Pines of Rome Menu

  • Antipasti
  • Soup
  • Homemade Pasta
  • Spaghetti
  • Pizza
  • Fish & Seafood
  • Meats
  • Desserts
  • Beverages

Healthy Meal suggestions for Pines of Rome

  • Antipasti
  • Soup
  • Homemade Pasta
  • Spaghetti
  • Pizza
  • Fish & Seafood
  • Meats
  • Desserts
  • Beverages

Visit below restaurant in Bethesda for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Tyson M.

    The restaurant that time forgot. I think that most of the reviews for this place come from people who went here growing up and they have some sort of mental attachment to it that allows them to block out the fact that the food is bad and the décor is scary. Honestly, I rather have spaghetti-o's.

    (2)
  • Nicole R.

    Pines of Rome knows how to make a delicious pizza. I really haven't tasted pizza from anywhere else in Bethesda that tops Pines of Rome. If you're looking for New York Style, come here. The crust is thin and crispy, the ingredients are fresh and it melts in your mouth. Yes, I agree with some fellow reviewers that the decor is a little outdated. Who cares! I come here for the Italian cuisine and I kind of like the fact that they haven't changed a thing since they opened. It's like a blast from the past and it has that "family" restaurant feel. Perfect place to take grandpa for a bite. I haven't had much experience with anything other than their pizza but it's so damn good.... why would I want anything else?

    (4)
  • Vivian H.

    Must Order: White Pizza, Roast Veal, Cannolis White Pizza We started off with their white pizza. The white pizza is a thin homemade (?) crust covered with fontina cheese and with a hint of garlic. It seriously the most amazing white pizza I've had. My boyfriend once tried to recreate the pizza and called Pines of Rome pretending he was coming in later but needed to know what kind of cheese was on the white pizza. Although my boyfriend was good we both agreed it had nothing on theirs. It had the right amount of garlic that the smell wasn't too offensive later on. It was really hard not to eat too much but we had more coming. Roast Veal My boyfriend's favorite dish is the roast veal. When it comes out it looks like a huge slab of meat that you would see on the Flintstones. The veal was roasted so beautifully that it falls off the fork when you stick your fork into it. The flavors are fairly simple but so tasty. The simplicity makes it easier for you to devour the whole thing. Which my boyfriend did.... With barely more than a bite for me. Mussels in garlic lemon butter sauce I had the mussels in a garlic lemon butter sauce. This was done very well with more garlic than the white pizza and just enough to slightly emit a garlicky odor later on. It was on a bed of linguine, which although good... I was too stuffed from the white pizza to eat too much. I was more concerned about getting as much mussels into my tummy as I could possibly fit. Cannoli!! For dessert we shared a cannoli. BIG mistake. We should have ordered TWO cannolis. It was the best cannoli that I've had. Now to be fair, I haven't had much cannoli but this one was very impressive. I was definitely left wanting more despite having had all that food. My boyfriendand I fought over licking the plate. No really. We did. We ate here a few more times while we were in Bethesda. I had mussels in tomato sauce at one of the visits but I definitely liked the garlic lemon butter one better. I've also had their deep-fried soft shell crab which was good but it was larger than I was used to eating so it was a little more difficult to get past the guts part. At all of the visits, my boyfriend had the roast veal (it is seriously that good) and we had the white pizza. One of the times we ate there they were out of the cannoli so we had a rum cake (on the house) and although it was very delicious, cannoli was where the party's at. I can't wait to go back and I know I'm having the white pizza, mussels in garlic lemon butter and a cannoli. Oh and a bite of my boyfriend roast veal... If he'd share.

    (5)
  • Kelly S.

    Tired atmosphere desperately in need of a refresh. Not charming, the décor is cheap & ugly. Surly waiter. Is it too hard to ask if table wants a 2nd drink or any dessert? Prob last restaurant on earth that serves salad w/iceburg lettuce. We really wanted to like the place. They did nothing to earn a repeat visit.

    (2)
  • Bill S.

    The Pines is a good bet if you know their menu and specials. They have the best white pizza on the planet and is a must as an appetizer. Their whole fish,, done in the pizza oven, is always good. The pasta with calms is consistent. I do not think the pasta they use is anything special and their tomato sauce is very basic but OK. The place is big on large family groups with lots of kids and so the place can be very noisy. This not a place for special occasions but is a sure thing to accompany a night at the movies.

    (3)
  • Kevin K.

    Where else can you go in Bethesda with 30 bucks and still leave full and content? Pines of Rome. This place is a Bethesda institution. When Almalfi in rockville used to be run by the parents this place was neck and neck. White pizza was delicious here before anyone knew what it was. It's still amazing to this day! The dishes are rustic like your Italian grandma slapped it on a plate and you sopped up the sauce with your little piece of bread (scarpetta ). It's classic interior as well nothing fancy but I can't think of a more modest meal that you can have anywhere else in this town that will make you think of a time far gone about 20 years. Definitely go with the pizzas and also the daily specials are fantastic. They seafood dishes are quite good as well. The lobster fra diavolo is always a great choice. Cheers and happy eats!

    (3)
  • John A.

    I had the calamari and linguine red sauce. It was delicious. I love Italian food and this has become my favorite. Can't wait to try the pizza. The Cannoli is excellent.

    (5)
  • Susanna C.

    Yes.... we were "those people".... you know, the ones who run into the restaurant as the kitchen is closing and everyone wants to go home.... so maybe I was expecting the worst, but WOW was I pleasantly surprised! We were made to feel totally comfortable and our server (wish I had gotten his name) was chipper, upbeat, and thoroughly professional. A Peroni and a LARGE glass of the house red along with some scrumptious bread were brought out immediately. The appetizers were absolutely perfect - white pizza, zucchini, and red peppers. Delizioso! We split a main course of veal (exquisitely prepared) with spaghetti that was cooked perfectly al dente. These were huge portions and we took home a large bag of leftovers to be devoured at a later point in time. We had just come from seeing the movie Il Posto and were craving some good Italian... Pines of Rome really delivered! To say the food and service were fantastic is an understatement. Next time we will get there earlier - promise! :)

    (5)
  • Ian R.

    Very disappointing experience at Pines of Rome on Friday night. The bread was standard Italian bread. Somewhat hard, not warm at all. Our food came out about 7 minutes after we ordered it - not enough time to eat the salad or bread. I ordered the pasta with meatballs. The sauce had virtually no flavor and was very liquid-y. The pasta tasted undercooked. The meatballs were pretty good. My fiance had soup and salad and said it was very underwhelming. Overall, this place pales in comparison to Olazzo, which is just a few blocks away. If you want home style Italian food in Bethesda, go there... not here.

    (2)
  • Cesar P.

    Went here with my office for a good-bye party... Unfortunately, I was (and still am) on a diet, so I really couldn't have anything on the menu, other than the fish. Flounder, not the best of fish, but done pretty well. Everything looked really good though, and I want to come again once I've met my diet goals. I must say though, they took care of us really well (we were a large party). However, the decor... The place needs a visit from Robert Irvine or Gordon Ramsay for a much needed aesthetic update.

    (3)
  • Michael L.

    White Pizza with the white beans make a great appetizer. Great service from familiar faces. Love it.

    (4)
  • Danny F.

    Like many who have posted here, I have been going to POR since I was a toddler. This is by far my family's favorite restaurant in the DC area! The eggplant parmigiana is to die for and the pizza is amazing! It is truly the best eggplant I've ever had! The prices are also quite reasonable, especially on the house wine, which comes in huge glasses.

    (5)
  • Lea R.

