This place is old school. I lived in DC over 20 years ago and this place was still here. I made no money at that time. So I never made it to this spot. Flash forward to today. My partner and I were in the neighborhood and I was like, let's go here. It was a place that always seemed so fancy when I was barely making enough for rent. The restaurant is not flashy. It's quirky inside with antiques, statues and decorations scattered throughout. We ended up getting a seat on the patio since it was such a gorgeous night. The host was nice about my indecisiveness, and sat us at a table that was technically for 4, but it wasn't a busy night. The wine list wasn't the greatest. But the food was very tasty. The complimentary bread was just so so, a little dry. But the entrees were really good. We got the Caesar salad, risotto with shrimp and the bolognese sauce over rigatoni. Portions were fairly small for the price point. But we joked, it was good for portion control. I'm glad we finally made it to this spot. It is a very nice, neighborhood spot. read more

We had reservations for 10 people and they had this great little nook upstairs that fit us all very nicely. Service was excellent. Now onto the food. I had the Cacio e pepe which was one of the very best I have ever had (Italy included) . Sampling some of the other dishes like the lamb and pasta as well the seafood pasta. All incredible. They have amazing homemade ice cream as well as an excellent tiramisu. The owner came in at one point to check on us which was very much appreciated. Just a great night !! read more

I had such a cozy lunch at La Tomate. The space gets so much natural light, and the atmosphere feels warm and relaxed right away. The staff was incredibly welcoming, and our server was attentive without being overbearing. We weren't in the mood for anything too heavy, so we ordered two flatbreads - the prosciutto and the grilled chicken - and they honestly exceeded expectations. They're served on a thin lavash-style base, which made them feel light but still really satisfying. Everything tasted fresh and well-balanced. They start you off with soft bread and olive oil, which was such a nice touch. We were way too full for dessert, but definitely saving that for next time. Also, no exaggeration - one of the best espresso martinis I've had. I tried a limoncello spritz for the first time too, and I don't even like Aperol spritz, but this was completely different - light, refreshing, and really enjoyable. Honestly, it felt like such a hidden gem. I was surprised it wasn't more crowded - maybe because it was a Thursday - but it definitely deserves more attention. Definitely a spot I'd come back to. read more

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Great location within Dupont Square. Average service, lovely presentation of the daily special that day: Pasta and Mussels, however average taste for the price. read more

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The calamari, salmon & tiramisu were beyond tasty. You will savor the freshness in every bite. The portion size is very generous and appreciated, too. The food is well worth the price. The bread is also good with balsamic, cheese & vinegar. Service feels more like you are talking to family, and enjoy the music that takes you to the food destination, too. read more

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Welcome to French bistro meets Italian kitchen. French name, Italian heart, and a very European soul. In 20 years I've noticed La Tomate - The Tomato - there on the end like the flat iron building but it's location and shape had a deflection feel - oh gosh I bet that place is crowded. Visiting this evening I was pleasantly surprised. The first thing you'll notice is that it's a long, narrow shape. Not a lot of seating. Odd shapes and corners, yet what they have done with that space gives it a very authentic vibe like few other restaurants can capture. Restrooms are down the stairs. Looking around as we were seated.. I noticed a certain feel of the place. Reminded me of Pairs, of Florence, of 1970s New York City but all tied together. Nice chairs, artwork, the floor design! all over, a cabinet of colorful glass despite its size, and the floral plates that are not just plain white.. It felt like a lot of care had been put into the place over a long time. Second, delightedly, I noticed there is no hidden or mandatory fees on the menu. THANK YOU. It has always felt exploitive and I'm glad to see this place doesn't do that, but also the prices are very reasonable. We shared the soup of the day - beef minestrone, and the branzino. This came with some potatoes, and a little roll cut up for us. A table for two people was a little too small to debone the Bronzino. As soon as our lovely server asked if we wanted this, we said please just do it in the kitchen. They did a good job, only a few bones left. Because it's small there were always people moving around, but what we also noticed was the attentiveness of everyone. Almost like sentries checking and rechecking that all is well. I loved it. It's classy, attentive dining for reasonable prices, that has the confidence in itself to not so overtly pass on a DC tax that so many disagree with. I loved the interior, our service was excellent, the food great. Despite the bitter cold outside there was warmth in La Tomate read more

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Had a delicious dinner at La Tomate. For the first course, I had a beet dish, but don't say "beets" it sounds too pedestrian. It was thinly sliced beets with a cheese "mousse" and strawberry preserve. Every piece worked and worked really well together. My description doesn't do it justice. I had the risotto special with asparagus and shrimp. If it's on the menu, order it. The service was pleasant, white wine good. If I lived in DC, I'd be there often. I only post reviews when it's very good, or I want to warn against something; I don't post in the middle. This was great. read more

