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.
Sep 14 · Bryan EatonBAKERY PROFILE
Bread & Water Company
★ 4.0389 recorded reviews$10–20
1512 Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307, USA
Directory information can change. Confirm current hours, prices, products, dietary needs, and custom-order requirements directly with the bakery.
PLAN THE VISIT
Essential details
- Address
- 1512 Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307, USA
- Phone
- (703) 768-0100
- Website
- Visit official site
- Rating signal
- 4.0 from 389 recorded reviews
HOURS
Listed operating hours
- Monday7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
About and visit notes
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.
VISIT FEATURES
Services and accessibility
These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.
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
PHOTOS
See the bakery
VISITOR FEEDBACK
Reviews and recurring themes
Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.
breakfast sandwich 22bacon 20soup 18menu 14waffles 14latte 12loaf 11breakfast burrito 11french toast 9farmers market 7
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...
Sep 6 · KFP F-PThere 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.
Aug 6 · Ted CamellaI 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!
Aug 21 · kat m.I got waffles, and they were amazing!! The coffee was also great. I also really appreciate the utensils being wooden.
Jun 7 · H BNEARBY ALTERNATIVES
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This page combines directory records, available business details, submitted photos, and visitor feedback. Information may be incomplete or change without notice. For corrections, contact server@heavenlydelightsbakery.com.