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Our Signature Bucatini with Spicy Neapolitan Ragu - Caruso's Grocery - DC, Washington, DC

Caruso's Grocery - DC

4.8
4.8
1168 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 50 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Please note that we are not offering Restaurant Week at our DC location.

Located at 914 14th Street SE in Washington, DC.

Caruso’s Grocery is modeled after the classic, Italian-American "red sauce" joint. You know the one: red banquettes, a killer chicken parmesan, Sinatra pouring through the speakers. If you’re looking for modern interpretations of a chef's take on the classics, you won’t find them here.

A joint venture from Neighborhood Restaurant Group and Partner Matthew Adler.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Market Cuisine
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 661-0148
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Matt Adler
  • Neighborhood
    Capitol Hill
  • Cross street
    14th and Pennsylvania Ave SE<br />(Entrance is on 14th Street)
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Potomac Avenue
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • New Year's Eve at Caruso's Grocery!

    $105.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Celebrate New Year's Eve at Caruso's Grocery! Our prix fixe menu is packed with all of our favorite Caruso's hits and lets you customize your experience. We are able to accept parties of up to 6 guests for this evening -- make your reservations today, and come join us!
    New Year's Eve at Caruso's Grocery! Photo

What 1,168 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    Italian

  • District of Columbia

    Best Value

  • District of Columbia

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Caruso's Grocery in DC shines with "amazing food and service" that consistently exceeds expectations. Guests rave about the "fantastic shrimp scampi" and "phenomenal pasta dishes." The intimate atmosphere and attentive staff, including "awesome servers like Jordan," make it a top choice for special occasions and casual dining.

1,168 Reviews
  1. Kelsey

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of the best restaurants in dc! Always come here for our holiday dinner 🍝🎄✨
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you so much for your kind review! We're honored to be part of your holiday traditions and thrilled to hear we're one of your favorite spots in DC. We look forward to celebrating many more special occasions with you!

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  2. Maria

    Washington DC

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding service. Perfectly tender Chicken Parmesan—as always.
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for your kind words! We're so glad you enjoyed the Chicken Parmesan and our service—your satisfaction means the world to us. We look forward to serving you another perfect meal soon!

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  3. Alan

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Restaurant Review I recently had the pleasure of dining at Caruso’s Grocery, and it was truly a memorable experience from start to finish. First and foremost, the service was impeccable. The waitstaff were attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our glasses were never empty and checking in at just the right moments. They were knowledgeable about the menu and even offered thoughtful recommendations that turned out to be perfect. The food was outstanding—every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. I had the chicken parm and you can tell the kitchen takes pride in using fresh, high-quality ingredients. As for the drinks, they were just as impressive. The cocktail menu was creative and well-executed, with something for every palate. The pomegranate lemonade was flavorful and very well presented. Overall, Caruso’s Grocery offers a top-tier dining experience with exceptional food, drinks, and service. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a great night out, I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be back!
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for your glowing review! We're delighted to hear that your experience at Caruso’s Grocery was memorable from start to finish. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed our attentive service, flavorful dishes, and creative drinks. We take great pride in crafting a special experience for our guests, and your kind words mean so much to our team. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another fantastic evening!

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  4. Tom

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    A slightly rocky start to a fine evening. It took us a while to get attention for our drinks order so we decided to order all the food as well, except for dessert. The waiter brought our drinks—and shortly, the appetizers and salads. The entrees came in good time. Eventually, it all worked out.
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're glad the evening turned out well and appreciate your patience during the slower start. Ensuring a seamless dining experience is important to us, and we'll use your feedback to improve. We hope to welcome you back soon for an even smoother visit!

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  5. PENELOPE

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food, really authentic, good value. We felt like we were back in Italy.
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for such a lovely review! We're thrilled our food brought back memories of Italy for you. We're so glad you enjoyed both the flavors and the value. We hope to see you again soon

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  6. Sarah

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great experience--wonderful food, amazing service! Can get a bit loud and is a smaller space, but it adds to the old school italian vibe. Will definitely be back!
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for the fantastic review! We're so glad you enjoyed the food, service, and classic Italian ambiance. We appreciate your understanding of the lively atmosphere—it’s all part of the charm! We can't wait to welcome you back soon!

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  7. Cory

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Didn't love it! Nice intimate atmosphere, excellent food options, decent selection of wine, but it's missing personality. The server was kind, the service was slow. Heard it was one of the toughest restaurants in DC to get a reservation, OpenTable made that pretty easy though. Not on our must return list. Good Luck to them.
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Hi Cory, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Sorry to hear that we weren't your cup of tea. Wishing you the best!

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  8. Betsy

    Los Angeles

    39 reviews

    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on December 2, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful homey little Italian spot. The food was delicious and our server was really attentive. Already looking forward to our next visit!
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and delicious food, and that our team took great care of you. We can’t wait to welcome you back for your next visit!

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  9. Terrance

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The best Italian I’ve ever had! Immaculate service. Greeted warmly when we arrived. Seated earlier than our reservation time. The food was outstanding to say the least. My God. Cannot wait to go back. Making my next reservation right now!!! Idk who Caruso is but I gotta thank his parents for birthing him!
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded on December 1, 2024
    Wow, what an amazing review—thank you! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an exceptional experience, from the warm greeting to the outstanding food. It’s wonderful to know we exceeded your expectations and left such a lasting impression. We’ll be ready to welcome you back for your next visit, and we’ll be sure to pass along your thanks to Caruso’s “parents”! 😉 See you soon!

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  10. brooke

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    When your first course is something to savor, you know you are in for a real treat. My tricolore salad was outstanding, served in a classic old style glass salad dish. The flavor stayed with me, pistachios, the perfect amount of olives, citrus and herbs, olive oil and vinegar. I have celiac and was entirely accommodated with gluten free bread and pasta. I chose the spicy bolognese, beef and pork topped with whipped ricotta and was catapulted into old Italian restaurants of my youth in NYC. The service was incredible. We were catered to instead of it being a chore, it seemed a pleasure for our server. The ambiance is fun, old school art and photos hung haphazardly evoking a feeling like the restaurant had been there for years. It is a small restaurant, hence the reservation wait, but it is a good feeling in a world of oversized restaurants. We got take out for members of my family who couldn’t be there, and the chef and partner, Matt Adler, brought us our bags with a smile. I’m grateful we had the opportunity to thank him. To top it off, the prices for food and drinks are so reasonable. That is outside the norm for hot restaurants here, but so welcome. I cannot wait to go back, but fear it may be a while with the food and service they have to offer for the limited space they have.
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded on December 1, 2024
    Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt and detailed review! We are truly honored to have transported you to cherished memories of old Italian restaurants while providing a welcoming and accommodating experience. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the tricolore salad, the spicy bolognese, and the gluten-free options, as well as the thoughtful service from our team, including Chef Matt Adler. Creating a warm, nostalgic atmosphere with outstanding food and service is what we strive for, and your words mean the world to us. We appreciate your kind remarks about our pricing and the care we put into every detail. We can’t wait to welcome you back whenever the opportunity arises! Thank you for being part of what makes Caruso’s special.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Caruso's Grocery - DC offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 661-0148.

Caruso's Grocery - DC is rated 4.8 stars by 1168 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 50 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Caruso's Grocery - DC

1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003-3030

Additional information

  • Cross street
    14th and Pennsylvania Ave SE<br />(Entrance is on 14th Street)
  • Neighborhood
    Capitol Hill
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Market Cuisine
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Potomac Avenue
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Matt Adler
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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