50 Best Italian Restaurants near Potomac

“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 .“

“We enjoyed our meal at Gregorio’s immensely. The meals were tasty and good portions. The cocktails were strong and right at the limit of reasonably priced. The tiramisu was also on point.“

“Went and tried the Italian sub and the meatball today.Absolutely delicious and fresh!“

“Yesterday while in the area I decided to stop by for a slice of pizza. As someone that used to work at this particular location many years ago, it was great to see they still have a wonderful team lead by Andy. The pizza is just as good if not better. It was good catching up with Andy and listening to how great the company is doing overall. Adam if you’re seeing this review you’ve got a great leader at the Potomac location.“

“Our son recently moved to Arlington and he said this was the best Italian food that he ever had! Last night we went there for dinner and couldn't agree with him more. We had some initial issues with our service and seating , but the General Manager, Stefano and our waitress Shandra took care of us and the service that they gave us was outstanding; probably the best that I ever had at a restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious! We will be back every time that we visit our son. There are so many dishes that I cannot wait to try and the pasta is all homemade. Thanks for making our dinner so special. We love it here!“

“Our dinner was just amazing tonight! Everything was so fresh and delicious, and you were all so friendly, thank you so much.“

“Friendly staff -great food !“

“Friendly staff, very creative menu, no too big just the way I like it. Highly recommended“

“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!“

“We enjoyed our meal at Gregorio’s immensely. The meals were tasty and good portions. The cocktails were strong and right at the limit of reasonably priced. The tiramisu was also on point.“

“Great service @ DC the seafood appetizer was 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.“

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

“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!“

“Fantastic food cooked by award winning chef Roberto Donna. Welcoming owner and friendly atmosphere. Our seafood calamarata and shrimp rice risotto were outstanding.“

“Had a fantastic meal here tonight. Stellar service by Faith. The food was fantastic. Incredible wine list. The GM was present and engaging with the patrons. Highly recommend. Will definitely be back.“

“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“

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

“Good food, good service. Reasonable prices“

“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 😋“

“A Truly Memorable Anniversary Dinner at DinVino

We celebrated our anniversary at DinVino, and I can confidently say this was one of the most beautiful dining experiences we’ve ever had.

First off, the dining room is stunning—warm, intimate, and tastefully elegant. We had a 5:00 PM reservation and arrived about 15 minutes early. Although dinner service doesn’t officially begin until 5, the staff kindly seated us in the dining room and offered drinks instead of asking us to wait at the bar. That small act of hospitality set the tone for the entire evening.

We originally hoped to take advantage of happy hour, which is available only at the bar or outside patio, but our incredibly gracious waiter made an exception and allowed us to order from the happy hour menu from our table. We were so appreciative of this gesture. We ended up ordering four appetizers (two from happy hour menu and two from regular menu), two drinks, two entrees, a tiramisu, and another glass of wine. Everything was delicious; the flavors were balanced.

When I mentioned toward the end of our meal that it was our anniversary and how much we loved the food, our waiter surprised us by offering us a taste of limoncello, a traditional Italian after-dinner digestive. It was such a sweet and unexpected touch that made our evening even more special.

We were never rushed and ended up staying until around 7 or 7:30. The staff gave us space while still being attentive shoutout to the people who brought out our food, cleared our plates, and the gentleman who checked on us after the meal. Everyone made us feel welcome and cared for. We were even lucky enough to have the dining room basically to ourselves, which made the evening feel like a private, romantic dinner.

A huge thank you to our waiter, who was incredibly kind and professional throughout and didn’t even know until the very end that it was a special occasion. You made our night.

My only (very small) critique: I wish bread had been included and that the steak came with at least one side. But those are minor things in what was otherwise a truly wonderful night.

We’re so grateful to DinVino for this memorable evening. I’ll absolutely be recommending this place to others and will definitely be back. 💛“

“Vegan pizza and garlic knots“

“😊🌟 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 🙏“

“Terrific pizza!. Staff were wonderful. Definitely recommend. We will be going back!“

“While enjoying lunch yesterday my friend and I were fortunate to be served by Richard. He was very accommodating and pleasant. I can’t say enough about what a nice person he was. Maggianos is lucky to have him as part of their staff.“

“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.“

“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!“

“great sausage and pepper pizza!“

“In general, the food is good, always made right, and everyone is polite. Couldn't ask for anything else from a pizza joint.

Things do seem a bit overpriced though, and I wouldn't order from there if it weren't for their coupons.“

“Wonderful experience. Great neighborhod restaurant.Good service, great food, handicap accessable, lots of parking, fair prices.“

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

“What a delightful evening at Capri. We four adults were celebrating a birthday, and we were not disappointed at all. The food was fabulous: two rockfish with shrimp, one pollo marsala, and one scampi. The service was excellent. We are so happy to have celebrated at Capri.“

“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 👍😉“

“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“

“More of a take out place but some seating. SUPER sweet and nice people. We really enjoyed the food and everything we had. Would say it is more Roman style pizza. Menu goes on for days! You could order something different everyday for awhile without repeating. Lunch specials.“

“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 ordered a large catered dinner from Ruffino’s this weekend and couldn’t be happier with the food and service. They helped us determine what quantities were needed, worked with me over phone and text to finalize details and make last-minute adjustments, and delivered piping hot food exactly when requested. Food was delicious and we’ll definitely use them again.“

“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!“

“This a neighborhood gem. Great service. Excellent food. Everything is delicious.“

“light crust with good crunch“

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

“I’ve been coming to Luciano’s in Oakton for years, and it never disappoints! This place has been a staple for me whenever I’m craving authentic Italian food, and their pizza is hands down some of the best in the area.

Incredible Pizza – The cheese pizza is a Must-Try

I’ve tried just about everything on the menu, but I always come back to their White/Cheese Pizza—it’s absolutely perfect. The crust is just the right balance of crispy and chewy, and the combination of garlic, olive oil, pecorino, and mozzarella makes it rich and flavorful without being too heavy. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out!

Great Ice Cream & A Solid Wine Selection

After a great meal, I always make room for their ice cream—it’s smooth, creamy, and a perfect way to end dinner. They also have a decent wine selection, and while it’s not the most extensive, they’ve picked quality wines that pair well with their dishes. A glass of wine with a fresh pizza or pasta dish just hits differently!

Warm Atmosphere & Friendly Staff

One of the reasons I keep coming back is the consistency—the food is always great, and the service is warm and welcoming. Whether I’m grabbing a casual dinner, dining with family, or just stopping in for a quick bite, Luciano’s always feels like home.

If you’re in the Vienna/Oakton area and love Italian food, this is the spot. After all these years, it’s still one of my favorites, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon!“

“Place was clean, quick, orderly and calm. Want nice pizza or a darn good salad in a reasonable amount of time? Go here, they got standards and work hard, and a good manager.

Vegetarian options: They can put bo meat on a pizza or salad, simply ask. They are honest, upfront and can tell you the ingredients.

Kid-friendliness: The people here are nice and focused on their job, want a good meal, large portions and a quick stop with the fam. This place won’t disappoint.“

“Today Italian Gourmet was amazing getting a tray of sandwiches ready in very short time. They are the best!“

“Lemon ricotta cookies are amazing!“

“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!!!“

“Outstanding cuisine and service! My family and I always enjoy dining here. If you are ever in the area please do yourself a favor and stop in for a wonderful meal. You’re welcome!“