The Most Delectable Italian in Washington

Piccolina

★★★★☆ 3.9 (124)

"Feeling such exuberance after my first experience at Piccolina that I'm going to have to break my rule about not writing a review for a restaurant in the city I live in until I've had a second try. I organized a happy hour event for a nonprofit group I lead, and in looking for a woman-run business with a sustainability focus, I discovered Amy Brandwein and Piccolina - by the end of the night I was wondering how I've never heard of the restaurant before for the pure in general!First off, I have to express sincere appreciation for the service - when I arrived at the restaurant on a Wednesday evening shortly after 5, I was quickly greeted by the host, who seated me at exactly the table I wanted, which happened to be the best table in the restaurant. The server for my party was Vidal, and from the beginning, when he assured me that it was totally fine that I was expecting maybe 10ish people? and I don't know what time they're arriving? to when I paid my check at the end of the evening, he was fantastic. Flexible, attentive, friendly and just so darn nice AND cool - give this man a promotion!I arrived in time to get the happy hour menu, which meant I got a great price on the delicious Hugo spritz, as well as the option of the delicious piatto misto appetizer platter. I had a hungry crew so I only got to taste the fungi skewer, but it was super good. And many others in my party ordered delicious looking pizzas that I absolutely have to return for.The restaurant interior is elegant and minimalist - it's kind of got a bakery aesthetic while also projecting low-key romantic-casual restaurant vibes (that's why I'll be coming back with my partner). I'm so happy to have had a reason to discover Piccolina, definitely one of my new DC favorites!"

Scolapasta

★★★★☆ 3.8 (38)

"After seeing this constantly on social media, I stopped by here with my friend visiting from out of town! It was super crowded at Tyson's Galleria, but the wait wasn't too bad for this spot.Scolapasta has fresh pasta with a variety of options for sauces and customizations well. My friend and I picked the Radiatori with White Truffle sauce (no toppings), which was super delicious! Plenty of good mushrooms in there for umami as well. It's at a "food court", so there's plenty of seating, but it's really loud all around, if you're here on a weekend.It comes in a to go container, which is super nice to hold and utilize, and you can even walk around the mall and munch on it if needed! The sauce was super tasty mixed with the radiatori pasta shape, which was cooked al dente and had a magnificent texture. My friend commented on the speediness of preparations as well, since everything is made fresh right in front of you! It is also a great portion for two people to share (if you're carb-conscious).If you want a yummy spot to eat that's convenient and great value at the Tysons Galleria, stop by here for a quick bite!"

Pulcinella restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (237) • $$

"Yesterday we ordered lasagna and although there was a blooper with the order staff was very kind and made up for it. Lasagna was very yummy simple and delicious. Today we returned for pizza. Crust was thin, not chewy and did not get hard when it cooled. Perfect for folding and eating. I think it's my new pizza spot."

Dante Ristorante

★★★★☆ 4 (138) • $$$

"After a day of meetings my CEO brought his direct reports to dinner to unwind . For many years I have not been a fan of Italian food but that has slowly changed so now I know what to order and enjoy.This restaurant is in Great Falls very close to route 7 and Reston.Slightly tucked away in a corner you have to drive around and in as we found out when we all called Ubers to take us back home.Very nice inside atmosphere we were provided a room for of us which provided an intimate setting with a bar.For appetizers we had the calamari, mozzarella, Torretta and of course bread and oil. With green olives. All very tasty .For main courses it varied from the sole special which I had and was awesome cooked to perfection. Others had the lobster tail , veal, lamb chops . All enjoyed their food.For dessert cannoli and Pannacciulli cotta. Wine of course which accompanied the meal.Very quaint inside and I have several pictures.A definite recommend ."

Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (566) • $$

"Alonzo was the best. Such great recommendations, cocktails, and conversation. The whole staff is wonderful and the food is GREAT.If they'd serve pisco sours, that'd make it even more perfect ;-)"

