I've been to this restaurant multiple times now and the food has always been very good, so that's why it gets five stars. The menu has changed multiple times since my first visit which keeps things interesting. Everything I've eaten from the menu has been excellent, but I love the kale Cesar salad. If I could give a separate rating for last night's service, I would, and it would be a 1-star rating. While it was entertaining at times, we believe our waitress was drunk. She was very uneasy on her feet, swaying back and forth while she took our order, even bumping into my husband's shoulder over and over while she stood there. Her eyes were unfocused and it took a very long time for her to enter our order on her tablet, while our table had to repeat ourselves multiple times. She brought our drinks to the wrong table and almost dropped them when serving us-we had to reach and get them before they fell. During service she cleared our table and promptly dropped all dishes as she walked away. And trying to get the check was impossible- we had to ask someone else. It was very unprofessional. Back to the 5-star review: this was our first time sitting in the dining room as we normally sit outside. The dining room is low lit and very cozy feeling. The tables feel a little close to each other but it wasn't terrible. read more

We came here for dinner and had an amazingly good experience. Our waitress Mia was very nice and attentive. She offered us water and a dog menu for our dog and made sure we were annoying our night. The food was delicious and the outside ambiance was perfect. read more

Ashley was wondering. She was very professional and allowed our party to hang out for a while after we had finished. The Original Burger is very good. Loved the mushrooms! Would have liked if the bun stayed together a little better but overall a decent burger. And the mountain of sweet potato fries as wonderful. There were so many i couldn't even finish it and that never happens to me with sweet potato fries! Also be careful of the Viper Cocktail, very good, but very lethal! So take your time with it and make sure to have a big meal! read more

This is the second time that I have been here for brunch. The food is limited on the brunch menu but it's very good. Ask for Jamar - he is an amazing server! read more

I have visited this place a few times and have had a great experience each time. I have tried three types of pizza (pepperoni, deluxe, and a margherita) as well as the rigatoni and must say that each was excellent. The pizza has a great crispness to it and the rigatoni has a little kick to it. The atmosphere is lively and pretty fancy and the outdoor seating is nice on a summer night. They validate parking, which is also nice. The servers are top notch and the prices are very reasonable. There's really nothing I could complain about. Easy 5/5 rating. read more

A fun lunch with four friends. Served by Edward, really great and most accommodating.

Our friends who live in the area and who frequent Lia's suggested meeting us here for dinner when we were visiting from out of town. It was an excellent choice. Lia's is perfect for a casual dinner with great food and libations. The hospitality of the host staff and server was excellent. Having questions about the menu, our server Jorge was able to answer our questions and make suggestions. Once the food was on the table, he stopped by to ensure our satisfaction a few times, even though the restaurant was crowded. The food was attractively plated and even more importantly delicious. The portion sizes were not huge, which was fine since it was quality over quantity. If you're planning a visit, your best bet is to make a reservation in advance through Yelp. Parking is available in the nearby parking garages or if you prefer mass transit, there is a Metro line close by as well as bus service. read more

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Emilson was the best server I have had in a long time! It was our first time at this restaurant and we were celebrating our daughter's 21st birthday. He gave great recommendations without being overly pushy, made sure we had everything we needed and were enjoying the food all while being very busy in a full restaurant. He also made sure it was very festive! The service style is good in that other staff help bring meals & drinks so you're not waiting on just one person to deliver everything. It was surprisingly busy for a Wednesday evening, interior is fairly run of the mill and outside patio was also packed. The website is helpful in directing guests where to park and they validate which is nice in that area. read more

Ordered here for delivery last week. My boyfriend ordered the burger and I got the penne alla vodka with added chicken. My boyfriend liked his burger but said there was nothing special about it. It was just an average burger. As for my penne, it lacked flavor. There was honestly no flavor at all. I had to bust out the Parmesan cheese I had in my fridge to give it a little something. The chicken was grilled and tasted fine but the seasoning didn't necessarily match the penne. It was just okay. It was not bad but penne alla vodka usually has great flavor so I was a bit disappointed. I also ordered a tiramisu, which was good. Probably the best thing of the night, although it was a bit too sweet. But I enjoyed it. Overall, everything was just average. I wouldn't seek them out again but i won't say I'd be completely against trying them another time. From the reviews, I'm guessing maybe inside dining is better. read more

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We enjoyed a delicious dinner and our server, Emilson, made it even better. We will definitely return!

