Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar

Verdict: A Dependable Del Ray All-Day Stop Where the Kitchen Is the Point

Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar sits on Mt Vernon Avenue in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood, the name tells you exactly what you're dealing with: a place that takes its kitchen seriously enough to put it in the title. Pricing details aren't confirmed in our database, but Del Ray all-day spots in this tier typically land in the $15–$25 range for mains. If that's the bracket you're working, the question isn't whether you can afford it; it's whether the food clears the bar that the name sets. Based on its position in this neighborhood, the answer leans yes, with some caveats worth knowing before you go.

The Space

The address on Mt Vernon Avenue puts Matt & Tony's in the heart of Del Ray's walkable commercial strip, a stretch known for independently owned spots rather than chains. Expect a layout built for flexibility: the "all day" format usually means counter seating and communal tables that work for a solo lunch as well as a relaxed dinner with a group of four. The kitchen-plus-bar setup suggests a room where the bar is functional but not the primary draw; useful if you want a drink with your meal, less so if you're coming for a serious cocktail program. If a dedicated bar experience is what you're after, Captain Gregory's or Chadwicks in Alexandria will serve you better.

The Food: Is the Kitchen Worth Taking Seriously?

The editorial question for any "kitchen + bar" is whether the kitchen earns leading billing or whether it's bar food with aspirations. At Matt & Tony's, the all-day format, rather than a dinner-only or brunch-only model, implies a menu built around approachability and range rather than a single tight concept. That's not a criticism. It means the kitchen is trying to do a lot across multiple dayparts, which, when executed well, produces the kind of place you return to regularly rather than saving for occasions. For a second visit, focus on whatever the kitchen treats as its anchor dishes rather than defaulting to the obvious bar-menu items. If you've been once and ordered safe, go further into the menu on your next trip.

For a stronger food-forward experience in Alexandria, Epicure on King is worth comparing. If you want a venue where the wine and cheese program carries as much weight as the kitchen, Cheesetique is the cleaner choice on that front.

Booking and Timing

Booking difficulty here is easy, walk-ins should be workable at most times given the all-day format and Del Ray's relatively low pressure compared to Old Town. Peak weekend brunch slots may fill, but this is not a venue where you need to plan weeks ahead. The all-day model also means you have genuine flexibility: arriving at an off-peak mid-afternoon slot is a reasonable strategy if you want a quieter room.

Beyond Alexandria

If the kitchen-forward bar format is what appeals to you and you're traveling to other cities, Jewel of the South in New Orleans and Julep in Houston are both venues where the food program is taken as seriously as the drinks. Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu sits at the other end, the cocktail program is the reason you go. Knowing which axis matters to you helps you calibrate what Matt & Tony's is good for: it's a neighborhood kitchen with a bar attached, not a bar that happens to serve food.

For broader planning in the area, see our full Alexandria hotels guide, Alexandria wineries guide, and Alexandria experiences guide.