I went to this restaurant twice while I was in the area. It seems to be a popular spot for locals. I had the lobster ravioli and meatballs the first time and it was very good. I was with a friend who had that bruschetta and another pasta dish, which she really enjoyed. I also ordered the Kahlúa cake, which was very rich and very good. The next time I went, I ordered the spaghetti carbonara and was disappointed. It didn't come with a carbonara sauce. It came with a lemon sauce that tasted like lemon. It didn't come with a spoon to twirl the spaghetti so I used my coffee spoon. read more

Café Dodici - Carbonara. - had a lemon sauce, not a true egg-tossed carbonara. - Italian Near Me - Washington, Iowa

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Absolutely one of the best restaurants I have ever been to! food, service and ambiance is just top notch!

The food and atmosphere was awesome. Am never disappointed. The service was spot on and so relaxing. read more

Café Dodici - Looking out from our table. - Italian Near Me - Washington, Iowa

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Such a cute restaurant! The staff were so friendly and gave great recommendations! A must if you're in Washington! The almond croissant is delish! Same with the espresso martini! read more

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This is probably our 25th trip here, over several years. Thus restaurant is consistently fabulous! What a treat! Service, atmosphere , food. Everything is top notch! Take a moment to visit Washington. It will feel like a little trip to Italy. read more

What a local gem! Mouth-watering food and impeccable service. We were seated immediately. We chose the patio. The three course menu comes with choice of soup, salad or fries and a sweet treat dessert. Highly recommend. Can't wait to return. read more

Café Dodici - Italian Near Me - Washington, Iowa

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Food was excellent. Sweetest server who apologized for the over HOUR wait for lunch. The mgmt or owner should have come over to apologize or at the very least cover a meal or our drinks. What a shame....great otherwise. read more

Last two tines the food was awful. I had Duck and though it's usually not it was covered with sauce and when I ate some of it, it was off. I don't know why I didn't send it back. I didn't want to disappoint Lorraine who is the proprietor and a very lovely person. But the time prior to that I went, the food was horrible.Though the place is beautiful and the proprietor is wonderful. The food can be very often at times. read more

Wonderful ambiance ! The food was incredibly well prepared, fresh, and cooked to perfection. Totally recommend Cafe Dodici for a special night out! read more

Very good. Always a good crowd and a lot of cars parked out front. That's pretty much a good sign.

Great good, great atmosphere and great service. If you're looking for a little smack dab in the Midwest go no further! Authentic Italian food! read more

The lobster ravioli was very good but salad was a la carte which to me should be included with meal and pasta should always have garlic bread or warm bread and butter. I will come back as there are 4 more things I would like to try but coming with a u decided attitude read more

Read the reviews, drove 60 miles to celebrate a birthday hoping it would be as good as advertised. Great little place, fantastic service and exceptional food. Well worth the drive and we'll go again. read more

Really delicious hot cocoa and pumpkin scones. Cute gifts and cards. Service was super friendly and nice.

Excellent food, great service, and friendly staff. We celebrated my daughter's 30 Birthday there and had a great time.

Such a pleasant surprise. Ate here randomly looking for a place to eat dinner after an afternoon family excursion to a new area. We were seated quickly. And after a good once over of the menu, we ordered our food and everything from the bread basket to the appetizers and entrées made us very happy campers. I can't recall specifics and details, but they also have interesting art, photos, and pictures on their walls. Try them out, for breakfast, lunch OR dinner (we went for dinner). read more

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Great Italian food. Right on the town square. They even offer lodging. Brunch was excellent. Going back for dinner. read more

Café Dodici - Friendly owner keeps a watchful eye. - Italian Near Me - Washington, Iowa

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Best Italian dining in the state! Cafe Dodici serves incredibly delicious and authentic food. I live an hour and a half away, but I am willing to drive the distance just to enjoy this special place. The entire staff is welcoming and provide you with the best dining experience. Love this place! Two thumbs up! read more

The service and the food was on point, and has been on every occasion I've had the delight dine there.

Cafe Dodici is THE perfect gem of Washington County. I have been living in Washington with my fiancé for 3 years now, and have loved every time we've dined at dodicis. My favorite foods are the vegetarian carbonara and creme brûlée. I have also had a delicious wine flight and bottomless mimosas at a Sunday brunch. Who doesn't love bottomless mimosas?! The service is nothing short of amazing. We've never had a meal where we had received bad service. The hostess, servers, and owner are all beyond kind. They know how to make you feel welcome. The staff is very attentive and knowledgeable about the food and drinks. I often get nervous when bringing my baby into public spaces, especially restaurants, but the staff at Dodicis haS always made me feel comfortable. They offer to move chairs around, get a high chair, and even offered to get us an extra spoon so baby could try the food too! I will continue to be a customer of Dodici's. I can't wait to try more on the menu! read more

