Bring a friend and dive into Hank’s signature and award-winning Seafood Plateau, which features oysters, middle neck, chilled jumbo shrimp, seafood ceviche, mussels escabeche, and chilled Maine lobster ($49 for the small serving 1-2 people; $89 for the large serving 3-4). Hank’s also offers a fantastic raw bar, along with sandwiches, small and large plates, and entrees. Check out Hank’s seafood-centric brunch is also offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m. True to its name, the oysters here can’t be beat!

Located in the Hotel Indigo, Hummingbird celebrates “Clambakes and crab boils, fish fries and oyster roasts.” Start your meal with its salmon croquettes or grilled octopus appetizer and follow it with Hummingbird’s mouthwatering Chesapeake Bay Stew and a Lobster Lemon Linguine. Raw bar options are also available and include a caviar platter. Hummingbird also has a fantastic, spacious patio for dining al fresco with views of the Potomac.

This Fish Market has been an Old Town favorite since 1976, offering wild-caught, fair trade seafood including its famous crab cakes, raw Chesapeake oysters, and fish n’ chips plus seafood-focused soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas, tacos, and platters. Located in a spacious 200-year-old warehouse, the Fish Market’s five different dining rooms include kid-friendly to romantic settings. Fish Market was also recently in the news as a recipient of the Barstool Fund. Be sure to check out Happy Hour at its Anchor Bar, every weekday from 4 – 7 p.m. for a fantastic variety of margaritas, including spicy and passion fruit versions. Allison loves the crab soup, steamed shrimp, and the lobster roll!

If you enjoy people-watching and while eating fantastic seafood, Vola’s is for you. With plentiful outdoor seating right on the water, Vola’s is the perfect place to soak in the best of Old Town. Vola’s seafood entrees include options such as Cajun grouper and shrimp, pineapple-glazed salmon, and clams cataplana. Great happy hours can be found at Vola’s bar and its adjacent Hi-Tide Lounge, with deals on both drinks and appetizers.

Travel to Belgium by visiting Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden, which offers 11 varieties of mussels such as Green Curry and Beef & Bacon. Augie’s mussels are $15 for a pound and diners can add a side (frites, pasta, or risotto) for an additional $5. Augie’s is Alexandria’s only open-air beer garden, offering more than 70 beers on its charming patio (dogs welcome!) Fun fact: Augie’s is named for St. Augustine, the Patron Saint of Brewers.