I am remiss that I never created a review for Aldo's Italian Kitchen, because this is one of my favorite hidden gems in the DMV area. Locked away in a comforting space within an office building, it always feels like I stepped into a mom and pop style restaurant. The hosts, servers, chefs, and owner are just incredible- super friendly, knowledgeable, and they really treat you like family here. Now the food. The food is so delicious here. Some of my s/o and my favorite dishes are the cheese pizza (you seriously cannot beat the price), and gnocchi, which is covered in a creamy tomato sauce with chunks of onion and warm tomatoes, and the chicken pesto pasta. Honestly, I've never had a bad meal here. Everything is portioned perfectly, and I swear you never leave hungry here. They also went viral for their chicken caesar wrap too, and I can attest that it's yummy! I'd ask for extra sauce on the side if possible though, but that's because I'm a caesar lover! I'd highly recommend everyone checking out Aldo's. The owner is the sweetest, most caring man and he really is so appreciative of all the customers. If you have a craving for some italian food, go here! And also, don't leave without trying their tiramisu or walk out with their rainbow cookies! read more

Aldo's Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

See all

Located outside the Old Town area in an office park setting, this shop is serving Fantastic homemade Italian fare to a good mix of locals and visitors to the area. The Lasagna is made-to-order and is served with generous portions of house marinara sauce and cheese. Pepperoni pizza has a great ingredients from the crust to sauce to the pep. So many great items on the menu to try on my next visit. Service team is excellent and friendly. The ambiance is very office park Italian but it works. Outdoor seating on a nice day will let you enjoy great food with your dog. read more

See all

Delicious! Had the bolognese and it tastes like I'm sitting in someone's Italian grandmother's kitchen. So fresh and flavorful. Such a nice treat on a cold rainy day after a long flight. read more

We visited on a Wednesday at lunch and the place was pretty crowded, but there was still plenty of parking in the area. We sat at the tables in the back room and were brought waters right away. We had a pretty big group and took up a few tables. I ordered the manicotti di casa. It was absolutely delicious. Everyone in our group said they loved their meals as well, no complaints and no incorrect orders. It took about 10-15 minutes or so for the meals to come out, so it was great for a lunch break. We will visit again. read more

See all

Hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant tucked into the back of a large office park with huge portions of delicious food Complimentary garlic bread to start & brownies for dessert Lots of options Plenty of seating inside and a few outdoor tables as well Server was pretty unfriendly, but the food came fast. Also, the guy who owns it (Aldo?) was very friendly. He was walking around asking people how meals were and thanking them for coming. The setting is not too impressive, but don't let that deter you because the food is read more

Aldo's Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

We can pretty much count on a good dining experience at Aldo's. It's true that once we came in for dinner and were seated but the staff was so swamped we knew it would take too long to be served, so we left. Yet, that was two years ago. However, this week we had over-the-top excellent service. We didn't see the owner this time, but the other times we've been here, the owner is cordial and very engaging with his customers. On our most recent visit we ordered a build-your-own pizza and the tutto di mare. JP noted that the price for the tutto di mare had increased but so had the size of the portion served. This linguini seafood dish was deemed superb by JP. The pizza was pretty good. For toppings, I ordered pepperoni, Italian sausage and mushrooms with mozzarella cheese and a tomato sauce. Though to be honest, I didn't really like the floppy Neopolitan crust nor the flavor of the Italian sausage. We also ordered the garlic bread as a side, even though that was redundant to the complimentary garlic bread they serve. That's okay because their garlic bread is fabulous and I can eat it all day. We didn't go for dessert but were still served triangles of a moist, delicious and rich chocolate chip brownie. Parking close by Aldo's is limited. There are a few reserved slots for Aldo's, but most of the other close-by parking spots are reserved for other businesses, even though they are not being used at dinner time. read more

