Il Porto

4.4

2387 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 27, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 23 times today

Experiences are available.

Charming
Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions

At Il Porto Italian Ristorante in Alexandria, VA, our commitment to culinary excellence is evident in every dish we serve. Established in Old Town Alexandria in 1973, our restaurant has been a beacon for authentic Italian flavors, blending traditional roots with a modern culinary approach.

Our kitchen takes pride in crafting every dish from scratch, on-premise, ensuring freshness in every bite. Our pasta, made fresh daily, is a testament to our dedication to quality and authenticity. Our modern cooking techniques has elevated our offerings, allowing us to present a diverse menu while maintaining the rich traditions of Northern Italian cuisine.

The heart of our kitchen lies in our daily specials, curated with innovation rooted in the culinary heritage of Northern Italy. Each dish reflects a harmonious blend of creativity and tradition, inviting our patrons to embark on a culinary journey with every visit.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(703) 836-8833
Website
http://www.ilportoristorante.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Giuseppe Villari
Private party facilities
Il Porto has a beautifully remodeled second floor with a separate bar that can accommodate up to 120 guests. Our wait staff is very well experienced in dealing with any type of large groups.

Location
121 King street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Neighborhood
Alexandria
Cross street
N.Lee
Parking details
Street parking is available or there is a parking garage located right behind the restaurant on Lee Street. Colonial Parking $10.00 flat rate. Also there is a parking garage one block away from the restaurant on Fairfax Street. City Hall Parking Garage after 5:00 p.m. $2.00 flat rate.
Public transit
King Street Metro stop, about 16 blocks away from the restaurant. Free Trolley shuttle from King <br />Street Metro to the restaurant
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Experiences

Holiday Jazz Dinner | Sweet Something x Il Porto
Dec 19, 2024 only
Celebrate the season with us at Il Porto Ristorante on Thursday, December 19th for a festive Holiday Jazz Dinner, with two exclusive seatings at 6 PM and 7:30 PM! Enjoy an enchanting evening of live holiday music by the renowned ensemble Sweet Something. Led by celebrated jazz vocalist Ariana Harbin, this D.C.-based band will bring the holiday spirit to life with a blend of timeless jazz and holiday classics. Savor our dinner specials and homemade Italian cuisine as you soak in the festive melodies. Reserve your table now to secure your spot for a night filled with holiday cheer, great food, and unforgettable music!

Popular dishes

Zuppa del Giorno$6.00
homemade soup of the day
Antipasto della Casa$14.95
assorted Italian meats, cheese, marinated vegetables and anchovies served on a bed of romaine lettuce
Buratta all Caprese$14.95
Italian fresh mozzarella with a soft center served with sliced fresh tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze
Cozze o Vongole$15.95
mussels or clams sautéed in white wine, parsley and garlic or Napolitan tomato sauce
Calamari Fritti$15.95
lightly fried calamari with a side of red marinara sauce
Portobello con Burrata$15.95
Italian fresh mozzarella with a soft center, Portobello mushroom, bell pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and truffle balsamic vinaigrette
Bruschetta$11.95
fresh chopped tomatoes with garlic, basil, extra virgin olive oil and vinegar, served on toasted slices of Italian bread

Insalata / Salads

Caesar Salad$10.95
the classic caesar salad
- Served with Grilled Chicken$18.95
- Served with Grilled Shrimp$21.95
Insalata Tritata$10.95
chopped romaine, fresh grilled corn, diced tomato and basil, tossed with buttermilk herb dressing
- Served with Grilled Chicken$18.95
- Served with Grilled Shrimp$21.95
- Served with Grilled Salmon$25.95
Insalata della Casa$10.95
a mix of greens, red onion, fresh tomato, garbanzo beans, and radish tossed in our homemade Italian dressing
Insalata di Rucola e Spinaci$10.95
baby spinach, arugula, cherry tomato, and finely sliced parmesan in a champagne vinaigrette dressing

Panini / Fine Sandwiches

Italian Hoagie$12.95
assorted Italian meats topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, provolone cheese and thousand island dressing
Grilled Chicken$12.95
grilled boneless breast of chicken with lettuce, tomato, onion, mozzarella cheese and thousand island dressing
Fried Chicken$12.95
fresh boneless breast of chicken lightly breaded and fried, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, mozzarella cheese and thousand island dressing
Filet Steak & Cheese$17.95
thinly sliced filet mignon topped with sautéed onion, mushroom, green bell pepper, lettuce, tomato, mozzarella cheese and mayonnaise

