Washington DC has some really good Italian restaurants and today I am going to tell you about the Best Italian Restaurants in DC.
The Italian restaurant scene in Washington DC is really thriving, and seriously saying for Italian cuisine lovers, Washington DC is like heaven.
But if you are new to DC or you are here for travel purposes then it really becomes difficult to find out the best Italian restaurants in DC but don’t worry I have spent my childhood and adulthood in DC only, so I know everything about Washington DC.
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I have tried many Italian restaurants in DC and after tasting Italian cuisine in a number of restaurants, I finally know what are the best Italian restaurants in Washington DC.
So, without wasting any further time, let’s move to our list of Best Italian Restaurants in DC.
Best Italian Restaurants in DC
Don’t worry, you don’t need to visit every Italian restaurant in DC to find out which one is the best, I have done that part for you, all you have to do is read the review of all these below shared best Italian restaurants in DC and pick the one that suits your needs the best.
Officina
So, I have visited Officina quite a lot of times to enjoy their Pasta and other Italian cuisine and the thing that I really like about this place is it is huge, I mean literally huge.
I really had a very unique dining experience at Officina, they have combined a cafe market, and restaurant all in one place.
Their menu has varieties of traditional and modern Italian dishes such as homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and seafood, along with a range of appetizers and even desserts.
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The atmosphere is really welcoming, the restaurant also features an open kitchen so that you can watch chefs preparing your order while sitting at the bar area enjoying a glass of wine or cocktail.
Overall, if you are at Wharf and want to visit the Italian restaurant then this place is highly recommended.
Address:
1120 MAINE AVE SW, WASHINGTON, DC 20024
Phone Number: 202-747-5222
RPM Italian
If you want to visit a high-end Italian restaurant in DC to enjoy traditional and modern Italian dishes then RPM Italian is the one you should visit.
it is just 0.3 miles away from Smithsonian American Art Museum, so if you are in Mount Vernon hood and looking for a good place to enjoy an Italian meal then this place is worth visiting it.
This place is classified as one the best Italian restaurants in Washington, DC for several reasons, RPM Italian has exceptional food and a very good ambiance, even the staff there is very attentive and behaves very nicely.
I was once there and I ordered white pizza and the spaghetti meatballs, I really loved eating it, so if you are going there then White pizza and spaghetti meatballs are highly recommended and worth eating.
The ambiance at RPM Italian is really good, the dark wood accents and warm lighting really make it a perfect spot for couples going for a romantic dinner or a special night out, this place is the perfect spot for that.
Address:
650 K ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20001
Phone Number: 202-204-4480
Fiola
I visited this place last week with my friend, and trust me this place has that luxurious atmosphere that will make you feel like royalty.
From the atmosphere to the service, everything is top-notch at Fiola, it has very stylish yet simple decor that creates a very luxurious setting.
The dining room at Fiola is really very elegant, the lighting is perfect, the ceilings are high, and the seating is very comfortable which makes it overall the best spot for special occasions or even a romantic dinner.
Now talking about the menu, they have a wide range of traditional and modern Italian dishes, I am sure you will enjoy everything on the menu.
I have tried their potted eggplant mousse and the Chesapeake Blue crab dome, both dishes were really good, and the chefs really did an amazing job, and this signifies that the kitchen staff at Foila is really skilled and talented.
Address:
3100 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Phone Number: +1 202-350-4982
Masseria
Masseria is another hidden gem in DC where you can enjoy Italian cuisine, however, the place is a little far away from the main DC’s tourist sports but it is totally worth visiting.
What really makes Masseria a unique restaurant is its focus on Italian cuisine that is inspired by the Puglia region of Italy. I highly suggest you try their Italian cuisine, you will feel like you are in Italy and enjoying the meal sitting at some local restaurant.
If you are a traveler or a normal foodie like me, then you can try anything on their menu, everything they have tastes good. My 2 cents- try their pasta with added truffles, I really liked it and it’s highly recommended.
The ambiance is really comfy and good, perfect for any occasion. If you are going there for any special occasions like a Marriage anniversary, Birthday party, or romantic date, the staff there are more than happy to make your experience even more special.
Address:
1340 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone Number: +1 202-608-1330
Pupatella
If you want to enjoy the best Neapolitan-style pizza then Pupatella is the place you should visit without any single thought.