Cafe Aurora

★★★★☆ 4 (151) • $$

"I really like this place and the food is quite good. The woman owner is lovely. I first met her more than 20 years ago at their grand opening. I left Virginia for a number of years. Now that I am back and was so near, I stopped in for a Saturday brunch treat.The menu (and there is a QR if you like to order on your phone) is not huge but provides enough choices with many breakfast items and drinks. This is a great place for vegetarians and even has some vegan offerings but also some traditional meat dishes. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.I had the breakfast dish with eggs, Kitcha fitfit, and fu'ul. It was delish and ample. I also had the organic flaxseed drink (smoothie with soy milk base) to go. I asked for it without the honey and it still tasted so good. I saw people next to me eating french toast and it looked fluffy and super delish.The only down side to this place is that there is so little seating and it is lively -you will be sitting close to others and hear a bit of their convos even if you don't want to listen. That shouldn't be a deterrent, though, because the food is worth it and the ambience is still nice and friendly. I would say there is table seating for about 25 people plus an additional 10 barstool seats at the counter.Everyone up in the joint while I was there was probably Eritrean or Ethiopian with a couple of exceptions, including me. I say that in a good way, because it means people are going there because the food is authentic and good. If you are not familiar with Eritrean food, I highly recommend it.This cafe is a bit of fushion, bringing together American and Eritrean fare that has something for everyone (vegetarians, vegans, and carnivores). Besides breakfast/brunch items that are offered all day long (yay!), they offer salads, soup, sandwiches, pasta dishes, pastries, and traditional meals (veggie only or chicken, lamb, fish, or shrimp based dishes). The have a nice drink menu that includes a variety of coffee items, traditional tea with cinnamon and cardamom, and the organic flaxseed smoothie which I recommend.I would give this place 4.5 stars, because it is tiny and can be crowded during peak times. It's too small to have more than one waitress with the owners assisting. I am not criticizing anyone for that -it's just a small business. It's casual with a good ambience, clean, enjoyable, and the waitress/owners are nice. More importantly, the food is very good and it is clear the owners care about healthy and tasty meals. I highly recommend for breakfast, lunch, or a casual dinner... and for take out. Lovely cafe and I wish the owners another 20+ years of business success. Great addition to the neighborhood."

Pizza Pie Me

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (85)

"Ordered supreme pizza (L) with garlic knots (6) for two people! The food was prepared quickly and the staff was friendly. I asked for some extra garlic sauce for my garlic knots (yes, I am THAT kind of person! :D ), they gave me without any complaints. Seating are very limited, which is understandable since most of their customers would order for either pick-up or delivery. Street parkings are available.A week later, we ordered another supreme pizza (Medium this time) with of course garlic knots! They are just so doughy and good!"

Trattoria Da Lina

★★★★★ 4.5 (237) • $$

"I wiuld honestly say that this place used to be better.Making a reservation on a weeknight, I was told that novtables were available at 6:39 pn. Only 6:15 snd 6:45 were available. This turned out to be compketely untrue (we came at 6:15 and the place was still largely empty by 6:30 pm).Our waiter was impossible to understand . He raced through the specials and we had to ask him to repeat them several times.Formely the menu had a lot of choices . This is now down to just a handful. This would be okay if they were all exceptional, but alas, no. I had the pasta special (large sized pasta filled with cheese), which was mushy and overcooked. The waiter had recommended it saying "we rarely make this," and now i understand why.The salads used to be splittable, but alas no more. We had barely a mouthful each with the ceasar and it had nothing hinting at anchovy in it.I would say the prices here remain on the high side for Italian but for tge life of me I dont know ehy.This place used to be a special treat for us, but in its present incarnation, I'm not sure we'll even go back."

Divino Ristorante

★★★★★ 4.6 (16)

"This was my 3rd time dining -- and the Chef always executes!Had the Osso Bucco and the Porcini ravioli - Excellent. The Osso Bucco was melt-in-your-mouth good! Super tender!Finished with the espresso martini tiramisu! Very light and tasty!Just an overall super satisfying dining experience!(Oh yeah - split a bottle of Barolo with my friend which was perfect for the Osso Bucco.)"

RPM Italian

★★★★☆ 4 • $$$

"I took my girlfriend here, and we had an amazing experience! From the moment we walked in, we didn't wait long to be seated. The dim lighting gave the place a moody, classic vibe--almost like a scene from The Sopranos. The ambiance was warm and welcoming, setting the perfect tone for our meal.Our waitress was knowledgeable about the menu, which made ordering easy. I went with the lamb chops, cooked perfectly to my liking, and absolutely delicious. She ordered the branzino with broccolini and loved every bite.Overall, we had a fantastic time and will definitely be back soon!"

