As someone who grew up with real Italian food, Alfio's felt like stepping into a delicious memory. The service was outstanding--attentive and genuinely caring, always present but never hovering. You could tell the staff really takes pride in making you feel at home.
Now, the food- incredible. It brought me right back to the flavors of my childhood. We started with the prosciutto and mozzarella rolls, which were out of this world--salty, creamy, and the perfect opener. Then came a white pizza that absolutely nailed the balance of cheese, garlic, and pesto. Every bite was rich without being over the top. My partner had the chicken piccata and savored every last bite.
Portions were just right--satisfying without being overwhelming. The kind of meal where you're full but still excited to take the last bites home for later.
And the old-world charm of the place was cozy and inviting, with that kind of vibe that makes you want to linger a little longer and plan your next visit before you've even paid the check. We did just that!
Highly recommend for anyone craving quality Italian food, top-notch service, and very reasonable prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Apollos Hill
if anyone gives the food over a 3 star, you have no self worth or standards for quality. everything was covered in butter, salt and cheese. bread was store bought, my wife is happy they had gluten free pasta. I think we will stick to avoiding Italian restaurants again. not worth the calories.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
R F
I ordered a pizza and a Caesar salad for lunch pickup. When I got it home, I found the salad completely wilted mush. Inedible. They sold me a salad from yesterday. I guess because I was picking it up, they put money over quality standards. I cooked at restaurants for years and would never have tried to pawn off this swill on a paying customer. The pizza was fine but come on, guys!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Laura
Decent Italian restaurant. Great pizza. Friendly and talkative people running this restaurant. Give it a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lee Maynard
Dinner and we end up sick that same night with gastrointestinal issues. Something not quite right in the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Carol Esser
I was there with a large group. The food was good, and it was nice to have our own area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
vannnvz
Excellent place with an unbelievable vibe. Have never seen such a restaurant around the town. We had a 7 person birthday on a Sunday and everything was amazing. food 10/10service 10000/10will definitely come back??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
The Sun God
Best service I have ever had. Waiter amazing and a solid dub. He was so funny and nice. The ice cream sandwiches were amazing also. 10/10 service would eat again just based on that.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Sarah Elizabeth
Beautiful place with delicious food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
tom stallone
For over over 25 years I ate here at least twice a month. I was there last night. The food is improved. The service is still excellent in downtown Bethesda. The atmosphere remains kind of dark. It would highly improve this place if someone updated and brightened the interior. Bathrooms are tight and might be hard for wheelchairs. *A great outdoor patio.
This place is a gem! We've driven by so often and never stopped, but now live in the neighborhood and have been multiple times.Lovely old-world atmosphere. Excellent service. And the food is wonderful. We've had pizza, pasta, seafood and beef and all have been delicious. We've taken multiple sets of friends and they've all loved the food, too. Very happy to have found a new favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fern Ingber
Music was fabulous - S K JAZZ. The food is just ok and the atmosphere bizarrely right out of Knights of the Roundtable. We were in the area and thought we’d give the place a try. Glad we did - our group will definitely be back whenever that jazz group is playing!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Carolina Reyes
This one was my first time there, and my experience wasn't pleasant at all. We went with a few friends for a birthday celebration. The place itself was very nice, I felt comfortable in the beginning, music was good until you needed the service.The waitress came 20 minutes after we arrived, I ordered 1 antipasti and 2 main dishes for me and my husband. Forget about drinks,that was another story. After an hour, the waitress returned with one dish, and it was for one of the guests who ordered 15 minutes before us, and he said that the plate was cold. He was hungry and tired, so he ate it.After probably 20 minutes more, she came back with one of our dishes and not a word for the rest. For obvious reasons, we canceled the rest of the order, and instead of apologizing or looking more understanding, she turned back with attitude.To pay the bill, I had to go and find the lady, speak with the manager, and 30 minutes later, I paid my bill. The whole thing was outrageous.I had never experienced something like this, and my feelings were that they both couldn't care less.I can understand about being short in labor but that it is not how to treat customers.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Suleyman Bozkurt
To much waiting time between plates and no one
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Patrick Kenny
Just happened upon this place while staying around the corner. The brussel sprouts appetizer was fantastic. My chicken dish was good, but could have used a touch more flavor. My coworker lives her shrimp dish.
