I always just passed by this place in a hurry on the way to drop my kid off to school. Today I decided to stop and try their Italian version of croissants. Most of all , the service was amazing! One of the people works there helped me was Maxwell. He took a lot of time with smile to explain Italian pastries and coffee (They serve coffee from the oldest roaster in Italy!) He was such a jewel! Thanks Maxwell! Your recommendation of apricots cornetto It was excellent!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claudia Carr
Ama is simply an amazing dining experience. A brilliant menu of delectable treats for the palate. Love the ambiance and the staff is top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sydney Rieckhoff
The food was so good it may have convinced me to relocate to DC just so I can eat here every day. I had the Spaghetti al Pomodoro and the Buffalo Mozzarella Focaccia — both were absolutely incredible. Simple dishes, but done perfectly. My vanilla latte was smooth, creamy, and the perfect way to round out the meal. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rez Alborz
All of the employees were not only nice but very knowledgeable. The food tasted great and the servers wine choice was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Allegra Ehrfeld
My family and I absolutely adore this restaurant. The staff is all very friendly and attentive. The food is incredibly delicious and taste very authentic to European flavors. Definitely a must go to place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kimberly Kruse
The food was really disappointing after the restaurant had been recommended by multiple people
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Amanda Gavelek
The food here is delicious, especially the foccacia, you do not want to skip that! However this review is specifically for the bar/Happy Hour. Ethan is an absolute gem and easily the best bartender in Navy Yard! Do yourself a favor and go grab a drink from one of the best around, you won't be disappointed. 😎
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Natasha Bailey
I cleared every plate! It was so interesting learning about their practices that benefit the environment! Also, shout out to Jerrod for his amazing service and great knowledge of the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Curry
Ama has great service staff and delicious cocktails. The espresso Martini was exceptionally well prepared.
As soon as we entered we were greeted in a warm and friendly manner. The open air bar was perfect on a fall day
We went light on food and enjoyed some fresh focaccia with a variety of variations of flavors.
Definitely a great spot for a casual date or business meeting.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily Bybee
AMA is 10/10. Delicious food, cozy, elevated, welcoming atmosphere, fantastic service and the best vibes. The quality and clean sourcing of all ingredients makes such a difference, the flavors are impeccable with options for everyone. You can host a work group, go with your family or a romantic date night. It is honestly perfect for all occasions. The staff is knowledgeable, helpful and so professional. Some favorites are the meatballs, the seabass, the focaccia, alllll the pastas, the non alcoholic mixed drinks, and the desserts are TO DIE FOR! Their gelatos are incredible, the blueberry tart is always amazing, and whatever is seasonal, get it! AMA always delivers and the best part, I know I’m getting high quality, clean, nourishing ingredients that never leave me feeling bloated or gross afterwards. I never miss a chance to eat here when in DC. Must try!!
There’s something effortlessly romantic about Cucina Morini—from the moment you step inside, you’re wrapped in the warmth of Italian hospitality and the rich aromas of handmade pasta simmering away. Every dish feels like a love letter to traditional Italian cooking, but with just the right dash of modern flair. I was completely enchanted by their ricotta gnocchi, which was pillowy soft and perfectly paired with a sauce that danced on my taste buds. The lively atmosphere buzzes with energy, making it an ideal spot to savor every bite with good company. The staff’s genuine passion shines through in their attentive service, making the whole experience feel intimate and special. Cucina Morini isn’t just a meal—it’s a beautiful journey through Italy’s heart.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Austin Graff
Ama is more than a northern Italian restaurant. It's a business on a mission. Chef Johanna Hellrigl's goal is for you to enjoy good food and feel good the next day. To that end, every ingredient used is whole, avoiding refined sugars, artificial colors, chemicals, or added flavors and preservatives. Writing this review the day after dining at Ama with a good friend, I can attest that Chef's vision is fulfilled. Here's our experience.
1) Food: Ama specializes in northern Italian food straight from the motherland. To that end, there's a bit of German influence. The menu is organized around antipasti, pastas, mains, and more. To feed two grown men, we ordered the Focaccia di Formaggio (flat bread), Polpette Mondeghili (meatballs), Carciofo al Mattone (artichoke), Finocchio (shaved fennel), Trofie con Pesto Genovese (pesto pasta), Paccheri Al Sugo di Pesce (seafood pasta), Semifreddo, and Tiramisu. We left very content.
