IL Porto Italian Ristorante
Since 1973, IL Porto offers traditional Italian cuisine with house-made pasta in a historic, cozy setting with exceptional service.
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IL Porto Italian Ristorante
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Since 1973, IL Porto offers traditional Italian cuisine with house-made pasta in a historic, cozy setting with exceptional service.
"The best Italian food we had on our trip, with service that made our experience even better!"
Ask for Recommendations
Inquire about off-menu specials or classic dishes for a truly personalized dining adventure.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
To avoid potential wait times, consider dining during less busy periods.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Scratch-Made Italian Classics
Experience authentic Italian flavors with pasta made daily from scratch and traditional dishes in a charming, old-world setting.
Exceptional, Attentive Service
Diners rave about the outstanding service, with staff going above and beyond to ensure a memorable and personalized dining experience.
Historic Ambiance
Dine within walls that echo with history, featuring old-world decor, a cozy fireplace, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Ask for Recommendations
Inquire about off-menu specials or classic dishes for a truly personalized dining adventure.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
To avoid potential wait times, consider dining during less busy periods.
Inquire About Portion Sizes
Don't hesitate to ask about portion sizes and prices to manage expectations and avoid surprises.
Consider Sharing Dishes
If you want to sample multiple items or find individual portions pricey, sharing is a great option.
Tips
from all over the internet
Ask for Recommendations
Inquire about off-menu specials or classic dishes for a truly personalized dining adventure.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
To avoid potential wait times, consider dining during less busy periods.
Inquire About Portion Sizes
Don't hesitate to ask about portion sizes and prices to manage expectations and avoid surprises.
Consider Sharing Dishes
If you want to sample multiple items or find individual portions pricey, sharing is a great option.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
IL Porto Italian Ristorante is lauded for its authentic, scratch-made Italian cuisine and exceptional, attentive service that makes diners feel valued. The historic ambiance adds to the charm, creating a memorable dining experience. While generally praised, some find the prices on the higher side, particularly for add-ons like chicken, and a few have noted inconsistencies in attention for solo diners.
"We had such a great time at Il Porto! Even though it was super busy, the service was excellent and the food was absolutely amazing, hands down the best Italian food we had on our trip. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and everything came out fresh and surprisingly fast.
A big thank you to our server, Ali R., for being so kind and attentive, he made our experience even better!
Here are my ratings:
• Spaghetti with tomato sauce 8/10
• Pollo alla parmigiana 8/10
• Melanzane alla parmigiana 10/10
• Ravioli di granchio 10/10
• Caesar salad 10/10
• Fettuccine alfredo 10/10
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a delicious Italian meal!"
Leen .o
"Post Graduation dinner. My niece just got her Doctorate and wanted to go there for eons.
Dinner was good. I ordered the Insalata and lasagna with my SIL and we shared. The waiter said..would u like a little chicken on the salad. I said no at first, he said it's really good on that salad. I said...OK then.
Thought the prices were a bit higher than I'm used to so that's one of the reasons my SIL and I shared the 2 dishes.
But the $15 salad ended up being $45 with the 'a little chicken'. $15 for the salad and $29.95 for a small piece of chicken sliced.
Honestly I would've gotten a pasta dish if I'd known the chicken was twice the cost of the salad!!
Now I feel compelled to mention a few other things that would've been incidental had that $15 salad turned into $45😳
I wish I'd gotten the Fettuccine....sad"
Noreen McAneny
"🌟 “This place is amazing. Whether it’s a special occasion or just a craving for a solid, satisfying meal, we always leave happy. The atmosphere is relaxed, we never feel rushed. If outdoor seating isn’t available, grab a spot by the window, upstairs or down. It’s the next best thing."
Donna Lamprecht
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Diners highly recommend the scratch-made pastas like Fettuccine Alfredo, Spaghetti with meatballs, and the Pollo Siciliano. The Melanzane alla parmigiana and Caesar salad also receive rave reviews.