La Tomate - Beets! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Really enjoyed our dinner at La Tomate! We were looking for a place to eat dinner after visiting the Dupont Circle Christmas Markets and stumbled upon La Tomate and were so happy we did. They were able to seat our family of six quickly and the staff was very friendly our entire meal. The atmosphere was very cozy. We got lots of appetizers and main courses, my favorites being the squid, the octopus, and the calabrese. All of my family was sure their own dish was the best. So grateful to have found this wonderful restaurant! read more

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Came with friends for the 6-course brunch and had a nice time! My group loved that you could get a sample of many things and we enjoyed everything we ate. I left satisfied but not stuffed or full so if you do the 6-course brunch I would recommend adding a couple appetizers or entree to share as each course is quite small - just a few bites. It's plenty if youre not super hungry or looking for a smaller meal but if you have a big appetite order more. The standout courses for me were the pasta and fritatta and I really enjoyed the chicken. The cheesecake is gluten free which is very mindful and it's very good! I was also delighted by my cappuccino. We also ordered a bottle of sparkling wine for the table with cranberry juice Our service was really fast and we were seated and served immediately. The place was empty around noon on a Saturday but quickly filled up by 2:30pm when we were leaving. Overall nice cute little spot in Dupont. Very affordable meal and we enjoyed everything. A $35 brunch is a great deal and only $19 for the bottle of champagne which you can't beat! read more

This was such a cozy restaurant near DuPont circle. We were able to pop in without a reservation and seated near the big glass windows. It was great to people watch and the servers were very helpful. Our pasta was delicious and they even provided cracked pepper and cheese. The toast on the side was also a nice touch. This is a great spot for a quick bite that still feels decadent. The portions look small but I was full about halfway through. The pasta is rich in sauce and meat. read more

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Had the most amazing dinner at La Tomatet! Natalie greeted us at the door as always with her effervescent smile and welcoming to her restaurant! We were seated immediately and had fantastic martinis! Izzy was immediately at our table and brought us bread and our drinks! We ordered Branzino which was the most amazing and white succulent fish that I've ever had! I've had it multiple times in Washington DC and this is the best Brandino that I've ever had and Roger fileted the branzino amazingly which was light and airy an amazingly delicious! Thank you Natalie and La Tomate for a wonderful evening!! read more

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Great food and fun building. They were short-staffed but server was very nice. I'll be back here surely.

We stopped in and had a very good meal. I had the steak wrapped in prosciutto served with vegetables. My girlfriend had the pulpo. Our meals were really good. They were very tasty and expertly served. The server was really attentive and helpful with the menu. read more

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I love their outdoor seating on their own little V island. I've had a few quality dinners here with friends after Phillips After 5, and it's usually spontaneous. My pork ragu hit the spot - not too heavy. The carbonara was loaded with quality cheese, and the seafood risotto added a lovely third element. I'm so glad they have a Hugo Spritz, too! It was a little hard to catch the attention of the server when we wanted to ask for olive oil (since they didn't bring anything for the bread) but that's a very small note. read more

La Tomate - Carbonara, risotto, pork ragu - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went around lunch time in the afternoon. Nice location and nice man who seated me and recommended a linguine pasta with salmon that tasted pretty good. read more

La Tomate - Lunch special pasta with salmon - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Had a great lunch of house made ravioli and a fish over lentils. Finishing with a pistachio gelato seemed about perfect.

This is the 3rd time I've eaten at La Tomate and it is so good! I had some family in town visiting so we stopped in on a Friday night and was able to get a table for 5 with about a 20 minute wait. We were all pleased with the dishes we ordered, and I especially loved the pollo alla cacciatora. read more

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Ehhhhhh I wanted to like this place so bad. The restaurant itself is very cute and quaint. The wait staff could have been more attentive, but everyone was very kind. I ordered the squid ink pasta, which was a little too salty, and my cousin ordered the cacio e pepe, which I wish I could've gotten! All in all, it was a fine experience, but I don't think I will be back. read more

La Tomate - Cacio e Pepe - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was treated to a delicious birthday lunch at La Tomate and it was wonderful. The service was great, and my request for a change in the salad dressing was done effortlessly. I had the fettuccini Bolognese and it brought me back to trips to Italy. I even got tiramisu with a candle at the end of the meal. Definitely a great place for lunch, dinner or a special occasion. read more

Great service and food was delicious. The menu is hard to understand and I will there were more sides with a lunch menu. Not sure if I would come back. Al's hard to fit a larger party. Very small space read more

Presentable items but not very memorable taste. The wellington was barely warm when it was served. Tastes fine, potatoes were cooked well, but would have preferred a hot meal on a cold rainy day. My friend ordered medium rare and got it basically raw. Affogato was great. Cute place for a date night and located in Connecticut Ave by Dupont Circle. Big glass windows and additional tented seating outside. Nice ambiance, no-fuss service. Just wish the food was better. read more

