Modena

We are out of town from Cincinnati, Ohio and we wandered in here before checking in for the night. What a beautiful restaurant, the waiter was on point, the food was impeccable especially the dreamsicle dip, and the caprese. The drinks were sweet but strong. Definitely recommend if you're in the area and looking for some unique flavors and Italian cuisine.

Best Italian food I've ever had.

Excellent spot for dinner - I had the hanger steak with braised raddicio and it delish

The waiter was very rude.

Plenty of gluten free options and they were all amazing. If there is something you want that is not on the menu just ask and they will make something for you. Best Italian restraunt I've been to and can't wait to return. 10 stars!!

The food is good but not spectacular.
They charge us a little but more than expected for sparkling water and bread, which doesn't happen in other restaurants near.

Stopped in here on a whim while in DC for work and was absolutely blown away. Super friendly and kind staff, great atmosphere, and absolutely divine GLUTEN FREE Italian food....this was the best meal I have had in a long time. Thank you Modena 💜

The happy hour food was strangely simple /boring and the wines were not good. Maybe a normal meal is better.

I recently dined at Modena DC and had an overall positive experience. The food was generally good, though some dishes stood out more than others. The crispy artichokes were absolutely delicious—crispy and flavorful, definitely a highlight of the meal. The butternut squash pasta was just okay, lacking a bit of depth in flavor, but the pesto gnocchi was quite good, with a nice balance of creamy texture and vibrant pesto.

For dessert, the crème brûlée was fantastic—rich, creamy, and perfectly caramelized on top. It was definitely a great way to end the meal.

While the food was decent, I did find the prices to be a bit on the higher side for what you get. Still, it wasn’t a bad experience overall.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Had a beautiful surprise here ! Was a last minute decision to have dinner and I was wowed by every bite . The service is AMAZING! And the food was wonderful. I had the scallops , then the sea bass, and ended the meal with the tiramisu , and yes it comes with ice cream ! Such a wonderful experience and will definitely come back to try more dishes !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Solid food. Don’t like the added 20% surcharge.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

I recently attended a birthday dinner at Modena, an Italian restaurant with beautiful decor—definitely a great spot for photos. However, the food was overpriced and disappointing.

The menu items didn’t feel familiar or approachable, and even the recommended dishes, like the scallops, were tasteless. Be cautious of the $8 bottled water trick—they keep refilling without mentioning the cost until you see it on the bill.

Our server was persistent about suggesting we order three courses, but with salads starting at $20, and main courses going up to $38+, the prices didn’t match the quality. If the food were actually enjoyable, I wouldn’t mind paying more, but I just didn’t get my money’s worth.

The “shareable” plates, priced around $30, are laughably small—barely enough for one person, let alone sharing. When we sent back a dish that wasn’t to our taste, they still tried to charge us, which felt odd and inflexible.

Additionally, they wouldn’t accommodate multiple cards for payment, which was frustrating, especially as our group was nearly the only one there.

If you’re looking to splurge on great food, I’d suggest going to Ruth’s Chris or Fogo de Chao, where you’re more likely to feel like you got what you paid for. As for Modena, I might consider going back for a dessert and wine experience, but certainly not for the food.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Scallops, Arugula Salad

Wonderful experience. I wandered off the street looking for an affogato and Darwin took such good care of me. Great drinks and dessert with friendly staff and fun, modern ambience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My water glass never went empty, service was stellar and the food was equally amazing!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent meal. Exceptional service. We had brioche and salad appetizers and scallops entree and all were top notch.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5