I had the opportunity to photograph Café Fiorello before they opened their doors, and I've been a regular ever since. What started as a work project quickly turned into a personal obsession — this is hands down my favorite restaurant in the city.
If you haven't been yet, Café Fiorello sits at 10th and Pennsylvania Avenue, right in the heart of DC. It's the second-ever location of the iconic New York original, which has been a fixture across from Lincoln Center for 50 years. The DC outpost is run by Fireman Hospitality Group, and honestly, the management and staff here are some of the best I've encountered anywhere. Every time I walk in, it feels like they actually want you there. The service is warm, attentive, and never pretentious — which is rare for a spot at this level.
The Space
As a photographer, I notice buildouts. And this one is special. We're talking custom millwork throughout, hand-crafted furniture imported from Italy, and — the showstopper — a backlit onyx bar that honestly stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw it. The onyx slabs double as partitions throughout the restaurant, and when they're lit up, it's something else. Add in the warm wood paneling, those deep emerald green booths, and artwork from the owner's personal collection (including framed menus from the original Café Fiorello in New York), and you've got a space that feels both classic and brand new at the same time.
There's also a private dining room in the back that seats about 10, accessible through a separate entrance — perfect for the power dinner crowd.
The Food
Now the important part. I've eaten my way through a lot of DC, and nothing has hit quite like Café Fiorello.
Their lasagna is absolutely to die for. I don't say that lightly. It's one of those dishes where you take the first bite and just stop talking for a second. Rich, layered, perfectly executed every single time.
And then there's the risotto and scallops. I'm not exaggerating when I say those are the best scallops I've ever had. The sear, the texture, paired with that creamy risotto — it's the kind of dish that ruins other restaurants for you.
Beyond those two, the menu is stacked with Italian-American classics that have been on rotation since the New York location opened in 1974. The antipasti bar up front is worth the visit alone — a massive spread of fire-roasted peppers, cauliflower Milanese, Sicilian eggplant caponata, and more. You can pick what you want and have it brought to the table.
Final Thoughts
Café Fiorello isn't just a restaurant I photographed — it's become the place I take people when I want to show them the best DC has to offer. The combination of world-class hospitality, a stunning buildout, and food that genuinely keeps me coming back makes it an easy recommendation.
If you're in the area, go. Order the lasagna. Order the scallops. Thank me later.
Café Fiorello DC — 1001 Pennsylvania Ave., NW