Get the focaccia! It was amazing. The inside was light, airy, and soft which contrasts perfectly with the crispy exterior. The outside was also moderately charred which carried a nice smoky flavor. There is an upcharge for adding burrata, which was also very delicious. The taglioni neri was also good, but the sauce was very tomato forward and the tomato's sweetness cut through the seafood flavors. I would have preferred the sauce to be much more seafood forward instead. read more

Cucina Morini - Focaccia with burrata - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Cucina Morini is a delightful dining experience that truly lives up to its reputation, especially during martini hour. With $7 martinis available from Monday to Sunday in their cozy lounge, it's an ideal spot to unwind with friends. I sampled several cocktails and found each one to be exceptional, but the standout for me was the Cala Rossa a sweet yet refreshing delight. After enjoying our share of martinis, our appetites kicked in, prompting us to check for a table. The staff was incredibly accommodating, allowing us to sit at the bar. We indulged in their pasta offerings, opting for the Capelletti and Rigatoni, both of which were delicious and perfectly cooked. Cucina Morini combines great service, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a fun visit for anyone looking to enjoy a fantastic night out. read more

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Cucina Morini is an excellent place for solo dining. I secured a last minute reservation for a special Memorial Day Morini Monday for myself. Not saying that dining companions are distracting, but I felt like I could fully experience the flavor of both the Taglioni Neri and Gnocchi, both half portions at $10 each, better on my own. When the dishes came, I saw that the sauces were both red and feared they would taste too similar. After one fork full of each, they are quite clearly distinct. The standout in the Neri were the shellfish for me. Even though they were small bits, the pieces tasted fresh. In the Gnocchi, the saltiness of the prosciutto, though not overwhelming, paired well with the basil sauce. I finished a little more than half of each plate before boxing it up for a small lunch the next day. The service was great and the tall ceiling and windowed dining room provided a nice atmosphere. It was a cloudy and rainy Memorial Day, but I wondered what the sunlight looked like shining through those high windows. How lovely a space they have created to enjoy fine Italian dining in. read more

Cucina Morini - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Stopped by for their martini hour (all week!) $7 martinis are unbeatable. I enjoyed the espresso one and highly recommend. It is only available in their bar/lounge area, so don't expect a seat, but the vibes were great! read more

Cucina Morini - Menu (August 2026) - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went early for reservation to martini happy hour. Loved the vibe at bar and it transferred to dining room shared a few half orders of pasta enjoyed the ravioli and seafood pasta. read more

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Had a fabulous time! Carlos made me a hot toddy from scratch (was not on the menu but I was craving it with the weather change). read more

Cucina Morini - Had an amazing time! I was craving a hot toddy and Carlos made one for me from scratch! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is definitely my new favorite place! Coming from someone who doesn't like pasta, I enjoyed dining here. Their HH in the lounge was the perfect before dinner treat (and after). Bartenders were so lovely and fast! I enjoyed the espresso martini (on tap!) Dinner was nothing short but amazing. Customer service is amazing. Everyone is so knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations. I loved the dining area, it was very dim which set the tone for the night. I recommend the Cala Rosa (HH drink), Gramigna pasta and the Torta D' Oliva (olive oil cake). 10/10 overall experience! read more

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Martini Hour alert! First, I think that the martini hour is absolutely genius! It runs from 5-7pm and the selections of martinis were perfect. Ambiance: the restaurant is beautiful but note that martini hour takes place in a small bar area with limited seats. Nonetheless, you can grab a few friends and make this a moment as you enjoy those perfect martini selections. Bites: there weren't much to eat at martini hour so we moved to the general area afterwards to enjoy some food. Service: the staff was amazing and very accommodating. Shoutout to Nesto, the best bartender around! Martinis: Morini Martini: I absolutely love this drink. It was crisp, refreshing, and had a little bold flavors from the white pepper. I absolutely loved this drink and would get it again Sicilian Martini: another fav! Think summer time refreshing with a hint of sweet and citrus burst from the mandarin and lemon Espresso Martini: this drink was another great selection. Freshly brewed and perfectly prepared. I loved it Least favorite: Cala Rossa. I only disliked the drink because it was very sugary and I don't really enjoy sugary drinks. Food: Rigatoni: this dish was divine! And quick note, the smaller plates were perfect serving sizes. But back to the dish. The pasta was cooked al dente and the lamb ragu was soooooooooooooo good! No seriously, it was absolutely divine. Perfectly seasoned and rich in flavors. Other members of my party enjoyed their dishes: Cappelletti and Paccheri Alla Norma, both were described as absolutely perfect. Excellent evening, great service, incredible food and perfect drinks! What's not to love about this place?! I'll be back! read more

