Osteria Morini
Restaurant · Near Southeast ·
Emilia-Romagna fare, pastas, wood-fired grill, cocktails, wine
![Osteria Morini by Osteria Morini [official photo]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65162006/pasta-osteria-morini-scott_suchman.0.0.jpg "Osteria Morini by Osteria Morini [official photo]")
Emilia-Romagna fare, pastas, wood-fired grill, cocktails, wine
"A pioneer of waterfront dining in Navy Yard, this NYC import has been serving comforting pastas and stunning regional dishes from northern Italy for over a decade. The menu stands out from other glam Italian spots around D.C. with a small-bites update from chef Matt Adler (behind Cucina Morini and Caruso’s Grocery), featuring gems like ricotta gnudi and fried cacio e pepe zucchini. Warm lighting and waterside views make it a good pick for a chill date night or a comforting dinner with friends where you order extra dishes for the table. Start with the perfectly creamy gnudi and something crispy like the fried calamari with roasted garlic aioli and spicy pomodoro; cauliflower is transformed with Calabrian chile oil, Brussels sprouts are balanced with pistachio pesto and rich agrodolce, and the misticanza salad is a must order thanks to a subtle truffle vinaigrette, crunchy hazelnuts, and crisp apples. It’s hard to choose between pastas: go for the tagliatelle with complex Bolognese ragu if you love a meaty red sauce, the squid ink casarecce with leeks, Calabrian chile, and plump shrimp for something lighter with layers of spice and umami, or the braised veal shank–filled ravioli inspired by ossobuco for something you can’t find anywhere else. The maroon-colored restaurant is versatile, offering $7 drinks with complimentary Parmesan-topped popcorn at the bar during happy hour until 7 p.m., $15 pastas on Morini Mondays, or a fancy dinner that spans plenty of satisfying courses. Don’t sleep on the weekend brunch—plays on classics like focaccia Benedict with prosciutto and a pesto-filled frittata are fun, but the stunning ricotta pancakes, in both sweet and savory options, are the star dishes—all channeling the soulful cuisine and convivial spirit of Emilia-Romagna." - Emily Venezky
"This Italian favorite is a picturesque waterfront option for groups in the Navy Yard area. Make reservations for groups as large as 10 online and be sure to order the crostini and prosciutto e melone for the group. The menu recently got a refresh from chef Matt Adler." - Missy Frederick
"Navy Yard’s waterfront Italian staple is still going strong, over a decade in. Saddle up to its shaded, wraparound patio covered in Aperol-orange umbrellas and soak up serene views of bobbing boats on the Anacostia River. Cool off with all sorts of spritzes and negronis. The gin-Campari-vermouth cocktail also comes in flight form." - Abi Newhouse
"Navy Yard’s pioneering Italian restaurant that recently turned 10 continues to draw fans for its $15 Morini Monday pasta special, negronis, homemade focaccia, mortadella, and other Emilia-Romagna favorites served on terracotta-patterned plate ware." - Tierney Plumb
"Navy Yard’s waterfront pasta pioneer Osteria Morini is still going strong, over ten years in. Standout Southern Italian orders include rigatoni with wild mushroom ragu, truffled ricotta ravioli with prosciutto, and squid ink pasta studded with shrimp — all priced at $15 during its popular Morini Mondays deal. NYC-based Altamarea Group expanded its pasta presence in the city last spring, transforming its Mt. Vernon Triangle sibling spots into one upscale Italian eatery called Cucina MORINI with help from Osteria Morini alum Matt Adler." - Mekita Rivas