Being a Frederick resident means easy access to Baltimore area restaurants, especially some great Italian restaurants in Baltimore’s Little Italy. But you can get the same vibe at this downtown Frederick Italian Restaurant without leaving town.
Il Porto is located on South Market Street just south of Carrol Creek in Frederick. It’s a mid-casual Italian-type place that will satisfy your craving for a traditional Italian meal. Italian wines, classic pasta dishes, and a downtown Italian restaurant atmosphere….right in downtown Frederick!
Read on to hear more about one of the best restaurants in Frederick.
The Vibe at Il Porto - Frederick Italian Restaurant
Il Porto is a run by the Cruz family, and has had a Gaithersburg location since 1996. They opened their Frederick location on South Market Street in 2007 and have thrived since.
In this era of OpenTable, Resy, and Toast, it’s honestly rare that Nicole and I visit a restaurant, much less on a Saturday night, without a reservation. But Il Porto takes no online reservations, though you can call and make a reservation the ‘classic’ way.
Our last visit on a wintery Saturday night in December was right at rush hour, around 7:30 PM. The place was packed, and several groups were waiting at the crowded entrance. My initial thought was that with no reservation, we would soon find somewhere else to have dinner.
I was pleasantly surprised when the host brushed off my inquiry about a wait (“the rush is over”). After only around 20 minutes, we found ourselves seated at the best table in the house, right by the windows and Christmas tree.
Dining in Il Porto feels like a place you visit in Little Italy Baltimore. It’s nice, but casual. The menu has a ‘can’t miss’ feel with plenty of familiar Italian options, leaving you little to do but look forward to a comfort Italian meal.
The Martini List - an Il Porto Specialty
You will notice an unusually high number of martinis on tables, as it’s an Il Porto specialty. There is a long Martini List on the menu, and while I’m not a martini guy, the list is super interesting. Check out the ‘Velvet King’ (Jack Daniels and Chambord), ‘Blushing Lady’ (pomegranate and grapefruit), and the ‘Cucumber Martinis’ (Hendrick Gin and Cucumber puree).
Classic Italian Favorites
A pre-dinner drink is amazing, but you come to a place like Il Porto for the food (and of course wine). There’s plenty to choose from at Il Porto. A chalkboard ‘Today’s Specials’ sign caught my eye since it listed one of my all-time favorite Italian dishes: Cioppino. Also listed: Ossobuco, Roast Veal, Chilean Seabass….wow I began thinking of all the visits back I’m going to need to this place to try them all.
One more special listed: ‘Crispy Flounder’, which ended up being ordered by the table next to us. A massive, beautiful, and fun looking dish that had envious eyes across the dining room.
If you want my recommendation, do what Nicole and I did. Don’t complicate your visit to Il Porto; just order some classics. What is your ‘go-to’ authentic Italian dish? What dish do you use as a measuring stick when trying a new Italian place?
For me, that dish is Eggplant Parmesan. Nicole ordered the Lasagna (the waiter’s recommendation). Both dishes are fabulous at Il Porto. The marinara is rich, the pasta is homemade, and I swear I tasted a hint of nutmeg in the spaghetti noodles.
Again, you know how you like your Italian meal. For us, we paired it with a Burrata starter and tied everything together with a bottle of Barolo (side note: if you are confused about Italian wine, here’s all you need to remember – Barolo).
Part of dining at a classic, well-executed Italian restaurant is the simplicity and harmony of the meal. Sticking with that theme, we finished things off with the Il Porto Tiramisu—fabulous. (Yes, you are very full, but you can get through a dessert.)
Perfect date night in downtown Frederick.
What Else You Need to Know about Il Porto - Italian Restaurant in Frederick
Hours: 11:30 am to 10 pm (11:30 am to 9 pm on Sundays)- Reservations: by phone only
- Order Online or Carry Out
- Il Porto Caters!
Hours: 11:30 am to 10 pm (11:30 am to 9 pm on Sundays)
Part of what makes Il Porto a great dinner spot or date night is the location. You are a 5 minute walk from Carrol Creek and the heart of downtown Frederick.
Perfect place to walk off all that pasta! Enjoy…
2 Responses
Im invite you to come to my restaurant @ Mayta’s Peruvian Cuisine Frederick MD to try our cuisine
Hi Jorge! For sure, Nicole and I will find a time to come enjoy at meal at Mayta’s (we love Peruvian), and we will definitely write about it here on our site!
Glenn