La Tomate - Affogato - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Location was great for a drop in while walking downtown. I had a Hugo spritz and espresso. Both were fresh and tasty. Service was attentive but we were the only ones in the restaurant at this time :) read more

La Tomate - Outside tiles - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A long time staple in Dupont Circle. I have been here a few times in the past and it is still good today. We did the 7 course brunch. Everything was fresh and well-presented. Food was fresh and good. Service was quick but the restaurant was not busy at all. The only complaint is the downstairs area on the way to the bathroom. Bad smells from downstairs. This really impacts the ambiance. read more

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A perfect evening at La Tomate! My fiancé and I had the most wonderful early dinner at our favorite Italian spot in DuPont Circle--La Tomate. From start to finish, everything was exceptional. We sat patio-side, enjoying the most amazing weather--DC truly showed off! Our server, Zach, was friendly, attentive, and made our evening even more enjoyable. We started with classic Caesar salads, crisp and perfectly dressed. For our mains, we shared the Branzino, which was light and flavorful, and the Pasta Al Nero, rich, decadent, and beautifully plated. Every bite was a dream. Between the ambiance, the service, and the incredible food, La Tomate never misses. We'll definitely be back for another memorable day! read more

La Tomate - Outside patio - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I visited DC for a day and searched for a place for dinner near my hotel with good ratings. I also wanted somewhere with a nice view so I chose this place because they had a beautiful Christmas tree decorated outside and the restaurant seemed nice. The lady at the front scared me a little bit. Almost like unwelcoming kind of vibe. I wanted to sit on the side where I could see the Christmas tree, but she told me to sit on the other side. So the dining experience wasn't as great as I wanted it to be and for the pasta that I ate I don't think it was worth the money at all. It was good but for an "upscale" restaurant I think it was a bit overpriced. As soon as I saw the menu, I regretted walking in because on the surface it didn't seem like a super fancy restaurant and I thought maybe the food would be worth the money but it wasn't. Overall, I don't think I would return to this restaurant again, unless I was really craving Italian food and was celebrating something because everything on the menu was pretty pricey. read more

La Tomate - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We're visiting DC for the week and staying around the corner. So many great dining options and I'm not surprised this restaurant has been a neighborhood establishment for so many years! What a fantastic meal! Perfect outdoor atmosphere, service was great and our meal was truly terrific. Started with their house bread and Caesar salad. Fresh, flavorful and made with quality ingredients. Hubby loved his cavatelli, ricotta & broccoli pasta while I obsessed over my rigatoni bolognese. This dish is the reason I wanted to dine here and it did not disappoint. Don't sleep on this one! read more

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Izzy took the best care of us. I would recommend you always ask for the specials because they are phenomenal!!

I moved near this restaurant shortly after college. I would always walk by and peer inside and notice that it seemed as if the diners were having a great time. A number of years later I decided to take the person that I was dating to this restaurant to impress her... I remember having the squid ink pasta. I returned over the weekend with that same female, who I married almost 28 years ago, along with our 20 year old daughter. The maître d' was incredibly friendly. He was also dressed impeccably, donning a yellow linen jacket that screamed confidence. Our waiter came over and took our drink orders and the appetizers that we requested. We were only doing appetizers and drinks. We ordered the arancini, a cheese plate, and the mozzarella salad. I ordered a glass of the house Cabernet. The food was great and the service even better. We opted for dessert. The chocolate salame' and some ice cream dish that allows you to pour hot espresso over it. I personally ordered a cup of espresso with Sambuca on the side. Everything was so delicious... We did not order dinner, as we had a long drive but we ended up sitting there for the better part of an hour enjoying the appetizers and dessert... And the view of all of the DC residents that strolled by. On the way out I spoke with Natalina, who has run the restaurant for more than three decades. We talked about how the restaurant had been a big part of the start of our relationship and how much it meant to us. She was incredibly warm and shared stories about when her husband was there running it with her. I am glad that Covid did not steal this gem from us. I am glad that we got to take our daughter there and I am thrilled that the food and service are still better than ever. Three apps, two wines, two desserts and two espressos and one Sambuca - 140 including tip. Well worth the trip. I advise u to try this one! read more

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The owner Mrs. Koropoulos was extremely rude. The food was good but her attitude put a bad taste on our evening.

