If you are planning a dinner for a special occasion, Modena is an excellent choice. This modern Italian restaurant offers imaginative and beautifully plated cuisine with outstanding service. Modena’s menu is nicely balanced with an interesting mix of vegetable, fish and meat options. Vegetarians will find a good range of choices, as will carnivores. We opted for the four course tasting menu, which yielded an enticing array of appetizers, pastas, a fish entree, a steak entree and desserts. Everything served to us was delicious. Especially memorable standouts included the heirloom tomato salad with basil gelato, the tagliatelle bolognese, the ling cod and the aged steak. A birthday was thoughtfully acknowledged with an additional complimentary dessert. Service was attentive but unintrusive, a most welcome combination. Our waiter, Del, was personable and extremely knowledgeable — his recommendations were spot on. We look forward to returning to Modena. The sole downsides are the acoustics (loud) and the very small size of the tables for two. We overlooked the din, managed to secure a larger table and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3

If we could separate service, food quality and price in three reviews it would look like this: Service was almost superb. The only hiccup was when my wife asked for a bit of ice from one of the wait staff and was told, "I can't do that, you have to talk to your server"....come on, at this price point? Food quality: the Waygu beef carpaccio was very good. Gnocchi was delicious, best part of the meal. Hangar steak was prepared well, although a bit of seasoning would have improved it quite a bit. These days salt and pepper are also in quarantine, so we could not do our own seasoning without an extra request (although S&P was provided when asked so we could make our own pinzimonia). Steak was accompanied by sauces we found rather flat, the salsa Verde wasn't for flavor- just garnish in our opinion. Dessert was tiramisu, like all the components- it was plated beautifully. But unfortunately, was pretty soggy (almost soupy) as prepared in a tall stemmed glass. With tip, our meal for two adults and child was $320ish. Either we hit an off night, or there is a bit of group-think in some of these reviews. Former restaurateur here, and believe a better value all around is just down the road at the Old Ebbitt Grill. My 2 cents.

We had an amazing experience at our dinner tonight. We can not say enough good things about this place. I let the restaurant know when booking that I had celiac disease and the chef prepared separate freshly baked gluten free bread just for me! They said it was his first time making it for his guests to have. The bread was absolutely delicious. My boyfriend (not celiac) loved the bread so much that he stopped eating the regular dinner rolls they gave him and only ate the gluten free bread! We had the grilled calamari appetizer which was a little small but ended up being perfect for the two of us! It was so unique and different with lots of flavor. The main courses were also incredible. My boyfriend had the bolognese and I had the gnocchi made gluten free by subbing for gluten free noodles for the gnocchi instead and it was amazing! We both cleaned our plates. We finished the night with the pear and pink pineapple sorbets to share. Also great! They served it with a happy birthday note for me and with a candle in the sorbet. Truly perfect and we will be back!

I had a glass of the sangionnese, tuscany 2018. It was very good. They started off by bringing some bread to the table with olive oil. I believe it was corn bread which I'm not a fan of and neither was my friend. We left it untouched. For our appetizer we had the fried artichoke. They really put the choke in artichoke because these little spikey pieces would stick to your throat and they actually hurt. Not to mention they were not tastey at all. For our mains I had the Amish chicken saltimbocca and my friend had the duck. The duck portion was pretty small and came with radishes. He said it was ok. My saltimbocca was super dry and hard to swallow, pretty flavorless. It also came with hardly any prosciutto which is why I (usually) love that dish. The mash potatoes were very tasty. We finished off dinner with a tiramisu which was delicious! One of the best I've had. Overall I thought the service and dessert was very good, but the food was bland across the board. I was very disappointed.

I cannot say enough good things about the team here at Modena. 10/10 all around a truly a fine dine experience. We organized a surprise dinner for a friend's birthday and they really made it special. Zach was great and answered all of our questions (we had many) and provided great suggestions for cocktails, and main courses. We were a large party pretty sure we ordered a decent chunk of the menu and rave reviews all around. The goat cheese ravioli is perfect-- all the flavors come together so well and the goat cheese in expertly proportioned so it's not overwhelming and perfectly blends with the pumpkin and sage flavors. Also shared in the Potato Gnocchi. We were on the fence about going for the truffle option (always a risk) but definitely glad we did. Elevates it so much (although I'm sure it's great without). Would highly recommend for birthdays and intimate occasions. Huge thank you to everyone that helped us and can't wait to be back soon!

