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Manalu Italian Restaurant, Frederick, MD
Manalu Italian Restaurant, Frederick, MD
Manalu Italian Restaurant, Frederick, MD
Manalu Italian Restaurant, Frederick, MD
Manalu Italian Restaurant, Frederick, MD

Manalu Italian Restaurant

4.9
4.9
1156 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
Top Tags:
Manalu is a new authentic Italian restaurant by Chef/Owner Marco Pontecorvo. The name was to combine all three of his family members names. MA for Marco, NA for Naomi, his daughter, and LU for Lucia, his wife. Manalu's goal is to bring a taste of Italy and a touch of Naples in the town, by serving authentic Italian cuisine and the original pizza Napoletana cooked in a brick oven. The atmosphere is very cozy and warm, perfect for family and friends. Manalu` also has a full bar and happy hour Mon-Fri from 4pm to 7pm. Happy hour also includes a food menu with delicious appetizers.

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2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–9:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (240) 578-4831
  • Website
    http://manaluitalianrestaurant.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Marco Pontecorvo
  • Catering
    Party includes: Delivery/setup, paper plates, forks, knives, spoons, napkins, all equipment, buffet tables, linens and flowers.
  • Location
    5227 Presidents Ct., Frederick, MD 21703
  • Neighborhood
    Frederick
  • Cross street
    corporate center/Hilton Garden Inn Frederick
  • Parking details
    Manalu is located in a Shopping Center and therefore has a parking lot in front of the restaurant. Plenty of spots to park in. There are also handicap spots.
  • Public transit
    Transit bus stops (#10)
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

What 1,156 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    Best Food

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    Best Service

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    Best Value

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    Italian

  • Maryland - DC Suburbs

    Best Overall

  • Maryland - DC Suburbs

    Best Food

  • Maryland - DC Suburbs

    Best Service

  • Maryland - DC Suburbs

    Best Ambiance

  • Maryland - DC Suburbs

    Best Value

  • Maryland - DC Suburbs

    Great for fine wines

  • Maryland - DC Suburbs

    Romantic

  • Maryland - DC Suburbs

    Good for special occasions

  • Maryland - DC Suburbs

    Italian

1,156 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Manalu never disappoints! Our server recommended a new appetizer to us and WOW one of the best bites of food I’ve had in a long time. The Crostini Di Mare may be my favorite on the menu now. If you’re looking for perfection every time go to Manalu!

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  2. RTB24

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a great experience here. Great food and service. Reminds me of the good Italian places I grew up with in NJ. Looking forward to going back and trying more dishes. It’s a nice and extensive menu.

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  3. KimberlyC

    Washington DC

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our meal at Manalu was fantastic as always. The service was attentive but not intrusive, the menu is extensive and our party had a variety of selections, all of which were excellent. The extensive wine list is much appreciated! This is our family's "go to" restaurant for special celebrations and our experience this past week was outstanding.

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We absolutely love coming here and would recommend this place to anyone who loves Italian food!!

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  5. NancyT

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Manalu serves fresh, authentic Italian cuisine with a quiet and tasteful ambiance. Service was great and the warm focaccia was delicious, as well as our entrees. Desserts are also fabulous. I particularly loved the Grandmother’s cake, which is a light lemon custard dessert with crust and powdered sugar and almonds on top. Manalu is highly recommended.

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  6. Harold

    Washington DC

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    We had a great dinner at Manalú. Food was prepared well, came out timely, and our waitress was wonderful. We also had a bottle of wine which was very reasonably priced. I think we somehow insulted the owner who brought us a calamari appetizer in the house. Even thought we thanked him, and politely indicated that we did not eat calamari, he never spoke with us again.

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  7. gw4775

    Atlantic City

    83 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    83 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great dinner....fresh ingredients....great service (Alexa).....excellent wine.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and staff. We were celebrating my wife’s birthday and she really enjoyed it. We will come back

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  9. amys

    Houston

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Exceptional restaurant! Fantastic waiter! One of very favorite places to eat.

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  10. AlainC

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    Food was mediocre at best. My wife had stomach cramps when we got home. My spaghetti with oil & garlic had was literally swimming in olive oil.

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  11. Giacomina

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The pizza at Manalu' is fantastic! Truly Italian. We had a wonderful lunch. It was my friend's birthday, and they surprised her with a dessert and an Italian serenade. Both of us speak Italian, so we were able to have a great conversation with the owner and several of the employees. I live in Gainesville, Virginia, so it's not right around the corner from me, and my friend lives in Hagerstown, but we will definitely be back!

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  12. ErinLS

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Hands down the best Italian food around. Lobster ravioli is outstanding!

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  13. Nonna

    Greater Boston

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food and service is Always exceptional! It’s difficult to get a reservation for the weekends but during the week doesn’t seem to be a problem. I highly recommend this Italian restaurant!

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  14. MichaelK

    Washington DC

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Quite simply the best Italian food outside of Italy. Wonderful and seasoned staff that delivers quality and friendly service. Never rushed. Make great recommendations. If you’re not local, make the trip, but you MUST make reservations.

