Carbonara has been on my list of places I wanted to go for a while and the wait was totally worth it. When we arrived they offered us a little welcome bite of prosciutto (yum) Even though they have been open about 8 months, there reservations were fully booked and the bar seating was packed. We went on a Friday night and they had live music (a singer, at an acceptable volume to still hear your conversation because I'm old) As for the food, I started with a Caesar salad. I love Caesar salad but sometimes a good one can be hard to come by. This one hit the spot. Love the creamy anchovy forward dressing. For main I got the spicy vodka. I've been disappointed in the past where I ordered a spicy vodka pasta from another restaurant and it was neither spicy nor creamy. I was hoping Carbonara wasn't going to be a repeat of that and I'm glad to say it wasn't. It was the perfect spicy level and was delicious. My dining partner got the carbonara and I had a taste and that was delicious as well. Really overall I loved it from start to finish. Oh and we got the espresso martini flight. How fun?!? But we got it as sort of a cocktail at the beginning of the meal and if anything I would have changed it to the end as a dessert. My favorite one was the tiramisu martini. read more

Carbonara was delightful! The staff were incredibly kind and attentive. The food was both beautiful and delicious. The espresso martini flight did not disappoint. We walked away happy and full. read more

Carbonara - Espresso martini flight Aperol spritz - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

We decided to try Carbonara for my birthday dinner, and asked to sit outside. Unfortunately al of the tables were taken, and the wait was easily half an hour. I really didn't want to sit inside as it was such a beautiful evening. Jennifer found us a small round table, and set us up on the side. It was perfect. Our waitress, Sophie, was lovely, and very attentive. I couldn't decide between the lasagna or the ziti, and she suggested the lasagna. It was unbelievable, served in the cast iron pan it was baked it so it stayed really hot for a while. I could only eat half as there was so much, and had the other half the next night savoring each bite once again. We will definitely go back. read more

Carbonara - Lasagna served in the cast iron pan it was baked in...mmmmmmmmm. :-) - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Food and service was amazing. Get the tiramisu espresso martini it was sooooo good and so wS the spicy vodka rigatoni

Amazing food. It's one of those places that once that you eat it, you have to go back. I love going to eat there for the food, cool visuals and environment. My husband now also brings me lunch from there to my job...it makes my day!! read more

I've tried this place twice, and both times food has been cold. Taste is just ok. Don't get the hype.

this place is a 10/10, will def be back! we loved everything we had, excellent service, excellent food and beautiful but lively ambiance read more

Carbonara - lavender hibiscus crème mocktail - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

The food was amazing. My boyfriend and I love their carbonara pasta. I picked this place for my birthday after a friend recommended it, but I do wish the ambience was better. The inside was dim and didn't look well maintained. They do have a nice outdoor seating section however. read more

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This place is good/okay. I would give a 3.75 if I'm honest. It's standard Italian food. I ordered the Chicken parmigiana alla vodka. It was a solid dish but nothing that completely knocked my socks. The people I were with said the table side Carbonara was good but heavy. Personally to me the Tableside carbonara seemed a little gimmicky. I barely saw the server scrap the cheese wheel so I'm unsure if it was really adding anything. In terms of service. Our server seemed attentive at first, but then we realized he doubled as the bartender which I don't think was the best arrangement since we were all the way across the restaurant. Near the end we were waiting a while for our check which was whatever I guess. The ambiance was okay. Nothing special but we went for lunch and I have a feeling that this is more of dinner place tbh. Overall I recommend this place if it's not out of your way, but other than that I would say it not a must visit. read more

Carbonara - Tableside Carbonara and CHICKEN PARMIGIANA ALLA VODKA - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

We went to celebrate a girlfriend birthday and we have a great time. The food was delicious, the service was coming fron different places and our waiter NAYELI was outstanding, lovely, caring, and on point with our needs. Our celebration was perfect! Perfect place, perfect staff, perfect service, perfect food! An amazing time! We will be back!!! read more