My mom and I enjoyed dinner on Thursday evening. Victor W. was a wonderful server- just the right balance of attentive and genuinely caring. His recommendations were on point, as well. Franklin, our back waiter was perfect, too! Eating out with my mom is a challenge- she is not only gluten free and dairy free, but also keeps kosher, and doesn't eat red meat. Normally restaurants present a huge challenge, but Chef John Melfi and his team not only had the knowledge base to be able to accommodate her, but the skill. This dinner was the first time in my memory that my mom was *excited* to eat. She waxed poetic over the gluten free bread, and was beyond impressed with the crispy artichoke, house-made gf pasta, and the branzino. I have never experienced more caring, genuine, and welcoming service. If I could give 10 stars and a hug to the whole team, I would! Bravissimo!

Our server was Victor, and he was fantastic. In the reservation, I let them know that me and my boyfriend were celebrating our one year, and he really made the night great. The entrees he suggested were delicious, and at the end, they gave us dessert and champagne. The portions are small but absolutely delicious. We had the meatballs, tortellini, and burrata for appetizers. The meatballs and the tortellini were to die for. The burrata was also good, but I could have done without it. Unfortunately we had plans for the evening and had to leave in a bit of a rush. We were there for about 2 hours, so plan to have a laid back and easy dinner. I would 100% go back!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: No
Takeout: Not sure
Delivery: Not sure
Curbside pickup: Not sure

I have to say I throughly enjoyed the experience we had at this restaurant. It truly was a culinary experience unlike any other. The care and effort put into not only the food but also the service does unmatched. You could tell that the menu is well thought out and each meal is made from a passion for cooking. The portions are smaller and prices are higher but I didn't leave feeling I needed more. The one "big" thing for me is that you can only get pinot grigio by the glass, smart business move though. We celebrated my husband's birthday and he revived a signed card from the chef. It was a beautiful touch. Even I forgot to give him a card today ... I did remember a gift though (phew). Go hear with an open mind and be willing to trust the staff. You will not be amiss.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30

We had a fabulous meal here. I found the restaurant on a gluten free app, booked a reservation for the same night and I’m so glad I did. The restaurant was packed but the service was amazing. All waitstaff, busers, etc regularly checked in on us. The handmade pasta was amazing! I ordered the fettuccine dish and the gf noodles were like a wider version of fettuccine. My husband also thought it was good and he thoroughly enjoyed his own gluten full pasta dish! The had gf focaccia that was so light and fluffy I had to check the regular bread to make sure it wasn’t the same! For dessert they had a gf tiramisu with gelato and they gave us complimentary gf almond cookies. I definitely recommend Modena!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Dietary restrictions
Very accommodating of a gluten free diet.

Modena’s lamb trio gave me diarrhea last night. As a former waitress in my teenage years. I rarely gave bad review because I understand how hard the service oriented jobs can be. But Modena’s overall experience last night was terrible. The lamb they served was cold, not warm but cold. I only had 3 bites and it gave my diarrhea for the entire night. My boyfriends pasta was also almost cold but he was too nice to say anything until I asked him after we left. Our waitress was nice and sweet. But I really feel like the manager and overall restaurant operations is not on par with the price and scale they positioned them to be. Not only the food but they also charge our bill wrong. After expressed concern on my cold lamb rack, they gave us a free desert ‍♀️ my diarrhea started 2 hours after my meal and it totally ruined my sat night

Came here for restaurant week and it was a very good experience. If you get Petra for a waitress, consider yourself lucky! Ever since I moved to DC, I haven't been impressed with most of the restaurants. I guess after living in NYC for the the past decade has spoiled me and made me have high expectations. Well, finally I have found a restaurant in DC with great food. Not only is the food good, but it has great presentation and the service from the people who work here is excellent. Petra made our experience great, she has a wonderful personality and made us laugh the whole night. Even though it was super busy the night we went, the service was still very attentive. If you are a vegetarian, this place still has plenty of options to choose from on their menu. I think I might become a regular at this place.

Plating and appetizers are the best things about Modena. The fried artichokes and soft shell crab tempura were spectacular. The mains, while beautifully styled were a let down. The black garlic lamb was a very small portion and the black garlic was not evident in the flavor. The lamb ragu was middle of the road, the lamb was tender and nicely cooked but the flavors could best be described as serviceable. For a restaurant named for Modena we expected a bet more intense flavors. This would likely be a four star review but the wines were also a bit over priced and one of them was served lukewarm after we were told they would chill it. The server was very friendly and the som did his best with the wine situation but the mediocre wine paired with somewhat uninspired main dishes pulled down the rating.