    So not only did I have a personal recommendation to go to this place, but the reviews were outstanding for the white pizza. Maybe we aren't eating the same thing, but the "pizza" I tasted was no more than fontina with what I believe was some cheddar on some dough. Greasy and an awful excuse for pizza. We also ordered a salad and white beans. The salad was lame...merely iceburg lettuce chopped up. The beans were tasty though. Bottom line: It's overpriced and underdelicious...I'm not going back.

    (2)
  • Daniel K.

    The pizza was darn tasty but the service is lacking. I also enjoy a good Chicken Parmesan but I did not find one here. The place is kind of old looking and beat up and cleanliness does not seem to be a priority here. With all of that said, the salad seemed crispy and the garlic bread was good. I will only go back if I am forced, but I won't put up too much of a fight.

    (3)
  • David W.

    Great food and service. Just like the past 20 or 30 years. Family friendly (noisy) and casual. Great for groups.

    (5)
  • Chabraholler Y.

    Best italian in the greater Washington area!!!!!!!!!!

    (5)
  • Pearl P.

    order: White Pizza with extra Fontina cheese, get the large because the small will not be enough. this stuff is amazing. & Rum cake.

    (5)
  • Sean B.

    This place is old-school but very solid and inexpensive. It is easy to miss if you don't have the address because there is just a small sign outside. The pizza is great -- the crust is just right, the thinness is just right, the sauce amount just right. The zucchini appetizer was nice but needed salt (which I added). The bread was normal/average. The house wine was not bad, plentiful, and cheap. They don't put a lot into the decor but this place is about the wonderful tasting pizza, a rarity in the DC area. This place is an institution and you can feel that when you are in there. If thin-crust tasty pizza is your thing this is a must visit.

    (4)
  • Adrienne L.

    Ate here with a friend for lunch one day because we wanted pizza, and it's close. The 'za is definitely cheap, but it's nothing to write home about. We had just plain cheese -- normally my favorite. I think I need a lot more sauce to love it. Next time, I'll try a white pizza.

    (2)
  • Aindrea C.

    I have been going to the Pines of Rome for about 10 years and I always get the same thing: white cheese pizza with extra fontina and spaghetti with shrimp, garlic and oil. I know I should branch out and try something new, but they are just TOO good. You have never had a better white cheese pizza: garlicy, cheesy, amazing! The spaghetti with shrimp, garlic and oil comes with four jumbo shrimp, lots of garlic and tremendous flavor. After reading other reviews I am persuaded to try something new next time . . . but then I think of the deliciously garlicy, cheesy pizza and the succulent jumbo shrimp tossed in oil and tons of garlic and I know there is no hope of me ordering anything else.

    (4)
  • Bob S.

    I have been going to this restaurant since I was a toddler. It has gotten pricey since then, but I'm sure they have to make up for their key location in Bethesda. WHITE PIZZA! WHITE PIZZA! WHITE PIZZA! If you order food, always start out with the white pizza with cheese (I don't even know why one has to say that but one does.) Veal Parmesan is damn good. Spaghetti and meatballs too. Mussels are awesome and should be in the red sauce. SO GOOD!!! Did I mention the white pizza?

    (5)
  • Joseph C.

    Old restaurant with good quality food. Great white pizza. Seafood is always good. Regular pizza is excellent. Feels like a local neighborhood place. Highly recommend. Great place for family dinners. They don't take reservation but lines move fast.

    (4)
  • Summer h.

    Pines of Rome is my favorite restaurant in the DC area. The food and service are always incredible! Even though I live out of state now, I always make a stop at Pines when I'm back in DC. The red peppers, mussels in white wine sauce,white pizza, flounder are to die for!!!!

    (5)
  • Grace L.

    I went to Pines of Rome hoping for some good home-style Italian cooking since it seems like a small mom/pop type establishment. The food was mediocre at best. I got the lasagna and the noodles were hard and the sauce tasted really bland. It reminded me of a lean cuisine or diet food, since it wasn't cheesy and just had a LOT of tomato sauce on it. I am a HUGE fan of Olazzo's down the street, so maybe it is an unfair comparison... The waitress wasn't helpful either. My bf and I asked her for recommendations, and she said everything is good (which definitely wasn't the case...) Based on the other reviews, it sounds like I should have gotten the pizza.

    (2)
  • Charles H.

    I have been a customer for as long as I remember..if it was in business 39 years ago when I moved to Bethesda..then..since then... go for the white pizza....also the red is not bad if you like pizza with just tomato sauce and cheese........it resembles what Nonna made and that is not bad.. the pasta and veal dishes used to be a bargain ..not any more....there are other alternatives with better food ....how much can you charge for pasta with stewed tomatoes on top??? I have spent thousands of dollars here over the years and the owner may or may not nod his head if he sees you..which really makes little difference if the food were still a bargain...the atmosphere is basically the customers...the decor is dated..dated..dated... use it for pizza and you will be satisfied....save your Italian appetite for pasta,veal, etc for another evening

    (3)
  • Jerod B.

    Thin crust pizza w/ tomato wedges on top makes for a killer pizza. Almost ordered a second one to go (to snack on later). Only downside is $2 for a can of soda.

    (4)
  • Kate B.

    Don't expect amazing service at Pines of Rome. Do expect a good place to have a very relaxed meal. Very family friendly, at least it was when I was a kid. My family used to go to this restaurant all the time when my sisters and I were growing up. We were told by one of the wait staff at the time to order the white beans and white pizza and have them brought out together. His suggestion changed our lives. This meal has become a family tradition of ours for the last fifteen years. We have perfected the recipe and make it at home now, but I do like to return to Pines of Rome for a trip down memory lane once in a while. Here's what you do: 1. take a spoonful of white beans (make sure you get some of the yummy sauce) and put on your plate. 2. take a slice of white pizza and scoop up the beans with it. 3. take a big bite and EAT IT! I know it sounds like a strange combination, but very soon you too will be trying to recreate their recipe at home! It's one of the easiest and most satisfying meals to make.

    (3)
  • Courtney M.

    best pizza in DC, and a great price. Not a huge fan of the spaghetti, but all the other dishes are great. I've been going for years.

    (5)
  • J Z.

    My favorite restaurant (from my childhood)!! Yes, a large white pizza with fontina cheese is a MUST, but also: - large pizza - in ADDITION to white pizza (if you like thin & crispy crust, this is DIVINE) - spaghetti marinara - white beans (save some bread to scoop this up!) - fried zucchini (squeeze the lemon & sprinkle salt & pepper ontop - simple & delicious) - if you enjoy garlic, the garlic olive oil pasta is AMAZING (though, for me, the spaghetti marinara is the stuff dreams are made of) house wine! :-) delish! You will ENJOY!!

    (5)
  • Lydia H.

    So, I hungrily went here for the second time last night. It had been so long since I went the first time that I really couldn't remember whether I liked it or not. As soon as I looked at the menu again, I remembered: not impressive. I asked the waitress for some "cheesy bread", and she seemed confused. It was brought to my attention that I meant the small white pizza. Ah yes, that one. When it arrived at the table I realized why I had originally been confused: it's essentially cheese bread. And...it's $8.50. We also ordered the Eggplant Parmesan appetizer, which is actually more like a meal. While the quantity is great, the quality was not. The eggplant didn't taste like much and certainly wasn't fresh. I had the Veal Scallopini Pizzaiolo, which was slightly better than awful. First of all, this dish was $18. Based on the dog-food like quality of the veal, I am going to hypothesize that it cost the restaurant about 75 cents to produce this plate of food (really). Accompanying the "veal" (which was more like chicken in texture) were tasteless spaghetti and canned tomatoes. I am also going to assume that the pasta is not homemade, as the menu indicates. If it is homemade, I imagine it was made about five years ago and has been sitting out since. Also worth noting is that they don't actually serve meat sauce, but they do serve "meat-flavored" tomato sauce. Hmm. As mic g. noted, they do offer a glutton's portion of house wine, but again, it's merely a lot of an expectedly average thing. On a small positive note, the service was fast and friendly. I was once again shocked to see that this place was PACKED on a Friday night. I guess if I could open a restaurant and serve crappy food for tons of money and customers would eat it up, I would. But I certainly wouldn't feel good about it.

