il Canale

Our story

A great meal starts with a sense of tradition. Founded by Sicily-born Joe Farruggio, il Canale brings the culinary heritage of Naples and Sicily to Georgetown, with a family-owned approach and a passion for genuine Italian cooking.

Our VPN-certified Neapolitan pizzas emerge from a wood-fired oven imported from Italy, while our kitchen prepares authentic Italian pasta, seafood, and specialties featuring imported buffalo mozzarella.

Among the best Italian restaurants Georgetown, Washington, DC, visitors can explore, we offer a warm, lively setting rooted in family tradition. Join us for a taste of what makes our kitchen special.

Everyone in the Who's Who in American Power playbook has dined here. Il Canale has been a go-to place of journalists, actors and heads of states from Hillary Clinton to Brigitte Macron to Nancy Pelosi to Ivanka Trump. Harrison Ford likes to come here when he is in town, and when he shows up, it's very low key.
The mastermind behind the Il Canale's success is an old school Italian born in Sicily, Joe Farruggio, whose dream has always been to create the family restaurant where Washingtonians and visitors from all over the world could enjoy the authentic pizza Napolitana, made with organic 00 flour. Il Canale's is known for its authentic Verace pizza Italiana and is the only restaurant in D.C. to receive the top culinary honor from the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce and the National Institute of Tourism. With numerous awards over the last 10 years, Il Canale showcases the gastronomic heritage of Sicily and Naples with critically acclaimed pizza, pasta, fish and delicious desserts.
Joe Farruggio talks about his entrepreneurial journey from his humble beginnings as a pizza maker in New York City to making Il Canale the great success that it is today.