Every dish was simple and led with quality ingredients. The winners were the meatballs. They come out not very attractive, but wow. They are crispy on the outside, but juicy on the inside and full of flavor. The shaved fennel, pesto pasta, and the flat bread were excellent. You can't go wrong with any dish.
2) Drink: The beverage menu is expansive and comes with cocktails, wines, zero proof drinks, and more. Because it is unique, I ordered the Kiwi Margherita. The kiwi blends well with the rest of the drink. It's refreshing. For my second drink, a glass of their white that was in between a Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc was really good.
3) Service: From start to finish, service was impeccable. Our server Adam was attentive, paced check ins perfectly, and knew the menu in and out. The chef also visited many tables, greeting regulars and welcoming newcomers.
4) Mission: On top of quality ingredients, they uphold slow cooking and planet-friendly practices. Their kitchen is all electric and they are free of single-use plastics. Everything is done with intention.
5) Space: The space is large with a bar, a window that opens for their all-day cafe, and plenty of tables in the dining room. You feel like you're in a European restaurant.
6) Neighborhood: It's in Navy Yard full of tall buildings. With views of the U.S. Capitol up the road, there's easy street parking or you can walk from the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cannon Coffee
My wife and I drove two hours to get here after finding them on the Seed Oil Scout app. We were so excited for their attention to health and wellness and they did not disappoint. We celebrated our 13 year anniversary which started with a complementary glass of wine and ending with a complementary scoop of delicious pistachio gelato. Our waiter was absolutely incredible. The atmosphere was perfect for a date night. best of all, the tiramisu was some of the best that we’ve had! Thank you for a great experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Coates
Wonderful Italian restaurant in the Navy Yard neighborhood. Great food, drinks, and vibe. Will return whenever I’m in town. Ask for Filippo, his service was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben
I’m not going to go on and on about how this restaurant is a rare breed and there’s nothing quite like it. The truth is, there absolutely is, but not in D.C.
The refreshingly authentic take on elevated Italian food is welcomed to these parts. Why reinvent the wheel when you already have such a solid foundation. Overall the menu execution is really strong and it nearly feels like Italian home cooking.
The atmosphere doesn’t exactly match that and I’m not sure what to think. To me it feels like a Jose Andres restaurant, but with Italian cuisine. So I’m torn between tried and tested… or just flat out copying. Either way, if it works it works.
I always just passed by this place in a hurry on the way to drop my kid off to school.
Today I decided to stop and try their Italian version of croissants.
Most of all , the service was amazing!
One of the people works there helped me was Maxwell.
He took a lot of time with smile to explain Italian pastries and coffee (They serve coffee from the oldest roaster in Italy!) He was such a jewel!
Thanks Maxwell! Your recommendation of apricots cornetto
It was excellent!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ama is simply an amazing dining experience. A brilliant menu of delectable treats for the palate. Love the ambiance and the staff is top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was so good it may have convinced me to relocate to DC just so I can eat here every day. I had the Spaghetti al Pomodoro and the Buffalo Mozzarella Focaccia — both were absolutely incredible. Simple dishes, but done perfectly. My vanilla latte was smooth, creamy, and the perfect way to round out the meal. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
All of the employees were not only nice but very knowledgeable. The food tasted great and the servers wine choice was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
My family and I absolutely adore this restaurant. The staff is all very friendly and attentive. The food is incredibly delicious and taste very authentic to European flavors. Definitely a must go to place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was really disappointing after the restaurant had been recommended by multiple people
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
The food here is delicious, especially the foccacia, you do not want to skip that! However this review is specifically for the bar/Happy Hour. Ethan is an absolute gem and easily the best bartender in Navy Yard! Do yourself a favor and go grab a drink from one of the best around, you won't be disappointed. 😎
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I cleared every plate! It was so interesting learning about their practices that benefit the environment! Also, shout out to Jerrod for his amazing service and great knowledge of the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ama has great service staff and delicious cocktails. The espresso Martini was exceptionally well prepared.
As soon as we entered we were greeted in a warm and friendly manner. The open air bar was perfect on a fall day
We went light on food and enjoyed some fresh focaccia with a variety of variations of flavors.
