il Canale

Italian restaurant · Georgetown

il Canale

Italian restaurant · Georgetown

1065 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Highlights

Thin-crust pizza from a wood-fired oven plus pasta & antipasti in a cozy exposed-brick dining room.

1065 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007 Get directions

ilcanale.com

@ilcanale

$$ · Menu

Reserve

@eater

"This Georgetown restaurant and celebrity favorite serves Neapolitan pizza certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napolentana. The requirements include using a wood-burning dome oven that reaches a temperature of around 900 degrees, hand-formed dough, "00" wheat flour, Italian tomatoes, and certified buffalo mozzarella. Order takeout or delivery here, or book a seat for lunch and dinner daily." - Tierney Plumb, Emily Venezky

The Best Pizza Places in D.C.

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@eater

"While this Georgetown establishment is well-known for its pizza Napolitana, don’t miss out on the many pasta dishes that pay gastronomic homage to the owner’s Sicilian heritage. For seafood enthusiasts, the scialatielli allo scoglio — which features fresh pasta mixed with mussels, shrimp, clams, cherry tomatoes, white wine, and garlic — is a must-try. Other noteworthy dishes include the gnocchi and spaghetti pomodoro. Downstairs neighbor Filomena, around for over 30 years, is the ultimate celebratory spot for hearty Italian dishes in an ornate setting." - Tierney Plumb, Mekita Rivas

Where to Find Top-Notch Pasta Around D.C.

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@eater

The Essential Pizza Restaurants in D.C.

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@eater

"People swear by the Sicilian cannoli dusted with pistachios at this Italian mainstay on the Georgetown canal. At lunch, a a mini, two-piece order is $5 and at dinner they’re full size and $9." - Tierney Plumb

Where to Find Sweet, Creamy Cannoli in D.C. - Eater DC

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@eater

"In addition to pizzas, this Georgetown institution also serves a grilled eggplant parmesan on the menu." - Tim Ebner

Where to Eat Eggplant Parmesan in D.C.

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Silas Smith

Google

My work team came here on Monday and this place did not disappoint! We chose to do a family style meal so that we could try more dishes. We started off with the Arancini, Meatballs, Calamari and Zucchini, and Bruschetta which all were absolutely phenomenal! Personally was some of the best Arancini I have ever tasted! We then ordered a Georgetown, a Margherita, and a Meat Lovers pizza as well as the Scialatielli Allo Scoglio. All were incredibly delicious! If you are ever in the Georgetown area you have to check this place out!!

Christian Martín

Google

Second visit and same review: Not a single low point in this restaurant (for the food that I ordered) It's officially the best pizza I've tried ever, and as for the pasta, just amazing, these raviolis qualify on my top 3 easy. Totally recommended. Service was fast (we went at 2:30pm on a Sunday), AC was at a comfortable temperature and the atmosphere was great, not too noisy.

Carolina Martinez

Google

il Canale offers a fantastic dining experience! The pizza was delicious, and the drinks were excellent. My favorite, though, was the lobster ravioli—absolutely divine. Highly recommend for a memorable meal!

Osama A

Google

Amazing Italian food with a spacious, welcoming atmosphere. The service is super quick. Prices are a little on the high side

Jaehoon Lee

Google

Great atmosphere. Great service. Pretty bad italian food. My spaghetti was overcooked and they over seasoned the pasta water. Too salty to finish. Meatball was decent. Lasagna tasted good but the pasta was also overcooked.

Lagene Lee

Google

Wow what an authentic Italian restaurant in Georgetown area of DC! Amazing & delicious! Great original menu choices! Huge building housing this restaurant allows so much room. Lots of tables, inside & outdoor. Service was so attentive & and friendly. Great job!! They seated us quickly. Came to get our order $ brought our drinks away. Our server was so attentive she kept us refilled on whatever we needed. We ordered Caesar salad 🥗. Yummy. We ordered 2 different pizzas. 🍕 both were amazingly delicious!! We left with to go box for lunch. We will happily return some day. Yummy!!

Juan Sanabria

Google

Not the worst restaurant, but definitely not worth the hype and pretty much mediocre food. Based on the line outside, I expected it to be much better. Pizza was overloaded with cheese, though the crust was really good. Calamari was pretty bland.

