50 Best Italian Restaurants in Washington

“If you find yourself in DC, I highly recommend giving this place a shot if you wanna splurge on food. The dining experience and service was top notch and the food was splendid.

Side note: I also heard that they were going to close up shop later this year so try it while you have the chance!“

“All of my experiences at L’Ardente have been phenomenal. The food, the atmosphere, and the service are all top notch!!!“

“on point!! don't shy away from the menu, everything we had was delicious.“

“This was some of the best food I’ve ever had. I would never normally choose Italian as a n “”out to eat” option but I’m so glad I did! I would eat here night after night if I could.“

“Amazing dinner!! Every course was delicious!“

“Solid Italian restaurant in DC.

Easy to get reservations, I went on a Friday night with a friend. We got the three course set menu. A lot of food for the price. Great quality and great options. Recommend coming hungry or ordering off the a la cart menu. Garlic knots are a must.

Lots of servers that were very attentive. Be careful, they’ll scoop up your plate if you’re not paying attention.

Wine and beer list was extensive.

Fair pricing for quality of food and atmosphere.

Would definitely recommend to a friend. Would definitely visit again.

Parking: No parking lot, not a lot of street parking. Had to park a few blocks away.

Kid-friendliness: I probably wouldn’t bring kids here, didn’t have kid friendly food.“

“Great food, wines and service.“

“Fun night for two out of towners! Food was amazing and the staff were incredibly friendly, even though we’re two or three times their ages and not cool at all! ;)“

“One of the best places in Dc and right on the water!“

“Shoulda had some dessert after the meal I ate.“

“It was the perfect meal, from appetizers to main course, and dessert! Our server, Ricardo, was very attentive and informative about the menu and gave us personal recommendations, as well. I had been wanting to dine at Cucina Morini for a while now, and I am so glad I chose it for our friends visiting from overseas.“

“I came here right when the restaurant opened and sat at the bar for the happy hour. Food came out quickly, love the bread a lot. We got the meatball, the grilled octopus with finger potatoes (please try this dish it’s so good). They also accommodated my request regarding the pasta, which was very nice of them. Tiramisu is good too. Would come back.“

“Great menu of food and drinks, well executed, and in a neighborhood locale… well-spaced outdoor seating.“

“I Love Italian - and when I say this place has THE BEST MEATBALLS I've ever tasted - it's saying a lot! The mushroom gnocchi was light and delish! Not to mention the roasted cauliflower, burrata and garlic bread!! It was a feast and worth every bite! The staff was friendly, polite and aimed to please! The decor and vibe super cool. It was recommended to me by a local and when I visit DC again - this gem will be a first stop!“

“Checks all the boxes as they say, Beliseima! Mangiamo! Salute!“

“Wonderful food & charming outdoor patio space . Cocktails yummy too!“

“The atmosphere and the people who work there were wonderful! The food was amazing as well! I would thoroughly recommend for anyone to try it out you won't be disappointed“

“Drinks and food were great. My only complaint is the starter salads. My $18 salad was a head of lettuce, 4 walnuts, and a single piece of blue cheese. The Cesar salad looked ok. My friend ordered the only other salad on the menu for $16 and got a head of lettuce with a singular piece of parmesean on top of it. It was honestly a bit funny. Other then that the salmon, steak, calamari and wine were great.“

“Vengo spesso da voi per il pranzo con i colleghi e uso i buoni pasto Coverflex, sapete se li accettate? Non vi trovo sull’app e sarebbe comodo poterli usare qui.“

“This place was amazing! I went here tonight for my anniversary the food quality blew me away! It is an expensive restaurant but it is worth it because of the experience. I would definitely recommend anybody to come here and I will come here again myself! Thank you for a lovely dinner“

“We are tourist & was searching for a place too eat since our first choice for dinner totally ignored us after we sat there 30 minutes we left. This pizza joint is absolutely delicious. The thin crust was delicious especially on the cheese pizza. The only negative thing I have too say is y’all charging too much for a house salad. I mean if you gonna charge $14 @ least give me something other than basic lettuce.“

