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Alta Strada

3.8 (639 reviews)

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ALTA STRADA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Romantic
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - Alta Strada

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Enjoying kids menu!
Aarti B.

Authentic Italian dishes bursting with flavor and nice patio seating. Alta Strada one of my favorite restaurants! If you go on the weekdays, there's hardly any wait for a table outside or for lunch on the weekends. Lunch is a great deal with dinner portions sizes that cost less! Great food, friendly service, and wonderful ambiance - 5 stars all around. My only complaint is that I wish the fluffy complementary bread was still offered. World-Famous Garlic Bread - The ciabatta bread is so moist and delicious with 4 large pieces. I wish they still offered it! Sage Against The Machine cocktail (5/5) - Refreshing bubbly with limoncello and sparkling rose. The Mimosas with fresh squeezed OJ are quite delicious. Elderflower Mocktail & Blueberry Ginger Mocktails (5/5) - Appreciate the handful of mocktail selections on the menu. Both mocktails were refreshing, with a subtle Elderflower flavor and lime juice. While the Blueberry was more subtle with bold ginger. I wasn't a big fan of the Blueberry Porch Swing Cocktail (not that balanced) and enjoyed the boozy Mint Julep cocktail with a mountain of ice, it was refreshing and helped to dilute the booze. Eggplant Parm - So glad they replaced the Eggplant Parm Sandwich with the entree served with broccolini. It was tender and juicy! Mafalde (5/5) - The frilly pasta is cooked al dente and covered in a light cream mushroom sauce with a heap of mushrooms. If you love mushrooms, get it! Lemon Agnolotti (5/5) - The ravioli like stuffed pasta filled with ricotta had a nice citrus lemon flavor paired well with a sweet sauce with grilled radicchio, cabbage, and crunchy pistachios. The blend of ingredients worked well and the veggies elevated the flavor. Unique dish fun to try! Gnocchi (5/5) - Pillowy soft with fresh pesto was a bundle of joy mixed into a veggie medley of arugula, peas, asparagus and topped with crunchy walnuts and sharp pecorino cheese. Complementary flavors that blended well together with a heap of veggies and smaller pasta portion. Highly recommend! Penne a la Vodka (4/5) - The penne a la Vodka had good flavor, just a spicy kick! I wish it came with a breadstick or a side salad. Salmon (4/5) - My hubby enjoyed the fresh caught Salmon that's served like a stew with brocolini and chick peas. While the stew was an interesting take on the Tiramisu (5/5) - Served traditionally like pudding in a glass cup was a sweet ending to our meal. Apple Crisp (4/5) - Hit the spot, like a warm slice of apple pie topped with crunchy oats and a scoop of vanilla gelato. The small scoop wasn't enough, asked for another scoop and got charged an extra $3 for it! The patio seating is perfect for people watching and we caught glimpse of the sunset. Excited to come back and explore other dishes on the menu!

Garlic Bread, Nonna's Meatballs and Cadillac
Anton F.

Looking for an Italian eatery in the Fairfax Mosaic District with good wine and spirits, check out Alta Strada. My first visit was in another location in the DC downtown area, inside the Canopy Hilton. The Waitstaff, Host and Bartenders were all pleasant. The menu is simple with traditional entrees and appetizers. Spacious, plenty of natural light and inviting. Try the World Famous garlic bread, really good.

Tiramisu
Hayward L.

Came here for drinks and dessert on a weekend evening. Lovely outdoor seating and atmosphere. Tiramisu was excellent and reasonably sized. Cocktails were delicious too. Some of the entrees and drinks are on the more expensive side.

Fried Calamari DC restaurant week 2026
Clarence B.

It was ok. We came for DC winter restaurant as a place we hadn't tried. The ambiance was lively. The hosts were not helpful or engaging when I said I was there to meet my wife that arrived earlier. They just stared at each other like I spoke another language. The waiter was pleasant, quick and attentive. The seating seemed staged for the maximum number of of people the could put in the space and the gentleman sitting behind me both struggled to seat comfortably as we were both tall. They brought out a bottle of of spring water and bread - both as extra costs writtten in fine print. The food was ok, competently prepared and plated. We ordered calamari, meatballs, lasagna and rockfish. All were delivered hot and were good. We finished with the cannoli and tiramisu. Both were also good.

Penne
LoiLoi F.

Coming back from Europe, we wanted something to bring us back to those missed flavors. We visited Alta Strada back in 2023. We started with garlic bread and meatballs, both Amazing! We all got different entrees but all were delicious! Although it wasnt the same as Italy, we lived the experience and effort here! Def try them out!

