The Italian polpettine at this Neapolitan restaurant, while smaller than the standard American meatball, prove that size doesn't matter. Order them on their own or be bold and throw them on a pizza.

Chef Bryan Voltaggio has earned high marks from culinary critics for this Italian restaurant–within–a–restaurant. The meatballs here are served with homemade "chitarra" pasta, basil and pomodoro.

The meatballs at this Glover Park pizzeria are low on frills, but pair well with a glass of frozen limoncello—a house specialty.

Spain isn't the first country meatballs call to mind, but the version here shouldn't be missed. These lamb meatballs, called albondigas, are also available on the unlimited tapas brunch menu.

Super-size any meatball craving at this family-style restaurant. Bring an appetite or be prepared to share, because each order comes as a heaping bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. The restaurant also offers meatball sliders during happy hour.

Meatball lovers should look beyond pizza at this Georgetown spot and target the imbotitto panini - a combination of meatballs, grilled eggplant and smoked mozzarella.

Chef Geoff Tracy is a pro at executing crowd-pleasing dishes with quality and consistency. The spaghetti and meatballs at his Friendship Heights restaurant keeps it simple with meatballs, basil, ricotta and marinara.

The Navy Yard neighborhood definitely scored when this New York City import set up shop. The polpettine antipasti here differ a bit in that they are made with prosciutto and mortadella.

The Obama-approved hoagies here include the Callowhill, a classic sandwich with housemade spicy meatballs, marinara sauce and provolone cheese.

Monday night is family-style pasta night at this retro diner. Enjoy meatballs "as big as your head" at all locations, which include Barrack's Row, 14th Street and Reston.

Jose Andres is well-known for elevating and reimagining traditional dishes, and that includes meatballs. His Mediterranean twist, keftedes kapama, are made from beef and lamb and served with feta, cinnamon and allspice.

Meatballs are one of the many items customers can choose from when filling a sandwich at this Falls Church banh mi restaurant.

Stop by the Ris stand at Union market and get a half dozen meatballs in a tomato eggplant sauce for $10. Spaghetti and meatballs can sometimes be found on Ris's dinner menu as well.

This popular DC food truck is entirely devoted to meatballs in their many forms.

For a gamey take on the meatball, head to Copperwood Tavern, where their fall-apart bison meatballs are simmered in huckleberry gravy.