Pasta della Casa / Fresh Homemade Pasta

Penne alla Romana con Funghi$19.95
penne pasta sautéed with sweet, mild Italian sausage and mushroom in a cream tomato sauce
Tortellini al Pesto$21.95
ring shaped noodles filled with veal, sautéed with Portobello mushroom in a light pesto cream sauce garnished with asparagus
Fettuccine Alfredo$17.95
fettuccine in a classic cream, butter & cheese sauce
- Served with Grilled Chicken$22.95
- Served with Shrimp$26.95
Lasagna$18.95
tender noodles with ricotta cheese and meat sauce
Manicotti alla Fiorentina$18.95
pasta stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese and served with tomato sauce
Capellini Primavera$18.95
angel hair pasta with fresh julienne vegetables and mushrooms served in a light red or white wine sauce
Spaghetti & Meatballs$16.95
a classic Italian favorite made with beef
Ravioli$21.95
homemade ravioli stuffed with beef served in a red or light cream sauce

Pesce / Seafood

Pesce Fresco
fresh fish, hand filleted in house daily. Grilled, broiled or sautéed
- Market Price
Pasta alla Veneziana$28.95
lobster, shrimp, scallops and fish sautéed in herbed butter, tossed with pasta and fresh broccoli flowerettes in a cream sauce
Frutti di Mare$28.95
shrimp, scallops, chopped clams and fresh fish seasoned with wine and herbs in a red sauce served over linguine pasta
Gamberi alla Marinara$26.95
shrimp and chopped clams sautéed in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, parsley and wine in a zesty red sauce or white wine sauce served over capellini pasta

Pollo / Chicken

Served over Spaghetti Pasta

Pollo alla Marsala$19.95
fresh boneless breast of chicken and mushrooms sautéed in a marsala wine sauce
Pollo alla Parmigiana$19.95
fresh boneless breast of chicken served with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce
Pollo alla Primavera$19.95
fresh boneless breast of chicken sautéed in a white wine sauce with fresh julienne style vegetables
Pollo Siciliano$22.95
fresh boneless breast of chicken sautéed and topped with lightly fried eggplant, mozzarella cheese, and a delicate cream tomato sauce. Served over fettuccine Alfredo pasta, garnished with broccoli
Melanzane alla Parmigiana$18.95
fresh eggplant topped with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce

Vitello / Veal

Served over Spaghetti Pasta

Saltimbucca alla Romana$22.95
fresh milk fed veal scaloppini sautéed in a white wine sauce, topped with prosciutto ham and melted mozzarella cheese
Scaloppine alla Picatta$22.95
fresh milk fed veal scaloppini with capers and a light lemon and wine sauce
Scaloppine alla Parmigiana$22.95
fresh milk fed veal scaloppini with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce
Scaloppine alla Marsala$22.95
fresh milk fed veal scaloppini and mushrooms sautéed in a marsala wine sauce

To Accompany Your Entrée

Served Only to Guests Ordering an Entrée (not by itself)

Risotto al Profumo di Tartufo$9.00
Italian arborio rice risotto with fresh julienne vegetables and mushrooms simmered slowly in our famous truffle butter sauce
Fettuccine Alfredo$7.00
fettuccine in a classic cream, butter and cheese sauce
Spaghetti$7.00
a classic favorite with our homemade red sauce, meat sauce, or meatball
Broccoli$7.00
Garlic Bread$6.00

What 2,387 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.3Service
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Il Porto offers a delightful Italian dining experience in Old Town Alexandria, with "authentic Italian" dishes that patrons rave about. Known for its "excellent service" and "wonderful atmosphere," it frequently hosts live music nights, adding to the charming ambiance. A favorite for special occasions, this restaurant promises a memorable meal.

