50 Best Italian Restaurants near North Bethesda

“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.“

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

“We had a family Father's Day and two birthday get together. It was a lot of fun bowling and the food was wonderful. From the small plates while bowling to a late lunch downstairs. Thanks to Jeremy for the Great food. And Jose is a great server, He was very helpful with the menu food came out fast and hot.It was our first time and we were very pleased. Please get elevator fixed as I had issues with all the steps. Thanks for a great time. David, Cara and Family Bowers.“

“Great ambiance, food and vibe“

“got a reservation last second in december so i could check out the holiday decorations after hearing of the restaurants history from a TikTok!! worth visiting for the vibes, and the free shots of amaretto!“

“Amazing dinner!! Every course was delicious!“

“Great food, wines and service.“

“Great meal recently at Cucina Morini !!! The food, service and drinks were all on point !! See the photos for our recommendations !!! You can order half orders of pasta !! Perfect if you want to try different things.“

“Att Fabio! I’m here now and Maria is my server. She is the best! I started with the grilled calamari and asked about the vongole. She brought me a sample to try! She is well versed with your menu, it was a pleasure to dine here.“

“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.“

“If I lived here, I would be a regular customer for the customer service alone! The front register person took the time to tell me what the public enjoys as well as his personal favorite; then I watched as the whole team seemed to really communicate and smile with each other while making some of the best pizza I've eaten. Don't hesitate, just go enjoy this restaurant!“

“Went here on a trip with my sister and mom and we had the best service ever. Friendly servers and an amazing atmosphere. The rigatoni alla vodka was the best I’ve ever had and I highly recommend the smoked scallops and roasted chicken as well. Just great service and atmosphere. The music was a huge plus as well. Makes me wanna visit DC again 100%“

“This was some of the best food I’ve ever had. I would never normally choose Italian as a n “”out to eat” option but I’m so glad I did! I would eat here night after night if I could.“

“Ottimo , ci siamo sentiti a casa“

“One of those rare spots that genuinely captures the feeling of being in Italy. The pasta is outstanding, with that fresh, simple approach where the ingredients are clearly the focus and every bite feels balanced rather than overworked. The arugula salad is just as memorable, crisp and peppery in a way that feels clean and intentional, not heavy or overly dressed.

What really stands out is how consistent everything is. The flavors are bright, fresh, and well balanced, and you can tell the kitchen cares about doing the basics really well instead of overcomplicating things. And the tiramisu lives up to the name, rich but not too heavy, with that classic finish that makes it feel like the perfect end to the meal. It is the kind of place that stays dependable every time you go, never disappointing and always leaving you thinking about when you can come back.

Grazie mille! Complimenti allo chef, era squisito.“

“My wife & I had a wonderful and delicious dinner while catching-up with our son & his girlfriend last evening. Fantastic meal & our server Michael was outstanding.“

“Great venue with two moods: the front elegant, cozy, warm. The back a large space, bright, packed, and energetic (hard to have a conversation) like a true Italian restaurant.

It's a good Italian option in DC.

Don't miss the parmigiana di melanzane, a deconstructed unconventional execution that works. Fritto misto lightly fried, delicious!

Good carbonara, with a generous serving of very good guanciale
The agnolotti e limone : tasty but needs some tuning: dough it too tick - too much past! also difficult to cut, and, when you do, all the filling come out.

Tiramisù : not a huge fan, missed some coffee.

Enjoyed the lambrusco!“

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

“Doesn't disappoint from walking in to finished meal. Classic Italian, top notch service, worth every dollar spent.“

“Great service @ DC the seafood appetizer was delicious!“

“Thank you for such an amazing experience.

The owner, Tim, was incredibly kind. He came over to our table a few times, sat with us, and even shared the story behind the pasta. Learning that everything was made from scratch made the experience even more special.

Everyone was so warm and welcoming. I didn’t catch the name of our server, but she was an absolute sweetheart.