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The food was really good here, overall the lamb ragu was my favorite dish. The cacio e peppe was also really good and cheesy. I was kindof underwhelmed by the shellfish squid ink fettuccine, I feel like it needed another flavor. Also loved the calamari and the focaccia bread! Overall good time with good service. read more

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We came to celebrate our wedding anniversary and we were lucky to have Carlos as our server. We came in February with some friends and that was the first time we had Carlos. For tonight he commended the entrees for our dinner. They were great suggestions and we enjoyed the meal. We look forward to returning and having Carlos help us choose something different to enjoy. read more

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I was sold on the $7 martini happy hour alone - like how can you go wrong with that kind of deal, in this economy? Cucina morini was great all around- we came for the happy hour of $7 martinis but stayed for dinner as well. The martini lounge is small but with great people watching in a beautiful space. The bar seating was all very vibey - the aesthetic of this whole place is elegant and cozy without feeling too stuffy. The Morini martini and the dirty martini were definitely our favorites, though the espresso martini was solid too. Now for dinner - we knew this spot was known for its appetizers so we started with the yellow tail crudi (ricciola), the focaccia with the side burrata, and the broccolini. Each appetizer complemented each other so well - the crudo was fresh with bright flavors, the bread was airy and light and was great with the small burrata, and the broccolini was the star of the show - spicy, charred, and exquisite. I could have easily ordered just more apps but we wanted to try some pastas as well. I appreciate that they have both small and large portions of pasta. We tried the small gramigna and the larger portion of the cappelletti. I am usually a fan of red sauces but both white sauce based pastas were some of the best I ever had. Forget some of the other Italian spots in the area, this pasta was hands down amazing. Light, easy, understandable - the flavors were there without doing too much. Both portions were fantastic and a good amount for the $$. No dessert for us - I think the apps and pastas were quite enough. Service was great, we both had a glass of wine with dinner which was tasty, and the vibes were great. Will definitely be back! read more

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This martini happy hour popped up on my IG, so a friend and I decided to check it out since it was such a beautiful Friday evening. After reading a few reviews, we learned the $7 martini special is only available in their "martini lounge," which is a small bar area right when you enter the restaurant. It was already standing room only by 6pm, so we opted to grab a table and have dinner instead. The restaurant was pretty busy, so it took a while for our drinks to come out. It looked like our waitress was covering a lot on her own, but thankfully other staff helped run food and drinks, which kept things moving. We ordered the bread and crispy zucchini and both came out hot and were really tasty (great recommendations from our waitress!). All of our cocktails were solid as well. I had the rigatoni and broccolini, and both were flavorful and satisfying. My friend has the ravioli which she said was ok just needed more seasoning. The space itself is really cute, with a mix of tourists and neighborhood locals. Overall, I'd come back, just earlier next time to beat the crowd and actually grab a martini in the lounge. read more

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I was here last night for a private event and was pleasantly surprised. I do wish there better seating in the martini lounge. You either had to stand and eat or hold the plate on your lap or in your hands. Although there were a lot of us, the food came out quick. The food was amazing! I ordered the frutti di mar. The shellfish and branzino were cooked perfectly. I didn't eat the calamari though because I'm only a fan of fried calamari and they said they wouldn't take it off. I could also tell the pasta was homemade. I also ordered the focaccia, which was delicious! It was light and fluffy. The only thing I wasn't the biggest fan of was the cala rosa drink. It was okay, but way too sweet. It almost tasted like a melted popsicle. I will definitely be back for the food. read more

Cucina Morini - Frutti di marre and cappelletti (half portion) - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Amazing food & service! Don't skip out on appetizers. I would come back just for these apps alone: Broccolini: 10/10! Fried perfectly. The broccolini disintegrates in your mouth kind of like cotton candy. Cavolfiore: 10/10. Sweet and tangy. I licked the plate clean. You have to get this! Graminga: 9/10. The noodles are delicious and have a unique texture because they have a whole in the middle of them. I added crushed red pepper & black pepper to bring in a hint of heat. Rigatoni: 10/10. My man loved this! read more

