Il Canale

Name: Il Canale
Address: 1065 31st NW, Washington, DC, United States, 20007
Telephone: (202) 337-4444
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.7

4.7

3343 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Top Tags:

Located in the heart of Georgetown, il Canale offers the most authentic Neapolitan pizza in DC, thin-crust made by our Italian pizzaiolos cooked in a wood-fired oven imported from Italy. The kitchen offers a menu that brings our native country to your table with every selection—antipasti, pastas, seafood, meat, fresh bufala mozzarella from Italy, and much more. The attractive blue-lit, full bar specializes in select Italian wines. In warm weather, dine alfresco at the sidewalk tables or on the roof-top terrazza overlooking the Georgetown scene.
Be sure to check out our lunch menu, featuring delicious paninis made with our fresh bread baked instantly in our wood fire brick oven and four new pasta items. Our happy hour, from 3-6 pm Monday-Friday, features all drinks at 1/2 price! (Happy Hour restricted to bar area).
Coming down from M Street, il Canale is the 2nd restaurant on the left.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 26, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

7:00 PM

Booked 65 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(202) 337-4444

Delivery

Order online

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Italian, Pizzeria
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu 11:00 am–10:30 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm
Phone number
(202) 337-4444
Website
http://www.ilcanale.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Antonio Biglietto
Private party facilities
Hold Your Next Party at Our Authentic Italian Restaurant. Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate event, il Canale can accommodate all your special event needs.
Private party contact
Alessandro Farruggio: (855) 548-0887

Location
1065 31st NW Washington, DC 20007
Neighborhood
Georgetown
Cross street
M Street NW
Parking details
Street Parking. Public garage parking directly across from il Canale on 31st Street NW.
Public transit
Closest metro subway entrance is Foggy Bottom. Public buses run on M Street. <br />Cabs readily available on M Street.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Popular dishes

Arancini Siciliani
Fried rice croquette filled with beef ragu, peas and mozzarella
- 3pcs$8.00
Polpette al Sugo
Housemade meatballs
- 2pcs$6.00
Impepata di Cozze$11.00
Steamed Blue mussels with extra virgin olive oil, parsley, and crushed black pepper
Mozzarella in Carrozza
Deep-fried breaded fresh Buffalo mozzarella
- 3pcs$10.00
Melanzane alla Parmigiana$10.00
Layers of eggplant, imported Buffalo mozzarella, tomato sauce, Parmesan, basil

Antipasti (Freddi)

Prosciutto e Mozzarella di Bufala$12.00
Prosciutto di Parma*, imported Buffalo mozzarella, touch of olive oil and arugula
Bruschetta$7.00
Fresh diced tomatoes seasoned with basil, garlic, olive oil on homemade organic bread
Bresaola$10.00
Air-dried cured beef, Grana Padano shavings, Arugula, touch of olive oil
Prosciutto e Melone$10.00
Prosciutto di Parma*, fresh sliced Melon, garnished with Arugula

Mini Panini

$13; Organic bread with side house salad and french fries

Classico
imported Buffalo mozzarella, Prosciutto di Parma*, arugula, and sliced tomatoes
Pollo
Grilled chicken breast served with romaine and sliced tomatoes
Imbottito
Meatballs panini with mozzarella and eggplant

Pizza Napoletana

Our Pizza is made with Organic "00" flour. Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. Ask for Gluten Free Options (If you are Celiac, cross contaminations may occur. Il Canale is unable to guarantee that any item can be completely free of allergens and will not be held responsible for such instances)

Margherita$12.00
Tomato sauce, imported Buffalo mozzarella, Parmesan, olive oil, basil
Diavola$15.00
Tomato sauce, imported Buffalo mozzarella, spicy salami*, Parmesan, olive oil, basil
Meat Lover$16.00
Tomato sauce, imported Buffalo mozzarella, pepperoni*, sausage*, ham*, sweet salami*, Parmesan, olive oil, basil
Quattro Formaggi$14.00
Imported Buffalo mozzarella, Grana Padano, blue cheese, Parmesan, olive oil, basil
Georgetown$15.00
Imported Buffalo mozzarella, spinach, sausage*, Parmesan, olive oil, basil
Vegetariana Rossa$15.00
Tomato sauce, imported Buffalo mozzarella, roasted bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, Parmesan, olive oil, basil
Calzone$14.00
Stuffed with imported Buffalo mozzarella, ham* ricotta, basil, served with a side of marinara sauce

