50 Best Italian Restaurants near Marlow Heights

“I placed an order online for four 18inch pizzas and two 2 liter drinks. The food was waiting for me at the prearranged time, but you could tell that it hadn't been sitting out all morning long. Fresh and tasty. The chicken bbq bacon pizza was especially good. The gentleman at the counter was nice and efficient at checkout.“

“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.“

“Impeccable service and Awesome Hot food“

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

“Great food and atmosphere“

“This is a DC classic. Must go. The rigatoni has been on the menu for 10 years and it’s perfect. We always also get the seasonal dishes - they are fabulous and ever changing. There’s also always an octopus dish and they cook it so well and it’s so hard to get right. It’s both tender and a little charred.“

“Great food, wines and service.“

“It was not our first time at Modena, and each time, we had never been disappointed.
Last time night was restaurant week.
Each course was absolutely delicious.
Surprisingly, the portions were quite generous. They are often reduced during restaurant week.
Even though the dessert was part of the menu, I was offered two delicious canoli to celebrate my birthday.
The staff and service were perfect.“

“Food was delicious! Definitely on the pricier side but it was an absolute treat. Honestly with an appetizer the half portion of pasta was absolutely perfect in size and the bomboloni for dessert was a delicious treat and very freshly made! I would definitely go back to try more! Drinks were also delicious, I got the sirene spritz and would definitely order it again. Their bread is also definitely to die for. So delicious.“

“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!“

“I love the pizza and the fantastic service. Everything is fresh, delicious and family environment!“

“Honestly the best place in Adams Morgan! The place never disappoints. Me and my partner went here almost weekly. We usually just walked in around early weekdays like Tuesday/Wednesday and easily got a table on the bar. The atmosphere, food and drinks selection are all great. You can tell that they took care of the employees there very well by the energy all the servers gave out in return.
Their menu change by the season. This season they have a marvelous snap peas with Hummus as appetizer and they have this fried half chicken situation which is to die for.
I only have one feedback - Please bring back the gelato!!!“

“Wonderful homemade food! So delicious. Cozy atmosphere and amazing smells!“

“Awesome, great food and very good service as well“

“Best Italian food I've ever had!“

“We could not believe our luck finding this gem of a place, whilst on holiday from Scotland! The food? What can I say to make folk reach out to you? Just go and you’ll experience the most wonderful home cooked food and the greatest ambience! .. staff and management couldn’t make you feel more welcome! Keep the good work up and hopefully see you next visit! You’ll be our “ go to restaurant” Thank you PS - our town Dundee in Scotland is “twinned” ( sister) with yourselves .. who would have known eh??“

“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! ;)“

“The food was phenomenal - we had the beet & burrata salad, a Margherita pizza, and the wild boar tagliatelle. They have a nice wine list as well. Can’t wait to come back and try other dishes!!!“

“It's a great place that knows exactly what it is: a nice simple place to get some amazing pizza. The food was great, the workers were friendly, the booths were clean. I was really impressed, and if I'm back in that part of town again, I'm certainly going to eat there.“

“I have been a happy customer of Giovanni's Trattu for many years. It is close enough to my house that I can walk there. The food is fantastic - always great Italian treasures that satisfy perfectly! The serving sizes are HUGE! But it is really the service that keeps me coming back. The staff is friendly, smart, helpful and consistent! I love them! The ambience is like a little neighborhood place that is comfortable and homey. I love the Trattu!!!“

“Delicious food-very relaxing atmosphere-friendly staff“

“Please give this place 5 stars. Everything was AMAZING!! They have happy hour on food and drinks. Order the meatballs and risotto balls.

The dinner selections and the espresso martini was truly the best I ever had! We ordered the lamb dish and the seafood manicotti. BOMB. Jordan truly took care of us. I will be back.“

“Excellent Italian food. Everything is consistently delicious. We come here weekly and always enjoy the food. Jesus is super friendly and service is great.“

“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.“

“Food and service was very good, we got the gnocchi and chard ravioli which were both very good and decent portion sizes. We also got the prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella which was some of the best we've had in a while. The tiramisu at the end of the night was also very good. They also bring out bread at the beginning so be careful not to get too many appetizers. We both left feeling pretty stuffed. Overall a decent date spot, relatively quiet despite the close quarters, but has a good small-Italian restaurant vibe and ambience. It was not very crowded when we went, so I'm not sure how it might be with a crowd.“

“Upon our arrival at 6pm, we were warmly greeted by the server, who kindly opened the door for us. There is a big step to get into the restaurant, and the restroom is on the second level, so not wheelchair accessible. The establishment was still quiet at this hour, with ample seating available, though many patrons had reservations made.

We ordered two pasta dishes for a quick dinner and were pleased with our choices:
- The spaghetti carbonara was flavorful with crispy bacon. However, preparation with a more traditional approach would have been preferred.
- The Fettuccini Alfredo with chicken was rich, featuring al dente fettuccine and tender chicken.
- I'm unsure what to make of the token unchopped parsleys on the corner of each pasta plate, as they didn't add to the dish in taste or plating.
- We complemented our meal with a glass of their house pinot grigio, which had pleasant floral and fruit notes.