As someone who grew up with real Italian food, Alfio's felt like stepping into a delicious memory. The service was outstanding--attentive and genuinely caring, always present but never hovering. You could tell the staff really takes pride in making you feel at home.
Now, the food- incredible. It brought me right back to the flavors of my childhood. We started with the prosciutto and mozzarella rolls, which were out of this world--salty, creamy, and the perfect opener. Then came a white pizza that absolutely nailed the balance of cheese, garlic, and pesto. Every bite was rich without being over the top. My partner had the chicken piccata and savored every last bite.
Portions were just right--satisfying without being overwhelming. The kind of meal where you're full but still excited to take the last bites home for later.
And the old-world charm of the place was cozy and inviting, with that kind of vibe that makes you want to linger a little longer and plan your next visit before you've even paid the check. We did just that!
Highly recommend for anyone craving quality Italian food, top-notch service, and very reasonable prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
if anyone gives the food over a 3 star, you have no self worth or standards for quality.
everything was covered in butter, salt and cheese. bread was store bought, my wife is happy they had gluten free pasta. I think we will stick to avoiding Italian restaurants again. not worth the calories.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
I ordered a pizza and a Caesar salad for lunch pickup. When I got it home, I found the salad completely wilted mush. Inedible. They sold me a salad from yesterday. I guess because I was picking it up, they put money over quality standards. I cooked at restaurants for years and would never have tried to pawn off this swill on a paying customer. The pizza was fine but come on, guys!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Decent Italian restaurant. Great pizza. Friendly and talkative people running this restaurant. Give it a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dinner and we end up sick that same night with gastrointestinal issues. Something not quite right in the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
I was there with a large group. The food was good, and it was nice to have our own area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Excellent place with an unbelievable vibe. Have never seen such a restaurant around the town. We had a 7 person birthday on a Sunday and everything was amazing. food 10/10service 10000/10will definitely come back??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
Best service I have ever had. Waiter amazing and a solid dub. He was so funny and nice. The ice cream sandwiches were amazing also. 10/10 service would eat again just based on that.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Beautiful place with delicious food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
For over over 25 years I ate here at least twice a month. I was there last night. The food is improved. The service is still excellent in downtown Bethesda. The atmosphere remains kind of dark. It would highly improve this place if someone updated and brightened the interior. Bathrooms are tight and might be hard for wheelchairs. *A great outdoor patio.
Parking: Valet parks cars beneath the building.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo, Calamari, Veal Picatta, Baked Ziti, Bolognese, Chicken Parmigiana, White Pizza
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is a gem! We've driven by so often and never stopped, but now live in the neighborhood and have been multiple times.Lovely old-world atmosphere. Excellent service. And the food is wonderful. We've had pizza, pasta, seafood and beef and all have been delicious. We've taken multiple sets of friends and they've all loved the food, too. Very happy to have found a new favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Music was fabulous - S K JAZZ. The food is just ok and the atmosphere bizarrely right out of Knights of the Roundtable. We were in the area and thought we’d give the place a try. Glad we did - our group will definitely be back whenever that jazz group is playing!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
This one was my first time there, and my experience wasn't pleasant at all. We went with a few friends for a birthday celebration. The place itself was very nice, I felt comfortable in the beginning, music was good until you needed the service.The waitress came 20 minutes after we arrived, I ordered 1 antipasti and 2 main dishes for me and my husband. Forget about drinks,that was another story. After an hour, the waitress returned with one dish, and it was for one of the guests who ordered 15 minutes before us, and he said that the plate was cold. He was hungry and tired, so he ate it.After probably 20 minutes more, she came back with one of our dishes and not a word for the rest. For obvious reasons, we canceled the rest of the order, and instead of apologizing or looking more understanding, she turned back with attitude.To pay the bill, I had to go and find the lady, speak with the manager, and 30 minutes later, I paid my bill. The whole thing was outrageous.I had never experienced something like this, and my feelings were that they both couldn't care less.I can understand about being short in labor but that it is not how to treat customers.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
To much waiting time between plates and no one
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Just happened upon this place while staying around the corner. The brussel sprouts appetizer was fantastic. My chicken dish was good, but could have used a touch more flavor. My coworker lives her shrimp dish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
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