I ordered from Uber Eats and threw my $40 lasagna in the trash it was so bad. Weird flavor, chewy cheese, gross sauce-- so mad. We ordered 2 items, spent almost $100 and I feel robbed. I wanted to order from Thompson Italian or Filomena but I let my husband talk me into trying Carbonara-- huge mistake. Oh and food arrived cold. Never again-- read more

Amazing food, absolutely loved it. I also adored the smores espresso martini. The only thing is the restaurant is very small so the tables are very pushed together, we were right into the kitchen area by the door and a ton of movement was going on which was a bit uncomfortable. read more

Sharon G was a wonderful server! Had a great time and the food was delicious! We tried a little of everything and were not disappointed

I went in with low expectations - I live in the neighborhood so had driven/walked by often while Carbonara was under construction, and it didn't look that impressive from signage or press. The good news is I was pleasantly surprised at my first visit and will likely go back. The bad news is that won't be soon or often, due to a critical lack of vegetarian options. Should I be surprised at this, given the name "carbonara"? No, and it was part of my expectation just based on the name. But with only two appetizers and two entrees edible to vegetarians on the menu (and one of the two entrees is the most basic pasta/tomato sauce/cheese, which I can make at home in 10 minutes; the other has a cream sauce, which can be very hit or miss), I am not very motivated to return. Lacking vegetarian options is such a disappointing gap given they're trying to sell themselves as a "red sauce Italian" place, plus their urban locale (vegetarian is not an outlier in NoVA!) Positives are that the pasta itself had decent taste/texture, and the cocktail menu was intriguing - my two spritzes were both great. The patio outside was enjoyable on a nice day, can't comment on the interior. read more

I had such high expectations for this place. The reviews and raves were what brought me here. We arrived around 3 PM on a Sunday, and luckily, we were able to get seated. Resy said they were booked and didn't have any reservations available, so that was a nice surprise! I'm usually someone who makes reservations and never does walk-ins, but I'm so glad I did this time--we got seated right away. Service Our waiter--I'm not sure of his name, to be honest--kind of brushed us off. He introduced himself, mentioned the specials, and walked away without giving us a chance to order drinks or appetizers. Any time we tried to order, he would rush off without asking if we needed anything else. For example, when we were ready to order drinks and appetizers, he only took our drink orders and immediately walked away, cutting us off before we could even mention appetizers. We had to wait about five minutes for him to come back. Throughout our meal, he rarely checked on us, making us feel like we were just his last table of the day and he was ready to leave. He didn't even drop off our check himself--another server came by and asked if we wanted dessert. One more thing: I'm not sure who this person was, but he seemed like a busser. He made me and my table feel uncomfortable because the POS station was behind us, and he kept staring at me while I was eating my appetizers. I had to look down at my plate for a while to avoid eye contact because it was making me so uncomfortable. It was one of those awkward, direct eye-contact stares that completely threw me off. He continued to do this throughout our time there, which made our experience even more unsettling. Food We enjoyed the calamari--it was so good! Their tomato sauce is amazing. The burrata was okay, nothing special. Our entrées were decent. I ordered the Bolognese, and it was just okay, but it felt like it was missing something--it tasted plain and bland. I probably only had about five bites because it wasn't really enjoyable. I placed my plate at the edge of the table, and when the waiter came by, he asked if I wanted a box. I kind of laughed because my silverware and napkin were on the plate, clearly signaling that I was done. He asked again if I wanted a box, and I just looked at him, confused. I know he asked because there was a whole bowl of Bolognese left, but I expected him to ask something like, Was everything okay with your meal since you barely touched it? Did you enjoy it? Would you like to try something else?--but he didn't. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to be that customer. Final Thoughts I want to give this place the benefit of the doubt and assume we just came on an off day. But unfortunately, it wasn't the experience I was expecting. It's such a shame because I really wanted to enjoy this place like everyone else seems to. I wish the outcome had been different. read more

We came here to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary and loved it! The decor is quite light and fun which brings a good vibe for dinner. The food was exceptional from appetizer to dessert. We had the pleasure of being served by Sharron who was knowledgeable and nailed everything this evening. We never felt abandoned by he staff but also never felt smothered. Highly recommend!! read more

Great food, great customer service; an overall great experience. Our server, Sharron G, was fun and super friendly! read more

Sharron gave great menu recommendations. The Tortellini de Michael was especially memorable.

