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Rigatoni from I’m Eddie Cano
Rigatoni from I’m Eddie Cano in Chevy Chase.
I’m Eddie Cano [official]

Where to Find Top-Notch Pasta Around D.C.

Fulfill a fix for spaghetti, rigatoni, and tortellini at these Italian restaurants

by Mekita Rivas and Tierney Plumb Updated
View as Map
Rigatoni from I’m Eddie Cano in Chevy Chase.
| I’m Eddie Cano [official]
by Mekita Rivas and Tierney Plumb Updated

Pasta lovers know there’s no such thing as too much pasta. Whether a craving calls for spaghetti, gnocchi, cacio e pepe, or a little bit of everything in between, the quest for the perfect plate of pasta is a never-ending journey.

Luckily, the D.C. area is filled with plenty of options for getting that pasta fix, from cozy neighborhood eateries to traditional osterias. Below, find the top Italian restaurants for pasta in D.C., and get all sorts of culinary inspiration for that upcoming date night or family outing.

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I’m Eddie Cano

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This mod favorite in Chevy Chase has affordable, reliable pastas split into categories for traditional Italian and Italian-American. The selection includes classics such as Sunday lasagna, chicken Milanese, and cacio pepe. Order online for pickup, or on DoorDash for lunch or dinner deliveries.

5014 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 890-4995
(202) 890-4995
Retro wallpaper and red chairs in a dining room
I’m Eddie Cano’s retro-chic dining room.
Rey Lopez/Eater. D.C.

Also featured in:

Tartufo Italian Restaurant

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Upper Northwest residents in the know keep coming back to this underrated neighborhood gem that resembles a small rustic restaurant in Italy. Try the tagliatelle with homemade veal ragu, spaghetti flanked with fresh clams, and spot-on carbonara.

4910 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 243-1078
(202) 243-1078

Sfoglina (Multiple locations)

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Longtime D.C. chef Fabio Trabbochi’s casual pasta house is named for the Italian masters who make fresh pasta. There’s a mozzarella bar with buffalo mozz, fior di latte, and burrata to pair with add-ons like tomatoes, beef bresaola, and more. Pastas include carbonara, potato gnocchi with porcini crema, and garganelli with clams and chiles. During the pandemic, Anthony Fauci got a to-go pasta fix at the Van Ness original several times a week. There’s also outposts in Rosslyn and downtown. Order online for takeout and delivery.

4445 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 525-1402
(202) 525-1402

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LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar

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Located across the street from the National Zoo, LiLLiES is an ideal destination for fueling up on pasta after a long stroll through the picturesque Woodley Park neighborhood. This family-owned restaurant has been in operation since 2011, serving lunch and dinner five days a week and brunch and dinner on the weekends. In the warmer months, take advantage of the spacious patio while enjoying one of several standout pasta dishes, such as the lobster ravioli and vegetable lasagna.

2915 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 450-4824
(202) 450-4824

Also featured in:

Capa Tosta

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Columbia Heights’s Italian replacement to Napoli opened nearly two years ago, quickly becoming a local standby. Some of its most popular dishes are the orecchiette tossed with broccoli rabe and spicy sausage, pillowy ricotta gnocchi topped with fresh burrata, and squid ink pasta. Partner Angelo Ciotola’s culinary parents from Naples came out of retirement just to revive their recipes inside.

2737 Sherman Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 299-0758
(202) 299-0758

Lupo Verde

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A homey, exposed brick interior and natural light flooding in from multiple windows deliver a top-notch ambiance at this 14th Street eatery. Here, nosh on Southern Italian dishes such as tonnarelli cacio e pepe, ravioli alla zucca, and gnocchi al gorgonzola. For dessert, top off the pasta-filled meal with classic tiramisu or vanilla bean panna cotta.

