Ella's Wood Fired Kitchen

4.5 stars Good meal at the Ella's wood fired kitchen. Busy but seating available on a Saturday night so that was nice. Staff was attentive and food came out fast. The dry rub wings were delicious and crispy and the pizza crust made the pizza as my toppings slid off. Music being played was setting the vibe with the classic R&B.

We stopped into Ella’s Wood Fired Kitchen for dinner and had a really solid experience overall. The atmosphere is casual and lively. We started with the Mozzarella Carrozza, which were house-made cheese balls fried and served with marinara. Presentation was great and the portion was perfect for two people. Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, and the marinara was spot on. Definitely recommend. For my dinner, I ordered the Fried Eggplant Sandwich, made with sliced and lightly fried eggplant, mozzarella, parmesan, marinara, and pesto on brioche. It comes with fries (even though the menu doesn’t note that), and the fries were seasoned perfectly. The sandwich itself was delicious. The eggplant was tender, not rubbery at all. My only note is the brioche roll. The sweetness and softness didn’t quite match the Italian-style sandwich, and with the sauce and cheese, a sturdier Italian-style roll would’ve held up better and fit the flavors more naturally. Service was friendly and attentive, and everything came out correctly. The only downside was the pacing. Our dinners came out very quickly after the appetizer, which hadn’t been cleared yet. It made the meal a bit rushed. A little more space between courses would’ve made the experience feel more relaxed. We finished with the Tiramisu, which was tasty and a good size for two to share. Price for value felt good across the board, and we’d happily come back. We’d recommend everything we ordered.

A great place to eat after a morning of hiking the capital and seeing the sites. The gluten free options were just as delicious as the gluten rich personal pizzas. The calzones were huge. The mussels were amazing and lactose free! That last slice of pizza disappeared a moment after the picture was taken. We were a drop in group of eight with a variety of dietary considerations and we were seated and served quickly without any headaches.

Authentic wood-fired pizzas with a perfectly charred, airy crust and generous, well-balanced toppings. We tried three varieties and each delivered excellent flavor and execution. The chicken wings were underwhelming and could use improvement, but the desserts were a standout, providing a strong finish. A consistently satisfying spot and my go-to pitstop whenever I’m in the area.

Our waitress was very unkind for starters. She had 2 braids and very long pointy eyeliner…. I got this shrimp pesto pizza. Shrimp was the only good thing on it. The pizza itself was very very very bland and not at all good. When asked for a discount she was rude and rolled her eyes, she did not care that her service or quality of food was lacking, just got a vibe that she didn’t want to be here. Very sad because the atmosphere was pretty good. This 1 pizza was $20 and not worth it because I didn’t eat it. Can of soda $5. Husband got a hot honey one that he said wasn’t bad- lacked sauce and cheese Would not recommend Oh I have to add, due to waitress making me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome, I left minimal tip- SHE CAME OUTSIDE AND WATCHED US LEAVE, ie cross the street, watched as we looked at metro sign, then down into metro. Very unsettling. Wish I could get a refund

1st time here. My partner had mushrooms tomatoes goat cheese pizza. 6 slices. 10 inch. Gluten-free crust. $2 more. He said pizza was excellent. I had a calzone minus ricotta cheese. Its been years since I have had a Calzone. Big portions. Flavor awesome.

We went here for dinner. I had the spaghetti and my son had the pizza. Authentic Italian restaurant. It's a little bit on pricey side. Service was great and the food was fantastic. We had dessert as well. Presentation was phenomenal.

I don't often give fives but this restaurant was faultless. Super slick service, food was with us in under 15 minutes from walking in the door. Food itself was excellent, I had the diablo pizza. Would really recommend this restaurant for gluten free options and those looking for an excellent Italian in Washington. Cheers to Juan for looking after us, excellent service✌️

This place has been there forever and I've never been until now. It was not bad, not the best pizza in DC for sure. The Bosco was good but could use more cheese. The prosciutto and arugula pizza was good too. The eggplant parm sandwich was decent and came with excellent crispy fries. Service was average. Our server was very friendly and helpful. I'll prob return due to location, price, and they offer gluten free crust for my allergy friends.