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  15. RSES

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall3food5service5ambience5
    Confirmed reservations for four (4) people, outdoor seating at 1:15 PM. Arrived at the restaurant at 1:00 and announced arrival with the Hostess. The Hostess stated we would need to be finished by 3:00 PM because a party was arriving, and our table would be needed. I was there to celebrate my sister's birthday and I was having a "party" as well. No alternatives were offered before the Hostess stated we would need to be finished by 3:00. I found the approach by the Hostess somewhat rude. Truly not my problem. I had reservations first and while I had no intention of camping out at the restaurant, I also did not want to feel rushed as we held our "party". I asked if there was a table available inside and the Hostess offered up a booth, so to avoid watching the clock and the thought of being asked to leave, we opted for the booth inside. My bill was more than $125 and my reservation is just as important as the next persons. The restaurant needs to look into a better method for reservations in these types of situations, so the restaurant's problem does not become the customer's problem. Our server, Jennifer M was excellent, and the food was excellent. I would give the overall experience five (5) starts but the Hostess who can make or break your experience and the first person you speak with is the reason for the overall three (3) stars.

    1 person found this helpful

  16. PatriciaD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our waitress was excellent The food is delightful

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  17. Bruce

    Pittsburgh

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Nice meal. Would suggest allowing for more time between the salad order and the main entree.

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  18. Poptart

    Houston

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    The food here is really wonderful and flavorful. They have an extensive wine list, and they offer specials on selected bottles, which is really terrific. The service is attentive. I do wish that the dining room were quieter and the ambience a bit better -- it is a bit loud.

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  19. beanbag12

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My partner and I both have gluten allergies and we enjoy coming here because we have options. We do not get sick from eating here! The gluten free marinara pizza is amazing!! Almost all of the pasta dishes can be made with gluten free pasta. The only improvement that could be made is having a gluten free bread option even if it’s a few dollars. It is so difficult to see others eating bread when you have a gluten allergy! Even if they took the gluten free pizza dough and made breadsticks or something with it! As always, the service was wonderful! We will always return!

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  20. Keving

    Baltimore

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on October 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always an outstanding meal with excellent service.

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  21. KateC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Get the calamari and aurora pasta, both excellent! Christian our waiter was great!

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  22. MissyM

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, wide selection of superbly prepared Italian dishes.

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  23. CharlesW

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best Italian restaurants in Frederick! The server was amazing and very courteous.

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  24. Becky

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience2
    The noise level made conversation among our party of 4 nearly impossible. The tables were so close together that we almost felt that we were part of the conversations of the parties seated around us. One of our group wears hearing aids, and he was not able to participate in hardly any of our conversations. We found ourselves practically yelling to be heard across the table.

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  25. huckle54

    Raleigh

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is a great, authentic Italian restaurant. Food and service are excellent. Servers are knowledgeable and helpful with explaining selections on the menu. Very good wine choices. Would highly recommend as a place to eat weekly or to entertain out of town guests.

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  26. JenniferM

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Server and staff extremely attentive. Food was delicious. Will definitely return!

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  27. LisaM

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best Italian food in the area! Love this place! Never had a bad meal here.

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  28. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Thank you for making our son’s birthday a memorable experience. Chef you and your team and amazing. As a hospitality professional I always admire an amazing chef in an amazing restaurant with an amazing staff. Best independently owned Italian restaurant in Frederick.

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  29. Jim120253

    Washington DC

    29 reviews

    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    First time diner at Manalu. It was very crowded, even on a Tuesday night, and very noisy upon entering. Wide menu selection. Cuisine is "Italian-American-Continental cuisine" rather than authentic Italian (as in what you'd find in Italy) or an old style Italian American red-sauce joint. Excellent wine list with helpful descriptions of the wines. Note: Per the question below, I would recommend Manalu Italian Restaurant to a friend but would caution that it's not truly authentic.

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  30. AA123456

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A must-visit! outstanding Italian food and service.

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  31. DavidK

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My wife and I love this restaurant so much that we drive up from North Carolina every year on her birthday to have a special celebration. The food is always great and the service impeccable. What a wonderful place for a meal.

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  32. RH77

    Cincinnati

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Almost got stuck in the bar (as a single diner), but luckily got seated at a 4 top outside (as I had requested an outside table when I made my reservation a week in advance). From there on out it was a perfect experience. Service, food and wine was spectacular! Thank you.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always great food and excellent service. The owner always takes time to check with his guests to make sure everything is good. Can’t wait to return!

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food & service - definitely a place for a special occasion!

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service. I define recommend this place.

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  36. jerayray1

    Baltimore

    76 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    76 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    We sat outside for this eating expirence and enjoyed the al fresco dining so much but not as much as the food. Spaghetti and Meat balls were so yummy as well as the Pasta with Bolognese. Pizza dough bread served before dinner was a wonderful accomaniment to our Prosecco. Great place to eat, no bad choices here.

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service. Can’t wait to go back.

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  38. Laurie

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always good good and drinks. In my opinion, the best Lasagna in Frederick.

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  39. Howie

    Boise

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service and food was outstanding. Service is very prompt. Staff is very friendly and professional. We celebrated a Birthday. Well worth the experience.

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  40. Margie

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was outstanding as usual! Service was also great!

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FAQs

Manalu Italian Restaurant is rated 4.9 stars by 1156 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today
Google Map for Manalu Italian Restaurant

5227 Presidents Ct., Frederick, MD 21703

Additional information

  • Cross street
    corporate center/Hilton Garden Inn Frederick
  • Neighborhood
    Frederick
  • Hours of operation
    Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–9:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Manalu is located in a Shopping Center and therefore has a parking lot in front of the restaurant. Plenty of spots to park in. There are also handicap spots.
  • Public transit
    Transit bus stops (#10)
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Marco Pontecorvo
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://manaluitalianrestaurant.com/
  • Phone number
    (240) 578-4831
  • Catering
    Party includes: Delivery/setup, paper plates, forks, knives, spoons, napkins, all equipment, buffet tables, linens and flowers.

Featured in

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