If I could give this place six stars out of five, I would. Everything about this place is immaculate. Let’s start with the food. The Whipped Ricotta Crostini is amazing—absolutely delicious mix of whipped cheese and honey on bread. The Arancini di Funghi are like these cheesy mushroom ricotta balls and they’re equally delicious. For my pasta I had the Mezzi Rigatoni and man that is some great pasta with sausage. So the food? Already perfect. But the service?? Somehow even better.
I dropped and picked up a fork, it didn’t make a loud noise on the wood floors and yet someone replaced the fork within a minute. Our waiter was both charismatic and excited to serve us. Waters were refilled promptly, almost as if the waiters were timed for how long it took. Even the head cheff came out while we were having our entrées to make sure everything was good with the food.
Everything else about the restaurant simply can't be critiqued. The ambiance felt local, cozy, and warm. And in terms of pricing, for the quality and experience you're getting, high 20s for entrées and mid 10s for appetizers are extremely reasonable if not on the lower end when compared to other high-end restaurants in DC.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Butler
What a wonderful little spot this is! The food is always fantastic, the best rigatoni I've ever had! The staff is always so accommodating. The bartenders take great care of you and always look out to make sure you'll find someplace to sit. Can't say enough about this place. Don't miss out, sit at the bar eat an incredible meal and have a fantastic mock or cocktail!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food Lover
“How good could this place possibly be? It’s just pasta,” was my exact thought when my partner suggested we try it. Turns out, it was one of the most incredible dining experiences I’ve had.
The service was exceptional—thoughtful, attentive, and genuinely personalized. They noticed that my partner and I like to share our food, so when our pasta arrived, they placed the dishes in the center and brought us smaller plates to share from. What really impressed me was that they didn’t do this for the couples seated next to us—they served each table exactly how they preferred. That level of attention to detail is rare and honestly impressive.
The food was outstanding. The ricotta toast was so good, the mushroom pasta was absolutely to die for, and the real standout was the cinnamon crunch gelato—holy cow. Easily the best gelato I’ve ever had, and weeks later I still find myself thinking about it.
Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Enrique Salvador-valencia
One of the best Italian restaurants in the dmv, always a great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Maggie He
Grilled octopus and bread were the highlight. Pasta was too salty and too al dente.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Huntley
Surprise 3% surcharge? Just increase your prices or leave it off, absolutely ridiculous.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Joseph Pate
Amazing ambience and great food. The type of restaurant everyone wants in their neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Britton Burdick (Britton T. Burdick)
The Red Hen is a victim of its own success. The rave reviews and famous dishes set the bar high — but it underwhelmed on my visit. After hearing so much about the place, I was certain the food would be phenomenal. It was not a bad meal, but neither was it memorable. The word that comes to mind is “decent.”
The mezzi rigatoni you’ve heard so much about? It’s good. But it’s not $28 good. It’s definitely not wait-a-week-for-a-reservation good. It’s a solid 3.75 out of 5.
While the unfussy neighborhood feel lends it a quaint atmosphere, the tables can be quite close together, making it easy to peek at what your neighbors are ordering and potentially feel like every word you utter is being eavesdropped on.
If our neighbors had been listening in on us, they might have heard us express tepidity. If a friend desperately wanted to visit, I’d allow myself to tag along for their sake — but it’s not on my list of must-try Italian joints in DC.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Jake Renaldo
Top restaurant in DC. Never can go wrong with this spot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michela Dwyer
Excellent wine selection, delicious short rib pasta and squid ink linguine. Service was very professional, great timing, knowledgeable about menu.
I had quite possibly one of the nicest and most pleasant restaurant experiences of my life here last night. In world of failing restaurants and an increasing lack of proffesionalism in service, The Red Hen is a shining star. A genteel red headed bartender outclassed every server from every fine dining experience I've had in DC with his charming banter and refined etiquette. My experience was absolutely delightful, and I will be recommending this establishment to my friends and colleagues.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andy
What a nice wonderful place is this one! Makes me wish I lived in DC. I was visiting and chose this restaurant for dinner. Boy, am I glad I came! It was worth the whole trip. Food was not only delicious but interesting, drinks were fabulous and the service was nothing but perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sina Hudson
The Red Hen is a cozy little restaurant in a residential neighborhood of DC. It brings that coziness to its food and service. Rich and strong flavors in their pasta, with depth to their drinks. Always a delight and a real treat to dine here
If I could give this place six stars out of five, I would. Everything about this place is immaculate. Let’s start with the food. The Whipped Ricotta Crostini is amazing—absolutely delicious mix of whipped cheese and honey on bread. The Arancini di Funghi are like these cheesy mushroom ricotta balls and they’re equally delicious. For my pasta I had the Mezzi Rigatoni and man that is some great pasta with sausage. So the food? Already perfect. But the service?? Somehow even better.