The food here is phenomenal! We’ve visited twice and both times my fiancé and I enjoyed the tasting menu with a wine pairing. The plates, especially the starters, weren’t predictable – perfectly portioned, phenomenally presented, and designed well in terms of plate progression. This place is worth a visit! The tomato salad featured in the summer tasting menu was one of the most delicious salads I’ve ever eaten – this coming from someone who dislikes salads is a big praise. We appreciated the subtle pops of molecular gastronomy during our tasting as well. Antonio, our waiter made us feel at home and never saw him without a smile during our second visit. Brian, the manager, also went around checking tables to ensure guests were satisfied during their visit.

Overall lackluster dinner. I had the Serata Cinema cocktail, which was... interesting... there is a layer of oil floating at the top, kind of disconcerting. The Heirloom Pepper Aquerello was overly salty. For dessert, the gelato had me flabbergasted that after a 10-min wait, it turned out to be a single scoop the size of a spoon... with one stale biscotti. If you can't do it well, don't offer it on the menu. The worst part of this meal was the service, which i found brusque, unwelcoming, and disorganized. Modena tries to pass itself off as a high-end restaurant, but it disappoints.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 2
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2

Modena was the perfect place to celebrate. They accommodated my party of 8 outside, under cover, and with three heat lamps which were needed on an unexpectedly cold and rainy day. The food was amazing! So fresh and comforting. I will be back for the crispy artichokes appetizer alone. I can't decide if I liked the osso buco or the lamb ragu better, they were both perfection. Maybe the ragu was a tad better only because the hand made pasta was soooo delicious. The osso buco was fall off the bone tender. The wine menu had an outstanding selection of Italian wines. The service was friendly. The pace of the meal was leisurely, as should be expected at a true Italian restaurant. One of the best meals I've had in DC.

So incredibly glad that we stopped in for dinner. The food was on point and the value for money exceeded or expectations. Got into a conversation with the sommelier about Piedmontese wines and he brought over a comp'd pour from another bottle he'd opened. Staff was engaging all around, and saw the chef come out to talk with patrons on occasion. The restaurant had no issues accommodating or ask that some courses were for the table and others were individual. I would not hesitate to come back to Modena restaurant any time I was in DC.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Kid-friendliness
They have no issues with kids as long as they act like adults.

We dined during 2021 Winter Restaurant Week for lunch. Tony took care of us with great service. We felt safe throughout due to excellent mask compliance and distancing throughout the dining room when one needed to leave the table. Modena provides a strong tasting menu with lots of choice. Our food came out quickly and was delicious and very well presented. We would highly recommend the duck, the tagliatelle, and the gnocchi. My girlfriend also enjoyed a port-based cocktail from the drinks menu. We appreciated the bread on the side, served with flavorful olive oil as well. Modena's restaurant week lunch proved to be excellent value and a great overall experience! We would definitely return.

Mortadella tortellini was delicious, everything else (steak, gnocchi) was average, especially given the price point. Very small portions (which we were told about the pastas, but the steak was also very small). Wine list was interesting and fairly priced. One large group was very loud, but the surroundings are wood, carpet, etc. which helped with noise level. The way the chairs/tables are set up in the center isn't great, we kept getting bumped by the wait staff, customers, etc. walking by. The bar area is very small, so there's not much of an area to wait in if you arrive early.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Food: 2
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 1

We just found our new favorite Italian restaurant in Washington DC... quite possibly in the entire United States. Modena compares and often exceeds the quality we have experienced in the finest restaurants we have visited in Rome, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast--it was that good. The service was flawless, the food was amazing, the restaurant itself is quiet without being subdued, and the entire experience was, in a word, superlative. The menu is constantly changing so I expect that there will be a whole new array of delights for us to try out the next time we visit, and there DEFINITELY will be a next time (hopefully soon!). Five stars--highest recommendation.

This review is for my fellow Celiacs; this place is a must try! My husband and I love visiting DC often, and this is one of the best meals and experiences we've had in the city. They offer THREE types of HOMEMADE gluten free pasta AND HOMEMADE focaccia bread! I was diagnosed nine years ago and have not seen homemade GF pasta or focaccia at any restaurant I've ever visited. Not only do they have a fantastic selection for us Celiacs, they take cross contamination seriously too. And, not to mention, the entire meal was outstanding from appetizers to desserts. This is a gem of a restaurant and it's absolutely beautiful too. I highly recommend!

