Ciao Osteria

It had been several years since I’ve been to Ciao, so we recently went for dinner on a weeknight. We made reservations and arrived about 20 mins early and they were so packed we could hardly get in to check in for our reservation. After we checked in, we went to the back bar and saw a vacant seat, so we hung out there and grabbed some wine while we waited for our table reservation to come available. But the bar staff was so great and then another seat came open, so we decided to just hang out there and dine. We tried their arancini to start and it was amazing! Probably one of the best I’ve ever had! It was huge too and their red sauce is excellent!! We also tried their Limoncello Mule, what a great idea and nicely done too!! Our amazing entrées consisted of their amazing manicotti and their great cacio pepe! The cacio pepe wasn’t on the menu, but it’s something they can make for you. Their meatballs were flavored so amazingly well too, those were enjoyed with the manicotti. Save room for dessert, they have some nice options, like this gelato! Strawberry is always a favorite of mine and there’s was nice. Can’t wait to get back up here to enjoy more of their amazing food! Definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in the DMV!

Ciao Osteria is hands down one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve been to in the area – a true hidden treasure! This cute and cozy spot has such a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes you feel right at home the moment you walk in. The friendly service is top-notch; the staff is attentive, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about making your experience special. The food? Out of this world! We started with their fresh bread, which was warm, crusty, and utterly addictive – paired perfectly with the olive oil dip. The bruschetta was amazing, bursting with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil on perfectly toasted bread. And don’t even get me started on the tiramisu for dessert – it was heavenly, creamy, and one of the best I’ve ever had! If you’re craving authentic Italian cuisine in a charming setting with outstanding service, Ciao Osteria is a must-visit. I can’t wait to go back! Highly recommend!

This is the best Italian in the area. Very warm and friendly atmosphere. All the staff members are friendly. Brick oven pizza is as good as the ones I had in Rome. It's authentic. Chicken marsala was excellent. Lingunie vongole with garlic sauce was to die for. Calamari was so light and the bread was so fresh. Tiramisu was absolutely delicious. You must eat here

The food and drinks were good overall, but unfortunately, our pizza arrived cold and the steak was overcooked (we had requested medium-rare but received it well-done). Our server was very kind and promptly replaced both the pizza and the steak, which we really appreciated. The Lobster Ravioli was delicious, and my friend’s pasta was also quite good. Overall, the food was enjoyable, though the initial cold order was a bit disappointing—perhaps due to how busy the restaurant was that evening.

Ohhh we loved our visit here. It’s a small Italian restaurant with lost of dining options. You just got to see the menu. Our server Marissa was very attentive and the food was out in no time. It does get crowded so making a reservation will be helpful. Definitely going back.

My first time here! The food was great however the service was not good, waited over 10 minutes for a server to come to my table. Waitress never came to see how my food was. Very disappointed but hey at least the food was good. I got a calamari appetizer and it was super chewy and overcooked! I got the chicken penne al la vodka and it was good! I would probably come here again hopefully the service is better next time! Talked with the owner and he’s really kind and made the experience better! I will be back thank you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ciao Osteria – The Heart of Italy in Centreville Ciao Osteria isn’t just a restaurant — it’s family. From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed with warmth, amazing aromas, and a team that truly cares. The atmosphere feels cozy and authentic, and the staff go above and beyond every single time. The food? Absolutely incredible. The wood-fired pizzas are perfectly crisp with that smoky Neapolitan flavor, and the arancini, burrata, and calamari are must-tries. Every dish feels made with love — you can taste the passion in the kitchen. And if you come here and don’t order the tiramisu, you’re missing out on pure perfection. But what makes this place truly special is the heart behind it. During COVID, the owner became known across the community for feeding first responders and nurses — giving back when people needed it most. That’s the definition of Italian and family right there. ❤️ This place is more than a meal — it’s an experience. Great food, great people, and a true sense of community. Ciao Osteria is hands down one of Centreville’s best gems, and easily a 10/10 every time. 🇮🇹🍷🍕

The food at Ciao Osteria in Centreville was decent, but the service really missed the mark. I had to get my own salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese, which shouldn’t happen at a restaurant in this price range. The portions also felt a bit small for what they charge. Overall, not terrible, but definitely not the experience I was expecting for the cost.

