10 Best Italian Restaurants In Richmond, Virginia

italian restaurants in richmond
Richard Dean
Richard Dean 
Updated
| 4 min read

Carbs are irresistible and Italian carbs are simply the best! Everybody knows pizza and pasta and who on earth does not love these foods? Italian cuisine is popular and loved in every part of the world; Richmond is no exception. When it comes to romantic dinners, Italian fare and wine ring the bell. You will always feel special the moment you stepped onto an Italian restaurant. The white-tablecloth setting, elegant chandelier, intimate atmosphere, presentation, and flavor of each dish - all of these contribute to a perfect Italian dining experiences. Yes, Italian cuisine is known for comforting dishes, high-quality ingredients, and creative presentation. If you truly want to have a fantastic Italian gastronomic experience, then, read this article now and discover the best Italian restaurants in Richmond, Virginia.

1. La Grotta Ristorante


Situated in the heart of downtown, La Grotta Ristorante offers superb wine selection and amazing Italian cuisine that will tickle your senses. This gorgeous restaurant is also long known for its consistent tradition of Italian hospitality. The moment you step into this restaurant, you will be reminded of what Italy is - the atmosphere is very romantic and the staff is passionate. Perhaps start with an order of homemade lentil soup combined with cannelloni, and of course, the all-time favorite Puttanesca is always a great choice.

La Grotta Ristorante

Address: 529 E Broad St. Richmond, Virginia

Website: La Grotta Ristorante

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9:30pm; Sat: 5pm - 9:30pm (closed on Sun)

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2. Dinamo

Roasted sugar toads on the menu tonight! #blowfish #chickenofthesea

Posted by Dinamo on Friday, 2 November 2018

What’s not to love in Dinamo? Though the place is small, it has a lot of big surprises. Dinamo serves some of the best Italian dishes that you could ever taste, from squid ink pasta to pasta Bolognese to roasted mozzarella and the classic Italian pizza. If you want more, white pizza should be one of your picks, too. In here, you can enjoy Italian fare in a cozy and relaxing low-light setting–plus the staff is really friendly.

Dinamo

Address: 821 W Cary St Richmond, Virginia

Website: Dinamo

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 10pm; Sat: 5:30pm - 11pm (closed on Sun)

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3. Bacchus

Posted by Bacchus Restaurant on Tuesday, 23 April 2019

Bacchus offers a refreshing respite after an exhausting day. If you crave for delicious pasta and wine, this charming, small hole-in-the-wall is the place to be. All Italian inspired dishes are simply amazing and straightforward, but done and presented well that they are very much worth every penny. Pasta lovers will drool over the variety of pasta dishes, from creamy pesto to carbonara, from broccolini to bolognese. Actually the only problem you’ll encounter when you eat at this restaurant is that the place gets filled up pretty fast - be sure to come early!

Bacchus

Address: 2 N Meadow St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA

Website: Bacchus

Opening hours: 5pm - 10pm (daily)

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4. Portico Restaurant

New Lunch Special: Roasted wild mushrooms ?& broccoli ? over baby spinach w/ bacon ? walnuts, blue cheese ? pear and Grilled Shrimp ?

Posted by Portico Restaurant on Wednesday, 11 April 2018

The moment you step onto Portico’s premises, especially their astonishing garden, you will be reminded of Italy’s Portofino and Napa Valley’s Wine Country. Situated on River Road, this charming restaurant should be on your “special occasion” list. They offer selected wine list and all Italian dishes are guaranteed delish. Garden salad, ravioli de casa, penne a pesto - everything is excellent at this Italian restaurant. This is a great setting for a romantic dinner under the stars.

Portico Restaurant

Address: 12506 River Rd Richmond, Virginia

Website: Portico Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm

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5. AZZURRO Ristorante


AZZURRO Ristorante is another one of Richmond’s superb Italian restaurants. The wine list is endless, while their menu includes all the classics like pizza and pasta dishes. Aside from the delicious and exceptional meals, other drawcards of this restaurant are the elegant white-tablecloth setting and impeccable service. This place is perfect for a romantic dinner, where you can sit close to the fireplace or on the softly lit patio - anywhere you choose, a great gastronomic experience is guaranteed.

