The food was great and the server Kal was awesome. I love the seared octopus! Ambiance was good.

I brought my parents here during their visit to DC and our food was great and the service was amazing! We received very attentive service from Erick Romero, our waiter, and my parents and I left super happy and very full! We'll definitely be back! Thank you, Lia Team! read more

I am writing to formally report an extremely troubling experience I had at Lia's on the evening of April 27, 2026, around 7:45 PM. I was visiting with a group while staying in Chevy Chase for training, and what should have been an enjoyable evening instead left me feeling degraded, singled out, and deeply unwelcome. Upon entering the establishment, I placed a closed water bottle on the counter while attempting to order a cocktail. Without any explanation, the waiter behind the bar approached me and attempted to confiscate the bottle. At no point prior to this interaction was I informed of any policy regarding outside containers. It was only after I specifically requested to speak with a manager, Teresa, that this policy was mentioned. I find it unacceptable that I had to initiate that conversation myself, rather than being treated with basic courtesy and clear communication from the outset. Shortly after, the same waiter attempted to move my entire part (who are all people of color) outside to the patio. While my group was escorted out, I remained inside briefly to complete my order and speak with Teresa. This sequence of events raised immediate concerns about how we were being treated and why. Once outside, my party was seated in a far corner of the patio and left unattended for over 10 minutes. No one came to serve us. I eventually went back inside to inquire, at which point the same waiter returned and began taking orders. His demeanor toward me was noticeably dismissive. When I ordered the same drink I had just purchased inside, I was told I would be charged differently, with no clear explanation. Despite taking my order, he served everyone else at the table and deliberately excluded me. When I followed up about my drink, I was informed that he and management had decided not to serve me. This decision was never communicated to me directly, nor was any justification provided. Once again, I was forced to ask what was happening, which only compounded the confusion and frustration. The entire experience felt isolating and punitive, as though I was being singled out rather than treated as a valued guest. When Teresa came to the table, she was unable to provide clear answers as to why I was refused service or why no alternative server was assigned if there had truly been an issue. Her lack of accountability and dismissive response only reinforced the impression that this treatment was acceptable within your establishment. I want to be very clear: I have never felt as isolated, disrespected, and berated in a restaurant setting as I did that evening. The handling of this situation, from the waiter's conduct to the manager's failure to address it appropriately, was deeply unprofessional and unacceptable. I expect this matter to be taken seriously. There was a clear breakdown in communication, professionalism, and basic hospitality. I am requesting that this incident be thoroughly reviewed and addressed, including appropriate accountability for both the staff member involved and the manager on duty. I look forward to your response. read more

LIA'S - Me the only one without a drink - Italian Near Me - Chevy Chase, Maryland

Food was good, portions are not that big as you would expect in American restaurants, but not that small as in Italian. Parking also included which is nice too. I'm giving this review 4, because it took ages to wait for our server. At the end I had to go and pay at hostess desk because I had to go. read more

Pretty decent place for casual lunch or dinner. Did the restaurant week with my friend here and ordered the burrata and calamari for apps. The burrata was paired with pesto which was a first for me- it was interesting, didn't love it but also didn't hate it. Entrees we ordered the fig and prosciutto pizza and the short rib bolognese. The bolognese could've used more meat on there and the prosciutto on the pizza was slightly burnt so it tasted like bacon lol. Desserts were alright. I had high hopes for the apple croustade but it was kind of disappointing. There is a dedicated garage to park in and they will validate after your meal. read more

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First time at Lia's. Love the decor and spin on authentic Italian food with an American Flavor. The Service was A+. Esteban was funny, engaging and knew everything about the restaurant and recommended some favorites. He needs a raise. Great server. The bread and butter 10/10. Calamari I would give 7 out of 10. It was good but some were a little soggy and the crisp was falling off. The espresso martini was not that good. Taste carbonated 4/10. The braised short rib pasta was decent..lacked a little flavor but after a day sitting at home, it was just what I needed 7 out of 10. read more

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Lia's is a wonderful spot in Chevy Chase with indoor and patio seating. They have happy hour every day and an amazing wine list. They serve fresh & tasty Italian-American cuisine. My favorite dish is the Chicken Milanese with arugula and shaved parmesan on top of the cutlet. The wings are also very good bone in and seasoned perfectly. If you love no chain small chain restaurants with great food this is it! read more