Mia was a great hostess. Her exceptional customer service skills made my experience a pleasant one. I would visit Lia's again, as well recommend the restaurant to my family and friends. read more

Lia's is an excellent place to have an unhurried and comfortable dinner with friends. We ordered the grill octopus and farmhouse salad as appetizers and a variety of pasta dishes. Everything was well prepared and nicely presented. The server was knowledgeable about the menu. Even though the restaurant was quite busy, service was efficient and prompt. read more

Talis provided amazing service to our table of 12 on a very crowdedChristmas Eve at Lia's.

I came for restaurant week and felt like this place was just okay. The food was alright, not amazing. I felt like a lot of the dishes were too lightly seasoned for example the giant sea scallops that was on a bed of rice. While the sea scallops were good the rice was kind of flavorless. Service was slow (but wait staff was very friendly and sweet) and for our ice cream desserts, they were like 80-90% melted when it came out. They could have been delicious if not melted. The calamari was good but I certainly wouldn't come back just for that. My friends also tried the octopus and the steak which they liked but also agreed was 3 stars. I also did not have my ticket for parking validated even though they told me they validated it and it should be free. read more

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Great selection, great staff and great location. One of the few places in this neighborhood that have been around for years.

Fabulous! Service was great Talis was amazing. We sat down at 11:45 and stayed and stayed and watched the Capitals and there was no pressure to leave. Kept coffee and water coming. Highly recommend Lia's and Talis service. She works the bar area. read more

Decent experience. It wasn't very busy during my restaurant week visit and I appreciated being spaced away from other diners. The service was speedy. The food was decent. The calamari was crispy, the mushroom truffle gnocchi was good good, and the chocolate flourless cake dessert was rich. Parking was convenient, but make sure you park and walk out into the right building (office). I was on an elevator that had Lias listed on the floor button, but it was next to is to a Potbelly which would've been a longer walk outdoors. Moving the car and walking out from the office space places you right next to Lias. read more

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We were two adults celebrating the special bond of having birthdays on the same day and were accompanied by our young teen sons who are best friends. Truly a doubly special occasion that had to be perfect and so it was. Starting off with the "May Special" appetizer Lobster Arancini absolutely delicious. (Learned over time at Lia's, even if you aren't familiar with whatever the month's special is, be adventurous --you will be rewarded.) My boy had the Dry-aged Rib Bolognese and simply devoured it. He has food allergies so they happily slightly tweaked the dish to carefully accommodate him. The Big Bad Wolf Pizza and Wagyu Burger of course brought much deserved sound of pure enjoyment and then the Maryland Blue Crab and Burrata a seasonal dish that is the talk of the neighborhood and has folks making sure they get into Lia's before the month is out. (Some regional restaurants that have a Blue Crab dish but are a bit restrained in how much you are served. (Blue Crab pricey--even wholesale.) Not Lia's. Had enough to bring some home and have others know what the talk is all about. Knowing younger diners as he clearly does, the waiter Jamar suggested that they substitute the Salted Carmel ice cream for the more subtle one paired on the menu. Could go on about the desserts (Ricotta Donuts, Passion Fruit Sorbet with Mixed Berries, etc.) and all the birthday touches); but, as it was a joint event, want to also mention the celebratory cocktails and wine. We started the meal with a Limoncello Drop Tini with an aromatic sprig of fresh mint and an authentic Italian Margherita. Perhaps referencing the lightness--the pure joy of the evening-- we had a La Plage Rose. Truly memorable all. The service was prompt, professional, cordial, knowledgeable about Lia's kitchen and made the boys feel totally at ease as they discussed the menu and their preferences and needs. From the moment we entered, Lia's gave us a lovely memory that we will savor for some time to come. Thank you. read more

Outside is great venue for Drinks, dinner, lite bites. Service always great and Sebastian did not disappoint. Attentive to when we needed to reorder and great recommendations . read more