Went with a large group that had reserved the area but one party that had even there early and were very leisurely meant our group couldn't sit all together. That said, service was excellent for our large group. They are known for their wood-fired pizza but I had the cheeseburger which was very good. It came with fries. A lot of people enjoyed their pizzas.

I was pleasantly surprised by Ella's pizza! We came in needing a late lunch and having a craving for pizza. The service was very friendly. We were seated right away. The menu had some great options to choose from. We split two pizzas and a salad. Everything was great! The salad especially was fresh and garnished with seasonal fruits. We were very happy with the whole experience.

Not a bad place to get pizza in DC. The pizza was pretty good, and I especially liked how it the bottom wasn't soggy. Cocktails were okay, tasted more like alcohol than the other flavors part of the alcohol. Also not worth the price based on the kind of alcohol that is used. I would recommend coming here for the food though!

Went for happy hour. Food was good and great happy hour deals. I had the cheese pizza and added sweet sausage, red onions, and sun dried tomatoes. The bar servers were great. Took care of us. The ambiance was great and the place was nice and clean. I'd go again.

Great experience at Ella's! The servers were all super friendly and attentive. The drinks came out quickly and the food did too. The food was yummy! The pizzas are 10" so they're a good in-between size: you can eat an entire one by yourself or you can split with another person and still be satisfied. I shared the Stracciatella pizza and also split an appetizer and it was a perfect amount of food. The inside is small and cute with a chill vibe. Outside there are a couple tables with swings for seats which was cool! Overall I wasn't blown away but I really enjoyed our meal at Ella's and recommend checking it out if you're in the area.

The pizza and Caesar salad was great. The restaurant was cozy and quaint. Great service and our waitress gave us some water to go which was very necessary since it was so hot and we were exploring the area!

Suuuuch good pasta. The restaurant was accommodating to our large group too. Things came out piece meal instead of all at one time, even though the restaurant was really empty when we arrived. We also had some problems getting our drink service. Still we had a good time!

The best thing about Ella's was the service. Our initial server was nothing short of amazing, and that was further proved with the smooth hand off to his co worker when he was done with this shift. Food was fine. The Brussels sprouts tasted like a squirt of lemon- I do not recommend. The stracciatella pizza was good- it had cappicola and hot honey which was different but was quite salty. I also got an espresso martini for dessert which was good. I think salty is the theme- friends of mine had a salad where they described the dressing as "salt and oil." I'd say skip this spot; no need to return. There are so many other pizza spots in DC!

I visited this place for a few times now and I decided to leave a review now. First time I visited I couldn't get a seat. It was a Capitals game and a Christmas market that night, so the area was flooded. The second time I went, I just ordered a drink, and the finally I went I finally ordered something from the menu. So I visited this place for lunch on a random Wednesday. I got there around 11:45am, and the place was empty. 20 mins later it was packed. So get there early. Anyway, after looking over the menu for about 10 mins I decided to order the sausage pizza. The pizza was okay, not bad, but not great either. A solid 7 out of 10. However, since it was lunch time, I think they should develop a lunch menu. Incorporate more sandwiches on the menu. Smaller portions. I went back to work and I was in a food coma lol. Anyway, the service was great, and as you can tell from the photos, the place is charming. Revamp the menu a bit and the place would easily be 4-5 stars.

I was craving an wood oven made pizza with some beer. Searched for something near the hotel (Marriott Inn El Metro) and found Ella's Wood fired kitchen. The outside tables have swings... yes swings and fits 6. Perfect when you are with your friends. We didn't have any reservations, yet the gentlemen (thinking he is the manager bc he was not wearing a uniform) found us a table near the kitchen hen (perfect bc you could feel the heat of the oven & it was perfect due to washington's chilly weather). Waitress's was professional, courteous and attentive. I'm guessing we went during rush hour because it was packed. Drinks took a awhile YET it was understandable due to the quantity of customers. Each employee was constantly doing something, yet when we would ask a different waiter for anything, they would act on it quick. The food was extremely delicious! The alcohol beverages that we ordered, Ella's Punch (brownish) and Berry Colada, are a must try if you like sweet drinks! The punch didn't look appetizing yet the taste was great. The restaurant was clean? had great ambiance and prices are reasonable. Highly recommend.

