Elaine's

Our first visit to Elaine’s was nothing short of memorable. The moment we were seated, we were warmly welcomed by Cynthia, the owner, who shared the exciting news that it was Alexandria Restaurant Week, and they were also celebrating Chef Sameer’s first anniversary at the helm. They had crafted a special menu for the occasion, featuring a fusion of Jamaican and Egyptian cuisine—a nod to their roots, with the owner being Egyptian and the chef Jamaican. Though we arrived late and missed out on the anniversary menu, Chef Sameer graciously offered us a taste of his creations, and we were fortunate enough to sample his hummus, jerk pork, and jerk chicken. I have to say, we struck gold with the Jamaican dishes—each bite was a revelation. The jerk pork had a delightful crisp on the outside while remaining tender and juicy inside. The jerk chicken was a masterpiece, with a perfect char that elevated it beyond your typical jerk chicken experience. I truly hope these dishes find a permanent place on their menu, as I’m already craving more! We also indulged in the braised lamb, and it was divine—the meat practically melted in our mouths, so tender and succulent. Our server, Muna, was exceptional, always attentive and ensuring our wine glasses were never empty. We had the pleasure of chatting with her about her Ethiopian heritage and cuisine, which added a lovely personal touch to our evening. In the end, we felt right at home at Elaine’s. I’m already looking forward to returning, especially to try Cynthia’s famous martini!

Had lunch and absolutely loved the food. A glass of Riesling with Crispy Brussels was a good start. I adored the marinated Branzino, light and super tasty. The Poached pears was yummy too. Would to return for their brunch. Love, Olan

Elaine's is such a gem, and the owners do such a great job of being mindful of every aspect of the restaurant and caring about their customer's experience. I adore the ambiance and decor! The library inside is such a phenomenal touch with their focus on supporting local authors. If you have not gone to a literary event yet, I highly recommend it. Jeff is a skilled interviewer, and you'll get to connect with like-minded people who are passionate and inspiring. Looking forward to returning for another delicious brunch.

From the moment we met Jeff and Cynthia, we knew Elaine’s was the perfect place for our wedding reception. Planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful, but Jeff, Cynthia and their team made the entire process seamless and enjoyable. They were genuinely kind, incredibly accommodating, and went above and beyond to meet every single one of our needs. We had a very specific vision for our reception, and they listened attentively, offering helpful suggestions and working with us to create a truly personalized experience. They were so easy to communicate with, always responsive to our questions and concerns, and their warm, welcoming demeanor immediately put us at ease. It felt like we were working with friends, not just a venue. And let's talk about the food! The chef at Elaine’s is incredible. Our guests raved about every dish, from the Halloumi Goulash (my absolute favorite appetizer) to the Braised Lamb Shoulder. The quality and presentation were exceptional! The food truly elevated our reception and left a lasting impression on everyone. The atmosphere at Elaine’s was also perfect for our celebration. The moment my husband and I stepped into the restaurant, I was captivated. The atmosphere was precisely what I envisioned – a classic and classy elegance that resonated with me instantly. Even the Frank Sinatra playing in the background perfectly matched the vibe I wanted! The beautifully and uniquely decorated rooms created a romantic and intimate setting that our guests, and we, absolutely adored. The staff was attentive and professional, ensuring that everything ran smoothly throughout the evening. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding reception. Elaine’s exceeded all of our expectations. The kindness and dedication of the owners, the exceptional food, and the beautiful ambiance made our special day truly unforgettable. If you're looking for an intimate wedding reception venue that combines outstanding service with delicious food and a warm, inviting atmosphere, look no further than Elaine’s. We wholeheartedly recommend them!

If you are around the area or coming from far, I’m still going to recommend you make a some time to visit Elaine’s and try their excellent food. A restaurants based on flavors straight from Egypt tied directly to the owner family. My experience was excellent from the sever to the food to the hospitality. Everyone was welcoming friendly and went above and beyond for us during our experience. We were celebrating a birthday when we visited and to quote the birthday girl on her 29th birthday “I love it here”. Our server Moona (sorry if I misspelled it) did a great job taking care of us and our party 5 1 toddler and was very accommodating. The owner bout greeted us coming in and leave with a smile. We enjoyed our time and will be back! Also the building is beautiful!

Elaine’s is such a special place. My husband and I went last night and we loved it. The atmosphere is lovely and staff so friendly. The food is on another level. We had the hummus, and the blackened cod and branzino entrees and it was all wonderful. Perfectly prepared and full of so much flavor. It feels like so much of Elaine’s is very personal for the owners — the menu, the decor — and that came through in the overall experience we had last night. This is the kind of restaurant Old Town needs more of. Highly recommend.

We had lunch here on Easter and absolutely loved both the food and the atmosphere. From the moment we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the owner and made to feel right at home in this super cozy restaurant. Every appetizer, dish, and dessert we tried was outstanding—even though we’re picky eaters! The pie bites were especially memorable. For our main courses, we had Alexandria’s shrimp and the lamb shank—both were equally delicious and beautifully prepared. We couldn’t resist trying all three available desserts, and they were all fantastic. But the Baklava cheesecake? It exceeded all expectations. We’re already looking forward to returning to what is now our favorite restaurant in Alexandria!

What an excellent new gem! Diversified menu with a Mediterranean vibe. The owner and staff are delightful. Michael took care of us and we loved everything! I got the Shakshuka and my friend got the pancakes. Sadly we demolished everything too quickly so no photos but the coffee - both lattes and drip (we tried both) were exquisite. We will be back! Highly recommend!