Little Coco's

"Petworth’s treasured pasta parlor serves standouts like spicy rigatoni with marinara and Calabrian chiles, squid ink tagliatelle, an elbow-noodle riff on cacio e pepe, and goat cheese ravioli. Marylanders can now enjoy the same orders at its newer Gaithersburg sibling Charley Prime Foods." - Tierney Plumb, Mekita Rivas

"This neighborhood spot is your all-around Italian restaurant, whether you’re looking for a great pizza, the city’s freshest donuts, or a reliable low-key date night spot. Little Coco’s long dining room is a combo of high tops, small wooden tables, and booths where you can tight-squeeze five of your closest friends. You’re not going to find DC’s best pasta (though it’s good enough for a casual night out), but you will find delicious gooey pizza, like The Dr. Pepper covered in pepperoni and fior di latte." - omnia saed

"Little Coco’s pizza is the gooiest, cheesiest in the city. The Columbia Heights Italian spot only serves seven pies, split between red, white, and pesto sauces. But the pizzas, like The Dr. Pepper version covered in pepperoni and fior di latte, are crispy and perfectly salty. These are the kinds of pies you’ll risk a slight roof-of-mouth burn to eat as soon as it lands on the table. Split them at brunch while squeezed into a yellow booth with a few of your closest friends, or come for a quick weeknight date." - tristiana hinton

"These light, airy donuts come straight out of the fryer to your table at Little Coco’s in Columbia Heights, and are covered in a sweet raspberry or  semi-sweet chocolate sauce. While $6.50 may feel a little pricey for the pair, they're totally worth it since this Italian restaurant is one of the few places in the city where you can get freshly fried rings of sugar on demand. And Little Coco’s serves them during brunch and dinner, so you never have to worry about the dreaded “we’re out for the day.” " - tristiana hinton

"This neighborhood spot in Columbia Heights is your all-around Italian restaurant, whether you’re looking for a great pizza, the city’s freshest donuts, or a reliable low-key date night spot. Little Coco’s long dining room is a combo of high tops, small wooden tables, and plastic-covered booths where you can tight-squeeze five of your closest friends. You’re not going to find DC’s best pasta (though it’s good enough for a casual night out), but you will find delicious gooey pizza, like The Dr. Pepper covered in pepperoni and fior di latte, that tastes exactly like we imagine the ultimate Ninja Turtle cheese pull." - Tristiaña Hinton