I love this place it's very simple but very delicious. I ordered the ratatouille omelette. Veggies reports very nicely ants it was a very flavorful Lite dish. This is perfect for breakfast or a lite lunch. I also ordered an iced latte with oat milk and that as well is delicious. read more

Piccolina - Ratatouille Omelette - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This cafe-like place is related to the Centrolina in name and price only judging by the food. The servers are always disinterested and it's unclear whether it's a sit-down restaurant, self-service, or both (someone eventually clarified it could be both). But why would one eat here given how high the prices are? The food on offer is the bland, mushy variety of airport food, and if you order food to be made, you will find yourself emptying your purse for a tiny morsel of food. If you must eat overpriced food, go to Centrolina instead, where the food at least has some flavor. The ambience is that of an airport cafe too. Skip this place. read more

Just and random walk down the famous IG strip in DC and came across this gem. The ambience was charming with a bakery, coffee shop, and pizza oven combo that was delightful. The coffee is first rate (wide and are coffee snobs) but the food was the start of the show. Had the Porchetta panini that was absolutely scrumptious and some of the Cali omelette that was fantastic...but the star of the show is the Cannoli bar! As a Philly native that grew up by the Italian market in South Philly, these cannolis were absolutely first rate. Had the traditional and the Nutella that were complemented by the Mocha latte and brightened up the whole day. This spot will be my new go to when I'm in the area and when folks come to visit for sure!! read more

The menu is VERY intimidating. Almost everything is in Italian with no explanation. I went in for lunch and ended up leaving because the menu and crowd were overwhelming -- in not a good way. Eager to try the place, I returned the next day for breakfast. The avocado "toast" with an egg on top was absolutely beautiful. I took it to go, about a one minute walk away. I was really surprised when I opened the container and the "toast" is carte musica, which is like a thin crispy flatbread. (Thanks, google!) the bread is super thin and crispy, and doesn't really soak up the egg at all. It really wasn't at all what I was expecting. That said, the staff was super welcoming, the space is beautiful, and I will try again. (Though, i must add #ripraresweets -- you are missed.) read more

Piccolina - Avocado toast with an egg - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food here is good, and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. The portion sizes are definitely on the smaller side, however. The prices are a tad steep, relative to the portion sizes, but I still recommend visiting Piccolina. Sitting outside is great as there are a few tables for diners to choose from. read more

The food everything is top top . Also very clean the ambiance is perfect . Why Starbucks when you have a place like this around City Center ? read more

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We were in the National Mall with our pup and needed a place for some lunch that was dog friendly indoors - we found Piccolina and didn't need to look any further! Before I get too deep into the review, I'll say that the food and service was 5 stars, it was just a little pricy for the serving size so that knocks them down to 4 stars for me. They were so so nice to our pup, and we really appreciated that! They even sold their own dog treats, so of course we had to treat her to some. My husband got the porchetta panino and I got the veggie panino (I forget the official name) and we split them so we could each try both. My favorite was the veggie one - it was so flavorful and had a great balance. The porchetta one was also super tasty, the mustard greens were a great bitter accompaniment to the rich porchetta, but the veggie one still took the cake for me (although my husband had the opposite opinion). For 17-20 dollars per panino, I wish it would have come with a small side of dressed mixed greens or something. When the sandwich comes out all by itself, it does look a little lonesome. read more

Piccolina - Latte + pup treats in the background - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The sad thing about this review is that the product created by this café is amazing but the service and the operations of the organization sucks so badly that it makes doing business with them impossible. Before the pandemic open 9 to 9 every day except Monday after the pandemic closed for two weeks, then open for two weeks, then closed again for two weeks. Then open again, then closed on Mondays again, then closed on Tuesdays now, then open 9 AM to 9 PM, then open 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM every day. This morning I go bye at 8:50 and I'm told they don't open till nine they can't make a latte! I mean how can you run such a dysfunctional business with such crappy employees, the incompetence is just mind-boggling! And it's businesses just like this crying please help us during the pandemic, please give us your patronage so we can stay in business, yet it's businesses exactly like this that do not deserve to stay in business! Here's a clue on how to run a functional retail organization, serve your customers no matter when they show up if you have an employee there they get off their but and serve the customer! Here's a second clue on how to run a successful business, consistency! Be open the same hours all the time! And spend the time to take ownership of your online profiles and correct your hours everywhere they are mentioned! read more

Cute spot. Latte and pastry were ok. Brick oven roasted grapefruit was lovely. May be a better spot for lunch than breakfast. I imagine the pizzas and canolis are solid. read more

I got the mushroom pizza with white sauce and it was so delicious. I always ask for pizza "well done" and this was perfection. Very quick too. read more

So relaxing and stylish. Great, delicious breakfast spot down a hidden shopping alley. Love it!

