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Vola's Dockside Grill, Alexandria, VA

Vola's Dockside Grill

4.6 (3342)
$30 and under
Seafood
101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Make a reservation

A photo of Vola's Dockside Grill restaurant

Vola's Dockside Grill

4.6
$30 and under
Seafood
Old Town Alexandria

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 44 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Lively
With one of the most coveted locations on the Alexandria riverfront, Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge feature the best outdoor dining location in town. The menu at Vola's Dockside Grill features fresh seafood, tacos and American cuisine favorites, alongside cocktails, beer and wine in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Hi-Tide Lounge is connected to Vola's by a hallway. In just a few steps, feel transported to the swingin' 60s and sip on classic cocktails served with midcentury-modern vibe. Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–11:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–12:00 am Sat 10:00 am–12:00 am Sun 10:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    Located on the waterfront in Old Town, Vola’s is a relaxed, fun seafood restaurant with a raw bar and a large outdoor riverside patio. Tucked in to a prominent corner at the base of King St, the Hi-Tide Lounge is a retro-cool hideaway bar that beckons with classic cocktails and fun frozen drinks.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Old Town Alexandria
  • Cross street
    King Street
  • Parking details
    There are several public hourly parking garages within two blocks of the restaurant, and hourly street parking is also available on adjacent streets.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

All Experiences

  • Thanksgiving at Vola's Dockside Grill

    1 - 6 people

    Nov 26, 2026 only
    Thanksgiving at Vola’s 🦃 Celebrate Thanksgiving with a flavorful three-course feast that brings together classic holiday traditions and coastal-inspired favorites. Begin with your choice of Chicken & Shrimp Gumbo, Smoked Salmon Carpaccio, or Fall Panzanella Salad featuring roasted squash, Honeycrisp apples, and honey-pomegranate vinaigrette. For the entrée, choose Roasted Turkey with brioche stuffing, whipped potatoes, garlic haricots verts, cranberry chutney, and pan gravy; Pan-Seared Snapper with grilled asparagus, coconut rice, and saffron-curry sauce; or Slow-Roasted Spiral Ham with spiced pumpkin purée, honey-bourbon Brussels sprouts, dates, and apple cider glaze. Finish with a choice of Walnut-Banana Bread Pudding with apple cider caramel or Pecan Cake Roll with cinnamon-pumpkin cream and maple crème anglaise. Thanksgiving Dinner 2026 — $49 per person Gather, indulge, and celebrate the season with a memorable Thanksgiving at Vola’s. 🍽️🥂
    Thanksgiving at Vola's Dockside Grill Photo

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Videos

Shared by creators who recently dined at this restaurant.

  • Profile image

    forkingphilly

    Tiki cocktails, tropical bites, and beach-bar vibes in the middle of Old Town 🌴🍹 High Tide Lounge is bringing full tiki bar energy to Alexandria, VA now through September 1. #HighTideAlexandria #TikiBar #dcfoodie #DMVEats #NovaEats

Videos are powered by Seekeasy. How this content is generated

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Vola's Dockside Grill.

4.6

4.6
(3342)
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    Great for scenic views

  • Virginia - DC Suburbs

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Virginia - DC Suburbs

    Great for scenic views

  • Virginia - DC Suburbs

    Seafood

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Vola's Dockside Grill offers a delightful waterfront dining experience with "great food and great service." Guests consistently praise the "amazing crab hush puppies" and "fantastic tuna tartare." The atmosphere is lively with attentive staff like Francine and Hector, making it a "wonderful place" to enjoy seafood by the Alexandria waterfront.
3,342 Reviews
  1. Renalyn

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and the ambiance are perfect for date nights
    Vola's Dockside GrillResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed both the food and ambiance during your date night. Creating the perfect atmosphere for special evenings like yours is exactly what we strive for at Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge. We can't wait to welcome you back for another memorable dining experience with us here in Alexandria!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Maria

    Washington DC2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 31, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service! Our server was attentive and very helpful. All the food was great and the outside patio was perfect
    Vola's Dockside GrillResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that your server provided attentive and helpful service throughout your visit. It's fantastic that you enjoyed all the food and found our outside patio to be the perfect setting. We work hard to create memorable dining experiences, and your kind words mean the world to our team. We can't wait to welcome you back to Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge soon!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Shannon Gold

    Seattle13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 31, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great location, yummy food, and excellent staff! Ill be back!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Jennifer

    Washington DC1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 24, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    food was good serve was on it! we’ll be back again for sure
    Vola's Dockside GrillResponded on October 29, 2026
    Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food and that our service team took great care of you. Your kind words mean the world to us here at Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge. We can't wait to welcome you back soon for another great experience!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Shelly Gold

    Phoenix3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 22, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went early for our reservation and got a table outside by the water. Food was fantastic and our server was very outgoing and helpful.
    Vola's Dockside GrillResponded on October 24, 2026
    Thank you so much for joining us! We're thrilled you were able to enjoy a waterside table – it truly is one of the best spots at Vola's Dockside Grill. It's wonderful to hear that our food impressed you and that your server provided such great service. Our team takes pride in creating memorable dining experiences for our guests. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope to welcome you back soon for another fantastic meal by the water!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jeff Gold

