Osteria Morini

★★★★☆ 4.1 (994) • $$$

"Had lunch here today. They have a combo with a salad, pasta or Entree, soda and a scoop of Gelato for Dessert. This was what I ordered. I had a salad and the rigatoni. It was absolutely delicious! Everything hot and fresh. I ate all of it and was not overly full like I typically am. I will definitely be back to support."

Tortino Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (865) • $$

"The coziest hole in the wall Italian restaurant with the best service (thanks Norvin )! Having just moved to DC, I was craving a cozy meal and this restaurant had exactly what I was looking for. Definitely also helped that it was a 5 minute walk away from my apartment.All that I tried below (I'm a dessert blogger, @sowmthingsweet, so sweets always come first for me)Sowmthing Sweet Tiramisu: it's been SO long since I've had a solid tiramisu with my ideal ratio of cake to mascarpone, and level of soaked-ness Chocolate salami: this one caught me by surprise because I didn't know what to expect with the name. Ladyfingers rolled in chocolate ganache and served with mocha ice cream may be my new fave thingBlood Orange & raspberry sorbet: I cante believe I'm ranking this above the other gelatos, but these were delicious refreshing and great DF optionsVanilla & chocolate gelato: felt transported to Italy Dark& milk chocolate cake: this was not too sweet making the equal ratio of cake to mousse perfect.Ricotta cheesecake: a unique twist on the classic NY cheesecake. A little more on the gritty side because of the ricotta, but overall still yummy!Mains Crab Ravioli: So delicious & I really enjoyed learning how to eat it (hold it upside down to preserve the juicy filling). I also loved that the filling had dill in it bc i think it's an underrated herb.Risotto (daily special): A delicious surprise! The Arborio was cooked beautifully with a slight chew, and the dish was heavy on the parm (but I like that). I'm not a huge seafood gal (esp if it's still in form...) so I devoured the rice & left the rest to my +1 hehe. The base was similar to the crab ravioli so maybe would try smthn different next time!Drinks Red wine:Red wineOverall, 10/10 vibes & lovely desserts. Such a busy spot with constant traffic & very cozy ambience. Definitely will be back!"

Ristorante Piccolo

★★★★☆ 3.9 (898) • $$

"My friends and I came here for dinner this past Saturday because we were craving Italian food. Definitely make a reservation a couple days in advance so that way you are guaranteed a table upon arrival. They definitely get pretty busy. The complimentary bread/baguette along with the olive oil/black vinegar were great while we waited for our food.CALAMARI FRITTI - 16We shared this appetizer between the three of us, which was more than enough since we had a few leftover that we didn't end up finishing. The calamari was perfectly crispy with a good amount of batter. However, I found that the marinara sauce was a bit plain/not very memorable. Next time, I'd probably try other appetizers before getting the calamari again.SCALOPPINE DI POLLO AL MARSALA - 28I was craving chicken for some reason, so this was a great option for me. There was a good amount of chicken and the Marsala wine sauce was delicious! It was a bit too oily, but other than that, very flavorful and enhanced the chicken breast (which wasn't dry!). I thought the mushrooms and spinach were a bit too salty for my taste, but still seasoned well. I loved the al dente texture pasta aglio olio - the simplicity of garlic and olive oil can elevate the dish so much. All the flavors went well together, I'd recommend.IL TIRAMISU ALLA PICCOLO - 10One of my friends love tiramisu, we splurged on one to try. There was a thicc amount of mascarpone mousse which was so light and fluffy. I wish there was more sponge cake, though since the espresso and rum notes really shined through and I really wanted more of it! A small piece, but definitely worth the try and a great way to end a meal. This is one of the "Taste of Georgetown Winner" options!Next time, I have to give the AGNOLOTTI AI PORCINI a try, since that's their award winning dish here. I also love mushrooms and truffle!"

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!"

Fire Works Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.8 (910) • $$

"Place is great, THS Wings and Sweet Heat are the move here. My friend Benji put me onto this place and I'd recommend everyone else as well. I've got to try other stuff like the desserts but haven't because I always show up later in the night when they're about to close to just pizzas. We've had Cameron as our Bartender most time(s) and had Rose and Devin a few occasions. 10/10 would recommend."

