Cantina D'Italia — Restaurant in Virginia

There’s something special about a restaurant that has stood the test of time, and after 24 years in the game, this spot knows Italian food like no other. I finally got the chance to visit after hearing all the hype, and let me tell you—it did not disappoint. From the moment I walked in, I could feel the warmth, both from the cozy atmosphere and the attentive staff.

Why You’ll Love It Unforgettable Pasta Dishes: I went in thinking I’d stick to my usual pesto-based pasta, but the carbonara stole the show—rich, creamy, and cooked to perfection. It was easily one of the best I’ve had.

Pizza with a Personal Touch: Their special pizza came highly recommended, so I had to try it. The crust was light and crispy, and the toppings were fresh and flavorful. Paired with a glass of their house wine? Absolute perfection.

A Cozy, Classic Italian Vibe: Whether you’re stopping by after a long day or planning a romantic Italian date night, the warm lighting and intimate setting make it feel like a hidden gem. The walls are decorated tastefully, and there’s a comforting, lived-in feel that only an authentic local spot can have.

Service That Feels Like Family: My server was incredibly attentive—always around when needed but never hovering. And Mike, the owner? You can tell he truly cares about every guest’s experience. There’s just something about a place where the owner is hands-on and involved—it makes all the difference.

Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re rolling in post-hike with friends (like one guest did) or dressed up for a night out, you’ll feel right at home. I saw families, couples, and solo diners all enjoying their meals without feeling out of place.

What to Keep in Mind Bread Could Be Better: I won’t lie—the complimentary bread wasn’t as memorable as the rest of the meal. But honestly, when the main courses are this good, it’s easy to overlook.

Tough to Pick Just One Dish: With a huge menu packed with amazing options, it’s hard to decide! Ask your server for recommendations or go with the Chicken Rollatini—I saw someone at the next table order it, and the smell alone had me tempted.

Pro Tip: Come hungry and don’t skip the wine—their selection is solid, and the house wine pairs beautifully with just about everything on the menu. If you’re dining solo, grab a seat at the bar, where the staff keeps the energy lively and the drinks flowing.

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This place is more than just an Italian restaurant—it’s an experience. From the food to the service to the ambiance, it’s everything you want in a classic, family-owned spot. Trust me, one visit, and you’ll already be planning your next....

Went back again tonight a few years after my initial review and it was just the same as I remembered. Cantina D’Italia is old school Italian. The owner and his wife are a little older in age but still very ‘young’, sharp, well dressed and on their game. Walking from table to table. Grabbing a server to tell him to bring out a table’s food as they were waiting. The place was packed tonight and service slower than last time, but not because of apathy. They were truly overwhelmed as this weekend looked to be one of the first ones with full seats in probably a year. People are coming out from the pandemic and probably caught them off guard. But even then, the server took my two glasses of wine off the check and apologized. That tells me that it is still a rockstar restaurant that still very much cares. And the food was amazing. I had clams caprese, which is a clams sautéed in white wine, olive oil and garlic, for an appetizer. Then the salad comes next as part of the dinner. The bread was warm and crusty. Best of all, my veal saltimbocca was even better than last time. Thin sliced, tenderized veal sautéed in a Demi glacé sauce, covered in mozzarella cheese, prosciutto and mushrooms, some spinach and of course pasta. I was not a fan of the meatballs but not everything can be perfect (and I am very particular about meatballs). I cannot wait to go back. So if you remember the old school, authentic Italian restaurants from back in the day, the unpretentious ones that actually care about service a real Italian meal without breaking the bank, give this place a try. You will not be...

We wanted to enjoy the nice weather outside and have a snack or dessert. Well first it took a minute for a waiter to show up, then 40 minutes for our pizza to come. When the pizza came the crust was very tough and the cheese just laid there. The waiter ask how is it and I said a little tough, but thought maybe this is how they serve it, but no another table ordered the same pizza and their's looked nice with perfect cheese. I ask the waiter about it and he said I'll take the pizza off, then he said you know you don't even have to leave me a tip. Now some people were getting really good food that looked good and then some were getting poor food and poor service. The people getting the good stuff all knew each other and belong to a country club (you could hear them talking) my feeling is they want a certain group so.... as they can't openly discriminate they give the people they don't want to eat there bad food and bad service. I mean really the commitment "You know you don't even have to tip me." Was like you don't ever have to eat here. We don't want your business. There was another couple there who felt the same way. There is a clientele they want and we were not it. Read the reviews you will see the pattern. For the one who complained about the smoker, he is part of the group they want, its a group of 3. I did leave a tip btw I was so insulted. I just want a nice place like you find in Europe to sit and drink coffee outside with a nice snack...