San Matteo is our go-to spot in our Petworth neighborhood. The food is consistently superb. Staff are always highly welcoming and attentive. The spaces are very appealing. We enjoy the rear patio the most. Kid friendly, too. What a treasure to have in Petworth. By all appearances, San Matteo is a success that's here to stay. read more

Dinner at San Matteo, yes please and thank you! Good food and service was memorable adding San Matteo to the list of favorites. The front patio is cute and a nice spot to sit on a nice day. We entered the restaurant, pasted the bar and made our way to the back. We were pleasantly surprised with a nice outdoor feeling to dine at. We were immediately greeted by our waiter, given water and warm bread with olive oil. To kick off our meal everyone had different ideas of what they were craving so we went with three starters. PROSCIUTTO E MOZZARELLA for one. It that had the usual meat and cheese board with nuts, mini bread crackers and jam. I liked how pistachio pieces were found in the meats and cheese. [5/5] BEEF CARPACCIO which is a family favorite of ours was a must try. The tender slices of beef with arugula, with sliced capers and celery. It reminded us of our trips to Italy. [5/5] FRITTO MISTO came next. This mixed lite battered bowl of seafood goodness with a little spice delight. It had calamari, fish, shrimp, garlic, zucchini and chilies. I really liked how the batter was lite which says a lot because I love really crispy anything. [ 5/5] On to the main courses, we proceeded with different pasta noodle dishes. BUCATINI BOLOGNESE one of my favorite pasta noodles was my selection. The noodles were al dente and the sauce and meat were excellent. [5/5] PAPPARDELLE CINGHIALE was my husband's pick. The pappardelle noodles were al dente and nicely accompanied the meat with the tasty sauce. Topped with ricotta; the dish was full of flavor. [5/5] CHICKEN ALFREDO was the last pick. Not an authentic Italian dish; however, hats off to the chef for making this for our picky eater in the family. The sauce was creamy and delicious. Noodles were cooked perfectly. [5/5] Surprisingly we had just enough room for a sweet ending - an Affogato. Whoaza! The espresso was yummy; put some hair on our picky eater's chest. It had a hint of licorice flavor that was unique. Let's not forget the San Matteo Spritz. Smoky and highly enjoyable. I loved it and will order again when I return. Overall, San Matteo hit all the check boxes for our lovely family dinner. The staff were attentive and never left us wanting more water, food or waiting long. The food was tasty. It seems upscale with a casual feel. Some people were dressed for date night while others were having a casual meal with family or friends. The seating options of areas were all unique in its own way. Front patio for a nice day, from the front indoor dining area for maybe a more intimate feel, bar and table top area for a drink and appetizer going solo or with a friend; and lastly the back dining area for a a bigger group to enjoy your meal. Mixing up the dining options that suits you. I'll be back to try other dishes. read more

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Came here for dinner with a friend- it is a cute spot with a lot of appetizers, large wine and cocktail list, a variety of meat options and a few vegetarian options. The food was good and large portions! I think it's a good spot for an Italian dinner that feels authentic, or for drinks. One suggestion I have is to add another vegetarian/vegan option- maybe something on the healthier side, like a vegetable pasta or hearty salad. read more

Food was great, super fresh , flavorful. I went randomly on a Thursday night with a friend because the restaurant across the street was closed. It was super chill..nice dimmed lighting, very clean. The bartender was just ok. He seemed snarky...and wasn't to open to answering too many questions about the menu. We had Seafood Manicotti and another seafood squid ink pasta dish ..both were good. The bartender was the only complaint I had as for his service etiquette. I asked for a ginger beer w/ 2 limes, he gave ut to me without a straw or any beverage napkins. Most women or ppl dont Wana drink from the glass. Also, if im asking for sliced citrus garnishes than it's likely I may put them to the side after squeezing the juice from them. But I dont care to put food directly on any bar nor do I want to have wet fingers. So I had to request napkins that were sitting not too far and a straw for my friend and I. It should be common courtesy. Other than that ( the bartender)..it was a good time and good food. read more

San Matteo - Seafood Manicotti - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Bartender was amazing, food was great, not sure what else I can ask for! Definitely recommend going during happy hour, $10 cocktails! (They're strong too!) read more

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So my family and I have been to San Mateo nine times since it opened in 2023. The food is ridiculously good and the servers are excellent! And it is sooo beautiful inside the restaurant. My absolute favorite is the frutti di mare (seafood pasta), which is packed with seafood, squid-ink pasta, and a broth/butter sauce that is FIRE. Our second and third favorites were the octopus appetizer, and seafood manicotti. My family and friends have also had the lemon-butter pasta, the mushroom pasta dish, the spinach, and the broccolini. All of them were hits. read more

San Matteo - Back seating area - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The food was alright but not worth the price paid. The service was pretty hands off and we were one of the few customers there.

