Bread & Water Company: Alexandria's Favorite Artisan Bakery and Cafe

Bread & Water Company Introduce

A Local Essential: Why Northern Virginia Loves Bread & Water Company

For residents across Northern Virginia, finding a truly authentic, artisan bakery that doubles as a full-service cafe can be a challenge. Thankfully, the Belle View Shopping Center in Alexandria is home to a local gem that consistently delivers on both quality and community: the Bread & Water Company. Far more than just a place to grab a loaf, this establishment has evolved into a comprehensive culinary hub, rooted in a philosophy of simple, high-quality ingredients and genuine craftsmanship.

The name itself—Bread & Water Company—is intentional, inviting customers to reflect on sustenance in its most honest, essential form, whether conjuring the image of humble, nourishing food or the joy of a perfect, handcrafted baguette. Since its founding in 2013, the business has grown from a dedicated bread and pastry producer into a multifaceted restaurant concept, becoming a cornerstone of the Belle View community. It occupies a spacious four thousand square foot facility, a site with a rich local history that formerly housed Brenner’s Bakery, making it a perfect fit for a new chapter in Alexandria’s baking tradition.

The core mission remains a commitment to the basics. The team, drawing on culinary traditions from both American coasts and multiple continents, focuses intensely on ingredient quality. They believe in letting the elements speak for themselves, refusing to hide them behind fillers or camouflage. This dedication results in an extensive menu, ranging from freshly baked artisan breads and classic pastries to hearty all-day breakfast options, specialty sandwiches, and even a selection of house-made grocery items.

Location and Accessibility

The Bread & Water Company is conveniently situated in the heart of Alexandria, Virginia, making it an easy stop for locals and those commuting through the Northern Virginia area.

Address: 1512 Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307, USA

Located within the bustling Belle View Shopping Center, accessibility is a key advantage. The location offers ample parking for a quick visit or a leisurely meal. Patrons can take advantage of both a free parking lot and free street parking. The business is also committed to ensuring everyone can enjoy their offerings, providing a fully wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom.

For those who prefer to grab and go, the facility is well-equipped for a quick visit, and during challenging times, they even adapted their storefront to facilitate safe, distanced take-out service through large opening windows—a testament to their dedication to remaining a reliable part of the community.

Services Offered

The range of services and culinary concepts offered by the Bread & Water Company goes well beyond a typical neighborhood bakery. They truly function as a multifaceted food production and service enterprise, catering to various daily dining needs.

Artisan Bakery & Pastry Production: Daily baking of fresh breads (like Sourdough, Multigrain, and Ciabatta), croissants, French pastry, muffins, scones, and custom cookies.
Full-Service Cafe & Coffee Shop: Serving Lavazza Tierra Blend espresso drinks, drip coffee, cold brew, and Mighty Leaf teas, alongside an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch fare.
All-Day Dining: Offering a robust menu covering All Day Breakfast (including Breakfast Burritos, Waffles, and Big French Toast), All Day Sandwiches (like the Cuban and Turkey Pesto), and fresh Salads.
Specialty Food Concepts: The facility hosts and operates several distinct sub-brands, including Bun Papa (focused on burgers and fried chicken sandwiches using their signature brioche buns), Tower Cakes (specializing in massive, multi-layered celebration cakes), and other concepts like ALX Pizza and BeeLiner Diner.
Takeout, Delivery, and Catering: Convenient service options including delivery, takeout, and in-store pickup, with catering services available for events and gatherings.
Prepared Foods Market: Selling house-made grocery items such as quarts of soup (Roasted Tomato, Creamy Mushroom), various pasta salads (Orzo, Pesto), and dairy products from South Mountain Creamery (milk, butter, and cream cheese).

Features and Highlights

What makes the Bread & Water Company a unique and essential stop in Alexandria? Its identity is shaped by its business values, history, and commitment to innovative, high-quality food.