Slice & Pie Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.1 (117)

"Oh the wonderful pizzaplaces in DC I love gourmet pizza and I love their pizza sauce and their Detroit crust my new favorite Detroit style pizza place but This is a $55 pizza restaurant And you will want the whole pizza ! My favorite Detroit pizza is meatball garlic oil basil burata , sausage hot honey pepperoni is diabolically delicious"

Mamma Lucia of Bethesda

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (396) • $$

"One of my favorite pizza places growing up had the same name so I wondered if there was any affiliation between the two. They have many locations in Maryland but there was no connection between this one and the one I grew up on.The restaurant smelled amazing. I was greeted right away with a smile. There was room for dining in but the restaurant was already full. I ordered a slice of the barbecue chicken pizza and a slice of their white pizza. The flavor on the barbecue chicken was decent but the white pizza didn't taste like anything at all. The price point was on par with other pizza places. You can tell that the restaurant is family owned so that's a nice touch. They have many more offerings than pizza so If I do return, I would try something else."

Tony’s NY Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.7 (100)

"Food is terrific and service is thorough. Take out items were checked in my presence."

Filomena Ristorante

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"I finally tried the famous Filomena! They still had their Christmas decorations up, which was A LOT, but it made the place feel so warm and festive. It felt like stepping into someone's cozy home.The prices here are definitely on the higher side, so keep that in mind. I ordered the Linguine Cardinal with lobster, and it was absolutely delicious, rich and full of flavor. Our meals came out very fast, which was great, but about 10 minutes after they arrived, we were asked if we wanted boxes. That made me feel a little rushed.After boxing up our meals, we checked out the dessert menu and decided on the Cookies and Cream Mousse. It was light and fluffy, but nothing too exciting just a simple, solid dessert. A nice touch was the complimentary shots of either Amaretto or Sambucca. I chose the Amaretto, which was very sweet with a bold kick!This isn't the kind of place I'd go for a casual dinner. It's more of a planned experience because of the prices. I'd consider coming back to try other dishes, but it's definitely more of a special occasion spot for me."

Franconia Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.6 (56) • $

"I have ordered from here for years without issue. Every time my food is hot, fast, and delicious. The pizzas have a generous layer of cheese and a chewy crust. The fries are crispy. I have no complaints!"

Sandella's Flatbread Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (40) • $$

"For the first year of working at HUD, I would tease one of my coworkers for being the only person I knew who actually ate at Sandella's. He would shrug it off and tell me something like Brazilian sauce is life. Well, one day I finally relented and had a Brazilian Chicken flatbread and my life was forever changed. Well I don't know about life, but certainly my lunch options. Man cannot live on Roti alone, after all. What is Brazilian sauce? Who knows! It's sweet, kind of spicy, and goes well with flatbread, chicken and cheese. Service is always quick, and since high schoolers don't know what Sandella's is there often isn't a crowd even in the highest of tourist season (a problem that plagues other L'Enfant establishments).I have since blessedly moved away from having to eat at L'Enfant plaza, but every time I am back I stop by Sandella's and grab a flatbread that reminds me of the most miserable time of my life."

North Italia

★★★★☆ 3.9 (465) • $$

"Went here during lunch hour on a Friday.Service was great, server was prompt and very accommodating.We ordered the calamari, pesto pasta, penne vodka, truffle bread, among other things.Food was very tasty, even had their hefeweizen to wash it all done. Very good beer by the way, if you like Blue Moon, this would be right up your ally.Ample seating indoors for large partiesHighly recommend this place as I am a frequent diner."

Mangialardo

★★★★★ 4.6 (381) • $

"Mangialardo's is a hallmark of D.C. food culture. They have been around forever and it taste delicious as ever, fresh as it always has been, and continually delivers value. Pick your sub roll (soft or hard). Decide on whether you want it cold or oven-warmed. I adore the tuna salad cold sub on a soft roll with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise, sweet peppers, and oil-vinegar. So simple, but just masterfully made. Those topping are it too, except they have mustard and S&P. No fancy micro-greens or avocado or gimmicky aiolis. Back in the day (been coming here since the 1970s as a kid) the turkey and cheese sub was my go to. It is flavorful and hearty with a perfect meat-to-bread ratio. Those who partake in pork seem to love the "G" man sub that features salami, mortadella, pepperoni, and cheese. Of the hot subs I get the pizza sub with no meat but extra cheese. The red gravy and cheese just melts into the soft roll to form a chef's dream school lunch French bread style pizza. The corned beef and the pastrami subs are excellent too. Every once in a while they have macaroni salad (perfectly prepared) but the real side are a bag of chips. Give me Utz crab flavor or an old school bag of pretzels. The owner's family sells homemade brownies that are divine. Nothing fancy, probably a box of Betty Crocker brownie mix, but I get them every time with no complaints.The family-run sandwich shop has a perfect menu consisting of freshly made sandwiches that are classics. If you are fed up with places that are more concerned about wowing you with an exotic ingredient no matter whether it is good on a sandwich, or places that are more bourgeoisie in style over working-class substance, then Mangialardo's is for you. Carry-out only, but the services is excellent. Knowing their customers and treating them like family (old faces and newbies alike) is my favorite part about coming. They been in the same place for decades! Even the call ahead ordering number, (202) 543-6212, has not changed since at least the 1970s, when you didn't have to dial the area code to call within the city. Old school, simple, classic. Five stars easily."

