Rustico is the quintessential neighborhood pub on the edge of Old Town Alexandria. The menu features seasonal, hearty American fare from a wood-fired oven and grill, including pizzas and rotisserie meats, along with other rustic cuisine using the freshest local ingredients available. There’s also no mistaking Rustico’s love for barley & hops! The bar’s focal point is a custom galvanized inverted T bar with 30 brilliant taps book-ended by two massive coolers holding more than 250 different types of ales, lagers, ciders and stouts.
"I was a big fan of this place.. At first. My wife and I went back several times between the August visit and this January visit, but each visit continued a slow, steady decline in our enjoyment. It started in the fall, which marked the end of comfortable temperatures in the dining area, and a visit during which we ordered donuts for desert which came out under-cooked. Twice. This visit in January was the proverbial straw, during which we had to send back one pizza for being drowned in sauce *after* going 45 minutes without a quality check from *anyone*. The pizza brought to replace it was still not quite what we ordered. They later brought an unsolicited beer flight in apology, which we couldn't enjoy, per driving responsibilities."
Dined on 1/30/2013
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"Amazing menu... creative, very unique and inspired. I had the Boston Bibb Salad with chicken and honestly felt like returning the same night to have it again - it was THAT good. Rustico is now one of my new favorites!"
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch, kid-friendly
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"The food was incredible and service was wonderful. The price got a little high for a young profesional's brunch budget, but the mimosas were worth it."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"I love rather used to love Rustico. It's a fun spot, creative menu, wonderful wall art, fantastic if not overwhelming beer selection. BUT, the food was so salty, some of the other food was so sugary and the salads were so over dressed that it was too much to talk to the poor waiter about. Why not let us salt our own food? Lots of US hypertension. Why not back off the sugar- lots of diabetes. Dress our own salads or dress it lightly and offer a side of extra dressing if you choose? Lots of heart disease... Just saying... Might only come back for the beer next time. Then again, I had to go across the steer for my cappacino and was told many people do that and bring them back to the restaurant. Hmmmm"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Great beer list, $2 off drafts during happy hour....food is....eclectic in my opinion....the pizzas are not your run of the mill pizza....I found the pie was great, however, the wife didnt and ended up ordering a kid's cheese pizza for herself...."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly
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"We had the meatball appetizer and it was outstanding. The pizza is incredible and the beer list is pretty impressive. Overall a great time had at a fun restaurant with good food and good service!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"Nice warm, friendly service -- which is often NOT the case when you come in with two young kids. Great doughnuts too! Very enjoyable, kid friendly but really nice food and beverages."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, kid-friendly
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"Lots of tasty choices, great beer selection, and very supportive of our friend's gluten intolerance with gluten-free pizza and gluten-free versions of most everything on the menu. We enjoyed it!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"I should've requested a booth when making the reservation. We were given a table right up front so as diners entered the restaurant, they inadvertently hovered right over us, making for at times an uncomfortable meal. We asked if we could move, but alas, it was Mother's Day and all the booths and tables were already reserved. The waitress was great at trying to keep us happy, but she didn't hear our drink request and instead brought the check. A disappointing experience. We've had pleasant experiences at Rustico in the past so will chalk this one up to a lesson learned - request a particular table upon reservation."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"I visited Rustico after work with some friends and it was great for sharing some appetizers, pizza, and pasta and having a few glasses of wine. Love the mosaics made of shattered pottery and bottles! It's a really cute place, and our server could not have been more helpful and patient. No problem lingering for as long as you like."
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Rustico was a great find. The decor is attractive and bright, and the food excellent. I recommend the Boston Bibb salad-- crisp, fresh leaves with just the right amount of dressing, cheese and pecans. Very nice lunch."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2012
Special Features: great for lunch
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"Nice place. Great pizza! If you're a beer lover, you won't tire of the selection. Our server was cordial, and she provided a pleasant "privacy vs. attention" ration - checking on us without popping by every 5 minutes. Great place to unwind after work."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"Excellent Beer list! Great for a group, and great outdoor seating. It took a little while to get started with everything but we were a large group so that is to be expected. The pizza was a great hit for us."
Dined on 04/11/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Great beer selection! Went for brunch: Server was very friendly and helpful. The mac and cheese wasn't that great, but the biscuit sliders and sweet potato skins were awesome."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining
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"Rustico is perhaps my favorite restaurant in the DC area. The food is superb and they have an extensive range of excellent beers. I highly recommend it with one caveat: The restaurant is extremely loud. There have been times where I could not hear my dinner companions over the din from the bar and from neighboring diners. It's an energetic atmosphere which may appeal to some, but if you want a quiet romantic dinner, then look elsewhere (or eat outside, weather permitting)."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Great beer selection and terrific service; our server was outstanding with suggestions and really knowledgable on the huge range of draft beer selections."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, special occasion, hot spot
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"I heard about Rustico from a friend. I decided to sit at the bar and try to watch the games. Great service by the really nice waitress, the sweet potato tots were awesome (always want more).
Pizza was tasty. I have to say the service was prompt and courteous and the staff was nice.
If I would change anything, I would diversify the shows on TVs. They showed the same hockey game on 2-3 screens. I'm not a hockey fan and the bar was not packed.
Otherwise a near perfect experience, for a 1st time visit."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"I really like Rustico. The ambiance is good, and the food tasty. If I had a complaint, it is that they do have somewhat limited menu options once you get past pizza."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2005
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"It had been a few years since we had been to Rustico. Their beer selections continue to be creative and voluminous. One almost needs a "beer steward" to guide selections! We had reservations and were seated promptly and service was good. It is a very noisy restaurant and was already crowded (even at the bar) at our 6 pm reservation time. This isn't a weekly kind of restaurant for us but we will try to go back more often."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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"The only real downside to Rustico in my mind is the inadequate parking - everytime I go there it is an issue but I still keep going back - not often but I do go back"
Dined on 02/21/2013
2013
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"I've been to the Rustico in Ballston numerous times, this was my first trip to the Rustico in Alexandria. I went for lunch on a Wednesday afternoon with two colleagues. We all ordered from the sandwich menu, each ordering different items, and all of us were largely disappointed with our meals. I know the pizza menu is consistently good, and I always love their draft list, but I have never had a good sandwich from there. Save Rustico for happy hours, nice dinners out on the town, and the occasional Sunday Funday hangover brunch."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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"Excellant draft beer selection, over 100 options and 300 in bottles. Because of the great beer we tried the more pub style food from the menu. Mussels great! Will be a go to place for beers with friends after work. Will return to try the the full menu sans beer next visit."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Took two friends who have eaten in all the best restaurants in DC area. They thought the menu was very interesting and everything we ordered was delicious!"
Dined on 02/09/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for lunch
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