    (2)
  • Kara S.

    I really don't understand the love of this place. I think that all these Marylanders that have been going since they were kids just love it out of nostalgia. My friend who is most definitely one of these people took us here. I wasn't very hungry to begin with and there is nothing on the menu that wouldn't weigh you down like a rock. Now, I understand it's home-style Italian/American so I didn't hold the restaurant responsible for that. However, their antipasto is exactly like another reviewer describes: chopped iceburg lettuce with some canned tuna and salami on top. Weird. I got the cheese pizza with some olives on it. Crispy, yes and certainly edible, but nothing that special in my opinion. No one else was particularly impressed with their meals...I wouldn't recommend.

    (2)
  • Scott O.

    Great authentic atmosphere, to include the no nonsense Italian waiters. Nice portion size and authentic Italian food.

    (4)
  • An N.

    A friend took me here on a recommendation, & I'd add a recommendation of my own: SKIP THIS PLACE! I had the shrimp in garlic butter, & it was greasy. I had been hoping to get chicken piccata, but their menu is very limited. My friend ordered the flounder, & the only interesting thing about it was picking out the endless bones. The bread was mediocre at best. I was just appalled by the service - the waitress had a TOOTHPICK in her mouth! Also, they didn't mention before seating us that they'd close at ten - instead, they waited until we were almost done with our meal to tell us that they were closing, then they hustled us out before we could even finish!

    (1)
  • IH K.

    If I had to take a guess as to why this place receives ratings of such contrast - I'd say that the regulars give high marks for it's casual atmosphere and homey flavor. I've been coming here with my girlfriends since I was twelve - a gaggle of us would take over the entire back room - filling it with cigarette smoke and the scent of (sometimes tough) bread dipped in our sweet balsamic vinegar and Parmesan dipping concoctions (which I love to this day). I'm not in love with this place because the food or decor is so fabulous - because it's not. I love it because it's just an all around good ol' casual restaurant. It's not the kind of place you go for special or even weekend meals - it's the kind of place you go to every Tuesday night w/ your significant other...for the rest of your lives. The prices are so decent - it's probably a cheaper alternative to eating at home anyway. And the best part - you'll never be rushed out.

    (4)
  • Nicole L.

    When I finally found the restaurant I thought it's a nice little restaurant by the less popular area of Bethesda. I walked in and realised this is a pretty basic restaurant with cheap tables and rustic decor. They even give you a whole jug of water so you can pour it yourself. The bread was hard and cold - don't care for it. For appetizer the peppers with garlic was ordered - it was not bad but the raw garlic was strong. I ordered the ravioli for entree - first was taken by the portion and the size of the ravioli but then I was disappointed with undercooked pasta it was quite chewy. I have been to better Italian restaurants even though there're obviously lots of regulars who come in for the reasonably priced dinners I don't think it will be a top choice for Italian food.

    (2)
  • Garry C.

    Yes, I have been coming here my whole life and yes, this might be one of the reasons why I love this place, but it is certainly not the only one. My boyf has only been coming here for the past year that I have dragged him to family functions, and he loves it too! Their white pizza with fontina cheese is awesome. We always get a large as an appetizer for everyone to split and it never lasts long. Their regular pizza is pretty good too, but nothing can top the white. I LOVE their lasagna. It is def not the typical Americanized lasagna you get from Stouffer's. Homemade pasta, lots of fluffy ricotta. The sauce is a little runny and the meat might be lacking in flavor, but there is something so delicious and comforting about this lasagna. I also like the manicotti and the eggplant parmesean. I agree the bread is kinda gross, the table cloths are kinda sticky, and the servers are kinda surly, but you get what you pay for. And at the Pines you never have to pay too much.

    (4)
  • Tony Z.

    Skip this place! I don't know how they have such a high rating. Greasy food, unflavorful red sauce... Many better options.

    (1)
  • Gurkie C.

    This place had the worst Eggplant Parmagian I have ever had. The eggplant was awful, it tasted more like egg (presumably from the breading) then anything else. My sister's boyfriend had been raving about the place so I went with them and some of his friends, I had to try to choke down the food to be polite. I think we had some sort of pizza appetizer thing which wasnt bad. But do NOT order the eggplant...

    (1)
  • Nick B.

    The Pines of Rome is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the area. It's easy to miss since it is on a small street, but it has a good reputation and is usually pretty busy. I've been coming here my whole life, including family dinners, dates, and just meeting up with friends. The atmosphere is pretty casual, the menu is not very complicated, but the food is delicious. I'm a big fan of their pizza, and as others have noted, the white pizza is definitely worth a sample. If you (or whoever you bring along with you) can handle garlic, the spaghetti aglio olio is also really good. I don't eat a whole lot of meat, but the rest of my family would always rave about the veal parmesan. Once I turned 21, coming here was even better, since I then could enjoy the cheap wine in the big glasses. You definitely get your money's worth here. The way they serve wine reminds me of my time abroad in Rome, where the cheap house wine is still good. It makes me nostalgic to come here, and I've run into old family friends on return visits. The fact that locals keep coming back here should help convince you to give it a try yourself.

    (5)
  • Teresa D.

    Pines of Rome is my family Italian stand by, not a fancy joint but we always a great spot to fall back on when you want to do a family dinner. First of all on a nice evening in Bethesda around 7pm there will always be a bit of a wait. Write your name down and they usually call you within 20 minutes. The service is sometimes a little but inattentive but one you get the server's attention you have to order the white pizza as an appetizer! It's best to wash it down with their house Italian red wine. It's a steal for like $5. I would not recommend the garden salad unless you are a big fan of only iceberg lettuce. The pasta e fagoli soup is warm and comforting on a cold night. All the pasta dishes are good, not out of this world but they are decent. I usually get the spaghetti with clams or the spaghetti carbonara or the spaghetti with shrimp. My Dad will get the spaghetti with meatballs, I am not a huge meatball fan but I always steal a yummy bite. I always end the meal with a delicious canolli, I believe they are not housemade but are from a delicious Baltimore or NY Italian bakery. This place is reasonable priced and will keep your tummy satisfied.

    (4)
  • Tony M.

    I've been visiting Pines since I was a boy...Marco (owner) is a real Italian restauranteur and WHITE PIZZA is the sickest bomb ever dropped...just get it and the roasted red peppers with garlic and anchovie...(not date food, but hey?) ...drink the house white or red from a jelly glass (hey , just go with it..) and enjoy the giant italian bread (butter is always cold though, drat!). YOu won't regret!

    (5)
  • matt L.

    I have been coming to this place since i was a child. the staff is super friendly and helpful. the dishes are really good! but sometimes can be a bit greasy. love it and will always come back

    (4)
  • Jeffrey F.

    This used to be one of my favorite Italian restaurants, but the quality of the food has declined. People still think highly of the pizza, but the seafood dishes I used to find so good taste indistinguishable from each other and not very appealing. At the time of my last visit, the waiter was ill-informed and sloppy, dripping a good portion of the dish into my lap.

    (1)
  • tom b.

