A hole in the wall hidden gem for authentic Italian food and excellent value (portion and quality to price ratio) --------------------------------- Food: some of the best food I've had in Richmond, and ever! We ordered a beet and fennel salad - and now, that is a salad. The beets were fresh (I've had canned beets in salads before but this was fresh), and the fennel was crunch, mild, and texturely satisfying in contrast with the soft beets, the dressing was well coated but not drenching the salad. Could have eaten the salad all day but then the entrees came: Squid ink fettuccine with calamari and shrimp -- it was so fresh I could not eat it for a few minutes, massive entree, fettuccine tasted like it was made in house, so flavorful and rich Sausage with polenta -- my first time trying polenta in solid form, tastes a bit like if rice and corn combined, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, sausage was good too Also the complimentary bread was excellent, crunchy exterior soft interior, especially dipped in the pasta sauce Recommendations: making a reservation (you have to call), we made the mistake of assuming it being a cold rainy Sunday, we could do a walk in at the bar, but ended up walking in the rain for about an hour - well worth the wait Affordability: ~$25-30/entree Ambiance: it's pretty small and easy to bump into people on accident, but very cozy ambiance with deep red color theme Service: great, no issues! Good for: date night, celebration, when you just want good food read more

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If you're looking for a spot that delivers Italian comfort with thoughtful execution, Dinamo is an absolute standout. From the first bite, it was clear the kitchen took pride in both tradition and detail. The mussels were exceptional; tender, briny, and swimming in a deeply flavorful tomato broth that begged to be sopped up with their freshly baked bread. The gnocchi with cream sauce was pure comfort food elevated to art. The pillows of gnocchi were light and delicate rather than heavy, and the cream sauce struck that perfect balance: rich and indulgent without overwhelming the dish. Every bite felt carefully crafted and deeply satisfying. My wife commented that it was the best cream sauce she's ever had. Another surprise were the baked cabbage and Swiss chard dishes we had as appetizers. Savory, tender, and layered with flavor. The slight caramelization and depth from baking gave the greens a richness that complemented the meal beautifully. Between the warm RVA atmosphere, attentive service, and a curated menu that respected Italian tradition while delivering satisfying flavors, Dinamo is the kind of place my wife and I will certainly return to. Highly recommended. read more

Delicious food and wonderful bartender. The rockfish was one of the best things I've ever eaten and I don't like fish. So happy we went there! read more

Lucky to get in even though we walked in on an early Thursday evening. It is recommended to have reservations. The place looks dark from the outside with the blinds down that you'd think it's not open. Ambiance was casual. Food was great and tasty: mussels marinara, calamari and shrimp with squid ink fettucine, calamari with chard. Caprese salad was fresh. Chocolate espresso torta was heavenly. It was a busy evening; our server tried his best to take care of us but there was only so much that he could do. Nevertheless, would still give it a 5/5. read more

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A sister restaurant to the fantastically successful Edo's Squid. The vibe here is curious -- to say relaxed is perhaps an understatement. But like drinking a sesame latte, a curious combination that leaves me wanting more. The name and coloring on the website suggest to me one of the many places I visited in Eastern Europe (back when it was fashionable to call it that). The propeller in the window evokes feelings of a factory-sponsored restaurant where everything in the town might be called "Dinamo". The place is casual but in a fun way and the food is certainly not factory-like. We dined with a crowd, and the servers handled it superbly. The dishes were well-timed and prepared with care, even though the restaurant was packed that night. Our table felt well cared for -- which hit my Italian family note. Portions were generous. My rockfish was well-seasoned. Beet and fennel salad -- c'mon, we all need more beets on menus please. I loved the earthiness of the beets with the licorice-like taste of the fennel (another curious combination that worked!). And the buffalo mozzarella, red pepper and anchovy dish was a nice mix of creamy and savory. The ricotta gnocchi was a bit heavy for my taste -- nice flavor, but I would have preferred something to break up the cheese on cheese on potato. Our wines were a good accompaniment -- they don't have a full bar here though, so you can't use cocktails to vary the experience as I do sometimes. I would suggest a BYOB, but I don't even know if that's possible on Cary Street. Overall made for a fun (and full) night! The creativity on Cary Street is fun -- a nice ecosystem, not to be taken for granted. read more

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The smaller and more intimate little sister to Edo's. I prefer Dinamo to be honest, though getting a reservation is a challenge. Honorable mention to the butter Parmesan gnocchi for changing my life. read more

Everything we got was so good! The gnocchi was so soft and creamy, fettuccine has the perfect saltiness and the salad was so balanced and flavorful. We got the tiramisu to go and the taste of alcohol was too strong for me and it didn't have enough sweetness to balance it out. Overall we loved the vibe it was the perfect date night spot! read more

