10 Best Italian Restaurants in Washington, D.C.


 

Washington D.C. has been home to Italian restaurants since at least the 1870s, but a handful from the first half of the 20th century stand out as pioneers. One of those was the place where Luigi Tito Calvi (1889-1963), the founder of Famous Luigi’s, got his start. It was Ciro’s Italian Village, at 1304 G Street NW downtown.

Throughout the 50s and 60s, Italian food became a part of the American mainstream diet which included delicatessens such as salami, mortadella, peppers, mozzarella and provolone

Italian-American cooking tends to use much more garlic, sauce, cheese, and meat, while vegetables became less prominent in the dishes. Pasta also tends to be the star of the show in these recipes as well and is even baked in some dishes, such as baked ziti.

Washington, DC has no shortage of excellent Italian restaurants. These venues cover the entire culinary spectrum – while some are projects of native Italian chefs, others take the best of the Italian tradition and modify it to American tastes.

The 10 establishments in this list pride themselves on a constant rotation of seasonal ingredients that bring to life simple yet potently flavorful dishes for New York clientele.

 

1. Al Dente

10 Best Italian Restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Italian Restaurant presentation. Photo by Farhad Ibrahimzade from Pexels

Al Dente showcases Chef Roberto Donna’s extravagant Italian cooking, from the pork belly and polenta fries to the salted cod with grilled bread and the roasted red peppers that melt on the tongue.

These just initiate a lavish meal, which, if your waistline and wallet can hold up, will take you through sweet and savoury pizzas.

Donna’s famous handmade pastas — try the gnocchi with pork sausage ragù — are preludes to the serious stuff, the entrées that include braised pork shank, hanger steak with broccoli rabe, and beef short ribs with a Parmigiano-Reggiano potato purée. Less elegant mains may catch your fancy, and these would include a round of spiedini di salsiccia, or hand-made sausages on skewers.

While Donna does offer lighter classic Italian sweets, no one should pass up his Al Dente tiramisu, boasting mascarpone mousse and coffee caviar drops.

3201 New Mexico Ave NW Ste E Washington, DC 20016
(202) 244-2223
Hours: Mon-Sun            11:30 am to 8:30 pm

2. I’m Eddie Cano

10 Best Italian Restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Image by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay

To start off our list, visit I’m Eddie Cano located in the heart of D.C. for some casual, all-around good Italian meals. One of the best dishes people enjoy is the pulpo, the artichokes, and of course, the homemade pasta!

Pair up your pasta with one of the red wines from their great selection of drinks, and this is one restaurant that’ll make your date night unforgettable.

We also appreciate the fact that prices aren’t too sky high, and if you’re not feeling up for pasta, you can always choose to devour a delicious steak instead (fresh on the menu of course).

5014 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20008
(202) 890-4995
Hours: Sun to Wed          Noon to 9:00 pm             Thu to Sat            Noon to 10:00 pm

3.  Officina

This is Chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s impressive multi-story ode to Italy. The first floor has an easy-going café and bar, as well as a market for picking up wine, cheese and house-cured beef and charcuterie.

Meanwhile, the heart of this place, a sun-lit trattoria anchored by an open kitchen, is upstairs on the second floor.

A lengthy list of salumis and formaggi tempts patrons, and pastas like cavatelli, agnolotti and paccheri are all made in-house.

Heartier plates include veal saltimbocca and bombetta pugliese, a succulent pork shoulder wrapped in prosciutto, but don’t miss the smaller list of other meat cuts.

You’ll find everything from hay-smoked sweetbreads finished with lemon zest and fennel pollen to braised beef tripe with tomato.

1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 747-5222

4.  Osteria Morini

In Italian, the word osteria means a small often informal restaurant where the owner hosts guests rather than serving customers. Osteria Morini maintains this friendly atmosphere in its DC restaurant, which is located in the Navy Yards.

The cuisine of choice here hails from Emilia-Romagna, the so-called “bread basket” of Italy, from which the world has received some of its favourite Italian staple flavours such as balsamic vinegar and prosciutto.

In keeping with its osteria spirit, Osteria Morini has an open kitchen, meaning guests can enjoy watching their dishes come to life even before the meal begins.

The restaurant has received high ratings from publications like The Washington Post and Washingtonian Magazine.

301 Water Street Southeast, Suite 109, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 484-0660
Hours: Mon to Fri         4:00 pm to 9:00 pm        Sat to Sun        Noon to 9:00 pm

5. The Red Hen

The Red Hen in the Bloomingdale neighbourhood is one of the very best Italian restaurants in DC. The dining room is rustic and cozy and makes you feel like you’ve entered a friend’s quaint cabin.

The open kitchen means you will likely get to watch Chef Mike Friedman work his magic at the wood-burning grill. Start with one of their four unique toasts—we especially love the whipped ricotta crostini with black truffle sauce, wildflower honey, and sea salt.

Their antipastas are so good that it’s hard to just choose one! We suggest the wood-fired Spanish octopus with fried new potatoes, pine nut salsa verde, and a Calabrian chili vinaigrette that you’ll want to drink before they take the plate away.