    We've eaten at Pines of Rome a few times in the past, and always enjoyed it. The food is mediocre to good, but we liked the relaxed atmosphere. Saturday night we dropped in, and were very disappointed. Our server seemed rushed and disinterested, even though it was not very busy at the time. We had to ask for bread, and twice for a glass of warm water. We ordered a bottle of wine, which we never got, although it was on the bill. When we asked for it to be taken off, she did not adjust the tax. Although this was only a few dollars, I felt it showed a lack of care. Finally the adjusted bill was dropped on the table with a quick "sorry" as she walked away. The really frustrating thing about this, was the manager (maybe owner?) was sitting at the next table with his sons, and paid no attention to our lack of service. I could clearly hear his conversations, yet he never noticed our obvious displeasure at being rushed, having to ask for things more than once, and adjust the bill twice. As we got up, my girlfriend (who had been going there for 10+ years) said "well, I guess we won't be coming back if that's how we're treated". The manager continued with his meal without a word. In general, I prefer family places and a non pretentious atmosphere. i'm bummed, as we liked Pines of Rome in the past, but after that, i doubt we'll go back.

    (1)
  • Kelsey V.

    Pines of Rome is my favorite [cheap] place to eat in Bethesda. I'm usually in for lunch during the week at least once. Like everyone else says, the white pizza is AMAZING. But my favorite thing to get is the following: Antipasto to start, bread on the side, and the chicken marsala with sauteed mushrooms (NOT PASTA). Love love love it. I also love to try out their vegetable specials, for example, the cauliflower and escarole. Yum yum yum! I never eat boring stuff like spaghetti and meatballs or ravioli at Pines of Rome. Get the good stuff and it'll be worth it!

    (4)
  • Shipra G.

    Yum! There white pizza is amazing. They use fontina cheese, which fantastic. If you go here, you should definitely try it - even if white pizza isn't typically your thing. There red pizza is great too (but not nearly as cheesy as the white). The rest of the menu looks good, but I'll honestly say I've never tried anything beyond the pizza. They're usually busy, but I've never had to wait for a table. But the service can be a bit slow. Overall a great experience. I highly recommend a visit.

    (4)
  • izzy g.

    Pizza (white and red) is amazing. White beans (appetizer/side) are amazing. Eggplant Parm is amazing. This place isn't exciting, but the quality of those 3 items allows for 5 stars. OLD-SCHOOL

    (4)
  • Megan A.

    I love this place. The white pizza is decadent, gooey, wonderfulness. Their regular pizza is also standout. The alfredo is my favorite dish. They make the pasta themselves, and the sauce is wonderfully rich and creamy. Finish the meal with a lovely cappachino.

    (5)
  • B. L.

    There's really not much to say about this place. The menu is blah, the decor is blah, the location is blah,but the pizza is magnifique! I work across the street, and if we're having a tough day, a bunch of us order a pizza to make ourselves feel better. The white pizza is amazing, and as my boyfriend says it's basically a cracker covered in cheese...who could hate that? The pizza is crunchy and chewy all at the same time and washes down great with a $16 carafe of Carlo Rossi wine. I've tried the ravioli before and they were eh, so I'd really stick with the pizza. If youre looking for a quick, cheap dinner with no pretension, just pull up a chair to one of their many red checkered tables.

    (4)
  • Mic X.

    bland food & bland wine. the only reason it gets 2 stars is because it is cheap and they give you a ton of house wine. it's been around forever and people seem to love it........ i just don't get it.

    (2)
  • DSC H.

    The restaurant is not great in terms of ambiance, but the vintage posters of Italy does add a touch of cozyness to the place. I had asked for recommendation from the very friendly waiter that provided excellent service throughout the evening. The eggplant spaghetti and the spaghetti carbonara were quite excellent with plenty of flavors. Portion was on the mid to large size and perfect. I would definitely go back again and try the white pizza if I ever get to come back to Bethesda again. I saw a lot of the people at the other tables ordering the house wine, another item to try on the next visit.

    (4)
  • Bettie P.

    I really can't believe the negative reviews. The food is great (as others have stated, make sure you order the pizza) and the prices can't be beat. This is not the place for you if you need hand holding (i.e. help deciding what to order or expecting a parade because it's your birthday or anniversary). The servers are no nonsense. They are not there to chit chat, they are there to serve you delicious food in a timely manner.

    (5)
  • bill s.

    I have been going off and on to this place for many years. Used to be inexpensive. Not expensive, but not cheap either. Clearly there is better food in Bethesda and DC for sure. Red sauce can use more personality. I make better meatballs. Veal is good, not great. White pizza and eggplant are some of the better choices. One fun item - the decor and much of the furniture has out lived some of the customers. Worth 2.5 stars.

    (2)
  • Brother Frank R.

    This is the only place I've ever gotten food poisoning from that I come back to. Something about cheap, abundant American-Italian that I will never be able to not love.

    (3)
  • Tom M.

    Awful. It seems that the only people who like this place have been coming here their whole life; either it used to be much better of they're just blinded by their childhood memories. In fairness I didn't have the white pizza, but everything I or my girlfriend had was truly terrible. The bread had a chewy crust and wasn't even worth eating. It took all of 5 minutes for our food to be ready, which makes me think microwaves were involved. The food they brought out looked like something Denny's would be ashamed of. The noodles were right off the grocery store shelf and boiled to within an inch or their lives. The sauce was runny and thoroughly devoid of flavor or intricacy. The meatballs must have been borrowed from a high school cafeteria. My girlfriend had the "homemade" ravioli and it was every bit as laughably bad. I honestly don't know if I have ever had worse Italian food in my life. People rave about how inexpensive this place is, but by the time we were done with our two pastas and two beers and throwing on a tip, we were out 40 bucks. Not much of a bargain in my book. If I went to a grocery store, paid two dollars for a frozen meal and a couple of minutes later had this food pop out of my microwave, I would never get it again.

    (1)
  • Craig L.

    My wife & I love the prices. They have a bare-bones menu of a few things that they can do, but they do them fairly well. When we first moved to the DC area in the Nineties, it was our favorite place. About the biggest complaint for me would be the service-you must be very patient.

    (3)
  • Aesah L.

    I ordered the lasagna and instead got a plate of raw noodles and watery sauce. I heard good things about this place, so maybe I ordered the wrong thing, but they didn't even try to make it look like lasagna. Their spaghetti and meatballs were just as underwhelming.

    (1)
  • Liz R.

    I LOVE this place! The food is fantastic, the staff is pleasant, and the digs are comfy. Warning to fancy folks: This is not the place for you! Be ready to kick back, relax, and watch the kids at the next table chase each other around the restaurant. Favorites: white pizza (the best EVER ANYWHERE--period.), red pizza, veal marsala, carbonara, sausage and peppers, rum cake. I don't think you can go wrong here. It's just plain good eatin'.

    (5)
  • Rachel B.

    Eh. It was ok at best. I thought it a little odd right away that pasta dishes are served with either tomato sauce, or "meat flavored" tomato sauce- there is no meat sauce. I had the cheese ravioli which tasted like frozen cheese ravioli out of the bag- so, not totally disgusting, but something I could have made at home for about 1/10th the price. My boyfriend and friend felt about the same with their meals- definitely edible, but not really worth paying money for. I wish we had opted for Haandi, which was our second option!

    (2)
  • Natalie F.

    My friends at work and I go here for dinner sometimes, the white pizza is really good, especially with the Marinara sauce! I also love the regular pizza too. The calamari is also Divine! Not too crazy about the wine though.

    (4)
  • Mike R.

