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Exterior - Il Porto, Alexandria, VA

Il Porto

4.5 (2649)
$30 and under
Italian
121 King street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Make a booking

A photo of Il Porto restaurant

Il Porto

4.5
$30 and under
Italian
Alexandria

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 21 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Welcome to Il Porto ,

Nestled in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Il Porto Italian Ristorante has been a cherished destination for authentic Italian dining since 1973. Our mission is simple: to honor the timeless flavors of Northern Italy while embracing modern culinary techniques that elevate every dish.

At Il Porto, every meal is handcrafted from scratch in our kitchen. From our pasta—made fresh daily—to our signature sauces and seasonal ingredients, we take pride in offering food that’s as fresh as it is flavorful.

Our chefs blend tradition and innovation, creating a diverse menu that remains true to our Italian roots. The heart of our kitchen lies in our daily specials, thoughtfully curated to showcase creativity while paying homage to classic Northern Italian recipes.

Whether you're joining us for a romantic dinner, a family gathering, or a special celebration, Il Porto invites you to experience the warmth, authenticity, and excellence that have defined us for over 50 years.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Yanni Elzeiny
  • Private party facilities
    At Il Porto, we believe life’s special moments deserve to be celebrated in style. With space for over 100 guests, we’re the perfect spot for birthdays, rehearsals, holidays, or corporate events—let us help you create unforgettable memories.
  • Area
    Alexandria
  • Cross street
    N.Lee
  • Parking Details
    Street parking is available or there is a parking garage located right behind the restaurant on Lee Street. Colonial Parking $10.00 flat rate. Also there is a parking garage one block away from the restaurant on Fairfax Street. City Hall Parking Garage after 5:00 p.m. $2.00 flat rate.
  • Public transport
    King Street Metro stop, about 16 blocks away from the restaurant. Free Trolley shuttle from King Street Metro to the restaurant
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Experiences

  • Vino di Lusso: Italian Wine Dinner

    USD 149.00 per person

    1 - 9 people

    9 Dec 2026 only
    Join us at Il Porto on Wednesday, December 9, from 6:30 to 10:00 PM for Vino di Lusso, an exclusive evening celebrating over a century of combined Italian heritage and expertise. In partnership with renowned Italian wine importer Empson USA, discover a distinguished selection of premium Italian wines, each thoughtfully paired with a specially curated multi-course menu. Experience an unforgettable evening of exceptional wines, exquisite cuisine, and timeless Italian hospitality in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Limited seating available. Reserve your seat today
    Vino di Lusso: Italian Wine Dinner photo

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Il Porto.

4.5

4.5
(2649)
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Il Porto offers a "wonderful experience" with its charming atmosphere and attentive service. Guests rave about the "excellent food," especially the chef's specials, and the "delightful ambiance" that enhances special occasions. Although service can occasionally be slow, the restaurant remains a "favorite" for its authentic Italian dishes and memorable dining experiences.
2,649 Reviews
  1. Georgia

    Unspecified2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 29 October 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    The meal wasn’t as great as I thought it would be
    Il PortoResponded 6 days ago
    Dear Georgia, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sincerely sorry to hear that your meal did not live up to your expectations. At Il Porto, we take great pride in the quality of our food and hospitality, and we would appreciate the opportunity to better understand what fell short during your visit. We would love to welcome you back for a more enjoyable experience and invite you to reach out to our management team directly so we can personally address your concerns. Thank you again for your feedback. We hope to have the pleasure of serving you again soon.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Frank

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 27 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My fiance and I had our a dinner here late and we were so happy with our decision to come eat here. It was amazing. Alex was exceptional and made our one engagement dinner memorable an awesome. Will definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Scott Gold

    California Central Coast8 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 25 October 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    As usual it was decent for good, but on a Sunday evening they were understaffed, and we had an inexperienced (or untrained) waiter who would just ghost us for long periods of time. Everything just took way too long! It's Italian food, it's not that complicated, it shouldn't take an hour and a half!
    Il PortoResponded on 26 October 2026
    Dear Scott, Thank you for dining with us again and for sharing your feedback. We are glad to hear you enjoyed the food, but sincerely apologize that the service fell short of your expectations. While Sunday evenings can bring a high volume of guests, that should never come at the expense of attentive service. We hold our servers to a high standard of hospitality, and the lack of attention and communication you described is certainly not reflective of that commitment. We understand your frustration with the extended wait and will address these concerns directly with our team. We truly appreciate your continued support and hope to welcome you back for a much better experience.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Dan