Yes, IL Porto makes all their pasta from scratch daily, ensuring a truly authentic and delicious Italian experience.
The restaurant features a charming, old-world ambiance with plaster-beam-and-stone decor, a cozy fireplace, and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a memorable meal.
While the menu is primarily Italian, there are some vegetarian options like Eggplant Parmesan and pasta dishes. However, the variety for vegetarians might be limited.
The service is frequently praised as exceptional, with staff noted for being attentive, kind, and knowledgeable, often going above and beyond for guests.
Yes, IL Porto is recommended as a cozy and romantic spot for date nights, offering a delightful ambiance and delicious Italian cuisine.
Reservations are recommended, especially for larger groups or during peak times, although walk-ins may be accommodated if tables are available.
The restaurant offers an extensive wine list, though some diners find the per-glass pricing to be on the higher side.
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Bringing classic Italian fare to Alexandria, Va. since 1973, il Porto makes every dish from scratch on site including their pasta. Guests will find traditional Italian dishes with hints of modern techniques on the lunch and dinner menus with a selection of antipasti, pasta and meats. The building dates back to at least the 1800s and has quite an interesting past including being originally owned by a sea captain who allegedly stole from one of his customers and as the site of a speakeasy in the 1920s and a home for a Nazi family who set up a radio network inside disguised as a repair shop.
The Best Italian Food in Alexandria, VA
Address:Il Porto Ristorante, 121 King Street, Alexandria, VA. Indulge in hand-rolled pastas and more at Il Porto Ristorante, where classics sit on the menu next to innovative old-world infusions like Pollo Marsala, melanzane alla parmigiana, and gluten-free penne and ravioli. Since 1973, this owner- and chef-operated Italian restaurant has been treasured by patrons, having won numerous awards from Diner's Choice and OpenTable.com.
The Most Romantic Restaurants in Old Town Alexandria
121 King StreetSince 1973, Il Porto has been an Alexandria favorite for traditional Italian cuisine. This cozy corner restaurant features stone walls and a welcoming fireplace Enjoy the scratch-made pasta made daily and other classic entrees like Veal Marsala and Chicken Piccata. Il Porto offers all of your favorite Italian sweets, including cannoli, tartufo, and spumoni, as well as an extensive offering of after-dinner drinks.
We had an amazing dinner in this special restaurant on historic King Street. We also had several talks from Donald Clapper, founding IGOR Charter Member, Kim Orlowski, IGOR event coordinator, Michele Ward, owner of the Principle Gallery and Lee Alban, IGOR Member. Clint Mansell, Principle Gallery Director, gave us an informative talk on the value of social media in promoting fine art.
Best Dinner in Old Town Alexandria, VA: From Casual to Fine Dining
Il Porto Ristorante is a classic Italian restaurant that has been a fixture in Old Town for years. Known for its warm hospitality and authentic Italian cuisine, it offers a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a family dinner or date night. The menu features hearty pasta dishes and seafood specialties crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
22 Historic Restaurants in Washington DC
Il Porto has been serving fine Northern Italian food since 1973. Built in the 18th century by a retired sea captain, the building has served as a warehouse for exotic imports, a home, a wine press and distillery, a butcher shop, a speakeasy and a Nazi radio station.
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If old school Italian food is a must-find at each of your duty stations, start with this Alexandria standby. Guests dine on fresh pasta made on site and dive into a carefully curated wine list. Ask to read about the history of the building.
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Il Porto Ristorante offers the only private party room in Old Town Alexandria with innovative Italian fare, a focus on amazing wines at a value and views of historic Old Town. We can accommodate up to 100 people, complete with your own bar
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Il Porto—this is an old-school Italian restaurant that my family loves. They’ve got all your favorite classics and Italian comfort foods, and they do them well. The service in here is great and the atmosphere is very cozy.
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Il Porto is located in Alexandria and has been serving fine Italian cuisine since 1973. The restaurant is open on Mondays-Fridays from 11:30a.m.-10:00p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00a.m.-10:00p.m.
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