We came in last night to give Carbonara a try after awaiting its opening for quite sometime. We started with the calamari and crab stuffed mushrooms as recommended by our server and both were delicious. The calamari was super crispy and the mushrooms a wonderful pairing with the calamari. We then had the carbonara and tortellini di Michael (that may not be the correct name) both of these were absolutely fabulous. The carbonara was one of the most authentic we have tried in the U.S, and the brisket in the di Michael was roasted perfectly to complement the sauce pairing. After having two pasta dishes with white sauce we expected to fill extremely fully, however, while our hunger was satisfied the food was light and did not sit in our stomachs which was a welcome surprise and sign to the quality of the food. We finished off with the espresso martini flight and the tiramisu. The tiramisu again was one of the most authentic we have found in the U.S. and the pistachio espresso martini was definitely the best of the flight! We sat outside and it was a lovely evening and will only be getting nicer as the weather keeps warming up! The restaurant was busy and the music created a comfortable and fun environment. Since the restaurant is still in its opening weeks you could tell the service staff is still getting their feet under them on busy nights, but overall our server was knowledgeable and kind. read more

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Carbonaras was amazing. We went for my birthday. They brought me tiramisu. cocktails wear amazing, especially the cookie butter martini. Chicken parm was worth the hype. can't recommend enough. read more

Our waitress Shuron was amazing!! The drinks, food and atmosphere was great. We will definitely be back.

Went here with friends to celebrate. Had the carpaccio, octopus, lasagna, and creme brulee cheesecake. All were good. The octopus and creme brulee cheesecake, specifically, were excellent. Restaurant was busy on a Saturday night but we were lucky to get a table outside. Wonderful evening, service was excellent, we are already planning our return. read more

The happy hour menu was pretty big. Sat at the table behind the bar which was a little crowded. Service was good. Food was okay read more

Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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We literally just ate here. I was so excited to go. Im so disappointed! The waiter was inattentive and didnt have any knowledge of the menu. My espresso martini was mainly milk. The wine was actually excellent and the antipasta. But the carbonara is just ok. My husband's veal also ok. I felt rushed and pushed out. If you want good Italian..hit Thompsons italian!! ​ read more

Pretty much perfect! Service was outstanding and my spaghetti and meatballs in Sunday sauce was the best I've ever had. My first companion's clams were excellent. Only negative note was that my second companion's eggplant parmigiana was cold when it came out. read more

Carbonara is the new go-to spot in Arlington! The staff is warm, welcoming & very attentive. The restaurant has a comfortable upscale vibe whether you are at the beautiful bar or in the dining are. The food is immaculate! My favorites are the Bucatini Carbonara Table Side and the Tortelloni Di Michael. Highly recommend! read more

Carbonara - Bucatini Carbonara Table Side - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Amazing food. Great service. Wonderful location. The meal tasted authentic and fresh. We drove 1.5 hours to try it and we will do it again!

Sharron was attentive, cheerful, jubilant , welcoming, and helpful. Everything was delicious and filling. We enjoyed eating outside under the umbrella to keep us out of the rain. Beautiful weather after the rain. Thanks again for helping us Sharron. Love and Peace Debra and Ralph and family read more

Sharron was amazing! So sweet and personable! Made the amazing food just so much better! Can't wait to come back again in a few weeks! Hope to get her and her wonderful service again! read more

