About
Dupont Circle’s Favorite Italian Restaurant
In the mood for some fresh homemade Italian food? Dupont Italian Kitchen has been serving up fresh homemade Italian dishes since 1986. We offer great food, unbeatable prices, and we’re conveniently located in the heart of Dupont Circle. Stop by and visit us.
History
Dupont Italian Kitchen has been serving delicious Italian cuisine for over 30 years. But it’s so much more than just another Italian restaurant. It’s a second home to a loyal crowd of regulars, a hangout spot for LGBT residents and their families, and a beloved part of the 17th Street community. It’s one of the District’s top spots for people watching—where you can enjoy a Mimosa or Sangria on the patio as the crowds pass by. But perhaps most importantly, it’s one of the rare restaurants left in DC that retains a small-town feel—where the customers and staff know each other on a first-name basis.
Brothers Michael and Tony Askarinam first opened Dupont Italian Kitchen in March of 1986. The two immigrants previously supported themselves by working in Italian restaurants—now they were ready to open their dream restaurant. Their new restaurant quickly built a reputation for serving hearty comfort food at affordable prices, earning positive reviews from local publications including the Washington Post. Within weeks of opening, there were long lines at the door, and the owners often worked 15 hour days to keep up with the pace of business.
In the mid-90s, Michael and Tony opened the Dupont Italian Kitchen Bar on the floor above the restaurant. The bar is famous for its lively Karaoke parties. Today, Dupont Italian Kitchen is a key hotspot for people attending the Capitol Pride and High Heel Race events. The owners and employees are proud supporters of charities like the Walker Whitman AIDS Clinic, as well as other Dupont Circle institutions like Ross Elementary School. Numerous customers have been coming for decades, and enthusiastic word-of-mouth is the reason Dupont Italian Kitchen continues to thrive over 30 years after its founding.
We’re able to accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements. We have numerous vegetarian and vegan entrees, and most items on the menu can be prepared gluten-free upon request. (Yes, this includes our pizza and pasta dishes!)
Join us for Saturday and Sunday brunch! Enjoy an unlimited Bloody Mary with weekend brunch from 10:30am to 3:30pm.