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Oh my gosh. I cannot say better things about this place. Made a last minute decision to come here and everything worked out perfectly. While we preferred a table, we sat at the bar because there was no seating available, as this place is very small, but service was amazing! Our waitress was tentative, she gave great reccs, and was a doll! Wish o got her name to give a shout-out. I highly recc having a reservation if you come during "rush" dinner hours. All pasta, bread, and pizza dough are made in house. The bread that came out was light fluffy and to die for. We shared a pizza and i do not know what to say other than it was incredible! The crust was crunchy and thing, pizza sauce was sweet and savory! The bolognese was just *chefs kiss* I literally do not know what to say in this review because I was blown out of the water. YOU MUST TRY THIS PLACE ASAP if you want an authentic Italian experience. read more

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This place is a great cozy hole in the wall- delicious veal and broccoletti & provolone sausage was superb. Definitely worth the visit.

Dinamo easily accommodated our party of 8 on Tuesday night. We arrived at 6:00 and were welcomed and seated promptly. The restaurant filled up quickly. Our group was seated in the front of the restaurant and were in a perfect position to watch the "poetry in motion" of the servers as they worked all of the tables and supported each other to provide excellent service. The kitchen had no problem keeping up with the flow. Our server (Emily) assisted us with our orders giving detailed descriptions of the appetizers and entrees. We never felt rushed as our group discussed and planned our orders. Fresh bread (made on site) was incredibly good. Most of the ingredients including sauces and pasta are freshly made from scratch, something that is rare in most restaurants today. Our appetizers and entrees deserve the highest praise for quality, flavor and portion size. We ordered Heart of Palm & Chickpea Flatbread, Beet & Fennel Salad and Mussels appetizers for the group. All were outstanding! We ordered the entrees family style so that we all could share. Gnocchi w/ Pesto, Calamari & Shrimp w/ Squid Ink Fettuccine, Sausage Polenta & Beans, Chicken w/ Polenta & King Oyster. All of us were thrilled with the choices. We were quick to enjoy our food so sorry, I don't have any photos. We could not pass up desserts Tiramisu, Chocolate Espresso Torte with cherries were exceptional and also scratch-made at Dinamo! Dinamo offers a great selection of wine specialty cocktails, espresso, and specialty coffees. I highly recommend this unique Richmond gem! read more

Went here for my 20th birthday and was extremely satisfied with the calamari & shrimp w/ squid ink fettuccine and the ricotta gnocchi. The ambiance within the restaurant is a little moody and their avant-grade European inspired decorations are fitting to the name of the restaurant. Additionally, there is also outdoor seating! The cuisines are high quality and a fusion of Italian and Mediterranean. If you're looking for a more intimate and restaurant that has not been talked about enough then Dinamo is the place to dine in at! read more

I would love to give this place 5 stars but, much like mama zu and Edo's the customer service always leaves a bit to be desired. I was the second person in line to enter at opening as the reservations for the six or so tables they had were full. I requested a space for two at the bar and was told I would have to wait for the second person, which while my friend was parking wasn't going to be a long while and I get it, but there are only four bar seats. My friend arrived and we were seated. Two of the tables remained empty the entirety of the hour and half we were there, which is annoying when we were crammed in such a small space. We quickly ordered drinks and food as we assumed the place was going to be packed momentarily. We got cocktails and a white pizza as an appetizer and they were all exquisite. I ordered the gnocchi for a main and friend ordered another red pizza for her main. Everything came out fresh and hot. It was all divine. The gnocchi was exceptional. We ordered a second round of drinks and the bartender looked pressed. We weren't pushy, understood she was busy taking calls and drink orders so we repeatedly told her no rush to anything and when she was free, but each interaction felt like we were going out of our way to annoy her when we never gave a rushed vibe. I just don't like being treated in that manner when I get that it's busy and things take time. We will definitely be back but I just don't understand the attitude. read more

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Great "sit at the bar" place! Great food and service/ bartenders are the best! Highly recommended!

Superb meal in a cozy (if a bit noisy) atmosphere. Delicious appetizers - meatballs in a light but lively sauce, fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers, and a braised cabbage which had been slow roasted and caramelized with warm spices - wow! Main course - crab pasta with fresh tagliatelle with a cream sauce that managed not to feel heavy. Delicious! And excellent, friendly, attentive service. Went here while visiting my Richmond cousin. Highly recommend! read more

Called the restaurant on Friday at 5pm to request a reservation at 8pm or later. I was told verbatim by the gal that there weren't many reservations on the books at that time and I shouldn't have a problem getting a table. We had never been so thought ok, maybe this place is on the slower side... We get there at 815 and the place is PACKED and the wait time would be 45 minutes. When I mentioned my phone convo to the hostess I was told they don't do same day reservations. Odd considering Edo's does but whatever. We left without an apology from the staff and went to Heritage down the street and enjoyed a fantastic meal read more

Seems majorly disorganized. No hello. No "will be right with you. " nothing. A couple walked in before us. We walked in and another couple in after us. They sat the last couple in the door first when there were only two seats left so apparently last in first seated is the rule? So we left never to return, of course. read more