Fontina Grille

★★★★☆ 4.1 (661) • $$

"Fontina Grille: Where Dining Becomes an Art Form! If excellence could be served on a platter, Fontina Grille would be the Michelin-starred sculptor behind it. From the moment I walked in, I felt like royalty who somehow stumbled upon the holy grail of Italian restaurants in the DMV. I'm never going anywhere else, because clearly, this place was crafted by the pasta Gods themselves.Now, let's talk about Declan. This man is not just a waiter--he's a hospitality virtuoso, a maestro of LEGENDARY service. Declan served with the kind of confidence, precision, and charm that one would expect only in dreams or in five-star Italian dining halls on the Amalfi Coast. His attentiveness was nonplussable (and yes, I dare you to try and outdo it). I wouldn't be surprised if he moonlights as a diplomat or a secret agent because his service was that smooth.Jennifer, his right-hand helper, deserves a standing ovation. She made everything seamless, adding warmth, grace, and an extra sparkle to an already stellar experience. I'm convinced they have some secret handshake, a dance of synchronized efficiency and care. It's like watching a beautiful duet--where plates and glasses are the choreography and customer delight is the standing ovation.The food? Oh, bella vita! I had a salad so fresh, it may have whispered compliments back at me. My friend's pasta dish was a carb-laden poem--tender, flavorful, and divine. Each bite was a crescendo of Italian bliss. Clearly, the kitchen staff channels their inner Da Vinci every time they plate a dish.If this restaurant were a movie, it would sweep the Oscars. If it were a song, it would top the charts. If it were a unicorn, it would be the kind that sprinkles magic over your life.To Declan, Jennifer, and the entire Fontina Grille team: Grazie mille ! And "Un milione di grazie." You made me feel special, seen, and incredibly grateful. Never changing. Ever.IN SUMMARY: **Fontina Grille is, without question, the pinnacle of Italian dining--an experience of unparalleled excellence. Every detail, from the service to the cuisine, resonates with authentic passion and flawless execution. Simply put, it is the *apex* of EPIC Italian culinary artistry and the finest I have ever encountered. **You become alive when you have gone to Fontina Grille - or maybe you will even become a unicorn ITALIAN MAGIC PIXIE DUST WILL FOLLOW YOU FOREVER"

Osteria Al Volo

★★★★☆ 4.4 (569) • $$

"Came here with my son as it's just a block from his place. Love that it's authentic Italian food that I miss from Rome. We got the short rib ravioli which was yummy and not too greasy. The Caesar salad was my favorite with its dried sardines. The fried arancini wasn't memorable. The red wine menu pricing started at $12/glass for the house wine. Portions were on the smaller side and we were still hungry afterwards. The staff was ok but not very engaging. The ambiance was cozy and lively for a Thu night. A bit pricey for what it was."

Pazzo Pomodoro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (619) • $$

"I really had high hopes for this place and was looking forward to it because of all the good reviews. Upon entering, I was immediately turned off. The place itself seems kind of dirty, stuffy & dusty. We ordered arancini, which I was very excited to try, but I'm not sure why they tasted strange. They tasted like they were either made a while ago and frozen and have freezer burn or tasted kind of soapy. For our entrees we ordered rigatoni with eggplant (added meatballs) and my husband had a pesto shrimp dish (I don't remember the name). These were surprisingly pretty good. I liked the big chunks of eggplant but I do think there was too much sauce. I also ordered a cocktail, it was their Palermo and I'm so sorry, it was horrible. We had to ask the waiter to take it back and I just got a glass of wine. Overall I just really don't think it was worth it, each of our dishes were $30. I know people really love this place, this was just my experience."

Fratelli

★★★★☆ 4.3 (580) • $$$

"My spouse and I went to try it for an early Valentines Day meal. We started with the calamari and the frut d'mare (clams casino, shrimp and stuffed mushrooms) All were fantastic! My spouse got the seafood Venezia and I got the veal parm. Again all were wonderful! The Caesar side salad was even good and the bread was hot when it came to the table. It was a truly outstanding meal and the service was phenomenal too. We will be back and have already recommended it to a few friends and at least one has gone as well."

Vaso's Mediterranean Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (606) • $$

"The staff was fine. The waiter didn't go over any specials or really give any feedback with recommendations. The food is why I give it 4 stars. My food was absolutely delicious. I believe everyone at our table devoured their plates. There is outdoor seating but it started to sprinkle so we sat upstairs. The ambiance was fine as well. Nothing that stood out or caught your eye."

