This is a really unique restaurant experience for the area and adds flair to the conservative atmosphere in Old Town Manassas. Â I've been to Okra's 4-5 times and I usually order their delicious fried gator bites and gumbo. Â They have live music and festivals out in the street during the weekend which really spices up the nightlife in the area. Â The only downside is that the prices are somewhat high which keeps me from frequenting the restaurant more often. Â I love the food, but I do usually just order the gumbo because it's much cheaper than most of the menu items. Â Perhaps if the prices were lower I would try some of the other dishes they have to offer. Â Also, make sure you ask how much the drinks from the bar are going to cost before ordering. Â When we were at the Crawfish Festival we ordered some Jager-bombs which ended up costing $12 each.
Review Source:I enjoyed a lovey meal at Okra's, while visiting the Manassas area earlier this week. Fried oysters, Crawfish Étouffée (the small size, which they call Tee, was plenty!), and Crème Brûlée for dessert - all excellent and served in a charming setting. Half-price wine was a bonus!
My only complaint is that I paid cash for the meal, but ran a little short and had them put about $20 on my credit card. When I checked my card statement, they had charged the entire meal to my credit card. I've called to straighten it out, and am waiting for a manager to call me back. Glad I kept the receipt!
It had been a while since we had been back to Okra's. Â Saturday night we joined my parents for dinner. Â The street next to the restaurant was closed and they had a lot of extra outdoor seating and live music. Â I assume that it was a collaborative effort amongst the several restaurants on that corner. Â We sat inside wanting to keep out of the heat. Â
We started with a fried okra appetizer, very good, the okra was very fresh. Â I ordered the shrimp and grits which comes with grilled squash and I added a side salad. Â The dish was great, maybe a hair on the salty side and the squash was a bit ordinary but still great. Â Everyone enjoyed their meals and two of us took home enough leftovers for lunch the next day. Â
For us, this was a great rebound from our last visit.
I loved Okra's! The atmosphere is great in cute downtown Manassas, whether sitting inside, or out.
They have a delicious gluten free menu, and a large dining room that fit our large group, including three children under two, very well. They have New Orleans style beer on tap, and a great gluten free menu to boot.
I do not have anything particularly unique to say, so I will just tell you what I had.
Proud Mary (Bloody Marry) - Good, could have been spicier. The cajun ring around the rim was delicious.
Cajun Deviled Eggs - Absolutely amazing. Â I would highly recommend. Â I really wanted to get the Alligator Bites, because I remember having alligator when I was a kid and it was delicious. Â Unfortunately, the people I was with did not want to get them.
Tabasco Mixed Grill - Good. Â If I could do it over again I would have gotten two pork chops instead. Â Those were delicious. Â The chicken was just good, not great. Â Same with the shrimp. Â One note, the veggies are ho-hum. Â Steamed and unseasoned if I had to guess.
One note, I'd say this place is a tad pricier than two dolla-bill signs. Â The cheapest plated dish is $16. Â I figure most people get a drink and an appetizer so that would put you above $30 pretty easily. Â I think our bill with 3 people was over $100.
I definitely want to go back for the live music on Friday or Saturday night.
I'm shocked at the great reviews for this place! It must be hit or miss. Service while I was here was terrible. I had the fried okra which was pretty good, but the Jambalaya tasted like zatarans, nothing special and far from spicy. Cornbread was forgettable also. Expensive menu for what you get. Do not recommend!
Review Source:We went there on a quiet Monday night recently. Â Very nice and totally positive experience. Â The food was tasty and varied. Â The waitress was very friendly. Â And the desserts were great. Â Oh, and I enjoyed the New Orleans music playing but not blaring through the air. Â Great restaurant.
Review Source:The best Cajun I have had in 10 years, maybe the best ever. I am so glad I have found this place! The atmosphere was amazing, and everything is clean. Hospitality is out of this world, manager Nick and server Tiffany truly made it an unbelievable experience. If you are looking for a destination restaurant this is it. DO NO go through Northern Virginia with out stopping here! So glad I live near.