Kate K

Google

I've been to Il Canale in DC many times, and it's always a delightful experience. The food is consistently excellent, with a variety of delicious options that never disappoint. The location is also great, making it a perfect place to dine and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the area. While the service can be a bit slow and inattentive at times, the staff is always kind, which makes up for it. Overall, Il Canale remains a top choice for a wonderful dining experience in DC.

My Fat Ass K.

Yelp

Bro. The oven pizza was so good that we made the mistake of ordering two boxes of pizza for takeout. We should've ordered a whole variety of pies and dined in for experience. Highly recommended!

Sabrina L.

Yelp

People who say DC food is bad have clearly never eaten here. I had such an exquisite experience here, and it's hands down the best meal I've had since moving here a month ago. My friends and I made a last minute reservation here on a Saturday night, and we were met with a huge line. However, don't let the line intimidate you, as it moved quickly and we were seated by the time I made our reservation for. FOOD Il Canale Pizza (5/5): WOW. This was absolutely delicious, and each bite left me wanting more. The crust was perfectly crispy, and the cheese, prosciutto, and tomato came together in a beautiful symphony of flavors. Lobster Ravioli (4/5): This was everyone's favorite, and the flavors were absolutely delightful. I wish the portion size was a bit larger for the price, but it was pretty filling. Gnocchi (5/5): I loved the flavors in this dish, and the texture of the gnocchi was perfect. The portion size was also great and left us satisfied. Lasagna (5/5): I'm usually not a huge lasagna person, but this one was perfect and didn't feel too heavy to eat. The ratio of cheese to sauce to pasta was absolutely impeccable. SERVICE The service was fine overall, but we had to specifically flag the waiter after 20 minutes and ask for bread. It also took quite a while for the dishes to come out, but it's understandable considering how packed the restaurant was. Overall, il Canale has become my favorite spot in DC so far, and I'll definitely be back very soon!

Jann L.

Yelp

Amazing food and service. The place was amazing and I love the following that I ordered: -carbonara -seafood pasta -lobster raviole

Aparna K.

Yelp

We have wanted to come to this restaurant for a really long time, but there's always a long wait outside. We finally were feeling brave enough to wait one day and it was so worth it. The service was slightly slow, but multiple servers come and check on you so overall it was good. The food is delicious, the mushroom risotto was recommended by our server and was a special. It's overall a cute place for date night. Had to update my review- went a second time with a reservation, and this time the experience was not the best, we didn't get the bread at first, and had to ask for it. It was cold and even when we requested warm bread, we didn't get it. We had to ask multiple times to get the drink menu. And the calamari was not good, has no flavor. Got the cucumbertini and that was good, pizza as always was great and the ravioli was delicious!

Alisha M.

Yelp

Dinner at @ilcanale I got the Ribeye w/ potatoes & asparagus . I got it cooked medium rare and everything was cooked to perfection. My boyfriend got the lamb w/ potatoes. It was seasoned well and had the perfect texture. No gamey taste at all. My friend got the carbonara I don't eat pork but she said it was fire. The service was a 10/10 as well so I would definitely visit again when in the mood for Italian. follow for food adventures @melrosemunchies

Samina M.

Yelp

Il Canale is a Georgetown stable for a reason with its fantastic location and tasty Italian classics! With this being my second time at the restaurant, I was excited to try some new menu items. My friend and I split the Pasta Al Salmon - a cheesy blend with smoked salmon. I was dubious of this combination, but it ended up being absolutely delicious. The salmon was woven perfectly into the noodles. Very fresh and flavorful. To drink, I tried both the Hugo and Watermelon Spritz. Very light and refreshing - a perfect pairing to the pasta. The service was speedy and very attentive despite it being a busy night. The ambiance was clean and great for small and large groups alike. Highly recommend!

Britney B.

Yelp

This place was very close to the hotel I was and my friends and I thought why not. They had amazing reviews. Got there and were seated at an outside table. Our server was David. He was very nice but clearly the only server for a very large section. It took him quite awhile to tend what we needed like place an order or refill drink. The food was decent--I'd try it again and hope that the place was better staffed.

Catherine M.

Yelp

Stopped in for a late lunch for the first time in years. We ordered two Hugo Spritzes which were quite tasty and split the Georgetown pizza. The pizza crust was fantastic but the sausage could have perhaps had a better crisp and there was almost too much spinach but was a nice portion size and a great white pizza.

Sara R.