See all

The homemade pasta was amazing and totally worth the visit! Generous portions and extremely attentive service from a team of servers and bussers. Lively atmosphere and full restaurant even at 8 on Saturday night! Would make an effort to return the next time I'm in Alexandria. read more

I am not sure why this place has such good reviews - really makes me question if we're eating the same thing! The pizza is straight up not good. The pasta is ehhhh. However it's walking distance from my house and I love Aldo. read more

If I could give more than 5 stars I would! This was the absolute BEST pizza I have ever eaten! It was cooked PERFECTLY! They were super friendly and very fast! Inside and outside seating that were both very comfortable. I ate outside because the weather was great. I ordered pizza with arugula, jalapeños, anchovies, and calamari! I swear! IT WAS AMAZING! read more

Chat Gpt told me to go there and I'm so glad I did! Food was phenomenal, atmosphere was great, and the staff were very friendly. I live in Kansas, but if I'm ever back in the DC area I will definitely go back. read more

Aldo's Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Came here around 7pm, didn't wait too long for a table even though it was a full restaurant. Pretty unique that they turned an old office building into a restaurant, gave it a unique experience that you don't get very often. All the staff were very friendly. We ordered the chicken parm, shrimp scampi, rigatoni bolognese with gluten free pasta, and spinach ravioli with a side Caesar salad. The salad was great, came out in a pretty big size that we could've shared with all four of us. The Chicken parm was really good, sauce has great flavor and was good, and the chicken was a big piece too. The Spinach ravioli; spinach had a really good flavor, cream was delicious and velvety. The Rigatoni bolognese with gluten free pasta; sauce was very flavorful, meat was cooked perfectly, and the pasta was cooked perfectly as well. The Shrimp scampi wasn't very spicy, but had great flavor, and the shrimp and pasta were cooked perfectly as well. We also got the cheesecake as a dessert and it was delicious as well. The garlic bread however, was the main dish for that meal! It was absolutely delicious, it had a great balance of flavors with the garlic and oil and cheese. It had this perfect crunch, and was probably the best garlic bread we've ever eaten! Definitely wish we could come back here on another trip since coming to DC is a spring break trip. We'll be keeping this place on our list when we come back! read more

See all

A hidden gem; best pasta I've had in years. The pizza looked good, as well. The arancini app was good, the chicken pesto penne pasta was outstanding, and the alfredo linguine was simple and delicious. Service was attentive and we'll be back! read more

Normally good food; however, it feels like it's slipping a bit. They're in a slightly out-of-the-way place, which isn't a problem, and offer free parking. There are tables in and outside, but sometimes outdoor seating makes it hard to see the customers. Service is generally good, and the setting (in and out) is very casual. The last two times the pasta seemed slightly overcooked (definitely not al dente), and flavors were a little bland. On this last trip I had the aglio y olio, which was ok, but was bland and had too much olive oil. read more

See all

Aldo's Italian kitchen is located in an office park. As soon as you walk up you can smell all of the delicious ingredients coming from the inside of the restaurant. The restaurant has a lunch and dinner menu. I originally planned on trying out the chicken parmigiana sandwich. Since i arrived after the lunch menu stopped I decided to dine in and try the chicken parmigiana dinner I was served a piece of garlic bread. The bread was crispy and I wish there was some olive oil to dip the bread in. The chicken parmigiana came out pretty quickly. I wish the chicken was seasoned a little more but the texture was crispy. The sauce was good. I believe they have daily specials. I overheard a server tell another table. I would definitely come back and try some of the sandwiches. read more

See all

Nothing too special, casual dining spot with quick service Italian food. I ordered the Godfather, a salami, pepperoni and ham sandwich...bread was soft, but toppings and filling left a little to be desired. Very simple, straightforward Italian shop. read more

Aldo's Italian Kitchen - The Godfather sandwich - Italian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