Black-Owned and Women-Owned Business: The company proudly identifies as both Black-owned and women-owned, contributing to the diverse entrepreneurial landscape of Northern Virginia.
Commitment to High-Quality Ingredients: The philosophy revolves around using the finest elements, including smoking their own meats, fish, and vegetables for sandwiches and soups, and using house-made syrups for coffee drinks.
Bun Papa’s Signature Brioche: A highlight of their operation is the Bun Papa concept, built around their talented bakery staff creating brioche buns by hand with butter, milk, and fresh eggs, touted as "the world's best buns" for their burgers and chicken sandwiches.
Colossal TowerCakes: They are home to TowerCakes, creating towering, multi-layered cakes that stand up to 14 inches tall and can weigh up to 35 pounds, perfect for major celebrations.
Farm-to-Table Roots and Community Focus: In its early days, the bakery actively engaged in bartering with local farmers, trading breads and pastries for fresh produce. This dedication ensured a truly farm-to-table approach with daily menu changes based on available local ingredients.
Reliable Community Partner: The company was recognized for its dedication during times of uncertainty, transforming overnight into a streamlined takeout operation to continue serving the community when many other establishments closed, providing a sense of normalcy and familiarity.
Diverse Dietary Options: The menu is consciously crafted to include vegan and gluten-free choices, ensuring that patrons with various dietary needs can still enjoy a delicious, high-quality meal.

Contact Information

Planning a visit or need to place a catering order? Here is the essential contact information for the Bread & Water Company.

Address: 1512 Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307

Phone: (703) 768-0100

Hours of Operation: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM every day (The kitchen typically closes at 3:00 PM)

The establishment is also LGBTQ+ friendly and offers amenities like Wi-Fi, making it a welcoming and comfortable spot to linger over coffee or grab a bite to eat.

What is Worth Choosing

For first-time visitors or seasoned regulars looking for new flavors, the extensive menu at Bread & Water Company offers a wide variety of excellent choices, all made with the same commitment to quality.

You simply must start with their namesake: the artisan bread. The Sourdough and Multigrain loaves are foundational to their success—fluffy on the inside and perfectly crusted. Next, explore the breakfast menu; the Breakfast Burrito (especially with house-made chorizo or smoked bacon) is a highly recommended favorite by locals for its robust flavor profile, as is the hearty Breakfast'Wich built on their fresh sourdough bread.

For lunch, don’t miss the specialty sub-concepts. Try a classic from Bun Papa to experience their famous brioche bun, or if you prefer something lighter, the Citrus Beet & Feta Salad offers a refreshing, flavorful option. Finally, for an indulgent treat, a slice of the White House recipe Carrot Cake or one of their pies (like the customer-favorite Apple Pie) makes the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. When planning a party, remember the jaw-dropping TowerCakes are their sweet-side specialty, guaranteed to impress any guest.

In every item, from a simple cup of Lavazza coffee to a complex sandwich or pastry, Bread & Water Company delivers on its promise of honest, nourishing sustenance, securing its spot as a must-visit destination for those who value authentic, locally-produced food in Alexandria, VA.

Bread & Water Company Menu

Menu Specials
Tocino Bowl $11.00
House made Filipino style bacon on a bed of steamed jasmine rice, grilled tomato with a runny egg over the top.
Chicken Teriyaki Bowl $11.00
House chicken teriyaki grilled and served over steamed jasmine rice with sauteed cabbage and carrots topped with green onion and teriyaki sauce
Tocino Sandwich $10.00
Sweet and savory house-cured pork shoulder served charred on a brioche bun with garlic aioli, Sriracha ketchup, cheddar cheese and a fried egg.
Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich $10.00
Chicken thigh marinated and glazed in Teriyaki sauce and grilled. Served on our brioche bun with wasabi mayo, grilled pineapple and cabbage.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich $13.00
Marinated grilled chicken thigh served on our house baked brioche bun. Topped with bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato and anchovy mustard.
Pastrami Reuben $14.00
Pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing served hot on our house-baked black bread.

