Ulivo
Pleasant Plains, Washington DC
Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$30–50per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
Ulivo is a low-friction Italian pick in Washington, D.C. for diners who want an easier night than The Red Hen or San Lorenzo. The strongest use case is a casual bar-seat meal or small-group dinner, with wine recognition giving it more credibility than a generic neighborhood Italian stop.
About Ulivo
Ulivo is an Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C. with a casual dress code and Star Wine List recognition for 2026. For diners comparing it with other options such as The Red Hen, San Lorenzo, Obelisk, Piccolina, or Bardea Food & Drink, a simple way to frame Ulivo is: Italian food, casual attire, and a wine-list accolade.
Ulivo is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday; open Wednesday through Friday from 3–9 PM; and open Saturday from 11 AM–9 PM. Plan around those basics rather than assume a particular kind of dining experience.
Use the essentials to plan the visit
Ulivo serves Italian cuisine in Washington, D.C., has a casual dress code, and carries Star Wine List recognition. Those points make it an option for diners who want Italian dining without needing formal attire.
Instead of planning around a specific seat or a named dish, check the current menu and availability before going, then use the hours to choose the right day and time.
Who should choose it among other options
Choose Ulivo when the brief is Italian cuisine, casual dress, Washington, D.C., and Star Wine List recognition. If you are also considering The Red Hen, San Lorenzo, Obelisk, Piccolina, or Bardea Food & Drink, treat those as separate options to compare by current menu, availability, and occasion rather than assuming Ulivo has the same format or level of formality.
For a repeat visit, the most grounded advice is practical: go during the open hours and keep expectations tied to the basics. Ulivo is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3–9 PM, and Saturday from 11 AM–9 PM; it is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday.
Quick reference: Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C.; casual dress code; Star Wine List recognition; open Wednesday through Saturday only.
Planning details
- Location
- 2737 Sherman Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Website
- ulivodc.com
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Ulivo quietly stakes out a traditional Italian sensibility in a residential stretch of Sherman Avenue NW. The room favors understatement over showmanship: no open kitchen theatrics, no ostentatious service flourishes. Instead the experience hinges on disciplined cooking and an appreciation for sequence—antipasto to primo to secondo—so the overall mood reads as classic and unpretentious. Locals who value a composed, relaxed meal will find the pace agreeable; the place feels like a neighborhood table that rewards tasting the architecture of a well-ordered Italian dinner rather than chasing destination buzz.
Best For
This is a dinner restaurant built around the arc of an Italian meal, so it suits occasions that welcome a measured, multi-course pace. It works well for date nights where courses and conversation unfold deliberately, for families who appreciate familiar, well-crafted dishes, and for small group dining that benefits from sharing antipasti and pastas. Because the place leans local and unhurried rather than theatrical, it’s less of a destination splurge and more a spot for people who want a thoughtful, satisfying evening meal in a quiet neighborhood setting.
Ordering Tips
Approach a visit to Ulivo with the Italian structure in mind: start with an antipasto to set the tone, move to a primo pasta to carry the meal’s weight, then choose a secondo protein to deepen the experience. Signature items like the Handmade Pasta with Vodka Sauce Bolognese, Fusilli with Bresaola‑Braised Collards, Roasted Trout or the Pork Chop with Polenta are natural anchors for the primo/secondo sequence. Given the restaurant’s focus on courses and balance, pacing your choices across the traditional progression yields the most satisfying meal.
Venue details
Ambiance
Refined but approachable with warm, candle-lit dining room featuring 65-70 seats inside and 20 on the patio; cozy and intimate atmosphere with natural light and elegant decor.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
- Kitchen
- Traditional
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Wine Program
- Curated
- Drinks Focus
- Spritzes, Negronis, Italian Wines
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Handmade Pasta with Vodka Sauce Bolognese
- Roasted Trout
- Pork Chop with Polenta
- Fusilli with Bresaola-Braised Collards
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 2737 Sherman Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
Planning details
Location
2737 Sherman Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if Ulivo is not the right fit
Choose The Red Hen for a livelier $$ Italian dinner, or San Lorenzo for a more polished $$$ night. For a bigger special occasion, Obelisk is the stronger move.
Restaurant context
How Ulivo compares with nearby Italian options
The Red Hen is the better choice for a lively Italian dinner with a stronger neighborhood-restaurant pull, but it is also the tougher table. Ulivo is the easier fallback when the priority is a lower-pressure meal rather than a scene. For value, The Red Hen's $$ positioning gives it an edge if budget is the main filter.
San Lorenzo and Obelisk sit higher on the spend and occasion scale. Pick San Lorenzo for a more polished $$$ Italian dinner and Obelisk for a $$$$ special occasion where the meal is the plan. Ulivo is better when the night needs to stay flexible and conversational.
Piccolina is the more casual cross-shop, especially when the brief is simple Italian without a heavier dinner commitment. Bardea Food & Drink is outside the local set, so it is a comparison for travelers rather than a direct substitute. In Washington, D.C. Ulivo's clearest lane is easy Italian with a wine-aware signal.
Explore Washington DC
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Ulivo guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Ulivo
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ulivo | Washington, D.C. | Italian | Star Wine Lists 2026 | , |
| The Red Hen | Washington, D.C. | Italian | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #182025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand | $$ |
| San Lorenzo | Washington, D.C. | Italian | 2026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate | $$$ |
| Obelisk | Washington, D.C. | Italian | 2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate | $$$$ |
| Piccolina | Washington, D.C. | Italian | 2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #832 | , |
| Bardea Food & Drink | Wilmington | Italian | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2942025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #433 | , |
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How Ulivo Washington, D.C. compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Ulivo?
Ulivo has a casual dress code. Casual clothing appropriate for a meal out in Washington, D.C. is the safest guidance.
Is Ulivo good for solo dining?
What should I order at Ulivo?
Ulivo serves Italian cuisine. Check the current menu before visiting and order based on what is available that day.
Is Ulivo good for a special occasion?
Ulivo can be considered for an Italian meal in Washington, D.C. especially if a casual dress code fits the occasion. It is best suited to occasions where Italian cuisine and a casual dress code fit the plan.
Is lunch or dinner better at Ulivo?
Ulivo is open Wednesday through Friday from 3–9 PM and Saturday from 11 AM–9 PM. It is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday. Choose based on the listed hours and current menu.
What are alternatives to Ulivo?
If you are comparing options, you might also look at The Red Hen, San Lorenzo, Obelisk, Piccolina, and Bardea Food & Drink. Compare current menus, hours, and availability before deciding.
