico, Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2015$125.00

Zero Proof

Iced Tea$4.00
Swing's NRG Blend Hot Coffee$4.00
please allow 10 minutes brew time
Swing's NRG Blend Iced Coffee$4.00
Coke$3.00
Diet Coke$3.00
Sprite$3.00
Ginger Ale$3.00
Ginger Beer$3.00
IBC Root Beer
- Bottle$4.00

What 1,531 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.4Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

1,531 Reviews

EK
EllenK
Washington DC
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall4food4service3ambience4
Evening star was great, staff was decent and I do think it's a little pricey for what it is...that being said I think the food is tasty and prepared with clean ingredients. We do love supporting our local businesses!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
16 reviews
vip
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2023
overall4food3service3ambience5
Evening Star is a lovely restaurant. Perchance they had an off night when we visited, as general reviews are primarily quite favorable. Four of us had dinner. We sat in the front window table which was great because we were off in our own corner and the outside street is cute. I believe we had a new waitstaff person because service from him was not good. Fortunately, the restaurant employs many support staff who brought food, drinks, refilled water, properly presented a bottle of wine, and cleared away dishes. Despite that wonderful support staff, we often had empty glasses or had to find someone to replenish drinks. No one came to inquire about how our meals were. So let’s talk food. The table ordered smoked pimento cheese and ham plate appetizers. The pimento cheese was basically a single serving so I got 1 bite. The ham plate came prosciutto and only 4 pieces of bread. The accompanying fig mustard was not sufficient for 1 person. I ordered the scallops and pork belly. The scallops were all undercooked. The pork belly was over cooked. My husband ordered the salmon which he enjoyed. Our friends ordered the lamb ragout pasta (1/2 was left on the plate and not taken home) and a dish I can’t remember, but our friend enjoyed. We ordered carrot cake dessert for the table. We received pumpkin mousse (pumpkin something), which we were allowed to keep and which was far tastier than the carrot cake which didn’t taste like anything. The restaurant doesn’t offer espresso drinks. One person ordered a decaf coffee which was not refilled. The bill was almost $300, not including tip. A 3% service fee had been automatically added for the kitchen staff. I believe this must have been an atypical experience. The Evening Star has been around a long time which says great things about the quality of the food and service. Please note: I did not raise my concerns with anyone at the restaurant because I didn’t want to ruin our festive mood.
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DD
DineD
Washington DC
23 reviews
vip
4.0
23 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience4
Food was excellent. Service could have been better. The waitstaff kept mixing up the beers and it was very clear.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always a great place to go, and this time I took two people who had never been and they loved everything about it. And I definitely love the wine program!
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DB
DeniseB
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The only disappointment was the Brussels sprouts side dish. Too much stuff in it. You should keep it simple and offer Brussels sprouts without all that stuff you are cooking it with.
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t
tdreview
Portland
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 29, 2023
overall3food3service5ambience4
I was very surprised that they only had four white wines by the glass. A California chardonnay, a Riesling, something from Virginia, and something from Nevada. Those are four wines that I don't drink. Considering it's attached to a wine store, I would expect at least one Sancerre, or Burgundy, or even a Pinot Grigio. The only Pinot Grigio they had was by the bottle. Pinot Grigio is like the least offensive wine and so that's what I always get when there's nothing else to drink. Also, I had the cavatelli, and the sauce was so very sweet I couldn't finish the dish. One of the people I was with got scallops though and absolutely loved the dish.
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k
k99js06
Washington DC
20 reviews
4.0
20 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2023
overall4food5service2ambience5
We love this restaurant, and go there several times a year. The food never disappoints. The lamb Ragu is outstanding, and we always enjoy the pimento cheese and the cocktails. This time, our service was not what we have come to expect from Evening Star. There were missing items, and we had trouble getting a hold of our server to get things that we had ordered. Overall, the server was just not particularly warm or accommodating. I know it’s a tough time in the service industry, and I’m sure the restaurant is doing it’s best to staff appropriately. But they did kind of miss the mark this time unfortunately.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on October 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had an excellent meal and overall experience for dinner at the Evening Star cafe. Service was attentive, our appetizer, meals, and desserts all arrived quickly. The food was excellent! After our meal, we adjourned to the lounge and bar upstairs for some music and drinks.
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HF
HamptonsFoodie
New York Area
24 reviews
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on October 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Perhaps the best frittata I’ve ever had! The menu is a bit small for brunch but it has all you would need and the food was amazing. The only thing that could be better is non dairy milk for coffee and maybe some interesting coffee drinks.
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SM
SamanthaMarshall
Seattle
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on October 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and staff was warm and welcoming and acknowledged our anniversary!
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D
Disappointing
Washington DC
10 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on October 12, 2023
overall4food3service3ambience5
Had not been here for a while, but always loved this restaurant. This time it was okay, but not great. I had the Cavatelli with Mushrooms, and the flavor was great but it only had a few mushrooms. So disappointing. Service was mediocre, and in the end no one asked us how the meals were. We were wondering why it wasn't as busy as it used to be - now we know.
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M
Michael
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Such a fantastic brunch spot! I was (unfortunately) doing Sober October so I missed out on all of the fantastic sounding brunch beverages but there was plenty to still enjoy. They accommodated our bigger party so easily and had great options for my 6 & 4 year olds - who ate like champs! We had such a great time and can easily see why this is considered the best brunch in Del Ray.