Bread & Water Market
Orzo Salad $7.00
Fresh orzo pasta with spinach, black olives, red onions, basil, pepper, spinach, olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette and feta crumbles.
Smoked Mozzarella and Red Pepper Penne Salad $7.00
Big chunks of smoked mozzarella, julienned roasted red peppers, penne, red wine vinegar and garlic.
Pesto Pasta Salad $7.00
Penne Pasta Salad tossed with house made pesto and parmesan cheese
Caesar Salad $8.00
Traditional Caesar salad with house made garlic croutons, shaved parmesan and Caesar dressing. Pair it with steak or chicken to make it even more substantial.
Caesar Chicken $4.00
Grilled chicken with Dijon mustard marinade.
Goat Cheese $7.50
Classic Chevre from Vermont Creamery.
Goat Cheese, Small $5.00
Classic Chevre from Vermont Creamery

Salads
Citrus Beet & Feta Salad $12.00
House citrus roasted beets, field greens, feta cheese, tomato and cucumber with grilled bread and mustard vinaigrette.
House Salad $2.00
Field greens, tomato, cucumber, pickled red onion and mustard vinaigrette with grilled bread.

Soups & Salads by the Quart
Chicken Stock $8.00
Our House Stock made of slowly simmeredchicken bones and aromatics.
Roasted Tomato Soup $15.00
House recipe of slow-roasted tomatoes. Try some with our Grilled Cheese Sandwich!
Vegetable Stock $15.00
Our house vegetable stock made from onions, carrots, celery, bell peppers and aromatics.
Creamy Mushroom Soup $15.00
A seasoned cream based soup with chunks of Portobello mushrooms.
Kale & Kielbasa Soup $15.00
Kale, kielbasa sausage, onions, chicken stock, herbs and white wine.

All Day Breakfast
Waffle $10.00
House made buttermilk waffle served with real maple syrup and freshly whipped butter. Make it "Super" when you select a sweet or savory variation with ingredients baked in for a unique and delicious twist on our classic Belgian style waffle.
Breakfast Wich $12.00
Our classic bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on our freshly baked sourdough bread with a light smear of garlic aioli. substitute sausage or veggies instead of bacon at no charge.
Breakfast Biscuit $7.00
One of our giant house made buttermilk biscuits, served with your choice of bacon, Italian sausage or grilled Portobello and topped with fluffy scrambled eggs, melted cheddar, sautéed spinach and a smear of red pepper smear aioli.
Breakfast Burrito $12.00
Our robust burrito with potatoes, scrambled eggs, grilled onions peppers with your choice of house made chorizo, grilled Italian sausage, ham, thick cut bacon or grilled Portobello served with our own fresh tomato salsa.
Sausage & Toast $10.00
Two links Italian breakfast sausage, grilled sourdough, apple compote and a small side salad
Big French Toast $10.00
Two thick cut pieces of our house made brioche dipped in French egg custard and griddled to golden brown served with real maple syrup and fresh whipped butter.
Avocado Toast $10.00
Grilled multigrain with freshly sliced ripe avocado, tomato and sprouts.

All Day Sandwiches
Protein Add On (Add to half, full or for an extra full portion with any sandwich) Add Chicken Salad $6, Add Roast Pork $6, Add Bacon $6, Add Roast Turkey $6, Add Grilled Portobello $6
Burrata Sub $11.00
Fresh Burrata, marinated tomato, fresh basil, watermelon radish, house pesto, Agilio e Olio on a toasted ciabatta roll.
Cuban $14.00
Cuban pork, smoked bacon, swiss, stone ground mustard, and house made pickle on a house ciabatta panini.
BLT $12.00
Our thick cut bacon, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, garlic aioli on our signature sourdough bread.
Turkey Pesto $14.00
Fresh house roasted turkey, pesto, tomato and field greens served on our multigrain bread.
Chicken Salad $12.00
Made with our house-roasted and hand-pulled chicken, sliced red grapes, garam masala seasoning and just enough garlic aioli to hold those big chunks of chicken together served as a sandwich on sourdough with red onion jam, tomato and lettuce or buy in containers to make your own salads and sandwiches at home.
Grilled Cheese $10.00
Classic grilled cheese with cheddar, provolone and swiss cheeses on our blaa bread griddled to golden brown perfection.
Avocado Toast $10.00
Grilled multigrain with freshly sliced ripe avocado, tomato and sprouts.