I'd like this review to be for the restaurant Cafe Dodici, the coffee shop next door, as well as the Family Suite in the overnight suites above the restaurant and shop. The owner has done a TOP NOTCH job in delivering *premiere* service & product in all three venues. I would not change a *thing* ... honestly! My brother and I recently visited Washington, Iowa where our mother grew up and some of her childhood friends still live. We count ourselves lucky to have stayed in the Family Suite above the restaurant -- palatial, we'll-appointed, and unbeatable location! We had several coffees and lunches at the coffee shop -- everything was superb! And had 2 dinners at the main restaurant over the course of our stay. The food and service there are truly exceptional -- nothing is overlooked, and everything we tried was mouth-wateringly delectable! My brother ordered the tortellini both nights. I had the Chicken Limon one night, and the early-bird pork chop one night, that came with Tuscan Tomato soup and chocolate-almond-torte. Some of the best pork I have EVER had. YUM!!! If you're from Iowa, go to Dodici as often as you can. If you're visiting, secure your Suites reservations early, and visit the restaurant & coffee shop as often as you can during your stay. I have NO DOUBT you'll be impressed! read more

Café Dodici - Some of the best pork I've EVER had -- with gnocchi & mixed veg - Italian Near Me - Washington, Iowa

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There food is good ! but... (just for me) it's too pricey! But.. i do recommend anyone else to check it out!.. i see ppl sitting outside there cafe'... delivery was fast! and the lady was very friendly! read more

Fantastic place for Sunday brunch. Mimosas and Peach Bellinis are great, and the Eggs Benedict are my favorite item! I get them with spinach, goat cheese, and ham. And those breakfast potatoes - they are to die for! Other favorites are the blueberry or chocolate chip pancakes, the strata, and frittata. Frankly, I've enjoyed everything I've eaten here. Dessert is great too - the key lime cheesecake is delicious!! read more

We loved everything here. Delicious food and proper proportions. 6 items ordered. The one downside was the super hard bread for the goat cheese appetizer. I would order it again and just ask for softer bread. Great staff and atmosphere. Highly recommended read more

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Food was amazing! Waiter gave us several recommendations. Wine was great too.. what can I say! lol it's a nice quiet restaurant where you can hear each other talk. read more

We finally made it down for a dinner with friends and per usual, we were thoroughly impressed with the ambiance, service and food. We came with a few friends from IC who had been meaning to try the place and they were as excited as we were by the experience. The appetizer we shared was a goat cheese torta. A lovely mix of goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes with Crostini - it was delicous. A bowl of swiss onion ale soup and a bowl of carrot ginger soup were shared amongst the table and both are worth trying. The swiss onion ale soup was effectively french onion, but with a little gusto. The carrot ginger was spectacular and marked the first time I enjoyed such a dish! For dinner we enjoyed the spinach ravioli with Rossini sauce (meated red and white sauce) and the Chicken Roulades. The ravioli was delicious with a good amount of cheese. The Chicken Roulades may have been one of the best things I've ever tasted. For the lay person (me prior to reading the menu), this is similar to Chicken Courdon Bleu, but multipled by Awesome. If an unpretentious French chicken and an Italian chicken gave birth to a meal, this would be it. Incredibly flavorful and with a very nice gold crust on the outside. Pair all this with a nice bottle of wine served in a super fun decanter and you got yourself an evening! The decor, as previously described, is largely that of Italy, but with a lot of far east flare. The owners dine here often and walk around chatting most weekends. They've really put a lot of though into the place, both with decor and food. The atmosphere is a nice mix of classy casual. People in jeans and tee shirts to those in a formal ware dine here and there's no feeling that one is preferred over the other - everyone just feels at home and enjoys the place! Cafe Dodici is one of a few restaurants in the area that, if given the chance, will blow you away. The experience created by the combination of decor, lighting, service and food is rivaled only by a few restaurants in the greater IC area. Dining here provides a memorable experience will make you simultaneously forget and remember that you're in a small town in Iowa. A great place that anyone looking for a memorable night out or Sunday brunch should try. read more

Great service, fun menu, fabulous tiramisu!!! I came with girlfriends and am back 2 weeks later to bring my husband.

The service was amazing. My only complaint was the temperature and portion size of the food I had received.