Insalate

Add: Chicken / Salmon / Shirmp $5

House Salad$10.00
Romaine, arugula, tomatoes, carrots, housemade lemon dressing
- Half$6.00
Tunnarella Salad$12.00
Baby arugula, with albacore tuna, plum tomato, Kalamata olives and housemade lemon dressing
Ciliegina$12.00
Arugula, imported Buffalo mozzarella, grape tomatoes, carrots, mixed Cerignola olives, slice of grilled zucchini housemade honey mustard dressing
Caesar**$12.00
Romaine, croutons, Grana Padano, housemade dressing
- Half$7.00
Caprese$11.00
Imported Buffalo mozzarella, plum tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, oregano, basil

Secondi

Half house salad $6

Tagliata di Manzo** (Served Medium)$16.00
Griled and sliced 10oz flat iron steak, baby arugula, grana padano shaving, sundried tomato with glaze of balsamic reduction and honey mustard dressing
Rolle' di Pollo$14.00
Baked chicken breast filled with mushroom and parmesan cheese, topped with creamy mushroom sauce, served with potatoes tortino and caponata
Branzino al Cartoccio$16.00
Boneless Mediterranean sea bass filet baked in parchment paper garnished with bell peppers, tomatoes, olives, and potato
Salmone alla Siciliana**$16.00
Grilled filet of salmon served with potatoes tortino and caponata

Paste

Ask for Gluten Free Options (If you are Celiac, cross contaminations may occur. Il Canale is unable to guarantee that any item can be completely free of allergens and will not be held responsible for such instances)

Scialatielli allo Scoglio$17.00
Fresh artisan pasta tossed with mussels, shrimp, clams, cherry tomato sauce, white wine, garlic, crushed red peppers
Gnocchi$14.00
Housemade organic flour and ricotta dumplings, tossed with cherry tomato sauce and imported Buffalo mozzarella
Spaghetti (Organic) / Pomodoro or Pesto$13.00
- With Polpette 2pc.$15.00
Lasagna$14.00
Layers of fresh pasta, parmesan, mozzarella, bechamel and meat sauce
Ravioli ai Porcini e Tartufo$18.00
Fresh home made ravioli filled with Porcini mushrooms and white Alba Truffle served in a Butter and Parmesan cheese sauce
Cannelloni$14.00
Artisan large tube pasta filled with ricotta, spinach in tomato sauce, and buffalo mozzarella

Dessert Menú

Dolci

Torta Siciliana di Ricotta$7.00
Italian sponge cake with authentic Sicilian ricotta cream, chocolate chips, topped with pistachio, almonds, and candied oranges
Tiramisu$6.00
Ladyfingers dipped in coffee, served with mascarpone cream
2 Mini Cannoli di Ricotta alla Siciliana$5.00
Authentic Sicilian cannoli (served with pistachio crumbs)
Torta di Latte (Tres Leche)$6.00
Italian sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milks topped with whipped cream
Torta Caprese$6.00
Chocolate almond cake and vanilla gelato
Gelati/Sorbetto$5.00
Choice of flavor: hazelnut, chocolate, vanilla gelato, or lemon sorbetto
Affogato Al Caffe'$6.00
Your choice of gelato with a shot of hot espresso

Bar

Espresso$4.00
- Decaf$4.50
Espresso / Decaf Corretto with Grappa / Baileys$6.00
Cappuccino$5.00
we use 2% milk
- Decaf$5.50
Doppio Espresso$5.00
- Decaf$5.50
Hot Tea / Chamomile$4.00
Macchiato$4.00
we use 2% milk
- Decaf$4.50
Americano$4.00
we use 2% milk
- Decaf$4.50
Latte$4.00
we use 2% milk
- Decaf$4.50

What 3,343 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.4Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Sort by