1401 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 827-4752
(202) 827-4752

Also featured in:

Quattro Osteria

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Tucked past 18th-century double doors, Shaw’s stylish newcomer resembles a chic sidewalk cafe in Italy. Standout pasta dishes include duck ravioli; pappardelle with a meaty ragu of beef short ribs, pork collar, and Italian sausage; black truffle-topped gnocchi; and decadent lobster linguine. The a la carte menu is joined by three- ($65) or five-course ($85) options.

600 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 481-4044
(202) 481-4044

Also featured in:

The Red Hen

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The mezzi rigatoni with fennel sausage and pecorino from this Bloomingdale favorite is one of D.C.’s iconic dishes. Crispy arancini cacio e pepe with herb aioli hits the spot, as will chef Mike Friedman’s seasonal new spaghetti verde paired with silky broccoli cremosa, toasted pine nuts, lemon, spinach, oregano, and garlicky breadcrumbs.

1822 1st St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 525-3021
(202) 525-3021

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Via Ghibellina

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Seeking Tuscan fare? Head to Ivy City, where Via Ghibellina serves a selection of dishes that call to mind the rich culinary heritage of Tuscany. From the tagliatelle al ragú to the cavatelli di ricotta con melanzana, there’s a pasta dish that’s sure to satisfy. On Lobster Wednesdays, indulge in fresh grilled lobster with a choice of salad, risotto, or linguine. The weekend brunch menu — boasting items like spaghetti alla carbonara and a smoked salmon frittata — is not to be missed either. 

2000 Fenwick St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 688-4131
(202) 688-4131

Floriana

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This old-school, neighborhood restaurant in Dupont has refined pastas like pappardelle with ragu, burrata ravioli with mushrooms and spinach, lamb gnocchi, and a tortelloni with tenderloin. Floriana has a fan in the White House, too: Vice President Kamala Harris famously swung by right before Inauguration in 2021.

1602 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-5937
(202) 667-5937

Your weekend isn’t complete without a meal from Floriana. Luckily, we’ve made it super easy! Check out our takeout and...

Posted by Floriana Restaurant DC on Saturday, April 18, 2020

Also featured in:

Masseria a Casa

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This warm and rustic Michelin-starred Italian gem only offers six-course tasting menus, with several dishes drawing inspiration from chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s Italian background in Puglia. Masseria also lets diners take it all home with a delivery service that offers prix fixe dinners for two for $105. The menu changes often, so there’s variety in the home dining routine. 

1340 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 608-1330
(202) 608-1330

Also featured in:

Flavio Restaurant DC

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Georgetown’s bustling destination for Italian cuisine counts its lobster diavolo as its most popular dish, built with the chef’s choice of pasta, shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, and spicy tomato cream sauce. The light and airy gnocchi, made with ricotta instead of potato, is also not to miss.  Flavio plans to expand across the city with a second location in Cathedral Heights.

1073 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 965-6666
(202) 965-6666

il Canale

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While this Georgetown establishment is well-known for its pizza Napolitana, don’t miss out on the many pasta dishes that pay gastronomic homage to the owner’s Sicilian heritage. For seafood enthusiasts, the scialatielli allo scoglio — which features fresh pasta mixed with mussels, shrimp, clams, cherry tomatoes, white wine, and garlic — is a must-try. Other noteworthy dishes include the gnocchi and spaghetti pomodoro. Downstairs neighbor Filomena, around for over 30 years, is the ultimate celebratory spot for hearty Italian dishes in an ornate setting.

1065 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 337-4444
(202) 337-4444

Also featured in:

Centrolina

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James Beard award-nominated chef Amy Brandwein is well known for her regional Italian fare made with mid-Atlantic ingredients. Dine indoors or order online for takeout, or via Caviar and Tock for delivery. Stock up on pantry items from the attached market while you are at it.

974 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 898-2426
(202) 898-2426

Also featured in:

L'Ardente

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Eater DC’s 2022 Restaurant of the Year makes all its pastas in-house. Along with that famous 40-layer lasagna, dinnertime highlights include a veal ragu pappardelle with a surprise kick from jalapenos and the campanelle nere—a squid-ink pasta with a luscious lobster-studded sauce. Pumpkin-shaped zucca in a sausage ragu shows up at both lunch and dinner.