Our 7th anniversary ❤ celebration was very special on so many levels. We went back at the place where we got married and the whole experience was enhanced by 1. Their people! They love what they do. Thank you Dan and Victor for making us feel welcome at home. 2. Their amazing food! Kudos to the chef We chose to eat the Taste of Italy (four course meal) and every bite conveyed not only a skilfully thought and prepared menu, but also an unlimited source of love. We most certainly will go back to explore more!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes

Honestly this place is severely underrated. Not only are the portions and quality divine for the price but the service is so welcoming. The cocktails are truly outstanding, each one is so new and unique I highly recommend this place for the drinks and wine list alone. But the food oh my god it’s exceptional. The chef recommended the chestnut ravioli and it did not disappoint. Seriously, if you live in dc or are just traveling this is worth your money and time. Highly recommend and will be back
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

A very pleasant experience celebrating our one year anniversary at Modena. From arriving to ordering drinks, appetizers, and entrees, everything flowed seamlessly. A huge shout out to our waiter, Victor, who recommended us some great dishes and told us what seemed to be a good amount for us to order. I definitely had the best polette and bolognese I have ever had. It pained me not to be able to take all the pics because I was sitting right in front of lights. We had another bar reservation made and had to leave early without dessert. Will definitely make my way back there to make up my missing dessert some day!

Usually I don’t leave reviews but this place deserves twice 5 star! Don’t even remember last time I had such a good Italian food! Chef is really talented and creative and service is impeccable!! Decor and ambiance make you feel you want to stay here all day Service is friendly and very professional at the same time, grazie Antonio They had run out with drink I ordered and without esitate, bartender stepped out to buy for me the soda I ordered!!! They left me without word for that!!! The know exactly what’s hospitality mean and how to make people feel important. I will definitely be back

Ramon was helpful over the telephone when I called and asked about dress code. We chose to do carry out since we sti felt under dressed. He did not hesitate to assist with my wife's dietary restrictions. Thanks for everything! The food was amazing. The brodo was delicious and the tortellini were bursting with savory flavors. Definitely will be back to dine in next time
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Tiramisu, Tortellini in Brodo
Dietary restrictions
Gluten free accomodations

Victor (Chele) was an excellent and attentive server! Great recommendations from the managers! Busy, yet adequate atmosphere. Food was delicious and just the right portion. If you’re looking for a fun, private and amazing restaurant this is the place for you! Great accommodations for birthdays.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Tiramisu, Pan Roasted Amish Chicken
Dietary restrictions
Many accommodations for food allergies if needed!

Ramon, Vincent M, and Vincent W are why I keep coming back to this restaurant—oh and the food is amazing too. You should stop by to eat a delicious meal and enjoy Vincent M’s excellent service. Don’t forget to ask Ramon, the restaurant’s sommelier, for wine pairings. His suggestions are always on point.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Passion Fruit Panna Cotta
Dietary restrictions
They have gluten free options

Brought my out-of-town cousin here because she has celiac and I’d heard their gluten-free pasta was good, and it was a huge success. I was pleased with the vegetarian options for me, the wine list, and the service, but most importantly, the GF pasta was a hit and my cousin was pretty thrilled that they brought her a basket of GF bread (which was so good she couldn’t believe it didn’t have gluten). Would definitely return the next time she visits, or I guess anytime I want some nice pasta.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner

What a phenomenal meal! The best artichokes I have ever had and they offer half potions of pasta which I am always searching for. The menu is fantastic and it was super hard to decide what to order. I picked the date-marinated lamb cavatelli but I can’t wait to come back and try the others!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Lamb Ragu
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Large vegetarian selection

Wow... what an experience! From the moment we stepped in to the moment we left, everything was about perfect. The wine, the food (we all had different pasta dishes, they were all superb), the lemon and blueberry dessert with coffees were all about perfect. Serving portions were also just right. A perfect Italian finish to a jam packed day!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Takeout: Not sure
Delivery: Not sure
Curbside pickup: Not sure

This place is way over priced for what you get. The bolognese was completely mediocre. The mushroom and prosciutto was good, except for the lack of prosciutto in it. The waitress wouldn't let us put in an appetizer order before our main order, because it's easier on the kitchen that way. I ordered a vodka on the rocks with lemon, and they got that simple drink wrong 3 times! When you're paying $160 for 2 people, I expect way better service.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100

Without a doubt the best new restaurant in DC (7 weeks). The food was fantastic! The ultimate test is Octopus. Three of us ordered it and it we had three perfect dishes. The bar area is small but has an intimate, high energy vibe about it. The wait staff was very professional. Go before it gets so popular, reservations will be hard to come by. I do a lot of cooking and entertaining at home. I was so impressed, that this is the first time I have ever felt compelled to write a review on any restaurant....awesome!!