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D
David
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was our first visit to Evening Star Cafe; and we really enjoyed it. The decor and ambiance were great, and the staff was very helpful in recommending dinner choices.
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KP
KimP
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was wonderful. Service was great. We had an excellent time and our kids are begging us to go back.
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SD
ShellyD
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on October 1, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience5
As always, incredible food, good vibes, and funky Erector set decor.
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KT
KayT
Richmond
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A really nice way to celebrate a birthday with family who have come far and wide. The service was pleasant and unobtrusive, the drinks were strong and the food was enjoyed by all. Thanks for a sweet evening!
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LF
LookingForTheBest
Washington DC
16 reviews
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on September 26, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
The ambiance at Evening Star is warm and welcoming. Great wine list especially with Planet Wine next door. Server was attentive without being in our way. She made a point of timing the food so we could have time to catch up and talk. We had cesar salads, salmon over sautéed spinach and the cavatelli with wild mushrooms. The food was fine but not remarkable. I seem to remember Evening Star serving more uniquely seasoned and prepared dishes. Maybe it was an off night? I'll be back though.
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E
monicaE
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Evening Star offers a unique twist on brunch classics.
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AM
AliciaM
Washington DC
73 reviews
vip
5.0
73 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Drea was our server and she was excellent! Great, timely service with attention to the smallest details. The food menu for brunch still has favorites like chicken and waffles, but also has new items. I especially liked smoked brisket toast, which is a spin on avocado toast. The umami flavors on this were amazing! Also, paired well with their house made Bloody Mary's. As always the quaint cafe delivers amazing ambiance and great food!
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S
Saaaak
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We visited Evening Star for our anniversary, and the service was great. We had a reservation for 11, and needed it moved back a bit in order to find parking and the staff was so understanding and kind about it. The food was phenomenal- we got the smoked brisket toast and the smoked pork hash, as well as a Bloody Mary and a coffee. 10/10, would definitely visit again!
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MT
MichelleT
Washington DC
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Front Porch at Evening Star never disappoints! The Brussel sprouts, smash burger and meatloaf were delicious and service was friendly and prompt. We had a wonderful meal + cocktails in this friendly and relaxed spot.
Evening Star CafeResponded on September 9, 2023
Hi Michelle! Thank you for your support as always. We are always happy to host you and your family. See you soon! Best regards, Lauren Brown General Manager
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AL
ALXresident
Washington DC
8 reviews
vip
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2023
overall3food4service2ambience3
We love Evening Star Cafe. But service this time was SLOW. We waited for a long time for drinks. Appetizers came. And we waited a LONG time for the main course. The dessert course was wrong for 3 (out of 4) of us. Apparently the place was short-staffed. Hope the new time is better.
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JF
JamieF
Washington DC
98 reviews
vip
5.0
98 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was our first visit to Evening Star, but it won’t be our last. The food was delicious and the service was friendly, at tentative and fast and the ambience is very nice. The only downside is the noise level - at peak times it can get painfully load and hard to hold a conversation with dining companions, All in, a wonderful experience.
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AL
AngieL
Washington DC
13 reviews
vip
1.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience3
Last night, my friend and I went to Evening Star for my birthday dinner. It was restaurant week so we had to order a 3 course meal. We also were a later table - 8:30pm. Our server couldn’t have been less happy to see us be seated. She wanted us to order our full meal as soon as she brought us water - but it was my BDAY so we wanted to share a drink first. Then we ordered. She brought us our first course in less than a minute. I order fried Brussels. They were black and thrown on the plate. After a few bites, I returned them. The manager who happened to swing by brought me a salad instead. As I was 2 bites into my salad, my salmon arrived. No worries. I keep eating my salad. Then my dessert arrives. So now i have 3 plates lined up. I’m finishing my salad while watching my dessert melt into the plate. I the try the salmon - so salty; horrible risotto. Server swings by and she asks me if I want a box for my salad and salmon I decline so she asks — you want me to trash it? Ahh - yeah. I eat a bit of my dessert. While m doing so another server swings by to tell me she will be vacuuming and it will be really loud. This is 3 minutes before the restaurant even closes. The bar is hopping behind me but all the servers want us out. Food was horrible; service was off the charts horrible and managers reaction when I shared some of our experience was non-plused. Offered us a glass of wine but we were walking out… Suggest one goes anywhere else to spend their hard earned money
Evening Star CafeResponded on August 27, 2023
Hi Angie. I am extremely distressed to hear about your experience, and I apologize. There is no excuse for such poor service, and we will be addressing this with our team. It is not typical of the Star, and we would appreciate the opportunity to have you back as our guest. I'll reach out separately with my contact information. Thanks for letting us know, and we hope to have you back soon. Stephanie
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K
Kate
Washington DC
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
Wonderful and great service. A bit echoey when we were the some of the only folks there early and then it got quite loud later when the place filled up
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JE
JennEDC
Washington DC
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on August 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We hadn't been to Evening Star in several years, so we thought Restaurant Week was a good chance to check it out again. The food was consistently good and the service was excellent. We love the cozy atmosphere inside and we look forward to checking out their outdoor seating options next time. Also, that chocolate cake with Biscoff icing was insanely good. I could eat it every day!!