200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 448-0450
(202) 448-0450
L’Ardente’s lunch-only maccheroni with chicken and zucchini in a pesto cream sauce. 
L’Ardente

Also featured in:

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Ristorante TOSCA

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Around since 2001, downtown’s iconic trattoria unveiled a fresh new look for its 20th anniversary. Executive chef Fortunato Nicotra, who earned Michelin stars at two restaurants in Sicily before the age of 30, long led the kitchen at NYC’s award-winning Felidia before landing at Tosca last year. Tosca specializes in Northern Italian cuisine and homemade pastas, including its top-selling agnolotti del plin.

1112 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 367-1990
(202) 367-1990

Also featured in:

Thompson Italian

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Shortly after opening in Falls Church in 2019, this mom-and-pop pasta shop from chefs Gabe and Katherine Thompson won positive reviews for its spicy meatballs and olive oil cake. The couple, who rose through the ranks of the NYC restaurant scene before moving to be close to family in Northern Virginia, just opened a second location in Old Town Alexandria. Order takeout here.

124 N Washington St, Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 269-0893
(703) 269-0893
The interior of Thompson Italian
Thompson Italian’s funky Falls Church dining room.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Lavagna

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With its charming red brick facade and wood-paneled bar, this Barracks Row restaurant has the feel of a quaint neighborhood spot in a small Italian town. Beloved for its farm-to-table approach, Lavagna sources many ingredients from local and regional farmers to bring its contemporary Italian menu to life. All pastas are homemade, including favorites like the pappardelle lamb, risotto shrimp, and spaghetti bolognese.

539 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 546-5006
(202) 546-5006

Caruso's Grocery

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Matt Adler’s decidedly unmodern tribute to classic red sauce joints delivers dishes heavy on nostalgia, quality ingredients, and technique, all served in a red banquette, vintage photo-laden dining room. Adler’s kitchen makes its own gnocchi, fettuccine, ravioli, and bucatini topped with a spicy Neapolitan ragu. His personal favorite pasta is penne alla vodka with peas and prosciutto. A sophomore location recently debuted in Maryland’s Pike & Rose complex.

914 14th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(000) 000-0000
(000) 000-0000
Chicken Parm from Caruso’s Grocery.
Chicken Parm from Caruso’s Grocery gets pounded thin every morning before service.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

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I’m Eddie Cano

5014 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

This mod favorite in Chevy Chase has affordable, reliable pastas split into categories for traditional Italian and Italian-American. The selection includes classics such as Sunday lasagna, chicken Milanese, and cacio pepe. Order online for pickup, or on DoorDash for lunch or dinner deliveries.

5014 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 890-4995
(202) 890-4995
Retro wallpaper and red chairs in a dining room
I’m Eddie Cano’s retro-chic dining room.
Rey Lopez/Eater. D.C.

Tartufo Italian Restaurant

4910 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

Upper Northwest residents in the know keep coming back to this underrated neighborhood gem that resembles a small rustic restaurant in Italy. Try the tagliatelle with homemade veal ragu, spaghetti flanked with fresh clams, and spot-on carbonara.

4910 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 243-1078
(202) 243-1078

Sfoglina (Multiple locations)

4445 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Longtime D.C. chef Fabio Trabbochi’s casual pasta house is named for the Italian masters who make fresh pasta. There’s a mozzarella bar with buffalo mozz, fior di latte, and burrata to pair with add-ons like tomatoes, beef bresaola, and more. Pastas include carbonara, potato gnocchi with porcini crema, and garganelli with clams and chiles. During the pandemic, Anthony Fauci got a to-go pasta fix at the Van Ness original several times a week. There’s also outposts in Rosslyn and downtown. Order online for takeout and delivery.