Yelp

Second time eating gluten free pizza from il Canale, and it was so good. il Canale has become my go to place for GF pizza in DC! The staff is really nice and welcoming. The pizza has a great texture and it's not hard as a rock, or overcooked. The pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese are delicious. I wasn't the biggest fan of the vegetarian option, but that's more of a preference, I think.

Alex F.

Yelp

UNIMPRESSED!! We went in for lunch on a weekend and got sat immediately. We ordered the Prosciutto e Melone, Margarita Pizza, side Meatballs & Chicken. The prosciutto and melon was ripe making it refreshing on a hot day. The pizza was a let down as when you pick it up only the crust will hold. The pizza is paper thin causing everything to slide off. The meatballs were good and the chicken was typical. Since we said we were celebrating, they were nice enough to include a small cannoli which was good. Overall, I think their "Yelp Best" is a thing of the past.

Jo L.

Yelp

FOOD We visited for Restaurant Week, and it was lovely! il Canale was always on our list to try, and this was a perfect reason to go. I had their bruschetta, Margherita pizza, and panna cotta. For $25, it was so much food, I had to bring more than half the pizza home with me. The bruschetta was a great appetizer-- the olive oil rich and flavorful and the tomatoes refreshing. The Margherita pizza was not as flavorful or rich as I thought it would be, and there was less basil than I would have liked. Otherwise, it was a large pizza, especially for what I paid, and it was filling. As for the panna cotta, it was light and refreshing and not too sweet. DRINKS They have an extensive alcoholic beverage list. Tap water was complementary. SERVICE The staff are very kind and friendly! AMBIANCE The interior is spacious and has two floors of seating. Outdoor seating is also available with plenty of shade. It's perfect for a family dinner, reunion, work lunch/dinner, rehearsal dinner, etc. PARKING Paid parking is available across the street from the restaurant. It's one of the better ones in the area, as it's in a building/underground. It's $14 for the first hour, and $23 for the day. Definitely worth the latter if you're also planning on walking around Georgetown post-meal as well.

Karla R.

Yelp

Sis and I were craving some gluten free pizza, so we decided to return to Il Canale. This was our first time dining in, we had previously ordered take out. The pizza was even better this time around, as the crust was super crispy and the cheese was nicely melted. Although, I wasn't a big fan of the Vegetariana Rossa, as the amount of peppers was overwhelming. We tried the prosciutto and melone as an appetizer, and it was really good. However, we found it odd that it wasn't wrapped, as I've normally had it in the past. The staff is nice and friendly, and had good recommendations. It was a bit loud, at times hard to have a conversation. Il Canale is a great option for gluten-free pizza, I just recommend trying one of the other options .

Ian N.

Yelp

Diavola Pizza (5/5): This was neopolitan style pizza exactly the way I like it. The dough was soft and chewy, the crust was just a bit crispy, the sauce was tasty (and also a perfect amount), and the spicy salami added a nice little zing. My typical complaint with neopolitan style pizza is that the middle gets really soggy, but this didn't have that problem at all! The only things I would change are a little more char and a more even distribution of the salami (they were mostly all just in the middle). Really fantastic pizza. Caesar Salad (4/5): Pretty standard salad with some nice homemade croutons. Focaccia (5/5): I think this was the same dough as the pizza? Very good, especially when it's hot and fresh. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this)

Hanay W.

Yelp

I was craving pizza, so I thought it'd be the perfect time to try il canale and see what everyone raves about. They have outdoor, indoor, bar, and upstairs seating. Although spacious, I would recommend making a reservation online, especially if it's the weekend. The inside is more casual than I was expecting, with some TVs, music, and almost a sports bar feel. It took a minute for a serve to come to our table once sat, but besides that the service was good. I started with a half caesar salad which was pretty good. My entree was the Napoli pizza. I enjoyed the flavors of the pizza, but do not like how thin and floppy their pizza dough is. It makes it hard and messy to eat. If it was a slightly thicker dough that is cooked a bit longer, I think I would've really enjoyed it. *keep in mind that they have a weekend menu and weekday menu that are different. the weekend menu excludes some pasta and pizzas that are on the weekday menu*

Melissa L.

Yelp

Delicious authentic Napoli food. We enjoyed the fresh ingredients and the pizza. The happy hour cocktails were served with a smile :)

Verina B.

