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Al Dente, Washington, DC

Al Dente

4.7
4.7
1326 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 7 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for happy hour
  • Charming
Guests can enjoy fresh house-made pasta, fresh fish and meat offerings along with Italian desserts. Al Dente also showcases Neapolitan pizza from the restaurant’s centerpiece oven.


Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30–20:30 Fri, Sat 11:30–21:30
  • Phone number
    (202) 244-2223
  • Website
    http://www.aldentedc.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Catering is by request
  • Location
    3201 New Mexico Ave. Suite E NW, Washington, DC 20016
  • Area
    Tenleytown
  • Parking details
    Free parking weeknights after 5:00PM and all day Saturday & Sunday. 50% OFF weekdays before 5:00PM with validation
  • Public transit
    Tenleytown/American University metro stop on the red line and the N2/N4/N6 bus lines.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

Sunday – Thursday from 4 pm - 7 pm Friday – Saturday from 4 pm – 6:30 pm

Drinks

  • Mojito MondayUS$19.00

    Mojito Pitchers

    • BeerUS$5.00

      daily selection

      • WineUS$6.00

        red, white, rosé, sangria

        • Rail Cocktails US$7.00

          vodka soda, vodka & cranberry, gin & tonic, rum & coke, tequila & sprite, margarita, mojito, moscow mule

          Small Plates

          • Insalata RomanaUS$7.00

            Romaine lettuce tossed with Caesar dressing and anchovies

            • Insalata di RucolaUS$11.00

              Arugula and parmesan dressed with mustard dressing

              • Calamari Fritti con ParmigianoUS$11.00

                Fried squid rings, tentacles, and hot pepper slices, served with tomato sauce and lemon

                • Polpette al DenteUS$7.00

                  Two “al Dente Style” meatballs, simmered in tomato sauce and parmigano

                  • Lentil SoupUS$7.00

                    Parmesan cheese and olive oil

                    Large Plates

                    • Penne All’ ArrabiataUS$12.00

                      Spicy tomato sauce and parmigiana

                      • Fettucine AlfredoUS$12.00

                        Creamy Alfredo with Chicken

                        • Calamarata PastaUS$16.00

                          Squid, shrimp, mussels, clams, spicy cherry tomato sauce

                          • al Dente BurgerUS$8.00

                            angus ground beef patty, cheese, sliced tomato, lettuce, tomato mayo, brioche bun

                            Last updated: 12 February 2024

                            What 1,326 people are saying

                            Overall ratings and reviews

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

                            4.7
                            4.7 based on recent ratings
                            • 4.7Food
                            • 4.8Service
                            • 4.4Ambience
                            • 4.6Value

                            Noise • Moderate

                            Loved For

                            • District of Columbia

                              Neighbourhood gem

                            Review summary

                            AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                            Al Dente is a neighborhood favorite known for its "consistently good food" and "authentic Napolitana pizza." The house-made pasta, particularly gnocchi and fettuccine, receive high praise, and the happy hour is "among the best in town." The outdoor patio offers a charming dining experience.

                            1,326 Reviews

                            1. Donald VIP

                              Washington DC3 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 24 February 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 1
                              The lighting under the white ceiling is too bright. Acoustic ceiling tiles or some means of sound deadening is needed.

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                            2. howard VIP

                              Washington DC24 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 15 February 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 4
                              We had 9 people at dinner. The food & the service was excellent. Pizzas were cooked perfectly. The chicken parm was tender & tasty, & the lasagna was wonderful. A go to restaurant.

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                            3. Nicholas VIP

                              Washington DC2 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 14 February 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 4
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Great experience! Food well priced and tasty, friendly quick service We will be back

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                            4. Ronna

                              Washington DC16 reviews

                              4.0

                              Dined on 3 February 2025

                              1. Overall 4
                              2. Food 4
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 4
                              Wonderful local Italian. Excellent service and quality food. Happy hour menu is excellent.

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                            5. Donald VIP

                              Washington DC3 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 2 February 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 3
                              Excellent food and outstanding service. The 20% surcharge is criminal. Other places charge 2.5% or not at all.

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                            6. Sue VIP

                              New York City13 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 18 January 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              We had a great table for our group of 7. The service was excellent by two employees who were helpful and very pleasant. They took wonderful care of us, especially the toddler we had with us! We all had pizzas and salads and they were delicious. Thank you Al Dente. You are our favorite spot when visiting our relatives in your neighborhood.

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                            7. Laurel

                              Washington DC27 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 10 January 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              The food was outstanding. I introduced a friend to the restaurant and she loved it. i ordered something I have had before: the veal scallopine and she had the pasta with seafood and loved it. She will definitely return and I come back a lot and live in the neighborhood.

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                            8. Lawrence VIP

                              Washington DC22 reviews

                              4.0

                              Dined on 5 January 2025

                              1. Overall 4
                              2. Food 4
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 4
                              Went for "Happy Hour". Reasonably priced good house cabernet and rail margarita. Numerous salad, small plate, and large plate options. Very good food and excellent service.

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                            9. Joan

                              Richmond30 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 30 December 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Excellent service and food! Thank you. My family thoroughly enjoyed it.

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                            10. Ronna

                              Washington DC16 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 14 December 2024

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 4
                              Wonderful food and service! Love the complimentary rolls warm and tasty!

                              Is this helpful?

                            FAQs

                            Al Dente does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Al Dente also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 244-2223.

                            Al Dente is rated 4.7 stars by 1326 OpenTable diners.

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

                            Make a booking

                            2 people
                            19:00
                            Booked 7 times today

                            Order delivery or takeout

                            Google Map for Al Dente

                            3201 New Mexico Ave. Suite E NW, Washington, DC 20016

                            Additional information

                            • Area
                              Tenleytown
                            • Hours of Operation
                              Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30–20:30 Fri, Sat 11:30–21:30
                            • Price
                              $30 and under
                            • Cuisines
                              Italian
                            • Dining style
                              Casual Dining
                            • Dress code
                              Casual Dress
                            • Parking details
                              Free parking weeknights after 5:00PM and all day Saturday & Sunday. 50% OFF weekdays before 5:00PM with validation
                            • Public transit
                              Tenleytown/American University metro stop on the red line and the N2/N4/N6 bus lines.
                            • Payment Options
                              AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
                            • Additional
                              Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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