Vace

★★★★☆ 4.1 (621) • $

"This has been a favorite place of mine for many years. Over the years, I've come in for a slice of pizza or dough to make my whole or grabbing a sub or some wine or Italian goods!Quick service.My friend and I ordered a pizza to go. Sausage mozzarella and pepperoncini. Reasonable prices as well!Taste is wonderful! Spicy and saucy, just the way I like it!"

All-Purpose Shaw

★★★★☆ 4.1 (545) • $$

"As a Caesar salad lover your version has my heart. The gem lettuce is top tier please do not change it. Only thing I would add is some protein options or whole anchovies on top. It's addictive! I can't give 5 stars because I haven't tried anything else."

Ristorante TOSCA

★★★★☆ 4.1 (539) • $$$

"Great food, wonderful service, and warm ambiance. Waitress' recommendations were spot on."

The Portofino Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (626) • $$

"Probably the best Italian food I've ever had (granted I've never been to Italy)- such a sweet staff and amazing service, very quaint and authentic setting perfect for a group dinner or dates"

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."

Sette Osteria

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (768) • $$

"We came for Sunday brunch and it was packed so a reservation is recommended. I got the smoked salmon omelette and the italiana. The omelette was decent, and was a little broken when it came to the table. The breakfast potatoes were good though, with the perfect crispy ratio. The Italiana was good, and you do get that slight taste of lychee which I enjoyed.Service was quite slow, and it took awhile to get a server's attention just because of how busy it was. Our server was sweet and friendly though. There is a Yelp-check in offer of a free limoncello shot for the table; our server wasn't sure if the restaurant was still honoring it but she gave it to us anyways. It wasn't a good limoncello shot but I appreciated our server for putting it for us.They offer a daily happy hour 4-7pm at the bar, and a all night happy hour Sunday and Monday 4-10pm at the bar. I would rate it a 3.75/4, rounding up to a 4/5."

Alta Strada

★★★★☆ 3.8 (607) • $$

"On a cold and rainy evening, we ventured over to Mosaic and the Alta Strada for some Italian to fill our bellies. And boy, did we get what we asked for. First, the Garlic Bread. Or, more specifically, the "Alta Strada World Famous Garlic Bread" and it sure lived up to its name. Crispy, crunchy, and covered in Parmesan, then dipped into a warm ramekin of tangy marinara, it went quick. Next time, I could just order the garlic bread for my entree and be happy! I got the Spaghetti AOP (aglio, olio, pomodoro - garlic, olive oil & pomodoro tomatoes) and it was more than enough to fill my tummy with simple, smooth goodness. I had bites of other folks' burrata and lobster risotto, all excellent. And we finished off with the Tiramisu, a huge rectangle of balanced flavors and textures that really finished off the evening's meal. Five stars and a promise to come back, this place is really good!"

Piero's Corner

★★★★☆ 4.2 (483) • $$

"Definitely some of the best, if not the best, Italian in Fairfax!! Great place for rare dishes, many specials and a great bar!!This restaurant works for a date night or a family dinner - the staff is great and the space is always busy!! You'll love it!!"

Sfoglina Van Ness

★★★★☆ 3.9 (553) • $$$

"SFOGLINA! Actually the best Italian food I have ever had (and I've had a lot). I have gone a few times and every single meal has been perfect. Our waitress, Jocelyn, was so sweet and helped us navigate the menu and we even got free sherbet! The Italian music, outfits, and lighting just tied it all together."

Cafesano

★★★★☆ 3.9 (535) • $$

"Ehh... the Greek salad was very nice. It was massive and served with a nice amount of cheese, avocado, and toasted bread.However, the brick oven pizza was very okay. The dough lacked flavor and was a bit undercooked?Overall, I really didn't enjoy the pizza, and I would not get it again.I will say the views of the water were very nice."

Aldo's Italian Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.6 (383) • $$

"Extraordinary foods.I have eaten there several times. Always on warm weather where I dine outside enjoying the view of the Potomac.The deserts are off the chart."

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."