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JJ
JimJam328
Washington DC
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on August 22, 2023
overall5food4service3ambience5
This spot was really cute, we thought we had been here, but we had been next door. I liked it was small and quaint. The food was great for what we got, but we were bummed that some options weren't available. With that said, everything we had was amazing! The brussel sprouts were definitely our favorite. Service was great when ht came to the server, but the busboy was slow at the water and check service. We liked how intimate and quiet this place was. Didn't realize we were the only ones left at the end of the night and it was barely 10 pm. Would definitely go back!
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NH
NellieH
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was excellent with a little of everything on the menu for restaurant week. It was nice to stop in before our reservation for a drink in the Majestic bar in the back.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great evening at a classic Del Ray place! Great to be back.
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AK
AndyK
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 19, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
My husband enjoyed the pan-seared chicken (he was a bit sad the chicken parm was gone). Side order potatoes perfect, though they arrived late in the meal. Arugula salad perfect especially on a summer evening. Tasty mix of flavors and textures. Took off a star for the cavatelli with mushrooms. Mostly pasta. I wouldn't have ordered it if I'd realized it would be a plate of pasta.
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TT
TerrenceT
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 14, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
We had a reservation for Monday at 6 PM, so the restaurant was fairly dead at the time. We had a few questions about the menu as well as warning the server that I had a nut allergy. These requests are handled well, and we then ordered our food. The food was well prepared and reasonably priced. Bonus: since it was our anniversary, they comped us our desserts. It was a nice touch.
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DJ
DanJ
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great meal, great service, cool spot. Attached wine shop is a bonus.
Evening Star CafeResponded on August 17, 2023
Hi Dan, We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your experience with us. Thank you for leaving us some wonderful feedback. We hope to see you in again soon! Cheers! Lauren Brown General Manager
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful! Great meal, wonderful evening great spot for dinner with friends, excellent cocktails.
Evening Star CafeResponded on August 17, 2023
Hi there, We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your experience with us! Thank you for leaving us some awesome feedback. It is greatly appreciated. Hope you can dine with us again soon. Best Regards, Lauren Brown General Manager
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F
Foodie4me
Washington DC
29 reviews
vip
4.0
29 reviews
Dined on August 6, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience3
Over all it was a very nice experience. There were five of us. Everyone ordered something different and we were all happy with our choices of food and cocktails
Evening Star CafeResponded on August 11, 2023
Hi there, I see your 4 star review and would love to get some more feedback about what we could have improved on your visit with us. It sounds like we barely missed the mark! I do apologize. If you would email me at lbrown@eveningstarcafe.net, I do greatly appreciate it. And look forward to hearing from you. Respectfully, Lauren Brown General Manager
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FF
FrankF
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Incredible food and service. Smoked wings were excellent.
Evening Star CafeResponded on August 11, 2023
Hello Frank! So glad you enjoyed your dining experience with us! I will give your compliments to the chef and we greatly value you taking the time to leave us some feedback. See you soon, Lauren Brown General Manager
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DB
DeniseB
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place to eat outside! Food is good too. Will go back
Evening Star CafeResponded on August 11, 2023
Hi Denise!! We are so glad you enjoyed dining on our patios. Also, thank you for taking the time to leave us a great review! We look forward to hosting you and your guests again soon. Best Regards, Lauren Brown General Manager
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EK
EvelynK
Washington DC
12 reviews
vip
4.0
12 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Ate at Evening Star for an early Saturday brunch. Coffee was great and food was very good. Eggs on eggs Benedict were perfectly poached and hollandaise was wonderful. Portions were a little small for the prices, especially for the chicken & waffle. It was only a half waffle, and a tiny thigh/leg piece of chicken. Both were excellent but I left hungry. Come on, at least give me a whole waffle - batter isn’t that expensive!! Overall, however, our experience at ESC was great. We’d go back.
Evening Star CafeResponded on August 10, 2023
Hi Evelyn, Thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback! I apologize for the portion sizes and wanted to let you know, since your recent visit we have revamped the Chicken & Waffle to a FULL waffle and a buttermilk brined chicken breast instead of the thigh. We do hope you can join us again soon and give us another try. Best Regards, Lauren Brown General Manager
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mikecaps
Washington DC
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on July 28, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience5
Food was good. Sevice was good after getting someone's attention after sitting down for 10-15 min. Portions are extremely small for the price.
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BW
BeccaW
Washington DC
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delightful! Excellent food and service. We were especially thrilled with the tomato and burrata salad.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Hawaii
16 reviews
vip
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on July 17, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
The food was great but the vegetables that came with the main dish was a very very small portion. The scallops and asparagus had about 8 delicious scallops but only 4 sprigs is asparagus. The service was great and so were the drinks from the bar. Next time I go I will get a vegetable appetizer too.
Evening Star CafeResponded on July 21, 2023
Hello! I am so glad you enjoyed your evening with us. We just recently discussed the issue you raised, and we agree that the side dish needs to be more substantial. We are making some menu modifications soon. I hope you stop back in soon and enjoy the new setup! Stephanie Babin
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Contactless payment available