Salads
Protein Add On - Add Chicken Salad $6, Add Roast Pork $6, Add Bacon $6, Add Roast Turkey $6, Add Grilled Portobello $6
Citrus Beet & Feta Salad $12.00
House citrus roasted beets, field greens, feta cheese, tomato and cucumber with grilled bread and mustard vinaigrette
House Salad $9.00
Field greens, tomato, cucumber, pickled red onion and mustard vinaigrette with grilled bread

Bread & Pastry
Baguette $3.00
Sourdough $10.00
Multigrain $10.00
M-Bread $5.00
Black Bread $12.00
Ciabatta $2.00
Muffin $3.00
Chocolate, Marble, Blueberry, Cran-Orange, Banana Nut
Scone $4.00
Lemon Poppy, Cinnamon Chip
Cookie $3.00
Chocolate Chip, Ginger Molasses, Oatmeal Apricot
Biscotti 2 Pk $3.00
Berry Bar $3.00
Cake, Pound $2.50

Coffee & Tea
Drip Coffee $2.50
Fresh brewed medium roast Lavazza coffee
Cold Brew $3.50
House cold brew made daily with medium roast Lavazza beans
Tea $3.25
Hot or iced, select one of our traditional or herbal varieties from Mighty Leaf Tea Company
Cappuccino $3.75
Lavazza Tierra Blend Espresso with steamed milk and a generous amount of milk foam
Latte $3.75
Lavazza Tierra Blend espresso, steamed milk and foam, served hot or iced
Flat White $3.75
Lavazza Tierra Blend espresso, steamed milk with just a bit of micro foam to finish
Mocha $4.25
Lavazza Tierra Blend espresso with our house made 60% dark chocolate syrup and steamed milk with foam
Americano $3.50
Shots of Lavazza Tierra Blend espresso added to hot water to create an espresso flavored version of American drip coffee, served hot or iced
Chai Latte $3.75
Our house made Chai Spice syrup steeped with ginger, cardamom, star anise, black and white pepper and a touch of cinnamon added to brewed Mighty Leaf Bombay Chai Tea and finished with steamed milk and foam, served hot or iced or add a shot of espresso and make it "dirty"!
Cafe au Lait $3.00
Our house brewed Medium Roast Lavazza drip coffee with steamed milk, served hot or cold
Hot Chocolate $3.00
Our house made 60% dark chocolate syrup added to steamed milk, served hot or cold
Espresso $2.50
Hand pulled shot of Lavazza Tierra Blend Espresso
Macchiato $3.75
Hand pulled shot of Lavazza Tierra Blend espresso with a touch of steamed milk and a dollop of foam