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Cucina Morini absolutely over-delivered. We came in to celebrate my job promotion and ended up having one of those "every single thing hits" dinners--simple dishes, executed with absurd precision. We started with the espresso martini. It's definitely on the sweeter side and doesn't lean into that strong, bitter coffee bite (which is usually my preferred espresso martini flavor profile). Still decent and smooth--just know it's more dessert-leaning than bracing. The focaccia is genuinely unique: crispy, almost crackly on the outside, but soft and light inside. The herbs really come through, and it's the kind of bread you keep tearing into "just one more piece" until it's gone. For pasta, the rigatoni lamb ragu was a standout. The lamb brings this deep richness that plays perfectly with the red sauce, and the pasta was perfectly al dente--firm, with real bite. Comforting, but still refined. The gnocchi was also excellent--small pieces, not gummy at all, and the sauce was beautifully balanced between sweet and acidic. It's a simple dish on paper, but that's exactly why the execution shines. Biggest surprise of the night: the gramigna. The subtle sweetness from the pork sausage, the sauce, and the egg yolk all come together in this really satisfying, silky way. It's almost like a carbonara vibe, but honestly better--again with that perfectly al dente, slightly firm pasta. Dessert was the affogato, and the portion is absolutely shareable. I love affogato and this one delivered--a must for affogato aficionados. And the cherry on top: our wonderful server Caesar brought out some house-made limoncello to celebrate my promotion. It was the best limoncello I've ever had--sweet with just a slight bitterness and insanely drinkable. If you like limoncello, you have to try it here. Overall: I was genuinely surprised by the quality. The dishes are simple in the best way, and the kitchen's execution turns that simplicity into a masterpiece. We'll be back. read more

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We came here for an anniversary dinner on a Saturday night. Our server was excellent ! He had a kind enthusiasm but also gave us space to enjoy our evening. The menu is a good size and anything you pick will be delicious. We got Hugo Spritzes to start and they were some of the best I've had in the area. Our starters were perfectly sized - the broccolini is a MUST! The meatballs were also delicious and the sauce paired well with the focaccia we got. Our mains were the Gramigna (waiter's rec!) and Paccheri Allá Norma. Both were to die for and great portions! We opted to have dessert at home but the options were super tempting!! Knocked it down a star just because the tables were a little close to together, but all things considered would highly recommend. read more

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Call before heading over if wanting to eat on patio..might not be offering full service

The atmosphere reminded me of NYC. The people the music, everything was great. The food was delicious. The focaccia brea, the Cesar salad, the squid ink pasta was all very good. I will be back when I am in DC. Our waiter was very good too. read more

Cucina Morini - Romana salad and Fococi bread - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My friends and I decided to try this restaurant because we usually visit its sister restaurant for pasta mondays and let me tell you, I was SO worth it. It also has a great martini HH special (at the front bar only). I highly recommend getting a reservation on a Monday or you will be short. We made a reservation for 2 but ended up with 3 and the restaurant wouldn't have a seat for us for 3 hours. We ended up sitting at the bar and giving our table to 2 ladies looking for space. I'm so glad we ended up at the bar because the bartender (with the glasses) was so nice and very attentive. I'd return just to sit at the bar in his area for guaranteed great service. I ordered the Ostriche (osyters), Rosamarino (cocktail), Broccoletti, and Taglioni Neri. Everything was divine! The oysters were 6 for $24 and came with a prosecco mignonette. Very tasty. By the time I finished the 6, I told myself I could've eaten 6 more. The broccoletti was very good. It had a slight kick to it which was so good. It was the perfect consistency of crispy and tender. The taglioni neri was, as the kids say, torch! This pasta was so good. It was a squid ink pasta with seafood in it. I am so glad I ordered the full portion because I cleaned the plate. I cannot wait until we go back to this place for dinner. I highly recommend. read more

