Who doesn’t love good Italian food? Italian cuisine has become a universal favorite, and that includes Nicole and me. This article lists what we consider the Best Italian Restaurants in Frederick, MD.
Frederick Italian Restaurants to me have benefited from our close proximity to Baltimore. Baltimore has one of the best Little Italy Neighborhoods in the US. I believe this has been a major influence on the quality of the Italian food in Frederick.
The Best Italian Restaurants in Frederick, Maryland
Frederick Italian Restaurants - Map
What Makes a Great Italian Restaurant?
Part of the greatness of Italian food is its simplicity. However, several elements have come together to make a great Italian restaurant.
For me, here are the factors used to rank the Italian Restaurants in Frederick below:
- Pasta Dishes (house-made pasta!)
- Quality of the Red Sauce
- Non-Pasta Entrees
- Anti-Pasta Appetizers
- Italian-Focused Wine List
- Italian Desserts
- Authentic Ambience
Like most cuisines, Italian restaurants that shine are the ones that focus on fresh ingredients, authentic recipes (traditional, family, or generational), and a focus on the classics.
When going out of Italian food, most people already have their favorites or their ‘go-to’ dishes. For me, it’s eggplant parmesan. I rarely go to an Italian Restaurant wanting to ‘try something new or innovative’.
I’m usually looking for a fresh salad, a pasta dish with amazing tomato sauce, and an Italian red wine (Chianti Classico, Montepulciano, Barolo, or similar). Dessert is usually a must.
Ready to see our list? If you are a Frederick resident or visitor, here are the Best Italian Restaurants near you.
(Have you tried any of these? Did we rank something too high or low? Let us know in the comments.)
1. Il Porto
Why We Love It: Il Porto is the Italian restaurant in Frederick that most reminds me of the ones in Little Italy in Baltimore. This cozy restaurant on Market Street on the north side of downtown is loved by Frederick locals who pack it every weekend.
Il Porto checks all the boxes for great Italian: fresh appetizers, incredible pasta dishes, great meat and seafood entrees, and an impressive Italian wine list. They have regular specials and check out their Martini List, which is also somewhat of a specialty at Il Porto.
The restaurant has been run by the Cruz family in Frederick since 2007. They only take reservations by phone. But it’s highly recommended that you call and secure one on weekends because it gets busy!
- Il Porto Menu
- Carry Out
- Reservations - Phone Only +1.301.620.7480
- $$$
2. Pistarro's
Why We Love It: Pistarro’s is another Italian restaurant in our regular rotation. It’s a place where we love to sit at the bar on weekends and enjoy simple Italian and red wine.
Pistarro’s has more of a family-restaurant feel, partially because they serve great pizza to attract lots of families. But don’t sleep in the Pistarro’s Italian entrees, especially anything with red sauce.
Also, I highly recommend the salads and the Napoletana Bread – simple wood over-fired bread with olive oil and herbs. A great starter.
Pistarro’s is located on East Street, a few blocks east of downtown.
3. Cucina Massi
Why We Love It: The back terrace! Cucina Massi is right up there with the best Italian food in Frederick. But I’ll fully admit my favorite part about this restaurant is the somewhat secret back terrace.
The Cucina Massi menu of Italian food is tremendous. You can’t go wrong with their pastas, pizza, appetizers, salads, or entrees. It has a Maryland influence, with lots of Italian seafood dishes. Excellent wine list as well.
If you visit during nice weather, try to dine on the back terrace. It has a totally different vibe and is a unique place to have a meal in downtown Frederick.
- Cucina Massi Menu
- Carry Out: Phone Only - 1.301.624.1052
- Reservations (None)
- $$$
4. Ricci
Why We Love It: Ricci is an Italian Restaurant in the center of The Village at Worman’s Mill, a community on the north side of Frederick. This is a place that Nicole and I did not try until recently, but we were definitely impressed.
It has an upscale feel, with many windows and a bright open concept. One end has a modern bar, but the dining room is a sleek restaurant, not a casual pizzeria.
The menu is also slightly elevated, full of Italian favorites – pasta classics, wood-fired pizza, salads, and a good wine list.
One bonus from many of the other Frederick Italian restaurants on this list: you can make a reservation at Ricci.
5. Manalu
Why We Love It: If you go by online reviews, Manalu might be the most popular Italian restaurant in Frederick. People love this place.
Unlike most of the other restaurants above, Manalu is not downtown but just south of town near Ballenger Creek. Manalu’s chef focuses on dishes from his native Naples and does them well. The pasta and red sauce are tremendous, and the pizza might be the best thing on the menu.
There are lots of great fish, meat, and chicken dishes to try as well. Make a reservation on OpenTable, especially on weekends.
6. Fratelli's
Why We Love It: Despite being technically in Middletown, MD, 15 minutes up Route 40 from Frederick, Fratelli’s is another Italian restaurant near Frederick that gets rave reviews.
Have dinner there, and you’ll know why. The pasta and pizza are great at Fratelli’s, but I’d highly recommend you try their crabcakes, as they are some of the best in the area. It’s also a great place to get a steak.
It also has a tidy wine list, including the house Pinot Grigio, sourced locally from our friend Garry at Mazzaroth Vineyards.
Note that have a sister location in Hampstead, MD.
- Fratelli's Menu
- Carry Out: Phone Only - +1.301.371.4000
- Reservations (Rezy)
- $$$
7. Mangia e Bevi
Why We Love It: Nicole and I live in the Urbana, MD, direction of Frederick. We frequently discuss how Urbana has hardly any good restaurants despite being a growing suburb of both D.C. and Frederick.
Mangia E Bevi is an exception. This corner Italian restaurant has been in Urbana since 2007, giving those in this growing neighborhood a solid place for an Italian meal.
It has everything you want in an Italian restaurant – great pasta, salads, anti-pasta, and above-average pizza. I’m also impressed with their wine list.
Good place for carry out if you are in Urbana as well.