Yelp

I know this place was ranked top 40 restaurants in 2022 but I'm not sure it's all that. Caesar salad was great, and the pasta did taste fresh. However the lobster ravioli was a little fishy and the calamari was very bland and rubbery

Whitney E.

Yelp

A Perfect Evening at Il Canale "Had an absolutely fantastic experience at Il Canale! The waiter Benedetto was incredibly warm and welcoming, and his knowledge of pizza and wine was truly impressive. He made us feel like VIPs and helped us choose the perfect selections. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. Highly recommend!"

Ron A.

Yelp

5/5 Stars - Exceptional Service! Monday 10/14/2024 "I had the pleasure of being served by Kola, an exceptional bartender with unparalleled wine and food knowledge! His expertise and passion elevated my dining experience. Kola's strengths: - Extensive wine list familiarity - Impeccable pairing suggestions - Attentive, personalized service - Warm, welcoming demeanor His recommendations were spot-on, and his enthusiasm was contagious. The wine and food pairing was sublime! Kola's dedication to excellence makes him an invaluable asset. His exceptional service, expertise and charm ensure an unforgettable experience. Highly Recommended! - Wine enthusiasts: Seek Kola's guidance for optimal pairings. - Foodies: Trust Kola's recommendations for enhanced flavors. - Anyone seeking exceptional service: Ask for Kola! Outstanding Bartender, Exceptional Experience thank you!

Chassidie L.

Yelp

Looking for delicious pizza and lobster ravioli? This is the place to go! Plus is was voted #40 on Yelp's top places to eat! Given the shear amount of delicious options, we decided to get the two most popular dishes: lobster ravioli and margarita pizza. Both of them were delicious! The pizza crust was very thin with a great crunch. The sauce we sweet, savory, and tangy. On another note, they even have great gluten free options! Hard to find those in American Italian restaurants. My friend is gluten free and our server Toto, remembered when he brought the dessert menu. Very attentive! Toto was also just the best, fantastic service! Overall, if I am ever in the area again I would go. They have a ton of seating, but also be prepared to wait there's a lot of people!

Hazel P.

Yelp

3.5 Flavor was good for the pasta and the fried calamari hit the spot. However, price was a bit too meh for something not super extraordinary, but also granted that it's in a very touristy area.

Sharon M.

Yelp

Honestly, my favorite dish from this restaurant was the Margherita Pizza (not pictured b/c I wanted to eat it right away lol). When I was waiting outside, I saw and smelt lots of gorgeous pizza being served near me, so I knew I must get one. Having tried both, I think their pizzas are better than their pastas. There's more options too, so it's not just the taste. The atmosphere is also very nice, and the service is friendly. Great for friends, families, dates, etc.

Sanchita G.

Yelp

I had come to this restaurant as a treat yourself. I I honestly went by myself and it was still so awesome. I thought the service was so good. They had a super long wait but the line went so fast. It was also organized. I got a seat on the terrace and it was a beautiful evening. The guy was so fast with getting everything. I got the aeperol spritz. I thought it was pretty good! I haven't had too many to know if it's supposed to be sweeter or not. But it was still really good. The bread and the garlic sauce is super good ! I got the bruschetta that was absolutely amazing! I would give it a 10 out of 10. The margarita pizza was also absolutely amazing and it was only $15. Since it was a treat myself, I didn't really pay attention to the prices but when the bill came back I was like oh wow that was only $15.! Totally worth it!!! For the dessert . I got a tiramisu which was absolutely amazing. I like how the quantity was just in the cup because I was just want something sweet, but not something like so rich after a big meal. I also got the cannolis. Those were so so so good! I highly recommend this place. I was, for looking for a higher-end Italian place to come to in Georgetown. This will be my go to. I literally cannot wait to go back. I will definitely be taking my out of town visitors here for sure as well. Thank you so much for such an amazing experience . This was the first time in three years that I had a treat yourself meal like that! And it lived up to every expectation I could've ever asked for!

Emi W.

Yelp

I made a reservation quite last minute, and the staff was very accommodating. There was a crazy line of 20+ people outside, but it moved very quickly. Our server, Nazar, was lovely and attentive. The the mushroom/truffle pizza was delicious, I ended up taking half of it home. All of the food came quickly and was amazing.

Maria L.