This place is amazing and worth every penny! I had the carpaccio salmon, Caesar salad and chocolate salame- stunning presentation!! And so delicious! All of the flavors went perfectly together and I would absolutely come back again. We had amazing meal! read more

La Tomate - Chocolate Salame di Cioccolato - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The only reason this restaurant doesn't get 5 stars is because their menu is really limited. However, their willingness to "make" anything for you is unmatched. Our waiter/bartender was the nicest guy. He really took care of us and made us, and others really feel welcomed. My son had the yummiest linguine bolognese, I tried it and can vouch for it. We had an espresso martini and desert. It was a very nice experience. read more

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After a long, luxurious spa day at the Spa, I decided to grab a quick bite. I had never even noticed La Tomate on the corner of R and Connecticut but I walked in to realize that it probably fancies itself fine dining - and I was definitely not dressed for fine dining. Nevertheless, I persevered. Lol. I was seated by a host with a discerning eye (one that weighed me and judged me wanting -in sweat pants and a sweater- IMMEDIATELY) in a cozy window seat overlooking the empty enclosed rear patio, that I'm sure kept them in business during the pandemic. The dining room is small and cozy, but not Country cozy, more like the dining car in first class on a luxury train cozy. Ok, perhaps not quite so luxurious as there were, disappointingly, no linens, but it was nice. The vibe was instantly Italian, and the menu with handmade pasta made it abundantly clear. I read the signs and when in Italy, I order the Cacio e Pepe. With a Caesar salad. The Caesar dressing was phenomenal as was the salad itself: crisp romaine, REAL Parmesan and phenomenal croutons. The Cacio e Pepe was so comforting. The best comfort food ever. The sauce, the fresh pasta, it was delectable. The only thing it needed was a bit more pepper, which I happily added. This is a date night spot and I'm so pleased to have found it! read more

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My favorite Italian restaurant. Consistently wonderful food and service. Great ambiance (especially the patio).

Our party enjoyed our dining experience here! We all enjoyed our meals. I do wish that the dinner portions were a bit bigger and that they had a more extensive cocktail menu, but I was really happy with the taste of the cacio e pepe. Our servers were pleasant and the ambiance was great! read more

La Tomate - Cacio e Pepe - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Fantastic place and service by the staff. Ordered the calmaro di umno and it very delicious with tender calamari pieces in rich tomato sauce. Next we also ordered cream balls but those weren't the best Finally we went ahead with the staffs recommendation - Calabrese with spaghetti pasta and again, the sauce was really tasty and rich in taste. Perfectly balanced in spice and cooked well Must try - although may not be easy on pocket read more

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I've walked La Tomate a hundred times, so when a friend suggested it for a pre-theater dinner, I thought, "why not? I had a wonderful cocktail made with blood orange, whose name I unfortunately don't remember now. My friend similarly enjoyed his drink. And then we got entrees, and, oh my!!! Just delicious! I got the beef Bolognese style ragout with their home-made caserecce pasta. It was so delicious - my mouth is watering just thinking about it. My friend had the ravioli with chard, ricotta, and sage and told me it was just as amazing as mine. I'm always iffy about paying a lot of money for Italian food because I feel like it's good you can cook at home, but man, this was worth every penny! I look forward to returning. read more

La Tomate - Rosso relativo - orange vodka, blood orange, and prosecco - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Excellent food, accommodating service, very pleasant atmosphere! Glad we tried La Tomate! We started with a reservation for 10. I know. But then we ended up with 12 going. The staff worked it out, added a couple more chairs to the family table overlooking the restaurant and we squeezed in. Then another person showed up. So it was tight, but the staff was very nice about it. The food? I ate way too much as everything was just fantastic. From the broiled octopus, the cheese boards, cured meat boards, caprese salad, and pasta dishes, all were extremely good. Prices were reasonable, particularly for the professionalism in the plating and ambiance. read more

I enjoyed my experience here! We were looking for an Italian place in the area and went with this one because of ambiance. I do think that they do better with pasta dishes. My partner got a meat dish and he said his food was cold & not that great. The dessert was good though! We had the affogato & espresso was nice & smooth. read more

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This lil place is excellent! It has a full surround windowed section overlooking Connecticut avenue and it is peaceful and quaint inside. There are lots of options on the menu! Our server checked on us every 6 minutes and had a great recommendations about the menu. The minestrone soup of the day was delicious, just wish there was a little more! My crab spaghetti was scrumptious! The tiramisu is probably one of the best I've ever had. My group and I really enjoyed eating here and will definitely be back! Great Italian on Connecticut. I think my total with 3 parts of a meal and tip was about $70, so just plan to make this a fancy outing for yourself. Definitely worth it. read more

La Tomate - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I had just finished a massage in Adams Morgan and I was early to a facial I had scheduled nearby. I wanted to get a glass of wine or cocktail while I waited so I stopped by because it was nearby. I was greeted by an older lady, maybe the owner/manager. I asked to be seated outside. She told me that she could not seat me so I asked if I could be seated inside. She said that she didn't have any tables available. Only one table was occupied. The restaurant was empty. It was late afternoon during the middle of the week. It was not peak dining time so highly unlikely that they were all reserved. I felt very confused until I realized that she likely didn't want to seat me because I'm black. I was embarrassed so I didn't push it and left. read more