If you’re looking for the best Italian restaurants in Washington D.C., you’ll be happy to know there is virtually no shortage of options. While visiting the capital, feast on one of the best restaurants below in DC to satisfy your Italian craving.
I’m Eddie Cano
$$ | (202) 890-4995 | WEBSITE
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To start off our list, visit I’m Eddie Cano located in the heart of D.C. for some casual, all-around good Italian meals. One of the best dishes people enjoy is the pulpo, the artichokes, and of course, the homemade pasta!
Pair up your pasta with one of the red wines from their great selection of drinks, and this is one restaurant that’ll make your date night unforgettable.
We also appreciate the fact that prices aren’t too sky high, and if you’re not feeling up for pasta, you can always choose to devour a delicious steak instead (fresh on the menu of course).
Tartufo
$$ | (202) 243-1078 | WEBSITE
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This restaurant has perfected the art of Italian cooking, and because it has stuck to the basics, it’s become a favorite 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.
Tender meat and a fabulous wine selection complete the experience at Tartufo.
Peet’s New Haven Style Apizza
$ | (202) 237-7383 | WEBSITE
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No Italian dinner is complete without the help of a giant, delicious pizza, at least we think so! To experience the finest pizza in all of Washington D.C., step into Peet’s New Haven Style Apizza.
You can’t go wrong, whether it’s picking up a pizza for a dinner alone after a busy day at the office, or to feed the entire family.
We love their original cheese pizza, but the fact that they offer a gluten-free pizza with vegan cheese simply puts this Italian restaurant a cut above the rest! A wide selection of toppings completes this pizza.
Ledo Pizza
$ | (202) 726-5336 | WEBSITE
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A staple of the D.C. community, Ledo Pizza is there when you need a pizza to feed the whole family, provide sustenance to your next party, or even celebrate amongst loved ones with delicious flavors all around.
Ledo Pizza specializes in the perfect Italian pizza, providing powerful flavor combinations such as their spring chicken pizza and their buffalo chicken pizza.
There’s no-frills here, simply some of the best pizza combined with delicious wings, mozzarella sticks, even toasted ravioli! When you truly need to satisfy your hunger, day or night, Ledo Pizza is the place to do it.
Rome’s Pizza & Sub
$ | (202)244-1414 | WEBSITE
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There’s nothing we love more than a good, hearty pizza and sub shop, especially if it’s at an affordable price range! That’s what you get with Rome’s Pizza and Sub located in the heart of D.C..
A self-described Italian joint, we especially appreciate the fact that this shop does not use any pork products whatsoever, meaning everyone can come and enjoy some delicious pizza and subs without worrying about harmful byproducts.
Fresh dough, pizza, calzone, and pasta make this one of the best sub shops to stop by on your way home from work or for a quick lunch.
Mamma Lucia
$ | 202-599-6151 | WEBSITE
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We get it. Sometimes, you get tired of the same old pizza and subs, and you want to experience a home-cooked meal, ready to go and heat up in minutes.
Fortunately, if you live in the D.C. area, you can experience just that with the help of Mamma Lucia and their delicious pre-packaged meals!
Mamma Lucia has made a name for themselves, serving up the very best spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and eggplant Parmesan along with garlic knots and fresh veggies! You can enjoy a delicious meal to go at a low price point.
Al Volo Osteria
$$ | 202-758-0759 | WEBSITE
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To satisfy that yearning for simple Italian food, there’s only one place to go, and that’s Al Volo Osteria. They come with a price point that is incredibly affordable, yet still provides high-quality meals made with the finest ingredients.
This includes the short rib ravioli, the vegetarian spinach and ricotta ravioli, and simple appetizers such as salad made with fresh greens. Looking to make your own, simple pasta?
You can choose a homemade pasta for just 6 dollars, and choose a sauce for only 10 dollars more! Pair your dish with a beer or wine, and you’ve got yourself a dinner to remember.
Flavio DC
$$$ | (202) 965 – 6666 | WEBSITE
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Flavio DC puts a refreshing, modern spin onto Italian food. You don’t have to feel as if you’re heavy and saturated in carbs when eating here.
Instead, light dishes include the lobster diavolo, the branzino with sautéed veggies and a bit of thyme, and of course, your unforgettable classic pasta dishes such as the ricotta gnocchi and penne arrabiata.
There’s no better way to enjoy your delicious dinner than on the sidewalks of D.C., which Flavio DC offers through their gorgeous patio seating. Come here alone or with a date and leave satisfied just the same!
Filomena Ristorante
$$$$ | (202) 338-8800 | WEBSITE
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With a name like Filomena, we knew it had to be delicious, exquisite, and down to Earth cooking here! This is one of the top 3 Italian restaurants according to Washington Magazine, and for good reason.
With over 30 years in business, Filomena Ristorante has perfected the art of simple, high-quality pasta dishes and Italian cooking.
We especially love the broccoli con gnocchi, the delicious smoked bacon aglanotti alla carbonara, and the rest of the fabulous pasta dishes made with love on their menu. The award-winning tortellini di Michele is also spectacular.
Sfoglina Downtown
$$$ | (202) 525-1402 | WEBSITE
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This is one restaurant where they stick true to their roots, changing the menu daily in preparation for changing seasonal items and pasta.
The Sfoglina Downtown specializes in handmade pasta from all around different localities of Italy, making it a true homage to the motherland itself.
Make a reservation so you can try their lobster bisque or marinated artichokes. Pair them with any pasta from Rome, Bologna, or take the “mozarella tour” and try all of these delicious creations!
You’ll have fun with the family, get a quick history lesson, and get your bellies filled all at once.
Ristorante La Perla of Washington
$$$ | (202) 333-1767 | WEBSITE
Chef Vittorio Testa spent the past 50 years redefining and updating his Italian menu for lunch and dinner in order to make it the perfect masterpiece it is today.
With a menu offering only high-quality ingredients, such as smoked Norwegian salmon tossed with arugula, or a pasta menu featuring an ancient spaghetti recipe with baby clams, there’s virtually no limit to the amount of creativity and flavor you’ll feel sitting to eat here for lunch or dinner.
Make a reservation ahead of time so you can enjoy the food, sights, and history of Italy all in the middle of D.C.
Lupo Verde
$$ | (202) 827-4752 | WEBSITE
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Southern Italian cooking and cocktails merge perfectly in one of the best Italian restaurants in D.C.. With a hip crowd, this isn’t your average mom-and-pop Italian eatery.
The cool ambience, modern presentation of the food, and consistent quality are why D.C. residents fight to get a reservation on a weekend night.
This is the perfect place to bring a date to show your sophisticated side, enjoy good food, and enjoy drinks all night.
Charcuterie boards, pasta, and cocktails combine to make the perfect combination for any weekend dinner with the family as well.
Fiola
$$$$ | (202) 525-1402 | WEBSITE
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This is a true gem in the middle of D.C., has earned a Michelin star for its exquisite Italian dishes. Fiola is also the number 2 restaurant in the world for Italian dining, so you know it has to be good!
Fiola truly takes farm to table to a whole new level, using only the freshest ingredients possible to create dishes that pair beautifully with their award-winning selection of wine.
Seasonal truffle, Hokkaido Uni, and Sicilian olive oil are just some of the many ingredients used in these masterful dishes.
Summary
There’s no better family or date night than visiting one of the best Italian restaurants in Washington D.C., so take a trip to one of these on our list today.
Make a reservation, grab a napkin, and dig into your favorite heart pasta, sophisticated Michelin star meals, or even just a good old pizza.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
