Manalù Italian Restaurant

I would strongly recommend this place if you are in the area and love good Italian food! The Atmosphere was nice and service were super helpful, thoughtful and awesome! Love the Bartenders and all the delicious recommendations! Will definitely coming back again’

OMG, what a find. Was just going from Baltimore to home and thought I'd stop in Frederick MD for lunch. The reviews don't lie. There is someone behind this restaurant who is passionate about great food and excellent service.
From the house made pasta to the fresh baked bread, this place is a gem. Although it's located in a strip mall location, you can only do so much with that to set an atmosphere, but they've done a great job.
The staff is friendly and attentive. They seem to enjoy working here, as seen from the smiles on their faces and friendliness towards guests. If I were to pick one thing apart, that would be how my server (Adam) didn't do suggestive settling nor asked inquiring questions to get a feel for how he could have suggested possibly house favorites or his personal favorite dish for a new experience. This is the one thing that seems to be lost in the restaurant industry. It was lunchtime, and maybe many guests typically want to just get in and out, but I didn't notice that when I was observing. Oh well, opportunity lo$t. Adam was still attentive and cordial.
Overall, it was a great experience, and I will be back on another trip through.

The go-to spot for delicious Italian food!! The food is absolutely amazing, no matter what meal you choose. There are so many options that you can try, even from the desserts, so make sure you go with an appetite. The staff are also very friendly and happy to help you with any questions you may have, and always willing to accommodate.

The bread was soft, enough and fresh. The food I ordered was so so good with the grated cheese. The service was also great and people were friendly. I will definitely return to this place soon.

The best Italian food ever. We visit this restaurant from Baltimore frequently. The bread is amazing. We have never had a bad meal here and absolutely love it. Def make reservations! Even if on a weekday night.

While visiting friends in Frederick, my fiancé and I caught up with them over dinner at Manalù Italian Restaurant. Everything about this place was amazing, from the atmosphere to its staff to the service to the food and drinks. Our server Alexa was friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable about the menu. Prior to ordering, she provided the daily specials of the day, which included a Corn Chowder, Lobster and Shrimp Ravioli, and Rockfish/Salmon.

For drinks, the other couple each got glasses of California Merlot, my fiancé enjoyed the Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA, and I enjoyed the Giallo Rosso cocktail. The Giallo Rosso cocktail consisted of Three Olives Citrus Vodka, Cream Limoncello, and Cointreau shaken with ice and poured into a jumbo martini glass and topped with a splash of Lemonade and wine float. It was fruity, refresh, and strong. Because I'm a lightweight, I needed help finishing it.

After our drinks arrived, we were given a basket of warm house bread with rosemary and peppercorn olive oil dipping sauce. The bread resembled a Schiacciata.

For appetizers, we shared an order of Bruschetta Di Casa, Calamari Fritti, and Romana Pizza. The Bruschetta Di Casa consisted of crispy seasoned Italian bread slices loaded with a blend of plum tomatoes and onions tossed in extra virgin olive oil and finished with chopped fresh basil and Freshly grated parmesan. The only thing that was missing was a balsamic drizzle. The Calamari Fritti consisted of tender calamari rings and legs lightly breaded, lightly fried, and served with a lemon wrapped in a muslin and chunky marinara sauce. I liked how crispy and fresh the calamari were. The Romana Pizza consisted of tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, anchovies, olives, capers, and oregano topped with fresh basil. This neopolitan pizza was absolutely delicious and the best pizza I've had in a while. I loved how the crust was light, airy, and chewy.

Victor had Pasta Alla Vodka. For his pasta, he picked homemade pappardelle. The Pappardelle Alla Vodka consisted of pappardelle cooked with a rich and creamy tomato sauce sautéed with diced bacon and shallots.

His wife had Spaghetti Di Mare, which was based on the Crostini Di Mare appetizer and a cup of Corn Chowder. Spaghetti Di Mare consisted of spaghetti cooked a rosé (light cream tomato) sauce with fresh sea scallops, baby shrimp, and jumbo lump crab meat.