Filters

HS
HoyaSaxa
Las Vegas
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall2food3service2ambience2
I rarely write reviews but felt compelled to do so after my recent visit for dinner at Il Canale. I've eaten there many times over the years. I made a reservation on Open Table. Upon arrival, the waiting area was crowded. I went to the hostess who immediately dismissed me and told me to wait in the corner, despite me telling her I had a reservation. I had to get her attention again a few minutes later at which point she found my reservation in her computer and proceeded to place my name at the end of a lengthy handwritten list of walk-ins. I waited 30 minutes past my reservation time for seating, during which every single person (no exaggeration) in the waiting area, including many who arrived after me, were seated. The only reason I got a spot after 30 minutes is due to the fact that another same-sized party didn't show up when called. Upon being seated, it took another 10 minutes for a server to approach and another 10 minutes for a bottle of Pellegrino we ordered to be brought to the table. Someone from the kitchen came out with a big platter of food and had no idea which table the plates belonged to. I'm pretty sure my wife was given somebody else's pizza by mistake. The whole experience was disappointing. Frankly, I think they're doing Open Table dirty...to paraphrase Seinfeld "You're very good at taking the reservation but making good on the reservation...not so much."
RL
RobL
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food4service5ambience4
The service was really fast and good. The food was amazing and definitely worth the price.
NB
NicholasB
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience5
Love the food. Pizza is delicious. Highly recommend this spot.
AV
ArlingtonVAresident
Washington DC
22 reviews
vip
4.0
22 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall4food5service4ambience4
Noise levels made it very difficult to hear stable conversation. Seemed short staffed with two waiters handling ALL tables on second level. Maybe didn’t plan for graduation weekend dining. Food was excellent though.
b
bobp
New England
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall3food3service3ambience2
It was good but in my opinion lacks on choices. Pizza looks awesome and most were eating that but I didn’t notice until after we had ordered.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and atmosphere
JJ
JohnJ
Raleigh
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Amazing food ! Great service !
OT
OpenTable Diner
Pittsburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience3
Came here for my graduation dinner! I wish they did something special to commemorate the occasion but it was still a great dinner. It is quite loud inside but this is my favorite restaurant for the food. It is preferable to go when it is quieter
AW
AmandaW
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had calamari, house salad, the D’aviola pizza and cannoli. All delicious, plus yummy cocktails. Great service. We were very pleased
OT
OpenTable Diner
Yorkshire
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall4food3service2ambience3
Ok but service was lack lustre with wine arriving after main course finished. Lack lustre and should have been great !
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My brother’s Birthday!
DS
DavidS
Washington DC
9 reviews
vip
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience3
Great food. Very busy and service was helpful but slow. Seems to be the theme in restaurants today...
ML
MarcelL
Atlanta
30 reviews
5.0
30 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous staff! We were celebrating a birthday and the staff made it a very special evening. Great food snd ambiance.
l
luv2dine
Baltimore
49 reviews
vip
4.0
49 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Great friendly service, shared appetizers, calamari, roasted vegetables and gnocchi. Salads , fish , lamb chops, pizza for meals. Food was good , fish could be a larger portion, everyone enjoyed, would go back. Server was kind and attentive. Tiramisu was fabulous.
VG
VincentG
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
This is our favorite restaurant, simply because no one in the area makes pizza this good.
TL
ToniL
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Graduation
T
Tadtober
Orange County
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience3
The pizza was very good, everything else was just okay. The service was good when they came around, the host was less than friendly
M
Mimi
Hawaii
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall4food5service2ambience4
The food was fantastic, but our waiter was indifferent. Another waiter took over and ensured we were taken care of while our waiter was mia.
CO
ChrissieO
Baltimore
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious authentic Italian food! Ricotta gnocchi with bolognese were pillowy and the pistachio pizza was crispy and chewy.
M
Megan
Washington DC
10 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience3
Grabbed an early dinner before Kennedy center. Getting seated (even with reservation) is a bit of process with lines to check in and get seated down the block. Food came out so quickly we did not even have drinks. Food was good - just needed a a little tweak. Strong scent of cleaning in upstairs dining room.
AR
AndreaR
Denver
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service3ambience5
Good was outstanding. Server forgot our drink order. Table was a bit cramped for a party of four. Otherwise wonderful. Will definitely come again.
FS
FelipeS
New Orleans
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing service, excelent food taste and extremely fast. A group of 17 had dinner in less than 75 minutes