Al Tiramisu

★★★★☆ 3.9 (482) • $$$

"We arrived for an early dinner after a show at the Kennedy Center, the place had just opened but we were greeted right away. We were taken to our table and helped with water right away. When you walk in it has the style of an old small Italian restaurant in NYC. The wall of pictures of famous people eating there hits you right away and has some cool pictures of movie stars. Kinda fun display. Once seated they took our drink order and I went with an old fashioned, shocker lol. I asked for it to be less sweet and it hit the spot. Just enough bitters to cut the sweetness. Also love the full size cocktail ice cube. We then received a very well explained fresh fish of the day presentation. For an appetizer we ordered burrata which came with local honey and truffle "bits". It was very good, extra moist and the add ons were great. The local honey had some salt and spices mixed in which was a great surprise. My entree was the veal fettuccine, the pasta was house made and fresh. The pasta was great and the souse was even better. The ground veal popped with flavor adding a richness to the dish. The sauce was a red sauce like marinara based with a touch of sweetness. Dessert was on its way and we shared mascarpone cheesecake and the, you guessed it, tiramisu. The tiramisu was very good, the flavors were good but I was missing more of the rum flavor. The texture of the top was slightly off, still good but not the best I've had. The cheesecake was very different and good in its own right. It's much lighter than normal cheesecake and had great flavor. It was a little dry so adding a side spice could have helped this dish. Overall this restaurant was awesome, great food, great service, and great ambiance! Cheers!!"

Mamma Lena Trattoria Napoletana

★★★★★ 4.6 (343) • $$

"Wow. Never knew this was here! Great little atmosphere, very small/quaint. It says on the door Reservations Required. We showed up without reservations (just party of 2), but early at like 530. The host was very nice/accommodating, and gave us a decent 2 top. Didn't know what we had in store! Food was fantastic. They brought out bruschetta as a free appetizer (complimentary as we were first time visitors). So amazing. Also ordered Calamari Fritti. Again, very well prepared. For dinner, I got chicken parm. One of the best chicken parm's I've had in the area. My wife got Pescatore, and for some reason she stopped talking for a bit ;-). The focaccia was phenomenal as well, and our host/waiter made sure we were getting everything down. OY, my Chianti was great too.We did disappoint him by not ordering dessert. My wife said she ate so much bread. He replied "but dear, bread is not cake". Point taken, and we'll try harder next time!Overall, amazing, and we're definitely going back soon (next time making sure we have a reservation)!"

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."

La Tomate

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (637) • $$

"Fantastic place and service by the staff. Ordered the calmaro di umno and it very delicious with tender calamari pieces in rich tomato sauce. Next we also ordered cream balls but those weren't the bestFinally we went ahead with the staffs recommendation - Calabrese with spaghetti pasta and again, the sauce was really tasty and rich in taste. Perfectly balanced in spice and cooked wellMust try - although may not be easy on pocket"

Carbonara

★★★★☆ 4.4 (353) • $$$

"So immediately I will say first that we were influenced to try Carbonara from seeing it all over social media. So we go. Parking is plentiful nearby. The weather's decent for February and we arrive on time thankfully, after an hour and a half trek from the southern end of MD. Wait staff are convening outside hustling and bustling. The vibes are great. We had reservations, and we were immediately seated and offered prosciutto (no one seemed to mention that you're offered it, in their pics posts and videos from what I saw). That was a great welcome. It's pretty busy for a Wednesday, and everything seems to be managed well. We were escorted to our table and it was pretty small..although I understand why (it's just two of us), I really preferred something larger. I hesitated to ask for a booth because I understand the logistics of saving space for larger parties, but we came to eat. It was our first visit and we wanted to try all the things! In the end tho, our plates were always removed and our dishes were timed out so that we always had enough space and time to enjoy our food so that was a plus. And onto the food-in one word-phenomenal!!! At one point a gentleman came by and asked how everything was and all I could do was give him a look and he said that it was just the look that he was looking for lol. Our starters were the Prince Edward mussels and mozzarella in carrozza. Our mains were tortellini di Michael and hubby had king of the sea. For dessert we had the crème brûlée cheesecake and I ordered a French 75 cocktail. It was all magnificent. The food was flavorful and rich in the most perfect way. The tortellini dish consisted of brisket inside of the pasta and the mouthful and mouth feel of the pasta with nice actual pieces of brisket (not a puréed concoction) combined with the cream sauce and mushrooms were literally chef's kiss! I also indulged in some of my husband's dish and it was equally impressive with succulent seafood, the right amount of sauce and linguine cooked to perfection! My husband loved how perfectly cooked his pasta was (he loathes overcooked pasta) and he loved peas so this dish made him very happy. He loved mine too to be honest. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that they give you a nice bread basket with two dipping sauces to start your meal. I loved the bread (it was a little too herbaceous for my husband) and sauces. We both agreed that the marinara one was a problem, in the most positive way! We couldn't get enough of it. Also the wait staff was kind, efficient, offered suggestions for our meal and dessert since it was our first time and were that way with everyone. There was absolutely nothing that I could have asked more from this wonderful midweek date night meal. At the end of it all, we sat there over dessert, planning what we were going to have for our next visit..because that is definitely happening sooner rather than later. We also immediately rate our meal amongst ourselves after every date night and we both scored this one a 10/10! We can't wait to return."

