The Best Italian Restaurants in Washington DC

Warm, welcoming, celebrity hangout, Al Tiramisu serves up authentic Italian flavors. Since the restaurant opened in 1996, Chef Luigi Diotaiuti has brought classic, rustic cuisine to the table. The family-friendly, casual atmosphere is a good match for a menu that combines elegant presentation with fresh ingredients. The menu highlights some of the best Italian in DC like a savory pappardelle, or a secondi menu that includes charred octopus atop an herbed bed of farro.

Siroc Restaurant, located just off of McPherson Square, offers a casual, intimate atmosphere that leaves pretension at the door. The food is classic and innovative, with a seasonal menu that celebrates the best Italy has to offer. From a charcuterie and cheese board to a selection of hot and cold appetizers, the extensive menu serves up unexpected combinations. Try the short rib agnolotti or the potato gnocchi for classic flavors, or enjoy unusual combinations with a plate of the lemon trenette or swordfish stew.

Enjoy going "home" to eat when stepping through the doors of the converted row house that is the front of Floriana. Dupont Circle is home to some of the best Italian restaurants in Washington, D.C., and Floriana is no exception. The warm ochre walls and polished hardwood accents create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere that is only reinforced by the excellent service. The menu features a delectable selection of housemade pasta, fresh fish, and savory meats. Try the sweet potato gnocchi or venison fettucini for something a little different, or enjoy a very classic filet mignon paired with a mushroom bread pudding to add some umami to the plate.

Chef Vittorio Testa brings traditional Italian cooking methods to fresh, high-quality ingredients at Ristorante La Perla of Washington. This five-star Italian eatery puts the emphasis right where it belongs — on the food. Each day, the kitchen stirs up a selection of fresh pasta, with dried pasta imported directly from Italy. Enjoy an appetizer like the Diamanti di Granchio or the Carpaccio di Carne for a surf and turf combination. An excellent selection of soups helps whet the appetite for the more extensive main courses to come. A luscious fettuccine alfredo or seafood lasagna both deliver flavor-packed plates in a welcoming atmosphere.

Sicilian influences are everywhere at Osteria da Nino, one of the best restaurants for Italian in DC's suburbs. The Arlington, Virginia, location means diners leave the hustle and bustle of the capital behind to enjoy a relaxed meal. Warm and cold appetizers include everything from oysters (fried or raw) to sauteed olives. An order of the Ravioli con Anaira combines a duck leg confit with tender bites of fresh pasta, all drenched in the earthy flavors of a mushroom ragu. For a lower carb plate, an order of the chicken breast, rainbow carrots, spinach, and potato is a visual delight and palate pleaser.

Warm and whimsical encapsulate the decor at Mele Bistro. Patches of painted and exposed brick contrast with the raw, natural polished wood of the bar and white linen tables. Oven-baked bread starts off every meal at this tucked-away Italian bistro that serves a variety of farm-to-table dishes. Homemade pastas make every bite a tender explosion of flavors. Diners can even pre-order a favorite with 24-hour advanced notice for some of the best Italian in DC.

Ristorante Piccolo in Historic Georgetown turns any night out into a romantic occasion. Book a table on the second-floor balcony for a stunning view of the C&O Canal to complement the meal. A plentiful menu that includes everything from soups and salads to Sicilian deep dish pizza offers a unique take on upscale dining. Dig into a large platter of perfectly cooked mussels or enjoy the tangy taste of a carpaccio di Salomone to start. Add an order of perfectly pan-seared scallops to a variety of pasta dishes including a bucatini bolognese that blends beef, veal, and pork with a tomato ragu.

Flavio offers an unpretentious atmosphere that blends industrial decor with classic Italian food. Exposed brick and uncovered tables put the focus on an affordably priced menu that has a variety of classic favorites. Chicken parmesan and whole branzino share menu space with the chef's recommended filet mignon or a choice of veal dishes. The lobster Diavolo takes the spot as a diner favorite, and plenty of pizza plates round out the casual, trendy vibe that extends to the dishes.

One of the capital's best-kept secrets, Ristorante Bonaroti is in Vienna, Virginia. This classic restaurant welcomes you with the Italian hospitality that is such a big part of a fun evening, all under the affectionate eye of Sergio Domestici, Santa Margherita culinary school graduate and host/owner of this establishment. The fried squid is tender and crunchy, while fresh clams come out in a tangy and spicy sauce. For comfort food that crosses oceans, try a bowl of the cappelletti in Brodo di Pollo, also known as a fun take on chicken noodle soup. Crepes stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach or veal and mushrooms offer a filling and unexpected option.

Southern Italian is on the menu at Carmine's in Washington, D.C. Located in the Penn Quarter, a night at this family-friendly restaurant is accessible from every area of the city. The food comes out family-style, so order an item or two and prepare to share. A full menu of pasta platters is the just the start. Classic chicken marsala, a veal saltimbocca, or a broiled porterhouse all make up hearty meat courses. For seafood lovers, the shrimp fra diavolo or salmon oreganata are both fresh and simple. The dessert menu is just as appetizing, with a rich bread pudding, an airy tiramisu, or fluffy strawberry shortcake, all sized to share. For group dining, this is some of the best Italian in DC.

The unassuming facade of Bellissimo Restaurant hides a long list of culinary delights. The carpaccio di carne is bright, peppery, and covered in a healthy sprinkle of parmesan. The portabello tartufato offers an earthy and rich start to a meal. Make individual selections, or enjoy the chef selection menu available in both vegetarian and meat plates, which includes five courses designed for two.

Exposed brick, white tablecloths, and a massive fireplace turn Il Porto Ristorante into a dining spot that is nostalgic and cozy. Its Old Town location in Alexandria means there is plenty to explore before or after a meal. The menu includes a homemade soup of the day, an assortment of classic antipasti items, and homemade pasta. Each noodle plate comes with an overflowing dish of salad dressed with the housemade Italian dressing and freshly baked bread.

Sit back and relax at one of the white-clothed tables at Fontina Grille. The warm wood tones and muted lighting create an intimate atmosphere that encourages congenial conversation. The menu offers plenty to talk about, with wood-fired pizza and a fun list of specialties. Try the chef special of ravioli rose and crabmeat for a plate that melds Northern Italian flavors with the sweetness of Maryland blue crab. The meat lasagna uses ground veal for a tender and flavorful filling. Entrees include everything from a classic Marsala to a Chesapeake-style chicken breast.

Exposed beams, dark wood, plenty of patio seating, and intricate murals create unique spaces inside i Ricchi, an authentic Tuscan restaurant in Dupont Circle. The menu is imaginative while staying true to classic cooking techniques. Enjoy combinations like the seared Maine scallops paired with ricotta gnocchi and roasted mushrooms. All pasta is housemade for fresh and succulent textures that complement toppings like the 12-hour sugo.

Fine dining is at its best at Carmello's. This elegant restaurant combines the flavors of the Mediterranean, Portugal, and Italy for complex plates with an unexpected twist. An award-winning wine list is the start of the culinary delights coming out of this kitchen. Menus update with the seasons, so be sure to check the new additions as the weather changes. In fall, expect to see items like a baked brie or flatbread with a fig compote, cream cheese, and salty prosciutto. The Manzo ragu uses slow-cooked short ribs, carrots, and onions as the base for a flavorful dish. For surf and turf, consider the Grilhados Mistos, a plate filled with a petite portion of filet mignon, king prawn, sea scallop, and Italian herb risotto.