Most memorably delicious food I've had in years. Wine list was superb, and we found a 2016 red blend that was a rare treat, particularly for the price. Risotto, I've found, is usually a cheap and expendable comfort food, but not so here. Truly a crafted delight. Espresso & ice cream dessert will keep you awake, but worth every minute... Service was also impeccable. Taken together, although not cheap, for the price: no contest.
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Ramon and Victor delivered great service. Having just returned from two weeks in Italy, my wife noted that the pasta course tasted like "Italy on a plate. " Freshest ingredients and attention to detail consistent with the Knightsbridge restaurant brand.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Dietary restrictions
They accommodate dietary restrictions like gluten and dairy quite well.
Parking
Valet on weekends. Plenty of nearby street and garage parking.

Phenomenal food, phenomenal experience! The entire waitstaff was exceptional—friendly, helpful, and with spot-on recommendations. Modena grinds their own wheat flour on site and the freshness of their bread and pasta courses are indescribable. Easily on par with anything I’ve had in Italy. Seafood was fresh and grilled to perfection. Flavors were harmonious and an excellent twist on Italian cuisine. Cocktails, wine list, and deserts were exceptional as well. Will absolutely return in the future!

This place was absolutely spectacular! I cannot say enough good things. I went with someone who needed gluten free food, and they provided the most delicious options she has ever had. They hand mix the gluten free flour, and the bread is just amazing. The food with gluten was incredible, too! The gnocchi has truffle shaved on top and was some of the best I have had since Italy. Everyone was also so kind and friendly, and willing to chat about the food and answer any questions you might have.

I ate here for the first time last night while visiting DC and had an amazing experience. Bianca who served me at the bar was extremely attentive and friendly, and was super helpful in explaining the different menu options and giving recommendations. Everything also came out really quickly. I ordered a cheese plate and the Summer Corn Ravioli which were both phenomenal. Overall really pretty restaurant with amazing food & great service. I will definitely be coming back on my next trip to DC!

First time and won't be thr least. The atmosphere was very romantic and lighting was dim for a nice romantic dinner. The folks there were super helpful and nice and recommended some great options. The heirloom salad was amazing!! It was sweet and light for a great starter. The main course was especially good. The lasagna and egg yolk noodles (I think that's what it was called) were delicious. The portions are great to not get overly stuffed. They valet as well so easy enough for date night.

I adore this place for their gluten free pastas! It’s one of the best in the city if you like Italian but can’t do gluten. The service is good but there are very few serves so there can be a little bit of a wait on your first table touch. Otherwise it’s phenomenal once they get you going!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Dietary restrictions
House made gluten free pasta and bread!

This seems to be our regular — rain coming, run into a great restaurant. Our waiter - Antonio was a star - knew everything and made great suggestions. We started with the tomato salad with wonderful basil infused ice and balsamic “caviar”. The melon - prosciutto plate was excellent- with puffed fried pastry side. The gnocchi with truffle was perfectly cooked, which is always the hard part - getting the right tooth. A Bombolone and grappa were perfect ways to finish the meal.

Fantastic Thanksgiving Eve dinner with friends. As a large party, we had the opportunity to sample a lot of the food on the menu, and all of it was exquisite. Special mention to Victor who waited on us, provided great recommendations, and indulged all of our additional requests. Will definitely come back here when next in DC!!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes

The food was exceptional from appetizers to dessert! We had the fried artichokes (highly recommend), arugula salad, meatball appetizer, squash ravioli, and the tiramisu. Our cocktails were very good as well. I don’t often leave reviews, but this place deserved one. You will not be disappointed to eat here!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

This is the best restaurant I’ve eaten at in a long time. It’s a little pricy, and it’s one of those restaurants where different courses are actually portioned as such, so keep that in mind. In my opinion, it is so, so worth it. The food was fantastic, and so was the service. Our waiter Chris had great recommendations, and he and the rest of the team were always on top of things. Couldn’t recommend more highly.