“Thank you so much for having my friends Kristina, Alex and I for dinner today. I just want to say that everything we had was great, my favorite being the la calabrese! Meiling took such good care of us, she is a wonderful host and we had some great conversations with her. We’ll def be back in the future to try some of the other pizzas. Your decor and ambience is fantastic as well, I really felt like I was at restaurant in Italy! Keep up the good work and thanks again for a wonderful evening!“

“Great service @ DC the seafood appetizer was delicious!“

“Friendly, quaint and delicious food. Great service. What more do you need“

“Absolutely the best Italian food I have ever tasted! Exceptional service! Old world Italian charm! Very romantic Valentine's day themed decor and ambiance.“

“Perfect food. Excellent staff. Great ambiance!“

“Amazing meal. The food and service were top notch. Service friendly and professional. Beautiful restaurant. Excellent wine list. Host John insured that all went well. All 8 of us greatly enjoyed the experience!“

“Incredible food, but what really sets this place apart is their cooking classes. The classes are in high demand so you have to get your tickets in advance, but it is well worth it. We had a bunch of regulars attending with us, so we knew it was going to be a great time.The owner, who instructs the class, is very kind, patient, and generous. He took his time teaching and answering questions, provided more than enough supplies, and did everything he could to ensure we had a wonderful experience.We started with a cocktail and fresh focaccia bread. The marinara sauce with the bread and some other dishes was the tastiest sauce I’ve ever had. There was a self serve station for water and wine throughout the class. We made a fried risotto appetizer, pizza, spinach and cheese ravioli, and gnocchi. The owner and his staff gave one-on-one instruction when needed, and were very nice and helpful.We gave the staff everything we had prepared to be cooked in the kitchen. Our dishes were returned hot and ready for a delicious meal. There was so much food we were provided with to go containers and had it for several meals afterwards. We were also treated to limoncello gelato and limoncello shots at the very end of the class.This class was so fun and informative, and the atmosphere was relaxed. The quality ingredients, experience, drinks, and food were well worth the price. Highly recommend!“

“Their pizza is worth trying. I highly recommend ordering a pizza with a side order of boneless chicken wings. We thought the chicken wings were divine! They were so tender and worth ordering again. The pizza was full of texture and taste. We ordered the Italian Mamma.“

“OH MY GOSH! Not only was the service the best but the food was AMAZING! Our whole group loved every bite and left satisfied! We WILL be back and recommending this place to everyone!“

“My wife and I had an absolutely amazing evening dining out here on a long weekend trip to DC for our Birthdays. The food was incredible I have not found one dish at this or the Chicago location that wasn’t great. Abagail was simply the best waitress we have EVER had. She was attentive, personable and really went out of the way to give us the best dining experience my wife and I have ever had from top to bottom. We had a great experience in Chicago but I have to say I think the food was a touch better here. I am comparing caviar to caviar here as both were great, but DC has the win here and certainly did with our waitress as well.“

“We have been going to La Tomate for years. Retired several years ago and moved away from DC. Every time we are in DC we always go to one of our favorite restaurant, La Tomate. I love the selection on the menu, always something new to try with the daily specials. La Tomate has great staff and an excellent location. Many thanks to Natalina for having a beautiful Restaurant and delicious food. Happy Anniversary!“

“So delicious and a wonderful atmosphere.“

“I was in DC for an education seminar, and our group of six ate dinner here. I ordered the Pappardelle Alfredo and for dessert, I chose the cheesecake, which was the best that I've ever had at a restaurant. It has a hint of lemon, and it was delicious. The staff was very attentive, friendly, and cheerful, which is important to me. I will definitely stop by again the next time I'm in DC.“

