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Al Dente, Washington, DC

Al Dente

4.3
4.3
1317 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 2 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for happy hour
  • Child-friendly
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
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Catering is by request
  • 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

What 1,317 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.2Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • District of Columbia

    Child-friendly

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Al Dente is a charming neighborhood gem known for its "superb house-made pasta" and inviting terrace dining. Happy Hour offers fantastic deals with "generously discounted" menu items. While some diners note inconsistencies, regulars appreciate the "consistently good food" and attentive service, making it a beloved go-to spot.

1,317 Reviews
  1. Lucy

    Washington DC

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always pleasent to dine there. Great food, reasonable price and good service.

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  2. Bill

    Washington DC

    41 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on 9 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Deliciously dressed arugula salad & truly al dente fettuccini bolognese. Great service.

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  3. Joanne

    Washington DC

    17 reviews

    1.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on 18 October 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We used to love Al Dente when it was owned by Roberto Donna. It has seriously gone downhill. Food quality mediocre at best. Many longstanding dishes gone off the menu. Entrees already pre-prepared & overcooked. Sausage on pizza undercooked. This used to be in our regular rotation, but we will not be going back again

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  4. Ellie

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 20 September 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The food and service were mediocre at best. I wouldn’t go back.

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  5. gene

    Washington DC

    49 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on 28 August 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    We always enjoy it. It is our go-to place. Service is always attentive.

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  6. Janet

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 16 August 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    My friend (later) said the place early on had bad reviews but we had a lovely lunch. It’s Restaurant Week, so we had a salad, a personal gourmet pizza and gelato for dessert. The server was competent and friendly. They also have good pastas but I hadn’t had a pizza in a long time. It was a late lunch (around one) and there were few other customers; it was quiet and relaxed. Plenty of parking; even though they validate we still had to pay. I’ll be back!

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  7. Casualdiner

    Washington DC

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on 14 June 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always love Al Dente, which offers consistently good food for good value!

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  8. Cassiebdc

    Washington DC

    17 reviews

    4.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on 13 June 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The food here is consistently good no matter what you order. I particularly like their meatballs and their white pizza with sausage and mushrooms. My husband likes their fish dishes. We both like their pastas and caesar salad.

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  9. JamesR

    Atlanta Metro

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 11 June 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Perfectly good Italian restaurant (reliably good pizza, and plenty of more upscale options, too). From my POV, this is easily the best of the three dining options in this particular New Mexico Avenue building complex. (1) Al Dente, (2) Wagshals, and (3) Chef Geoff's

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 May 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very good! I recommend. The gratuity of 20% is not a option....

    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 4.3 stars by 1317 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 2 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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