Review Source:Went with my wife while we were in the area and decided to try some cajun cuisine.
my wife got the dirty rice plate that has pieces of fried chicken. the fried chicken was delicious and tender.
i got the jambalaya.. the beuacoup (spelling?) size.. which is their larger size. it wasn't very spicy/peppery at all. i added a lot of hot sauce and it still didn't really have a good kick. there was a lot of shrimp in the dish though and the sausage was good.
both dishes were a bit salty, but good. the prices were a bit high. it was almost $40 (after tip)for two people for 2 dishes with just water.
I'm not sure what all the hype about this restaurant was about...While the decor and atmosphere are unique, the music and the patrons were very obnoxious. The food was sub-par, with both my mom and I ordering different variations of jambalaya. My dish, filled with shrimp, sausage, and rice, tasted fine, but I didn't find anything remarkable about our main dish or desert. We finished with a huge piece of Oreo cheesecake. It was extremely rich without a sugary bite, which disappointed me. A little more sweetness would've gone a long way.
To boot, our waiter barely attended to us and did not fill up our empty glasses on a number of occasions throughout the meal.
I wouldn't return to Okra's.
I had the opportunity to visit Okra's twice this past week as I was in the area for business. Â Guess you could say I really liked it because I went back again 2 days later
Service was very good and memorable.  Yes, it was mid-week and not to busy, but the waiter walked thru frequently and attended to needs promptly, drink needing refill, finishing one course and the next coming out, etc.  Additionally, when I sat down at the table, the waiter  noticed that the table was wobbling and he reached down and screwed out the foot on the bottom so it stopped rocking!  First time in any restaurant I have had a waiter attend to this.  Impressive!
Food was great/excellent. Â The Jambalaya was the best I have ever had as it was chocked full of shrimp and sausage. Â Impressive. Â Great Flavor. Â I did find the food dishes to rather mild, but it is certainly hard to please all palates, but it is easier to add hot sauce than to have too much. Â So I added! Â Short of hopping on a plane to NOLA, I felt this was the best I would find in this area. Â I would certainly drive 30 to 45 minutes to come here to satisfy my yearning for Cajun & Creole food. Â
Pricing - I felt that the pricing was in line where it should be.  Nothing is cheap these days, but with their option for  1/2 sized entrees for those that don't want to be stuffed, felt it was great.
Can't wait to go back with friends!
My husband and I recently moved from Alexandria to Manassas and were thrilled there was a cajun/creole restaurant in town. We are a bit picky when it comes to cajun/creole food.
We had a craving for fried oysters last week, so we decided to try Okra's. We were happy just ordering fried oysters and alligator bites, and the bar atmosphere was great. PLUS, since it was Mardi Gras, they had King Cake... this was the first year I didn't order one directly from Haydel's Bakery in New Orleans, so I was so happy they had it as a special and it was delicious!
So the four stars go to decent fried oysters, Abita beer on tap, Kind Cake for Mardi Gras, and great bar atmosphere. We will be back!
The featured Abita beers on tap are a must try, along with the alligator bites! My boyfriend and I love coming to Okra's for the casual authentic atmosphere and food, we only wish we could afford to eat here every week! The mission statement on the menus, written by the owner, is completely verifiable too. Â You really do get the sense that the bar tenders, wait staff, and guests are close like family. Â The last time we went, we even sat next to the owner at the bar! If you like Cajun/Louisiana style food you must try this place!
Review Source:My parents came to VA for a visit and they went out for drinks and appetizers at Okra's...and they LOVED it!! Â My parents could not stop raving about the staff and how polite and friendly they were, especially the bartender (unfortunately I don't remember his name). Â They said he took time to explain the different beers, food, and even showed them around the restaurant. Â They loved the food and they brought home the Muffuletta sandwich for me. Â The sandwich was great, just what I remember from New Orleans. Â
We all will definitely be going back and will recommend this place to all of our visitors that stay with us!
I'm a tough critic on Cajun food as I am from Louisiana and spent all my life there until recently. My entire family still lives in Louisiana.
Okras is more of a mainstream Cajun joint. It offers all the traditional Cajun fare and, I must admit, its pretty authentic tasting. My favorite dishes are the Shrimp n Grits (although the taste is a bit more low country South Carolina style than Cajun), the cornbread and the bread pudding. I also like the gator bites, but they are not fresh. They taste frozen and are overly spiced and salted.
