i wish we had this in california, BIG PORTIONS AND ABSOLUTELY IMPACTFUL!! - a lot of sauce for the portion of noodles -flavorful -cheesy read more

Nostra is a nice and cozy neighborhood gem. Our family made same day reservations and they were nice enough to accommodate us for dinner. We were off to a good start with the tangy and fresh Greek salad. My husband and shared the chicken marsala. It worked for us but wouldn't say it's a sharing portion. The Marsala sauce was smooth, little peppery and slightly sweet the way you would want. Slathering it all over made up for the chicken that could've been better. The Marsala was better than my daughter's piccata that had the same issue with little tough chicken and a too-sour sauce. The subtle sweet and citrusy flavor of the Lemonchello cake was so good. Had a little envy noticing other people's red sauce items like bolognese and chicken parm. These looked great and would be back to try. Service was friendly and the place is cute but no frills. read more

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Let's start with the walk in. Small space, very cozy, very intimate. Next, tv. No audio, but who cares. Prime American culture. Star Wars and lord of the rings. Need I say more? The service. Couldn't ask for a more attentive and observant waiter. 10 out of ten would recommend. The food. YuMMmmmmm....... With a capital M that trails off into the abyss of taste buds who long for the flavor they just experienced, even as I write this post looking at a clean plate. When it comes to the drinks, there's no need to pregame, they make them the way God intended. Strong. I will be coming here again, next time I will ensure I have called ahead, we lucked out by getting there before their busy time where a reservation is needed and rightfully so. read more

We dined in on a weeknight without a reservation and were seated promptly. We started with the garlic bread with mozzarella which was delicious, served on thick crusty bread and came with a generous amount of marinara. For entrees we tried the veggie pizza, fettuccine Alfredo and lasagna with meat sauce. All of our dishes were flavorful, hot and generously portioned. The lasagna came out much too hot to eat but was also delicious. It was a cozy dining room and we would definitely return. read more

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The food is amazing. The staff not so much... All in all I enjoyed the evening and we had a nice bottle of wine read more

We stopped by this neighborhood restaurant after going to the postal museum. It's a short walk of less than a mile. Yelp showed incorrectly that they were closed one Saturday so I sent a correction as they updated their hours. We were lucky to get a table as we arrived about 5 pm. We shared a cup of delicious Wedding Soup and split the Meatball Parmesan Sandwich and Manicotti (no meat)with House Marinara. The combination of foods was perfect and everything was excellent. Staff was super helpful. This is a must try if you're near Union Station. read more

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Absolutely delicious! We had calamari, baked ziti and spaghetti and meatballs. Yes 1,000% to all of them!

The food is really good, super fresh. But a couple of warnings: the place is small, so it can get a bit awkward when servers are moving around. The food takes some time to come out, but I think that's just because the pasta is so fresh. Also, heads up they only serve fettuccine and spaghetti. I'm wondering if I'll end up preferring takeout over dining in because of the vibe. Time will tell. read more

Nostra Cucina - Chicken Marsala - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We love Italian food and this restaurant did not disappoint! The chicken parmigiana was the best we have ever had. Whatever you do-get something with their marinara or bolognese. Both are excellent!!!!! read more

Nostra Cucina - Chicken Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Was excited for this place when I moved to the neighborhood, but feel like it has either declined or I've had a string of misses here. Goopy sauce, sloppily prepared and very unappetizing dishes - including both the appetizers and entrees. Will give it maybe one more go just in case. read more

I ordered a pasta dish a few weeks ago and it was just okay. I ordered two medium pizzas tonight at $30 + per pie. I will say that the pies were good, but not worth $30+ per pizza. I only ordered the pizzas based on reviews and photos of the pizzas on Yelp. The difference in appearance is spectacular! This is what I received. I had to add provolone and mozzarella and broil it for myself and my guests. Do better! $70 is a lot of money for two little pizzas with very little cheese and toppings. read more

Nostra Cucina - That's not worth $30+ - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My favorite Italian food in Capitol Hill. I wasn't expecting much when I first sat down in this small restaurant. Ordered my food and enjoyed a bottle of wine with colleagues. The wait was a little long but I didn't mind with the chats we were having with other customers and the waiter. Food came out, took my first bite, and was pleasantly surprised. Ate every bit and used the bread to soak up the rest. Left thoroughly full and happy. Highly recommend! read more