    The Washington DC area as a whole, and especially neighborhoods like Bethesda, need more places like this. The atmosphere and menu are not at all pretentious. The menu is family-style Italian-American cuisine and quite reasonably priced, especially considering the massive quantities. Service is quick and efficient. It's not the most authentic Italian cuisine ever - actually not really authentic at all - and certainly not trendy cuisine either. The decor makes it look like a scene from Goodfellas or some other mafia move should have been filmed there. But these are all good things. So yes, it can get crowded and noisy - especially on a Friday or Saturday evening. It's not fancy. And parking in Bethesda isn't so easy, either. But this place is always a good time. I especially recommend the white pizza, antipasto platter, and anything on the specials menu.

    (5)
  • Rupert H.

    Great food, great atmosphere, and very good and friendly service. We had the homemade ravioli and melon and prosciutto as appetizer. The prosciutto was surprisingly good! We will be back!

    (5)
  • Lesly S.

    The table always ends up with too much food on it at PofR! Everything is so good and cheap enough that its hard to resist trying a bit of everything. This place is old school--small tables, short glasses for the wine. The white pizza is to die for, and a great way to start the meal. And there aren't many places in Bethesda where you can get stuffed, including drinks, for these price.

    (4)
  • Joey K.

    My absolute favorite place to eat out in the world, I love Pines Of Rome, I've been coming here with either family or friends since I was young like 7 or 8. Pines Of Rome makes me miss living in the DC area then just about anything. Great home made Southern Italian food made extremely traditionally, do not look for "al dente" pasta, thats not how home made pasta cooks, look for buttery soft in delicate home made marinara sauce. Enjoy your meal with a nice Italian chianti poured from a jug into a juice glass just as they do in Italy.

    (5)
  • Lauren C.

    Loved it...great place to go with a bunch of girlfriends. Cheap wine, good food, cozy atmosphere, what more could you ask for? We were in this restaurant for hours and never felt rushed. Great hangout spot.

    (5)
  • Gordon K.

    Nine times out of ten, they botch my order. That being said, they serve the best pizza south of Giuseppe's (Rockville), and north of 2 Amys. If your in the suburbs, you owe it to yourself to order a large with something on it. A word of caution, however: they don't precook their veggies, so order ONLY one at a time on a pizza. Or, get their pepperoni, which is BAR NONE the best (zesty, spicy, greasy, awesome) I've ever had. Also, like others have mentioned, their wine is cheap (but drinkable), the atmosphere is pure pre-late-1990s Bethesda (concrete-plant era), and the pasta's pretty good. Oh, and their white pizza is GREAT. No ricotta, but oily, salty, and melted just the way you'd want it. In fact, no ricotta is a bonus in my book, no matter what it may bring to the table in terms of texture.

    (5)
  • Scott B.

    I don't understand why everyone else seems to love this place. I've tried a couple pasta dishes which were nothing special, very bland tasting. In my opinion Olazzo down the street is a much better restaurant and my personal favorite for Bethesda. I feel like this restaurant is stuck in this past (the most recent Washingtonian award I saw was 1983) and I wouldn't be surprised to learn they haven't changed their menu since then. They definitely haven't changed their decor. A prime example is their presentation, it is not a fancy restaurant so I'm not expecting anything spectacular, but we ordered a mozzarella and tomato appetizer and they just cut the tomato in big chunks and the mozzarella was scooped out whatever packaging it came in and plopped on the plate. I'm sorry but you can at least attempt to make it look nice. The only reason I didn't give it one star is their white pizza is pretty good, and from what I've had the only thing worth ordering.

    (2)
  • dee w.

    yay for pizza and wine! pines of rome is a cozy italian restuarant with a cottage-like exterior that is wonderful for a casual night out with friends. four stars for their regular pizza and cheap red wine, but one star off for their white pizza that is essentially melted cheese on bread, sans ricotta cheese! i am decidedly pro-ricotta for my white pizza.

    (4)
  • David C.

    Pizza was great and the chocolate dipped ice cream was amazing. I had two cups of double espresso because it was so good. Would recommend. ...

    (4)
  • Mike S.

    Pretty average Italian food. We had a variety of dishes for a party of 7 that we all kind of shared. We came around 8:30 pm on a Wednesday and were seated right away. Appetizers - antipasto plate (a unremarkable bed of iceberg lettuce with tomato, roasted bell pepper, tomato, olives, cheese and some tuna fish with a little dressing) - fried calamari (average, not as crispy as I like) - white pizza (nice thin crust with a white cheese tipping, the best of the appetizers) Entrees - spaghetti with clam sauce (clams in the shell in a typical white wine sauce, tasted ok) - fried soft shell crabs (very good) - sweet Italian sausage (my favorite entree, nicely seasoned with a good amount of fennel) - a breaded veal dish (can't recall the name) that was ok - a couple of other entrees that I didn't try so can't recall Dessert - cannolis (very good filling, just the right sweetness, no chocolate chips which is good in my book) We also had a liter of the house red wine, that was very drinkable. The whole dinner was about $190, which averages out to $27 a person. The food was fine, nothing special but everyone enjoyed the meal. We've been here before with friends. It's fine for a big group but not a place I'd pick if I was after a really nice Italian dinner.

    (3)
  • Luis U.

    I feel bad posting bad reviews about small businesses, but this place did not meet any of my expectations. The service was sub par, and I had the lasagna which seemed like it was just microwaved as the texture was not super pleasant. They also did not have any of their desserts except for one and, again, it was subpar. I didn't have seafood which a lot of people seemed to like here, but as someone who always goes for the pasta when I go to an Italian restaurant, this left me with a big void in my... stomach.

    (2)
  • Fred K.

    My family have been coming here for at least three decades. The place hasn't changed at all! From the simple decor, delicious white pizza with fontina cheese, and best daily specials (whole flounder, soft shell crabs), this place is a great place for families. I haven't really tried everything from their menu, except for a very simple and very good linguine with clams with white sauce, sausage with peppers and chicken cacciatore. Yum. Their portions are very large and come with a side of spaghetti too. The waitstaff are the same people I've seen after all of these years and are fast and efficient. Not the friendliest but very swift. Sure, their prices have increased a little bit, but still a moderately priced place for Bethesda. Stick with their specials and you'll leave happy and full.

    (4)
  • Orquidea R.

    Great family place with an authentic Italian feel to the environment. I had the fontina cheese pizza for antipasti which was awesome and for entree ordered the veal scaloppine Marsala with spaghetti. The veal was too sweet for my taste but still good, however, the pasta and tomato sauce was very good. Enjoyed my meal in great company with a nice bottle of red wine. The served load bread takes you back to the streets of Italy however I would have expected the menu to be more varied and with less processed ingredients (e.j fresh Parmesan cheese instead of powered and fresh meat sauce instead of out a of a jar). All in all good place for something different on a Sunday afternoon with an Italian family.

    (4)
  • Chris C.

    The ambience is not the greatest but the service is awesome as is the white pizza with fontina cheese. I go everytime I'm in D.C.

    (4)
  • Matt L.

    Came to Pines of Rome at around 9:00 PM on a Saturday night, and got a seat no problem. The place was relatively empty when got there. Pines of Rome isn't too far from the Bethesda train station- roughly a five minute walk. It's off the main road, so you might have to look carefully while looking for it. The dining area is fairly large but the layout of the place is a little strange. The rooms are dimly lit, and while I'm sure it's supposed to contribute to the 'ambiance', it kind of gave me a headache. We ordered the roasted peppers, along with a spaghetti and meatballs, and a white pizza with the cheese. The peppers were incredibly sour, and probably were a mistake- maybe some people like them. The spaghetti was very bland and they only gave us two meatballs. The pizza was incredibly meh was fairly greasy. The pizza is served to you already cut up into squares- this isn't necessarily bad, but options would have been nice. During dinner, I very much got the impression that they were trying to rush us the entire time. The servers weren't terribly friendly, but they were all old men, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised. The prices aren't exorbitant, but fairly high for mediocre food. The place is overall a little grimey; while I'm sure Pines of Rome may have been a Bethesda staple in the past, I really don't think it's worth visiting in 2015.