See all

I went to this restaurant expecting a nice meal. I read the reviews on YELP. When I arrived the manager was all smiles on both visits & I mentioned that he was mentioned in a few reviews. I did that both times! I got a smile and it was transactional. My first visit was "Chef's Special" - dry and not very good....too much going on! I refuse to write a review after only one visit. I returned. The second time - I sat down and asked what was great? I had been before and the "Chef's Special" had so many ingredients that it was too much! So this time I ordered the Garlic Bread & the Clams Alla Vongole - traditionally done with light Italian bread crumbs and specs of hot, dried pepper - I also ordered wine. When I was a waiter the guest who ordered wine was more discerning than the average customer. Just is! My bread showed up ice cold - it was a brick! My wine was ok - but no bargain at $9.00 per glass. Then the Clams showed up - at $25 - again NO BARGAIN, but fair! Flavor: Salty, overcooked clams on watery "wine sauce" - I ate a third. Asked for my check and received a small brownie chunk with my receipt. $24 for Clams on Pasta is NO DEAL! Cold bread that is not edible. NO DEAL. The waiter asked if I wanted dessert - but I could see the majority of desserts were store bought in a refrigerator next to the front door! I can go to Costco for that! I wanted to like this place. Both times were mediocre. NEVER AGAIN! read more

So delicious. I usually get one of the chicken or fish dishes and they never miss. Service is great too.

Oh my goodness, why can't I have a place like this closer to us? From the second we walked in, it was clear this was a legit Italian restaurant. Someone who looked like he was the owner greeted us warmly and quickly flagged a host to seat us. All around the place are pictures of staff and guests, and a picture of the original Aldo hung above our table. Service was attentive and friendly. They brought fresh, buttery garlic bread along with water, and added a sample of sweet treats after the meal to entice you even more. I got the Parma pizza, which was probably the best combo of flavors I've ever had in a pizza. My friend's sausage and mushroom pizza was also delicious, as was the spinach salad we shared. I hope I have another occasion to be in that part of Alexandria again. I seriously considered waiting til they opened on the day I left my nearby hotel so that I could take a few pizzas to my family in North Carolina! read more

Very cute spot with a family friendly feel. Totally seems family owned so no issues with consistence or service. The food is great. Dig into a little desert if you have room. I'll be back ! read more

Everything we've had from Aldo's is amazing. If you dine in, expect a visit from the owner making sure you're enjoying your meal. He was really kind & friendly, as well as the entire staff. They also have family meals that you can take to go, which helped out so much when we had family visiting from out of town. I was so hungry, and everything looked so good that I forgot to take pictures! I'll definitely be back though, so I'll get them next time. read more

This place looks and feels so cozy run by the owner itself and very welcoming and tried to have rapport with customers. We got pepperoni pizza, lasagna, and garlic bread which was so good! I am all stuffed so I made sure to take out one more garlic bread. This place has so much good stuff in the menu and we are planning to go back and try it. read more

See all

The food is great! the staff is friendly! The owner really cares about customers and customer service. This place is a hidden gem!

Excellent food and service! Generous portions! 1 of us took advantage of restaurant week offer. Delicious! read more