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Cucina Morini is one of my favorites in DC! Their service is always stellar and their food and drinks never miss! The location is about 10 minute walk from the nearest Metro but that is the only con. Truly a fantastic dining experience every time I go. I've ventured to try something new each time, and I was never disappointed. They also have very good deals on their delicious martinis which are a crowd favorite. The atmosphere is great for date nights, business dinners, and to catch up with old friends. We even saw a proposal on one of our visits! read more

Another good happy hour deal, if you like a martini you'll like it here. There's not a ton of room so it got a little cramped in there (it was raining so that may have made it a little more cramped inside) but it's a fun vibe. I got their Sicilian martini and it tasted almost a bit like bubblegum in addition to the citrus. Service was super nice and quick though! read more

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Stopped by for a couple quick drinks & loved the ambiance, the service, & the quality of drinks! I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu. :) read more

Cucina Morini - Espresso & Gin Martinis -- yum! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Solid Italian cuisine. The restaurant decor is classy and nice. Our server was able to recommend a delicious non-alcoholic drink for me. We shared the paccheri alla norma and the taglioni neri. Both dishes were very flavorful. The paccheri alla norma is made of eggplant, tomatoes, red chilis, ricotta salata, and basil. The flavors came together in an excellent way. The dish was a good serving size for one person. The taglioni neri was a squid ink pasta made with shellfish ragu and Calabrian chili butter. The flavors came together nicely, and I am very happy that the tomatoes did not overpower the seafood (which is an issue I've had with many Italian restaurants in America). For dessert, we shared a slice of the olive oil cake. It was moist and delicious. Overall, I'm happy with my experience here; however, the prices felt a bit high. We ended up paying for an $8 bottle of water when tap would have been fine with us. read more

Cucina Morini - Paccheri alla norma - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Really enjoyed myself here! The martini lounge with $7 high quality drinks cannot be beat. We spent a while there and then sat down for dinner and did not order any other full priced drinks. The food: - Tonno (5/5) lots of great interesting textures and flavors here - focaccia (10/5) the must order, truly impeccably flavored and texture bread - Frutti di Mare (5/5) very significant seafood provided - rigatoni (4/5) standard ragu - busing (2/5) really not my favorite custard texture and felt too texturally different than the accompaniments read more

Great food and service. They have food coloring in their pistachio gelato, which they don't make in house . I loved the foccacia, taglioni, and pulpo read more

Came for martini happy hour and sat in the martini lounge! It wasn't super crowded but seating is limited to benches on the periphery of the lounge so I wouldn't come with a big group. Service was quick and polite! read more

Cucina Morini - Martinis - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went in for pasta Monday, there was good service and the pastas were overall quite tasty. My friend and I split 6 of the primi pastas and enjoyed them all though the gramina was our favorite followed by the gnocchi and then eggplant one. One downside, they brought them all quick and they got cold by the time we got to the last ones, would have preferred an offer to space them out but a small gripe. Overall would recommend read more

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So this place is a go-to for pasta lovers- either in person or delivery. The large portion is a must! Even to have leftovers! One of my favorites pictured here is the squid ink pasta in a spicy sauce with blended shellfish. The bread crumbs on top, shellfish and pasta have the best texture combination. The red pepper perfectly compliments the dish. My other go- to is the gramigna- the white sauce with pepper and sausage is a very tasty dish. I truly appreciate their homemade pasta! For apps- can't go wrong with the burrata. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere chic casual. read more

Cucina Morini - Taglioni Neri - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I did restaurant week here twice. Got to sample a little bit of everything. I LOVE THIS PLACE. The squid ink pasta is probably my favorite item. Both service and ambiance are amazing. I've snapped a bunch of pictures. read more

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Wow is an understatement for this dining experience. The focaccia and burrata were delicious! The truffle tortellini were out of this world. The olive oil cake was scrumptious. We can't wait to return and try other dishes. read more

Cucina Morini - Olive oil cake - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Really enjoyed my dinner experience at cucina morini. The food was very flavorful and the menu had a variety of options to choose from. The ambiance in the restaurant was great-perfect for a date night or even a small group. Pastas are offered in half or full portions which is a good way to try a few. Really enjoyed the focaccia with burrata-was so soft and buttery. The pasta special of the week was a mushroom ravioli in Marsala sauce which was incredible. The olive oil cake was so delicious and perfectly moist. It could have come with a little bit more mascarpone crème on the side to balance it out. Excited to come back and try other items. read more