Their mezzi rigatoni with fennel sausage ragu is their most popular dish, but insiders know to order the off-menu cacio e pepe (literally translates to cheese and pepper), the epitome of comfort food that will transport you to the streets of Rome.

No matter how full you are at the end of your meal, you absolutely must order the olive oil cake.

1822 1st St NW Washington, DC 20001
(202) 525-3021
Hours: Mon to Fri         5:30 pm to 10:00 pm     Sat to Sun        5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

6.  Masseria

10 Best Italian Restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Photo by K8 on Unsplash

A concept by Chef Nicholas Stefanelli, Masseria is an upscale, beautifully decorated Italian restaurant that serves delicious food in an exquisite setting.

Masseria received a Michelin Star in 2020 and is perfect for a night out. With a Pergola dining offered, this space has a retractable roof which can allow guests to enjoy open air dining when the weather is warm.

While the menu changes, the risotto is an outstanding choice if offered. The tortellini, when offered, is the best in the District.

Masseria was known for its Chef’s counter restrictions prior to the pandemic. Being able to sit front row and center and watch the Chefs work with one another in unison was a brilliant treat.

1340 4th St NE, Washington, D.C., DC 20002
202-608-1330
Hours: Mon to Fri         5:30 pm to 10:00 pm     Sat to Sun        5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

7.   Cafe Milano

Café Milano maintains its appeal for the DC sophisticate who enjoys seeing and being seen, as well as selecting some classy Italian dishes paired with wines. Menus start with the requisite antipasti of Parma prosciutto with Sardinian bread; buffalo mozzarella; sautéed mussels; and grilled octopus served with a dollop of lentils.

Famous for its pizza, Café Milano offers several familiar toppings, from fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and baby artichokes to sturdy focaccia stuffed with provolone, prosciutto and arugula.

The pastas, some of which are made in-house daily, offer a glimpse of several classic dishes, from ravioli filled with veal and fusilli with braised Italian pork sausages and mushrooms. Looking for a fish or meat entrée?

Check out the kitchen’s roasted whole Mediterranean branzino. Save room for the trio of crème brûlées, but you probably can’t go wrong with the classic tiramisu. The extensive wine cellar includes Champagnes; red, white and dessert wines; and a “library collection.

3251 Prospect St NW Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-6183
Hours: Sun to Wed       11:30 pm to 10:30 pm  Thu to Sat        11:30 pm to 11:30 pm

8.   Tartufo

10 Best Italian Restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Image by Christo Anestev from Pixabay

This restaurant has perfected the art of Italian cooking, and because it has stuck to the basics, it’s become a favourite of many Washington D.C. residents and tourists alike.

You can enjoy the striking tiramisu, made with delicious layers of spongy cake and chocolatey goodness.

Or, if you don’t want to spoil your dinner, take your time enjoying the full courses including salad, homemade pasta with decadent light sauces, and the cozy atmosphere to make you feel as if you’re right at home in the middle of D.C.

Warm, easygoing restaurant offering traditional Italian dishes such as pasta plus wine & beer. Tender meat and a fabulous wine selection complete the experience at Tartufo.

4910 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC 20016
(202) 243-1078
Hours: Mon to Sat        11:30 pm to 10:00 pm        Sunday                11:30 pm to 9:00 pm

9. Stellina Pizzeria

Self-appointed as a “Neo-Neapolitan” style pizzeria, this is a bright spot with a line of colourful tiles, red stools and a blazing open kitchen equipped with a wood-burning oven.

You may even see Chef/owner Matteo Venini manning this mighty machine, as he is known to turn out pies faster than you can say Margherita.

It’s simple counter service here, yet those crusts are anything but imagine a series of well-blistered and delightfully chewy pies, like the savory coppa and creamy Taleggio, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with fresh thyme.

The pizza is served whole, but you get to cut it yourself at the table. The light and crisp fritti makes a great start, just as the tiramisu is a fresh, delicious, wallet-friendly finish.

399 Morse St NE Washington, DC 20002
(202) 851-3995
Hours: Mon to Sat        11:30 pm to 10:00 pm  Sunday                  11:30 pm to 9:00 pm

10.  Casa Luca

Free photos of Dinner

Image by stokpic from Pixabay

The restaurant is a true passion project from culinary power couple Fabio and Maria Trabocchi. Casa Luca is their so-called osteria, and the menu here focuses on perfecting dishes from the culinary tradition of the Marche region of Italy.

This devotion to authentic details is found not only in the food but also in the extensive bar menu, which includes several varieties of the distinctly Italian amaro liqueur.

The warm main dining room is filled with deep red leather booths and rustic wooden accents, plus a smattering of vintage Tabocchi family photos.

The restaurant also has a range of menus specific to each meal, including an extra special “Sunday dinner” menu.

1099 New York Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001,
(202)-628-1099
Hours: Mon to Sat        11:30 pm to 10:00 pm  Sunday                     11:30 pm to 9:00 pm

There is arguably no other cuisine that makes you feel as comforted than Italian food. On the other hand, Washington, D.C., home to leading diplomats and top politicians, also serves up some of the country’s most unforgettable meals.

Washington, DC has no shortage of excellent Italian restaurants. These venues cover the entire culinary spectrum.

 

 

 

 

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