AZZURRO Ristorante

Address: 6221 River Rd, Richmond, VA 23229, USA

Website: AZZURRO Ristorante

Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 5pm - 9pm; Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 11pm; Sat: 5pm - 11pm

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6. Edo's Squid

From Edo's Squid in Richmond VA
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jim Brickett used under CC BY-ND 2.0

If you crave for Italian seafood, Edo’s Squid should be on your list. It is a casual Italian restaurant which serves plenty of calamari dishes (hence the name). All of their food is yummy and tasty, especially one of the crowd’s favorite - the mussels marinara. All dishes are presented well and served in generous portions. Moreover, the whole place is cozy and the staff is friendly.

Edo's Squid

Address: 411 N Harrison St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA

Website: Edo’s Squid

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 5:30pm - 10pm

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7. BRIO

Editor’s Note: Establishment is permanently closed.

Offering delicious and creative Tuscan-inspired grill fare with wine and cocktails selection, BRIO must be included in your list if you are looking for an Italian restaurant in Richmond. Everything here is satisfying, from service to atmosphere and new family recipes that will make you ask for more. Perhaps, an order of their rosemary roasted chicken or pan-seared salmon best paired with wine will make your honey smile, plus the relaxing ambiance will surely add to your memorable experience.

BRIO

Address: 9210 Stony Point Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23235, USA

Website: BRIO

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm

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8. Enoteca Sogno


With its beautiful and meaningful name “Enoteca Sogno”, the word “enoteca” is a place that offers wine and food, while “sogno” in Italian means “dream” - you can consider this charming Italian restaurant a mecca for food and wine lovers. Situated in Bellevue neighborhood, Enoteca serves a seasonal menu of high-quality Italian fare and extensive selection of Italian wine - all at a very friendly price. If you are craving for seafood, an order of scallops with arugula and balsamic reduction is a good choice.

Enoteca Sogno

Address: 1223 Bellevue Ave Richmond, Virginia

Website: Enoteca Sogno

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 11pm (closed on Mon & Sun)

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9. Casa Italiana Restaurant


Casa Italiana is a family-owned restaurant which is defined by love and passion for cooking - in fact, all family members know how to cook. This place is truly a gem in Richmond, as a proof, it is one among of the few places in town that still makes and prepares homemade sauces and pasta at a reasonable price. All of its food allows you to indulge an array of tastes without feeling fully stuffed. Yup, nothing beats their Red Beets Fettucine with Lemon Zest. Why not try it for yourself?

Casa Italiana Restaurant

Address: 8801 Three Chopt Rd Richmond, Virginia

Website: Casa Italiana Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm

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10. Nota Bene Restaurant & Bar


Many who have tried it are hooked on Nota Bene Restaurant & Bar’s Fig and Pig pizza. Why not try it now for yourself? Nota Bene is a combination of a vibrant atmosphere, fast service, and great selection of Italian fare and drinks. Every dish is special and creative, the sunchokes appetizer will make you ask for more; pasta lovers will enjoy the Bucatini al Amatriciana (made of pasta, garlic, pork cheek, pecorino, and more), and tiramisu is never to be missed also.

Nota Bene Restaurant & Bar

Address: 2110 E Main St Richmond, Virginia

Website: Nota Bene Restaurant & Bar

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 5pm - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9pm (closed on Mon)

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Explore Richmond's rich and flavorful Italian fare

Italian food
Source: Pxhere

There’s nothing compared to the gastronomic experience you get from Italian fare. There’s always something for everyone if you dine at an Italian restaurant. The kids will enjoy spaghetti with red sauce and meatballs, lovers will have a romantic night with fettuccine and a glass of wine, and buddies will indulge in the all-time favorite pizza. Whatever you are looking for, Italian restaurants have got it for you. Explore Richmond’s best with our list above - buon apetito!

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Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Richard, a writer and traveler, is also passionate about biking. When not immersed in bike parts or computers, he can be found at the market, hunting for ingredients to fuel his love for...Read more

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