Come Hungry—and Bring the Dog: Taste of Old Town North Returns to Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Come hungry, bring the family—and yes, the dog can come too.

The annual Taste of Old Town North returns to Montgomery Park from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, with free restaurant tastings, interactive art activities and live music.

The event is free, family-friendly and pet-friendly. Local restaurants, market vendors, small businesses, nonprofits and community organizations will come together for an evening in the park, according to the Old Town North Community Partnership.

Eight Restaurants Offering Free Tastings

Royal Restaurant, St. Elmo’s, Rustico, Life Alive Organic Cafe, Jula’s on the Potomac, The Wily Chef, Hank’s Oyster Bar and Hank’s Pasta Bar will offer free tastings.

Visitors can try an old favorite and sample a restaurant they have been meaning to visit—all in one walk through Montgomery Park.

Why Hank’s Chose Old Town North

Chef and owner Jamie Leeds opened the first Hank’s Oyster Bar in Dupont Circle in 2005, inspired by her father and the “urban beach food” she grew up with. She brought Hank’s to Alexandria in 2007 and later moved the restaurant from King Street to Old Town North.

“When we made the decision to move from King Street to Old Town North, the neighborhood was still developing, but I had a lot of faith in what this area could become,” Leeds said in the Old Town North Community Partnership newsletter. “It felt like the right place for the next chapter of Hank’s, and I loved the idea of being one of the early businesses helping to build something special for the community.”

Leeds said it has been rewarding to watch more restaurants, businesses, residents and activity arrive while the neighborhood retains its sense of community.

“For me, Hank’s has always been about more than oysters and seafood,” she said. “It’s about being a neighborhood restaurant, welcoming our guests like family, supporting our community and creating a place where people feel at home.”

Live Music Begins at 5 p.m.

The MOD will perform a two-hour concert beginning at 5 p.m. The group draws on the Washington music scene with a mix of jazz, funk, Americana, folk, downtempo, breakbeats and soul. The concert is made possible by Burke & Herbert Bank, the Taste Live Music Concert Sponsor.

The Mobile Art Lab will bring traditional and inventive art supplies for hands-on activities. Children and adults can make something before continuing through the park to meet local market vendors, small businesses and nonprofits.

Taste of Old Town North has been held in Montgomery Park since 2008. The Zebra previously called the annual celebration “the toast of the town” while covering its food, music and community connections.

This year’s gathering also gives residents a chance to hear about the planned transformation of the former Potomac River Generating Station site. Event sponsor HRP Group says it is preparing to break ground on the redevelopment in 2027.

A Full Weekend in Old Town North

The Taste begins a broader neighborhood weekend. Chalk-a-Block will bring chalk artists, competitions and live music to Old Town North from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. A separate Canal Crawl will lead participants among historic canal sites, bars and restaurants.

On-street parking will be available in the neighborhood. Organizers also direct visitors to public parking at 625 N. Washington St.