Outside looks can be deceiving, this spot had really homey feels and great pasta. We came in for a birthday dinner and enjoyed both the warm welcome we got from our waiter, along with the fantastic bites. We had some great wine recommendations and the dirty martini with blue cheese olives was fantastic. For starters we got the fried calamari and the mussels in the red sauce- both were quite tasty and fresh and I like that the calamari came with pesto dipping sauce along with marinara. For the mains we got the chicken parm, the veal marsala, the chicken alfredo add broccoli, and the rigatoni a ragu. Portion sizes for the pasta dishes were huge- definitely enough to eat twice. The veal portion was small but the meal was still decadent and the flavors were great. The chicken parm was nice and thin and had a great flavor. For dessert we got the chocolate lava cake like dessert and espresso martinis- some of the best espresso martinis I have had in the area!

Food - 2 stars Service - 5 stars Honestly not sure what all the hype is about. The fettuccini was not fresh/hand made, the sauce was mid and extremely one note - no depth or layers of flavor and def lacking salt. My husband's food had good flavor but the sauce was extremely greasy and his food was not hot- lukewarm warm at best. I would choose North Italia or L' Ardente 100 times over this place. Our sever was good. The pasta came so quick they didn't deliver (maybe forgot, not sure) the focaccia before we were done eating. The server apologized, didn't charge us for it and sent it home in a Togo box for us. Tiramisu was ok, I've had better. We didn't try the pizza but it looked good and there were a ton of pickup orders for the za. Maybe that's where the hype is.

We love this place. Was recommended by one of our neighbors and relocating from NJ/NYC difficult finding great Italian food. Invited our family that were visiting us last Xmas they also loved it. Thank you!! For wonderful fresh homemade food.

One of my all-time favorites. I've been going here for years. This is our go-to for friends' birthdays (among 6 of us); and anytime we want good Italian, we say Ciao! The food never disappoints and the service is always top tier. I've never had a server I didn't like! The ambiance is cute little Italy - love that you can see them make the pizza.

Ciaos never disappoints. This is my second time coming here and the service is great along with their Italian dishes. This time I got their prosciutto and mushroom pizza because my friends recommended it (and the fact they've won awards for it) and I could not stop thinking about how GOOD the crust was.

It really does feel like "Good" Italian restaurants are impossible to find these days... people have gotten lazy and don't bother with quality ingredients.... It sounds silly to say, but this place uses good cheese, so much so, they make a really good Caesar salad! Was very impressed with everything! Cute little ball rolls my kid loved! Nice fluffy airy! Gluten free pizza was very doughy and undercooked but my kid loved it still and really liked it the next day! Gluten free pasta seems to be fettuccine, I wish that was noted, it's my least liked pasta.... But I still ended up really enjoying it so it worked out. Lasagna was a really good one too, amazing variety of cheese, flavors really came together. We will come back.

Amazing authentic Italian restaurant in Centreville!! The restaurant ambiance can be very busy during dinner time and people definitely are taking their time. It's a bit pricey but the food is yummy!!

I don't give a lot of great reviews. It was good Italian food. Period. Not much else to say.

Took the 20 min drive to centreville to try out this place. It's one of the sole Italian places with relatively higher ratings I hadn't yet tried and I didn't want the typical brunch- I wanted an all out Italian feast at 11am. I thought we'd be the first in but there was already a family of 6 seated. It quickly starting filling up shortly after our arrival. We started out with the $1 bread basket- it came out warm with a side of oil & balsamic with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It's for a good cause, so why not. We then ordered grilled calamari- delicious and well cooked. I ordered the farfalle salmon dish which was good as well. I didn't want vodka sauce so I got regular red sauce. Everyone else was happy with their food as well. The pizza also came out of piping hot and was a hit. I usually don't like white pizza but it was a hefty slice of love. The music was interesting- who doesn't like godfather? lol. Service was par and we were overall pretty happy.

Given the stellar reviews and someone's recommendation, I was excited but left very disappointed. This isn't the high quality flavorful Italian food I expected at all. My lasagna was so salty. Costco frozen lasagna is way better. My husband's pasta wasn't al dente and he agreed his entree was disappointing. The bread basket was mushy and doughy. Overhyped for sure.