Definitely a great spot for a casual date or business meeting.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
AMA is 10/10. Delicious food, cozy, elevated, welcoming atmosphere, fantastic service and the best vibes. The quality and clean sourcing of all ingredients makes such a difference, the flavors are impeccable with options for everyone. You can host a work group, go with your family or a romantic date night. It is honestly perfect for all occasions. The staff is knowledgeable, helpful and so professional. Some favorites are the meatballs, the seabass, the focaccia, alllll the pastas, the non alcoholic mixed drinks, and the desserts are TO DIE FOR! Their gelatos are incredible, the blueberry tart is always amazing, and whatever is seasonal, get it! AMA always delivers and the best part, I know I’m getting high quality, clean, nourishing ingredients that never leave me feeling bloated or gross afterwards. I never miss a chance to eat here when in DC. Must try!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
There’s something effortlessly romantic about Cucina Morini—from the moment you step inside, you’re wrapped in the warmth of Italian hospitality and the rich aromas of handmade pasta simmering away. Every dish feels like a love letter to traditional Italian cooking, but with just the right dash of modern flair. I was completely enchanted by their ricotta gnocchi, which was pillowy soft and perfectly paired with a sauce that danced on my taste buds. The lively atmosphere buzzes with energy, making it an ideal spot to savor every bite with good company. The staff’s genuine passion shines through in their attentive service, making the whole experience feel intimate and special. Cucina Morini isn’t just a meal—it’s a beautiful journey through Italy’s heart.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ama is more than a northern Italian restaurant. It's a business on a mission. Chef Johanna Hellrigl's goal is for you to enjoy good food and feel good the next day. To that end, every ingredient used is whole, avoiding refined sugars, artificial colors, chemicals, or added flavors and preservatives. Writing this review the day after dining at Ama with a good friend, I can attest that Chef's vision is fulfilled. Here's our experience.
1) Food: Ama specializes in northern Italian food straight from the motherland. To that end, there's a bit of German influence. The menu is organized around antipasti, pastas, mains, and more. To feed two grown men, we ordered the Focaccia di Formaggio (flat bread), Polpette Mondeghili (meatballs), Carciofo al Mattone (artichoke), Finocchio (shaved fennel), Trofie con Pesto Genovese (pesto pasta), Paccheri Al Sugo di Pesce (seafood pasta), Semifreddo, and Tiramisu. We left very content.
Every dish was simple and led with quality ingredients. The winners were the meatballs. They come out not very attractive, but wow. They are crispy on the outside, but juicy on the inside and full of flavor. The shaved fennel, pesto pasta, and the flat bread were excellent. You can't go wrong with any dish.
2) Drink: The beverage menu is expansive and comes with cocktails, wines, zero proof drinks, and more. Because it is unique, I ordered the Kiwi Margherita. The kiwi blends well with the rest of the drink. It's refreshing. For my second drink, a glass of their white that was in between a Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc was really good.
3) Service: From start to finish, service was impeccable. Our server Adam was attentive, paced check ins perfectly, and knew the menu in and out. The chef also visited many tables, greeting regulars and welcoming newcomers.
4) Mission: On top of quality ingredients, they uphold slow cooking and planet-friendly practices. Their kitchen is all electric and they are free of single-use plastics. Everything is done with intention.
5) Space: The space is large with a bar, a window that opens for their all-day cafe, and plenty of tables in the dining room. You feel like you're in a European restaurant.
6) Neighborhood: It's in Navy Yard full of tall buildings. With views of the U.S. Capitol up the road, there's easy street parking or you can walk from the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I drove two hours to get here after finding them on the Seed Oil Scout app. We were so excited for their attention to health and wellness and they did not disappoint. We celebrated our 13 year anniversary which started with a complementary glass of wine and ending with a complementary scoop of delicious pistachio gelato. Our waiter was absolutely incredible. The atmosphere was perfect for a date night. best of all, the tiramisu was some of the best that we’ve had! Thank you for a great experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful Italian restaurant in the Navy Yard neighborhood. Great food, drinks, and vibe. Will return whenever I’m in town. Ask for Filippo, his service was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’m not going to go on and on about how this restaurant is a rare breed and there’s nothing quite like it. The truth is, there absolutely is, but not in D.C.
The refreshingly authentic take on elevated Italian food is welcomed to these parts. Why reinvent the wheel when you already have such a solid foundation. Overall the menu execution is really strong and it nearly feels like Italian home cooking.
The atmosphere doesn’t exactly match that and I’m not sure what to think. To me it feels like a Jose Andres restaurant, but with Italian cuisine. So I’m torn between tried and tested… or just flat out copying. Either way, if it works it works.
P.S. Get the tiramisu
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
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