4445 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 525-1402
(202) 525-1402

LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar

2915 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Located across the street from the National Zoo, LiLLiES is an ideal destination for fueling up on pasta after a long stroll through the picturesque Woodley Park neighborhood. This family-owned restaurant has been in operation since 2011, serving lunch and dinner five days a week and brunch and dinner on the weekends. In the warmer months, take advantage of the spacious patio while enjoying one of several standout pasta dishes, such as the lobster ravioli and vegetable lasagna.

2915 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 450-4824
(202) 450-4824

Capa Tosta

2737 Sherman Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Columbia Heights’s Italian replacement to Napoli opened nearly two years ago, quickly becoming a local standby. Some of its most popular dishes are the orecchiette tossed with broccoli rabe and spicy sausage, pillowy ricotta gnocchi topped with fresh burrata, and squid ink pasta. Partner Angelo Ciotola’s culinary parents from Naples came out of retirement just to revive their recipes inside.

2737 Sherman Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 299-0758
(202) 299-0758

Lupo Verde

1401 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009

A homey, exposed brick interior and natural light flooding in from multiple windows deliver a top-notch ambiance at this 14th Street eatery. Here, nosh on Southern Italian dishes such as tonnarelli cacio e pepe, ravioli alla zucca, and gnocchi al gorgonzola. For dessert, top off the pasta-filled meal with classic tiramisu or vanilla bean panna cotta.

1401 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 827-4752
(202) 827-4752

Quattro Osteria

600 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Tucked past 18th-century double doors, Shaw’s stylish newcomer resembles a chic sidewalk cafe in Italy. Standout pasta dishes include duck ravioli; pappardelle with a meaty ragu of beef short ribs, pork collar, and Italian sausage; black truffle-topped gnocchi; and decadent lobster linguine. The a la carte menu is joined by three- ($65) or five-course ($85) options.

600 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 481-4044
(202) 481-4044

The Red Hen

1822 1st St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The mezzi rigatoni with fennel sausage and pecorino from this Bloomingdale favorite is one of D.C.’s iconic dishes. Crispy arancini cacio e pepe with herb aioli hits the spot, as will chef Mike Friedman’s seasonal new spaghetti verde paired with silky broccoli cremosa, toasted pine nuts, lemon, spinach, oregano, and garlicky breadcrumbs.

1822 1st St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 525-3021
(202) 525-3021

Via Ghibellina

2000 Fenwick St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Seeking Tuscan fare? Head to Ivy City, where Via Ghibellina serves a selection of dishes that call to mind the rich culinary heritage of Tuscany. From the tagliatelle al ragú to the cavatelli di ricotta con melanzana, there’s a pasta dish that’s sure to satisfy. On Lobster Wednesdays, indulge in fresh grilled lobster with a choice of salad, risotto, or linguine. The weekend brunch menu — boasting items like spaghetti alla carbonara and a smoked salmon frittata — is not to be missed either. 

2000 Fenwick St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 688-4131
(202) 688-4131

Floriana

1602 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

This old-school, neighborhood restaurant in Dupont has refined pastas like pappardelle with ragu, burrata ravioli with mushrooms and spinach, lamb gnocchi, and a tortelloni with tenderloin. Floriana has a fan in the White House, too: Vice President Kamala Harris famously swung by right before Inauguration in 2021.

1602 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-5937
(202) 667-5937

Your weekend isn’t complete without a meal from Floriana. Luckily, we’ve made it super easy! Check out our takeout and...

Posted by Floriana Restaurant DC on Saturday, April 18, 2020

Masseria a Casa

1340 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

This warm and rustic Michelin-starred Italian gem only offers six-course tasting menus, with several dishes drawing inspiration from chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s Italian background in Puglia. Masseria also lets diners take it all home with a delivery service that offers prix fixe dinners for two for $105. The menu changes often, so there’s variety in the home dining routine. 

