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Tue, 19/03
20:00
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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
Italian, Wine Bar, Tuscan, Central-Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
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meals, features
Reviews (188)
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185 results
Traveller rating
109
42
19
11
4
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Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
109
42
19
11
4
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All reviews bread salad pumpkin ravioli branzino fish washington dc with some friends entrees lemon chunks leftovers
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Reviewed 14 October 2022 via mobile

It’s interesting that there are many positive reviews for this restaurant, it doesn’t feel to me like they deserve them, but all I can do is relate my own experience. This place is ridiculously slow, or at least it was on our night, and there...is no rhythm with the service. The Antipasto plate was the worst ever. The menu describes quite a selection of “fine Italian cured meats and cheeses,” but in reality it was few very thin slices of low quality salami and a clump of sandwich ham. The only cheese was a few chunks of Parmesan. The Caesar salad was mediocre. I sure did miss having good croutons like a good Caesar salad would have and after having to ask for pepper they brought a small pepper shaker that could have come from Waffle House. The Ravioli alla Gorgonzola was a very unimpressive presentation. The Gorgonzola sauce was mushy and not what I would expect. It took almost an hour to get the food and two people didn’t get their food until the others were 10 minutes into their meal. That’s enough. I won’t go back, that’s for sure.More

Date of visit: October 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 9 October 2022

The food was very good, and the service was a little slow the day we went. Our waiter took our order promptly and delivered fresh bread and plenty of water but the meal took awhile to arrive. Fortunately, we weren't looking to hurry through our...meal and we were able to enjoy it once it arrived. I had the orechiette broccoli de rape, and others in my family had the lasagna casaligna, the spaghetti con polpette and the salsicce della festa. We shared each others and all were good, although I was most satisfied with the orechiette. Portions were very large and filling, with food to be taken for leftovers after the meal. The fresh Italian bread was delicious. Also, the decor was delightful and we sat next to the wine cellar with wine stored in terra cotta.More

Date of visit: October 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 18 September 2022 via mobile

The food is fine, nothing special. The service and attitude, however, is below average. It seemed like an inconvenience that we were there. We didn’t see a friendly face or smile from any staffer. We never really had a waiter but the manager (owner?) took...our order, arguing incorrectly about menu options. The included bread was a no show until someone passed by 15 minutes after we finished our salads and asked if we wanted “more bread.” After we said we never got any, it arrived after our entrees. We were excited to try this place as it is close to home but I can’t see any reason to return.More

Date of visit: September 2022
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Reviewed 26 June 2022

Found this place with some friends. Great food and atmosphere. Our server was terrific. I can highly recommend it!

Date of visit: June 2022
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Reviewed 13 June 2022

In New York this week for business and Sfizi was recommended, and I live down the street - who would have thought, right? :-) They bring freshly baked bread with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip which was very good. For the main course,...we got Chicken Parm and Lasagna, both dishes were fantastic, with salads. Chicken Parm was even custom grilled. For dessert, we got tiramisu and a lemon stuffed with lemon ice. Both were again, fantastic. If you're looking for a nice local non-chain Italian restaurant, Sfizi is fantastic. Service is prompt, wait staff is attentive, they have a full bar and a nice selection of wine. Garage parking is available and is free.More

Date of visit: June 2022
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Reviewed 2 May 2022 via mobile

We’re from north of Baltimore and we had an appointment in Falls Church. When we finished we looked for a place to eat. Sfizi Cafe Italian restaurant with 4.6 google reviews came up. We were not disappointed with Bronzino fish, pumpkin ravioli, calamari, and crostini....Service was even better! This a destination stop if in Falls Church, Va. or Washington DC. Great job Sfizi.More

Date of visit: May 2022
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Reviewed 17 October 2021 via mobile

Outstanding meal. Delicious fresh pasta. Salmon a bit overcooked but still yummy. Indoor and outdoor seating. Servers were kind and attentive.

Date of visit: October 2021
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Reviewed 31 August 2021

Very arrogant restaurant owner Lino and unprofessional staff at the Sfizi. Falls Church, Virginia next to Washington DC. Cocky and unprofessional behaviour of the owner. Restaurant hires not trained under edge staff. This is not an expensive place and still They over charge me for...antipasto They charge for small dish $20.00. They do hot have coffee and tea posts. Water filter in the coffee machine is not working or not replaces. I can taste rust in my tea. I did purchased very expensive unknown Pascucci coffee 3 x 250 gram to take home and they do not appreciate my business so I will never go back. Lemon to garnish was not washed prior serving and this is a must since lemons and limes for transportation have poison on the skin. They do not know what is expresso and espresso americano light and bigger. I am a food and wine expert from 1992. Sfizi Falls Church, Northern Virginia, next to Washington DCMore

Date of visit: August 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 14 June 2021