We only had desserts and drinks here. You MUST get the warm Parmesan cake and apples & amaro desserts. You won’t regret it! Wonderful service, friendly staff. Prices for the desserts and drinks (limoncello and an amaro flight) were as expected for a fine dining establishment. Chris H was our server and he’s downright delightful!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Recommended dishes
Bomboloni

We went for the Thanksgiving day menu. The server was incredibly rude to my wife when she had a question about the menu. Then some of the staff’s kids sat next to our table and were watching videos on their phones incredibly loud which completely ruined the rest of the dinner for us. The food was decent… Biggest waste of money in my life. The ONLY absolutely fantastic person we encountered was the sommelier.

The food at this restaurant was fantastic. We chose this restaurant to celebrate my birthday. Antonio, our waiter, helped make this success a great experience. I have never had better risotto in my life. I have a food allergy and they were incredibly accommodating of my allergy. The drinks were delicious. Dessert was so good and they even made me a special birthday dessert. We will definitely be going back.

Very mindful of gluten allergies, very accommodating and had plenty of options for us. My wife loves Italian, but since being diagnosed with Celiac we hardly frequent Italian restaurants anymore. We were thrilled to find Modena.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Dietary restrictions
Gluten free options

On our one day trip to Washington, we made dinner reservations at Modena. We were kindly welcomed inside even though we might have been dressed too casual for the place. The interior has an upscale and modern vibe. Service was great and professional. Everything we ordered was delicious and seasoned perfectly (not too salty like chain restaurants). Overall we had a great meal. I would definitely recommend.

Fantastic meal with great ambience and interesting liquor selection (artichoke amaro anyone?) I love the option of half portions of pasta (but once I finished it, I wished I had the other half of the succulent lamb cavatelli I ordered).
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Lamb Ragu

This restaurant is very upscale. Loved the ambiance. Dimly lit, romantic setting. maî·tre d and server were extremely pleasant, talkative, and helpful. The server explained items in the menu in detail, he was very knowledgeable and friendly. The parking situation want to bad. I was able to find street parking a half a block away after circling twice but there is a parking garage on the same block.

We sat at the bar and ordered the 3 course dinner for restaurant week. The tomato heirloom and arguala salads were great and arrived after about 5 minutes. The summer corn ravioli was tasty and light. The bolognaese was excellent and both were perfect portions. The tiramiso was excellent for dessert. The bartenders were efficient and helpful. I recommend this place especially for restaurant week.

Exquisite presentation top notch authentic hand-made pastas, delicious desserts, and beverages .the creme Brule was absolutely perfect, the Services were impeccably efficient. The afrogato was delicious. I had the brogetta seafood absolutely perfect..
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Our server presented the menu as if we would never eat such good food in the perfect sized portions as Modena and it did not disappoint!The presentation and flavors of each course were fantastic. Metro access, street parking, and valet make it easy to enjoy a wonderful meal. We were not rushed but the service moved fast enough that we had plenty of time to make it to the theater on time.

My mom and I had a great time here, very nice service, the waitress was friendly, the food was well proportioned so you didn’t have to worry about tons of waste, and it also tasted very good. Overall, it was a good experience and I would recommend to anyone considered going here!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Features
Dine in: Yes

We had New Year’s Eve dinner here. The special menu made it hard to choose, and their cocktail menu has a lot of unique options. The quality of the food was good and the plating was beautiful. Our waiter was a bit unpleasant at first, however, it improved throughout the course of our meal. Overall, this was a solid spot, but nothing extraordinarily special.
Service
Dine in

5-star place without any doubts. The food and service were both excellent. I came here to celebrate the birthday of my girlfriend, and we were not disappointed. They even offered us the birthday tiramisu on the house. I highly recommend getting the Porcini Crusted Venison, shown in the picture.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50

Amazing food, and great patio experience. I had the crispy artichoke & potato gnocchi and my friend had the pizza. If you have been to Italy before you will be taken back to that food experience. Everything was fresh and cooked to perfection! We went for a birthday and they provided desert <3
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50

Highly recommend making a reservation first. Met a friend here for dinner and we sat at the bar since we didn't have a reservation. All good though, we had the Calamari, Polpette, Barber II, Lasagna, Tiramisu and Fig Tart. Everything was fresh and on point. Would definitely eat here again.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+

Modena is a fantastic restaurant with attentive and kind staff. I went for lunch, and the options were plentiful. I have celiac disease, and Modena was very accommodating. The server explained my options to me, and they even brought out gluten-free bread, which is a rarity. I will definitely return for lunch and dinner. I highly recommend Modena for any occasion.