The atmosphere felt like home…like a neighborhood spot where you’re just eating with friends. Truly reminiscent of Italy.

Chef Nick even came out and brought a special dessert for my nephew, which meant so much, especially since we were celebrating his birthday. Out of all the places I could have chosen, I’m so happy I chose Ulivo. It genuinely felt meant to be. This will definitely be a place I come back to!“

“Came here recently Saturday night to celebrate my birthday with my girlfriends. The restaurant is nice, and has an energetic vibe! The bar was packed too. Service was great—our server Mili was friendly and attentive.

We started off with the Nancy’s Caesar and Shaved Brussel Sprouts—the Caesar was disappointing, just a few pieces of lettuce and oddly presented. Pastas were delicious and flavorful but were relatively small portions—we enjoyed the Mafaldine, Rigatoni, and Linguine & Clams. The 24oz. Grilled Porcini-Rubbed Ribeye was huge—well flavored, tender and cooked perfect! Whole Branzino Alla Piastra was just okay—fish was soft but it lacked flavored, would have been better more seasoned or accompanied by a sauce. For sides, highly recommend the Sweet Potatoes! Roasted Cauliflower was good but it looked like broccoli since it was green, but tasted like a cauliflower.

For dessert, Mili brought out a birthday dessert (ice cream with cookie) and a lit candle for the celebration! We also tried the Tiramisu and Apple Crisp. Cocktails were on point and prices started off at $16-17 a drink. We had an awesome experience, would definitely come back!“

“Great Food and Service! The food at Pines of florence was delicious and of high quality. The atmosphere was peaceful, and the service was excellent. I had a wonderful experience and highly recommend �“

“A true new gem has surfaced in the rough of the DC's restaurant scene: Acqua Bistecca!

I have eaten there multiple times, from solo dining to friendly gatherings and birthdays. Everyone from the managers and hosts to the servers, food runners and bar staff always make us feel so at home while treating us with the best service and outmost respect.

The aesthetic of the atmosphere is modern and glamorous with the warm touches of Tuscany and Mediterranean vibes. The food and the service reflect that too.

You can taste the quality in the food, best ingredients with great care in the preparation. Everything tastes fresh, and the traditional pastas, steaks and seafood are offered with a new touch that excites the culinary curiosity while reminding of your grandma's. The appetizers were also very delicious and unique. Everything is homemade from the focaccia to the desserts.

The bar is the crown of the place, high and centered, and it has some of the best bartenders. The care that these guys put into making every cocktail perfect is phenomenal. And, the cocktails are unique and delicious. I have learned a lot from the cocktail menu and I'm always interested in trying their mixes. The sommelier is probably the best in the world, I'm not sure how long he's going to be working there, but with just a few words he will pair the best elixir from their amazing wine list with your yums.

The service is truly exceptional and I think is what sets this place apart! We were always treated with the biggest smiles and the warmest welcomes. The servers were very knowledgeable about the menu and would always have great recommendations, whether it be regarding allergies or things that were seasonal. They were very kind and generous and accommodating for all of our occasions. Luxury of Michelin star and comfort of home, a true unique blend to create a blessing of an experience at a night dining out.

Low key, this place is too good for some of its customers ;)

Also being placed in the far out fortress of the City Ridge makes it hard to access for the regular crowds.“

“My first time at this restaurant for a fabulous shared birthday party. It was amazing. Not only the party and the staff, but the cuisine! ❤️ The appetizers (some of the freshest, delecate, perfectly prepared calamari), desserts (all amazing), main dishes (I had the salmon...yum!), but that salad dressing!!! It is the most delicious, freshest of flavors! Many of us purchased a bottle to bring home (I live in another state) and enjoy it immensely. i wished I lived nearby. I highly recommend this amazing place!“