Stopped in for a bite before the show at Room 808. A beautiful, modern small space with a very friendly staff. The starter menu had so many good choices. I went for the grotto mixto, even though they had charred octopus, a favorite. Misti was had super fresh fish, calamari and shrimp, piping hot from the fryer. Nice light batter with a tomatoes and garlic aioli sauces. You won't need them. House Chardonnay was lovely and crisp. I'd definitely return. read more

My husband and I went to this restaurant after a show in DC. We are not from the area, but we found this place on Yelp. Based on the positive reviews and our craving for Italian food, we decided to give it a try. The restaurant is situated in a nice neighborhood, and the atmosphere is quite inviting. You walk through the bar to an open patio. The service was top-notch. To start, we ordered the roasted brussel sprouts, which were excellent--I could have had another serving! My husband had the salad, which was a miss for him; he couldn't taste the fennel, and the dressing was bland, so he did not finish it. He then ordered the gnocchi for his entrée, and it was fantastic--nice and pillowy. I ordered the lasagna, but it was a total disappointment. I was expecting a saucy, cheesy dish with noodles that you could cut with a fork, but instead, they used spinach noodles that needed a knife to cut through. Part of the lasagna was lukewarm, and there wasn't enough cheese. I was so disappointed; they didn't inform me or advertise that they were using spinach noodles, or I might have chosen something else. The Bolognese sauce was exceptional and should be bottled. This is a nice restaurant, but I feel like they are missing the mark. I would strongly suggest adding spaghetti or linguini with that Bolognese sauce and serving real garlic bread with a garden salad. I would eat a bowl of that all day long, especially since they are in a family-friendly neighborhood. This would be a comforting dish that I am sure would attract regulars from the area. read more

Great neighborhood spot. The pasta and sauce and ambience is so good. They do gluten free pasta very well and the sauces we've had the last few times have been great. Great neighborhood spot read more

I was pretty disappointed due to high expectations. The restaurant itself is so charming, and the bread was nice. My friend and I got the San Matteo Salad, and it was fine, but even though we mentioned we were sharing it, we didn't get non-bread plates, and it was kind of hard to share on tiny plates. Then, my friend got the orechiette, and I got the Mafaldine Norma. Her orecchiette was terrific, but my mafaldine was (I think) the first time I've sent a dish back since 2021 (I make a practice of not sending food back whenever possible). It was so mushy. My friend tried it too and agreed. They were nice about replacing it, but the server did come out and try to tell me I just might not be used to that kind of noodle. I'm well versed in Al dente pasta, and very familiar with that particular shape, so even though he was nice I was sort of taken aback that he was trying to justify it being overcooked. The new pasta was still overcooked but much less so; it was not flavorful, either, but the fresh mozzarella was very nice. They brought it back without silverware, and it took a long time to flag someone down to get a fork, and when we ran out of water, it was really hard to get water for the rest of the meal (got a glass at one point, after two requests, but when that ran out we couldn't find someone to get more). Overall, the service was nice, if a little sparse sometimes, and the bread and orecchiette were good. Salad was ok, and mafaldine was flavorless and overcooked. Ambiance was nice, but I don't think I'd return. read more

If you like to eat in peace, Sunday night is definitely one of those nights at San Matteo. Modern atmosphere, friendly staff, efficient service, plenty street parking. Prosciutto melon and smoked burrata appetizer were pretty good, but only wish there are more melon came with. The seafood squid ink pasta was on point. Seafood was fresh and flavor was delicious. And don't forget to try some of their specialty cocktails. Overall experience is a thumbs up . read more