I’m going to need a second visit here in the near future. The food was good, but the service was ever so slightly off—but this was acknowledged and more than made up for. Good location, too.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Recommended dishes
Tiramisu, Pan Roasted Amish Chicken, Bomboloni, Tortellini in Brodo

Stumbled on to this place after a long day of sightseeing-sat at the bar. Perfect! Franklin was my bartender and the drinks were excellent-food inventive and delicious. Highly recommend! I will come back next time I’m in DC!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Tiramisu

All pasta is made fresh daily by the restaurant. My Gluten-free dinner arrived as promised. Dinner was excellent. Knowledgeable staff. Very prompt with any request. Highly recommend.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Dietary restrictions
Gluten-free

Visited for Valentines Dinner, one of the last seatings of the evening, but the excellent staff took care of us like we were the 1st table of the night. Food was absolutely stunning and I only wish I could have eaten more. Definitely on my places to repeat in the future. The calamari appetizer was amazing. My cocktail also was fantastic and different!

My fiancé and I have been to Modena many times over the last few years and never disappoints. The food is always consistent with quality, taste, and presentation and they have an excellent wine list. They are extremely knowledgeable about food allergies too. Highly recommend.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+

Petra was amazing; I could not decide on a meal and she brought the perfect dish (pork chop( so red and juicy, I cut it with a fork, thank you chef)). Our family of four had meals so delicious, enjoyable & good from the kitchen, that my children ordered a second main course; each. Desert was great. The dinner was well paced and pairings we perfect.

Amazing food! Like nothing we've ever experienced. Warm and friendly service, also everyone seemed to be passionate about the chefs food, as we're we! Delicious and creative made for avery special experience on our anniversary. Highly recommend. The citrus cured salmon and the tortellini broth blew our minds. Thanks for the great experience chef!

Great atmosphere! Great team! Great service, energy and the food - effin delicious Will be sure to go back the next time in town. The belly laughs were genuine and a true reflection of what we experienced
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The Gnocchi was so good I’m sure I’ll have dreams about it, and Tiramisu was like eating a little piece of heaven. I’ll definitely be returning to this restaurant.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Tiramisu, Potato Gnocchi

Gnocchi and scallops are outstanding. Some other dishes we tried were also pretty good. Kid's spaghetti meatball costed 20 dollars but was not edible. Dessert was not good. Overall this is a professional restaurant with very good food if you avoid spaghetti meatball and desserts. It is a bit pricy, but very likely you will not be disappointed.

This is one of the few restaurants in DC that deliver on quality all round. The food is deliberately made with fresh ingredients; the waiters are professional knowledgeable and seasoned; there is an apt selection of wines to pair with the various items on the food menu and the low light ambience is perfect for dinner. I recommend modena

Excellent attentive service.the food was good. Servings were reasonable. I had squid ink chitarra with seafood. Wonderfully comforting. I didn't try desserts but my party gave high marks to Gelato dishes.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

Top of the list of WORST experiences possible! From service ( our ridiculously drunk waiter) to a sad attempt at Italian food…( microwaved pasta)…it was my birthday might i add and from start to getting the heck out, the only positive was the nice bottle of wine my fiancé and i luckily had to ease the pain…save yourself, don’t do it!

Good, but not the best value for money. $50/person for a shared starter, a main and a shared dessert was too expensive for what it is. Having said that, the focaccia, gnocchi and tiramisu were very good. Fried artichoke not as good as advertised. Good ambience, but restrooms could be cleaner. Good service. Attire smart casual.

Honestly not worth writing a long review. Extremely disappointing. While the presentation of the courses was beautiful the flavor was flat. Most disappointing of all was the tiramusu. I've had better in chain establishments. Save your vacation dollars and choose another place. A car payment shouldn't leave your palate wanting.