On a final note, it was intriguing to observe the use of whipped butter instead of olive oil for the bread service at an Italian restaurant, as it's a departure from tradition.“

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

“Good food. Doesn’t matter what you get it’s all delicious.“

“I went with a friend. It's our neighborhood favorite. they make you feel like you are part of the family. If you like carbonara the Italian way (no cream), make sure to ask, because yesterday they had a different chef and couldn't guarantee the ingredients. This being said, we still had a yummy dinner, and tasty wine from sicily.“

“I had an incredible time at Fiola DC last night for date night! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, with an elegant and refined ambiance. The service was impeccable—attentive without being intrusive, and the staff made sure every detail of our experience was perfect.

The food was truly outstanding. Each dish was not only beautifully presented but also bursting with flavor. The seasonal ingredients were fresh and expertly prepared, showcasing the creativity and skill of the kitchen. The pasta was a standout, perfectly cooked and balanced in flavor.

Overall, Fiola DC exceeded my expectations, making for a memorable and delightful evening. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a top-tier dining experience in the city.“

“First time here and it lived up to the hype from social media. The Christmas decorations were charming. The staff was accommodating and very friendly to the two children we had with us. The food was amazing, delicious, authentic and portions were huge. I definitely will be back!“

“The food was excellent and we had a great time . Super sweet waiters .“

“Little Cocos is a wonderful Italian spot in Petworth. It has an outdoor seating area that's tented (so shaded) and a fully stocked bar inside. We went on a Wednesday evening and had no trouble getting a table.We ordered the calamari, cacio e pepe, and bolognese. The calamari was cooked to PERFECTION. Crispy, tender, chefs kiss ?‍?.Cacio e pepe was also delicious, al dente pasta with extra cheese. It was super creamy.Bolognese had great flavor and sauce. However, the pasta was a little too al dente. We should've mentioned something because I'm sure they would've fixed it for us.The service is 10/10 here.“

“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“

“The required tasting menu in the Tail Up Goat dining room is a six-course meal of difficult-to-prepare and skillfully presented tasty bites that will set you back $130 per person plus a mandatory 22% gratuity (beverage pairings are available for additional cost). Despite a distinct culinary virtuosity and attention to flavors and textures, there was no real wow from the dishes, and the portion sizes were wanting compared to other tasting menus and the price charged. The wine list was quite interesting, and we thoroughly enjoyed the Markus Molitor Riesling Brut. While we appreciated the meal and service, we can't give it our highest recommendation in terms of value for price.“

“The staff were all welcoming from the start. The food was AMAZING! The owner came to our table to check on our evening. We were very happy and I must say the Filet Mignon with balsamic glaze was one of the best I’ve ever had and I’ve eaten at 3 star Michelin restaurants . The evening was important to us as we got engaged that day. I highly recommend this wonderful little jewel of a restaurant !!“

“We tried the Alexandria location, and it had amazing service! The staff was friendly and professional. They went above and beyond to make sure our experience was the best! The food was delicious, and the ambiance was very warm and inviting. Cindy was our server, and we cannot say enough good things about how perfect she made our experience. We were celebrating a birthday, and ordered a couple of appetizers, as well as the Malloreddus for the entree. Everything was served to perfection, and came out wonderfully. 5/5 Would recommend! We will definitely return.“

“Vegan pizza and garlic knots“

“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!“

“One of my friends recommended the restaurant and I wanted to try it out . Delicious food, friendly atmosphere very near to the metro.“

“hands down, one of the best deli sandwiches you will ever eat.“

“The caprese salad was delicious. I also enjoyed the short rib ravioli. I highly recommend this restaurant.“

“So delicious and a wonderful atmosphere.“

“Came here and got two fresh pasta dishes, one alla Norma and one with arabica sauce. They were both delicious. The alla Norma in particular was excellent, and the prices are amazing. We came with our daughter and got her the penne with meatballs from the kids menu, which is a nice option. She loved the meatballs!

Kid-friendliness: There is a kids menu, the staff is super nice and accommodating and there is a big outside seating spot, which was perfect for a messy toddler“

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

“Alta Strada is an amazing spot for dinner! Get the world famous bread...you'll thank me later.

The service was top level, very quick service all around. Every member of the staff seems to help out every table. It's not the biggest restaurant, but gives you that family Italian vibe.

Roger was top tier, excellent service from start to finish! He even made sure the table wasn't wobbling...never seen that, haha. Even got level with the table to make sure lmao. Kinda wanted to see what would have happened if it was!

If you are in the area and looking for something new, if you haven't checked this spot out.....do it!“

“Great pizza and lasagna. The staff were friendly and helpful during our dinner. We definitely will be going back in the future.“

“I like this place I would like any of the men there. I'll be good..“

“Had a great evening catching up at this amazing Italian spot. Reservations are recommended, but we sat at the bar and had a fantastic time. Will definitely be back to try more of the delicious food. Amazing staff, always smiles, never made us feel rushed and gave us lots of laughs.“