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My husband and I have been to San Matteo too many times to count. Whether you're seated on the outdoor patio, front window seats, bar, or atrium, you'll love the classy atmosphere. Their prosciutto and mozzarella appetizer is our favorite smaller plate. The salads are fresh and large in size. Our favorite mains are the pappardelle fungi and the seafood manicotti. The bartenders and servers are very personable and provide fantastic service. read more

The food is really delicious!! Started with complimentary focaccia and it was so tender and flavorful. They were very generous with refills as well! Everything looked delicious and the portions were reasonable enough to be full and not so large that you will have leftovers. The branzino was really well done; incredibly flavorful and meaty. The pasta was perfectly al dente and tasted homemade and fresh. The service was slightly confused and not as smooth as it could've been but there were no errors and everything worked out well. At one point there was a question of which of the three coffees we ordered was decaf, but everyone managed to sleep that night so we assume they got it right! The front and back rooms have a slightly different vibe but both are nice and lively. Overall would definitely come back for a solid Italian meal. read more

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Very good food! This block has seen many restaurants come and go, hoping this one stays as it was on point. Good wine, delicious pasta! read more

San Matteo - Frutti di mare... simply amazing! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This restaurant was impressive, best Italian food and drinks we've had for a long time! We shared two pastas, the funghi and the pumpkin raviolis which were delicious! Very friendly welcome and great attentive service. I would definitely eat there again! read more

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I think this place has 5-star potential! The space is lovely and the back patio is a light and airy treat. The salads were perfect and the grilled octopus is one of the best preparations I've had in recent memory. The lasagne was amazing but the carbonara wasn't great. We looked at other dishes coming out and i have my next time pics already! I gave feedback to the bartender and server on my way out and I hope next time the pasta is on point. One other note - they do offer kids options but no one mentioned it to me nor did they provide a kids menu. read more

San Matteo - Octopus mmmmm - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This place is 5 stars all around. The staff are attentive and kind, the service is quick, and the ambiance is second to none. We have been coming here since it opened, and the service and food has truly imrpved since they first opendd their doors. They have a great kids menu as well. As a former "Red Hen" patron, I would choose San Matteo any day. More food for the price, more space, far more personable staff, far less pretentious. Support this great local restaurant! read more

Overall, foods are pretty good, a little slow but very fresh made, especially seafoods, not from frozen. Cons: their free water is from the faucet directly, without purifying, not taste good read more

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Great food, super cute and chic ambiance, and easy, prompt service. The menu has all the classics of an upscale Italian restaurant and the flavors + portions don't disappoint! I had the Burrata, the mushroom pasta, and the broccolini - all were well prepared and delicious. The price point is certainly on the higher side but nonetheless it's a cute and cosy spot that I hope to be back to soon. Glad to have this option in the neighborhood! read more

Pros: Cocktails and Wine: the Smoking Gun cocktail and the Lu Rappaio Primitivo red wine were hands down the best. Favorite dishes: lamb terrine, lasagna, wild mushroom pappardelle (which was undercooked, too al dente, but the wait staff had it remade perfectly). Wait staff: very friendly - if there is something wrong with your order speak up, and they will fix it or remove it from the bill. Good addition to the neighborhood as Petworth really needed more options for fine dining; hopefully they can fine-tune the experience. Cons: Noisy: Dining room is all hard surfaces of glass, brick, tile, etc., ~ high decibel level, can only talk to the person right next to you if in a group, and simply impossible for older folks 70+ to hear anything. Appetizers: the Frito Misto calamari was overcooked, and not much seafood in the over-fried breading; this gets a zero star. Entrees: The gnocchi sausage pasta is very salty and the sausage is cut in squares as if it's processed, rather than shredded which is usually how it's done for fine dining; pasta dishes were sometimes under cooked. Staff timing: We were in a group of six and the servers only brought half the entrees at once, which made it awkward for us to wait to begin the meal. read more

Fantastic little spot on Upshur. We went for happy hour and dinner. The drinks were fantastic! I had a gin, vermouth and limoncello drink that was smooth, strong, and refreshing. The food was phenomenal. We got the meatballs and arancini (on HH), which were fantastic. Both 5/5. The Octopus was also delicious. It had a smoky quality and sauce that was some of the best I've had, and I've had octopus throughout Spain and Greece. We did the Agnolotti with Lemon and Spinach for dinner. While it was great, I would try one of their other pastas next time. The service was phenomenal and the space was perfect for a date night or happy hour. Music was perfect volume. Will totally be back to try more of their pastas. read more

