Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
Serious pizza, counter service, no fuss.
Slice & Pie on 14th Street NW is a counter-service pizza spot run by Giulio Adriani, an Italian-born chef with over thirty years behind the dough. Walk-ins only, no dress code, and no booking friction. The pizza is well-crafted and the format is fast — book elsewhere if you need a full sit-down occasion, but for a reliable slice in D.C., it delivers.
If you are planning a celebration dinner with tableside theatre and a long wine list, Slice & Pie is not your answer. But if you want something genuinely satisfying on 14th Street NW — a counter-service pizza spot run by a chef with over thirty years of craft behind him — it earns its place in your rotation. The short version: go, order confidently, and do not overthink the occasion.
Giulio Adriani, the Italian-born chef behind Slice & Pie, has spent more than three decades working with pizza dough. His method here centres on a well-leavened base, rolled and cooked with clear technical intention. The result is a slice with structure and flavour rather than the floppy, oversauced versions that fill too many D.C. boxes. The menu runs from Pepperoni and Cheese , treated as proper standards, not afterthoughts , through to more creative options built around local products. The counter is cheerfully pink and the service is quick. That is the format: no reservations drama, no dress code conversation, just good pizza at pace.
The 14th Street NW corridor has become one of the more active dining stretches in the city, and Slice & Pie sits within easy reach of Shaw and Logan Circle. For anyone staying in the area or visiting for an evening, it functions well as a casual anchor before or after drinks. Check our full Washington, D.C. bars guide if you are building out the rest of the night, and our full Washington, D.C. restaurants guide if you are weighing a wider shortlist.
The assigned editorial angle here is the drinks program, and the honest answer is that the data does not confirm a developed cocktail or bar offering at Slice & Pie. Counter-service pizza in this format typically pairs leading with a focused beer selection or a short wine list , that is the category norm. If a strong bar program is the deciding factor for your evening, you will get more from a dedicated cocktail bar in the neighbourhood. Use our Washington, D.C. bars guide to add that layer separately. Slice & Pie earns its visit on the pizza itself, not on its drinks depth.
Slice & Pie works well for solo diners, casual dates where the food is the point rather than the room, and groups who want something fast and satisfying without the friction of a booking. It is a poor fit if your celebration requires a full sit-down experience, a long menu, or wine-by-the-glass depth. For that kind of occasion in D.C., Rooster & Owl at $$$ or Rose's Luxury at $$$$ are better-matched venues. If vegetable-forward New American is the direction, Oyster Oyster at $$$ is worth considering. For a higher-end splurge, Albi and Causa both operate at $$$$ and offer a fuller special-occasion structure.
Compared to the broader D.C. dining scene, Slice & Pie occupies a different tier and format than most of its neighbourhood peers. Rooster & Owl at $$$ and Oyster Oyster at $$$ both require advance planning and deliver a sit-down experience with a drinks program. If you are choosing between them for a date or a celebratory dinner, those two offer more occasion structure. Slice & Pie wins on accessibility, speed, and the specific satisfaction of well-made pizza from a chef who has been doing this since before most D.C. pizza spots existed.
At the $$$$ end, Albi (Middle Eastern), Causa (Peruvian), and Rose's Luxury (New American) are competing for a completely different decision. They require more planning, more budget, and deliver a fuller evening. Do not compare them directly to Slice & Pie , they answer different questions. If your group is split between a casual and a special-occasion option, the honest advice is to go to Slice & Pie for lunch and save the evening slot for one of the $$$$-tier venues above.
For wider context on what D.C. dining offers across price points and formats, see our full Washington, D.C. restaurants guide. If you are also planning accommodation, our Washington, D.C. hotels guide covers the main options near 14th Street NW and beyond.
| Venue | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Slice & Pie | — | |
| Oyster Oyster | $$$ | — |
| Albi | $$$$ | — |
| Causa | $$$$ | — |
| Rooster & Owl | $$$ | — |
| Rose’s Luxury | $$$$ | — |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
Counter service makes Slice & Pie a natural fit for solo diners. You order, you eat, there is no awkward table-for-one dynamic. Giulio Adriani's slice-focused format means you can be in and out quickly or linger over a couple of slices without pressure.
Slice & Pie operates counter service, so advance reservations are not part of the format. Walk in, order at the counter, and eat. Peak lunch and dinner windows on 14th St NW can get busy, so arriving slightly early or off-peak is the practical move.
Come as you are. The counter is described as cheerfully colored in pink and the format is casual slice shop, not sit-down dining. Jeans and a t-shirt are more appropriate than anything you would wear to a tasting menu.
If you want a full sit-down dinner on the same stretch of the city, Rooster & Owl offers a tasting-format experience at a significantly higher price point. For ingredient-driven cooking in a casual-but-plated format, Oyster Oyster in Shaw is worth considering. Slice & Pie is the right call when you want pizza specifically, fast, and without a reservation.
Giulio Adriani has spent more than thirty years working with pizza dough, and the menu runs from classic American toppings like pepperoni to more creative options using local ingredients. Order at the counter, grab your slice, and do not expect tableside service or a wine list. The address is 2221 14th St NW if you are mapping your route.
The menu is pizza-focused with a range of toppings, but specific dietary accommodation details are not confirmed in available venue data. Your safest move is to call ahead or check in person, as a counter-service slice shop has less flexibility than a full-service kitchen.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