The best part of this restaurant is the service. My family came here starving after our flight to DC from Seattle so we were all a little hangry. We were seated immediately and our server was friendly and attentive. Our drinks and food came out pretty quickly after we ordered which we appreciated. The Caesar salad was large, but only had about ten croutons grouped together on one side of the salad like it hadn't been tossed. Because we are a family of four, it was definitely a battle to get croutons. My mom was happy the salad dressing was on the side, but my sister thought it was a little too acidic tasting. The pizza was definitely my favourite. I've always been someone to save the best part of the food for last which usually means eating my pizza crusts first, but I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the pizza crust was. The toppings were generous and everyone in my family thought the pizza was a hit. My sister wanted butter pasta and salmon and she loved it. The salmon was breaded perfectly and when I tried a bite, I enjoyed the creamy pasta sauce and perfectly dense noodles. The tiramisu was probably our biggest disappointment. My parents love tiramisu and my dad especially was really looking forward to it. While the dessert they served us was good, it definitely was not tiramisu, but rather layered yellow cake. It's strange that an Italian restaurant would serve fake tiramisu. Overall we had a great time. The restaurant thankfully wasn't too busy because my sister complained multiple times about it being too small. Definitely great for a date because of the cozy atmosphere and chill vibes. read more

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Small, neighborhood spot worth checking out. I stopped in here after a long day hoping to grab a seat at the bar and enjoy a beer and order food to-go. Unfortunately the bar only has 3 seats. I grabbed the third and felt like I was actually on the date WITH the couple next to me - it was cramped. There was a reservation book or something in the bar in front of me so I was left with virtually no bar too space, but since I was ordering to go, I just went with it. I chatted with the bartender and he recommended their seasonal beer for me, which was excellent. It doesn't appear they have beer on tap, though. My food came out before I finished the beer. I brought the pasta home and it was pretty good. It had a great amount of shrimp and tasted fresh, but it wasn't out-of-this world by any means. I may come back to dine-in and try something else, as I did enjoy the food and the staff were nice! read more

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Excellent food!! We have been to Italy and this place stacks up! Wonderful dishes.. and great staff. Very friendly and professional! Very reasonable prices!! Cozy and charming spot, just a few minutes from Union Station. Highly recommend!! read more

Still great...but I wanted to add that everyone must order the limoncello marscapone cake, it is incredible...I am salivating just thinking about it read more

The food was delicious. The service was amazing. But I would not go back for the whole reason of the atmosphere. It is way too small! I could literally hear every single conversation at the neighboring tables because we were crammed in there like sardines. It is way too small to have indoor seating there. Get takeout! Highly recommend the fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli! read more

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Best Italian I've ever had in the U.S. the chicken Parmesan is to die for here it is a must get if you come

Food was fresh and made from scratch. Wine was extra delicious and filling. Service was great and always attentive and friendly. I would recommend for quick bites, family night or even date night. read more

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Such a wonderful family owned restaurant with fresh made dishes that are absolutely delicious! The restaurant itself is cozy and the service was perfect. I had the spaghetti bolognese which was made to perfection and fresh made meatballs on the side and a glass of Montepulciano. Perfect dinner. Simple. Phenomenal. The owners are superb people. I would highly recommend making a reservation. read more

Nostra Cucina - Intimate dining room. Warm and cozy atmosphere. - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Loved the pizza! We were passion through and wanted something quick. This pizza hit the spot.

We had lunch. The vegetable lasagna was delicious and served piping hot. The wait staff was attentive and unobtrusive. We ate early so there was no crowd. read more

Loved it. We're from LA visiting my nephew in DC. He found it, we enjoyed the food and the vibe. They were very welcoming.

It's a small location with several small tables and a couple large tables. They also had a few tables outside. It seems like takeout is very popular here. Our food took quite awhile to come out and they forgot the drink we ordered but the food was wonderful! We ordered the Spaghetti Bolognese and the Fettuccini Alfredo. The noodles were a softer Al dente and the bolognese was full of beef and flavor. The Alfredo came with plenty of sauce and was very think and creamy. It didn't have a super distinct taste like garlic or anything but it did not taste bland or plain like other disappointing Alfredo's. My husband said they were this was the best of both dishes he has found! Overall it makes for a great date night! read more

Nostra Cucina - Fettuccine Alfredo - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Food was good but service was slow. Lives up to its name as a good red sauce place. Small space that requires a reservation. read more

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Great food and great service. I got the chicken piccata and my girlfriend got the chicken parmigiana. Cozy family comfort food vibes!

For Capitol Hill residents, Nostra Cucina is a favorite. Behind beloved Schneider's of Capitol Hill, it's in a small building on a residential block. Before the pandemic, the small space had dining tables, but now it's a takeout only place during the pandemic. Here's our experience ordering pick up on a Friday evening: 1) Food: Being an Italian spot, they have all the usual favorites from pasta to pizza to caprese salad to canolli. To feed five of us, we ordered the chicken parm, baked cheese tortillini, caprese salad, meatball sub and chicken parm sub. We had way too much food as portions are huge for D.C. The standouts were the Caesar side salads that came with the subs and the chicken parm. The other items were good too, but not life changing. 2) Service: Super nice staff who have 20 years experience of cooking Italian food. Pickup was easy. If you want comfort Italian food, go here! read more

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Terrific pizza. Amazing red sauce. Cozy, intimate surroundings. Eat in or pick up. Either way, it is a treat!