    Washington, D.C. Area5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 23 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great meals enjoyed by all, Tarik provided excellent service. Will return.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Jacob Gold

    Washington, D.C. Area21 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 23 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a great time here! Great food, great service, great ambience - couldn’t be better!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Loreta

    Philadelphia County3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 19 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What impressed us most was the attentive service by the maître d’ and our server, Henry. They were charming, polite and friendly. Food was excellent and plentiful. It was my birthday. Maître d’ immediately presented me with a card, added a sparkler to my cannoli and both serenaded me. The facility is charming, beautifully decorated and restrooms were exceptionally clean. I will recommend this restaurant to all.

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  7. Lindsey

    Washington, D.C. Area1 review

    3.0

    Dined on 17 October 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Food took forever and service was mediocre. Food was good however we were told several times our food was almost out when it was not.
    Il PortoResponded on 19 October 2026
    Dear Lindsey, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your meal. We experienced an exceptionally busy evening with a high volume of guests, which unfortunately contributed to longer wait times. However, we understand that this does not excuse the lack of clear communication regarding your order. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience. We hope to welcome you back for a much smoother dining experience.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Mark

    Washington, D.C. Area2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 17 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent meal with excellent service. We'll be back!

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  9. Philip Gold

    New York City31 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 30 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A great place to dine either outside or in. Waiters are super friendly and knowledgeable. Keep in mind that portions are large. Chef is very inventive so don’t hesitate to try the specials. And don’t make changes to the specials. The chef has gone out of his way to create a unique dish.

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  10. Ana lucia

    Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 30 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Alex un súper mesero, he was grate and help us to have a super night and celebration because they bring cake for grandpa 👌🏻💯💯💯💯

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat, Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Yanni Elzeiny
  • Private party facilities
    At Il Porto, we believe life’s special moments deserve to be celebrated in style. With space for over 100 guests, we’re the perfect spot for birthdays, rehearsals, holidays, or corporate events—let us help you create unforgettable memories.
  • Area
    Alexandria
  • Cross street
    N.Lee
  • Parking Details
    Street parking is available or there is a parking garage located right behind the restaurant on Lee Street. Colonial Parking $10.00 flat rate. Also there is a parking garage one block away from the restaurant on Fairfax Street. City Hall Parking Garage after 5:00 p.m. $2.00 flat rate.
  • Public transport
    King Street Metro stop, about 16 blocks away from the restaurant. Free Trolley shuttle from King Street Metro to the restaurant
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wine

FAQs

Yes, Il Porto offers gluten‑free choices (including a listed Gluten Free Pasta and a gluten‑free chocolate cake), and the menu also features clearly vegetarian dishes like Capellini Primavera and Melanzane alla Parmigiana.

Guests commonly describe portions as generous, several reviews call the portions "generous" or "huge."

Yes, Il Porto is well suited to date night, with several guests noting anniversary visits, live music, and a cozy, elegant ambiance.

Sunday brunch is a guest favourite, Il Porto serves brunch on Sundays from 11:00 am–3:00 pm and diners report very positive Sunday brunch experiences.

Il Porto’s weekend brunch (Saturday–Sunday, 11:00 am–3:00 pm) is a lovely choice, guests rave about Sunday brunch and the popular bottomless-mimosa-style brunch service.

Yes, families are welcome: reviewers describe dining with small children, staff making special kids’ plates, and the team accommodating a child’s allergy when needed.

Yes, Il Porto offers outdoor seating in Old Town; guests frequently mention being seated outdoors and enjoying the patio and street-side ambience.

Yes, the lasagna is a recurring favorite at Il Porto; it appears on the menu and multiple guests praise it.

Il Porto feels cozy and full of Old Town character, warm, inviting decor with an often lively vibe and live music on some nights.

Casual dress, comfortable, neat clothes are appropriate; Il Porto welcomes guests for romantic dinners, family gatherings, and special celebrations.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Washington, D.C. Area
  4. Virginia - DC Suburbs
  5. Alexandria

Make a booking

A photo of Il Porto restaurant

Il Porto

4.5
$30 and under
Italian
Alexandria

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 21 times today
Experiences are available.
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