Al Dente

4.3

1317 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 24, 2024

9:30 PM

Booked 5 times today

Neighborhood gem
Great for happy hour
Kid-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 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 1,317 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

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

District of Columbia
Kid-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

L
Lucy
Washington DC
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined 2 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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B
Bill
Washington DC
41 reviews
vip
5.0
41 reviews
Dined on November 9, 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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J
Joanne
Washington DC
17 reviews
1.0
17 reviews
Dined on October 18, 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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E
Ellie
Washington DC
8 reviews
vip
2.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 20, 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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g
gene
Washington DC
49 reviews
vip
4.0
49 reviews
Dined on August 28, 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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J
Janet
Washington DC
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 16, 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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C
Casualdiner
Washington DC
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on June 14, 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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C
Cassiebdc
Washington DC
17 reviews
vip
4.0
17 reviews
Dined on June 13, 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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JR
JamesR
Atlanta Metro
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on June 11, 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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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 28, 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....
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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 4.3 stars by 1317 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 24, 2024

9:30 PM

Booked 5 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 1,317 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