LIA'S - Chicken Milanese with white wine - Italian Near Me - Chevy Chase, Maryland

We had a business meeting in a private room. Lia's was recommended by one of my attendees. I do dinner programs a lot. Lia's was to notch in regard to ambiance, food , and top tier in service. Talia and Jelani could not have been more attentive to my needs as well as the needs of my attendees. In a time when customer service seems to be lacking, Lia's has done a phenomenal job hiring wonderful staff. The kitchen was prompt, and the food was delicious. The Seabass was great, the steak was seasoned well and cooked to the correct temperature, and the family style desserts were all delicious. When I have other dinners in the future in DC\Chevy Chase, I will return to Lia's. Thank you for an enjoyable evening. read more

This place has it all. Great happy hour, food, drinks, the hospitality. Great date night spot or to hang out. I came with my girlfriends for girls night and everything was delicious. We got the Sea bass, Brussels sprouts, pasta, calamari, goats dip. I will be coming back for more! Andddd if you enjoy a cold beer they have super mugs! read more

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I had a great time during happy hour with Noonie who was my server. She was super sweet and patient. I WILL BE BACK ! Drinks were delicious, food came out fresh, and location is beautiful and clean. Easy access must try! They even have a Dog menu !!!!! read more

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While this is an Italian restaurant they also have a terrific happy hour which includes discount on their burgers. When the lamb burger is on the menu, go for it! Otherwise the original burger is delicious. read more

LIA'S - Jeff who? - Italian Near Me - Chevy Chase, Maryland

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Great neighborhood bistro, but for a Geoff Tracy establishment, would you expect anything less? Made a reservation for Friday night. Reservations are def recommended bc it gets busy on the weekends. The place is classy and cozy. We showed up on the tail end of restaurant week. Order was waygu burger, truffle mushroom ravioli, calimari, and octopus. Everything was fresh and delicious. My octopus had a little too much crust on it, but was otherwise fine. Service was great too! Another great Chef Geoff establishment! read more

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We have had great service and food as well as a welcoming community atmosphere. The happy hour is good. The requests for additions or minor changes are well received and accommodated. The different settings also work well (outside patio, indoor bar area, back dining room). Convenient parking, metro access and walking. read more

Although I didn't order an entree, I was thoroughly satisfied by the calamari appetizer, which was served in a lavish helping and reasonably priced. It was so substantial and delicious that it alone was enough to make me feel pleasantly full! The drinks were definitely "on point" - nicely mixed and perfectly complementing the appetizer. The service was absolutely impeccable. Our waiter was incredibly attentive, consistently checking on us to ensure we were having a good time and had everything we needed. Beyond the food and service, the restaurant itself had a truly great vibe, from the bustling energy of the bar to the comfortable ambiance at our table. read more

LIA'S - Italian Near Me - Chevy Chase, Maryland

Lia's was a new gen I came across. My group tried a variety of apps, entrees, and desserts, all of which were fantastic! Starting off, they served warm bread with their house made butter. We also ordered their olives and brussel sprouts. I'm huge a fan of focaccia, so I loved the soft and moist bread. I ordered their classic spaghetti and meatballs and had bites of their Caio de Pepe. The spaghetti and meatballs came with 6 mini meatballs. The homemade pasta had similarities to Caruso grocery, but with a thinner noodle. The Caio de Pepe tasted like a fancy buttered noodles, so I wouldn't order that again. We finished our meal with their cannoli trio and donuts. Both were solid, but I was so stuffed by then we took most of it home. We dined on a Thursday evening and were one of few parties indoors. The ambiance was peaceful and friendly. I would definitely go again! read more

Food is good, service is great, ambiance is smart casual. Lots of locals living in the immediate area gather here to unwind and catchup with one another. Great for groups--my party of five were well taken care of. I found it to be a great choice for mid-week get together. Parking available at the adjacent Colonial parking garage, and restaurant validates parking. read more

LIA'S - Mediterranean Sea Bass - Italian Near Me - Chevy Chase, Maryland

Erick was an excellent server. We had a going-away dinner for two of our friends, and he helped make it a great night to remember.