I've been coming to this place bi-weekly for the past 9 months. The happy hour prices are on point and the food and drinks options are great. The outside high tops overlooking the dining tables is very pretty and almost every time Morgan has been my server. Morgan is amazing! So friendly, attentive and professional. Such a gem!! read more

This place is amazing. Great food and drinks, and great happy hour deals. And Morgan is an amazing individual...so welcoming and provided wonderful service. read more

Mia was an amazing server! She was very attentive, funny and kind! Her recommendations were spot on and the food was great! She made the birthday girl feel very happy about her dinner! 10/10 would recommend! read more

Outdoor dining area was spacious, service wasn't attentive but nice enough. The second courses were brought to the table before the table was cleared. The price was reasonable. The food portions tend to be large. 5*Fried Calamari, crispy and delicious. 1*Artichoke: undercooked, poor flavor, definitely won't order it again 2*Fig & prosciutto bruschetta: bread was soggy, presentation poor, tasted so-so. Lots of room for improvement. Not up to par with the other dishes. 5*Triple berry spinach salad: ingredients and flavors were were great combination. The best and most healthy salad 3*Mediterranean salad: fresh and healthy 4*Mushroom truffle gnocchi: good flavor and super rich sauce, so rich that it's hard for anyone to finish. 3*Chocolate chip cookies: massive amount of cookies and ice cream. 2*Ice cream & sorbet: the usual. 4*Peach crumble: excellent, the best dessert. 4*Flowerless chocolate cake: very good and extremely rich. read more

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This place is so well organized. You can go to the main or the happy hour rind 3-9 most days. The food choices are super. Mains vs burgers vs pizza vs salads vs pastas. Some things I enjoyed are the eggplant vegetArian or cauliflower main, the chicken dishes or the very good fish choices. Sam is brilliantly good at his job. Knows the menu, drinks and how unto guide you. Funny too Ambiance can't be beat outside. Bar is fun. Dining room works fine. read more

Great food (pizza, gelato, farmhouse salad) and excellent service. We ate on the patio and Mitchell took excellent care of us!

Mitchell was a great server. My Tuscan chicken was delish and a huge portion. We enjoyed the patio and I could bring my dog. I intend to frequent Lia's. read more

This review is during many graduation celebrations so I want to be sure to note this as it was an especially busy night for a Thursday. The food was 4 stars. I had the Chicken Parm, others had Shrimp Scampi over pasta, another Chicken Parm and the Salmon entree. The main issue here is the untrained staff. While everyone was nice and courteous those delivering the food didn't know who got what. Delivery was spotty with some things taking longer than others and we had about 4 differrent people serving our table yet our water glasses were empty. The outside seating was great since the weather was lovely but it seemed those outside were kind of an afterthought. Maybe service would be tighter on a slower night but the fact that courses were not completely cleared before others came was very annoying at a restaurant of this level. $240 including tip one should expect a little more read more

Went for a Happy Hour with a very large group, The place has plenty of outdoor seating, the food service was really quick. I only got a chance to eat a few of their pizzas, and Sweet Potato fries. Pizza is delicious and thin, the Happy hour prices are pretty decent. Certainly try out their Brussels Sprouts. They also served a wide variety of beers and cocktails. Will return again to try more. read more

Great food and ambience on the patio. Loved the Cacio 0 Pepe, delicious and generous portion

Hmmm Lia's was extra tasty on this visit during Restaurant Week. I loved that they included the whole menu for the deal! The service was super cordial. And the vibe of the restaurant was classy but casual. I love going here, and like that they validate for parking around the corner. read more

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I have traveled to 49 of the 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, and have had burgers from nearly all of them. Of all the places I've been to, the burger I had at Lia's Restaurant in Chevy Chase, MD is easily in my top 5 of "most satisfying burgers ever." As soon as I bit into it, I fell in love - the meat was tender, the onions sautéed to perfection, the tomato was crisp, and the bun was oh-so-fresh. I swear, it was like biting into heaven! The arugula salad that accompanied the burger was also light and satisfying. And, to top it all off, the lady behind the bar recommended the apple dumpling dessert - which was vegan, by the way - and it's easily in my top 10 of "best apple desserts from a restaurant" now. The apples? Fruity and delicious! The dumpling they were wrapped in? Flakey yet solid, doughy yet firm, and all-around amazing. I haven't tried some of the other food here yet, but if this burger-salad-apple dumpling combo is a preview, I can't wait to go back and see what else they have cooking! read more