In the most unassuming strip mall in NOVA, you get a hidden gem that is well reviewed on Yelp, but may not be so obvious to many in DMV. The VPN- true Neopolitan pizza- certification makes the pizzas a must try, but the menu does offer a lot more. Every time we have been so far, we had a selection of antipasti (excellent bruschetta), pizza (do try a VPN, but others are as airy and light, as well), eggplant dishes, and seafood pasta. Very reasonably priced. Admittedly I haven't cracked the code on the dining room reservations: We always get seated in the smaller one, which is sometimes quiter but depends on the group sitting. But this is the epitome of comfort food.

We went to celebrate my teens 14th birthday and the service was top notch and the food was even better. Our server was Mark. This was my first time there and the place is super cute inside. Reminded me of being in Italy. It will be on our new rotation list for sure.

From the moment we stepped in, we were treated like family. Warm and embracing atmosphere. Mauro B. was more than engaging, knowledgeable of the dishes and wines and answered our questions and educated us on some very tasty Italian wines. As for the food?? Over the top magnificent!!! The aromas, the flavors, the presentation...what an amazing 60th bday these things all contributed to. To top the evening off, we were treated to a dessert wine and a table side greeting and bday wishes ftom the chef! This will forever stay in my heart as the best bday dinner ever experienced. Thank you Ciao!!!

This has been an amazing local restaurant for years. We had the pleasure of having lunch there and experienced great food and service. Eating at Ciao is always a treat and if we lived closer we would be frequent customers. The Spaghetti Carbonara is excellent and the pancetta in the dish is perfectly cooked. The Chicken Milanese was breaded and crispy yet tender covered with shaved parmigiana. If you haven't tried Ciao I would encourage all to try it and you will not be disappointed.

This place is always busy and even when we went on Sunday around 5:30 it had a 30-45 minute wait for two people. Luckily they have an open bar that's full service so we decided to eat there! The workers were all friendly and it's a cute homey feeling restaurant. Rigatoni Ragu - 3/5 on the less saucy side but had a lot of flavor be so much meat! The pasta was fine and the meat had some juicy and some slightly dry pieces. Overall, good and flavorful! The cheese is pretty unique and matched well. Lobster ravioli - 4/5 I feel like there were lot of sweet juicy lobster pieces inside! I loved the sauce and flavor.

Lasagna with vegetables and garlic bread, delivery, was extremely tasty. Lasagna especially tasted homemade and was a generous portion, enough for 2 days of yummy leftovers.

We heard positive reviews from people about Ciao so I was optimistic going into it but overall it wasn't great. The reviews make it seem amazing but we got the calamari, the carbonara, and chicken parm, all we sub par. I would say this is equivalent to Olive Garden in terms of Italian food. The calamari was lacking flavor, the carbonara sauce had split and was curdled, you could also tell they use milk or cream. And the chicken parm also lacked flavor and had too much breading to chicken ratio. If you love Americanized Italian then you will probably like it but for true Italian food stay away.

My uncle raved about this place so I had to try it. The service was okay, waitress could have been more attentive. The pizza tasted good but was not crispy, more flimsy. The chicken parm was good but not the best. Although the sauce was amazing! The lasagna my husband ordered was very hot and delicious. My mom had the linguine with shrimp in tomato sauce. She enjoyed her meal but thought there would be more than 4 shrimp. I'm glad we tried it.

I have been here a few times and honestly don't see what's great about it. Food is expensive and quality was lackluster for what you are paying. Service was great though. Sometimes a little slow, but they are a busy restaurant so it's understandable. Ambiance is pretty homey, casual family spot. Personally, feel like there are other Italian restaurants with better quality food for the price

5/5 stars for the service and staff, 3/5 stars for the food. I enjoyed the gnocchi itself but the sauces were just okay. I also tried bites of the ravioli with vodka sauce and short rib rigatoni, both were very okay. Nothing bad to say, just nothing special. Perhaps the pizza might be more of a standout here. 4/5 stars for the average total experience

Awesome food and service as Always Food and combination of flavors are amazing. Awesome chef. Highly recommend. Great atmosphere as well.