Their drinks are very good and I love that they have a variety of Abita beers on tap. The service is always great and the bartenders really know their mixes! Okras is a great night out restaurant with friends.
Okay, I am from Louisiana so let me state my standards are very high for Cajun Cuisine. Â I recently moved to VA and was surprised when I met another Coon Ass(means Cajun for you non LAs) that recommended Okra's. Â She did forewarn me not to expect too much since I just moved here from LA. Â The food was good and the service was great. Â Appreciate the decor as it does remind me of home. Â ABITA ON TAP!!! AAAYEEE! Â I always get a pint when I go here. Â Look Abita~
I would prefer to give it 3.5, but most of the people here in VA do not know what real cajun food is hence the 4. Â We do eat here when I am homesick, but I stick to cooking the cajun food at home. Â I always have this problem whenever we move. Â Hard to find the good cajun stuff. Â Plus the board of health would probably shut it down if there was restaurant here with game meats! Â LOL
I am excited for crawfish season as I understand they do a few things at Okra's. Â It is a great place to check out if you are looking for something fun to try. Â If you are Creole, be realistic with the location. Â It is pretty good for VA, but not if you were in Sportman's Paradise. Â It will make you homesick when you are sipping on that Abita looking at the decor.
Over a year after my first visit, Okra's continues to be a favorite spot for the wife and I in Manassas. And while we still like to bring friends and family here for meals, we find ourselves going to Okra's more and more to enjoy the drinks, casual food, and atmosphere.
As mentioned in my first review, they feature all Abita beers on tap ... and now that I've gotten my beer chops back, I can comment on them a bit better. As a pale ale guy, the Restoration Pale Ale is my favorite here, and one of my favorite pale ales overall. The Andygator is an excellent golden Dopplebock and probably the strongest beer they have on tap. The Pecan Harvest fall seasonal was very good - it reminded me more of an ESB (like Left Hand's Sawtooth) in both color and finish on the palette. That's been replaced by the Christmas seasonal, which is typically not my kind of beer because I find they taste like drinking a Christmas tree. But I do like this one ... it still has those "Christmas Tree" notes but is better balanced. And, of course, they have the Abita "flagship" beers - Â the venerable Turbo Dog brown ale and Purple Haze, still the standard by which many fruit beers are measured.
The wife has discovered that they have a nice selection of house specialty shots at the bar, and the bartenders are very friendly in describing them and making sure she likes them. And I LOVE the chicken livers here - it's rare that there is a time that I go in there and don't order them.
My only two complaints. First, they have only seven Abita beers available, and seem to keep the same ones except for the seasonal. I know they had the excellent Jockamo IPA on tap in the past, and I would love to see that back. But it's refreshing (and a bit odd) to see them completely snub the IPA when most beer-centric places focus too heavily on them.
Second, the bar space is VERY small and limited, and with the great beer and shots selection and friendly bartenders, I would think they could do a lot more business at the bar if they expanded the seating here. However, these complaints are minor ... the bartenders are starting to recognize the wife and I as regulars now :-)
I've been living in Manassas since 2004 and finally ventured outside of Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Logan's. Wanted something different and came across Okra's. Service was great and very attentive to your needs.
Food choice: I ordered the Tabasco Mixed Grill which was blackened chicken, grilled shrimp and french cut pork chop along with red beans & rice and vegetables. This was a good choice the only down side was the chicken was a little dry. Overall the food had a good flavor.
Atmosphere: First time visit and was very impressed. It's a really nice place to enjoy without being overcrowded and too noisey. Comfortable. There was jazz music in the background which could have been lowered just a little bit but nothing to painful. Â
Overall take on Okra's: I will visit again...
I would give it 4.5 stars. Honestly one of the best cajun food places, if not THE best, in the DC area. Worth a drive out to Manassas if you live in the area and want to try something new. The staff is very friendly and attentive and the food always arrives quickly. I would recommend the oyster po boy or jambalaya as well as the black bean hummus and the gator bites... I would actually recommend anything on the menu. Always a great experience. Will be back soon!
Review Source:Been dining here for several years, Always good food ~ today lunch sampling...