Ordered the diavolo pizza and it was delicious. Loved this cute little spot w a nice menu and good prices.

Yo start, the service is horrible, the servers are rude and clearly not happy with their job, the food has dropped in quality recently, and frequently comes missed up. Extremely dissatisfied read more

Very bad service, average food, and the prices are exaggerated. There is alot of better options closeby

Been here a few times for breakfast due to it's convenience and vicinity to the Yoga studio I workout at. It use to be the old Rare Sweet's bakery in Palmer alley. I was so sad to see that go cause that was my usual to-go for breakfast on my way home. Now seeing a new place opened that serves breakfast, I had to give it a try! I ordered the egg & cheese on brioche and added pancetta to it. Delicious breakfast sandwich for a decent price in DC (especially at City Center). The brioche is very soft and the pancetta has a slight crisp to it. All together, each bite I took from that sandwich satisfied my hunger post yoga. Coffee is also great here too! Really like their cold brew and I often run into the problem of either getting the cold brew or the macchiato...maybe I should just get both from now on. haha. Service is great, staff are friendly. Food does take a time for it to be prepared in their brick-fired oven, but the wait is worth it. read more

I love the aesthetic or the restaurant. They have really good breakfast pastries. And the only reason I give the restaurant 4 stars is bec

I LOVE Piccolina. This place is perfection. I work next to City Center and came here on opening day with a few coworkers. Since then -- to put lightly -- I'm hooked. The first day there was a ton of disorganization and nobody knew what was going on, but one thing remained the same: the food was FANTASTIC. I've been here countless times since. They have a variety of food but what I usually go for are there magnificent paninis. They take pizza dough, wood fire it, and stuff it with vegetables to make a sandwich. I generally always get the Garden Panuozzo without the cheese. The way they cook the vegetables brings out the flavors in each of them so well. They also use (what seems to be) a lot of oil, but it makes it even better and still somehow doesn't feel heavy afterwards. Their seating is limited but usually something is available if you are looking for it -- either outside or inside. I've been there while they are super busy and I have also been there when there is barely anyone in the restaurant. You make your order at the counter so while you are waiting in line you have access to menus to look through. After you make your order the chefs make it while you pull over to the side and wait. If you are eating in the restaurant, they give you a number and a holder that the servers can find you easily with. Then you sit anywhere and they bring over your beautiful food to you. The people that work there are VERY helpful. Especially Vidal. He is awesome and knows EVERYTHING. He's super nice and helpful and after a couple of times he remembered me and my order. Since then we talk a bit every time we see each other. It's always nice to know when I go there I am treated like family. My only complaint is about the menus that are not very descriptive and if you're not Italian you might not know what everything is without looking it up or asking. Luckily mostly everyone is very helpful to figure out what everything is, but it also still would be nice to have descriptions -- especially when you are ordering online. Piccolina also has an online service which is VERY convenient especially if you work there and want to get in and out. You pay for it and everything prior to picking it up through the website and usually within 15 minutes it's good to go. So while you're walking over it is getting ready. During lunch time on a work day there are usually MANY people doing the same thing but overall they are pretty good about getting it ready quick. Anyway, I love this place. I love Centrolina too but if you want SUPERB food in a beautiful place with gorgeous decorations where you can walk around, that also happen to be the best right outside this restaurant (City Center), THIS is your restaurant. Thank you, Piccolina! read more

Food was pretty good! I tried the carrots, broccoli rabe, and biscotti. Carrots were very good, yet a bit oily. Broccoli had a nice kick to it but also a bit oily. Biscotti was excellent - super chocolatey. Bread selection was minimal, they only had one type of bread, and I'd expect more from a bakery. Would recommend they'd sell the bread they were firing up for the sandwiches on its own - it looked so good! read more

Piccolina - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Love this little place! The name is fun to say and the polletto was a perfect marriage of wood fired goodness and greens! The chicken was juicy, crispy, and full of flavor. The salad was perfectly dressed and had the right amount of cheese. read more

Piccolina - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Place was amazing in past. Stopped by to get the fluffy egg on Brioche and the egg was amazing as usual but the Brioche was stale; ruined the whole experience. Hopefully just a one time issue and the quality is not slipping. read more

The first time I dined in Piccolina was not long after it opened. I was very disappointed, expensive coffee and pastries and a 20 minute wait for a latte left me with a bad taste in my mouth. This week I was in the City Center area and was looking for takeout options when I saw their Carbonara pizza. I just couldn't resist. The pizza was fantastic! My only complaint was that I could have eaten so many more slices! I was also really impressed with their efficiency during the pandemic. They turned my opinion around! read more