Food is great but the customer service leaves a lot to be desired to say the least. They have gotten my to go orders wrong on multiple occasions and have made little effort to rectify the issue. Twice I've been charged for meatballs ($8 add on) and did not receive them. My most recent order I was charged $2 for simply getting shredded Parmesan cheese which I was not explained would be an up charge. I pickup to order and I received an extremely small amount of cheese for $2 add on which frankly chafing customers $2 for shredded cheese on a $30 spaghetti order is a bit outrageous

Second trip was much like the first - we sat out front on this trip. Had the carbonara which was very good - though, I would have liked to have more of the sauce liquid rather than stuck to the noodle. I guess I could have asked for a side sauce. Pizza was good, dessert was really the weak point, which is a good thing bc the food was exceptional. Service was good - friendly staff and attentive staff as well.

Came for Valentine's Day dinner! My partner made a reservation for Saturday night and luckily we did since the place was packed. A delicious spot in Centreville. The bruschetta was a nicely scorched soft bread piled with tomatoes, cheese and doused in vinaigrette. The Margherita pizza was perfect, the crust allowing for a smokey and soft bite. The aglio o lio was chef's kiss. Definitely one of my now favorite Italian spots in the DMV.

This is hands down the best Italian spot in the DC area. It goes up against Trattoria but it's just slightly better. One of my favorite places here

Fantastic establishment! We love this place- excellent service, kind, professional, knowledgeable. Wonderful fresh and delicious food.

Honestly, pretty disappointed by the food quality. The parmigiana with chicken was kind of mid in the sense that the pasta was a bit flavorless, and the chicken was just smothered with cheese and the meat was rather dry. Portion wise, it was large. The lasagna was also too salty. The squid rings in the calamari were also not crispy and the inside was mushy. The bread with EVOO, however, was probably my favorite--warm steaming hot bread with a slightly hard outer shell and soft inside bread (like a mantou!). Service was slow but mostly because they were busy. We flagged them often but they forgot about us since it was a full house.

Ciao Osteria is the kind of authentic Italian restaurant people dream of finding--and my family has been lucky enough to call ourselves regulars since the day they opened. If you're searching for homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, great service, and that warm, cozy vibe only a family-owned spot can deliver, stop scrolling and start making a reservation. The owners are on-site most nights, and it absolutely shows. The atmosphere is welcoming, the staff is attentive, and everything feels personal. Chef Anthony? A total rockstar. He doesn't just cook--he cares. Whether you want something adjusted for dietary needs or you're craving a dish that's not on the menu, he's the kind of chef who will make it happen. One time, he even made me a special batch of chicken soup to take home to a sick loved one. That's not just great customer service--that's heart. Everything we've tried here has been outstanding, from the perfectly al dente pasta to the rich, flavorful sauces and hand-tossed pizzas. You can taste the quality and the love in every bite. Ciao Osteria isn't just a restaurant--it's part of the community. And once you've eaten here, I guarantee you'll want to be part of it too.

It wasn't bad, but I think the food was only alright when thinking about both. The Alfredo pasta had no flavor at all. My carbonara was fairly good and flavorful. The service was not the best, and it took a while to get assistance and ask questions. Our waiter didn't really seem to want to be there. The overall vibes of the place aren't fancy or casual. It's a little in between. It's not a huge place, it's more of a smaller intimate setting. I feel there is better Italian places around, but it might have been the food we ordered as well. Not sure if I'll give this place another shot, but if I do I'll try something different and update my review. Food: Carbonara - 8/10 Fettuccine Alfredo w/chicken - 6/10

It's our 8th wedding anniversary and we wanted to try a new place. This was staff, the service, the decor, the food and wine.... Excellent. Place got packed starting at 6pm on a Tuesday night.

This was recommended to me by a local foodie Facebook group - and it did not disappoint. My husband, his buddy from out of town (running the MCM the next day) and I all had entrees. Food: 4 stars. I had a filet mignon. Asked for medium rare and it came out perfectly done. Flavor of the steak was really good. Broccolini was good and the potatoes were also good (but no flavor). Asked for the truffle sauce on the side. This was good, but glad I asked for it on the side. Didn't need that hiding the steaks flavor. My husband and our friend got the pizzas. Both enjoyed the pizza but the center seemed underdone. I know they say they cannot make it "well done" - but just done in the middle would have been better. Didn't take away from the taste though. Both guys were hungry and thought the flavor overrode the under-doneness. We also got the rolls for a $1 charge. They were warm and really good. Ambience: 4 stars. It's more of an upscale pizza parlor and it's in a strip mall. It's not bad, but definitely not a spot that felt like a special occasion location. Beverages: 4 stars. I was the only one that had anything to drink that evening. Went with a bottle of sparkling water ($9 for a liter!) and then had a glass of the Sangiovese / Cabernet blend. Wine glasses were not appropriate for the wine and the wine was served way too warm. Wine list was just ok - sad there wasn't better Italian wines by the glass available. Service: 5 stars. We had reservations (highly recommend on the weekend) and were sat right away. Our server was really nice and we never waited on anything or had any requests that were not fulfilled. Overall, I'd go back to try more items. They had a nice menu and a lot of good rotating specials.

This place has slipped noticeably. Went for date night, with a reservation, stood at the hostess stand for an extended period. Hostess was no where to be seen. They tried to seat us in the kids room, literally. All the kids in the whole place were in this back room. Big tables with multiple kids on all sides. I asked to be moved elsewhere. My pizza was simply bad. The "fresh basil" was literally a tablespoon worth in the middle of the pizza. The pizza was also not hot. No cold but It'd clearly been sitting for a while,The cheese had congealed, the crust was gummy. My date's Alfredo was dried out on top and in a puddle of separated sauce. Again a sign it was sitting. The server was busy BS-big with friends at the bar. I don't think I'll be coming back for a long while

This restaurant was recommended by a couple of friends, so we decided to give it a try with another couple. We made a reservation on Yelp and were glad we did as it was packed on a Saturday evening! It's not very big inside, but the atmosphere is nice and quaint. We had to wait maybe 10 minutes past the reservation time, but it was well worth the wait. Our server was pleasant and attentive and the food was delicious! What we ordered: calamari, bread basket, caesar salad, chicken parmesan, gli (shrimp) scampi, del monaco steak. What we devoured: everything! The bread basket with olive oil and parmesan was the best dollar I've ever spent. The calamari was cooked perfectly and the two dipping sauces were a nice compliment (marina and lemon pesto). My husband had the chicken parmesan which is his favorite Italian dish. It was a large serving and he was sure he was going to have leftovers, but he cleaned his plate. I had the gli scampi. The pasta and shrimp were cooked to perfection and the garlic sauce was light and tasty. A friend had the steak and she said it was one of the best steaks she ever had. Although the restaurant was packed, we were able to hear and enjoy the conversation at our table without any issues. As we were out with friends, we continued our convo for a bit after we were finished our meals, but did not feel rushed. Definitely recommend making a reservation through Yelp or by calling. I will be back to try the pizza and another pasta dish. And of course we will order the bread!

Calamari was delicious! Ordered the fettuccine puttanesca which was also delicious! Service was friendly and attentive. Pistachio and vanilla sorbet were great a refreshing on a hot day. I will be back!!

This was one of the worst meals we've EVER had! Horrible. First off, we didn't have pizza. Is that what the reviews are for?? It's a mystery how this is a 4.4 reviewed restaurant. I started with a glass of $18 Vermentino that I couldn't even drink. Horrendous. My husband asked for a beer and a water. No water. We had to ask twice more before a water appeared (at the end of the meal). We ordered several things as there were 4 of us. I had the short rib ragu pasta and my husband had a special that was a ravioli made with short rib. Both absolutely terrible. That short rib sauce was so over done it was beyond. It wasn't even a sauce anymore. It was over reduced and just separated into grease and meat. It was so bad. It didn't even taste good. We hardly ate any of it. And no one even asked if we liked it! Nothing. My son had spaghetti and meatballs and said it was pretty good. Probably the best thing anyone had. My mother had veal marsala and said it was just okay. It was lively and very busy. We definitely will not be back. Not worth the $200 we spent.

Authentic Italian gem! The pasta is handmade and exquisite, the risotto creamy and perfect, and the tiramisu is a dream. Cozy atmosphere with warm, attentive service. A must-visit for a true taste of Italy!