Wonderful food and service with light atmosphere. Given the name, there could have been more Ferrari imagery from the city of Modena.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Tiramisu, Pan Roasted Amish Chicken

Went here for our first meal in D.C. it was beautiful. The wait staff is there whenever you ask, they are very friendly, and they serve even better food!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Potato Gnocchi

Amazing sauces and home made pasta. Attentive attention. Great ambiance. A very enjoyable dining experience. Very friendly to my Celiac disease as well. Best gluten free bread I’ve ever had.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Recommended dishes
Cobb Salad, Potato Gnocchi

Pretty confused by their business model. I wanted to treat my office to pizza because I had a gift card and when I called to make my To Go order I said I want to order one pizza each of the four styles listed on the menu. I was told that was impossible and I needed to choose one?
Service
Take out
Service: 1

Very friendly staff, delicious food, and elevated atmosphere. Thank you all for the great experience and very tasty food, drinks and desert. *Chef's kiss*
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Tiramisu

Went on restaurant week 2021. Fantastic service- waiter was a friendly italian guy who knew the menu well. The presentation of the food here was also fantastic - something often lost now in mid tower restaurants. We are outside but glimpses inside made the ambiance look nice. Recommend the duck and the meatballs most.

I had an exceptional dinner at Modena tonight. The server was excellent; friendly and attentive to my dietary needs. The food was cooked to perfection. I look forward to going back.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

What's up with Italian restaurants in Washington DC? Have they all collectively lost their mind? Gnocchi dish is a cheap peasant food. It can't cost as much as you charge for it.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Food: 2
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3

The offerings here are exceptional, particularly for those with celiac disease or for individuals seeking gluten-free Italian fare. The restaurant takes pride in catering to diverse dietary needs by featuring an impressive array of gluten-free pasta options. Highly recommend the Michelangelo manhattan.

We had a fantastic experience! Every bite was delicious. Great Italian wines, too. I recommend the heirloom tomato salad, octopus, tartare, and Pomodoro pasta. The ribeye and squash risotto could have been better, though.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50

This restaurant came highly recommended by our hotel. Our food was not good. Gnocchi was very doughy and lack luster. The scallops were under cooked and raw in the middle. They did try to correct it but to no avail. The manager did take care of the bill accordingly which was appreciated.

Really nice place to go for lunch. This is where our Graduate advisor treats his past and present students. This time it was a crowd if around 25 people, and we all enjoyed our time here!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5

All 5 stars go to Ramone the sommelier. He is EXCEPTIONAL! Waiter was meh. Runner served my wife gluten twice with a gluten allergy. Salmon was farm raised. Overall menu was 3/5. Bartender wasn’t friendly. But the sommelier was very knowledgeable and super friendly. He made the night.

Delicious food and great service! Don't miss their homemade pasta! They have homemade gluten free pasta too! They were able to easily accommodate my gluten and dairy sensitivity without sacrificing flavor!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+

Our waitress was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. The squid ink chitarra was very good however the bolognese was a little too salty. Overall a wonderful experience
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Recommended dishes
Tiramisu

Excellent food. The bolognese and risotto were both absolutely delicious. The bread was light and flavorful. The tiramisu was unique—small in size but big in flavor.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Recommended dishes
Tiramisu

We had dinner at this place. The food tastes delicious even though it was small compared to American style. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was spectacular. I would strongly recommend! Valet parking available.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Good food, good service, etc. But the portions were quite small... They try to give Italian cuisine a more sophisticated twist, but is not what Italian food is about :(
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

We ordered takeout after a long, tiring drive and everything was delicious, including our to-go cocktails. Service was friendly and very fast and our every need was addressed. We felt well-taken care of and well fed. We will definitely be returning to dine in person.

Amazing service. Love the ambiance! The lead bartender Chris was absolutely attentive and sweet. Also the hostess was extremely professional. She was able to seat my partner and I by the bar. The menu is great! Happy hour drinks are amazing and also delicious.

Food was very good, service was outstanding!! Celebrated a family birthday and the host Chris went above and beyond. Chef was also outstanding with his presentation. Well done!!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100

Great service and excellent Italian food. Had the burrata, tortellini, and lasagna for a birthday dinner. Topped it off with some tiramisu. A bit loud but a great high end spot.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50

What a great experience! We sat at the bar and even though they were short staffed and busy, the service was great. Now the food...wow! We had the grilled octopus, potato gnocchi & sole! Start to finish, delicious! Oh!! And dessert...just as delicious!

Fine ambiance, finer foods, and the finest staff! Most pleasant experience!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Takeout: No
Delivery: No
Curbside pickup: No

Absolutely loved this place. I cannot wait to be back in DC to experience this place again! It felt like we were at the Chef’s table. EVERY single bite was exquisite. Thank you for such great service, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

A disappointment. Service was aggressively pushy, rushing us through the meal. Several of the entrees were cold, not lukewarm, but actually cool to the touch. The pasta was stuck together and lumpy. Very noisy and very casual on the dress code.