The food was amazing!! I had just a pepperoni pizza and it was delicious! The restaurant was a sit down place and had a being arrangement! Our waiter was very kind.

Our friend took us here once we mentioned we wanted pizza. The inside is super cute, modern and their menu has such a large selection. Our waiter put in to the chef that I couldn't choose between 2 options and was able to have half and half. Great crust, great flavors and great flavors!

Very aesthetically pleasing small restaurant across from the National Portrait Gallery. The inside had bright pink accents all over the walls that made the atmosphere fun and welcoming. What I especially really appreciated about Ella's is the fact that they were willing to make accommodations for my food allergies. I don't eat any dairy but I was interested in the spaghetti Ragu. When I asked, they informed me that they would be able to make it dairy free, and that was extremely , generous of them. For anyone else who has a dairy allergy this is a great place to go because all of their pizzas have vegan cheese options. Our food was brought out very quick. The portions weren't huge, but it was definitely enough. I really enjoyed my meal and was pleased by the kind service we received. Overall I would recommend.

Such a cute little restaurant with a warm vibe and yummy pizza. The staff is so friendly and attentive! We ordered a margarita pie and a sausage pie. The sausage pie had savory sausage crumbles on it. Both pies were so fresh and the sauce was amazing! Def made in house! The crust was cooked perfectly. Nice and crispy not chewy. Some of the best pizza I've had outside of NY!

Stopped in Ella's by chance before heading into National Portrait Gallery. Wasn't sure I was in the mood for pizza but greeted warmly by host and seated quickly. Turned out to be a great decision. The vibe was laid back and space not overly designed. The Jazz was a nice relaxing touch. The layout cozy, clean and comfortable. The bar, although on smaller size was cool. My server, Mae was amazing even tho she was working a number of inside and outside tables. Ordered Ella's punch to start. The punch had the right amount of sweet and sour. Would be my favorite refresher summer drink if it weren't October . Decided to try something different and settled on the wood fired Pizza Stracciatella (substituted mushrooms for banana peppers). The crust was crisp, the ingredients fresh and plentiful and flavorful. Really enjoyed this Za even if the hot honey was a bit liberal making bottom wet and soggy (maybe a side helping for guest to add right before eating would help). Will absolutely come back!

Wonderful outdoor area. Servers were very attentive. I hadn't been there in many years. I anticipate returning soon.

The food was delicious, my burger was cooked exactly how I wanted it, it was juicy, the cheese was melty and the bun was fluffy. Our server was nice and helpful.

Decent personal size pizzas at reasonable prices. We got a bottle of white wine and a pepperoni and margherita pizza to share. I preferred the pepperoni. We had ordered the fried mozzarella balls but they never showed up - they took it off the bill so not a huge issue but probably good to double check their order before it goes in. Their happy hour also looked good so I'll probably go back and check it out.

Ordered drinks and calamari at the bar and a pizza to go. Bartender was unfriendly, calamari tasted like months old fry oil. Pizza might have been decent if we had it straight out of the oven. Wouldn't recommend.

My friend and I found this spot on a google search, because we were in the area and wanted pizza. Very nice inside, wasn't expecting it to be what it was. It's a very cozy restaurant and has plenty of options outside of pizza. I will return back and recommend. I had the BBQ Chicken Pizza and it tasted AMAZING! They have a nice list of various pizza types. Wish they had create your own, but you can substitute a topping. Our server was nice as well and helpful, I forgot her name tho (so sorry)!

I've come here multiple times and it's always a solid, great option for dinner. Specific shout-out to the seasonal pizza (butternut squad, broccoli rabe, dried cranberries, cheese, etc.) because it was genuinely so phenomenal I ate the entire thing in minutes

The pizza was delicious and the service was great. Very cute restaurant. Highly recommend!

