Al Dente

4.7

1326 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 11, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 7 times today

Neighborhood 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 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 1,326 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
Neighborhood 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

D
Donald VIP
Washington DC3 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 DC3 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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S
Sue VIP
New York City13 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 18, 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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L
Laurel
Washington DC27 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 10, 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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L
Lawrence VIP
Washington DC22 reviews
4.0
Dined on January 5, 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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J
Joan
Richmond30 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 30, 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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R
Ronna
Washington DC16 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Wonderful food and service! Love the complimentary rolls warm and tasty!
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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 4.7 stars by 1326 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 11, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 7 times today

Order delivery or takeout

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

Order delivery or takeout

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 1,326 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

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information