Best Cozy Restaurants in Capitol Hill

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.

Beautifully decorated restaurant, lovely/helpful staff with delicious drinks and food. Crowded but pleasant. Highly recommend it, would definitely return in the future.

Everything was excellent. The appetizers, we got the mushrooms on a waffle and pork belly steamed buns, were a great start. The venison and sausage and the sea bass and mussels were beautifully plated as well as delicious. I had the beef stew and ponme frites, which was quite hardy. The chef was visiting with customers and staff, making the atmosphere relaxed. We loved our time at Belga Cafe.

Everything about this restaurant was delicious and thoughtfully made. Even though Chef Edward Lee was not there in person, the Chef that was cooking did an amazing job because the food was very flavorful. This restaurant has exceeded my expectations and I am glad I did not give up on making the reservations.

The food was delicious- great selections and variety… you can even have breakfast as it is served all day! The server was so kind and friendly. It was a wonderful experience!