“Delicious food-very relaxing atmosphere-friendly staff“

“Amazing food and service!“

“On vacation from RI, my husband and I and very good friends had lunch at Lily’s just this past week and we fully enjoyed experience! It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were greeted with sunny faces and a friendly, highly professional staff. We sat in the outdoor area and everything from being there to fill our water glasses and explaining the menu was covered. I highly recommend Lily’s if not just for the fact that we felt like we were at home but to top it off, the food was delicious. Try the Tropical salad and the meatball appetizer!!“

“We visited for a celebratory lunch today, and Ryan took wonderful care of us! We ordered the focaccia appetizer, one Caesar salad (which we shared), and we each ordered the half-size Fusilli Bolognese. All items were outstanding and Ryan gave us some extra touches to make our event special. We’ll be back for our next celebration!“

“Excellent cuisine. Conveniently loacted. Great service.“

“excellent food & service & wonderful pasta & wine.“

“Delicious Food, Divine Wine, Lovely Evening! We shared appetizers, desserts & wine while we visited this wonderful restaurant!“

“One of our favorite neighborhood spots. Even if we didn’t live in the neighborhood, we would make our way over here.“

“I had their lobster linguini. And then a cappuccino afterwards. Which were great. Of course, it’s about more than just the food at Cafe Milano. It’s more of a social gathering type of place. The food is secondary to the social aspect of it. But my focus was more on the food. And the food is great. The service was even better. Top notch service.“

“VERY nice neighborhood restaurant--with good food and friendly staff and customers. Everyone nearby should come by and check them out!“

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

“Amazing food and service.“

“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“

“Great, friendly service! Great food at a great price for the area!
I think they could use a few 2 person tables if they could make room to keep 1 person from sitting at their limited 4-6 person tables. This was the case when we first walked in and kept us from having a table, we almost left because it was too windy/cold outside... but fortunately a larger group left. Part of the intentional and friendly customer service was that one of the employees came outside to catch us and let us know the table was available.“

“Checks all the boxes as they say, Beliseima! Mangiamo! Salute!“

“Food was excellent, the lobster ravioli. Service was excellent. The party of 20 seated next to me was inconsiderately loud, especially the female who looked to be the host. She spoke much louder than necessary. But, perhaps she is deaf herself so I must be considerate in my evaluation of her. Her loud voice drowned out the others at her table. I barely heard the rest of them.“

“Prix fixe menu that is always different, so each visit is a new dining experience. With an intimate atmosphere and always exceptionally attentive service, we look forward to coming back!“

“Great food! Fast and attentive service! Clean and pleasant environment!“

“Buenísimo!! Excelente hospitalidad por el Dueño Chef Neptaly, sus Socios y por el Chef y Publicista Lara. La comida deliciosa 😋 la atención al cliente fantástica. Y el vino riquísimo! Me encantó el ambiente! Recomiendo este restaurante por su exquisita comida y por todo lo mencionado 😋 Wonderful! Excellent Hospitality by the Owner and Chef Neptaly, the associates, and Chef and Publicist Lara. Client service was fantastic! The wine was delightful! I loved the environment. I will definitely recommend this restaurant for the exquisite food and all mentioned above 😋“

“Food was fabulous. Our table had the pizza, gnocchi and a seafood dish. All were spectacular. The service was awesome. Will definitely come back.“

“GREAT OUTDOOR PATIO, FRIENDLY STAFF, AND EXCELLENT FOOD. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE LAMB BURGER 👍😉“

“I was in DC for an education seminar, and our group of six ate dinner here. I ordered the Pappardelle Alfredo and for dessert, I chose the cheesecake, which was the best that I've ever had at a restaurant. It has a hint of lemon, and it was delicious. The staff was very attentive, friendly, and cheerful, which is important to me. I will definitely stop by again the next time I'm in DC.“

“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!“

“👍 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍“

“An all-time favorite. The pizza is spectacular, and everything else is delicious too! So grateful y’all were open just 3 days after the snowstorm. We needed your food as a treat for clearing the walks. Thanks!“