I love this authentic Italian restaurant. It’s near my house, a plus; the food is tasty with generous portions; and the service is excellent. I could name so many mouthwatering dishes on the menu. Just go with what sounds good to you. The one miss?...MAIALINO SALTIMBOCCA was not made with baby pork medallions. Rather, the meat looked like large, colorless, slabs of pork. You know how food that looks bad leaves you disappointed? I ate a little of the pork and plan to feed the rest to my crow family. The rest of the dish was wonderful. Tasty prosciutto, and the spaghetti in the lemon garlic sauce, which I had requested as a replacement for spinach, were delicious! I filled up on their wonderful salad, bread, and dessert. The meal went nicely with a rosé I had at home. That meal is the ONLY disappointment I’ve ever had at Sfizi. Everything else I’ve had on the menu has been wonderful. Don’t forget to ask about the specials. The service is outstanding. The atmosphere is a delight, with indoor and outdoor dining and carryout. They have a large wine selection at reasonable prices. There’s even a little market where you can pick up everything from pasta to sweets. My favorite dish on the menu is the lasagna, which tastes of fresh tomatoes. It’s a treat! I’m looking forward to continuing my journey through the menu, I won’t let one disappointment deter my delight with this restaurant.More

Date of visit: June 2021
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Reviewed 6 June 2021 via mobile

It was our date night. Made reservation for an outdoor table, arrived in time with no outdoor table available and got a lecture on how busy they are and that they shouldn't have made that reservation in the first place for us. Anyway, after a...short wait, our table was ready! The food was delicious (appetizer, main course and desserts!), but the services was pretty awful... - Had to make smoke signals to the waiter to get our water glasses refilled (after waiting with empty water glasses for a while) - Had to make smoke signals to the waiter to get another glass of wine (after waiting with the empty glass for a while) - Had to make smoke signals to ask for parmesan cheese for my pasta (and it took awhile...pasta was pretty cold by the time they brought it). All in all, rushes and inattentive service. Felt we werent welcome. Figured it was because we ordered wine by the glass and shared the appetizer and main course and desserts. So disappointing. Especially when I remember coming to this place before Covid and having a totally different, very pleasant experience. We won't be back :(.More

Date of visit: June 2021
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lino R, Owner at Sfizi Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded 9 June 2021

Hello dear, we are truly sorry for your unpleasant experience especially on your date night. We had multiple issues due to the pent up demand that we have been experiencing since relaxed Covid protocol. But NO EXCUSE! We are working very hard through our issues...More

Reviewed 4 May 2021

No need to expand on the title. Just the best in the wide area, said by an Italian from the Emilia Romagna .... do not look anywhere else for real Italian food and an excellent choice of wines (and delicacies)

Date of visit: April 2021
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 17 May 2020

Sfizi Café in Falls Church, VA has the best Italian cuisine and dining experience in the area.We are seasoned Sfizi patrons who love so many favorite dishes that it’s hard to say any one favorite. This unique Cafe exposes a wine cellar full of Italian...wine and that makes you feel like you in Italy. Just ask the owner or staff about a perfect pairing for your meal and it won’t disappoint. We have enjoyed both in café dining and take out. They have curb-side pickup which has been very helpful these past few months. Many times, we order meals that can be refrigerated or frozen, and the meals are equally great the second time around! Thank you to Sfizi’s owner, Lino, and his dedicated, hard-working staff for their resilience and perseverance during the pandemic. A meal from Sfizi has warmed our hearts and stomachsMore

Date of visit: April 2020
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 16 May 2020

Ordered take out from there last week. The food was hot, fresh and delicious. We ordered the ravioli, scallops with pasta and veal. Added the crostini and antipasti appetizers. There was nothing left on our plates. The pickup was easy.

Date of visit: May 2020
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 2 March 2020 via mobile

This Italian restaurant atmosphere, is awesome!! We started off with the grilled calamari, it was so much better than the fried calamari, that most restaurants serve. My wife had Lasagna and I had seafood dish, with clams, scallops, shrimp and squid, served over pasta, with...a spicy red sauce. Both were excellent, along with the service! I would highly recommend visiting SfiziMore

Date of visit: March 2020
Helpful?
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Reviewed 25 February 2020

We met a friend there coming from across the River in a Maryland. First time here. The waiter was excellent and funny and spot on in his recommendations. The dishes are just so authentic and delicious. The portions were excellent. The appetizers were very delicious....The wine off the shelf with a small corkage fee was total worth it. Recommend a reservation, it fills up fast. We ate, talked and lingered and were never rushed. A delightful dining evening with a friend! Enjoy a dessert too, well worth it! Parking is available right out the back door and is covered too!More

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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SFIZI CAFE, Falls Church - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos

Frequently Asked Questions about Sfizi Cafe

Yes, Sfizi Cafe offers takeaway services.

Sfizi Cafe is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4