    (1)
  • Andrea H.

    I was disappointed after reading others reviews. The place was very busy but the food was subpar. I really wanted to like this place. We all got the cheese ravioli which was the special of the evening and it was just not spectacular. The sauce could have used a little more seasoning. They never offered a refill on bread when we were only given 4 slices for 3 of us. I don't think I would return here.

    (2)
  • Perry P.

    For those who love the little dives or holes-in-the-wall, you will see the appeal of this place. Pines is a fixture in Bethesda, but it has suffered from years of cruising along without any effort to remain current -- or even clean. There is a musty odor that permeates the air and the walls are literally covered in years of dust and grease. As for the food -- I can't speak to it's authenticity because I am not an expert on Italian cuisine, and I don't eat seafood -- which many reviewers admire here. But I do know a good basic spaghetti and meatballs when I see it. Boxed pasta (as advertised on the menu) that was very al dente -- but as one other reviewer noted, it managed to continue softening as the meal went along. Unfortunately, I was over my meal before I got to the point where the spaghetti was perfectly tender. The sauce was chunks of tomato without much else and the meatballs were tender but lacking in any real fresh flavor. My dining partner had a house salad that was chunks of iceberg lettuce with a couple coins of radish and carrot dressed in a splash of oil and vinegar and a sprinkle of dried herbs. Not exactly the most original -- or even quality salad. He also had the famous white pizza with fontina. That was pretty yummy -- cheesy, gooey and salty with a crisp crust. Great appetizer, but not what I would recommend for a main dish unless you paired it with a vegetable to cut the richness. All that cheese is very rich. Another curious notation on the menu are the two pasta sauces: Meatless marinara and meat flavored. What does meat flavored mean? They specifically state that their meat flavored dishes are not ground beef sauces. I guess it is my fault that I did not ask the server about that, but my spaghetti and meatballs was fine with marinara, so I didn't bother to find out. I also concur with the other reviewers about the service -- brusk, quick, not particularly engaging, but in a place like this, I don't know that I would take it personally. This place definitely has its following though. A couple came in and sat down next to us and I noticed that they didn't even pick up the menus. The gentleman asked if they had the roasted chicken -- which they didn't. He then asked about another dish and the waiter nodded. The fans of this place know what they like.

    (2)
  • Neri A.

    After Paint Nite at Tommy Joe's next door (see my review), my friend and I headed over to Pines of Rome. When I said they had the best white pizza she was all in. Pepe seated us (he is just adorable and so sweet) and we ordered salads with the house dressing. Not too much, not too little, it was just right. And then we inhaled the white pizza...friend agreed it was scrumptious and sees herself driving down from Wheaton to pick up whenever she gets craving. The decor is typical of an old fashioned upscale Italian restaurant but it use some spiffing up...new paint, etc.

    (4)
  • Jim M.

    Once again, we will have our Christmas Season stuffed goose at Pines tonight - before it goes off the menu (only available for a few weeks at this time of the year). When I had it for the first time about 15 years ago, it brought tears of pleasure to my eyes and it always has. Yum! I also love the liver (really) because they cook it just right for me (rarish) - and the seafood and shellfish are always a sure thing. And of course the wine it comes out of a gallon jug but because it is the Pines of Rome, it is elixir ...

    (4)
  • Sharon W.

    Reading the reviews I had no idea what to expect from Pines of Rome, the reviews were all over the place. But a friend of ours swears their soft shell crabs are the best he's eaten so a small group of us met for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. I don't do soft shells but husband loves them and I'm always up to try an Italian restaurant. First surprise was the décor. It seemed rather quaint and cute to me. A pitcher of water, olive oil, parmesan cheese and silver ware wrapped in cloth napkins were a welcoming touch. The restaurant is quite large with 3 separate dining areas and a room for private parties. One of our party ordered a melon appetizer and another the salad. Of the 5 of us 3 ordered the soft shells; one ordered a white and regular pizza (she couldn't decide so figured she'd have a doggy bag); and I ordered ravioli with marina sauce. Soft shell crab doesn't appeal to me, but I have to say these were plump and had a fried coating that looked and smelled delicious. There was a wide assortment of sides offered including pasta and escarole, among others. (I thought I read in a review no vegetables were available here, besides escarole I saw asparagus and artichokes mentioned on the menu.) My husband loved his crabs and escarole, which he said was nice and garlicky. The pizza eater was very happy with her choice and the pizza looked delicious. I have to say my ravioli was good but the marina sauce was a little bland and chunky for my taste. I will go back but would try something different, probably one of those luscious looking pizzas. Yes, the wine is served in what appear to be juice glasses, but it's a generous pour and I'd rather have that than a few drops served in fine stemware. Since one in our party is a regular patron our service was warm and efficient, but I noticed other tables were also being well taken care of by the lone server. I'm looking forward to going back and exploring more items on the menu.

    (4)
  • jim g.

    The food is very good and the ambience is old school. It was a delightful meal all around. It reminds me so much of the mom and pop Italian neighborhood places where I grew up. Loved it!

    (5)
  • Vinnie A.

    I love the pizza here! I was raised in NYC (home of good pizza lol). This restaurant and Wise Guys in DC are the only two pizza spots in the area I would go to consistently. The ambiance isn't great. I definitely wouldn't bring someone I was trying to impress here. However, it's a great place to get pizza with friends and family.

    (4)
  • Taylor C.

    I love this place! I always go with my boyfriend and his family. We always get the white pizza (definitely recommended) and the salad with peppers. I always get the fettuccine Alfredo and it is a large portion so I always take it home. I love the feel of this place. The service is sometimes slow. The last time I went we had to look for the server to give us the check. Other than that the place is great!

    (5)
  • Kerem G.

    Terrible Italian restaurant stuck in 1970. Here with a big group of fifteen people from work, they wouldn't do individual checks. The waiter couldn't remember anybody's order he had to yell out the dish & wait for who ordered it to claim it, total amateur hour. If you do make the mistake of coming here be sure to sit far away from the restrooms as the big table they reserved for us next to the restrooms smelled of urine, very appealing to anyone with an appetite. Don't know why anyone would have chosen this dump.

    (1)
  • Kathryn A.

    The ambience reminded me of those off-the-beaten path mom and pop places I loved so much in Tuscany. However, the food leaves much to be desired. They boast handmade pasta, but the lasagna had more ricotta cheese than noodles. Last time I checked, there are several layers of pasta, beef, and cheese, making lasagna a beautifully stacked delight. Sorry to say I was not a big fan of the pizza either. It lacked flavor and seemed more like what I might get in a food court. Finally, the spaghetti aglio e olio was decent, could have used more garlic, and should have been slightly less al dente than it was when served. It's the little things that count...warm bread at the table, firm, al dente noodles, timed perfectly, a balance of noodle, cheese, and beef without the overpowering of one over the other. Have to say, it is time to step it up.

    (3)
  • Michelle Q.