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Dined here for the first time yesterday evening and was underwhelmed given all the recent hype and glowing reviews. The atmosphere is open and lively, and the throwback Frank Sinatra live music was a fun touch (although it did make it more difficult to converse at the table). But it is the food and service which were disappointing. First, to be clear, this is Italian-American food, not Italian. So, if you are looking for an Italian fine-dining experience this is not the place. The complimentary bread was stale and seemed to be recycled. My Hugo Spritz tasted more like lemonade than the delicate cocktail it is supposed to be. All the pastas at our table were ridiculously over-sauced and mine was mushy, not al dente as I expect from a good Italian restaurant. The day's special osso bucco came with a fat spiral of fried onion rings on top which was weird and unpleasant. And the service was frenetic and annoying. There were people constantly hovering over our table taking things away as though they wanted to get rid of us. We were only about 3/4 of the way through our appetizers when they brought out the entrees. The table was too small to accommodate both, so they took the leftovers away. And my husband was still eating his entree when they cleared the rest of our plates leaving him to feel uncomfortable continuing to eat. Despite my personal opinion, it is clearly a popular place for a certain crowd (which is fine). But I am weighing in for the benefit of foodies like me who take restaurant reviews seriously. If you are looking for great Italian food and an intimate evening with friends, I suggest look elsewhere. read more

I wish I had combed through these reviews a little better before going. All of the people who give this place 2 stars or less are spot on. This is not Italian food. This is overpriced Olive Garden. Our server was great and very nice; the red wine we got was surprisingly decent. But the food is just commercialized Italian fare. Maybe the pasta being served out of a wheel of cheese should have been a dead giveaway? My Caesar salad was ok but topped with bacon which I thought was overkill. The chicken cutlet for the chicken parm was actually good but they DOUSE it in cheez whiz and sauce which made it soggy; all you taste is processed cheese and mediocre sauce. The rigatoni was cooked to death and then covered in flavorless vodka sauce. Our bill was $100 for lunch - this is a one and done for us. read more

Great drinks and service! Plenty of menu options and food comes out quickly. Good happy hour or dinner spot.

The ease of making a reservation, the warm welcome on arrival, the incredible service and timing of food delivery (not rushed nor slow) -- all reasons we'll return. The reputation of the food already proved accurate, but the ambiance, and service absolutely sells it. read more

Food is delicious! I got the chicken parm and highly recommend it. We sat outside and music was nice. So why only a 3 star review... the service was terrible! I have been here on 2 occasions and service was terrible each time. I thought it was growing pains for being a new restaurant, but it's actually just poor management and staff. Bottom line: good Italian food for the area but Poor service will leave a sour taste in your mouth when you leave! read more

New favorite Italian in NoVa! This is my fourth time here and it is consistently fantastic. Worth the hype!! read more

Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I have absolutely loved everything about this place, they had the best happy hour in Arlington. That said, on my most recent visit, they changed their happy hour Parmesan Chicken bites from homemade to 'Tyson's' anytizer popcorn chicken. You can tell with the Tyson's chicken that it was processed, a pink color. When I let the manager know, he denied it. Thankfully, one of the owners was there and took much more care. Disappointing to say the least. I've attached pictures from before (the flatter ones were homemade) to now, the balls are definitely processed chicken bites . I recommend firing your manager and getting your kitchen under control. read more

Carbonara - New appetizer, frozen chicken nuggets. - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Our first time at Carbonara, and it was everything we expected! From the moment we walked in, we were warmly greeted with a sample of prosciutto -- a wonderful touch. Sharron, our server, was exceptional -- friendly, attentive, and made our experience even better. The atmosphere was inviting, and the service was top-notch. We will definitely be coming back! read more

Unfortunately, this was a very disappointing experience from beginning to end. The service was very poor with our waiter not attentive at all. I had a bad feeling when I saw all of the food being left on plates. It started bad with the stale tasting bread to the entrees all five of us didn't like or eat. Even the desserts weren't good. If you're Italian or just love Italian food, do not come here. It was on par with an Olive Garden. read more

The food was amazing! Sharon G. was an amazing server, really made the experience a 10/10!

Amazing food and great service. Highly recommend the Carbonara, Famous Chicken Parm, and the seafood Tagliatelle. They make the Carbonara table side and it's a fun show, although some might find it cheesy. Arancini balls were good too. Brussels sprouts cooked with a char perfectly. There was live music as well which was a pleasant surprise. Lots of people celebrating birthdays on a Friday night. Will come back and try some of the cocktails and wines next time read more