Barrett Balzer 
The neon sign outside the Majestic, located at 911 King Street, has been a staple of Old Town Alexandria for years. The Majestic originally opened in 1932 and is starting a new chapter with a new owner and chef, Santiago Lopez. Chef Lopez plans to blend American classics with Mediterranean flavors. Read on for more about what’s next at the Majestic in Old Town Alexandria.
The Majestic’s History on King Street in Alexandria
The Majestic has been a part of the Alexandria dining scene since its opening in 1932. It was originally opened by John Gadanos at 622 King Street and moved to its current 911 King Street location in 1949, when it got an art deco-inspired makeover.
The Gadanos family closed the restaurant in 1978 but held on to the building. After sitting empty for many years, the building was purchased and refurbished by Alexandria Restaurant Partners in 2001. The iconic neon sign we see today was installed as part of this refurbishing, and the original 1932 neon sign was placed into the window.
April 10th, 2026, marks the most recent reopening under the ownership of Chef Santiago Lopez, who purchased the historic restaurant from Alexandria Restaurant Partners. Chef Santiago aims to reimagine the restaurant as a warm, polished, and effortlessly reliable neighborhood restaurant.
Chef Santiago Lopez’s Vision for The Majestic.
For Chef Lopez, this marks a milestone. “This restaurant has always been special to this community, and my goal is to create a place that feels familiar and welcoming, but also exciting and intentional,” said Chef. “I’ve poured myself into every part of it. From the food to the atmosphere, focusing on bright, balanced flavors and thoughtful ingredients to create a place that feels welcoming, exciting, and worth returning to again and again.”
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Trained by classically trained Corporate Executive Chef Karl Edlbauer and grounded in classic French foundations, Chef Lopez has incorporated Mediterranean elements such as preserved lemon, cumin, sumac, za’atar, fresh herbs, and citrus to bring brightness and depth to each dish. The result is New American cuisine that feels both comforting and contemporary: balanced, herb-forward, and designed to open the palate rather than overwhelm it. Fresh salads, carefully prepared seafood, housemade pastas, and refined takes on classic favorites sit alongside signature plates.
Chef Santiago Lopez. Image courtesy of Cultivate Hospitality.
The new menu has dishes like Saffron P.E.I Mussels, Duck & Pancetta Dumplings, Lobster Pot Pie, Mushroom Risotto, and more. Besides dinner, The Majestic has brunch, featuring Chicken and Waffles, Smoked Salmon, classic benedicts, blueberry pancakes, and more.
Our Visit to The Majestic in Old Town Alexandria
The mood is immediately set for a sophisticated evening upon entering the restaurant, with modern-chic decor and low lighting. With a half-finished portrait of George Washington and other similar pieces of art, the restaurant felt very welcoming. Touches of the original building are still present, such as the tin ceiling tiles, old mosaic flooring, and, of course, the old 1930s neon sign.
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The Fairfax Girl visited for one of the opening nights with Chef Lopez. While the menu reflected Chef Lopez’s stated vision for the space, with Mediterranean influences on New American cuisine, we were also able to dine comfortably while managing food sensitivities. The drink menu is extensive, with mocktails, cocktails, and other classic alcoholic drinks to choose from.
We tried the harvest salad and the steak frites, along with a drink called the butterfly tonic. The food did not disappoint; the steak was perfectly made to our preference, and the pears and roasted grapes made the salad so different in a good way.
The restaurant is organized to flow well with the busy dinner rush. The kitchen is open, so guests can watch the chefs in action, cooking up the delicious dishes offered.
Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30AM–3PM; dinner is available Monday through Saturday from 3PM–11PM and Sunday from 3PM–10PM; brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday from 10AM–3PM; and Majestic Hour takes place Monday through Friday from 3PM–7PM at the bar.
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