My fiancé Chicken Abruzzi with a side house salad.  The Chicken Abruzzi consisted of chicken sautéed in a shallots brandy cream sauce with mushrooms and sun-dried tomato, topped with asparagus spears and mozzarella cheese and served over capellini pasta. The House Salad consisted of romaine lettuce, cucumber, cherry tomato, kalamata olives, banana pepper, red onion, croutons, and a tangy, creamy Italian vinaigrette on the side.

I enjoyed the Chicken Francese, which consisted of egg battered chicken breasts cooked with shallots and mushrooms in a white wine lemon sauce and served over spaghetti. The Caesar Salad consisted of romaine lettuce, shaved parmesan reggiano, and croutons lightly tossed in a Caesar vinaigrette.

I liked how each entree had a hibiscus flower garnish. We may have over ordered, but everything was delicious, and now we have leftovers for another meal.

For desserts, the four of us divided and conquered the Tiramisu. Our stomachs were happy.

I noticed that many birthdays were being celebrated. The accordionist played, and staff sang HBD. My birthday is next month and I'm considering celebrating it here.

(Actual visit of restaurant was on 7/5/23 and 7/26/23)

This is an excellent italian restaurant located in Frederick, MD. Have been there a few times, but I highly recommend you book this restaurant several days in advance as it gets booked up pretty quickly. But it is worth the wait!

We started with the Mozarella alla Caprese. One of my favorite dishes of all time. I also had the Pasta E Fagioli, which was filling and delicious. For main dishes we had the Chicken Piccata, Veal Piccata and the Veal Marsala. All well portioned and tasty. To finish I had the Spumoni. I probably could have eaten at least two of them but was full. Overall an excellent italian meal.

Service was excellent. Continued to check with us and make sure we had everything we needed.

Recommend this restaurant for a good, filling meal.

Enjoy!

It's my first time eating here, and I will definitely be coming back! The food, service, and atmosphere were exceptional. I had the Rockfish, shrimp, and mussels special for my entrée and saved room for the Limoncello Truffle, which was absolutely divine!!

The best italian food in frederick area without a question, the food portions are huge, there is a huge selection of pastas and you can substitute with home made fresh pasta. Service is impeccable. I will be back again

We came here with a large party of people for a wedding and it went very smoothly. The food was absolutely delicious and the service was great. There's so many ways for you to customize your own pasta dish. Probably the best Italian food I've had in quite some time.

Food and service were fantastic!

This was my second time visiting and it's been wonderful both times.

The servers always make wonderful recommendations. The food is always so delicious and fresh!

Reservations recommended, as they seem busy no matter what day of the week it is.

A very nice local Italian restaurant with a diverse menu with many excellent seafood choices. The ambiance is fun. Service is attentive and informative. The prices are very fair and the food portions are large. The bread is to die for!!! The food was very good. The wine we chose was nice and at a great price.

This place is a gem. One of the best Italian restaurants in the area. Service is outstanding and the food is even better. I highly recommend the house chianti and the lobster ravioli.

It is our annual Christmas Eve tradition to dine at Manalú's for the Feast of the Seven Fishes! We also frequent often throughout the year. Marco and staff always makes us feel like famiglia and every dish comes out beautiful and delicious!! Limiting this review to 5 stars is not enough!

A great variety of dishes from various regions of Italy, and all are very well-prepared. Everything we've had here has been excellent. The restaurant itself is very nice, with both indoor and outdoor seating. It's quite busy, so make a reservation first. Arguably the best Italian in the county.

First time we went for dinner the food was delicious and service too Marcelo was very professional service very attentive with his service definitely we will back

Baked rigatoni alla carne is sooooooooo tasty! Meat, homemade rigatoni, sausage and tomato sauce are mixed very well! Not very sour, and you can taste the meat sauce. My husband is a pizza lover. He loves the pizza! Very good experience.

We enjoy the family feel of Manalú. Chef Marco and his staff are amazing. He always comes by to greet and to by to ensure everything came out as perfect. The food has always been delicious and hot. They have plenty of options for everyone. Their home made bread is divine with that nice oil. Ask for some cheese to sprinkle on top... game changer.

This is our number one go to Italian restaurant in the DMV.

Amazing food! So flavorful, good portion sizes, and great service! Will be returning! The crostini di mare and the special spinach ravioli were delightful!

I love to come here for date nights. Their food is always so delicious and filling. Great service every time I come here. I’m always very satisfied with my meal.