In Alexandria, it’s not uncommon to see dog accompany diners on outdoor patios. Some restaurants will even go a step further and offer treats and water to furry friends.
Here are the nominees for “Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your go-to dog-friendly eatery? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for the Best Ice Cream Shop in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Gustave Boulangerie & Brasserie will host a World Cup viewing party with the Alexandria Soccer Association (staff photo by Emily Leayman)
Alexandria will get a long holiday weekend packed with Juneteenth festivities, Father’s Day events, Pride Month celebrations and summer solstice events.
The audience at APD's Public Safety Summit, June 18, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On June 19, 1943, the United Service Organization (USO) opened a center for World War servicemen in the rear section of 115 N. Washington Street, seen in the background of this image, in what was once the 18th century home built for John Gordon at the corner of King Street.” [Historic Alexandria]
City Government Services Closed for Juneteenth — “All City of Alexandria government offices will be closed Juneteenth (Friday, June 19). The holiday recognizes the end of slavery in the U.S. as the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free on June 19, 1865 — two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.” [ALXnow]
Alexandria, VA – In recognition of World Pride Month, the City of Alexandria welcomes back the Annual LGBTQIA+ Pride fair on June 27 from 2 to 6 p.m. at John Carlyle Square Park (300 John Carlyle Street), sponsored by the City of Alexandria, Del Ray Community Partnership, Inova Pride, Kindred Tree Healing Center, and VEG ER for Pets.
Join neighbors, friends, and allies for an afternoon of music, creativity, and community. Enjoy emcee Rayceen Pendarvis, inspiring words from Alexandria leaders, live performances by the Funicular Project, line-dancing, and DJ Thunderbunny. Express yourself at the mobile art lab, grab a bite from local food vendors, and explore more than 100 Pride affirming programs, organizations, and businesses from across Alexandria. Families are invited to experience Drag Story Hour, celebrating imagination, joy, and the freedom to be your authentic self.
(Left to right) Moderator Simone de Alba, Alexandria Police Department Chief Tarrick McGuire and Robin Engle at APD's Public Safety Summit at Virginia Theological Seminary on June 18, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Public safety leaders and their counterparts from around the region reaffirmed a commitment to mutual aid today (Thursday) at the Alexandria Police Department’s Public Safety Summit.
The three-hour event was held at Virginia Theological Seminary, and attended by Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Sheriff Sean Casey, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter, City Manager Jim Parajon, Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez, Jr, as well as officials from Alexandria City Public Schools and other city departments. Speakers included Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn, Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham, and Stanley Meador, the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Fresh Healthy Cafe has submitted plans for 2040 Jamieson Avenue in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood (via City of Alexandria)
A cafe serving smoothies, paninis, fresh juices and bowls has submitted a request to open in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood.
If approved, franchise owner Vijay Balusu’s Fresh Healthy Cafe special use permit request would transform the former home of a Starbucks at 2040 Jamieson Avenue into a cafe with 12 indoor seats and four outdoor seats.
Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark, April 13, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
The Inova Alexandria Hospital replacement and a new hospital to the south in Fairfax County remain on schedule for opening in late 2028 — potentially on the same day.
Meeting the timetable will be good news for the region’s economy, Inova Health System CEO Dr. J. Stephen Jones said at a June 16 roundtable of Fairfax County’s Council for Economic Opportunity, a group of government and business leaders looking at high-level economic, development and technology trends. Jones called health care “the job engine and in many ways economic engine” of Northern Virginia.
Michael Duffin is running for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District seat (via Michael Duffin for Congress)
Michael Duffin, a fired State Department worker from Alexandria who is running for Congress, appeared on “The Daily Show” Tuesday to discuss federal workforce reductions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Duffin, who lives in the West End with his wife and two children, was one of more than 1,300 federal workers fired by the State Department in July 2025. The Democrat running in the 8th Congressional District joined Maryland congressional candidates Alexis Goldstein and Tracy Starr and New York candidate Alissa Ellman in “The Daily Show” segment on fired federal workers’ campaigns.
City Hall and Market Square construction is ongoing in Old Town (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On June 18, 1812, President James Madison declared war on England, in response to years of British harassment of American trading ships on the Atlantic, impressment of American seamen into British service, armed support of Native Americans and a possible Indian Confederacy in the Midwest, and aspirations to expand American territory into Canada. Thus began the War of 1812, considered by some to be America’s “Second War of Independence.” Although Alexandrians were quick to recognize the threat to their city and the nearby national capital, Secretary of War John Armstrong largely dismissed their concerns and financial offers to reinforce security in the Potomac River region. Two years later, Alexandrians found themselves in the crosshairs of the escalating conflict, and their premonition of defeat by a Naval force proved all too accurate.” [Historic Alexandria]
Early Voting Opens for Aug. 4 Primaries — “Early voting is set to begin Thursday, June 18 for 2026 congressional primary elections in Alexandria, according to the city’s Office of Voter Registration and Elections. The elections on Aug. 4 will include a Democratic primary for U.S. House of Representatives in the 8th Congressional District and a Republican primary to decide who will run against Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) for U.S. Senate.” [ALXnow]
