
Cedar Knoll
Fort Hunt, Alexandria
Restaurant in Alexandria, United States
The Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Cedar Knoll is a practical Alexandria-area pick for a low-friction special occasion, especially when the group needs an easy decision rather than a destination tasting-menu experience. Book it for comfort and convenience; cross-shop cuisine-specific peers if the meal needs a clearer culinary identity.
About Cedar Knoll
Cedar Knoll is a venue in Alexandria with evening hours Tuesday through Sunday, plus an 11 AM opening on Saturday and Sunday. The dress code is smart casual. Beyond those basics, this guide keeps the recommendation practical rather than making unsupported claims.
A low-friction choice for occasions that need structure
The clearest reason to consider Cedar Knoll is practical: its posted schedule gives Alexandria diners several evening windows, with later closing times on Friday and Saturday. It is closed Monday, open Tuesday through Thursday from 4–8 PM, Friday from 4–9 PM, Saturday from 11 AM–9 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM–8 PM.
Because the details do not point to a named chef, tasting-menu format, cuisine, price point, or confirmed awards profile, the safer read is to treat Cedar Knoll as an Alexandria option to evaluate by schedule, dress expectations, and fit for your group rather than as a destination meal built around culinary bragging rights. If you need a more specific dining brief, the full Alexandria restaurants guide may make the decision easier.
Who should consider it, and who should cross-shop
Consider Cedar Knoll when the priority is an Alexandria venue with smart-casual dress guidance and confirmed evening availability. It may be useful for diners who want to start with the basics, open days, timing, and general formality, before checking current details directly.
Cross-shop it if the occasion needs a sharper identity. Taco Jalisco, Fiorella Italian Kitchen, Hovermale's Tastes Best, and 8405-F Richmond Hwy are other options to compare depending on the kind of meal you want. If the group is also considering places outside Alexandria, Bombay Street Food National Harbor is another option to weigh separately.
Quick read: choose Cedar Knoll if its Alexandria location, smart-casual dress code, and posted hours fit your plans; compare other venues if cuisine, price, or a specific dining format is the deciding factor.
Planning details
- Location
- 9030 Lucia Ln, Fort Hunt, VA 22308
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- cedarknollva.com
- Phone
- +17037803665
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Cedar Knoll reads like a neighborhood retreat set where the Potomac quietly shapes daily life. The dining room favors repeat customers over passing tourists, and the setting on a country lane south of Old Town cultivates a calm, intimate atmosphere. Rather than chasing trends, the restaurant leans on a steady, refined approach—serious cooking delivered in an unshowy room. Regulars know the rhythms here: preferred seats, familiar dishes and a low-key pace that feels deliberate. It’s the kind of place that rewards familiarity and feels like a well-kept local secret along the river.
Best For
This is a restaurant that suits quiet, focused meals—evening dinners and special occasions where the company matters as much as the food. The presence of longtime local families also makes it fitting for family dinners or weekend brunches. Its location beyond the more trafficked Alexandria corridors means guests come expecting a steadier, less tourist-driven experience: thoughtful American cooking, comfortably refined service and a room geared toward conversation rather than spectacle. Visitors seeking a polished, intimate meal with a waterside neighborhood feel will find Cedar Knoll aligns with those aims.
Ordering Tips
Stick to the house standouts and the kind of dishes mentioned as signatures: the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and the Rockfish and Shrimp Risotto. The description emphasizes a kitchen that builds loyalty through repetition, so favor preparations that sound familiar on the menu rather than chasing novelty. Given the regular clientele and condensed specials culture described, consider asking staff what longtime diners order—their recommendations are likely to align with the restaurant’s strengths and seasonal offerings.
Venue details
Ambiance
Charming historic dining rooms with fireplaces, old portraits, beautiful lighting on fine bone china, and a warm, romantic atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
- Rockfish and Shrimp Risotto
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 9030 Lucia Ln, Fort Hunt, VA 22308
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- 8405-F Richmond Hwy, Notable alternative
- Taco Jalisco, Notable alternative
- Hovermale's Tastes Best, Notable alternative
- Bombay Street Food National Harbor, Notable alternative
- Fiorella Italian Kitchen, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Cedar Knoll compares in Alexandria
Cedar Knoll is the safer occasion pick when the group wants a composed meal and easy planning. Taco Jalisco is the better value play for a casual meal with a clearer everyday brief, while Cedar Knoll makes more sense when the dinner needs to feel more settled and less grab-and-go.
If cuisine identity matters, cross-shop harder. Bombay Street Food National Harbor is the more direct choice for Indian street-food flavors, and Fiorella Italian Kitchen is easier to recommend for diners specifically wanting Italian comfort near the National Harbor orbit. Cedar Knoll is less about a named cuisine lane and more about a flexible meal that can work for mixed preferences.
8405-F Richmond Hwy and Hovermale's Tastes Best are harder to position as direct occasion substitutes from the available details, so they are better treated as cross-shops only if location or convenience drives the choice. For ambiance-led planning, Cedar Knoll remains the cleaner bet; for maximum value, start with Taco Jalisco.
Explore Alexandria
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Cedar Knoll guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Cedar Knoll
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Knoll | Alexandria | No published awards |
| 8405-F Richmond Hwy | Mount Vernon | No published awards |
| Taco Jalisco | Alexandria | No published awards |
| Hovermale's Tastes Best | Fort Washington | No published awards |
| Bombay Street Food National Harbor | Oxon Hill | No published awards |
| Fiorella Italian Kitchen | Oxon Hill | No published awards |
How Cedar Knoll Alexandria compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book Cedar Knoll?
Reservation availability or booking lead times are not included here. Check Cedar Knoll directly for current reservation guidance, especially if you need a specific date or time.
What should I wear to Cedar Knoll?
The dress code is smart casual. For Cedar Knoll in Alexandria, aim for neat, polished clothing rather than very casual attire.
Does Cedar Knoll handle dietary restrictions?
Allergy, dietary, or menu-accommodation details are not included here. If a restriction is important, contact Cedar Knoll directly before visiting.
Is lunch or dinner better at Cedar Knoll?
The hours show evening service Tuesday through Sunday, with Cedar Knoll opening at 11 AM on Saturday and Sunday. A specific lunch offering is not listed, so check the current menu or contact the venue if you are planning an earlier weekend visit.
Is Cedar Knoll good for a special occasion?
Cedar Knoll may fit plans where Alexandria location, smart-casual dress, and the posted hours work for the group. Private dining, set menus, awards, and other special-occasion services are not listed, so confirm any occasion-specific needs directly.
What are alternatives to Cedar Knoll in Alexandria?
Other options to compare include Taco Jalisco, Fiorella Italian Kitchen, Hovermale's Tastes Best, and 8405-F Richmond Hwy. Bombay Street Food National Harbor is another option to consider outside Alexandria.
Is Cedar Knoll good for solo dining?
Bar seating, counter seating, or solo-dining amenities are not specified. If you are dining alone, the posted Tuesday through Thursday 4–8 PM hours and other evening windows may be useful starting points when checking current availability.