Crab and Corn Chowder Cup - A creamy blend of blue crab and yellow sweet corn with a hint of thyme & Cornbread. Les Trois Cochons "Three Pigs" - Three pork skewers with mushrooms and peppers, served over hoppin johns with a blackberry demi.
Cajun Chopped Salad - A medley of fresh chopped greens, sliced peppers, pecans, tomatoes, and our warm Creole vinaigrette with grilled chicken breast. Our waiter to day (Larry) provided outstanding service too!
We used to love Okra's but that was back when they first opened. Â Everything seemed fresher and the specials were definitey more creative. Â We still visit on a somewhat regular basis but I get the feeling that something has changed with the ownership. Â It's not bad, it's just not the same.
Appetizers, entrees, and cocktails are all consistently good. Â And if you can get a table outside, do it. Â Especially on a Friday or Saturday night when they close off the street and share the live music with a neighboring restaurant.
They do not offer a kids' menu but our 8-year old has been happy with ordering the crawfish bites off the appetizer section and our teenagers love the Cajun burgers and muffalettas.
I was looking for something a bit different while my Mom was visiting, so decided to give this place a try.
Food was excellent. I had the crawfish etoufee, and was very happy that they serve two different sizes, I had a smaller portion and it was excellent. My partner had a burger and he said it was one of the better ones he's had in a good long while. Service was very friendly and the place had a really good locals vibe.
Okra's is just about the best Old Town Manassas has to offer. Â It's on the corner of Center and Battle Streets in the heart of the historic district. Â It's a trendy Cajun restaurant with authentic Louisana offerings and unique Abita Beers. Â
They have outside seating and live entertainment during the warm months. Â At night the street next to the establishment is closed off and a stage is erected. Â The place is a great spot for casual eating at lunch and dinner time and a bar / singles atmosphere during the later hours.
The food is great. I had the jambalaya and my wife sampled the Red Beans & Rice. Â Both featured an amazing andouille sausage that leaves a party on your taste buds. Â They have a kids menu and our four year old had a great time munchin on chicken fingers and fries.
Missed a star because of the cramped seating, loud noise and mediocre service - the food was slow and our waitress was inattentive as our drinks became empty and she was nowhere to be found when we needed her.
My first visit to Okra's, my wife's second. I have been meaning to eat there since Michelle Obama made the trip to Manassas last year, to check it out. It is close-by and easy to get to from Bristow.
We got there around 6 on Saturday night. It was not packed, but there was a decent crowd. I was impressed by the fact that the restaurant was tidy, and intimate. The hostess was friendly, and I noticed that she was pleasant and held the door for all who were leaving. That was a nice touch.
Our server arrived promptly, and we ordered drinks. My wife had a "dirty" martini, and I had a Louisana craft beer from on tap. I ordered an IPA, which is my favorite type of beer. It wasn't as good as a Dogfish Head ale, or even something from Sierra Nevada, but it was't bad.
What I really liked about this place is the choice of small and large portions on the menu. That is a great option to have. It gives the diner a lot more flexibility in what they eat. My wife hat the "Tee" as is "petite" size of shrimp and grits. She liked them a lot. (This is the same dish she had the first time she was at Okra's). I have the dirty rice. It was pretty good. It included vegetables, rice, ground beef and chicken livers. The flavors were pretty good. It was served with fried chicken. The chicken was kind dry, and it would have been nice if there was some type of sauce to dip or cover the chicken with.
For dessert we had a slice of key lime pie. It had pieces of nuts on top, but other than  that was pretty standard key lime pie. That slice cost $7.95, which in my opinion was overpriced about $2 or $3.
My overall impression of the restaurant is positive, and I look forward to trying other dishes on the menu. Our server was quite good. He may have given us a bit too long a time with our menu's, but that is a minor quibble. The food came quickly, and was hot. The prices were reasonable, to borderline inexpensive; (except for dessert).
We went here after reading the Yelp reviews. This place is very good! And it's located downtown Manassas, so it has a lot of old town charm. I liked it very much.
The food is very good too. I had the shrimp and grits. It was really good. I loved their grits, smooth and buttery. Shrimp was good too. My husband and the shrimp po'boy and he was so full afterwards that he passed out as soon as he got home. Good night for me? (wink, wink)
Overall, service was quite good. Â Our waiter was friendly and checked on us a couple of times during the meal. Â He was also very kid-friendly, which I realy appreciated. Atmosphere was good too. Not too loud and not too quiet!