    I was feeling physically tired, and wanted to get seated right away at a restaurant with comforting food, and a casual enough vibe that jeans and a t-shirt wouldn't feel out of place. We were seated promptly at a table with grandma's vinyl tablecloth and given a pitcher of water, glassware, and silver in an appreciated cloth napkin. It's the little touches! The waiter brought half a hunk of Italian bread and a few pats of wrapped butter. Skip those, and instead pour some of the great olive oil on the table onto your plate and dip your bread into it. Perfection! I had the soup of the day (pasta and white bean), and the white pizza with fontina. Both excellent, and both served piping hot. That seemed to be the theme of the night, as the DC was also served a piping hot carbonara and a tall (juice glass) of the house chianti. Far too much food to eat that night, so we both got half of our entree to go after the meal. The service was adequate; no waitstaff hovering.

    (4)
  • Barbara M.

    Simply the best for years no fancy decor but zucchini sweet sausage calamari and white pizza to die for It's always been one of my favorited. Restaurants Plus bring all your kids they fit it perfectly And service is so fast Treat yourself to an inexpensive very special dining experience My family's number 1 choice for 30 years

    (5)
  • Doug B.

    Ambience? Zilch. Zip. Nada. This place, that apparently opened in 1972, is a DUMP! The map in the entry is peeling off the wall. The wood wainscot walls look like they were recycled from 1950's wall paneling. Pathetic is the only word I have to describe the restaurant's appearance. The walls are covered with a mish mash of crap. This may have been attractive when it opened - but it should be gutted now. It certainly didn't feel "clean." Then why a 2? The spaghetti and sausage meal that I had there was excellent. The spaghetti came out slightly undercooked but during the meal became perfect. The sauce was great but definitely over a watery plated entrée. The sausage pieces (3) were the best I've tasted in years. Will I return? Absolutely not unless I hear it has been remodeled. It's definitely past its prime. Too bad. The food was excellent.

    (2)
  • Eddie K.

    Our family has been going here since the 80s. The decor hasn't changed as well as the food. The prices have gone up, like everywhere else, especially in Bethesda. They do have to pay their lease! We always stick with large white pizza with fontina cheese to start, and usually get the clams with linguine, white sauce and one of their specials such as flounder, soft shell crabs or sausage with peppers. It's not a fine dining establishment or a trendy new fancy restaurant. Just a simple Italian restaurant.

    (4)
  • C. C.

    Ridiculous this place doesn't have a 4.5 rating across the board. The owner is from Barri and opened this spot in the early 70's after a stint at the old AV. He started with one small room and over the years expanded on the east and west sides of the space, probably now seating about 200 at a time. The service is swift, professional, and personable. The food has been great for 40 years: white pizza, cheese and tomato pizza, white beans, mushrooms, calf's liver, stuffed goose (in season) to a name a few. The rum cake is worth the trip alone. When in Bethesda, go to the Pines.

    (5)
  • Carly J.

    Best pizza and Italian food in DC area. Service was OK, but could have been better. It could use a remodeling, new tables chairs, etc. The food is 5 stars though everytime!

    (4)
  • Austin N.

    Get the white pizza and the fried zucchini. So so great. I d like to rate this place 4.5 for these items alone. The pasta dishes are decent, but why get that when u can get the white pizza??

    (4)
  • Peter L.

    Just went in to see if anything had changed since the last time I was there...well...I guess the owner has not read any of the reviews because nothing has changed. I opened the door and I was greeted by an odor my Son said smelled like feet. We looked at each other and walked out. I just could not chance it again and I am a lifelong resident of Bethesda and was a huge fan of POR...now...not so much at all. If you do not want fix any of the problems that have been voiced eventually your older patrons will die off and you will not have anymore customers. Appealing to the younger crowd who expect good value is gonna hurt POR. The decor has to change...the smell has to go...it is a terrible odor that no one wants to smell especially when you walk in the door. The food is not fresh! It is frozen and I have asked. FROZEN! You guys need Chef Ramsey to come in to help revitalize the place otherwise you guys will fade away into restaurant heaven.

    (1)
  • M B.

    Most of the food is frozen. If you are into that okay. We had a pizza and a chicken Parmesan (one of the specials) neither was made fresh. The veggies are okay. But, the place kind of has an odor and really needs to be gutted. I wouldn't recommend this place. It gets good reviews because it's an old time Bethesda favorite and the seafood dishes are good from what I hear. Not really a place for people under 50.

    (1)
  • Mark A.

    This was the worst restaurant we have eaten in since moving to Bethesda six months ago. We love Italian food and were swayed by the write-ups. On a Thursday evening, we were the only couple in the room, and we were eating at 7:30. The spaghetti marinara was so watery that it was tasteless and my husbands's lasagna was burned on the edges and floating in a watery sauce. Service was non-existent which was amazing since we were the only people there. We will not be returning.

    (1)
  • Matthew A.

    Pizza- the best I've ever had. And I've been to at least 30-40 pizza places in my life. No exaggeration, I LOVE THIS PIZZA. I am from Chevy Chase and live in Los Angeles now, have been here since 2000. Every time I come home, Pines of Rome is the first place I visit. It is unlike any other pizza. The cheese is subtle, it isn't loaded on there like other pizzas. It is high quality though and delicious. They use canned tomatoes instead of sauce, and it is so damn good. The toppings are fresh and piled high. Me and my family usually get four large pepperoni, sausage, and mushroom pizzas. Sausage has a slight spice and carries great flavor. Same with the pepperoni and mushrooms. Crust is crunchy and tastes great. We even get a side of fried calamari and spaghetti and that hits the spot too. Best pizza I've ever had.

    (5)
  • Sam G.

    I have been eating at Pines of Rome for almost 20 years now. The owner is a great guy who always stops by the table to say hi and whenever we cross paths in the Bethesda. The food is absolutely delicious. I am a huge fan of the veal parm but everything is really good. The white pizza is probably the best pizza I have ever eaten. I hope Pines never closes its doors!!

    (5)
  • Heather J.

    I love this place. It used to be a regular dinner spot for my friend and me, until I moved away for grad school. Now that I'm back, it will be a regular spot again. The food is consistently great, the service is friendly but casual, and the atmosphere is homey and comfortable. Tonight I was craving calamari, but my friend isn't a big seafood person. So instead of getting the calamari appetizer, I got the linguine with calamari in red sauce. It was delicious. The red sauce had big chunks of tomatoes in it, and the linguine and calamari were both cooked perfectly. My friend got the pepperoni pizza. I didn't try any but it looked great. The bread they serve is excellent, as well. As I said, this will again be a regular dinner spot for us!

    (4)
  • Jessica L.

    Oh Pines of Rome, how I love Thee. I have been going to Pines over half of my life. I remember it way back when there was standing room only in the lobby on a Friday night to get a table. It was worth the wait then and even though the place does not seem to get as crowded as it used to, the food is still amazing and good quality down home Italian food. My favorite is the shrimp fra diavlo but I also love the roasted peppers and the white pizza with fontina. I don't mind at all that the place still looks the same after all these years. I am not there for ambiance of fussy foods. I like everything there just the way it is. Right down to the crusty bread I use to sop up my side plate mixture of Parmesan, red wine vinegar and olive oil. Simple great Italian food.

    (5)
  • David H.

    Pines of Rome is the perfect romantic get-away, but you wouldn't expect it by its "ticked away" appearance. My wife and I ordered the white pizza, a liter of wine and zucchini up front. Later, we shared the whole cooked flounder accompanied with a simple pasta dish with marinara sauce that was perfect, because the sauce was made with stewed fresh tomatoes. The fish was perfectly cooked and the white pizza was the best I've ever eaten.

    (5)
  • Cherelle H.

    Went here with some coworkers on a whim. Out of the plethora of restaurants in Bethesda we wanted to try something different. The interior is a little dated like your stepping into a "mob" movie from the 70's or 80's but it still has a good vibe. I ordered lasagna, which was ok. Almost everyone else ordered pizza. Overall it's an OK place.