Aldo's Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

See all

TLDR: Deserved more of a 3.5 star rating, but slightly rounding down for overall experience. As other reviewers have noted, definitely use your GPS navigating your way to Aldo's Italian Kitchen, because this place is located in a nondescript office park, within walking distance of a Springhill Suites hotel. As my party of three were making our way through the labyrinth like parking lot, we kept saying aloud, "hmm...are we driving in the correct direction?" Trust the GPS, and turn right when you see the hotel, travel straight for another 2-3 minutes, and you'll see Aldo's up some steps on the right. TIP: There is plenty of covered parking across from Aldo's entrance, but according the restaurant staff, if you park where signs indicate you should not, your car will get towed. The most apropos description of Aldo's decor (both interior and exterior) is "quaint." On more temperate evenings, there is a nice patio for al fresco dining (although the only view is of a parking lot). Walking in, there is a total neighborhood favorite vibe of old fashioned Italian joint, with wooden low tables and chairs, and green tablecloths. And that "neighborhood favorite" vibe is well earned, since even on a Tuesday at 5:45pm, the place was packed. I could tell there were lots of long time customers who knew the servers by name, and even we were roundly serenaded with smiles and "hellos" upon walking in. The other very noticeable thing as you walk in, are the dominant aromas of garlic, butter, and olive oil. The proprietors of Aldo's understand the power of olfactory stimulation, since my appetite was super charged as soon as I sat down. The menu is a greatest hits of Italian fare such as typical appetizers of bruschetta and fried calamari. There are a selection of "gourmet individual" sized pizzas, and other well known dishes such as lasagna, chicken parm, and linguine with clams, to round out the menu. The meal starts off with a round of complimentary garlic bread...which was delicious! Large pieces of Italian bread are given a generous shmear of butter, minced garlic + garlic powder, and then toasted to the point where there is a slight char. Eat piece has a satisfying crunch. Keep in mind, only the first round is free...then after that you need to order the appetizer size. For our entrees, we stuck with the traditional choices of lasagna, Frutti di Mare al Bianco Vino, and the Chicken Marsala. My friend has an allergy to mollusks, so our friendly server gladly substituted those for a few extra shrimps. I tried some of her dish, and we both agreed that the kitchen had the proper cook on the proteins, especially the salmon since it wasn't dry but flavorful and moist. The lasagna was a little less successful. The sauce was overly sweet, and the meat needed some additional seasoning. The mozzarella could've also used a few more minutes in the oven, since portions of it were not melted all the way. My chicken marsala was also "okay." When it comes to pasta dishes, one of the cardinal sins is to NOT drain the noodles properly, since you never want the pasta water to dilute the sauce or make the noodles soggy. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened with my dish. There was a noticeable pool of pasta water which just detracted from the otherwise tasty marsala wine sauce. The chicken was cooked well, but it was under seasoned. Honestly, all of our dishes required a few shakes from the table salt... So IMHO, Aldo's is a quaint neighborhood Italian spot, but I'm not sure I agree with the current 4.5 star rating. One star for the friendly service; One star for the portion sizes (everyone had leftovers for the next day's lunch), and one star for the value. Dinner for three adults - only entrees and a shared bottle of wine - with tax and tip came out to roughly $130. Not too bad in today's inflationary economy. read more

See all

We had an excellent experience Saturday at 4:30 PM. The all meat pizza was fresh and really enjoyed the thin lightly toasted crust. The penne w pasta and grilled chicken was so delicious I ate every piece (no take home from this dish). A bottle of Merlot for $22 tremendous value. And finally the owner and his team friendly and attentive. read more

You can almost always tell you're going to get great food at an Italian restaurant when you can smell the food from outside! Ambiance - Very cute. Very Italian. I loved the traditional red and white tablecloths. They had both indoor and outdoor seating. Unassuming, but delivered on the food! Food - I was pleasantly surprised. They gave us complimentary garlic bread and small complimentary brownies at the end of our meal. The gnocchi was fantastic, and the calamari was good too. Service - It started very slow after I told the server I needed a couple of minutes to decide what I wanted to drink. After our order was taken though, service was quick and attentive. Overall, I would go back. I'd get the gnocchi again. That sauce is amazing! Rustic and simple. read more

See all

Great hidden gem of a restaurant! Excellent food and prices. Staff is happy and the owner is wonderful! read more

Aldo's Italian Kitchen - Me and the owner! - Italian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Went for dinner and it filled up fast. Good selection, service was good and the food was excellent. I recommend the bruschetta and the gnocchi. read more

This food is sooooo good wtf! Italian food is my absolute favorite. I ordered the lasagna and I'm happy that I did! I haven't tasted a lasagna so flavorful in years. They nailed it to perfection! I love sit so much that I came back for it the next day. Unfortunately the restaurant didn't open that day until 4pm and I had to return home so I couldn't get it. I was a little disappointed at the weird opening hours, but I'm guessing it fits the need of the business. I'll be back at the end of the month for a work trip, so I will be back read more