I have tried various Italian restaurants to taste Neapolitan pizza but no restaurant matches the taste and quality of Pupatella.
They use imported ingredients and cook in a wood-fired oven. You must try their finger-licking Neapolitan pizza, I am damn sure you will love it.
Along with the best Neapolitan-style pizza, they offer a range of other Italian dishes as well, such as Pasta, salads, etc.
You can try Arancini at Pupatella, which is a classic Italian appetizer, stuffed with mozzarella, peas, and ground beef, and at Pupatella, you will feel like you are eating it from some local restaurant in Italy.
Even the Meatball sandwich at Pupatella is finger licking, they use homemade meatballs in their sandwich and serve it on a warm ciabatta roll. Highly recommended.
The ambiance of this place is casual and very good for solo travelers and casual dinners who just want to enjoy a quick bite.
The seating arrangement is really good and comfortable, the waitstaff is welcoming and quite helpful, and polite.
Address:
1801 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone Number: +1 202-506-1999
Centrolina
This amazing place is just located 0.2 miles from Smithsonian American Art Museum. This place is very popular in DC for its pasta dishes and extensive wine selection.
The menu offers a wide range of Italian Dishes along with the perfect wine selection to pair with your dish.
I was once there with my Mom, and we both enjoyed pumpkin ricotta ravioli, the flavor was incredible, and we both really enjoyed it.
You will find classic and modern Italian dishes along with some unique options like squid ink tagliolini. If you want to enjoy cocktails with your dish, then you can do that by grabbing your favorite cocktail from their menu.
The place is small but the welcoming ambiance of this restaurant really feels like you are at home, and the waitstaff treats you like a family member.
Address:
974 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
Phone Number: +1 202-898-2426
Sfoglina
If you are around DC and want to taste the traditional Italian pasta then Sfoglina is the place you should visit.
They are very popular for their fresh, handmade pasta using traditional techniques, simply one of the best Italian-style pasta in DC.
Sfoglina offers a wide range of pasta dishes, you will find almost all pasta options here such as spaghetti and meatballs which are the most usual kinda pasta dishes, but not limited to them, Sfoglina has some unusual choices as well such as saffron tagliatelle with seafood.
Even the non-pasta options here are very good, you can try sweet onions agrodolce which is really good.
Overall the vibe of this place is really good, it is spacious and very comfy kinda place, you will definitely feel comfortable. This is the perfect place for birthday parties and special occasions.
When I visit this place, I mostly order a classic meatballs pasta while seating at beer sipping on my favorite cocktail.
Address:
1099 NEW YORK AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20001
Phone Number: 202-525-1402
il Canale
Another one of the best Italian restaurants in DC that serves authentic Neapolitan pizza. They cook their pizza in a wood-fired oven that they have imported from Italy.
I have personally tried their pizza and I must have to say it was very good, and their Neapolitan pizza is very famous among locals and critics alike.
Italian dishes are incomplete without a glass of wine, fortunately, at Il Canale, they have an extensive wine list, they have a wide range of Italian wines, which goes super well with the restaurant’s food offerings.
If you are at this place, then pick your favorite wine and enjoy it with your favorite Italian dish.
Also, the ambiance of this place is very cozy and inviting, with proper warm lighting, and rustic wooden tables and chairs, you will feel amazingly good at this place.
Even the waitstaff is very polite and knowledgeable, and if you are new to the place and don’t know what to eat, then the staff is always ready to help you in making your order and to give you the best possible experience.
Address:
1065 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Phone Number: 202-337-4444
Wrapping Up| Best Italian Restaurants in DC
I already told you in the beginning that the Italian restaurant scene in Washington DC is really thriving. All these restaurants that I have shared in this article are definitely worth trying.
The best thing is, DC’s Italian restaurants have something for everyone, whether you want to try a classic Neapolitan pizza (il Canale and Pupatella are the best spots for that) or homemade pasta, or some modern Italian cuisine, above shared restaurants have got you covered.
All the above shared best Italian Restaurants in DC are highly recommended and I must say that if you are a visitor then make sure to visit at least two of the above top Italian restaurants to make your trip more memorable in Washington, DC.
Do tell us in the comment below, if you know any other best Italian Restaurants in DC, we would love to include that in our list.