    (2)
  • L. L.

    We have eaten here for 15 years but things have changed and not for the better. We ordered a large take out pizza with 3 addtl toppings for $15. This was the skimpiest pizza we have ever had. Some pieces only had ONE piece of topping and it barely fed 2 people. Definitely Not worth it.

    (1)
  • Lou C. H.

    The roasted red peppers and anchovies -- a revelation and palate pleaser! More anchovies! The spaghetti and meatballs needed more meatballs and more sauce. Fortunately we got some of that from the eggplant parm dish. It made it perfect. White cheese pizza excellent and turned me into a believer. The white beans look like they were poured out of a can. So unappetizing. The rapini was swimming in olive oil, swimming. My friend is a regular and raves about the "peasant food," but the service was iffy and nothing to rave about. Couldn't find anyone to bus tables or refill our water. Once dishes served, you're on your own! Ciao! My friend started putting our "dirty dishes" on another table so we could have some room.

    (4)
  • Aaron R.

    Family run family style Italian dining is always the best. Everything was delicious and really fast.

    (5)
  • John M.

    Solid Italian food. Not spectacular but nothing is bad. Service is top notch and the seating is kitch. Large amounts of good bread. House wine is pretty much two glasses. Sauce is thin, however, sweet and yummy. Meatballs are large and a hair bland. The white pizza with cheese is very good with a lot of flavor.

    (4)
  • Stephanie W.

    This place is overhyped. The only good thing here is the white pizza which admittedly is very good. Unfortunately the rest of the food tastes like cafeteria food and lacks any authentic flavor, or any flavor at all for that matter. I wish a place that has been around for so long like this would try to adapt and improve over time. The service here is also really bad. Slow and in attentive. I'm sad about giving this review because the age of this place and the interior charm makes me want it to succeed.

    (2)
  • Jen S.

    How does this place not have a 5-star average? I'd give it more if I could. The hotel told us to go here I had liver and onions and white pizza and white beans--I thought I was back in Italy. We ended up coming back twice more before returning to Texas. The tomato pizza and stuffed goose are to die for. Can't wait to vusit Mom again!

    (5)
  • Marcia A.

    I have been eating at pines since the eighties . It seems now that they are happy with Their older patrons and a few that go for sentimental reasons. There was zero seasoning in our dinner tonight , zero salt. I love the place but I am tired of making excuses for the place to my friends and family. Come on chef. Where is your passion?

    (3)
  • Janet D.

    I do not understand the affinity so many have for this place. The red sauce is thin - water like and not much in the way of flavor. Pasta is inconsistent - from al dente to mushy. Service can be good most of the time. The best thing is the white fontina pizza.

    (2)
  • Joe M.

    I'd give 3 1/2 stars if I could, but I can't bring myself to go 4. Here's the deal, this Italian restaurant has been around for 40 years, so they're doing something right, I just can't figure out what it is. I mean the food is okay, the portions and prices are reasonable and the service is friendly, but nothing is awesome (except maybe the white pizza with Fontina cheese). The place itself is dingy and run down. No thought was put into the decor at all. The bathroom was disgusting, it had the look and feel of a truck stop restroom. I don't know, this place is a mystery. The food is just okay. The pasta comes from a box and the sauce is watery. And yet I'd still go back. Maybe it's the familiarity of the food, everything tastes like something you can make at home. I guess if you want to have a filling meal and not worry about getting dressed up and paying a fortune, Pines blows away your chain places, plus, it's family owned.

    (3)
  • Sukari B.

    Visiting the area from NY. I ordered the chicken parmigiana and it was great! Large portion and very tasty. The decor and the staff were awesome. And it was a short walk away from my hotel. Loved it!

    (4)
  • Tanya G.

    Oh Pines of Rome. . . What exactly is your appeal?!? Ambience? No. . . Cleanliness? Meh. . . Service? Adequate. . . Wine? No wine glasses to serve in even. . . Food? Hmmmmmmm well. . . So why is it that I have frequented Pines of Rome twice?? Masochistic tendencies?!? Quite possibly but also because of their shrimp, garlic, butter with spaghetti with extra garlic please. Much to my boyfriend's dismay, to say that I love garlic is probably a huge understatement. I triple, nay at least quadruple, the recommended garlic amount any recipe. Pines of Rome definitely fulfills my garlic cravings with their shrimp/garlic/butter dish (extra garlic please) and I will surely return when the craving hits. After all, garlic is good for the heart :-)

    (3)
  • Brian B.

    I can't speak much to the ambiance since I haven't dined in at Pines of Romes since my children were born (five years ago), but we still pick up the white cheese with extra fontina before we visit the grandparents in Chevy Chase at least three or four times a year. It truly is the best white pizza I've ever had, by a country mile. I do, however, recommend paying for the extra fontina. I skipped it once and it reduced the pizza quality from 'best ever' to 'top five.'

    (4)
  • Niran A.

    I have no idea how this place gets busy, especially when you consider the plethora of better dining options within walking distance. I ate at Pines of Rome with high expectations based on word of mouth and what I read here on Yelp. We started with the antipasto, which is supposed to be an assortment of grilled vegetables, cured meats, fresh cheeses and perhaps some olives and anchovies. The antipasto we received was a lame excuse of an iceberg salad with prosciutto and canned tuna on top, quite unappetizing and mundane. We proceeded to order the meat ravioli with meat "flavored sauce". Why the sauce was meat flavored instead of being a meat sauce, I don't know. Regardless the tomato sauce was ok while the ravioli was something you could find in the frozen food section. It wasn't awful but I would just expect more from an Italian restaurant. We also ordered the white pizza with the fontina cheese which was the only saving grace of the meal. From how people raved about this pizza I was expecting a bit more but it was still good. All in all, I wouldn't go back.

    (2)
  • Bob B.

    Where to begin? Okay, lets' start with the decor...Early Dungeon. This was the darkest place I've ever been to in my life. It was 6 PM, and 95% of the light we had came from the window in the street at the other end of the room. It was difficult to even read the menu! The cheap tile floor was unappealing, the tacky plastic tablecloths as well. The menu. Guys, I am all for 'tradition'...but you've got to move into this century, at least. Yes, we have fish, but we don't any vegetables. None. You get pasta on the side, and that's it. The food. I will say the calamari was pretty good...not seasoned, mind you (nothing here appears to be seasoned), but fresh and good. The tomato sauce is decent. Everything else was meh to terrible. The bread? out of style and cold. The fish? It's hard to make rockfish taste bleh, but they managed. The Lasagna? The soupiest, most strangely constructed lasagna I've ever had. Dessert? I don't know, we weren't offered an opportunity. Or any refills on anything. The lack of wine glasses adds another 'old school touch' that's really not acceptable. Lousy selections, too. Looking around at a 1/3 empty dining room on a Saturday night, with the average age of the patron about 65, I can see that this place is crawling along on nostalgia and folks who aren't discerning diners. There's a reason it's not busy - it'll be closed in 3-5 years at the most as their clientele die off. Heaven knows I'll never step foot in there again.

    (1)
  • Tristan K.

    A venerable Bethesda eatery for no-frills Italian. The white pizza is a great appetizer. The wine carafes are a good deal (for house wine). The food is generally solid but will not blow you away, and comes in large portions. The ambiance is strictly 80s but the space is large and can accommodate big groups. Overall, a great casual spot in Bethesda (which can be hard to find these days).

    (4)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Garage, Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Categories

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

Pizza

Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.

Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.

Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.

Pines of Rome

Share with your social network

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.