Yelp

This was a great place for dinner! Lovely ambience, delightful service and delicious food! Our waitress was lovely and gave us another piece of bruschetta because there were 5 of us! The Arancini was delish! I thought it would be more cheesy but my friend ordered it and just said trust me. Gnocchi is the BOMB-- just think light fluffy pillows with cheese and tomatoes sauce- and added meatballs! Yummy!! Cannolis to finish off this wonderful Italian meal! Will be back!! Also, great spot if you don't mind a little walk to the Kennedy Center!

Oz E.

Yelp

Overall great! The food was good and the service was fast! We walked in with group of 11 and got seated quickly and efficiently. The seats are comfortable and the environment is clean, organized, and neat.The food arrived quickly and all the dishes we ordered were well made. Also, a big thanks to our waiter Toto. He was patient and very generous while we were all ordering, managing our large group very well.

Kayla K.

Yelp

If the dictionary had an updated definition for "over rated", it would say il Canale. We had reservations and once we got there at 5:00pm there was already a huge line out the door with a Yelp "top 40 restaurant in the USA". I love Yelp but if a restaurant is putting that huge sign out on the sidewalk, I already know I'm gonna be disappointed. We order appetizers which include calamari, margarita pizza and faccacio bread. The calamari needed to be way more salty and crunchy and the fried zucchini that also came on the plate was extremely soggy. The sauce on the margarita pizza was very good but the crunchy crust was lacking, my mom said "Dave portnoy would be disappointed" also I firmly believe that any decent margarita pizza should be covered generously in basil. There was at most 1 1/2 leaves of basil (see photo). I was not at all impressed. For dinner, we ordered two servings of gnocchi bolognese. I can't judge this because I normally do not prefer bolognese on my pasta but there was a lot to easily serve three people. My mother did say the sauce was extremely greasy and 100% needed cheese. Which brings me to my next point. The service. The waiter never really came to check on our food, and never refilled our waters after we order our food. I did ask for cheese on the side and ended up hunting down people because no one got it. Over all--just because there are a lot of people lining up does not always mean you should go. I know Atleast 40 restaurants big and small in the USA that are significantly better than this

Lanny B.

Yelp

Solid spot for casual pizza or pasta meal in Georgetown. I love that you can make a reservation / wait list on Yelp. We ate upstairs at lunch on a graduation weekend and there were lots of big parties of 10-16 people and il Canale was handling all those groups plus the random walk-ins like us with ease. We each had a small pizza and the portion was perfect. The focaccia is basically the pizza without sauce and toppings, so very skippable but not bad if you're going pasta.

Jose P.

Yelp

I came here with friends before going to the movies together. Il Canale is a great pizza place that also has excellent pasta. As I am gluten-free, I have two options - they use 00 flour imported from Italy, which is naturally low in gluten. I can do this occasionally as I am not celiac, or they have gluten-free options for the pizza and pasta. The gluten-free pasta is way better than the gluten-free pizza. The place is always packed, and the bar is nice, but primarily for folks waiting for a table - it is not a destination. If you want good pizza or pasta, this is the best option in Georgetown. If you are gluten-free, go with the pasta.

Timothy Spencer T.

Yelp

TDLR: It's a solid 4.5 family style Italian restaurant with solid highs but also noticeable flats. It's a good option for groups but not the best of dates looking for absolute quality. Bread: Very good bread that went well with our more saucier dishes Scialatielli Allo Scoglio: It's a big plate (bowl) that asks for a bit of premium pricing but makes up for things in taste and portions. It's almost like a cioppino given how big it is. Seafood is good, pasta was al dente, and the sauce was good. Branzino al cartoccio: I was a bit disappointed with this. Although the fish was cooked well, I think I expected a bit more when it comes to taste. Reading the description in the menu, I had hoped to be wowed by the flavor of the fish mixed in with the bell peppers and another garnishes. I guess I just expected more. Ravioli: It was cooked well and the truffle and mushroom taste was there. I also liked how the taste quality did not diminish as the meal went along. Service: Staff took good care of us throughout the meal. Ambiance: It felt a bit weird every now and then. One minute it feels like an upscale Italian restaurant, the next minute it feels like a mom and pop Italian restaurant with a red checkered tablecloths. Either way, I'm not gonna complain.

Kay D.