Mamma's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.1 (406) • $$

"Had a wonderful first experience here tonight. It was a beautiful day and we really wanted to enjoy some outside patio seating. We've been meaning to check it out and I'm so glad we did. We arrived around 4:45 and despite being a beautiful busy day there was still room on the patio. Lots of outside tables and a beautiful gazebo, vinery patio. Service was fast and friendly. Prices seemed fair. Food was fresh and fast. Def coming back to try the pasta and pie. Dessert also looked yummy!"

Obelisk

★★★★☆ 4.2 (378) • $$$$

"Perfect as always in every way. Phenomenal service, a plethora of flavors, personal attention, perfect portions. We'll continue to come back until they close...which we hope never happens. People can keep fiola and other Italian spots, we'll keep Obelisk as our top spot."

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."

Masseria

★★★★☆ 3.7 (460) • $$$$

"While the food here was good, I think the price was overall not worth it. The bread course was definitely my favorite and the items were creative. The service was also impeccable and attentive, and it was fun to sit at the counter and watch the chefs work their magic. But with other solid Italian options in the area, I'm not sure I would revisit."

Ristorante Bonaroti

★★★★☆ 4.1 (374) • $$$

"Last night we spent a wonderful evening at Bonaroti's for our anniversary. It was our first visit, and we throughly enjoyed it. The food was amazing, the service was excellent! I use a mobility scooter, and I was very nervous about my ability to access the restraunt itself. However, I need not have worried, the restraunt had a portable ramp and the staff had obviously assisted wheelchair users many times in the past. Several able bodied men spotted me both entering and exiting the restraunt without making me feel as if I was disturbing everyone (believe me, this attitude is not always the case). Also, Bonaroti has a wheelchair accessible restroom as well.Thank you to Sergio and his staff, we will definitely be returning customers!"

Bella Indian & Italian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.3 (338) • $$

"The service here is top notch! The staff are very attentive and friendly. It's a small set up but had ample dining space. It did not feel too cramped. I ordered the tandoori chicken and it comes with white basmati rice. The tandoori chicken comes out sizzling! The chicken was well seasoned and moist and the rice was cooked well - not too hard, not mushy."

Dupont Italian Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.7 (452) • $$

"Last night marked our third visit, and we loved it just as much as the first! As always, the food and drinks were excellent--perfectly portioned and reasonably priced. The staff was fantastic, and the tiramisu, as usual, was simply divine.I had the Carbonara, my go-to dish, while my partner tried the Chicken Francaise over pasta for the first time--both were flawless! We used to have a favorite Italian spot closer to us that, unfortunately, closed down, but last night's visit may have just secured this as our new go-to!(I would love to share photos of our entrées, but we ate them too fast for me to take photos lol)"

Little Coco's

★★★★☆ 4.3 (331) • $$

"Service was great- server was very attentive and met our needs! She even provided hot sauce that's made in house when I requested it!The noodles were soft and chewy, and matched the bolognese sauce- we finished that quick! The meat and mushroom pizza left me wanting- it was just a little thicker than I had hoped for and tasted kind of plain for a meat and mushroom pizza so asked for hot sauce which did help to elevate the flavor.It was a little chilly in the rooftop and table/sitting area a little cramped.Would still return but will try for happy hour next time!"