2,387 Reviews

D
Dwight
Washington DC
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very nice evening friends first time and they enjoyed it!
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D
Debbie
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food and service was outstanding highly recommend
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T
Theresa
Richmond
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The service was outstanding! The food was great. Portions were excellent. Definitely worth the price.
Is this helpful?
S
Sherri
Washington DC
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love the food and service at Il Porto. The staff are very attentive and the hosts make you feel very welcome. The menu is just the right size for everyone to find something and it’s all delicious! Seating is fairly tight so expect a higher noise level, but we love the ambiance, especially sitting window-side on the 2nd floor as people walk outside on King Street.
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M
Michael
Washington DC
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and reasonably priced. We met for dinner with business colleagues and everyone loved their meals.
Is this helpful?
N
Natasha
Seattle
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
I thought the waiting area was lacking especially needed during cold weather. Additionally the staff and method of accommodating seating seemed strained and a long wait. Staff needs to be trained better to serve pasta with offer of cheese without needing to be asked. Water wasn’t replenished until asked… our waiter did not fine by to see if we needed anything. After such a wait to get a lack luster service was disappointing! Especially to have a food tax and then tip on top, it’s costly and should be enjoyed and felt as though you are being taken care of.
Il PortoResponded on November 10, 2024
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry that your visit fell short of expectations, especially in terms of seating arrangements, attentiveness, and timely service. Details like offering cheese with pasta and refilling water should never have to be requested, and we apologize that these touches were missing. We understand how important it is to feel cared for throughout your dining experience and that a warm, well-managed environment makes a difference. We appreciate your comments and will work to ensure that future visits provide the seamless service we strive for. Thank you again for sharing your experience with us.
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T
Teddy
Washington DC
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 9, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The food is just ok for price. For the price they charge should be top notch but it’s not. 3 stars at best.
Il PortoResponded on November 11, 2024
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that you found the value of the meal did not meet your expectations. Our goal is to provide a memorable dining experience, and we regret that we missed the mark during your visit. Your feedback is invaluable as we strive to ensure our offerings reflect the quality and excellence our guests deserve. Thank you again for taking the time to let us know.
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E
Edward
Greater Boston
3 reviews
vip
1.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Rushed service, entrees were delivered at the same time as salads. This was our second time visiting this restaurant, and it was a completely different experience. Food quality and presentation had declined significantly, and the tomato sauce had a noticeable off flavor noticed in all dishes.
Il PortoResponded on November 10, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re truly sorry to hear that your recent visit didn’t live up to the standards you experienced before. Serving entrees alongside salads is not the level of service we aim to deliver, and we apologize for this rushed experience. It’s disappointing to hear that the food quality and presentation weren’t up to par, and we’re especially concerned about the off flavor in the tomato sauce. Your feedback is invaluable, and we’ll be taking a closer look to ensure improvements are made. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.
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M
Mike
Washington DC
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent ambiance and food! Great location in a beautiful building
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P
Pat
Washington DC
32 reviews
vip
3.0
32 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Very noisy & slow service, very disappointing as we come once a month. Garlic bread & regular bread arrived when almost done eating. Took 20 minutes for wine to arrive We opted to leave without dessert
Il PortoResponded on November 6, 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re sorry to hear that your recent visit was a letdown, especially given that you’ve been such a loyal guest. Waiting so long for bread and wine, especially as regulars, is certainly not the level of service we aim to provide. We’re discussing this feedback with our team to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we hope to make your next visit a much better one.
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FAQs

Il Porto does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now. Il Porto also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (703) 836-8833.

Il Porto is rated 4.4 stars by 2387 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 27, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 23 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

121 King street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Additional information

Cross street
N.Lee
Neighborhood
Alexandria
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street parking is available or there is a parking garage located right behind the restaurant on Lee Street. Colonial Parking $10.00 flat rate. Also there is a parking garage one block away from the restaurant on Fairfax Street. City Hall Parking Garage after 5:00 p.m. $2.00 flat rate.
Public transit
King Street Metro stop, about 16 blocks away from the restaurant. Free Trolley shuttle from King Street Metro to the restaurant
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Giuseppe Villari
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Website
http://www.ilportoristorante.com/
Phone number
(703) 836-8833
Private party facilities
Il Porto has a beautifully remodeled second floor with a separate bar that can accommodate up to 120 guests. Our wait staff is very well experienced in dealing with any type of large groups.

Il Porto

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Holiday Jazz Dinner | Sweet Something x Il Porto

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti

Lasagna

Antipasti / Appetizers

Zuppa del Giorno$6.00

Antipasto della Casa$14.95

Buratta all Caprese$14.95

Cozze o Vongole$15.95

Calamari Fritti$15.95

Portobello con Burrata$15.95

Bruschetta$11.95

Insalata / Salads

Caesar Salad$10.95

Insalata Tritata$10.95

Insalata della Casa$10.95

Insalata di Rucola e Spinaci$10.95

Panini / Fine Sandwiches

Italian Hoagie$12.95

Grilled Chicken$12.95

Fried Chicken$12.95

Filet Steak & Cheese$17.95

Pasta della Casa / Fresh Homemade Pasta

Penne alla Romana con Funghi$19.95

Tortellini al Pesto$21.95

Fettuccine Alfredo$17.95

Lasagna$18.95

Manicotti alla Fiorentina$18.95

Capellini Primavera$18.95

Spaghetti & Meatballs$16.95

Ravioli$21.95

Pesce / Seafood

Pesce Fresco

Pasta alla Veneziana$28.95

Frutti di Mare$28.95

Gamberi alla Marinara$26.95

Pollo / Chicken

Pollo alla Marsala$19.95

Pollo alla Parmigiana$19.95

Pollo alla Primavera$19.95

Pollo Siciliano$22.95

Melanzane alla Parmigiana$18.95

Vitello / Veal

Saltimbucca alla Romana$22.95

Scaloppine alla Picatta$22.95

Scaloppine alla Parmigiana$22.95

Scaloppine alla Marsala$22.95

To Accompany Your Entrée

Risotto al Profumo di Tartufo$9.00

Fettuccine Alfredo$7.00

Spaghetti$7.00

Broccoli$7.00

Garlic Bread$6.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Il Porto offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Il Porto restaurant rated?

Is Il Porto currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information