My husband & I came for an anniversary dinner- excellent veggie lasagna & ribs, champagne & tiramisu. Our server was wonderful; everything was seamless. Wonderful evening! read more

Lia's has GREAT food and is a lovely place for dinner. We usually eat in the dining room, but sometimes we eat outdoors and tonight we ate in the bar area so we could watch a World Cup game. All three dining areas are great. And we had wonderful service tonight, with Melanie as our fabulous waitress! Other staff were excellent as well, with a standout talk with Kal. I *love* this restaurant! read more

Lia's is a great local spot for happy hour or dinner! They have different deals nearly each day of the week, and on monday i went for their all day 'apertivo hour' with some coworkers. Their HH prices just can't be beat! They have adorable patio seating with string lights, perfect for summer. There is a bar area with small tables for a more casual vibe, as well as a more formal dining room. We sat in the bar area and had great service. There is garage parking next door that is free after 5pm. The orange, hugo, and cranberry limone spritzes were delish - light and very refreshing. Chicken parm slider and regular slider looked super tasty and a great value for $5 - my coworkers enjoyed them very much! The chicken parm nuggies were also delish, but I didn't notice anything 'parm' about them - it was basically 3 large fried chicken nuggets with a dip that was almost like a thick, chunky marinara. They were good, but I would've liked if they had a bit of melted cheese on them to make them truly 'chicken parm'. We enjoyed the white bean hummus but thought the ratio of hummus to flatbread was off - we definitely could've used another piece of flatbread for the amount of hummus given. My coworker who got the mozzarella bombs thought they were good but a bit doughy. Regardless, we ate every last bite of every dish. I would definitely come back, especially in the summer when we can sit outside! read more

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We are always so excited to try new places during restaurant week. My husband's favorite cuisine is Italian so we found a place to make reservations nearby. Loved that we didn't have to do deep into DC to enjoy the offers. Reservations were quick and easy to make and there was a parking garage attached to the building. Also Lia's offered validated parking. Sweet! A girl loves some free parking...especially in the Bethesda/Chevy Chase area. Upon entered, we were greeted by the friendly host who took us right away to our seats. Shortly after we were greeted by our server for the evening. I must say the ambiance was great for a date night. Low lights and little light lanterns at each table created the perfect atmosphere. Our server was great. He helped us switch out some lipped stained glasses and dirty forks at our table and then gave up the best treatment. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and did let us know of some items that they were sold out of. I ordered a pomegranate gin martini to start with. I love that for restaurant week, you can choose from the entire menu...unlike many other places that allows you to choose from a small, crafted menu or like 3 apps, 3 entrees and 3 desserts. For my appetizer, i ordered the Burrata made with peppercorn honey, pistachio pesto, red wine glaze and parmesan biscotti on the side. It was delicious. Just wished there were a few more biscotti to come with it. For my entree, I had the dry aged short rib bolognese with mafaldine pasta, parmesan foam and fresh herbs. It was soooo yummy. I purposefully only took a few bites just so i can have it again for lunch the next day. And the portions were decent so really i made 2 meals out of the pasta dish. For dessert, I think they ran out of something, so I ended up getting the cannolis which I wasn't able to finish and took those home as well. They were delicious. I also liked that instead of getting a dessert you could have the option for a glass of wine. You def dont see that often. Loved all the options and flexibility here. Overall, this was a great experience for our first time visiting and will certainly need to visit again to check out other options. read more

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Restaurant Week is always a great way to try places that may be new to you for a little less than their regular pricing. I am so glad my wife and I decided to have dinner at Lia's! We had a great time, and really enjoyed our experience overall. The restaurant is a short walk away from a nearby parking garage. The lighting is set low which adds to the romantic or intimate vibe. The team here were all very helpful! We had slight issues with a glass and fork, but the team quickly got us replacements and took great care of us from that point forward. I believe our waiter's name was Javar. He was down to earth, funny, and he made really helpful suggestions of things to try from the Restaurant Week menu. I had the Chicken Parmesan with rigatoni pasta instead of spaghetti pasta per Javar's suggestion. He was right! The change in pasta made the dish better and easier to eat. I mean, I know how to eat spaghetti noodles (twirl on a spoon with your fork, lol). But the rigatoni is the way to go and didn't change the flavors at all. BTW, the flavors are excellent!! The chicken was juicy and tasty, the sauce was delicious and the noodles were just right! I paired the meal with a glass of Chef Geoff's Rosé and really enjoyed the two together. For dessert I had the Cheesecake option and, man, it is good! We will definitely be back as my wife enjoyed her meal and the experience as well. You'll have to read her review for her experience as I don't want to steal her thunder. Lol! We will definitely be back because there are so many things on the full menu that we would love to try! read more

