Filomena Ristorante has been serving DC pasta for 40 years, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a spot that does a better job. Which is probably why the Georgetown basement eatery is packed day and night, as folks turn everything from a simple weeknight dinner to a milestone birthday into an experience as big as Filomena’s chicken parmesan. The waiters are fresh to death in their tuxedos, while you try—and fail—to avoid dripping red sauce onto the white knit placemat under your ravioli.

The Georgetown stalwart has been around for over 30 years, and in that time countless stars—and multiple U.S. presidents—have gorged on the gigantic servings of Italian classics. Signs that this is the real deal include the pasta mamas who prepare fresh spaghetti, linguini and other noodles in a mock kitchen on street-level. Don’t forget about dessert, in particular the cannoli which is served in sandwich form for easier, crumb-free enjoyment.

This 33-year-old restaurant may seem like a tourist trap at first glance. But it serves up some of the best Italian food in Georgetown with dishes as familiar as what mom used to make. Think gnocchi rolled out by an ideal grandmotherly figure, three kinds of ravioli, and a beautiful, traditional lasagna.

Filomena is located in the heart of Georgetown and has been serving true old-school Italian food for nearly 40 years. From the moment you walk past the little Italian lady in the front window shaping hand-made pastas, to the cozy dining room downstairs that is decorated like your grandma’s house, you know you are going to have an unforgettable meal. Everything on the menu is noteworthy but you should start out with their arancini rice balls filled with Bolognese sauce, peas, and mozzarella—just like the ones you can find in Italy.

Yep, it’s a bit of a tourist trap, but yep, it’s worth the visit anyway. For comforting food that’ll transport you straight back to your childhood (providing you grew up on the Med, of course), an unpretentious, homely vibe, and some of the best fried calamari around, Filomena Ristorante is hard to beat. The décor might take a bit of getting used to (think over-the-top extravagance and you’re halfway there) but once you do, expect to be booking your next visit before you even get through your first round of Antipasti.

1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007 I was an undergrad at one of DC’s many expensive colleges nearly 20 years ago. So I’m shocked that still standing is the location of one of my formative, fresh pasta experiences, Filomena. As though they were plucked from a photograph and dropped into present-day Georgetown, you’ll still see the old Nonnas with egg yolk, making pasta in the front window, folding incredible potato gnocchi, beautiful ribbons of farfalle, and perfect elbows of macaroni.

This Italian spot has been serving Washingtonians for over 40 years now and is famous for its traditional recipes, fine wine, and an authentic Italian dining experience that is driven by its lovely ambiance and punctuated by its incredible staff. If you want to have a dining experience in D.C. where you can enjoy those iconic Italian recipes done right, or would like to browse an incredible wine list, then this restaurant is perfect for you.

One of the most popular restaurants in Georgetown, Filomena Ristorante recreates the atmosphere and culinary style of a New York Italian eatery in the heart of DC. Founder JoAnna Filomena modeled the restaurant on the hospitality and traditions of her mother’s kitchen. Excellent Italian flavor is what a meal at Filomena Ristorante is all about, and what makes it one of the most original restaurants in Washington DC!

A Georgetown staple since 1983, Filomena Ristorante captures the essence of Italian-American comfort food. Its warm, nostalgic atmosphere, adorned with antique décor and seasonal decorations, makes it a favorite for family gatherings and date nights. A unique feature of Filomena is its “Pasta Mamas,” who handcraft fresh pasta in the restaurant’s storefront kitchen—a delightful sight for passersby.

#4 Filomena: This 33-year-old restaurant may seem like a tourist trap at first glance. But beyond the seasonal decor and traditional undertones, it serves up some of the best Italian food in Georgetown — with dishes as nostalgic as what mom used to make. Think gnocchi rolled out by an ideal grandmotherly figure, three kinds of ravioli, a beautiful, traditional lasagna, and so much more.

Born from the idea that dinner can be more than just a meal, Filomena Ristorante has been providing traditional Italian home cooked meals to the masses in Washington, D.C. for more than 30 years. The late owner's family originated from the Abruzzi, Italy region and the menu reflects simple yet creative cuisine including eggplant parmesan, antipasto misto and lasagna.

For authentic Italian food in Washington D.C., look no further than Filomena. They’re one of the best restaurants Washington DC for Italian cuisine. With a rich history dating back the 1980’s, and founded by JoAnna Filomena herself, the restaurant takes inspiration from the traditional recipes of the Abruzzi region of Italy, where the Filomena family is from.

From the elderly Italian woman making pasta in the window, to the comedic portions, nothing screams true Italian-American like Filoena. This is a hands-down one of the best Italian restaurants in Washington, DC – grab some chicken parm & a huge cake slice and you'll be set. #SpoonTip: Filomena has tons of gluten-free options to satisfy all diets.

In-house-made pasta and other hearty Italian classics served in an upscale spot!. Located in the heart of Georgetown in D.C is an old-school spot that is downright famous for serving the best pasta in town. The most unique experience guests enjoy at Filomena is seeing a team of elderly Italian women preparing fresh pasta in the window.

This famous Italian restaurant has been serving up heaping portions of homemade pasta and other Italian favorites for over 30 years. As an Italian American who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, I can attest that this place is phenomenal. The kitschy, old-school decor will make you feel like you're dining at your grandma's house.

Filomena has been a landmark of Georgetown for over 30 years. Founded by JoAnna Filomena when she moved back from New York City in 1980, the restaurant opened its doors on May 23, 1983. Filomena said she wanted to create a restaurant that had an inviting atmosphere with memorable dishes on the table, and she did just that .

This underground adobe in Washington’s Georgetown suburb exudes Nonna’s charm with America’s confidence. The diners on the table next to me put it best, saying: “I’ve never been this impressed with a restaurant before eating”. It has a small street front for its large personality.

1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007Phone: 202-338-8800 Visit Website. A post shared by Filomena Ristorante (@filomenaristorante). Filomena is a beautiful, upscale Italian restaurant serving freshly made pasta in an eclectic, decorative environment.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,679 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian, Tuscan- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, DC 20007-3605- Read more on Tripadvisor

In the world of Italian restaurants in Washington, Filomena is where you go for a show, Tosca is where you go to seal a deal, and Fiola is where you want to propose. In contrast, Obelisk feels like a poetry reading graced with sublime food.

Filomena was founded when the owner, JoAnna, realized that she didn’t really find any restaurants that offered more than a short meal with unmemorable atmosphere and service in the D.C.

Filomena has been serving homemade pasta in Georgetown for 30 years. You can watch the "pasta mamas" preparing fresh spaghetti and other noodles in the kitchen. 1063 Wisconsin Ave NW

The previous entries on this list are all great, but Filomena is both great and unique. For almost 40 years, Filomena has been an institution in Georgetown.

With a commitment to family style and a community-based approach to food at its core, Filomena is a keystone stop on any D.C.