What a great find! Not on the beaten path. It's actually in a business park off Eisenhower Ave. but worth the visit. High quality food at a reasonable price. The wine bottles are not overpriced making them a great deal. My wife had the Linguine with Clans in a white wine sauce. The clams and pasta were excellent! I had the Chicken Alla Aldo which is my new favorite. Chicken breast with prosciutto and cheese on top in a white wine sauce. I highly recommend this great restaurant. read more

Aldo's Italian Kitchen - Aldo's Italian Kitchen. My new favorite Italian in the area. - Italian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

The staff and ambiance make this place. A cute little hole in the wall place in a business park. Food was average, not bad, authentic, just not a stand out. Desserts were all good, nice wine list, and affordable. But the staff are all supper nice and friendly. Not in a hurry, this is a good place for you. It was packed with families and groups, everyone was having a fun time. read more

I came across Aldo's from a TikTok going viral of their Chicken Caesar wrap. When I saw the wrap was made out of pizza dough I had to try it. The restaurant has a large menu and a variety of desserts. The cashier was very friendly and my order came out fast. The kitchen is open so you can see everything being freshly made. The wrap was tasty but a bit messy. It met my expectations and I would recommend trying it. I plan to return and try more menu items. read more

See all

Food was Fantastic. Although even better than that was how nice and friendly the place was. Feels like a family dine. Was a family dine. The owner/manager made me feel like i was at home. Was taken care of more than i've been before. There was a mistake when ordering and the manager fixed and blessed us without hesitation. This is one of those businesses that deserve recognition and a 30 minute wait! One of my very rare 5 stars. read more

LOVE! Got takeout tonight, and the food was amazingly good! Loved the garlic bread and the homemade lasagna. Priced very fair. The greeting we got when we walked in was the exact Italian vibe I always want! The owner is a gem! Wish we would've come here sooner! Will be back soon to dine in-person! read more

Fantastic service, reasonably priced food, and the food is amazing. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough.

Huge portions of amazing and genuine italian pasta. Two could easily share a dish. FYI all pasta comes with garlic bread. It is so good. Mama Mia! read more

Aldo's Italian Kitchen has all the promise of being a hidden gem. It's tucked away on the bottom of a commercial building in a campus that lacks other food options. The owner is very kind and the tables have red-checkered table clothes. They have lunch deals and good review on Yelp. After visiting with a group of friends on a Friday evening around 7 p.m., we left a little disappointed for two reasons: 1) Service was really bad. We waited a long time for our order to be taken, our drinks were forgotten, and it took forever to get our bill. That said, our server was very nice, but the place wasn't full so we were confused why we were ignored. It took away from the experience. 2) Some of the dishes were overdone with garlic- the complimentary bread sticks and the portabella mushroom pasta. I personally love garlic and enjoyed it, but everyone else at my table didn't love it. Outside of that, the atmosphere is fittingly no-frills and most of the food is great with large portions. The eggplant parmigiana and the chicken parmigiana both come with pasta and the entire dish is tasty. The Caesar salad is legit. And the $7 meatball and pasta dish for kids went over well with my five-year-old. They also have a great wine and dessert list. Everyone in my group wanted to rate this spot a three star, but since I love garlic, I'll give it a four star with the hope service is better when we return. read more

See all

Pizza was very good the service was very friendly. Got it to go and it was ready right onntime.

Wonderful Italian food with a fantastic and ward staff. The food is comfort food and it doesn't disappoint. Why the office park location may seem a little generic the interior is very warm and inviting. read more

Stayed in hotel near the restaurant. We usually dine in when we are in the area. This time we were hungry but tired so we placed a takeout order. We got chicken parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana and a Caesar salad. All were very delicious. The restaurant always serves delicious food. Highly recommend! read more