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Fantastic food, ambiance and service. We come here on an irregular basis and then ask ourselves why don't we come here more often. The appetizers and entrees are tremendous. We ordered the meatballs and the burrata appetizers. We loved the short rib bolognese sauce with pasta, the Chicken Milanese and the Chicken Parmigiana. Our server Julani took very good care of us. Look forward to going back to enjoy the menu. read more

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Service was far below satisfactory. Approximately 10 minutes between being sat and asked for our drink order another 10 minutes until our drinks arrived. Well, halfway through our appetizers, our entrées arrived. Very little room on the table with all of the plates. Our original cocktail glasses remained on the table and until we left the restaurant. Had to ask for plates to be cleared. The Apple dessert was awful, very tough and mediocre and taste. For an established restaurant, we are amazed at the poor service and some of the very mediocre dishes. Maybe it's better just for a pizza and a beer read more

A large group of us had dinner here tonight. It was good, not great. The appetizers were the best part, the salad was really good, the main course was fair, and some of the desserts were good. We had amazingly good service. The entire restaurant was bustling and busy and very pleasant. Our appetizers included pita bread with hummus, fried breaded, ricotta, balls, and calamari, including some squid that was slightly old. The kale salad was delicious. My main course was mushroom ravioli that was good and very buttery, others had Seabass or chicken Parmesan, which was good. Our desserts included a wonderful, small lemon tart and an amazingly good ricotta Doughnut. We had a really good time. read more

I had a great experience at LIA's. The greeting by the Host, the staff that stopped by out table and the amazing food. Camila was the server, she provided great recommendation and was very attentive. I will be back. read more

After being cooped up for a week due to bad weather we ventured out to Lia's in Chevy Chase. Place was packed but service was first rate thanks to our wonderful server Mia. Food was also terrific and we were about to take advantage of your Restarant Week menu. Thanks again for a wonderful evening. Susan G Chevy Chase DC read more

My wife and I had an excellent dinner on May 9th. Our waiter, Erick, provided exceptional service. He was polite, attentive, and informative, even during a busy night. I appreciate his dedication. The ambiance was also enjoyable. I hope the owner(s) maintain good check-ins with the staff individually and in meetings to keep their motivation and spirits high. You never know what they're going through as they come to work and give 100%. Without top-tier staff, there are no customers, and no Lia's. I'll definitely visit again when I'm in the area. read more

Erick Romero was the best waiter I have had in 15 years. Kind and helpful. Food superb and service outstanding. Very personalized service. Ambience friendly and not too loud. Kids enjoyed meal too! read more

Everything was delicious! The standout though was our server Esteban! So attentive and made our experience great. We will be back!

I went to Lia's for a lunch with some family and friends, and had a great time. I ordered the pasta vodka rigatoni and it was so yummy ! I loved that my waitress asked about allergies and the fact the kitchen puts a red toothpick to make sure they paid attention to the allergy listed. My godmother ordered the pizza which she enjoyed as well hence me only getting a picture of half the pizza. The restaurant is low lit which is nice for a dinner scene. I would've sat on the patio in my opinion since the weather was so nice but I wasn't the organizer of the event. I'd definitely sit on the patio if I was to come back. It was roughly 45 minutes from Alexandria but the parking was painless so I could see us returning . :) read more

LIA'S - Cheese pizza - Italian Near Me - Chevy Chase, Maryland

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Mia was a wonderful server! She was personable and she handled our large complicated group with patience and grace - food allergies, dietary restrictions, answering tons of questions. We could see she was having a busy night but she had no problems whatsoever taking time out of her night to help take our large group picture (16 of us!) she made us feel like her only table and we really appreciated the top notch service. We also loved the wonderful food and drinks - great atmosphere! read more