Melody Y.

Friendly service- we asked the waiter for recommendations and he was very good at pointing out the popular dishes. Garlic bread: 5/5 you can really taste the butter and cheese. It came out perfectly hot and toasted. Spaghetti with meatballs: 3.5/5 the meatballs tasted like they were made in house but a bit gamey, not very juicy. The spaghetti was a little dry although the sauce tasted fresh.

Wine
Loretta H.

Had a lunch date at Alta Strada. Food was really good but just wish the lunch menu had a little more options. Our server was great and had good wine suggestions. Would definitely like to go back for dinner

Rigatoni with spicy sausage
Sam O.

A really good choice in the new trendy Mosaic district of Fairfax! The rigatoni with the spicy sausage is really good and not too hot, and the lasagna bolognese was also excellent. We had a fire waiter at well

Fried Calamari
Liv W.

We went here for happy hour and I have to say that the happy hour deals are great! It's 4-7 (it says 4-6 on their blackboard in the restaurant and 4-7 online) at the bar only. It's $8 wines, $5 draft beer, $4 well liquor, and $8-$14 apps and side pastas. We had Jason as our bartender/server and he was so awesome. Quick, funny, and charismatic! He gave recommendations and clearly knew his stuff. I do feel bad as he was both hosting and bartending, but he seemed quite experienced so I'm sure it worked out. But let's get to the food... the food is good! Not the best Italian I've ever had, but for the price, it's very good. Not pictured (I forgot... I was too hungry to let the phone eat first) is the vodka penne. The vodka sauce was great and the side portion honestly was so filling and I don't think I could've eaten anymore! The calamari was good (according to my boyfriend) and the meatballs weren't too shabby. I don't know if they make the pasta from scratch but I don't think they do? And that's why my review is 4 instead of 5 stars. The drinks were great and I liked the house wines! For $8 I'll take it. The vibes were good and the restaurant was clean! I'd come back for happy hour again.

Penne "alla" Vodka with chicken
Whitney L.

I have to say that I had a pleasantly wonderful dinner at Alta Strada with some co-workers. Their cocktail menu is filled with well balanced beverages that aren't too heavy on the alcohol but also not solidly sweet where you feel like you're drinking juice. I ordered the chicken penne Al la vodka (very good) and we had fried calamari and bread as appetizers. Highly recommended tiramisu for dessert. The fried doughnuts were light and coated with sugar but I didn't care too much for it. Service was really good as well. Our waitress gave us all her top recommendations and came back with Parmesan and water refills. The environment is pretty casual but nice for a business casual attire as well.

Tiramisu
Crystal L.

Located in Mosaic Fairfax, Alta Strada is a modern Italian restaurant that offers delicious pasta and dessert. We came here for a date night. Service was attentive and fast. We tried the fried calamari, Penne Alla Vodka and the Tagliatelle, they were flavorful. The tiramisu was great. Only thing is the price, it adds up quickly and one may not leave the restaurant with a full belly. Will recommend for special occasion but not a regular dinner venue.

Tiramisu
Bhamidipati M.

The perfect Italian spot on the outskirts of DC with excellent food and even better wine! The pasta was not just cooked to perfection, it was just finger licking good. The apps were tasty and freshly made. All the pastas are handmade and fresh. I highly recommend this restaurant! PS: You can park your car at the target garage parking for free

Nonna's Slow Cooked Meatballs

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

The food was good but it took me 45 minutes to get my food after I ordered it. Lot of waiting for a plate of pasta

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Alta Strada M.

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1 year ago

Best resturant in Mosaic! Staff are super friendly and make you feel like you're part of their family. Food is excellent, drinks are better.

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

Service and ambience are good. Food is overpriced and does not have much flavor. Would not go again.

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Alta Strada Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Alta Strada

What are the pastas recommendations for someone trying Alta Strada for the first time?

The fedelini and the cacio e pepe!

Does anyone know if there are any fees or know any additional information about reserving for a private event?

Yes. There is a F&B minimum depending on how much of the restaurant reserved. There is no private space though.

How is the happy hour? Is there a happy hour specials?

While I wasn't there for happy hour the bartender and bar were fully stocked and ready for anything!

Does this restaurant make you feel happy and comfortable?

Yes, always happy and comfortable especially in Deanna's section or on the bar with Rita! Outstanding service! Love the food too!

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Alta Strada - italian - Updated October 2026

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