“We visited this week after many years not coming and the pizza still the best pizza since we 1st found this place back in 2009. The gentleman working in the counter, he is Hispanic, still working there for many years gave us the best service. This is the best Pizza in the area. We will come back for sure.“

“The staff were friendly & professional. The food was perfect & in huge proportions!“

“Came here for a farewell dinner with my housemate. Everything we ordered (the Capa Tosta salad, cavatelli pesto shrimp, and the fettuccine alfredo with chicken) was delicious! The setting was also intimate enough to have a nice, meaningful conversation.“

“The service is warm and pleasantly engaging and the food and beverages are outstanding. What’s not to love about Lupo?“

“This charming trattoria came onto my radar, driven by a craving for Veal Saltimbocca and I was not disappointed! I called ahead to make a reservation and I was seated at my reservation time. The Veal Saltimbocca tasted like it came straight from a traditional Italian kitchen. It was tender, fresh and flavorful, served in a generous portion.

I'm not much of a drinker, but the Margarita Italiano with Limoncello was the best Margarita I've ever tasted and was served in a large glass! Service was excellent from my initial phone call to make the reservation through the end of my visit. I am looking forward to eating my leftovers tomorrow. I would come here again for the same meal, without hesitation.“

“Amazing addition to the neighborhood. We went around happy hour and everything was great. Good vibes, great prices, really nice staff. A small menu, really well curated. We got the valpolicella, real Rickey, Roman sunset, Toto, and a meat and cheese board.

Can’t recommend this place enough. It’s going to be our go to after-work chill spot from now on.“

“Certo Restaurant is a delightful dining experience that I can't recommend enough! I recently visited for breakfast, and I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the food and the warm ambiance.

I ordered the omelette, and it was absolutely perfect—fluffy, flavorful, and packed with fresh ingredients. Each bite was a wonderful combination of textures and tastes. The fruit bowl was equally impressive, featuring a vibrant assortment of seasonal fruits that were both refreshing and beautifully presented.

The service was exceptional, with attentive staff who genuinely care about providing a great experience. The atmosphere is inviting and comfortable, making it a fantastic spot to enjoy a leisurely meal.

Overall, Certo Restaurant has quickly become one of my favorite places to dine. Whether you're looking for a hearty breakfast or a relaxing brunch, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit!“

“On vacation from RI, my husband and I and very good friends had lunch at Lily’s just this past week and we fully enjoyed experience! It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were greeted with sunny faces and a friendly, highly professional staff. We sat in the outdoor area and everything from being there to fill our water glasses and explaining the menu was covered. I highly recommend Lily’s if not just for the fact that we felt like we were at home but to top it off, the food was delicious. Try the Tropical salad and the meatball appetizer!!“

“Amazing food and service.“

“Prix fixe menu that is always different, so each visit is a new dining experience. With an intimate atmosphere and always exceptionally attentive service, we look forward to coming back!“

“My wife and I both had excellent meals. She ordered the short ribs which were tasty, generous in quantity, and reasonably priced. I ordered the rack of lamb which was perfectly cooked and also very tasty. The restaurant was quiet since it wasn't particularly busy and the service was attentive and prompt. An excellent experience overall“

“My friends and I were visiting DC and wanted to try something new. When we got there we saw it was closed for a private event but Sherman quickly came out and apologized. My friend mentioned wanting to find a cannoli so he told us to wait outside. He came out with three cannolis and told us it was free. He was the sweetest and the cannolis were amazing!!“

“The place was really cute though my photo doesn’t do it justice. They had bright lighting and a high ceiling. We went during the Wharf boat parade so it was great hideout from the cold and the crowd.

I ordered on the kiosk when I walked in. The service was fast and the sandwich was fresh. I ordered the Retzo sandwich with chicken cutlet and it had this sweet and spicy sauce that was perfect for the weather.“

“Totally awesome place, good,and great staff. Totally recommend 😘😘😘😘😘👋👋👋👋👋“

“Great food! Love their meatballs!“