Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Our Signature Bucatini with Spicy Neapolitan Ragu - Caruso's Grocery - DC, Washington, DC
Icon

Caruso's Grocery - DC

$31 to $50
Italian
1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003-3030

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 43 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Please note that we are not offering Restaurant Week at our DC location.

Located at 914 14th Street SE in Washington, DC.

Caruso’s Grocery is modeled after the classic, Italian-American "red sauce" joint. You know the one: red banquettes, a killer chicken parmesan, Sinatra pouring through the speakers. If you’re looking for modern interpretations of a chef's take on the classics, you won’t find them here.

A joint venture from Neighborhood Restaurant Group and Partner Matthew Adler.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Matt Adler

From the OpenTable editors: Named the best Italian-American restaurant in the city by the Washington Post, Caruso’s Grocery is a love letter to the Italian-American joints chef Matthew Adler grew up with, including one run by his father in upstate New York. The menu leans into classics like spaghetti and meatballs, alfredo and penne alla vodka—all served in a throwback dining room outfitted with big red booths and black-and-white photos. Pair your food with an "Antipasti" dirty martini and dig in.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Market Cuisine
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 661-0148
  • Website
    http://www.carusosgrocery.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Location
    1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003-3030
  • Neighborhood
    Capitol Hill
  • Cross street
    14th and Pennsylvania Ave SE<br />(Entrance is on 14th Street)
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Potomac Avenue
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 1,310 people are saying

Caruso's Grocery - DC reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    Italian

  • District of Columbia

    Best Value

  • District of Columbia

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Caruso's Grocery - DC offers an unforgettable dining experience with "amazing food" and "impeccable service." Guests rave about the "delicious" traditional Italian dishes like Alfredo and Chicken Parmesan. The restaurant's cozy ambiance makes it perfect for special occasions, with many calling it their "favorite Italian spot in DC."
1,310 Reviews

  1. Aman

    Baltimore / Maryland3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great experience at Caruso's grocery! They all greeted us for our anniversary and brought complimentary champagne. We started with calamari and caesar salad, both of which were good. The calamari could have used a bit more salt/seasoning, but the lemon aioli made up for it. The real stars were the ricotta gnocchi and ragu. Both pasta dishes were well made and I kept wanting to switch back and forth, luckily we were sharing both. The oreo cheesecake to finish was a great way too end the night, nothing too fancy as expected, but tasted fresh with a soft texture rather than a cheesecake you can tell was frozen. Overall, service was super nice, just a bit slow at times but it was busy. But food came out quickly and overall no real complaints, definitely recommend!
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you so much for spending your anniversary with us—we’re honored to have been part of your celebration! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the pasta, especially the gnocchi and ragu (a favorite combo), and that the Oreo cheesecake hit the sweet spot to end the evening. We also appreciate your thoughtful notes—the feedback about the calamari seasoning and pacing is helpful and will be shared with the team. And we're so glad the warm welcome and bubbly helped kick off the night on a festive note. Hope we get to celebrate many more milestones with you in the future—cheers to you both!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Mark S VIP

    Washington, D.C. Area34 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent small Italian restaurant with an energetic ambiance especially during peak dining time. All dishes on the menu are freshly and excellently prepared, especially the weekly specials on the menu that include varied antipasti, entrees, desserts as well as dessert drinks. All traditional Italian dishes with reasonable prices and generous portions. Wines also on the specials listed include informative writeups that also can be excellently paired with the dishes.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Marta

    Washington, D.C. Area6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Service and food are great. Only complaint is that it’s so very loud. Was at a 6-person round table and couldn’t hear the people across the table from me.
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you so much for the kind words about our service and food—we’re really glad you enjoyed those parts of your visit. And you’re absolutely right about the noise level; being such a small, lively space, things can definitely get loud, especially during peak hours. We appreciate your patience with that and your thoughtful feedback—it’s something we’re always mindful of as we try to balance the energy of the room with guest comfort. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Justin VIP

    Washington, D.C. Area8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful food, staff, service, and drinks! Always a great time at one of the best restaurants in DC.
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    What an incredible compliment—thank you! We’re so happy to be one of your go-to spots in DC, and it means the world to know you consistently have a great time with us. We’ll keep doing our best to deliver those wonderful meals, warm service, and good vibes every time you visit. See you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Russel

    Charlotte7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent small family restaurant. Spaghetti w/ meat balls was fantastic
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you so much for the lovely note! We’re so glad you enjoyed the spaghetti and meatballs—it’s a classic we take great pride in. Your kind words about our cozy, family-style vibe mean a lot. Hope to see you again soon for another comforting plate!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Tasha VIP

    Washington, D.C. Area3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food. Amazing service. No complaints! Bravo
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you so much! Short, sweet, and music to our ears. We’re so glad everything hit the mark—hope to see you again soon for another great night at Caruso’s. Bravo right back at you!

    1 person found this helpful

  7. Rich

    Greater Boston1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an amazing experience for my wife’s birthday last night. The food was amazing and the service was impeccable. 10/10 if anyone asks if I know a good restaurant in the DC area I will recommend Carusos Grocery every time
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you so much for the kind words! We’re honored you chose to celebrate your wife’s birthday with us, and thrilled to hear that both the food and service made it a memorable night. We’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to the team. It means the world that you'd recommend us—hope to welcome you back again soon!

    1 person found this helpful

  8. Morgan

    Southwest Florida2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing experience, service and food were top notch! Loved the Alfredo so good! Don't skip the orange creme brulee for dessert!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Sylvia

    Baltimore / Maryland4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food is always excellent. Seasoned well. Alittle chilly. Price is reasonable. Staff friendly.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Ella

    New York City1 review

    4.0

    Dined on June 10, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The service was extraordinary but the food wasn’t anything to write home about. Nonetheless, a lovely spot.
    Caruso's Grocery - DCResponded on June 11, 2025
    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re glad to hear that our service made a positive impression, though we’re sorry the food didn’t quite meet your expectations. We truly appreciate your honest feedback as it helps us continually improve. We hope you’ll consider giving us another chance to provide you with the full Caruso’s Grocery experience in the future.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Caruso's Grocery - DC offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 661-0148.

Caruso's Grocery - DC is rated 4.9 stars by 1310 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Washington, D.C. Area
  4. District of Columbia
  5. Capitol Hill

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 43 times today
Google Map for Caruso's Grocery - DC

1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003-3030

Additional information

  • Cross street
    14th and Pennsylvania Ave SE<br />(Entrance is on 14th Street)
  • Neighborhood
    Capitol Hill
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Market Cuisine
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Potomac Avenue
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Reservation Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo