Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ama

    4.2 (132 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Ama Photos

    Business Info

    AMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ama

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Artichoke appetizer
    Win S.

    This is such a cozy neighborhood spot in the Navy Yard area, which seems to be increasing in chain restaurants by the minute! Thank goodness for Ama for adding back some character to the area with its North Italian charm! My friend and I ordered the rabbit stew, which was delicate and tender. It was served with a thick slice of sourdough bread which we used to sop up the tasty tomato and fennel based stew. I don't see rabbit much on menus these days, and this was a unique dish that pleased the palate! We also ordered artichoke and lemon for appetizer, and an al dente spinach and cheese ravioli, which was recommended by our server. For dessert we shared a caramel pie a la mode, which was a little overly sweet. Everything was nicely done, but in small portions. My only complaint was that my friend and I were still hungry after two main dishes and an appetizer! I like how light the dishes are, but they could use a little more heft portion-wise (and this is coming from someone who doesn't eat huge meals usually - so that might be saying something). Or perhaps add on an extra dish and get more than you think. Ama seems to have good happy hour deals and they also have a cafe/coffee side of the restaurant that opens at 8 a.m. At a quick glance of the menu, you'll get a sense of the restaurant's whole ethos. They stand for many idealistic values, including a menu that was approved by integrated nutritionists. Hopefully these values are sustainable to maintain! Everything is organic, with no seed oils or refined sugars - not even in the dessert! Even their cookware is plastic-free and PFAS-free. They also go into a few paragraphs about their state of the art water filtration system on site for all cooking/drinking. Beyond the health of the food/drink for customers, they extend this healthy mindfulness to their employees, offering full health insurance benefits to all their employees (with a ~3.85% health wellness charge to customers). Even with the extra charge, our overall bill wasn't too high for two people. Hopefully Ama continues to adhere to all their promises and values. Would love to come back to support again. Restaurant margins can be super slim these days, so I'm glad they don't cut corners.

    Pasta
    Amelia N.

    Definitely an excellent choice for a fancy night out or a delicious dinner at the bar. Beautiful place and the food matched the environment. Service was fantastic, friendly, and very attentive!!

    Beef ravioli
    Min Z.

    Great location, right across from Whole Foods on the Capitol Hill. Nice ambiance and fresh food. The service was nice and pleasant. We tried a few dishes on our first visit. We went back again the next week just to make sure. The stood out dish was the rice bowl. My friend and I are going to order it again in our future visits. The other dishes were fine but kind of ordinary.

    Menu
    Manasa P.

    I came in on a Monday night so it wasn't too busy but still lively. There was plenty of seats at the bar. The menu is seed oil free and very cautious of our health. I liked how the menu talked about the benefits of different ingredients throughout. It is a great spot to go for a meal when you are still ingredient cautious. All of the food was good and solid portion size. I got the baba au rhum for my dessert and the server warned me it is boozy and it lived up to the hype. My friend got the tiramisu and they make their lady fingers in house so it's gluten free. They also had a full page of nonalcoholic drinks at differing price points. I will definitely return. I also saw they have a water service so I'll need to check that out.

    Torta caprese
    Sheran M.

    As an Italian, I think Ama really nails the simple trattoria flavors. Not everything was perfect, but the pici and the coniglio were both standouts, and rabbit is genuinely hard to come by in the US, so that's always a win. I'm also fully on board with their philosophy of organic, healthy, micro-plastic free ingredients, which feels very true to how food is approached back in Italy. Service was good, and the ambiance leans upscale, though the food is very much trattoria in spirit. As an Italian, that's always an interesting dynamic to encounter in the US, not something you'd typically see framed that way back home.

    Paccheri con sugo di mare
    Rukaiyah T.

    The Paccheri con sugo di mare was light but filling. You can tell they were using all natural ingredients and fresh pasta. The restaurant was lightly dimmed and inviting. All of the staff work together and very knowledgeable of the menu, wine pairings and the region this restaurant is inspired by.

    Chelsea A.

    Came to Ama with three friends for Restaurant Week and had an amazing experience. The vibe is super cute and cozy. Parking can be hit or miss, but I lucked out this time. We were supposed to stick to the Restaurant Week menu but somehow ended up ordering three different breads -- all were a hit, including the pea pancake (so good). And I loved the one that's like a pizza. For apps, the soups were solid. The minestrone was my favorite. Just a heads-up: the pasta fagioli is not like Olive Garden's, so don't order it expecting that. Entrees were a 10/10 -- we shared the Branzino and pasta Bolognese and everything was delicious. Dessert was gelato or sorbet, and we all left very happy. Restaurant Week is back and Ama definitely delivered. Great spot for celebrations too. Our server, Gerard, was super attentive and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended -- I would definitely come back and recommend this place.

    Spaghetti al Pomodoro
    Austin B.

    AMA nails the balance between intentional dining and genuine enjoyment. The vibe is warm, stylish, and thoughtfully curated without feeling try-hard. The menu leans wellness-forward while still feeling indulgent. We ordered the focaccia (get two -- trust me) and the Spaghetti al Pomodoro, both of which were beautifully executed. The pasta was simple, bright, and comforting, letting high-quality ingredients do the work. Service was excellent throughout -- attentive, knowledgeable, and aligned with the restaurant's calm, confident energy. Overall, AMA delivers on food, ambiance, and experience in a way that feels cohesive and intentional. Easy five stars, and absolutely a place I'll return to.

    Pomodoro
    Kelly M.

    I wasn't wowed, I'm afraid. The happy hour cocktails are sickly sweet. The wine was fine but only 2 options. The famous focaccia was too hard and not great. The pastas are so expensive and pretty small. I got the pasta with duck ragu. I normally love duck but the duck flavor was gamey and overpowering. The pasta was good but the overall flavor was not the best. We asked for Parmesan cheese. They brought a tiny amount in a little cup, ground up parm, and then charged us $2 for it without any warning. My friend liked the pomodoro but otherwise I was underwhelmed and overcharged. There's also a service fee of nearly 4% to boot.

    Gelato with a gold spoon.. IYKYK
    Jasmin J.

    The ambiance is beautiful and calming with soft lighting, terracotta tones, and an authentic charm that feels both elevated and familiar. It is intimate, warm, and full of character. Ama was such a highlight during DC Cocktail Week 2025. I ordered their featured cocktail, Fiato di Bosco, and it was INCREDIBLE. The mezcal actually brought a gentle smokey flavor in comparison to cocktails I've had before. That blended with the bright citrus felt like taking a deep breath in a forest. Classic and so well balanced. I also loved their eco-friendly approach. No microplastics in their food or cocktail prep, all grass fed beef, wild caught seafood, and clean house made ingredients. It is the kind of integrity you can taste. The team made the experience even more memorable. Eden the restaurant manager was so kind and relatable. Chris, the bartenders created cocktails so quick but with so much precision. And Blake, the bar manager, was truly outstanding. She was serving, bartending, answering questions, checking in, and making the space feel warm and family oriented the entire time. Ama feels like a neighborhood favorite with intention and incredible hospitality. I cannot recommend it enough. Definitely going back!

    Jacqueline V.

    Nice cozy neighborhood spot, menu offers authentic Italian dishes. For small bites, grab the beef and pork meatballs. Service at the bar was prompt. Bartender was knowledgeable and too technical with dink explanations.... Would have loved to see a smile - he was too focused. I will have to return for table service.

    Tiramisu
    Nams S.

    The food is delicious, nourishing, with enough vegetarian, vegan, gluten free options. This is not the typical italian cuisine or restaurant you maybe used to, with dense creamy pastas and loud pizzas (nothing wrong with that) but is more subtle north western italian food which is having its moment in many parts of the world. The team does a wonderful job of combining an already fresh and delicate cuisine with whole grains/flours/healthier alternatives. Thin, crisp Ligurian flatbread made of chickpea flour, focaccia with tender onions. tender chestnut flour gnocchi with Tigullio pesto, Tiramisu with buckwheat ladyfingers. lemon cake with hazelnut flour, fior de latte gelato and fresh sorbets. Our group enjoyed all items with the favorite being the flatbread, focaccia, and Tiramisu. portion sizes are ideal, price is in line with what you expect in the DC and Navy Yard area. Ice creams could be priced a tad lower than the other desserts. Drinks are fresh, the spritzes are perfect to welcome spring/summer. Service is kind, attentive, and helpful. Adam made appropriate recommendations for our table. Evening ambience with low lighting, a vertically floating dining room and bar is suitable for dates, after work drinks, families, and friends alike. The commitment to sustainability is visible not just in take out containers but also in the bathrooms!

    Raviolino
    Melanie C.

    I've now dined here for dinner and brunch and both experiences were top notch. I'm impressed with the commitment to healthy foods and preparation throughout the process. The menu was intriguing and we enjoyed all of our selections. From the focaccia bread to the beets to the fennel salad and fried meatballs, the appetizers were delightful. The raviolini and beef heart bolognese pastas were remarkable too! My hubby loved his veal and the I forgot to mention all the fun mocktails (kids tried the elderberry and I enjoyed the homemade ginger ale)! I'm stoked to have this brunch option on Sundays following church now! Thank you, Team Ama!

    See all

    11 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ms. H.
    130
    34
    31

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Win S.
    274
    275
    4707

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    28 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nancy M.
    109
    181
    42

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Keilani S.
    140
    13
    21

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 3
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Ama Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ama

    Is there a vegan pasta entree available?

    My experience has been they are able to make dietary accommodations given everything is made fresh !

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Desserts 12,150 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Pacci’s - Roasted Red Pepper Tortellini

    Pacci’s

    4.5(102 reviews)
    1.1 miCapitol Hill

    Ok so you're a guy from Jersey and of course you love Italian food so your keep your eyes peeled…read moreall over the city for new places to try. Paccis looks like a small family owned Jersey Italian spot tucked inside a classic Capitol Hill brick home so of course you gotta try it. You and your girlfriend sit down and immediately the couple in the corner seated next to you pipes up about good timing because you just missed the sunset glaring through the window. This fella keeps flapping his jaw the whole time. Even to the elderly couple cross the room. Ok so maybe I was part of the problem but whatever. Anyway it feels like home. They eat there all the time, so that's a good sign. Good people. Which is good because the food is good too and You don't want bad ambiance to detract from a great meal. Oh and did I mention the couple who sat next to us after that were speaking Italian and sharing pizza and pasta? Paccis is certified FOOD: So oh yeah they serve food here too right. Let's talk about it. Me and the girlfriend love to share everything because why come to a delicious restaurant and only try one dish? Fuggedaboutit! We're sampling over here. She starts with a Hugo spritz that apparently is a "girliepop fave" which I might deserve jail time for typing those words but whatever sue me she liked the drink ok? Antipasti: We tried the eggplant fritti which was delicious. Also shared the beet salad. Also delicious. But I will say that we eat a lot of arugula salads and dry arugula even with all the toppings can be a little rough and I'd love if it was lubed up with a tiny bit of olive oil. Anyway don't hesitate to try either of these. Entrees: Buccatini alla carbonara was awesome. Creamy/cheesy, nice bite through the pasta, and that cured meat or whatever it was. We also had the chicken Marsala which was delicious but if you don't already know, don't ask how it's made so delicious because it's basically all butter and cream. Anyway pasta and sauce and chicken we're all delicious. Desert: Especially in an Italian restaurant this is almost always an automatic tiramisu for me but this time we decided to go with something different. The girlfriend loves a lemony dessert so we tried the limoncello cake. She loved it and I liked it. I would say get it if you're a lemon fan. And bada boom bada bing that's your review. Highly recommend!

    Somewhat upscale Italian restaurant with a large menu of fantastic dishes that come in substantial…read moreportions Both a downstairs and an upstairs for seating I came here for dinner with my family, and we tried a variety of the dishes here, all of which were fantastic. Our waitress was very friendly as well, and the food came out very quickly. It does get a little loud inside, but nothing too crazy

    Photos
    Pacci’s
    Pacci’s - Calamari

    Calamari

    Pacci’s - Look at this beauty. What a place! Very cozy and comfortable, not pretentious at all

    See all

    Look at this beauty. What a place! Very cozy and comfortable, not pretentious at all

    Caruso's Grocery - Spicy Neapolitan Ragu

    Caruso's Grocery

    4.6(343 reviews)
    1.1 miCapitol Hill
    $$

    I picked this place as my birthday dinner with some girlfriends. I was unsure of the vibe, food etc…read morebefore arriving. The place gives cozy speakeasy vibes. We we sat down the waitress was very friendly and welcoming. She knew alot about the menu items and such. As soon as she handed me the wine menu and saw Chianti as one of the wines, I didnt hesitate to get a bottle for the table (I love Chianti with a story behind it). We ordered the Creamy Burrata, with Grilled Bread and four cheese sauce and the calamari for the appitizers. All of the appetizers were amazing and Im a sucker for grilled crushy bread. For the main course i ordered the Trout Piccata. The fish was cooked to perfection and the veggies were well seasoned. My friends ordered the chicken piccata, Caruso Alfredo and baked Cavatelli. Everything was good. Next up we ordered the butterfinger sundae, Nutella cannoli and tiramisu. The sundae base is chocolate ice cream. If you are fan of chocolate ice cream you will love the sundae. Overall great experience and I will definitely return!

