Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza + Tap

Since opening in 2015, Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap has seen a lot of changes around Old Town, but nothing has changed about the concept behind the restaurant. “The inspiration came from my husband’s mother, Lena, and the restaurant was created to provide a gathering place for families and friends to escape their hectic daily routines, relax and commune in an environment reminiscent of the family table,” says Loren Yates, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, Jason.

In June of 2020, in response to the impact COVID had on local restaurants, the Yates family expanded on the “gathering place” concept by creating Lena's Oasis, a tropical-themed outdoor tented dining experience. The Loft at Lena's followed that winter, providing a dining experience that completely changes themes every few months. Their current theme, Velvet & Rye, offers an opulent and sophisticated speakeasy vibe. “This particular concept has been the most popular experience to date and one of our favorites as well, so we've kept it a little longer than the past experiences,” says Loren. “Still, we're looking forward to a new transformation of the space in early 2023—one that we're not quite ready to share.”

Giving back to the local community has always been integral to the Yates business culture. Lena's supports ALIVE!, Alexandria's Child, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, several breast cancer awareness organizations and local Del Ray community events. “It brings us a lot of joy to support these vital organizations,” says Loren. “Each of them makes our community a great place to live and work.”