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A small group of friends and I went to dinner here on a Thursday evening. We had the calamari was the appetizer as it was really good! One of my friends and I split the black ink squid pasta. At first I was hesitant since I've never had it before and heard it can be a hit or miss in some restaurants but I decided to go for it. It was so delicious!! Now, I'm encouraged to try to elsewhere. Our service was also excellent. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. I'd definitely return! read more

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Omg! The Griminga, the Rigatoni. Yes, yes, yes! So happy to have gotten the Griminga. The Rigatoni was tasty but was not as perfect as the Griminga. I almost licked the plate. Will certainly return. Thankful for the service that Morgan provided. The staff and manager Pauline were very nice and thoughtful. Everyone was very personable. This place has several places to seat for different size parties. read more

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I've been wanting to try Cucina Morini and was excited to snag a reservation. The ambiance was dark and moody, which I really liked. We started with calamari, focaccia, and burrata. All the appetizers were very fresh and very delicious. However, after that the service was extremely slow and we had to flag a waiter down after 20 minutes to order our mains. I liked that for the pasta you could order half or full portions. I had one of the specials - a veggie forward pesto - and it was pretty good. I tried some truffle ravioli and that was the best dish I had. The service throughout dinner was again extremely slow and we were having to flag people down. The waiter apologized on his own and offered a complimentary dessert for the slow service. I appreciated the gesture but then the dessert was put on our bill. They corrected it after we let them know. While the food was good, the whole experience was still affected by the service and I wish I could've been more present to enjoy the experience. read more

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We only went for their martini hour so did not get the food. The martini hour is only available in the front lounge which has couple chairs and sofas for seating but no tables in case you wanted to get food. Martinis, as advertised, were $7 and pretty good and strong. Can't beat the price for this area of DC so will definitely come back and maybe even try the food as it looked delicious! read more

The martini hour is such a great way to grab a drink especially on a nice day. Love the options.

I absolutely love Cucina Morini for both dinner and "martini" hour, and I have visited several times over the past couple of years. The Happy Hour martini deals are some of the best in the city, especially since they include an espresso martini on the menu, which is such a nice touch. The only small drawback is that Happy Hour is limited to the front of the restaurant, and it can get pretty busy. My advice is to arrive right when they open so you can grab a comfortable spot. The staff always move quickly to make sure everyone gets their drinks in no time, which really keeps the good vibes going. Dinner here is just as wonderful. Every pasta dish I have tried has been full of flavor, but the rigatoni with lamb ragu is my top pick. The Gramigna also deserves a special mention, and honestly, you cannot go wrong with any of their pastas. I usually like to share a couple of dishes when I come with friends, and it is always a hit. Do not skip the calamari while you wait, it is a great way to start the meal. The cozy and welcoming atmosphere makes Cucina Morini perfect for catching up with friends, relaxing after work, or enjoying a romantic date night. I have done all three here, and every time I leave happy, full, and already planning my next visit. read more

I always have the best time when visiting Cucina Mornin! Meting friends for dinner, it was nice to have a few Martini's while we waited to be seated. The bartender was so sweet and made great drinks! The great service continued at the table where we enjoyed a variety of options from the menu. We were enjoying ourselves so much were didn't realize the restaurant was closing and the staff never made us feel rushed. Look forward to returning! read more

Cucina Morini - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went to Cucina Moroni for a girls' night out and it was so fun! Our server was adorable and super sweet. We asked for recommendations and he basically listed the entire menu, which made us laugh. We ended up getting the taglioni neri with squid ink, shellfish rags, and Calabrian chili butter, plus the cavolfiore (cauliflower dish), the small plate, and the crème brûlée to finish. Everything was delicious and the pasta was cooked perfectly. Service was great, food was amazing, and we had such a fun night. Definitely a cute spot for a girls' dinner or date night. read more

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They have brunch?! I've always known this place for a good happy hour and their Monday pasta deals. We stumbled on it for brunch and it was great. Their fried cauliflower is delicious. Their pancakes are the star of the show. Reasonably priced, they are enough for two people to split! They look like a 8 inch cake and they have both savory and sweet options. A must try! Service is great. They espresso martini was okay. read more