31 Best Italian Restaurants near Derwood

“Stopped by with my wife and 2 of my daughters celebrating mother's day. First off , what a hidden gem, in a strip shopping center. We had calamari which was probably the best I've ever had, we had spaghetti with meatballs and with meat sauce also linguine with shrimp delicious all around. Our servers were on point all night, wine was perfect and the peronis were ice cold. Way to go guys, we will be back“

“This was our first visit to a local Italian restaurant in/at Bethesda row. Nice atmosphere. Service was very attentive.

The food was above average in general - we tried two appetizers, two main dishes and a desert.

There was a special on the menu - corn and crab agnolotti that was excellent. Zucchini appetizer was savory. The crème puff was also excellent. However, lamb shank didn’t impress.

Solid 4 star“

“Pizza, hot subs, wines etc. All delicious!“

“Came in here for dinner tonight! The burrata salad with the beets and the pear pizza were both AMAZING! bartender was attentive and kind. very good service. impeccable actually. delish. will def be back.“

“I am from Baltimore and while working in Germantown I wanted something to eat other than fast food. I went into Paisano's around 530pm and was greeted so nicely by a young woman. I did not want a sub because Montgomery Co normally you get a steak um and that is what I am used too. I ordered the chicken Parmigian with pasta. Wow the sauce was amazing, pasta was perfect, the breaded chicken was covered in cheese. The garlic bread was so good. Great price, large portion that I could not finish. I told the girl behind counter that the food was awesome and it made this fatboy happy. I am 6'4 & 280lbs and I wanted to hug everyone but I did not want to scare anyone. Thank you!“

“Beautiful restaurant with impeccable service and amazing menu! Andrew, the manager and Michael, our waiter pay attention to every detail. So happy to have in Olney!“

“We celebrated our anniversary at Dante’s and it was absolutely magical. The atmosphere was sophisticated—perfect for a special occasion. From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and celebrated. The food was nothing short of incredible—every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The attention to detail and impeccable service made the evening feel extra special. Thank you, Dante, for making our anniversary so memorable. We’ll definitely be coming back for more.“

“Good food, good service. Reasonable prices“

“Carlos (server) was amazing! Very knowledgeable of the food and alternatives. Friendly and professional. Thank you Carlos for the exceptional service. And Ada(manager), Great attitude and open to questions. Thank you Ada for ensuring a great evening.“

“😊🌟 Fontina Grill: Where Dining Becomes an Art Form! 🌟 If excellence could be served on a platter, Fontina Grill would be the Michelin-starred sculptor behind it. From the moment I walked in, I felt like royalty who somehow stumbled upon the holy grail of Italian restaurants in the DMV. I’m never going anywhere else, because clearly, this place was crafted by the pasta gods themselves. Now, let’s talk about Declan. This man is not just a waiter—he’s a hospitality virtuoso, a maestro of service. Declan served with the kind of confidence, precision, and charm that one would expect only in dreams or in five-star Italian dining halls on the Amalfi Coast. His attentiveness was nonplussable (and yes, I dare you to try and outdo it). I wouldn’t be surprised if he moonlights as a diplomat or a secret agent because his service was that smooth. Jennifer, his right-hand helper, deserves a standing ovation. She made everything seamless, adding warmth, grace, and an extra sparkle to an already stellar experience. I’m convinced they have some secret handshake, a dance of synchronized efficiency and care. It's like watching a beautiful duet—where plates and glasses are the choreography and customer delight is the standing ovation. The food? Oh, bella vita! I had a salad so fresh, it may have whispered compliments back at me. My friend’s pasta dish was a carb-laden poem—tender, flavorful, and divine. Each bite was a crescendo of Italian bliss. Clearly, the kitchen staff channels their inner Da Vinci every time they plate a dish. If this restaurant were a movie, it would sweep the Oscars. If it were a song, it would top the charts. If it were a unicorn, it would be the kind that sprinkles magic over your life. To Declan, Jennifer, and the entire Fontina Grill team: Grazie mille ❤️! And "Un milione di grazie." 🌹🌹🌹 You made me feel special, seen, and incredibly grateful. Never changing. Ever. IN SUMMARY: **Fontina Grill is, without question, the pinnacle of Italian dining—an experience of unparalleled excellence. 🍷✨ Every detail, from the service to the cuisine, resonates with authentic passion and flawless execution. Simply put, it is the *apex* of EPIC Italian culinary artistry and the finest I have ever encountered. 🍝🌟** You become alive when you have gone to Fontina Grill - or maybe you will even become a unicorn 🍀🌟🦄 ITALIAN MAGIC PIXIE DUST WILL FOLLOW YOU FOREVER 🙏“

“Excellent experience, the food was delicious 😋 Chef Ismar Reyes is the best! Friendly staff, best homemade desserts.“

“Pizza Rosa is a gem. I ordered cheese pizza with extra cheese and their chicken alfredo. First, their dough/crust IS different. But that's what makes it unique and special. The tomato sauce (made with san marzano, as it should be) is simple yet flavorful. The cheese is perfect too, and next time I won't get the extra cheese because I don't think I needed it after all. So many chain pizza places in my experience are so stingy on the cheese in general, so I order extra by default, out of fear that the sauce to cheese ratio will be 85:15. But Pizza Rosa has you covered, my dear fellow cheese lovers.