Special Order Cakes & Ice Cream
House-made Ice Cream Pint $8.00
House churned custard ice cream made with fresh eggs, cream, milk and sugar--no preservatives or stabilizers, just real ultra premium old fashioned ice cream packed by hand. Rotating flavors, get them while they last and let us know your favorite!
The Classic B Birthday Cake
Vanilla cake with a layer of chocolate filling finished with vanilla buttercream and rainbow sprinklesAll cakes consist of three layers of cake, a filling, house made buttercream and basic finishes. We do not offer custom decorations- cakes will look as they are shown in the pictures. Our cakes are very moist- more rich and dense than light and fluffy- and not too sweet. We use real butter, Callebaut Chocolate, King Arthur Flours, fresh Kriedler Farm Eggs and milk and never add artificial flavorings or colors. We are proud to offer wholesome, pretty and just plain delicious cakes always made fresh to order!Order for your special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries! Simply choose the flavor and size and add a free inscription if desired. Your cake will be baked, built inscribed and ready for pickup in 48 hours. Please call us for sizing and more info.
Triple Chocolate Celebration Cake
Dark chocolate cake filled with chocolate ganache and finished with chocolate buttercreamAll cakes consist of three layers of cake, a filling, house made buttercream and basic finishes. We do not offer custom decorations- cakes will look as they are shown in the pictures. Our cakes are very moist- more rich and dense than light and fluffy- and not too sweet. We use real butter, Callebaut Chocolate, King Arthur Flours, fresh Kriedler Farm Eggs and milk and never add artificial flavorings or colors. We are proud to offer wholesome, pretty and just plain delicious cakes always made fresh to order!Order for your special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries! Simply choose the flavor and size and add a free inscription if desired. Your cake will be baked, built inscribed and ready for pickup in 48 hours. Please call us for sizing and more info.

Cold Drinks
Chocolate Milk 12oz $3.00
Organic grass fed cows milk from South Mountain Creamery.
Strawberry Milk 12 oz $3.00
Organic grass fed whole milk from the South Mountain Creamery
Boylans Soda $4.00
Boylans organic cane sugar sodas.
Naked Juices $4.00
100% juice blended form concentrates and natural juices.

South Mountain Creamery
2% Milk, 1/2 gal $5.00
Organic grass-fed milk from the South Mountain Creamery.
Whole Milk, 1/2 gal $5.00
Organic grass-fed milk from the South Mountain Creamery.
Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese $5.00
Whipped with fresh herbs and garlic from the South Mountain Creamery
Whipped, Salted Butter $7.50
Whipped, salted Butter fresh from the South Mountain Creamery.
Yogurt, 6oz $3.00
Assorted flavors of organic grass-fed, organic yogurt from the South Mountain Creamery.

Bread & Water Company Details

From the business
Identifies as Black-owned
Identifies as women-owned

Service options
Delivery
In-store pickup
In-store shopping
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Coffee

Dining options
Breakfast

Amenities
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Crowd
LGBTQ+ friendly

Planning
Quick visit

Payments
Checks
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
On-site parking

Bread & Water Company Photos

Bread & Water Company Location

Bread & Water Company

Virginia Fairfax County Alexandria Belle View Boulevard

1512 Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307, USA

Bread & Water Company Reviews

An average rating of ★4.1 from 389 user reviews.

breakfast sandwichbaconsoupmenuwaffleslatteloafbreakfast burritofrench toastfarmers market

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

First time visiting and the food did not disappoint.Only reason “atmosphere” is 4 is associated with dine in. Not really a dine-in location. It does have seating outside but inside is limited to one shared table. (8)Place is super nice especially for grab and go.
September 14 · Bryan Eaton
Tucked away in Alexandria, this cozy bakery was interesting to check out! I arrived around 10 am and display was kinda underwhelming. We tried their bread and it was nice and fluffy! However, their staff seemed tired, bored, which is somewhat understandable...
September 06 · KFP F-P
There are not enough stars to communicate how my experience has been with Bread & Water.The customer service is consistent and friendly. It is easy to customize menu items.The food is spectacular and breathtaking. The BLT, chicken pot pie, carrott cake and a hot dog on a roll that is an expeience all by itself. The list goes on.The owner, Markos, is personable and greets me almost every time I go in. It is clear that he has a passion for his business andhis customers. I feel confident telling everyone that it is an experience you must not miss.
August 06 · Ted Camella
I went here today to try the breakfast sandwich that everyone has raved about. The breakfast sandwich is fantastic and I think this is the best bacon I've honestly ever have. Everyone was super friendly and I had great service. I will definitely be coming here again!
August 21 · kat m.
I got waffles, and they were amazing!! The coffee was also great. I also really appreciate the utensils being wooden.
June 07 · H B