We will come back for sure.
We hadn't been out to Manassas in quite some time. Â Today, we ventured out there to see what the mall was like these days. Â In the past, we would end up eating at one of the many chain restaurants that line Sudley Road. Â I figured it was time to try something different, so I searched Yelp for ideas and came up with Okra's.
It's in Old Town Manassas near the VRE/Amtrak station. Â Parking is either street or a garage. Â We found a spot on a street less than a block away from the restaurant.
When we arrived at about quarter to 5 on a Saturday, our first impression was that the place was very noisy. Â However, there was a large crowd at the bar that left enmasse about 15 minutes later. Â After they left, I wouldn't say that the place is quiet but at least we could talk without shouting.
Our waiter took a while to get to us, yet it wasn't so long that we got annoyed.  At least it gave us enough time to decide what we wanted.  To drink, I had a Mojo Martini which is made with coffee.  It was a weak  pour that, to me, tasted like iced coffee with cream and sugar---not a bad drink.  My husband had an Abita Amber which was on tap.
After taking our order, our waiter brought us silverware and cloth napkins. Â The napkin was wrapped around the silverware and around the napkin was, a set of Mardi Gras beads. Â That was a fun touch!
We started with an appetizer of Cajun deviled eggs. Â This consists of 6 egg halves served on a large piece of Romaine lettuce and garnished with shredded carrots. Â There was a very small amount of bacon bits and a goodly amount of cayenne pepper. Â They were spicy but not so spicy that we complained. Â We've had Cajun deviled eggs at Mokomandy---their eggs are salty, instead of spicy. Â So, for us, it was a toss up as to which ones we liked better.
For my main course, I ordered Crawfish Etouffee. Â It comes in 2 sizes ''Tee", which is an 8-oz. serving or "Beaucoup", which is a 16-oz. Â serving. Â I chose the "Tee", which was a wise choice as it turned out to be just enough. Â This dish consists of "crawfish tails simmered in seafood stock with a rich blend of roasted garlic, aromatic vegetables and herbs served over rice". Â The end result was a tasty dish where all the flavors melded together very nicely rather than having one flavor overpowering the others. Â There is a hint of spiciness which I found to be just right. Â The last time I had this dish was 3 years ago in New Orleans and I must say that I much prefer Okra's version.
My husband had for his main course, Boucherie Chops, with the "chops" Â being pork chops. Â This dish is available with either one or two chops, my husband had one chop. Â It consists of "A French cut pork chop marinated, grilled and resting on a mound of red skinned mashed potatoes, drizzled with andouille pan gravy and served with sauteed vegetables (the vegetables were yellow squash, zucchini and onions). Â I tasted a bit of the chop and, like my husband, thought it could have been a bit more tender. Â However, it wasn't overcooked and had a nice char-grilled flavor to it. Â The mashed potatoes had a nice, buttery flavor. Â The vegetables were very flavorful and the andoullie gravy complimented the chop very well. Â My husband was tempted to lick his plate clean LOL!
Overall, service was quite good. Â Our waiter was friendly and checked on us a couple of times during the meal. Â Dinner cost $50 + change before the tip. Â We both agree that we would return here for a meal next time we're in Manassas. Â It's so nice to have such a great option to the Sudley Road chain food!
This is a top notch place. Â It has a fun small place feel, if you want a pub, this is it. If you want family sit down dinner, this is it. Â I don't even remember all the great food I've had there but everything I have put in my mouth from this place has been too die for. Â
What I can say, I was not a huge fan of Cornbread before I went here, now anytime I have cornbread it's never the same. Â You get a large piece and it is light and fluffy and so full of flavor. Â Not to mention I could eat their Beignets by the plate full.
I can't wait to go there this week for my birthday celebration.
I'm going to update my review on this. Â It's been a very long time since I've been there, and they've made vast improvements. Â One of the things they've done is they've got a grill chef. Â He's cooking grilled chicken breast, grilled pork chops, grilled shrimp and some very nice looking cow meat.