Yelp

Overall one of the best meals i've had in this city. The margarita pizza was thin and there was a definite char to it. The Margherita sauce is a lot more tart than usual but of course that's probably just because it's fresh tomatoes. The fried calamari was very lightly fried. The pizza was good but at some points tasted somewhat like char. The salad was very good and the sauce was perfect sweetness. The service is ok and the ambiance is dark - very mom and pops vibes.

Ambar A.

Yelp

So so good! Went as a group of 5, ordered the caprese, calamari, margarita pizza, carbonara, branzino, lamb chops, and the rib eye! The branzino was definitely a 10/10!! Paired with a great dirty martini and a great ambiance! Service was also great! The waiter was very attentive and made sure to answer any questions we had. Will def be back.

Carrie O.

Yelp

Utterly delightful, family owned Italian restaurant that truly knows how to do gluten free. Let me shout that from the rooftops: THAT TRULY KNOWS HOW TO DO GLUTEN FREE!!! Il Canale utilizes separate pots to cook gluten free pasta and a separate oven to bake their gluten free pizzas. An Italian restaurant that is safe for those who need gluten free! And the food is amazing. That gluten free pizza crust they used for bread does not taste gluten free. It was delicious. All the dishes at our table (gnocchi, ravioli, lasagna, and Margherita pizzas) were top notch. Everyone dining kept talking about just how good was that food. The server was fantastic at explaining dishes, particularly how gluten free was done in their establishment. Glasses were kept full. Service was impeccable. Let me also mention that the cannoli was the best I have had. Order dessert to go if you're too full. You don't want to miss it. If I could give 10 stars, I would. Il Canale hit all the right notes. So very well done. I need to go back to try more of that menu.

Geo M.

Yelp

Popped in on a rainy day. Food was great ! Had a Caesar Salad that was so good. Pizza was fresh and crust was amazing. Customer service was top notch. Thanks for the great service.

Paul O.

Yelp

We came here around 6:00pm on a Wednesday in mid-February. The atmosphere was warm and there were a number of larger dinner parties (families celebrating birthdays, groups of what appeared to be friends reuniting from college, etc.). The staff was friendly and prompt. The food was decent but nothing to write home about. The calamari was a little soggy and not super crispy. The caesar salad was a "B" - croutons were not especially garlic-y and the dressing was fine but not spectacular. The one thing that was really good was the margherita pizza. The crust was light, crispy, and flavorful. I don't know that we'd come here again (mainly because we don't come to DC that often and have other places we'd like to try. But we don't regret coming here.

Abigail W.

Yelp

Stopped in for Happy Hour before catching a movie down the street. The food was good, but nothing spectacular. On the surface, when looking at the happy hour prices they seem reasonable, until you compare them with the normal menu. Most are just half the price for half the portion. Some are actually more cost effective to get the whole portion, since those items are half the portion for more than half the price. We got one of the white pizzas. The crust was delicious, but the toppings lacked flavor. The cheese and spinach completely overwhelmed the dish. The focaccia bread wasn't focaccia at, it was literally just pizza dough stretched out with seasoning on it. The meatballs were tasty, but small. The server was nice, but overall the service was lacking. We sat outside and were rarely checked on. We had to wave the door guy over for someone to come out and take our order. As far as ambiance, it seemed nice, nothing spectacular. Since the bar seats were full, we sat outside for HH. Some heaters would be a nice addition for the chilly months.

Daniel C.

Yelp

il Canale is a top-notch Italian restaurant. I greatly enjoyed the lobster ravioli. It was perfectly saucy and tender with the lobster. It was so delicious I needed to ensure all the sauce was clean off my plate lol. The lasagna is definitely up there with one of best I've had in my life. I would like more meat in the lasagna, but it was still worth ordering. The cannolis are perfectly crunchy and satisfying. I enjoyed the sweetness level and size. The staff members are nice, helpful, and quick to serve. The atmosphere is spacious, clean, and casual. There is outdoor seating available, which is a nice touch. I'm

Patrick O.

Yelp

Felt like I was transported to Italy for an hour at lunch. The staff used a few Italian words and they had all the items you could want at an Italian lunch. For drinks we got the Aqua panna and some spritz. The spritz was well balanced and not too bitter. We tried the polpette as an appetizer and soaked up the sauce with some bread that came with a delicious garlic olive oil. For the main meal, got the gnocchi in the bolognese sauce, the portions were large enough to bring some home and have for dinner. Ended our lunch with some limoncello, $10 is overpriced for the amount you get, so probably wouldn't get that again. Overall absolutely loved this restaurant and would love to be back and try the other dishes.