Cafe Renaissance

★★★★☆ 4.2 (375) • $$$

"1/23/24: absolutely lovely date night spot. we shared the french onion soup and it was AMAZING, highly rec this. i got the chicken with mushroom sauce. hub got veal. he loved his entree. when i go back im gtg the french onion soup and not sharing! their drinks were really good. i got the french 75 and husband got the french martini. fab service by all. they def give a lot of space for yall to talk. they wont rush the dinner.we already talked about coming back."

Sfizi Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (310) • $$

"Been here three times now. Twice has been for Father's Day and then most recently, Mother's Day. We chose it bc it has nice outdoor seating and we always bring dogs- so our choices are limited. They've improved their patio seating with comfortable cushions and large sunbrellas. The food has always been pretty good. The Bianca pizza was out of this world amazing the year prior but that seemed to have changed. It doesn't taste as good as it did before. Service is amazing- I can see they don't cut corners here. They even accommodated by making fettuccini Alfredo, which wasn't on the menu. I liked their salad but I'm going to stick to pasta- seems like that's their specialty and I love how homemade it tastes."

Armand's Pizzeria & Grille

★★★★☆ 3.6 (241) • $$

"Armand's is the home of deep dish in the DMV. They offer dine-in with beer specials and pizza by the slice, carry out, and delivery. I'm a big fan of their Detroit style pizza, which always comes out amazing with a cheesy crust!"

Two Chefs Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.7 (119) • $$

"Love this place!!! The couple that owns and runs it is so sweet. Check em out!!! A staple of Arlington. Right on the corner of Wilson and George Mason."

Pizza Movers

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (128) • $

"Family run, delicious sauce, delicious crust always good and hot and fast. It's a great pizza restaurant! I'm a New Yorker:)"

Mele Bistro

★★★★☆ 4 (562) • $$$

"Some people dole out stars based on an ideal. That's fine. I grant stars based on how well a restaurant achieves what it is trying to do. Mele Bistro was a stunning discovery and a beautifully executed French & Italian place. I will be back.First, the food was mouthwatering and precisely prepared. The blackened sea bass was cooked perfectly. I both wanted to devour and savor it over an hour. I appreciated the lightness of the wilted spinach and the warmth of the shared bread. The spice trio with olive oil was a delightful touch. The overall ambiance was incredibly charming and relaxing. How many people begin a menu detailing over an entire page in small font how the selected ingredients are tailor-made for health and taste? The staff and owner were incredibly friendly. As I said at the outset, we will return as soon as possible."

Meleket Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (192) • $$

"Solid food and great staff. I went here during one of their live music nights and it definitely set the scene. Meleket is authentic Ethiopian food and the flavors were definitely reflective of that. I enjoyed my visit here and would definitely visit again."

Alfio's La Trattoria

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (106) • $$

"The only unfortunate thing in this review is that I only have five stars to give Alfio's. The food and service were excellent, the ambiance a bit tongue-in-cheek, and the overall experience wonderful. First, if you don't like 1970's type restaurants, stop reading. It reminds me of places in NYC when I was a kid -- great restaurants with great people. I ordered a Capri salad, and ziti bolognese. The appetizer was amazing, The beef sauce was excellent, and the portions were large. They served hot bread and butter. My fiancé ordered Manicotti, and we both got excellent desserts. The waiter Marco, who was incredible, capped it off with a limoncello after dinner, which was amazing. The bill was very reasonable, and we left very happy. Won't be our last time. In summary, next time you go to Friendship Heights, stop by Alfio's. You'll be glad you did."

LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (340) • $$

"I hosted a dinner (30 people) and a brunch (20 people) at Lillies recently. I can't say enough nice things about those events.The manager, Ryan, and I worked on the planning in advance (reserving room, menus, etc). Everything went exactly as planned and was stress-free for me and my wife.The food and drinks were excellent. We heard nothing but compliments from our guests.Dennis and Noura were all class and charming servers.I would recommend Lillies for events (and for small quiet dinners)."

Cristina Ristorante Italiano

★★★★☆ 4 (275) • $$

"Cristina Ristorante Italiano: A Repeat DelightAnother visit to Cristina Ristorante Italiano, and once again, it did not disappoint. This charming spot in [City/Town] continues to uphold its tradition of exceptional Italian cuisine and warm hospitality.The visit started on a high note with complimentary stuffed mushrooms, a gesture that made me feel like a valued guest. These mushrooms were a delightful beginning, bursting with flavor and perfectly prepared.For the main course, I opted for the classic - spaghetti and meatballs. The pasta was cooked to al dente perfection, and the meatballs were juicy, flavorful, and complemented the homemade sauce beautifully. The house salad was a fresh and crisp introduction to this hearty dish, balancing the flavors wonderfully.Dessert was a decadent chocolate cake paired with Limoncello. The cake's rich, moist texture and deep chocolate flavor were a perfect match for the zesty and refreshing Limoncello. On a whim, I decided to follow it up with a cappuccino, which was a delightful finish, smooth and robust.The cherry on top of this delightful meal was the fact that the dessert was complimentary, a kind acknowledgment of my frequent visits. This personal touch is one of the many reasons why I adore this place.The staff at Cristina Ristorante Italiano always impresses with their amazing service. They are not only friendly but also fast, responsive, and incredibly professional. Each visit here feels like being welcomed into a family.I absolutely love this little restaurant for its authentic Italian fare, the cozy ambiance, and the exceptional service. Looking forward to my next visit, Cristina Ristorante Italiano remains a beloved spot for me, where every meal is a memorable experience."

EATaliano

★★★★☆ 3.8 (35)

"Cute place, charming Christmas decorations. Service was friendly and fast. I was terribly disappointed in the lightly-breaded calamari. It was the most breaded calamari I've ever tried in my life! And it was fishy and chewy...leading me to believe it wasn't fresh In the trash it went. Waste of $10. Menu shouldn't say lightly-breaded. The lasagna was undercooked. So I put it under the broiler. It didn't have ricotta cheese in it and noodles were soggy. However, the sauce was spot on.....perfect."

Rosemary's Thyme Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.8 (237) • $$

"Not great, not terrible. More than likely will not return. The seafood pappardelle pasta was meh."

Olazzo

★★★★☆ 4.1 (800) • $$

"I've been coming to this family owned business for years now and they never let me down. If you like Italian food and are in the Silver Spring or Bethesda area I would highly recommend, both locations are phenomenal. My favorite dish to get is the sausage and peppers, but you can't go wrong with anything. They have great drinks too!"

Bellissimo Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (310) • $$$

"This place is small. The food is nothing but amazing. It is pack with flavor. The staff are extremely friendly. This place a hidden gem in downtown Fai"

Greenhouse Kitchen + Bar

★★★☆☆ 3 (344) • $$

"Fair warning, the five stars reflects the totality of the Greenhouse experience as an experience. I drove to Tysons Corner and somehow found myself in a restaurant in Bălți, the former Soviet city, surrounded by characters straight out of a Borat movie. The experience is worth the visit. I'm almost speechless. Everything lights up neon green--the ceiling, the underside of banquettes, amazing. At night it becomes a disco--but a SNL "wild and crazy" Czech guys sort of disco. The food was just ok fyi."

Rose's Luxury

★★★★★ 4.5 • $$$$

"Tagging on some pics to Lissa G's review. We had a great time at Rose's Luxury. Not stuffy for Michelin star spot. Loved that!Initiative, fun, tasty dishes. Love the vibe and the service too."

DC Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.3 (266) • $

"Visited for lunch and enjoyed the pizza. Ordering is done by self selecting your pizza dough, sauce, cheese and toppings on a form then they make and bake right in front of you. Very quick and tasty. Reasonably priced and each pizza could be individual or shareable depending on your appetite. Great place to walk to and carry out or sit and eat. Limited inside seating but more outside if the weather is good."