LIA'S - Definitely get the burger and the apple dumpling, your taste buds will thank you :) - Italian Near Me - Chevy Chase, Maryland

I came for lunch during their restaurant week deal, which was a really great deal. They offered 1 appetizer, 2nd course, and dessert for $22. I ended up getting the calamari for my appetizer, which was so delicious! Perfectly crispy. Then, I ordered the Veal Marsala, and I was very disappointed with the dish. The veal seemed overcooked and dry so I gave my food to a friend. My friend's steak was also cooked well done even though he asked for medium rare. They ran out of all the dessert items except for the cookie skillet, which was fine because it was delicious! The chocolate chip cookie was warm and gooey. Although it was a great deal for a 3 course meal, I wouldn't come back here again. I wasn't a fan of my main course. read more

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This is a great restaurant for families with young kids. It's in our regular rotation especially when it's nice weather outside and we can sit on the patio. We went yesterday for a private event in the back room and the staff truly went above and beyond to accommodate me and my toddler. They brought her kid-friendly food and drinks that were not on the menu for the private event and even entertained her with games like picking a straw out of a cup to help me keep her quiet while the adults were making speeches. The adult food was also delicious! Lia's is always great - they never disappoint! I will be back again soon! read more

I have walked past Lia's many times and finally checked it out! It did not disappoint. It was a rainy evening so we sat inside of the restaurant. The interior was tastefully decorated and the staff were very inviting. The menu had lots of good options but we settled on the mushroom gnocchi and the lamb burger. The creamy mushroom gnocchi pleasantly surprised me; as someone who doesn't usually like mushroom-heavy dishes, I thought this gnocchi was fantastic. The juicy lamb burger was served in a pita and its mediterranean flavors were out of this world. Overall, we had a great experience at Lia's and hope to try their outdoor seating next time! read more

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

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We went to Lia's for lunch, and it was a bad experience. The service was very slow because there were not enough waiters. I got the wrong cheese on my burger, and the burger was cold from sitting around so long before it was delivered. The sweet potato fries were soggy and greasy. Chef Geoff needs to go to Lia's and make improvements. Chef Geoff at New Mexico Avenue is great - Lia's is not. read more

I always give special consideration to restaurants during this time, but I was so disappointed that I felt I had to share my concerns with the restaurant and others. With the high rating on DoorDash and yelp, I placed my first order with Lia's this evening and ordered the kale Caesar and ricotta gnocchi. My order arrived on-time and was warm. However, for $40+, I was shocked at how small the portion size was for both. The $14 kale Caesar salad was the size of a small pizza shop side salad. The gnocchi was delicious and fresh but also very small and about half the portion size of what you would get dining in the restaurant. ***UPDATE: after posting my review, I received a call from the restaurant with a sincere apology for my experience. I was surprised and pleased to receive such a kind acknowledgement and the prompt outreach was appreciated. I will definitely give Lia's another chance. That gnocchi was worth it and I look forward to trying other dishes! read more

LIA'S - Kale Caesar and Ricotta Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Chevy Chase, Maryland

Very good and timely service by Emilson! Free parking in the building is also convenient.

Excellent dinner out with friends! All staff members were helpful and friendly. Karina was extremely attentive and was really on top of my tree nut allergy which was much appreciated! read more

We enjoy the ambience here very much. The staff is attentive & accommodating, helping to give the place a lovely feel. I had the roasted chicken & my husband had the boar bolognese. We were both very happy with our food. And we had enough left over to take home for a second meal, We were disappointed, however, with our fried calamari appetizer. It looked good but was rubbery, read more

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Just has a great dinner at Lia's. Food was delicious and our server, Sebastian, was the best! Can't wait to go back!