Rashi D.

Yelp

Was excited to try this place (rated top 40th restaurants in the US)! Service was good and environment was casual and lively. Ordered the Lobster Ravioli - it was tasty but nothing special. Prices were a little steep and food was average.

Jordan N.

Yelp

I'm bumping my review up to four stars, because the pizza is really that good. The lower review I had previously spoke of the pasta - and after trying the pizza, I realized pizza is the way to go here at this place. Even for people who are gluten-free, as my dining companion was the other night, they've raved of the gluten-free version that exists here. I'll come back for sure, to get pizza - Neapolitan style. Service was friendly, Ambiance was nice - casual, not fancy, and large indoor space/seating.

Mark D.

Yelp

Margarita pizza was fantastic. Nice place with lots of friendly staff. Definitely recommend checking it out.

Mia S.

Yelp

I came here on a Friday night around 7:45PM and had to wait about 30 minutes to be seated. I definitely recommend making a reservation as il Canale is very popular with families, college students, interns, etc. Honestly, I was not the biggest fan of the food here, but I do want to acknowledge that the servers are friendly and do the best they can, especially with it being so busy. Also adding that I'd skip out on the free bread here, it's pretty dry and the main dishes are sufficient portions. I ordered the pasta pomodoro and added meatballs; overall, I didn't really like the dish and thought that it was lacking quite a bit of seasoning (just pretty bland overall). The meatballs were tasty though and the food did taste quite fresh. If I decide to stop by here again, I'd definitely get a different dish, maybe the gnocchi or a pizza. The rest of my party seemed to enjoy their food though!

Jonelle T.

Yelp

Ok, I had really really high expectations for Il Canale given the yelp reviews and numerous awards they've won for being one of the best Italian restaurants in DC, but they just weren't met during my visit. Maybe my expectations we too high? I don't know. I arranged a team dinner here and the place was slammed. Fifteen of us were crammed into a small corner near the back of the restaurant and we were basically sitting on top of one another. Our service was stellar, but the food fell a little flat for me. A quick rundown below: Antipasti Bruschetta was fresh, but lacked flavor Calamari e zucchine fritti were perfectly fried and crispy Arancini was good, but they definitely skimped on the filling Pizzas Floppy and soggy. The dough to topping ratio was just off on all the pizzas we got except the Margherita. Pastas Ravioli ai porcini e tartufo was easily my favorite dish. It was just decadent and delicious with good truffle flavor. Gnocchi was just mediocre for me. The tomato sauce was just too saucy for it. Carbonara was my second favorite of the night. It was done right. Overall, Il Canale just didn't hit for me.

Glenn A.

Yelp

I was catering to a friends tastes and knocked it out of the park with il Canale. This is definitely among the tops I've experienced so far. Everything from the table side bread to the calamari and pistachio cannoli, oh and let me Not forget to single out the white truffle mushroom white pie which was my personal favorite. The service was welcoming and prompt and my only wish is that I had more room to try more dishes. I'll have to plan another trip to DC soon.

Pauline S.

Yelp

Okay, I get it. Hype...worth it? Yes. In the way you expect? No. The food was *so flavorful* in such a simple way. You can tell that everything was fresh, fresh, fresh. The pizza, while similar to NY-style in terms of thickness, is softer. The buffalo mozzarella on -everything- is definitely a key to their success. The fried mozzarella balls (appetizer) was unlike anything I was expecting. The breaded crust was also very light, yet still added a little crisp and a hint of flavor. Our waitress was ontop of the table. I do wish that they freshly shaved parmesan...and the hostess was more polite... But despite being packed on a weekend (both inside and out), including some big groups, the whole restaurant was buzzing but the food was fast.

Courtney T.

Yelp

Happened here for happy hour while doing some shopping on M street of Georgetown. Sat outside and enjoyed limncello spritzer with mint, meatballs and a mini caprese salad and it was phenomenal. Started with bread service with olive oil with a roasted garlic clove and it was perfect. Finished with an agfagatto and the whole experience took me back to Italy. I wasn't rushed and it took me about an hour and 45 minutes with no hurry. Delightful place.

Janet L.

