Lakeside seating with water views sets this Sterling brewpub apart from the typical Loudoun County spot, and the kitchen earns repeat visits through standouts like crab and shrimp fritters, a vanilla bean crème brûlée that regulars call among the best they've tried, and addictive house bread. The place fills up fast (within 30 minutes of opening on a recent weekday lunch), so reservations are worth making before you go.
What visitors often mention Visitors often mention friendly staff, the atmosphere, food options.
R
Reviewer
★★★★★
Sweetwater Tavern has been twice in a week a great experience. The food and service is just good and the pricing is fair for the quality you get. Be informed, this is a busy place because it is fantastic. Booking could be an advantage
R
Reviewer
★★★☆☆
It’s been many years since I’ve been to this location of Sweetwater, so when in the area with a co-worker we came in for lunch. Getting there soon after they opened for the day, they were empty, but within 30 mins, they were packed.
Service was decent, not very personable, but very good and on-point. I’ve been to nearly all the GAR restaurants over the years… I’ve been eating at Mike’s since ’91, so I’ve had many meals at their places, but have never tried their crab cakes. I decided this trip to try their crab cake sandwich. I have to say it was a very sad looking sandwich! No lettuce nor tomato on it. There was the smallest dot of remoulade on it and the crab cake itself had a strong lemon flavor, not much of a crab flavor and constantly fell out of the bun when I took each bite. There was a slightly higher amount of breading/filler than a true MD crab cake should have and it was just lackluster. GAR does so many things so very well and being the first customers of the day, I wanted to order their fillet tips, as they frequently run out, but I changed it up to get this and totally regretted my decision.
My coworker’s tuna salad looked absolutely amazing though and he raved about it!
Overall, I’d most definitely return, they might have hiccups at times, but are still the best restaurant chain in the area. But I am disappointed with this visit.
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