Best food ever! Even better service! Stumbled upon this place after a trip to the space museum and we're hungry. We had the best experience and the best food. We are so happy!!

Our server was fantastic. The food was very good and the prices were fair. The drinks were strong. PM Great ambiance.

The restaurant itself is lovely, with a great ambiance and aesthetics. However, my complaints stem from the pricing of the food, which is on the expensive end, and the fact that bread isn't even included. Presentation of food is meh. Food was also a tad salty.

When we arrived everyone was in a good mood. The restaurant was clean and neat. From the hostess to our waiter Eric everyone seemed pleasant. We were seated immediately and ordered a sweet Arnold Palmer. Although they didn't have sweet tea Eric made one for me. The food was good and flavorful. I thought the lasagna should have more meat in the lasagna but it had a great flavor.

Over crowded. Over priced. Over rated. Plating was sloppy for a $70 dish. Needed a fly swatter to keep away the bugs. Continues to drop off over the years. If Sal isn't there the place is a mess.

Whenever I get a hunkering for Italian pizza, this spot in C-ville always hits the spot. I would make my own, but unfortunately I have no time to these days. But this spot has a very soft pizza sauce, other spots are very acidic or sweet, though I've noticed the sauce her is mild and I love it for that. Most 'pasta' sauces are too sodium packed or acidic, that's one thing I pay attention to, here they nail it perfectly. The ambience is just like how you would imagine a sweet Italian restaurant to be like, you gotta check it out for yourself. I usually don't like to eat out at Italian places since I learned from an Italian grandma from the convent, but this places slaps!

Really enjoyed coming here on a weekday! Located in the shopping plaza in centreville, this location has plenty of parking. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side. I would recommend to make a reservation ahead of time or you may have to wait for a table. The pasta here is super fresh! And the service was fast and we got our food in a fairly quick time. I ordered the Alfredo fettuccine and the salmon vodka pasta.. the Alfredo was very flavorful, and the sauce was not too overpowering the dish. The vodka sauce for the pasta taste like it was homemade which was good but I will say it tasted like something that could be easily made at home. However, the pasta made the dish with its softness and fresh taste. You can definitely tell that this was not store-bought pasta. I recommend this place if you want fresh handmade pasta! Definitely will be returning to try some of their pizzas as they looked very delicious. The menu had plenty of options for everyone ranging from pasta dishes to other entrée dishes, such as pizza or salad.

I really really wanted to love this place but after trying it multiple times it is really just ordinary. The red sauce is what really makes an Italian restaurant and sorry to say it is not that good. Again just bland and ordinary. Pasta? overcooked in the spaghetti and meatballs. Short rib ragu? Oily as hell. Also the dry pasta is not high quality, probably barilla or a store type brand. The chicken parm (ask for penne with the aglio olio sauce), and linguini vongole were actually good and would recommend those dishes. Otherwise I would much rather go to Belissimos, trattoria villagio or Alta strada.

Came to Ciao Osteria for an anniversary dinner and left surprisingly disappointed. The meal could be called an exercise in mediocrity. The seafood pasta was far more expensive than its quality deserved, with bits of shellfish sprinkled among rapidly cooling and hardening linguine. The short rib ravioli had a middling flavor and was gone before I had a chance to form a strong opinion one way or another. Overall, will likely not return except perhaps to try the pizza.

Fantastic food and service, top to bottom. I work in DC and travel for a living and eat all over the east coast and the world, and this restaurant is fantastic.

Great service awesome food perfect for any special occasion. Date night, family get together or just a quick bite

Went with my family and the service was impeccable we unfortunately were too late for the lobster pasta in the cheese wheel but was able to do the wheel anyway. Thank you Chef! and of course we enjoyed everything else. The Gnocchi Tricolore was my absolute favorite!

Food is top notch! Service is great As well as ambience! Sort of a rustic, charming and authentic Italian restaurant. My daughter and family live in Bristow. Not terribly close , but I came here a few months ago while visiting from SC and I I could not wait to return . It did not disappoint! My favorite is the Eggplant parm. My daughter enjoyed her Veal Milanese. The children cleaned their plates! They are very warm and accommodating here - definitely a plus when you are dining with littles! Highly recommend.