8.30
$$$
Italian

3865 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203

Carbonara offers an authentic Italian dining experience in the heart of Arlington. With its cozy ambiance and a menu featuring classic pasta dishes, it's a local favorite for intimate dinners and special occasions.
Carbonara provides wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, and seating. The restaurant offers a full bar, restroom facilities, and a romantic atmosphere perfect for date nights. Outdoor seating is available for al fresco dining.
8.30
Visit Restaurant websiteCall RESTAURANT
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8.30

Our weighted 10-point scoring system for Northern Virginia's dining scene prioritises culinary innovation, service excellence, and overall ambience.We consider factors like ingredient quality, menu creativity, and dining experience sophistication. Our assessment combines expert critiques, diner feedback, and firsthand evaluations.Scores above 9.00 denote world-class quality, signifying Northern Virginia's premier dining experiences.
Food and Menu
8.50
Service and Atmosphere
8.20
Value for Money
7.80
Best Times to Visit
For a quieter experience, visit Carbonara during weekday lunch hours. Evening diners should consider early reservations to avoid peak dinner rushes, especially on weekends when the restaurant is at its busiest.
Busiest
‍‍
Saturdays 6PM - 7PM
Most Relaxed
Wednesdays 11:30AM - 1PM
Category
Casual Dining
Cuisine
Italian
Open For
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
Price Range
$30-50
Dishes
Carbonara, Ravioli, Caprese Salad, Chicken Parmesan, Martini, Tiramisu, Arancini, Cheesecake, Spaghetti, Rigatoni, Lasagna, Espresso Martini, Mozzarella in Carrozza, Olive Tapenade, Short Rib Lasagna, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, Creme Brulee Cheesecake
Features
Outdoor seating, Delivery, Takeout, Dine-in, Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Wheelchair accessible seating, Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy hour drinks, Hard liquor, Wine, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Seating, Bar onsite, Restroom, Casual atmosphere, Cozy atmosphere, Romantic atmosphere, Group-friendly, Reservations accepted, Credit cards accepted, High chairs available, Paid street parking, Dogs allowed outside
Opening Hours
{"Mon":"11:30 AM to 10 PM","Tue":"11:30 AM to 10 PM","Wed":"11:30 AM to 10 PM","Thu":"11:30 AM to 10 PM","Fri":"11:30 AM to 10 PM","Sat":"12 PM to 10 PM","Sun":"12 PM to 9 PM"}
Neighborhood
Arlington
Website
carbonarava.com
Phone
+1 703 721 3905
Directions

Carbonara

8.30
Arlington
$$$
Italian
Carbonara offers an authentic Italian dining experience in the heart of Arlington. With its cozy ambiance and a menu featuring classic pasta dishes, it's a local favorite for intimate dinners and special occasions.
Carbonara provides wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, and seating. The restaurant offers a full bar, restroom facilities, and a romantic atmosphere perfect for date nights. Outdoor seating is available for al fresco dining.
Back to the Best NoVA home page
8.30
/10
Our weighted 10-point scoring system for Northern Virginia's dining scene balances culinary innovation, service excellence, and value for money.

Our assessment combines expert critiques, diner feedback, and firsthand evaluations. Scores above 9.00 denote Northern Virginia's best dining experiences.
Food and Menu
8.50
Service/Atmosphere
8.20
Value for Money
7.80
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Notable Dishes

Carbonara, Ravioli, Caprese Salad, Chicken Parmesan, Martini, Tiramisu, Arancini, Cheesecake, Spaghetti, Rigatoni, Lasagna, Espresso Martini, Mozzarella in Carrozza, Olive Tapenade, Short Rib Lasagna, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, Creme Brulee Cheesecake

Google Review Summary

Carbonara, an Italian restaurant in Arlington's Virginia Square neighborhood, has quickly become a local favorite for its authentic Italian cuisine and theatrical dining experiences. The restaurant's signature table-side cheese wheel preparation of their namesake Bucatini Carbonara has drawn particular praise from diners, who consistently highlight its unique presentation and rich flavors. Other standout dishes mentioned frequently include the chicken parmigiana alla vodka, homemade pasta, and arancini balls. The restaurant's Christmas decor and ambiance have enhanced the dining experience for many guests, though some note the space can get loud during peak hours. While most reviews celebrate the attentive service and generous portion sizes, seasonal specialties and desserts like tiramisu and Italian crème brûlée cheesecake also receive notable mentions. The restaurant offers both lunch and dinner service, with many diners praising the quality of their handmade pasta and comprehensive wine selection.

Best Times to Visit

For a quieter experience, visit Carbonara during weekday lunch hours. Evening diners should consider early reservations to avoid peak dinner rushes, especially on weekends when the restaurant is at its busiest.
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