Came here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon with a prior reservation made (it was a bit crowded so it was a good thing we made a res)! Great selection of pizzas, we tried the pepperoni and margherita. Next time will def try one of the more adventurous pies! A little pricy but other than that really enjoyed

*Updated Review* Recently did lunch here with an old co-worker. It's been several years but the place looks nice and very modern. Wasn't overly packed so we got seated right away! Had a chicken sandwich with fries. Very tasty! Service was good. I'll be back for happy hour soon.

All food is fresh and delicious. We had the American Wheel pizza, calamari, and wings to go. The old fashion was one of the best I've had. Service was great. Our server, Juan, was very attentive. The owner was frequently checking on all tables which showed he really cares about his customers. The vibe of the restaurant is lively.

never not good from the food to the service to simply the people. this is a family owned place && you feel like family with each bite ! i could eat here everyday ! the pizza freshly baked to the eggplant parm && any salad of course. it's cute inside w open kitchen concept so you can watch that pizza fire up! perfect place for family too so bring everybody !

I went for lunch. It was emptyyyy. The server was so kind and patient because I was contemplating going to a different spot. I ended up ordering rosé and the chicken breast sandwich. The wine was bitter so he recommended a different kind. I enjoyed that. I got my sandwich to go. A little over $40 including the $10 tip. Expensive lunch. But delish! I will be back for dinner.

We came here after visiting a couple of museums around the area. We were craving Italian food so we stopped by the closest place to us. We saw a table with swing sets that replaced chairs and decided to sit outside, especially given the cool breezy DC weather. The inside looked busy and gave a great atmosphere. We ordered the calamari, then the alfredo linguini, spaghetti ragu, and a Soppressata pizza to share. The food was honestly delicious, but could also be that we sat down starving. The alfredo and tomato sauces were flavorful and filling, not all too heavy for me (although this is coming from a New Yorker). The pizza crust was thin and crispy, great combination with the soft and chewy spaghetti noodles. Service was beyond excellent, servers were attentive, our waters were never empty. I would highly recommend this place.

We were nearby at the National Gallery and wanted a quick bite. The pizza was pretty salty because of the anchovies but everything else was ok. The gnocchi was probably the best part of the meal.

Awesome pasta dishes! I'm on work travel and went looking for a walkable restaurant. Ella's did not disappoint. Great food and great service. I will definitely give this a revisit next time I am in town.

This pizza place is so delicious and the inside is very well decorated and cozy. I was in the area with a close friend looking for a place to get food, and we stumbled across this pizza place and decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised with the overall experience and how good the food was! I got a vegetarian, veggie loaded pizza. It had mushrooms, red onion, sundried tomatoes, and spinach I think. It was great and there were sooo many veggies on it which is how I love my pizza. My friend got a pepperoni pizza. We were both extremely hungry and I was able to eat almost the entire pizza, but you could definitely split it with someone if you weren't starving like we were. The crust and pizza were doughy yet crunchy, it was fantastic. I think my meal was roughly $30 for a pizza, hard cider, and tip. So this spot is a great price for what you get!

Service was speedy and attentive Food was small portions but delicious Loud atmosphere but not uncomfortable Recommend !! Try the sparkling rose for a flavor explosion of complex flavors!

This might be very dramatic but I'm just going to say it, this is one of the best meals I've had in my entire life. I went with two friends while visiting D.C. and we decided to stop for dinner because it was reasonably priced but also the outdoor seating had seats that were swings and how can you pass that up? I went with a caprese salad, one friend got a pizza, but the big winner was the Salmon Risotto. My friend let me have a bite and I was blown away by the flavor. I ended up ordering it to go on my last night and it was just as good!!

My favorite happy hour place with my favorite bartender Chantel. The service is always quick with a smile. The food is amazing especially the spaghetti.

The place was almost empty during the lunch time. Pizza is OK. It looks like a cocktail bar more, violet neon lights. Just another regular place in the city.