But now, let me cover their angelic chicken alfredo. It's hands down the best I have ever had (and I've had plenty from various top notch Italian restaurants in the area, all the way to Stouffer's). The kind of noodle is a new experience on its own and has the perfect texture, capturing the sauce in every nook and cranny so that every bite is perfectly balanced. The chicken itself wasn't overcooked or under seasoned. It was literally perfect. Tender as can be. And don't even get me started on the alfredo sauce. I'm a cheese and alfredo aficionado, and I have the highest standards when it comes to this kind of sauce, and Pizza Rosa's alfredo is superior to any in the universe.

My only regret? Not ordering the dulce de leche cheesecake. That stuff looked heavenly and I'm hoping to order it soon (like tomorrow).

Job well done, Pizza Rosa crew. Job. Well. Done.“

“Still smiling after an unforgettable birthday dinner at Trattoria Sorrento in Bethesda! Celebrated with my family—and the 3 generations of family behind the scenes who crafted one of the best meals I’ve ever had. The veal ravioli bolognese was out of this world—homemade, heartfelt, and absolutely delicious. Huge thanks to the Trattoria Sorrento family for making it so special. If you’re looking for authentic Italian with real soul, this is the spot. Grateful for the food, the warmth, and the memories. 🇮🇹🍷🎉 #TrattoriaSorrento #BethesdaEats #ItalianFoodLove #BirthdayDinnerDoneRight #FamilyTradition #VealRavioliDreams“

“Delicious food. We just had our dinner delivered to the pool. Lasagna, Broccoli, Caesar Salad. The family raved about it and had 3+ servings, kids included.“

“We had a great dinner on our way to Charlottesville… 👍. Thank you.“

“This place has the most delicious pizza in MoCo. The toppings are generous and the sauce is fresh and delicious. My favorite part of a good pizza is the crust and Paisanos has perfected it! Crunchy but soft on the inside, and nice and garlicky. If you’re like me and you think Ledo’s crust is too undercooked, Pizza Hut’s crust is too greasy, Dominos’ is usually burnt and Papa John’s crust is flavorless and rock hard, YOU WILL LOVE PAISANOS. Crust done right! (The customer service is amazing too, the guys are so polite and patient, it’s really wonderful)“

“Great food! The service was great, and the people very friendly! We will definitely be returning customers!“

“My favorite restaurant is Gregorio"s. The food is delicious served warm, service is delightful and the place is always welcoming. If you are looking for a great meal visit Gegorio's Trattoria .“

“southern and northern Italian specialty foods. Chef Ettore the best!“

“Olazzo catered a recent birthday party for us. Everything about the experience was first rate. Scott Crivella was extremely helpful in finagling the menu. The food was delivered right on time and was ready to serve. Our guests were delighted with the chicken Marsala, mango salmon, penne marinara, antipasto platter and bruschetta. Everything was delicious and the servings were very generous. We were extremely pleased.“

“We were in Gaithersburg for a soccer tournament with our son. We googled nearby Italian restaurants and stumbled upon Il pizzico. Being of Sicilian descent, I noticed they had some familiar foods you can’t just get anywhere and made a reservation. What a pleasant surprise! From the carpaccio and arancini appetizers, pasta and risotto to the gelato and cannoli desserts, everything was 5 stars. We will be back in the spring!“

“Mamma Lucia is a revelation! It’s casual, and relaxed environment, but still a nice spot for a glass of wine on a date. The food was fantastic, I ate way too much, but every time I said it’s my last bite, my mouth would start watering for more. Pizza was great! The deep fried risotto was delicious. But the Penne Vodka pasta was show stopping!
Then came dessert! I don’t even like tiramisu normally. And I could have eaten an entire pan of it!
The service was even better than the food!
Must go to spot!

Recently went a second time to buy a friend I have not seen in years dinner. The service was personable and engaging. Had an incredible evening. My friend who is a foodie praised the quality of everything. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. Pricing is great for the Bethesda area.
Wish I had taken photos of the food.“

“Nice neighborhood spot — good food with large portions! Folksy — people will talk to you! Slightly noisy, but not in a bad way. Wait staff is excellent — ask for “Junior”, he will take care of you!!! Check out his mustard and ketchup shoes!!!“

“Good food, good service. Reasonable prices“

“Lemon ricotta cookies are amazing!“

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

“The best Italian food in the DMV!!!!“

“I had a to go order of their eggplant parmigiana with spaghetti, and a side salad. The young gentleman at the pick up counter was so friendly and welcoming. The food was great! The spaghetti was the star (very tasty!), and the salad was pretty good as well as the eggplant parmigiana (a little more sauce would elevate it). They were extremely generous with portion size and the food easily was enough to make 2-3 meals. Price very reasonable too. Look forward to supporting Mama Lucia and frequenting this business more!“

“The salad at $8.50 was overpriced. It had a quarter of a tomato, just a few onions, and hardly any other veggies. The bread was tasteless. It was served cold and the crust was too soft. The main course of linguine and clams was fine. The service was a little slow.“

“The best Italian food in the DMV!!!!“

“Great food and nice atmosphere“