The food was decent. No real complaints. The service was terrible. My fiance and I arrived for our reservation and the table wasn't ready. No big deal. We were finally seated. Then, two other parties were seated AFTER us. One next to us and the other behind us. Mind you, we're a Black couple. Everyone else in this tiny restaurant was White or at least no Black, with the exception of a Black man at the bar. Not sure this is why our service was bad, but I can't help but wonder. A party of 3 seated next to us was greeted not long after being seated with water and then drink orders right away. Our table, which was seated before them, hadn't even been given water. It took 15 minutes. And we waited another 15-20 minutes before someone came over to get our food and drink orders. We waited another 15-20 minutes to get a glass of wine and a coke. I eventually asked a server who wasn't our server about drinks. Then our drinks and food finally came. The table of 3 next to us who was seated after us was leaving by the time we got our food. Mind you, there were only 5 or 6 tables in the restaurant. There were 3 different servers. Why was OUR service so bad? I think I would have been less upset if the service for the night wasn't good for anyone. But we were a table that was largely ignored in a restaurant that is no bigger than an oversized living room. There was no excuse. Why were we largely invisible. Never again. read more

Very small place, but the food was bomb. We dined outdoors on the sidewalk and thankfully the weather cooperated though looked menacing as there were no umbrellas. I got the grilled chicken fettuccine Alfredo and my partner got the chicken parm sandwich & fries. We tried a cup of the soup as well. I got the wedding and him the minestrone. Both good (we sampled each other's). The Alfredo was super rich and filling and hit all the right notes for me. I wanted comfort food that night and I definitely got it. The pasta was light and delicate. I swear they used a whole quart of cream on the sauce. We had enough food leftover to take back to the hotel with us. Service was a little slow, but they were packed that night so it was to be expected, but other than that I recommend giving it a go. read more

We loved this local spot. The Caesar salad was delish and large enough to share with several people. I had spaghetti and meatballs with homemade pasta. It was pure comfort food! My husband love the pizza! read more

Great food and a lot of it. Small restaurant but they will take reservations. The eggplant parm was delicious

Food is always amazing. Decent portions and I haven't ordered anything I wouldn't order again.

Excellent chicken piccata Decent wine by the glass! Around the corner You should visit read more

No chance to eat... Supposedly they're open but they're not. How hard is it to update people? How about a little sign in the window to explain why you're not open when you're supposed to be. Just sucks, but on the other hand, I want to listen to call every place before you go. read more

What an unexpected and delicious gem! Had dinner at Nostra Cucina tonight and was wow'ed by the food, the service, and everything in between. Jose guided us through the menu and we loved what we ordered but then he brought the one dish we had wavered on (baked ziti!) and we were wow'ed all over again. This is such a great find. We'll be back! Thanks Nostra Cucina!! read more

I googled this place for me and a friend were in love with this place real authentic food service was great I got the salmon Alfredo. So good read more

Nostra Cucina - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

As the adage goes - "better ruins everything." I have a real skepticism of Italian food simply because when I was a kid, Italian was "box pasta and a jar of generic ragu." I grew up in the suburbs too - so "good" Italian usually meant Olive Garden. Nostra Cucina is the closing argument. This place is tucked away amongst some brownstones outside of the capitol. It has white linen tablecloths and exposed brick. It looks - to be fair, pretentious. But there is no host to impolitely dismiss you from the premises (Hello Cafe Berlin around the corner). There's some guy who looks like Chumlee from "Pawn Stars" who says "sure, sit where you would like" and then proceeds to come to your table and hand you menus and answer questions unassumingly, confidently, and helpfully. He's not wearing anything but a tee that says "Nostra Cucina" on it. I'm from Boston originally and these guys look like they run a "House of Pizza" but... They serve ridiculous food. The garlic bread is hands down the best garlic bread I ever have had. The butter doesn't overwhelm the sweetness of the bread, the garlic isn't acidic. Add in some mozzarella and some marinara and it's like a reperfected bruschetta. We ordered the tortellini and we asked for the meat marinara. That was when I learned that their "regular" marinara was cooked on pancetta base but we could also have the ragu that was cooked the same but with pork and beef added in. Great inside baseball and that sauce was the best I've had. Italian cooking is pretty simple if you know how to cook, and people who know how to cook can do incredible Italian. Add in excellent service and a welcoming venue - save yourself some trouble and enjoy a meal here. read more

The food was mid and the service was worse. The manager seemed uninterested and unhelpful making the singular waitress serve the entire restaurant rather than helping. read more

Small local family restaurant. Maybe a dozen indoor tables, not clear if outdoor is open, but some tables outside. Cesar salad was fresh/crunchy but pretty basic. Baked ziti (no meat) was a huge portion, had a nice (maybe vodka sauce or cream/tomato) sweetness to it. Calamari were well-seasoned but didn't travel that well (user error!) read more