Al Dente

4.5

1328 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 27, 2025

April 2025

11:30 PM

Booked 6 times today

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Great for happy hour
Great for outdoor dining

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.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:30 pm
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
Neighborhood
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, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Insalata Romana$7.00
Romaine lettuce tossed with Caesar dressing and anchovies
Insalata di Rucola$11.00
Arugula and parmesan dressed with mustard dressing
Calamari Fritti con Parmigiano$11.00
Fried squid rings, tentacles, and hot pepper slices, served with tomato sauce and lemon
Polpette al Dente$7.00
Two “al Dente Style” meatballs, simmered in tomato sauce and parmigano
Lentil Soup$7.00
Parmesan cheese and olive oil

Large Plates

Penne All’ Arrabiata$12.00
Spicy tomato sauce and parmigiana
Fettucine Alfredo$12.00
Creamy Alfredo with Chicken
Calamarata Pasta$16.00
Squid, shrimp, mussels, clams, spicy cherry tomato sauce
al Dente Burger$8.00
angus ground beef patty, cheese, sliced tomato, lettuce, tomato mayo, brioche bun

What 1,328 people are saying

Al Dente reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.6Service
4.2Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

District of Columbia
Neighborhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Al Dente is a delightful neighborhood gem boasting "excellent food and outstanding service." Its pizzas, pastas, and happy hour menu are particularly praised, and the ambiance is perfect for romantic dates or casual gatherings. Guests appreciate the "friendly quick service" and the quality Italian cuisine, making it a must-visit for locals and newcomers alike.

1,328 Reviews

B
Bri
Phoenix1 review
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
The food was super good and they have a great happy hour. The owner was smoking at the table by us despite there being a no smoking sign. We were forced to pay a 20% service fee. I asked to have to removed but the server said he couldn’t. I have never seen a service fee that high.
Is this helpful?
A
Anne Marie
Washington DC23 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 19, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Love the pizza and cannoli!!! Great place for a romantic date or just for low key happy hour.
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L
Lisa
Greater Boston1 review
4.0
Dined on April 18, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Smaller portions than expected. Spinach salad very salty. Pizza good
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J
Jennifer VIP
Washington DC10 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Love this neighborhood gem! Especially great pizza!
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i
irabetsy VIP
Washington DC45 reviews
4.0
Dined on March 11, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We ate outside and the noise from a table with a large group of women were noisy and as the evening continued they got louder. What would they have inside!😝The wait staff is extraordinary! I was so grateful for their service, always there when needed!
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D
Donald VIP
Washington DC4 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 24, 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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h
howard VIP
Washington DC24 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 15, 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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N
Nicholas VIP
Washington DC2 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 14, 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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R
Ronna
Washington DC16 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 3, 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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D
Donald VIP
Washington DC4 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 2, 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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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 4.5 stars by 1328 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Booked 6 times today

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

Additional information

Neighborhood
Tenleytown
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:30 pm
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, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.aldentedc.com/
Phone number
(202) 244-2223
Catering
Catering is by request

Al Dente

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Popular dishes

Pepperoni

Margherita DOC

Napoletana

Menu

Drinks

Mojito Monday$19.00

Beer$5.00

Wine$6.00

Rail Cocktails $7.00

Small Plates

Insalata Romana$7.00

Insalata di Rucola$11.00

Calamari Fritti con Parmigiano$11.00

Polpette al Dente$7.00

Lentil Soup$7.00

Large Plates

Penne All’ Arrabiata$12.00

Fettucine Alfredo$12.00

Calamarata Pasta$16.00

al Dente Burger$8.00

What 1,328 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Al Dente offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Al Dente restaurant rated?

Is Al Dente currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat