Walking into 105 King Street feels like stepping into a time capsule that actually smells like garlic butter and saltwater. If you’ve spent any time in Northern Virginia, you know the deal. Old Town is packed with trendy, overpriced spots that try way too hard to be "elevated." But the Fish Market is different. It’s been sitting there in that 200-year-old warehouse since 1976, anchored to the corner of King and Union, basically thumbing its nose at every passing food fad.
People search for the fish market old town alexandria menu because they want to know if it’s still the same place they remember from a decade ago. It is. Mostly.
The menu is huge. Like, weirdly huge for a place that stays this busy. You’ve got the Oyster Bar on one side, the main dining rooms with their creaky wood floors, and that massive Anchor Bar where the schooners of beer are big enough to drown a small bird. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. Honestly, it’s exactly what a waterfront seafood joint should be.
The Raw Bar Reality
If you aren't starting with the raw bar, you're doing it wrong. Period. The "Freshly Shucked" section of the menu is the heart of the operation. They source from all over—Chincoteague, James River, sometimes even up into PEI or Connecticut depending on the week.
Look, oysters are a gamble at some places. Not here. The high turnover means the shellfish is actually fresh. You can get a dozen on the half shell, and they come out on that bed of crushed ice with the standard cocktail sauce and horseradish that clears your sinuses in three seconds flat. They also do middleneck clams, which honestly don't get enough love. They're salty, chewy, and taste like the Atlantic.
Deciphering the Fish Market Old Town Alexandria Menu
The menu is split into these distinct buckets: Starters, Soups/Salads, Sandwiches, and the "Main Event" entrees.
The Starters are where most people get stuck because everything sounds like a gut-bomb in the best way possible. You’ve got the Boom Boom Shrimp, which is basically the Fish Market's answer to Bang Bang shrimp—crispy, spicy, and way too easy to eat. Then there are the Calamari. They don't do that rubbery, frozen stuff. It’s lightly breaded and served with a marinara that actually tastes like tomatoes, not sugar.
But the real MVP? The Clam Chowder.
New England style. Thick. It’s not that watery "is this milk?" nonsense you find at the grocery store. It’s loaded with potatoes and enough clams to make it a meal on its own. If you’re feeling fancy, they have the Lobster Bisque, which is smooth and rich, but the chowder is the local’s choice. Trust me.
The Sandwich That Built the Place
You cannot talk about this menu without mentioning the Po' Boys.
They offer them with shrimp, oysters, or catfish. They use a French roll that has just enough crust to hold up against the remoulade sauce without shredding the roof of your mouth. It’s a mess. You’re going to need a stack of napkins. The oysters in the Po' Boy are flash-fried—just long enough to get a crunch but still tender inside.
If you aren't in the mood for a sandwich, the Fish and Chips is the fallback. They use Icelandic Cod. It’s flaky. The batter is beer-based and dark gold. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to take a nap immediately afterward, especially if you pair it with a 32-ounce schooner of their house lager.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Entrees
A lot of tourists come in and think they have to order the most expensive thing on the menu to get the "Old Town experience." They go straight for the King Crab legs or the twin Lobster Tails.
Those are fine. They really are. But the Fish Market shines when it sticks to the mid-Atlantic staples.
The Maryland Style Crab Cakes are the litmus test for any seafood place in the DMV. The Fish Market version is mostly lump meat. They don't overdo it with the breadcrumbs, which is a sin many other places in Alexandria commit. It’s broiled, not fried, which lets the sweetness of the crab actually come through.
Then there’s the Stuffed Flounder. This is a "heavy" dish. They take a delicate piece of flounder and shove a crab cake inside it, then smother the whole thing in a lemon butter sauce. It’s decadent. It’s old-school. It’s the kind of dish your grandfather would have ordered in 1982, and it still tastes great today.
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The "Hidden" Specials
The menu isn't just static. They do daily catches that are usually scrawled on a board or mentioned by the server. If they have Rockfish (Striped Bass for those of you not from the Chesapeake area), get it. It’s the state fish of Maryland for a reason. It’s firm, meaty, and usually served blackened or pan-seared with a bit of mango salsa or a simple butter sauce.
The Vibe vs. The Food
Let's be real: you aren't coming here for a quiet, romantic candlelit dinner. If that’s what you want, go to Landini Brothers or Virtue Feed & Grain down the street.
The Fish Market is for groups. It’s for the 5:00 PM happy hour crowd that stayed until 8:00 PM. The menu reflects that. It’s "drinking food" that happens to be high-quality seafood. The Schooner of Beer is a mandatory accessory to the menu. They have their own Fish Market Lager, which is an easy-drinking, crisp beer that cuts through the grease of the fried platters perfectly.
Is it worth the price?
Old Town Alexandria isn't cheap. You’re looking at $18–$25 for a sandwich and $30–$50 for a solid entree.
Is it "gourmet"? No. Is it consistent? Yes.
That’s the thing about the Fish Market. You know exactly what that crab dip is going to taste like before you even sit down. It's warm, cheesy, and served with those toasted baguette slices. It’s comfort food for people who like the water.
The menu also caters to the non-seafood crowd, though why you'd go to a place called Fish Market for a burger is beyond me. Still, the Bacon Cheeseburger is surprisingly decent, and they have a New York Strip for the "meat and potatoes" person in your group who got dragged along.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
- Timing is Everything: Saturday at 7:00 PM is a nightmare. You’ll be waiting forever. Go on a weekday for lunch or a "late" dinner after 8:30 PM if you want to actually hear the person sitting across from you.
- The Bar Secret: If the main dining room is packed, head to the back bar or the upstairs area. The full menu is available everywhere, and the service at the bar is often faster if you’re just there for a quick bite.
- Parking: Don't even try to park on King Street. Use the garage on Union Street or the one under Market Square. It’s worth the $10-$15 to avoid circling for 40 minutes.
- The Schooner: Just get it. Even if you don't finish it, it’s part of the ritual.
- Dietary Stuff: They do have gluten-free options, mostly the broiled fish and salads, but the kitchen is small and handles a lot of flour for the frying. If you have a severe allergy, be very vocal about it.
Your Actionable Plan for the Fish Market
If you’re heading down to the waterfront, don't just wander in without a plan. Here is how to actually tackle the menu like a local:
- Order the "Basket of Cornbread" immediately. It’s cheap, sweet, and keeps everyone happy while you wait for the main food.
- Skip the standard garden salad. Save the stomach space for the Seafood Gumbo. It’s spicy, loaded with okra and shrimp, and better than any salad you'll find in a three-block radius.
- Go for the "Market Platter" if you’re indecisive. It gives you a bit of everything—flounder, scallops, shrimp, and a crab cake. It’s the best way to sample the kitchen’s range.
- Check the "Fresh Catch" list first. The best meals here aren't the ones printed on the permanent menu; they're the ones that just came off the boat.
The Fish Market isn't trying to win a Michelin star. It’s trying to feed you a massive plate of seafood while you drink beer out of a glass the size of a fishbowl. In a world of "concept" restaurants and "curated" menus, there's something genuinely refreshing about a place that just serves good fish in a cool old building.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the weather before you go. If it’s a nice day, the windows in the front dining room usually open up, giving you a great breeze off the Potomac. If it's cold, head for the back bar where the brick walls and low ceilings keep things cozy. Check their social media for "Oyster Happy Hour" specials, which usually run on specific weekdays and can save you a ton on a dozen shells.
Once you finish your meal, walk one block south to the waterfront park. It’s the perfect way to walk off that second Po' Boy before you head home.