    Pittsburgh4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 22, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Crab cakes, hush puppies, grits and corn maque choux were excellent! Also shrimp creole pasta was very good!
    Vola's Dockside GrillResponded on October 24, 2026
    Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed our crab cakes, hush puppies, grits, and corn maque choux! The shrimp creole pasta is definitely a favorite among our guests. Your kind words mean the world to our team at Vola's Dockside Grill. We can't wait to welcome you back for another delicious meal soon!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Colleen Gold

    Greater Boston6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 22, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and great service! We highly recommend the crab hush puppies.
    Vola's Dockside GrillResponded on October 24, 2026
    Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your experience with us. The crab hush puppies are definitely a customer favorite, and we're so glad you loved them too! Your recommendation means the world to our team. We can't wait to welcome you back to Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge soon!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Nina Gold

    Washington DC76 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on October 22, 2026

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The best thing about this restaurant is the view of the Alexandria waterfront. Otherwise, it is very ordinary. Food we had was fried and greasy and service was just so-so. We are locals, not tourists, but we will not be returning.
    Vola's Dockside GrillResponded on October 24, 2026
    Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're disappointed to hear that your dining experience didn't meet expectations. While we're glad you enjoyed the waterfront view, we regret that the fried items you ordered were greasy and that our service fell short. Your comments are valuable to us as we continuously work to improve both our food quality and service standards. We hope you'll consider giving us another opportunity to provide you with a better experience in the future.

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  9. Rob Gold

    Orlando68 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 21, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I heard the crab hush puppies were a must-try, and they did not disappoint. I also tried the crab chowder, and it was phenomenal. One of the best chowders I have ever had. My guest had the lobster roll and liked it a lot. I had the shrimp/oyster po boy sandwich. It was too much bread and needed more shrimp and oysters. But it was very tasty. Francine, our server, was top-notch!
    Vola's Dockside GrillResponded on October 23, 2026
    Thank you for visiting Vola's Dockside Grill and for taking the time to share your experience! We're thrilled you loved our crab hush puppies and crab chowder - they're definitely guest favorites! It's wonderful to hear your guest enjoyed the lobster roll as well. We appreciate your feedback about the shrimp/oyster po boy sandwich and will share your thoughts with our kitchen team about the bread-to-filling ratio. We're so glad Francine provided you with excellent service - we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to her! We hope to welcome you back soon for another delicious meal.

    Is this helpful?

  10. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 18, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious dinner, great service, and wonderful ambience! We love Vola’s!
    Vola's Dockside GrillResponded on October 20, 2026
    Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your dinner with us and that our service and ambience made your evening special. Your support means the world to our team at Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge. We can't wait to welcome you back soon for another great experience!

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–11:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–12:00 am Sat 10:00 am–12:00 am Sun 10:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    Located on the waterfront in Old Town, Vola’s is a relaxed, fun seafood restaurant with a raw bar and a large outdoor riverside patio. Tucked in to a prominent corner at the base of King St, the Hi-Tide Lounge is a retro-cool hideaway bar that beckons with classic cocktails and fun frozen drinks.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Old Town Alexandria
  • Cross street
    King Street
  • Parking details
    There are several public hourly parking garages within two blocks of the restaurant, and hourly street parking is also available on adjacent streets.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Yes, Vola’s runs a weekday happy hour (Hi‑Tide Lounge and bar tables) with specific deals like Two Buck Shuck oysters, $7 wines and cocktails, and $4 draft beers.

Guests often describe portions as generous, several reviews note large or generous servings and parties leaving comfortably full.

Casual dress, comfortable, relaxed clothing is appropriate; nothing formal is expected.

Yes, the menu clearly marks vegetarian (V) and gluten-free (G) dishes, including items like the House Made Veggie Burger (V) and several salads and mains labelled G.

Yes, Vola's Dockside Grill is known for its waterfront patio: the owner description calls it one of the area's best outdoor dining locations, and guests repeatedly praise dining on the patio with marina views (some visits note heaters and covered outdoor seating).

Vola's offers a lively waterfront vibe with multiple dining areas, a busy, sometimes loud main dining room, a nostalgic Hi‑Tide Lounge nearby, and outdoor patio seating; a quieter back or overflow room is also available for calmer conversation.

The crab hush puppies are a frequent favorite, they’re on Vola’s menu as “CRAB HUSH PUPPIES” and guests repeatedly recommend them as a starter.

Weekends are ideal, Vola’s weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday is a guest favorite, with many diners enjoying the waterfront patio and brunch libations.

For drinks and deals, go weekdays during happy hour (Hi‑Tide Lounge and bar, Monday–Friday afternoons); for the waterfront patio and weekend brunch, pick a sunny weekend brunch service to enjoy the marina views.

Yes, Vola’s is family‑friendly, with a dedicated Kids Menu and many guests reporting family visits and staff who accommodate children.

Yes, Vola's waterfront setting and several guest accounts of anniversary and celebratory visits make it a popular choice for a special evening.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Washington, D.C. Area
  4. Virginia - DC Suburbs
  5. Old Town Alexandria

Make a reservation

A photo of Vola's Dockside Grill restaurant

Vola's Dockside Grill

4.6
$30 and under
Seafood
Old Town Alexandria

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 44 times today
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