Yelp

Admittedly I was worried that this place would be too touristy but I was pleasantly surprised. Everything we ordered was solid and very good. The service was also attentive. The margarita pizza was well baked and the crust was good. The scialatielli also scoglio was al dente and there was a generous portion of seafood. Finally the ciliegina salad was well dressed and fresh! I would definitely go again when in Georgetown!

Neha P.

Yelp

This is a great spot in Georgetown if you're looking for an intimate dinner/night out with friends. I definitely recommend getting a reservation, especially if you would like to sit indoors. My two friends and I shared the bruschetta and 2 pastas, and I felt like that was the perfect amount. The bruschetta was definitely my favorite! The staff was also kind enough to bring dessert for our birthday celebration.

George Z.

Yelp

I had the pleasure of visiting Il Canale on Father's Day this month. I had been there many years ago and my memories were very positive. I had a watermelon aperol spritz, La Regina pizza with fresh Italian mozzarella on top and the calamari. The food was simply delicious and one of the best pizzas I've had in DC. What makes Il Canale unique though is it's dedicated staff and service. I had the pleasure to be taken care of by Erind and he went far and beyond with his service. His positive attitude, smile and attention to details impressed me. He was very knowledgeable about each and every item I asked and I was very confident with his recommendations. Erind made the whole experience worthwhile and I am looking forward to coming back soon and enjoy the unique ambiance, service, kindness and flavors that Il Canale offers

Saiteja G.

Yelp

We arrived here in a Saturday night around 8pm. We ordered the Bruschetta for appetizers. The egg plant spread was bland and way cold. Really disappointed with it. We ordered the Margherita Pizza and Meat Lovers Pizza. Both of them were spot on. Don't forget to check-in on Yelp and get your free deserts. Thanks to the service team as they quoted a 30 min wait time and got us seated quicker. There was a slight drizzle and we're able to accommodate us on a busy day.

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Silas Smith

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Christian Martín

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Carolina Martinez

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Osama A

Google

Amazing Italian food with a spacious, welcoming atmosphere. The service is super quick. Prices are a little on the high side

Jaehoon Lee

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Lagene Lee

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Juan Sanabria

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Kate K

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My Fat Ass K.

Yelp

Bro. The oven pizza was so good that we made the mistake of ordering two boxes of pizza for takeout. We should've ordered a whole variety of pies and dined in for experience. Highly recommended!

Sabrina L.

Yelp

Jann L.

Yelp

Amazing food and service. The place was amazing and I love the following that I ordered: -carbonara -seafood pasta -lobster raviole

Aparna K.

Yelp

Alisha M.

Yelp

Samina M.

Yelp

Britney B.

Yelp

Catherine M.

Yelp

Sara R.

Yelp

Alex F.

Yelp

Jo L.

Yelp

Karla R.

Yelp

Ian N.

Yelp

Hanay W.

Yelp

Melissa L.

Yelp

Delicious authentic Napoli food. We enjoyed the fresh ingredients and the pizza. The happy hour cocktails were served with a smile :)

Verina B.

Yelp

Whitney E.

Yelp

Ron A.

Yelp

Chassidie L.

Yelp

Hazel P.

Yelp

3.5 Flavor was good for the pasta and the fried calamari hit the spot. However, price was a bit too meh for something not super extraordinary, but also granted that it's in a very touristy area.

Sharon M.

Yelp

Sanchita G.

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Emi W.

Yelp

Maria L.

Yelp

Oz E.

Yelp

Kayla K.

Yelp

Lanny B.

Yelp

Jose P.

Yelp

Timothy Spencer T.

Yelp

Kay D.

Yelp

Ambar A.

Yelp

Carrie O.

Yelp

Geo M.

Yelp

Popped in on a rainy day. Food was great ! Had a Caesar Salad that was so good. Pizza was fresh and crust was amazing. Customer service was top notch. Thanks for the great service.

Paul O.

Yelp

Abigail W.

Yelp

Daniel C.

Yelp

Patrick O.

Yelp

Rashi D.

Yelp

Jordan N.

Yelp

Mark D.

Yelp

Margarita pizza was fantastic. Nice place with lots of friendly staff. Definitely recommend checking it out.

Mia S.

Yelp

Jonelle T.

Yelp

Glenn A.

Yelp

Pauline S.

Yelp

Courtney T.

Yelp

Janet L.

Yelp

Neha P.

Yelp

George Z.

Yelp

Saiteja G.

Yelp

il Canale

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