I've been overcharged here multiple times, overheard staff (including the manager) talking negatively about me in Spanish -- which happens to be my first language -- and even got severe food poisoning from the octopus dish. Between dishonest billing, unprofessional staff, and unsafe food, I strongly recommend avoiding this restaurant. read more

My husband and I have now come here several times and it is truly an incredible hidden gem with a fun bar and a spectacular back room. They have a wonderful wine list, a fun cocktail lists and a delicious menu! Don't miss the agnolotti e limone or the arancini. They also have brunch and a really fantastic happy hour. And if you're lucky - you will end up with Carolina as your waitress - she is INCREDIBLE! read more

San Matteo - Arancini and Prosecco for HH - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went here for a dinner date before a comedy show and it was great. We were sat in the front of the restaurant and it had a nice cozy, romantic atmosphere. My boyfriend got the gnocchi and I got the Fritto Misto (a starter). Both were delicious, we highly recommend the gnocchi. The servers were attentive and knowledgable, check this place out if you're in the area! read more

Incredible food and the ambiance is really great (somewhere between classy and cozy). The pasta is phenomenal and a great set of entrees and drink menu. We'll definitely be going back often! read more

I live around the corner and would eat pasta for ever meal if I could, so I was unbelievably excited for San Matteo to open. Pros: -Excellent tiramisu, charmingly served out of a big sheet pan. -Homemade pasta is served el dente, very well made. -Looooooove the bread. -Beautiful interior! Cons: -Service is slow and not very warm... yet. I'm hopeful this will change. Kept waiting for our waiter to greet us and welcome us to a very new restaurant; that moment never came. Never even asked us if we wanted a second drink! -Arrabbiata had no spice to it at all. Boring sauce. This place has all the ingredients to be a neighborhood star. Will definitely try again in a month or two when they've had more time to work out the kinks. read more

So happy we stumbled upon this amazing restaurant! Food was INCREDIBLE and the service to match. We started with the mussels and Fritto Misto and I knew from there we were in for a treat. We could not say enough good things about every dish we tried! Definitely will be coming back on our next trip to DC read more

San Matteo - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We love these smaller, new restaurants in this section of NW DC. San Mateo was highly rated on other websites, and we AGREE!! Small, simple menu, with an emphasis on a few pasta dishes. We started with the smoked Burrata. It was very unique and very tasty. The addition of the peaches was genius. For entrees we had the squid ink pasta and the Bronzino. Again, EXCELLENT!! The pasta was large enough to save some for Lunch tomorrow and the Bronzino was masterfully cooked while, filleted with the bones removed and skillfully prepared with a simple Mediterranean style. 5 Stars! We'll be back soon! read more

I have to fully endorse this restaurant for several reasons: - the staff was friendly, responsive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. - the cocktails were excellent and especially for happy hour underpriced. They are more expensive normally, but well worth it - above average for a restaurant as opposed to a cocktail bar. - the food is outstanding and the portions are larger than you would expect from a restaurant of this quality. We had two appetizers and two main courses and were so pleasantly full. - the pasta is outstanding in quality and freshness. If you value handmade pasta this matters and this place does it very well. - the duck leg. I'm very pleased this restaurant is in my neighborhood but would travel for it gladly. read more

Terrific pasta, friendly service. Great local/family restaurant. Only issue for us was that the back dining room is way too brightly lit.