Food selections give diners a variety from soups, salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. Wine selection compliments the meal, and desserts are enough to share. Served by professional, first class wait staff, and follow up by owner who is very attentive to a memorable dining experience. Ambiance is a bit loud during peak, busy times, especially middle of the day. Decor is Italian and tastefully done. Dodici's is my "go to" for special occasions. read more

A consistent 5-star dining and outing experience. Great folks, great meals, comfortable ambiance and dialogue. The thanksgiving meal was tremendous and, despite two unfortunate and last minute alterations to our booking/reservation, the folks were exceptional to work with. read more

One of the best meals I have ever had, yep, in little Washington, Iowa! Great customer service led by this 13YO restaurant's amazing leader Lorraine, who is a bundle of energy with phenomenal people skills. Located on Washington's historic square, this place is a wonderful experience. Lorraine and her husband (Alesandro) have a great environment, terrific chef in James, fun art work throughout, but the key is the food is tremendous, perfectly cooked with large portions, sensational taste, and accompanying items. My tortellini dish was the best I've ever had, and I savored it throughout. An incredible dining experience, well worth the ride from the Interstate, Iowa City, or surrounding areas. I hope I get to return because it was just so darn awesome. read more

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Good food, great atmosphere and service. Generous portions and reasonable prices. Bread Basket read more

Absolutely loved the "Cena Presto" menu, i.e., the early bird special! Ten entrees are offered. For the same price as after 6:00 PM you also receive a house salad or soup and the chocolate almond torte! The salad dressings are all house made! The bread is delicious! The gnocchi was delightful! The ribeye was prepared as ordered! It wasn't the best ribeye I have ever had but the complete meal coupled with the ambience and the service deserved my five star rating! We would come back! read more

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Amazing ambiance, food and staff. A very classy restaurant welcoming to all. You won't be disappointed and is worth the drive!

When in Iowa, DO NOT miss this amazing place. Though it is 1 ¼ hours away from home, we NEVER hesitate to make the drive. Cafe Dodici stimulates so many of the senses. The food is incredibly delicious, beautifully presented, and is of the highest quality. The atmosphere envelopes you with it's old world charm, eclectic genres of art, and an understated elegance. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, but not overbearing. My partner and I had one of our first dates at the Cafe and it continues to be one of our favorite spots to enjoy a true dining experience. In this fast food world, it is a lovely respite to enjoy the luxury of attentive, professional servers and exceptional food. An added bonus is the spacious and comfortable Dodici Suite. On very special occassions, we reserve the suite and extend our stay for a night or two. What a treat to step out the door of the suite to grab a cup of coffee and scone from the Dodici Shop the next morning. Why debate who has to be the designated driver if you can just walk up one flight of stairs to such beautiful accommodations??? As a seasoned business traveler and fan of fine dining, Cafe Dodici is one of my very favorites! P.S. May I also suggest the Limoncello Martini? It is marvellous!!!! read more

My only disappointment is that it took me so long to visit Cafe Dodici. The experience was wonderful. Exquisite decor, high end service, and great drinks. These put it over the top, but the substance is the food. The Lobster Ravioli had a subtle spice, and the charcuterie was ample and a delight. My wife and daughter said the chocolate cake was some of the best anywhere. Cafe Dodici s a special dining experience. read more

O H M Y G O D This place? Bomb. An aesthetic. I love it so much. If I had the money, I would come here every day. It's not overpriced, I'm just poor. I also don't live near it, so it would be hard. Onto the actual credible portion of the review. I want to start with the subject that is the most important and determines the true quality of a restaurant: the food. It is, as far as I have experienced, absolutely exquisite. My plate the few times that I have blessed with being here has been delivered to me (by a very sleek looking and mild mannered waiter) as if it were a delicate piece of artwork. My ravioli and bruschetta was laid upon the plate in such a careful and clean fashion, I almost felt guilty eating it. Keyword, almost. As soon as I took a nibble, my plate was empty in seconds. And the spinach and artichoke dip is actually what the name of the dish suggests. There is an ample amount of both veggies, and said appetizer comes with the most beautiful, crunchy, crisp bread. The true gem here however is the dessert section. The tiramisu is literally the best tiramisu I've ever tasted. 10/10. So good. I cried the first time I tasted it. Please come here, you won't regret it. read more

I've heard good things about Cafe Dodoci over the years but never could justify the 45 minute drive to Washington just to go out to eat. I finally found myself in town for a training and went here for lunch and it was incredible. I would definitely make the drive just to come here again. I got the dodici bowl and the mix of flavors and colors was amazing. The restaurant decor is beautiful and filled with eclectic artwork. I will definitely be back! read more

Great atmosphere, great food, and great staff!! We don't get down to Washington as often as we should from Iowa City. I highly recommend this place!!! read more

Café Dodici - Goat cheese torte! Delish! - Italian Near Me - Washington, Iowa

This place is not only super cute and quaint, but the food was sooo good. I got the eggs benedict and it was really yummy. The potatos they serve with brunch items were some of the best potatoes I've ever had. And we got tiramisu (it was more like a tiramisu pudding but still delicious) We went for brunch with some friends we haven't seen in a while and they didn't mind us sitting and talking for a couple hours (they weren't that busy or we wouldn't have stayed so long) The only thing I will say that could be a negative is that the serving sizes weren't super big. (At least the items we got) and I think they pour light on the liquor. My friend got a Bloody Mary and honestly couldn't tell if it had vodka in it. They are good for the average person's appetite but if you've got a dad or brother (or anyone, lol) that has a big appetite this might not be the place for them! Or just order a bit extra ;) read more