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Evening Star Cafe using the Order Online button. Evening Star Cafe also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (703) 549-5051.

Evening Star Cafe is rated 4.5 stars by 1531 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Nov 28, 2023

9:30 PM

Booked 10 times today

Order delivery or takeout

2000 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
E. Howell Ave.
Neighborhood
Alexandria
Hours of operation
Wed–Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 10:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking on Mount Vernon Ave or cross streets
Public transit
Ten minute walk from the Braddock Road Metro.
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Owned/operated by
LGBTQ+, Women
Entertainment
Please note that our downstairs bar opens daily at 4:30 PM. The upstairs bar, No. 9 Lounge, is open Wednesday through Saturday at 5:30 PM. You can find the full calendar of bands playing in the No. 9 Lounge on Wednesdays and Thursdays here: http://ow.ly/om8GN. Shows in the No. 9 start at 8 PM and there is no cover charge.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.eveningstarcafe.net/
Phone number
(703) 549-5051
Catering
We offer chef-driven catering through Neighborhood Provisions. If you're looking for thoughtfully curated home experiences, chef-made holiday spreads, or delicious meals for your corporate clients, we're the foodie's favorite one-stop shop. We'll even pair your meal with rare beers, hard-to-find bottled spirits, wines, and custom cocktails!
Private party facilities
The No. 9 Lounge is a wonderful space for private parties! We can accommodate all types of events-casual birthday bashes to seated full-service dinners, wedding parties, wine tastings, & more! We also host more intimate private Farm Table Dinners in Planet Wine. Come celebrate with us! Please reach out to dharrop@neighborhoodrestaurantgroup.com
Private party contact
our Private Dining Coordinator: (703) 549-5051