This guy is located in a back room. Â You don't even notice it when you come in the main entrance. Â There's a small room with some tables and a second bar. Â Behind the second bar, it's not really a bar. Â This is where the grill chef works. Â You can sit at the bar and watch him. Â You can talk to him. Â Precious is a cooking enthusiast so she enjoyed watching him and asking him about what he was doing. Â He had this sauce that he would put on the chicken, and it looked really really good. Â When he ran out, he made some more, and we got to see how to make it.
The food coming out of this little grill kitchen was awesome. Â We had just gone there for drinks because Precious likes their margaritas, and they have this Turbo Dog beer that is the best beer I've ever had, and this is the only place I know where you can get it. Â But I know it won't be long before we come back and get some of that good food that guy was cooking.
3.5 stars.
Ambiance and decor over the actual food (NOT SPICY ENOUGH!)
I loved, loved the alligator bites. Hell, I just love alligator, but the dipping sauce was nowhere near spicy enough for me. I asked for some hot sauce/spices and the server replied with "we have tabasco" err okay. I was looking for something more fun, authentic or new. We ordered the jambulaya and pasta diablo. Not too shabby. I actually liked the jambulaya better. It was richer with more flavor or maybe I'm just partial to rice in general :) The pasta was alright, i've had better spicy pastas cooked at home for me. It had a nice base flavor but definitely needed more heat. The 30+ frozen "skrimps" I did not enjoy. I even mentioned this during my meal, that I would rather have 3-4 good quality FRESH jumbo shrimps than 30+ defrosted squishy ones. This was the only thing that I didn't enjoy... at all.
LIVE MUSIC on Fridays and Saturdays!!! Our server said in the summer they shut down one of the side streets and the band plays outside. Awesome. I dabbled in their signature cocktails (down and dirty martini and mojo martini) both were tasty!
I'm definitely a fan of this place. There's not many places where you can grab dinner, have a conversation without screaming and saying multiple "huh's" and "ehhhh's" and with good service. I'm excited to visit this place when the weather warms up!
Some of the food is a little bit pricey but it's really good. Beware the spice if you have a sensitive mouth to hot foods.
I have loved everything i've tried here. This place also has atmosphere, friendly employees and good music. I would definitely recommend it.
If you come in early it's not crowded and the service is very fast.
Love it!
Try the alligator!
What a great experience! Â We drove several miles out of the way just to come here and we were not disappointed! Â Parking is on the street so that was a bit tricky, but we later learned that there is a nearby garage. Â Next time, we won't be newbies and we'll be a pro at finding a parking spot!
Upon entereing the restaurant, we were warmly greeted and I must say that I felt like "family". Â I felt like I was at my uncle's restaurant or something. Â This was due to the coziness of the restaurant, the great server that we had, and the manager being visible and seeing the teamwork of the staff.
We ordered the fried okra as an appetizer. Â My husband, who doesn't like okra, loved it! I was amazed! Â The okra was very tasty indeed. Â The okra tasted fresh instead of frozen and the breading was seasoned perfectly. Â The okra was not greasy and the breading stayed glued to the okra beautifully. Â Yum!
We ordered the flounder special, which was stuffed with crab, served with rice and veggies. Â It was all very delicately flavored in my opinion. Â The rice was plain but expertly cooked...not sticky, clumpy or anything. Obviously parboiled rice. Â The veggies consisted of yellow squash and zucchini. It was lightly seasoned. Â It looked heavily seasoned with black peper, but as it turned out, it actually tasted lightly seasoned to me. The flounder had a type of beurre blanc sauce on it and this gave the fish its flavor. Â The crab stuffing was very simple. Â
Hubs ordered the Fried Catfish PoBoy and enjoyed it. Â He said the bread was a bit too hard though.
We ordered sides of  red beans and rice and cornbread.  Hubs thought the cornbread was ultra delicious.  I thought he was going to run around the restaurant for a second there!  The cornbread was great!  You should try it.  It's kind of sweet and light.  The red beans and rice was okay.
We tried the special bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Â It was great! Â The key lime pie was meh. Â Skip that and try a different dessert.
Service was excellent! Â Ask for Tiffany!
We will return and try other items on the menu!