Great Italian restaurants in Washington, DC, are aplenty. The city never runs short of top-notch Italian eateries. If you ask everyone, they will undoubtedly have their local favorites. Still, it can be challenging to identify the best of the best.
Luckily, we’re here to help you choose the best Italian restaurants in DC that you shouldn’t miss.
Our list of the top Italian restaurants in Washington, DC, includes a wide range of choices, so you can find everything from a friendly neighborhood pizzeria to a luxury white-tablecloth establishment to celebrate a special occasion.
12 Best Italian Restaurants in Washington DC, USA
Let’s jump into the list of the best Italian restaurants in Washington, DC, USA.
1. Filomena Ristorante
Address: 1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Filomena Ristorante is a small restaurant in the heart of Georgetown. The food and service are excellent, so it’s a place you should not miss when looking for a great Italian dining experience.
The prices at Filomena are reasonable, too — not cheap, but not expensive either (by DC standards). The location is very convenient for those who live or work downtown — and even better once they’ve been fed by Chef Enzo Pernice at Filomena.
2. Fiola
Address: 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
Fiola is a Michelin-starred restaurant owned by the Trabocchi family since 2012. The restaurant is located in Penn Quarter, across Union Station, close to many other popular DC destinations like Georgetown and Adams Morgan.
Fiola serves Italian food emphasizing fresh ingredients from local farms and selected dishes that reflect the seasons.
The menu includes appetizers such as prosciutto di Parma with melon or lamb ragu with polenta; main courses include osso buco all’antica (veal shank braised for hours in red wine), seafood risotto al limone (with scallops), or pasta e fagioli con calamari e salsiccia (a traditional dish made with beans).
To finish your meal, you can choose desserts from tiramisu, cheesecakes, and gelato — all made in-house daily!
3. Floriana
Address: 1602 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Floriana is a family-owned restaurant located in Georgetown, Washington, DC. It offers classic Italian cuisine with a modern twist. The Washington Post has named it one of the best Italian restaurants in Washington, DC.
The restaurant has an extensive wine list of more than 450 red and white wines worldwide. Floriana also serves beer, cocktails, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages.
You can choose from an outdoor patio or indoors at either indoor dining area (the bar or private room).
4. RPM Italian
Address: 650 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
RPM Italian is a restaurant in Georgetown that is known for its pizzas. They have many options, so you can pick what you want to order and how many toppings you want on your pie.
This place is excellent if you’re looking for an upscale Italian food experience with friends, family members (or even yourself). It’s also perfect if you’re trying to impress someone special by taking them out for dinner — the ambiance at RPM Italian will make them feel like royalty!
5. Modena
Address: 1100 New York Avenue NW, 12th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Modena is a family-owned restaurant that has been in business since 1976. It’s located in the heart of Dupont Circle, making it an ideal spot for any tourist visiting Washington, DC, who wants to try authentic Italian cuisine.
The atmosphere at Modena is relaxed and friendly, so you can feel comfortable dining here even if you don’t speak Italian or know any locals.
Modena’s menu features dishes such as fresh pasta made with homemade dough, chicken parmigiana, veal scaloppine, and more. You’ll also find plenty of vegetarian options on their menu, as well as vegan options if needed.
There are so many things worth trying here, including pizza pockets stuffed with cheese or pepperoni ones filled up with tomato sauce instead. These aren’t quite as traditional but still delicious nonetheless.
If wine isn’t your thing, don’t worry because they offer non-alcoholic beverages on request, too!
6. Sfoglina Van Ness
Address: 4445 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Sfoglina Van Ness is an excellent restaurant for a date. It’s also a great place for special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries. If you have kids in tow, this is the perfect spot to go with them because it has an outdoor patio that makes it easy on everyone’s eyes!
You can also take advantage of their BYOB policy, so you don’t have anything holding back your night out from having fun at one of DC’s best Italian restaurants.
Sfoglina also offers catering services, so if you’re hosting an event or gathering, they’ll be able to accommodate any dietary restrictions or special requests that may come up during the planning stages (including vegan options).
7. Via Ghibellina
Address: 2000 Fenwick St NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA
Via Ghibellina is a romantic Italian restaurant in Washington, DC, with a cozy and elegant ambiance.
The menu not only includes classics like gnocchi and meatballs but also some more creative offerings. For example, you can try the “scapes” (champagne) or “crepes” (lobster).
If you’re looking for the best Washington DC restaurants with great food and atmosphere that won’t break the bank, then Via Ghibellina is a good choice.
Please note that reservations at Via Ghibellina are recommended. Enjoy!
8. Tortino Restaurant
Address: 1228 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
If you’re looking for a romantic restaurant with a great wine list, Tortino is the place to go. The small, intimate space is located in the heart of Georgetown, and they serve up some delicious Italian food. Service here is prompt and the staff are very attentive.
For starters, try the fried calamari and beef carpaccio. Spinach risotto with shrimp is a great meal to have, with the shrimp so crisp and the rice perfectly al dente! Do not miss their traditional Italian desserts like fruit panacotta and tiramisu to make your experience at Tortino Restaurant even better.
Tortino Restaurant has been around since 1988 and was voted best Italian Restaurant by Washingtonian Magazine twice. Great food, cool ambience, excellent service – you will have nothing to complain about!
9. L’Ardente
Address: 200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
L’Ardente is a spot in Georgetown that serves up great Italian food and wine. You can find this restaurant near the main campus of the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
The menu has all the classics, including salads and pasta. But if you’re looking for something more adventurous, try one of their specials like the Duck Hunt, mushroom pasta, and ravioli stuffed with bison or chicken liver pate. Also do not miss their smoky Cavolo antipasto!
10. Trattoria Alberto
Address: 508 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003, USA
Trattoria Alberto is a family-owned Italian restaurant located in Georgetown. The restaurant, which has been open since 2005, serves the best authentic Italian food and is definitely one of the most popular restaurants in DC.
Trattoria Alberto offers three different types of pasta: penne alla vodka (spicy tomato sauce), spaghetti alla bolognese (meat sauce), and pappardelle al sugo di pollo (chicken ragù). Other options include lasagna or gnocchi served with meat sauce or white wine sauce, respectively.
Other dishes worth partaking in include chicken parmigiana, veal piccata, seafood risotto, and lamb chops over field greens with rosemary blue cheese dressing. Their calamari fritti and mussels sautéed in garlic and white wine broth are also a must!
11. Obelisk
Address: 2029 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Obelisk is a great place for Italian food in DC. It’s located in Georgetown and has a great atmosphere, with lighted ceilings and tall windows on the street below.
The food is delicious, with dishes like fettuccine Alfredo or chicken cacciatore that don’t taste like they were made from an assembly line at a fastfood joint – but still taste good. Plenty of vegetarian options are available if you’re looking for something different than your usual pasta dish.
The service here is also excellent — they’ll take care of any questions or concerns you have right away. Hence, there’s no waiting around while they figure things out on their own schedule.
Finally, the prices are reasonable compared to other restaurants around town. This means we can eat more often without breaking our wallets!
12. Ristorante TOSCA
Address: 1112 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
Ristorante TOSCA is aligned with top Italian restaurants in Washington, DC, because of their authentic Italian food.
For an amazing foodie experience, you can choose from an appetizer-style menu that includes antipasto and roasted vegetables, or you can choose from an a la carte menu. Among the absolute must-try are their flavorful scallops, tenderloin, and veal.
Ristorante TOSCA is not only noted for their great food selection but the excellent service from the staff as well. If you’re in DC and craving for some fabulous Italian food, you shouldn’t miss this top Italian restaurant!