Piccolina - Carbonara pizza - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Coffee was great but seriously disappointed with the egg and brioche, it was way too dry and tasted like it had been sitting around for a long time even though I saw them make it. I actually didn't even finish it which is rare, I just couldn't eat bother bite at one point as I'd gotten so tired of the same blah blah taste. Maybe other stuff is better but don't go for the egg on brioche. read more

You know that feeling when you've spent $15 on a meal and it turned out to be trash so you feel bad because you just wasted your money? That's how I feel right now. I got the Porchetta Panuozzo and a lot of regret. First of all, the presentation was pretty bad. my bread had a huge hole so part of my sandwich was topless. The colors looked super dull and unappetizing. The mustard greens were bitter and tasteless like school lunch veggies and the meat was barely seasoned. There was waay too much onion and vegetable so it was just pretty overwhelming. I think I'd rather eat McDonalds than this. Service was nice though. And the inside is pretty. Maybe I just got a bad order... but don't feel very inclined to come back and try other things. read more

Tasty, but very small portions. Plus it is somewhat annoying that none of the items on the menu which is solely in Italian have descriptions. read more

Piccolina - Avocado and Carte Musica - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Piccolina da Centrolina is better than you think it will be. Across the nation, there are thousands of places that look like it. It reminds me of the sandwich and salad place that a husband and wife come up with in their 40s-50s as a late life labor of love. They strive to put better ingredients on their menu, but realize quickly that it's hard to make a profit when people don't buy your sandwiches and cold dishes. So they sit longer than they should in refrigerators or glass cases. Often unrealized dreams and stale/hard food is the death knell for places like this. BUT, the fact that this is an extension of Centrolina next door and in City Center DC, it is not budget ingredients. I found each dish very lovely. The negatives first: We tried to order the Lamb Sausage Scacce. We were told no Lamb Sausage Scacce. All out. But, if we want meat we must try the Suckling Pig sandwich. This sandwich lacked seasoning, flavor, seasoning, and was mushy bland. It needed salt, fat, crunch/texture. It was not a well-made sandwich. We ordered the pumpkin Panzanella. This was incredible. Squash, marinated pears, and perfectly stale oiled bread. The Caponata was amazing. Rich eggplant, figs?, earthy, sweet, and indulgent. I loved it. It would've made as good of a spread to a sandwich as it stood alone as a standout sidedish. I also ordered the charred chicken and escarole salad. I really liked it!! It sounds boring, chicken and greens, but the chicken was moist, the chicken skin was crispy and well-seasoned, and the greens and a nice crunch mouthfeel. I would've left the bone out, if I was preparing it, but hopefully the bones meant more flavor. Overall, I'd come back. It's a pretty place for lunch. It's better than I expected. But now I want to try the main show across the way at Centrolina. read more

Came here to grab a couple of cannoli. Got one with the traditional and the other with pistachio filling. I would stick with the traditional as the pistachio filling had a slight bitter aftertaste. Cute restaurant with outdoor seating and happy hour. read more

Delicious, spacious, clean, and if you like it here then you will probably feel the same about centrolina next door. Stop by mercantile for delicious hard to find items and great Italian staples. read more

Great quick service and the octopus burger was 100% worthwhile. The cookie was still fresh at the end of the night.

Came here for a spontaneous and casual lunch on a Saturday after visiting the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The menu has a higher price point but to be expected given its location in City Center. I ordered one of the salads and added the grilled chicken. The rest of the table was served their food, but my salad arrived 10 minutes after everyone else's food. I could see it sitting on the counter, but apparently the chicken wasn't ready. It was worth the wait. The salad was light and delicious. The chicken was perfectly grilled...very juicy and flavorful. The kids shared a margarita pizza. One was enough for two kids (it's usually cut into flour slices, but they cut it into eight for us). read more

I was excited to try this place. It looks so cute. However, the lady at the counter was rude and the coffee tastes like water.

Delicious lattes!! Asked if there were any liquid sweeteners we can add to the lattes and were advised vanilla was available so we ordered vanilla lattes (not on menu). Hot, foamy and delicious - perfect to drink while walking toward the National Mall on a cloudy day. read more

With the excessive management changes, one cannot help but notice the decline in services. As a resident in one of the buildings we have been customers since the beginning. At the start we were spoilt for choice, quiches, lasagna, sweet and savory. Now, I often leave empty handed. The worst was a young person bringing in her dog on a long leash, she stood and spoke with staff and played with dog by the counter. No one went to wash their hands. Later. I went to make another purchase to feel dog licking my ankles, I am allergic I tell the owner whom again has extended leash, she continues to hurl insults but no apology. Another neighbor was there and said she has been problematic since getting the dog whom barks excessively but is to help her emotionally. I don't frequent the dog park, where dogs appear happy, not on queue in crowded restaurants. The new manager was not interested in being involved. Called the Health Dept whom verified I was correct in that dog could have waited outside or been held by the girl in need emotional support but tag must be visible. No one in the building had an authentication of a support animal. Curb your Ethusiasm just had an episode of this ridiculous situation that is hilarious. read more