Quick service, but inattentive. Greeted quickly and got drinks/order all in one go, which is great. But never visited after that, girlfriend's wine glass was empty for a majority of dinner. It also took much longer than it needed to for me to get the bill. We were asked to move, which again absolutely fine and the employee was more than friendly and respectful. They comped our drinks for the inconvenience, so they handled that beautifully. Food was good, not great. Overcooked steak and cherry tomatoes on the plate? The gnocchi was good. One note is the patio gets LOUD. The marble floors and brick walls make for the voices to just reverberate and bounce off the walls, making it difficult to hear the person across from you. Nice to look at, tough when it's busy. Overall, moderately priced, meh service, meh food, meh atmosphere. read more

Great little spot on Upshur. The fritto misto is incredible and quite large. The pasta is delicious - we had the papparedelle. And the cocktails are tasty too. Will definitely return! read more

I rarely write reviews but had such a phenomenal experience at San Matteo last night that I had to share more about this gem of a restaurant. The cocktails were fantastic - perfectly mixed, unique glassware, and large ice cubes when there should be (iykyk). There were six of us dining so we ordered a bunch of things to try and every dish was fantastic. The fritto misto is a must, every pasta dish was clearly homemade and cooked to perfection, and the branzino was excellent. The tiramisu was the perfect sweet bite to end the meal. And on top of all this, the service was the exact right touch of being present when we needed another round of drinks or recommendation but giving us plenty of time to leisurely catch up and enjoy the meal. We never felt rushed or ignored. And the hidden atrium-like room at the back is like a little escape from the city and sets a great vibe for the meal. We will be back again and again! read more

I would save your money. This place is beautifully designed (even if the seat height on most tables is off)...but unfortunately, that's it. We ordered the mussels as an appetizer. The broth was tasty enough but the mussels themselves were too large and rubbery. Where the mark was really missed though was with the main dishes. I had the Carbonara. This is one of my favorites. With simple fresh ingredients, this can be a creamy savory delight :) The handmade pasta was gritty and the sauce was extremely watery, like they allowed too much pasta water to interfere with the dish. The morsels of meat, meant to leave you with a savory salt punch, had an off-putting frozen taste. My guest had the funghi pasta that boasts of "wild mushrooms"...sadly this plate only had almost entirely button mushrooms. Button mushrooms are fine, but just be honest with your menu descriptions (and prices). On top of this, the staff was friendly enough at the beginning, but not as attentive after the initial order. We ordered a first round of drinks (which were nicely made) but had to search for a staff member for a menu for more drinks. Then almost 15 minutes later, no one checked up on us for more drinks, so one of the members of our party had to get up and search for someone to take our order. The restaurant had maybe 6 tables of guests in the entire place. The staff member, clearly upset, came to ask us for our second drink order. I hope that this was an off night for them, and that the food quality is usually better. From the looks of the size of the dinner crowd that night, it seems they need to focus a bit more on the quality of their meals and friendly service. read more

I've been twice and I enjoyed the food both times. The lasagna and the seafood pasta are both delicious. The service is welcoming and the place is intimate and beautifully done (the tiles, the back covered patio, beautiful). A good date night pick. read more

My husband and I live in the neighborhood and stopped by for a drink one evening. The service was great as were the cocktails, so we went back for dinner a different night. It did not disappoint! The food was excellent and the service and ambiance were amazing. I recommend the fritto misto appetizer and the pappardelle funghi pasta! read more

We came here for happy hour when the weather was gorgeous out. They have outdoor seating in the front, bar seating and tables inside, and a beautiful patio out back. The decor and vibe elegant with beautiful and fun Italian music playing. The bartender Alex was super nice and the happy hour drinks were awesome. The arancini was the best I've had in DC, meatballs were excellent, and artichokes were perfect. We will definitely be back for dinner soon. read more

San Matteo - Arancini, artichokes, meatballs, drink - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is our favorite neighborhood spot: wonderful menu, service, and atmosphere. I just wish they would seat patrons closer to the front--they tend to place folks in the separate rear section first, sometimes making the restaurant appear empty from the street. Please make this easy fix, San Matteo, for the sake of your lovely business! We want you to stick around. read more

So my bestie and I had dinner last night. It was super empty when we got there. Ao we sat at the tarring table by the front window. About 15 minutes after we sat down they sat another couple at another table RIGHT beside us. The restaurant was empty! We literally were a foot away from them and could hear each other's conversations. So very strange. The caprese salad was unique but very good. However the carbanara was the worst I've ever had! I've had better carbanara at an AI in Mexico trust the reviewers do not order this dish. I took a a few bites and boxed it up - maybe my husband will eat it. One of the staff was also making phone calls or doing something with their phone but doing it thru their sound system. It was really weird and annoying and not a relaxing dining experience. read more