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Service could have been better
KS
KatyaS
Washington DC
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall3food2service3ambience3
While the pizza was good, pasta dishes left much to be desired.
AV
AlvaroV
Mexico City
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2022
overall3food4service2ambience3
Food was good. Service needs to improve particularly if you get one of the tables outside
AC
AlexandraC
San Diego
9 reviews
2.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2022
overall2food2service3ambience3
The food just wasn’t great .
OT
OpenTable Diner
Dallas
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We decided to go to II Canale last night as a must-do dinner while my daughter and I were visiting Georgetown. We happened to be there on the night they were filming the finale of Little Big Italy (Italian TV show). It was so fun to watch the filming and the food was great! I had lasagna and my daughter had a margarita pizza. Both were exceptional. So much fun for a great dinner and a show!! Thanks Il Canale!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall3food5service4ambience5
Very slow seating/host service, but once you sit down servers are attentive and accurate. Great food, the upstairs has great natural light and ambiance. Would come back
JS
JenniferS
Washington DC
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
We had the most delicious meal at il Canale! The pizzas were unbelievable, the pasta was perfect, and the seafood was fresh. They have an extensive one menu with lots of affordable options as well as bottles you could splurge for on a special occasion. The location is right off of a canal in Georgetown so a lovely place for a stroll after your delicious meal. My husband loved his pizza so much (the Sicilian) that he got an extra one to take home! It was genuinely that good. We will definitely be returning!
AS
AngelaS
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Mother’s Day dinner with my daughter. The place was clean. Staff friendly. Waiter was Italian and had an Italian accent and offered great recommendations. He was super! The calamari and zucchini fried was tasty. The special handmade pasta noodles in vodka sauce with shrimp and zucchini was TASTY! The eggplant pizza was a dream! The cannoli is to die for! The chocolate almond cake was yummy too! I highly recommend this restaurant
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very authentic, was able to practice my Italian with the waiter too! Everyone was pleasant and the food tasted just like back in Italy!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
29 reviews
vip
3.0
29 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall3food5service4ambience1
Food always solid, the seating upstairs is horrid. Bright as a tanning bed and noisy as an all you can eat dinning hall. Eat downstairs or carry out.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Las Vegas
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 5, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
All of our food was delicious!
G
Gourmand
Jackson Hole
74 reviews
5.0
74 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience3
Wonderful meal started with Jennifer sharing menu descriptions. IL Canale salad with chicken was a perfect light dinner. The fruity dressing complimented the apricots, goat cheese, sugared walnuts and chicken with greens. The Scoglio has very generous portions of shrimp, mussels, clams a d more over the pasta with tomato based sauce. Ask for a spoon to enjoy all the sauce. We used a shell for the spoon:) Torta Caprese was a nice almond chocolate cake with vanilla gellotti. The Gls Falangina wine is good choice with the Scoglio. Enjoy a very good meal and if possible request Jennifer's service. Delightful
JH
JonathanH
Washington DC
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
As always, excellent food and outstanding service from Gianni last night. Best Italian restaurant in DC. I would strongly recommend Il Canale to locals and out of town visitors. Molto delicioso! Grazie
D
Diet2eat
New York Area
28 reviews
vip
4.0
28 reviews
Dined on May 2, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience5
Delicious pizza.
Z
Ziggy
Washington DC
14 reviews
vip
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience3
Great authentic Italian food, excellent service, but too crowded (long-wait annoying check in even with reservation) and noisy (people screaming everywhere)
FW
FrankW
Washington DC
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
One of the best pizzas I've ever had anywhere, and fabulous service!
A
Agsjksmw
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious as always! Thanks for allowing reservations.
C
Chris
Washington DC
42 reviews
vip
4.0
42 reviews
Dined on April 29, 2022
overall4food3service5ambience5
Usually the pizza is fabulous, though I caution against the marinara one, which I tried for the first time. It arrived with a huge glob of not very good sauce, added after the crust was baked, whole garlic cloves, and very few of the onions I had ordered. Very unappetizing. I ate less than half. I’ve ordered marinara in Italy, where a little sauce is cooked on the crust, in the oven, The garlic is in thin slivers, and the onion is baked on the small amount of sauce. Il Canale should do that.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Il Canale using the Order Online button. Il Canale also offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Il Canale also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 337-4444.

Il Canale is rated 4.7 stars by 3343 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.