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This seemed like a nice and fancy, but parking was really difficult and the restaurant was unexpectedly very loud. It was difficult to have my own conversations. My friends and I ordered some pastas, and they were alright. I liked the complimentary bread the most. Service was quick and it was convenient to pay through my phone. read more

LIA'S - Italian Near Me - Chevy Chase, Maryland

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just came here to say i ordered for the first time won't be again sadly. i loved the taste but the pizza was just cheese and bread... i ordered extra sauce on the pizza FOR AN EXTRA COST MIGHT I ADD here's the photo decided to order again since the owners response was very kind i think they have a chef problem this is the second order no sauce again (got extra sauce) read more

LIA'S - Italian Near Me - Chevy Chase, Maryland

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Yum. Lia's is across the street from Whole Foods. They validate parking. The menu is varied and amazing. You can enjoy the bar or have a great experience in the dining rooms. You can grab a pizza and a soda or have upscale fish and $90 wine. The home made bread is soft and wonderful. The pizza was nicely seasoned and amazing. The tomato soup was delicious and artful. Hubby loved the shrimp. The deserts are amazing. I had the ice cream. The cinnamon flavor was my favorite. The lemon was a close second. We had an unrushed wonderful meal. The staff were attentive without making us feel intruded upon. Bonus points for individual private bathroom stalls. read more

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Nice selection of dishes on the menu, and all came out well executed. In all honesty, I was not expecting our meals to be so good. Our server, April, had a great grasp of the menu and asked all the right questions to help guide is in our choices. This included a solid understanding of their wine list. It goes without saying that her service, along with that from the rest of the team, was also great. I was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance when we walked in. The restaurant is tucked away in a location that was not all the impressive, although in all fairness it was a gloomy rainy day, so the outside might be more lively on a sunny DC day. The ambiance was well matched with the quality of the food and service. All in all, I must embarrassingly admit, that I my expectations and assumptions before going were completely off. I was anticipating a decent but unimpressive meal, and instead I had a really enjoyable dining experience. So shame on me! I will definitely add this to my DC dining rotation and look forward to going back soon. read more

I went there with a friend last Friday, and the whole experience was exceptional. I think it's better than it was when it opened and that's extraordinary after 20 years. It looked great, food was great, drinks were great.... it was all SO GOOD. But, by far, the best thing about the visit was our server, Mia. She was just exceptional. Friendly, but not overly solicitous, knowledgeable, funny, and relaxed. She was everything you've ever wanted in a server and then some. If every server (and experience) were like this, I'd eat out a lot more. I'll be back soon and often. Will request Mia, but i'd be surprised if she doesn't move up and out fast. THANK YOU! read more

See, this was an 75 degree day in the middle of January, so I was able to sit outside and really amp the experience. Restaurant Week got extended (YAY) so I decided to check out a new-to-me spot. Lia's is located in the heart of Chevy Chase, and there is plenty of free 2-hour street parking -- just be mindful of the time! I parked, walked right in and got the option to sit inside or out -- the choice was easy, given the weather. I noticed that everyone was enjoying the weather, and I was glad to join them! Within a few minutes, I got a glass of water, and then a kind gentleman came to take my order. I went off of the restaurant week menu, and decided to go with the brussel sprouts, beet & burrata chicken salad, and dark chocolate pot du creme. The brussel sprouts were crunchy and flavorful, but they were entirely too salty. If that gets toned down a bit, they'd be perfect. the salad was awesome. -- it had mandarin oranges, blackberries, arugula and a delicious dressing. The dessert was delightfully chocolatey and sweet, and the crunchies on top of the pudding / mousse made for an excellent texture combo. Off of these 3 items alone, I'd totally be down to return and try more items on the menu. The interior looked nice and cozy, and I actually have to have pasta! The staff were very friendly, and service was excellent. read more

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Had a GREAT happy hour. Honestly Lia's happy hour one of the hidden gems of DC dining. The Italian dog overdelivers. Tina was super helpful, guided us through the menu, helped us split a dish. Would def return.Remember to sit at the bar (includes some outside tables) for hh specials. read more

Lia's is our favorite place in the neighborhood. We have been coming here for years. Fantastic dinner this evening. Our server Tina was absolutely phenomenal. read more