Le Refuge is a local, family-run French restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia, offering classic French standards in intimate, rustic surroundings. Its cozy, historic atmosphere creates a welcoming setting for a romantic meal, an upmarket dining experience, or a relaxed occasion focused on thoughtfully served food.
With table service and a reputation for lunch, dinner, and dessert, Le Refuge gives guests a comfortable place to enjoy French dining with the character and warmth of a longstanding local favorite.
The menu and beverage selection provide something for a range of tastes, including comfort food, wine, beer, cocktails, spirits, and coffee. Guests can also look forward to great cocktails, great coffee, a great dessert selection, and a great wine list.
Whether dining alone, meeting someone for lunch, or enjoying dinner together, visitors can choose from dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and on-site services. Dinner reservations are recommended, and reservations are accepted, making planning ahead a convenient choice.
Le Refuge is rated 4.70 out of 5 based on 570 customer reviews. Accessibility features include a wheelchair-accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible seating, while a restroom is available for guests’ convenience. The restaurant accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
Located at 127 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314, Le Refuge can be reached at +1 703-548-4661 for additional information or reservations.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Le Refuge
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
(goat cheese, brie cheese & Roquefort with walnuts and fruit)
fish soup with a variety of seafood, croutons, parmesan, rouille.
Hear from our valued guests
I only wish I lived in Paris so I could become a regular at this little gem. Without a doubt, it was the best meal we had during our time in the city. Every dish was exceptional, and the service was warm, personal, and genuinely welcoming. This is the kind of dinner you’ll find yourself talking about for years to come. We certainly will.
An amazing experience! Our server was so attentive and friendly. We had potato-leek soup, French onion soup, rockfish with lemon butter and capers, and blackened scallops cooled in Pernod (caution: Pernod has a strong alcohol odor which my wife didn’t care for). We paired it with Sancerre wine, and topped off the meal with marvelous ice cream-stuffed pastries drenched with chocolate sauce and fresh whipped cream. Magnifique! We loved this place!
A True Taste of France in the DMV – A Must-Visit! If you’re looking for an authentic French experience without the plane ticket, this restaurant is the destination. The food is nothing short of exquisite – from the starters calamari to the perfectly cooked entrees, each bite transports you straight to France. The flavors are rich, the ingredients fresh, and the dishes prepared with undeniable craftsmanship. But it’s not just the food that makes this place shine. The customer service is absolutely impeccable. From the moment you walk in, the staff treats you like family. Attentive, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure you have a perfect dining experience. And the décor? Simply breathtaking. The ambiance feels like a chic Parisian bistro, with elegant touches that make you feel as though you’re sitting in the heart of France. From the warm lighting to the thoughtfully designed interiors, the atmosphere truly sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Without a doubt, this is the best French restaurant in the DMV.this place hits all the marks—food, service, and ambiance. Five stars all the way!
Great French Cuisine! My wife and I stopped by for dinner and loved it. The atmosphere was cozy with a home cook feel. I had the Wellington and my wife had the duck with raspberries. Both were wonderful. I'll say the duck was out of this world and is a must try. Service was also great. We were there at a packed house and they were on the spot with everything. I highly recommend a stop by for a good meal. And don't forget dessert!
Hands down the No. 1 restaurant for me during my time in DC this week! The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive — when I glanced at the bread, one of them immediately came over and asked, “Would you like more?” So thoughtful and kind! The frog leg dish was absolutely amazing, and the pea soup was incredibly rich and flavorful. Truly enjoyed every moment there. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for both ambience and taste! I forgot to practice my French there 🤣
Perfection. This is our favorite restaurant in the area. The food is excellent but also because of the ambience, the service, and the value. It’s also versatile — we like Le Refuge for a casual Tuesday and we like it for an anniversary dinner. Because the menu is upscale and the service is professional but it is also warm and has a happy vibe and is authentic French. We love this neighborhood gem and this review is more of a thank you to the people of Le Refuge for always delivering a fantastic evening than it is an advertisement for everyone else to experience it. (But you should.)
I came across this fabulous cafe walking down the block after a bank visit, on a randomTuesday afternoon. (First timer) What a pleasant experience I had! The delicious escargot, the attentive service and old world French vibes and decor was outstanding 🫶🏼 Thank you ❣️ I will return
I’ve been traveled to France, I enjoy French cuisine. Therefore I always tried to find a real French restaurant in DMV area, I am lucky to find Le Refuge, this’s a hidden gem in Old Town Alexandria. The food is amazing, make me think about the flavor that I have in Paris. Ricardo is friendly and his service is excellent. I really enjoy their duck liver mousse and frog legs, the portion of each dishes are large enough, not like some French restaurant that only gives you a small plate. The most important thing is the price is totally acceptable, and the environment is definitely make Le Refuge like a fancy restaurant. Will come back in the future!
J’aime Le Refuge! We had a wonderful meal to celebrate my new hip. The food was delicious as always, the French bistro ambiance sublime, and the service from Elias was top notch! While not inexpensive, it was worth every penny. Cinq Étoiles!
Just found my new favorite 🤩 French restaurant!!! I ordered the special…the duck and my husband ordered his favorite dish…the beef Wellington. We also had the escargot 🐌 and cheese sampler for an appetizer. I had the house sale and we had the puff pastry and crème brûlée for dessert…along with a cappuccino and espresso. ☕️ Literally the BEST restaurant with the best food and greatest service. Took my husband here for his 50th birthday and will definitely be coming back! So good!!!
Common questions about Le Refuge
Le Refuge is located at 127 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314, United States, Alexandria, VA, United States.
You can reach Le Refuge by calling +1 703-548-4661.
Le Refuge has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on 570 customer reviews.
Le Refuge features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating.
Le Refuge features the following service options: On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in, Delivery.
Le Refuge features the following highlights: Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great wine list.
Le Refuge features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Le Refuge features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Spirits, Wine.
Le Refuge features the following dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Table service.
Le Refuge features the following amenities: Restroom.
Le Refuge features the following atmosphere: Cozy, Historic, Romantic, Upmarket.
Le Refuge features the following crowd: Tourists.
Le Refuge features the following planning: Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
Le Refuge features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Le Refuge features the following parking: Free street parking, Paid street parking, Somewhat difficult to find a space.
Business Features
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