1340 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 608-1330
(202) 608-1330

Flavio Restaurant DC

1073 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Georgetown’s bustling destination for Italian cuisine counts its lobster diavolo as its most popular dish, built with the chef’s choice of pasta, shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, and spicy tomato cream sauce. The light and airy gnocchi, made with ricotta instead of potato, is also not to miss.  Flavio plans to expand across the city with a second location in Cathedral Heights.

1073 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 965-6666
(202) 965-6666

il Canale

1065 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007

While this Georgetown establishment is well-known for its pizza Napolitana, don’t miss out on the many pasta dishes that pay gastronomic homage to the owner’s Sicilian heritage. For seafood enthusiasts, the scialatielli allo scoglio — which features fresh pasta mixed with mussels, shrimp, clams, cherry tomatoes, white wine, and garlic — is a must-try. Other noteworthy dishes include the gnocchi and spaghetti pomodoro. Downstairs neighbor Filomena, around for over 30 years, is the ultimate celebratory spot for hearty Italian dishes in an ornate setting.

1065 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 337-4444
(202) 337-4444

Centrolina

974 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

James Beard award-nominated chef Amy Brandwein is well known for her regional Italian fare made with mid-Atlantic ingredients. Dine indoors or order online for takeout, or via Caviar and Tock for delivery. Stock up on pantry items from the attached market while you are at it.

974 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 898-2426
(202) 898-2426

L'Ardente

200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Eater DC’s 2022 Restaurant of the Year makes all its pastas in-house. Along with that famous 40-layer lasagna, dinnertime highlights include a veal ragu pappardelle with a surprise kick from jalapenos and the campanelle nere—a squid-ink pasta with a luscious lobster-studded sauce. Pumpkin-shaped zucca in a sausage ragu shows up at both lunch and dinner.

200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 448-0450
(202) 448-0450
L’Ardente’s lunch-only maccheroni with chicken and zucchini in a pesto cream sauce. 
L’Ardente

Related Maps

Ristorante TOSCA

1112 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Around since 2001, downtown’s iconic trattoria unveiled a fresh new look for its 20th anniversary. Executive chef Fortunato Nicotra, who earned Michelin stars at two restaurants in Sicily before the age of 30, long led the kitchen at NYC’s award-winning Felidia before landing at Tosca last year. Tosca specializes in Northern Italian cuisine and homemade pastas, including its top-selling agnolotti del plin.

1112 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 367-1990
(202) 367-1990

Thompson Italian

124 N Washington St, Falls Church, VA 22046

Shortly after opening in Falls Church in 2019, this mom-and-pop pasta shop from chefs Gabe and Katherine Thompson won positive reviews for its spicy meatballs and olive oil cake. The couple, who rose through the ranks of the NYC restaurant scene before moving to be close to family in Northern Virginia, just opened a second location in Old Town Alexandria. Order takeout here.

124 N Washington St, Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 269-0893
(703) 269-0893
The interior of Thompson Italian
Thompson Italian’s funky Falls Church dining room.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Lavagna

539 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

With its charming red brick facade and wood-paneled bar, this Barracks Row restaurant has the feel of a quaint neighborhood spot in a small Italian town. Beloved for its farm-to-table approach, Lavagna sources many ingredients from local and regional farmers to bring its contemporary Italian menu to life. All pastas are homemade, including favorites like the pappardelle lamb, risotto shrimp, and spaghetti bolognese.

539 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 546-5006
(202) 546-5006

Caruso's Grocery

914 14th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Matt Adler’s decidedly unmodern tribute to classic red sauce joints delivers dishes heavy on nostalgia, quality ingredients, and technique, all served in a red banquette, vintage photo-laden dining room. Adler’s kitchen makes its own gnocchi, fettuccine, ravioli, and bucatini topped with a spicy Neapolitan ragu. His personal favorite pasta is penne alla vodka with peas and prosciutto. A sophomore location recently debuted in Maryland’s Pike & Rose complex.

914 14th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(000) 000-0000
(000) 000-0000
Chicken Parm from Caruso’s Grocery.
Chicken Parm from Caruso’s Grocery gets pounded thin every morning before service.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

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