The food was great and the atmosphere perfect for catching up with a friend. Service was attentive and welcoming, we did not feel rushed. Importantly - The music was lowkey and low-volume. We could actually talk to each other in a normal voice instead of having to nearly shout, as happens at too many other restaurants. Thank you to Ella's for getting it right (at least on a Wednesday evening :-) )

The crust was thin and crispy, and the topping was well cooked! The sauce was nice and creamy as well! Service was quick and friendly. The prices were also very reasonable so I would definitely recommend!

We are in DC for 5 nights and have already eaten here twice. Food is delicious and well-priced, and they have a great kids menu. I highly recommend their roasted beets and clementines with goat cheese appetizer, and their wood-fired pizzas are amazing. My son loved the kids spaghetti and meatballs!

We love going to Ella's . The pizza is excellent and the drinks are delicious. Definitely recommend this place.

Pizza, wings, cheese sticks, and all your classic Italian-American fare. A really solid spot if you're in the area for a quick bite. I really liked customizing my pizza - I did pepperoni & caramelized onions. It was a hit! Wings were nicely battered and crispy. My girlfriend had the chicken salad which she thoroughly enjoyed. What was more impressive than the food was the service. Our server was very polite and attentive even though he was all by himself during that shift. Considering we are still in a pandemic, we should all have patience and definitely tip your servers extra! Would come back here if I'm in the area.

Sat at the bar for lunch today. I ordered a pepperoni pizza with smoked mozzarella and jalapeños. Wow was it good. It was cooked perfectly and the dough could support the toppings without flopping. Crust was airy tasty and light. I also had a small salad. Bar tenders were amazing and seemed to know the regulars by name. Very inviting place and I will be back.

I was walking around downtown D.C. in the midst of the crazy times (COVID-19, protests, etc.) while most places are still closed, looking for a place to grab a beer and stumbled upon this place. So I pretty much just came here for a nice place to sit outside with a beer. The dude who was working was super professional/nice! I'd be happy to come back and try out their pizzas sometime. Thanks Ella's!

Food - 4/5 Happiness - 3/5 I recently went to this restaurant and... it was A-OK. Located near the arena, it's not a bad spot to get your pizza fix. But it doesn't stand out of the crowd. To start with, I'll say that the bruschetta was excellent. Served on some perfectly toasted (aka wood fired) bread that was the perfect mix of crunchy crust and soft in the middle, I couldn't get enough of it. The tomatoes were perfectly ripe and they use buffalo mozzarella which is the best kind. The pizza however, left me wanting more. I got a crazy strange pizza with chicken, eggplant, mushrooms and anchovies (to each their own). Though plentiful, the toppings lacked any appreciable flavor, except for the anchovies which were over-salty. The crust didn't really withstand the toppings as it became soggy and didn't hold them on well. The cheese was pretty good, but there wasn't a lot of it. Overall, it was just OK. The service left a lot to be desired. It took quite awhile to get someone to take my order and they rarely filled up my water. The price was a bit high - $30 for an appetizer and pizza at lunchtime. Given how good the bread was, I plan to come back and try out one of their sandwiches (and of course, get more bruschetta). But the pizza and service left me wanting.

As much as I love Ella's, they close at 9pm on Saturday. Makes me sad. Would have loved to support this local restaurant for a glass of wine and a small bite.

Ella's was great! The food was delicious, we got four gluten-free crust pizzas, and some noodles with butter. The atmosphere was wonderful, it's a very calm and beautiful place to eat. The service was excellent, our waitress was attentive and she filled up our drink glasses quickly. I highly recommend!

Good service, the food selection was great and tasty! The only rub was their coffee machine was broken so I wasn't able to have an espresso to along with the fabulous Italian deserts.

We loved Ella's so much that we visited twice on our week trip to DC and had the same thing both times. Yes, it was that good. The service was outstanding and the food was delicious. Reservations are not necessary but a good idea of you are going at peak dinner times. They also have outdoor seating.

This is a nice place overall and I think the pizza was okay, but I also think that the pizza could have been better. To me, the cheese was not very tasteful, and there was not even very much cheese on the pizza. I had the margherita pizza. In my opinion, it was also overpriced. The craft beer selection could have been better. The cappuccino was pretty good. The staff were very friendly, and the decor and atmosphere were very nice. So overall, this was a nice place.