I dropped and picked up a fork, it didn’t make a loud noise on the wood floors and yet someone replaced the fork within a minute. Our waiter was both charismatic and excited to serve us. Waters were refilled promptly, almost as if the waiters were timed for how long it took. Even the head cheff came out while we were having our entrées to make sure everything was good with the food.
Everything else about the restaurant simply can't be critiqued. The ambiance felt local, cozy, and warm. And in terms of pricing, for the quality and experience you're getting, high 20s for entrées and mid 10s for appetizers are extremely reasonable if not on the lower end when compared to other high-end restaurants in DC.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a wonderful little spot this is! The food is always fantastic, the best rigatoni I've ever had! The staff is always so accommodating. The bartenders take great care of you and always look out to make sure you'll find someplace to sit. Can't say enough about this place. Don't miss out, sit at the bar eat an incredible meal and have a fantastic mock or cocktail!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
“How good could this place possibly be? It’s just pasta,” was my exact thought when my partner suggested we try it. Turns out, it was one of the most incredible dining experiences I’ve had.
The service was exceptional—thoughtful, attentive, and genuinely personalized. They noticed that my partner and I like to share our food, so when our pasta arrived, they placed the dishes in the center and brought us smaller plates to share from. What really impressed me was that they didn’t do this for the couples seated next to us—they served each table exactly how they preferred. That level of attention to detail is rare and honestly impressive.
The food was outstanding. The ricotta toast was so good, the mushroom pasta was absolutely to die for, and the real standout was the cinnamon crunch gelato—holy cow. Easily the best gelato I’ve ever had, and weeks later I still find myself thinking about it.
Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best Italian restaurants in the dmv, always a great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Grilled octopus and bread were the highlight. Pasta was too salty and too al dente.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Surprise 3% surcharge? Just increase your prices or leave it off, absolutely ridiculous.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Amazing ambience and great food. The type of restaurant everyone wants in their neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Red Hen is a victim of its own success. The rave reviews and famous dishes set the bar high — but it underwhelmed on my visit. After hearing so much about the place, I was certain the food would be phenomenal. It was not a bad meal, but neither was it memorable. The word that comes to mind is “decent.”
The mezzi rigatoni you’ve heard so much about? It’s good. But it’s not $28 good. It’s definitely not wait-a-week-for-a-reservation good. It’s a solid 3.75 out of 5.
While the unfussy neighborhood feel lends it a quaint atmosphere, the tables can be quite close together, making it easy to peek at what your neighbors are ordering and potentially feel like every word you utter is being eavesdropped on.
If our neighbors had been listening in on us, they might have heard us express tepidity. If a friend desperately wanted to visit, I’d allow myself to tag along for their sake — but it’s not on my list of must-try Italian joints in DC.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Top restaurant in DC. Never can go wrong with this spot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent wine selection, delicious short rib pasta and squid ink linguine. Service was very professional, great timing, knowledgeable about menu.
Food: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Really really good food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had quite possibly one of the nicest and most pleasant restaurant experiences of my life here last night. In world of failing restaurants and an increasing lack of proffesionalism in service, The Red Hen is a shining star. A genteel red headed bartender outclassed every server from every fine dining experience I've had in DC with his charming banter and refined etiquette. My experience was absolutely delightful, and I will be recommending this establishment to my friends and colleagues.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a nice wonderful place is this one! Makes me wish I lived in DC. I was visiting and chose this restaurant for dinner. Boy, am I glad I came! It was worth the whole trip. Food was not only delicious but interesting, drinks were fabulous and the service was nothing but perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Red Hen is a cozy little restaurant in a residential neighborhood of DC. It brings that coziness to its food and service. Rich and strong flavors in their pasta, with depth to their drinks. Always a delight and a real treat to dine here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best food, best atmosphere (although loud).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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