I ordered the mushroom pesto pizza and it was delicious! It had a nice thin crust. A lot of places don't have a white pizza so I was happy to see this flavor combo. I would say it's a little too small for two people to share. read more

Pizza and burrata here is great!!! The staff is polite and inviting ( moving heaters to accommodate us outside, making sure there was utensils for takeout) I recommend pairing the burrata with prosciutto (well worth the up charge) read more

Very friendly staff and delicious food! So far I've had their Polletto insalata, the FQF Pizza, the Porchetta Panuzzo, and many of their baked good, all we delicious and wonderful to treat yourself too. read more

Been in DC for 17 years....live down the block. First time at Piccolina...and the last. The Gen Whatever attitude from the servers is quite disappointing. Getting tired of righteous, unfriendly waitstaff who think the customer is there for them (gotta love ordering and paying first and being asked to add a tip before you are even served). The guy at the register will tell you to 'get your own silverware'. Lose the attitude Piccolina. It's so unattractive and your 9$ teeny egg and cheese on a bun is not worth it. read more

Piccolina - Egg and cheese. - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Been eyeing this place for months under construction and I can say it was well worth the wait. A beautifully designed addition to city center just across the alley from Centrolina. If the food wasn't so good I would still return for the warm and charming atmosphere, while pretending to be at some cafe in Europe. To whoever said the brioche sandwich was burnt and half eaten, some of us thought it was incredibly delicious, I would be happy to take the other half off you :) If you want a full service restaurant this isn't what you're looking for. Rather, an upscale fast casual offering a much cheaper and equally delicious opportunity to try Chef Amy's cuisine. A few hiccups in the beginning but having gone for a fifth time now I can say they've gotten things under control. Each time I go they're seems to be new items on the menu and much improved service. Although service really should not be why your going here. Looking forward to seeing how they develop in the months to come! Overall an amazing addition to city center, thank you Amy for all your hard work, it really shows! read more

Stopped by on a Saturday morning for a coffee and a bite to eat. I decided on the porchetta sandwich and WOW. Seriously an amazing sandwich, one you must stop in for. read more

Love love love Piccolina. I live at City Center and love the food and the convenience. The panouzzos are awesome... I'm a little more fond of the veggie option but both are great. The scacce is really delicious too, but I found myself wishing for a little heat on it... maybe some red pepper flakes or the spicy pepper sauce from Centrolina market. The charred chicken salad is also amazing and I've been eating that a couple times a week. Can't wait to try the other menu options. I think some of the other reviewers are confused by the format. This isn't a full service restaurant. If you want that, go to Centrolina. The tipping situation is kind of confusing though. If you dine in, someone brings you your food and clears the dishes, so we've been leaving a few bucks, but I'm not sure what's appropriate. If this is a true fast casual option, I wish there would be a bussing station so we could clear our own tables. Great job, Chef Amy. This is such a great addition to the community and I'm enjoying the amazing food! read more

Centrolina is hands down, our favorite restaurant in DC. So imagine how thrilled we were when we heard that it's amazing, creative owner and exec chef, Amy Brandwein was opening Piccolina just across the alley. So last week four of us went there for lunch and it could not have been better. Piccolina is a really cool, bright, casual, comfortable cafe. We were immediately welcomed by the warm staff -- and were happy to see some of the experienced, knowledgable team from Centrolina there to bring the same skills and attention to detail that Centrolina is known for. Because there were four of us we decided to sample and share several dishes. The Mediterranean chopped salad was a meal unto itself -- full of fresh vegetables and perfectly dressed. The lamb sausage scacce is like a stuffed flatbreat. The bread itself is stretched thin and therefore very light. It was ooozing lamb, cheese and rapini. The scacce was perfectly charred in the the cafe's huge wood-burning oven. All four of us agreed, this was our favorite dish among favorites. The charred chicken and escarole was another delicious offering The quarter chicken was perfectly prepared, moist on the inside with a nice char and the escarole was a great compliment. The porchetta panuozzo was another stuffed flatbread -- this one with pork, greens, grilled onions, salsa verde and cheese and it was delicious. Finally, we shared the eggplant parmesan, which was everything you would expect. Add a great selection of wines and coffees and Piccolina is a delight. Piccolina is amazing and we can't wait to go back to try the breakfasts, more of the homemade breads and to sample the dinners. read more