    4.5 *s About as…read moregood as traditional red sauce, elevated Southern Italian gets in the city. The service was amazing last night for my wife's birthday. As well, I wish I could remember the gentlemen's name, but he took care of us with great recommendations and patience while we were overly conversational! Excellent cocktails and a small-ish, but high quality wine list made the drinking aspect in this really ambient corner restaurant perfect for birthday vibes. Cannot say enough about the perfectly cooked pastas. but the veal Francaise was the real star! Chicken parm was very good but a little overhyped, though the red sauce on everything was AMAZING. Made the side pastas as good as the entrees. Our tomato salad dressing was so good that even the cucumbers (which I do not like) shines. The garlic bread was kicked up with the cheese sauce and the calamari shone bright with the addition of the aioli. Everything was top-notch. Good value for the amount of food we ordered and the desserts were fantastic - including the creme brulee on the house for here birthday. First class dining experience. Grazie mile!

    Photos
    Caruso's Grocery - View from the bar

    View from the bar

    Caruso's Grocery - Meatballs

    Meatballs

    Caruso's Grocery - Caprese martini

    See all

    Caprese martini

    Side Door Pizza

    Side Door Pizza

    4.5(145 reviews)
    0.1 miNavy Yard

    I'm going to miss this place when I leave. When it's Earlybird the breakfast burritos are excellent…read more(and huge!) At a reasonable price. I grab and use in their entirety both the orange-y hot sauce and the green sauce every time while adding hatch chiles to the simplistico burrito. I've shown several other people this place and they loved it as well. When it turns to side door they make some bomb Detroit style pizza. I truly haven't had a bad example of the style yet. I don't know if I'm selecting well or if it's maybe just low key the ultimate style of pizza but this is yet another fantastic example. It's just a small, quick takeout place for the most part, though there is some seating outside when the weather is appropriate. As such, service is generally to the point which is fine by me.

    I Was Craving Pizza & Wanted To Try Something Different For Once. I've Been Hearing About This Spot…read moreFor Years But Never Actually Went... Until Now. Today Was The Day. Street Parking Only & It's Definitely Hit Or Miss. I Got Lucky & Found A Spot, But It Is Metered So Be Prepared To Pay. This Spot Is Literally A "Side Door" Located On The Side Of Scarlet Oak. Super Unique Setup With Cool Lights That Make It Easy To Spot. It's Different From Your Typical Pizza Place, Which I Actually Liked. Since It Was Monday, They Had Half-Off Pizzas If You Dine In & I Had To Take Advantage Of That. CHEESE PIZZA I Ordered A Cheese Pizza & Lemon Water. This Is Detroit-Style Pizza, So Don't Expect New York Style. It's Thick, With A Generous Amount Of Mozzarella Cheese & Tomato Sauce. Honestly, It Almost Felt Like A Cheesy Bread Situation But In A Good Way. The Crust Was Buttery With A Slight Crisp On The Outside & Soft Inside, Which Was The Perfect Balance. The Ingredients Tasted Fresh, & It Was Very Filling. The Size I Got Came With 4 Slices, & Honestly, 2 Slices Was More Than Enough. I'd Definitely Come Back & Bring My Son This Feels Like A Spot He'd Love, Especially If He's Into Breadsticks & Cheesy Pizza. The Staff Was Decent, Though I Didn't Interact Much. The Overall Setup Is Interesting, A Full Restaurant Vibe Inside With This Separate Pizza Concept On The Side. Different, But It Works. I'm Glad I Finally Tried It, Unique Setup, Solid Detroit-Style Pizza, & A Great Deal If You Catch It On The Right Day. Just Have To Be In The Mood For Detroit-Style Pizza.

    Photos
    Side Door Pizza - Inside

    Inside

    Side Door Pizza
    Side Door Pizza

    See all

    Ama - desserts - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...