Evening Star Cafe

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

LGBTQ-Owned and -Operated Restaurants to Support in Washington D.C.

Women-Owned and -Operated Restaurants to Support in D.C.

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Seared Scallops

Caesar Salad

Smalls

Charred Asparagus$14.00

Roasted Beets$12.00

Broccli Rabe$11.00

Crispy Brussels Sprouts$10.00

Meatballs Pomodoro$12.00

Smoked Wings$15.00

Heirloom Tomato Salad$15.00

Caesar Salad$12.00

Arugula Salad$13.00

Fried Oysters$14.00

Smoked Boudin Balls$11.00

Snacks

Cheese Plate$20.00

Marinated Olives$5.00

Smoked Pimento Cheese$8.00

Smoked Whitefish Dip$7.00

Mains

Seared Scallops$29.00

Braised Lamb Shoulder$25.00

Cavatelli$22.00

Grilled Bavette*$29.00

Grilled Pork Chop$26.00

Grilled Bacon Meatloaf$24.00

Seared Scottish Salmon$25.00

Smash Burger*$17.00

Spicy Chicken Sandwich$17.00

Pan Seared Chicken$22.00

Cocktails

Purple Rain$11.00

The Arcadian$10.00

Drunken Lullabies$10.00

Bad Bunny$11.00

Paper Plane$12.00

Campari Kiss$12.00

Alien Superstar$11.00

The Desi Arnaz$12.00

Bourbon Slushie$11.00

Drafts

Crisp

Halfway Crooks Farina, Kölsch, GA, 4.8%, 13 oz.

Perennial Vacation Dad, Blond Ale, MO, 4.7%, 13 oz.

Sierra Nevada Summerfest, German Pilsner, CA, 5%, 13 oz.

Hop

Bell's Two Hearted IPA w/ Centennial, 7.0%, MI, 16 oz.

Bluejacket Full Fathom Five, Hazy Double IPA w/ Galaxy, DC, 8%, 13 oz.

Bluejacket the Ave, Hazy Double IPA w/ Centennial, DC, 8%, 13 oz.

Cushwa Presidential Tint, Hazy Double IPA (Xul Collab.), MD, 8.3%, 13 oz.

Phase Three Pixel Density, Hazy IPA w/ Citra, IL, 6.5%, 16 oz.

Malt

Charles Towne Brown Ale: Nitro, Brown Ale (Nitro Pour), SC, 4%, 16 oz.

Benchtop Coach Beard, Best Bitter, VA, 4%, 16 oz.

Roast

Dutchess Augur, Porter, NY, 4.6%, 16 oz.

Great Notion Double Stack, Imperial Stout w/ Maple Syrup, Or, 11%, 13 oz.

Grimm Single Negative, Stout, NY, 5.5%, 13 oz.

Fruit & Spice

Allagash White, Witbier, 5.2%, ME, 13 oz.

Burial without This Fading Daydream, Wheat Ale, NC, 4.6%

Tart & Funky

Schenker Mandarin Glow-Up, Fruited Sour Ale, CT, 4.5%, 13 oz.

Perennial Suburban Beverage, Gose w/ Orange & Key Lime, MO, 4.2%, 13 oz.

Cider

Potter's Strawberry Ginger, Dry Cider, VA, 5.5%, 13 oz.

Cans/Bottles

Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pale Lager, 4.8%, TX

Miller High Life, Pale Lager, 4.6%, WI

Guinness Draught, Dry Stout, 4.2%, IRL

Uncool Hazy IPA Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA, 0.5%, VA

Wines