An underrated restaurant in Richmond. I've walked by the place countless times and somehow never realized it was there?! It is quite intimate so reservations are recommended. I went with a group of 10 and all of our dishes were cooked to perfection and timed perfectly. Pasta is made in-house. The portions are massive! Every person had leftovers. read more

Dinamo - Tiramisu - Seafood Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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This was so good! The restaurant is really small so be sure to make reservations in advance if you can. The food was delicious and came out quickly. I also loved that they provided bread throughout the entire meal...a must for scraping up all the delicious broths and sauces! read more

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Rachel welcomed us in right at 5pm opening, no reservations. We were dining prior to an event at Altria Theater and enjoyed its close 1-block walk. Sister restaurant to our fave Edo Squid, without the horse-ass smelly carpet walk up, this too is a nondescript front door . But the tastes were great. Beet and greens salad loaded with feta, we soaked our bread in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Mussels came next, then the rockfish main course. All shareable, huge plates. Tiramisu closed it out and a bottle of house red just kept us chatty and smiling. Good times... read more

Dinamo Ratings: 4.2/5 Food: 4.5/5 - I had a date night with my boyfriend here, and we both had a great time. I wanted to try their famous squid ink fettucine, and it definitely didn't let me down. Dinamo lived up to the high reviews and ratings, but their service could be a bit better though. Please read the descriptions below for more detail on the pasta and pizza we got to share. - Calamari & Shrimp Squid Ink Fettucine [GET]: It is an Italian restaurant, so we have to get some pasta. The squid ink fettucine was cooked to just the right texture, not mushy, but I think it could be more al dente. It is packed with insanely strong squid ink flavors, a bit salty, but it was delicious. The tomato sauce was rich and complex, so pungent and tangy too, literally a bowl packed with fresh chunks of tomatoes. It might look like a simple dish, but it allows the seafood to really shine from it. It's quite memorable. We ordered extra bread too to dip it into the tomato sauce; it was crusty on the outside and so fluffy and pillow-y on the inside. - Red Pizza [GET]: The pizza was huge, enough to feed 2 people with 8 slices. The crust was so crispy, and the dough was so chewy. Just look at how shiny the pizza looks. There are tons of cheese on top and you can see the olive oil oozing and drizzling from it, seriously divine. The cheese pull was insane. We added sausages and mushrooms on the pizza sausage, which was juicy and delicious. It is one of the tastiest pizzas I've had in Richmond. The pizza is on the greasier side though, so we only managed to have three slices each. Make sure to eat the pizza fast before it gets cold and soggy. Ambiance: 4.25/5 - It is tiny inside, got an old school Italy vibe and with a small bar. However, it's cozy and a perfect spot for a date night. Dinamo only has around 8-9 tables, so make sure to make a reservation. We sat right next to the kitchen and was able to observe the chef prepping the food. The table was cool as well. There was a story printed on it too, about a boy that loves ketchup very much, LOL. There's only street parking near the VCU campus, but it was not that too hard to find one. Price: 4/5 - Portions are massive here, and we had leftovers, and that's rare for us, since we eat a lot. The seafood squid ink pasta was $32, and the red pizza was $18, and each additional topping is $1 extra. Prices are highly than I expected, but I think it's fair for what's given. Service: 4/5 - Our server was average, not the friendliest or the most engaging, but she was fast and efficient. She was quick at giving us the extra portion of bread and got us the parmesan cheese and chili flakes. The food came out relatively fast and piping hot and steamy, so not complaining. BLUF: One of the best squid ink pastas I've had in Richmond. I highly recommend ordering the calamari and shrimp squid ink pasta, and that should be the reason to visit Dinamo. The tomato sauce and the seafood juice just work wonderfully together, literally too dangerous. I would probably not go for the pizza, but pasta definitely a yes if I return again. read more

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One of the better dining experiences I have had in months. We arrived for our reservation (reservations for dinner here are a must) and were promptly seated. I had informed the restaurant when I called that one of our party would be in a wheelchair and they remembered to set the table up for easy access. It sounds silly to start off like this, but I have to say the side salads were really good! Really crisp and tasty house made dressing and a large, generous variety of very fresh veg. I was seriously happy with this, more than seems reasonable in hindsight! I gotta get out more..... On to the mains -- my tagliatelle bolognese was perfect. The pasta was cooked to just the right texture, and the sauce was the best I have had since, well, since I ate in Ed's other local restaurants, before the pandemic. The pizza that my friend ordered was really flavorful, with a well cooked crust and lots of toppings. Best in Richmond? Maybe not, but I can't sit here and name 5 better ones. And the crab cakes that my Dear Love ordered were perfectly breaded, perfectly seasoned, and perfectly cooked. The only puzzling thing was the amount of greenery they were buried under -- like a salad amount of baby arugula -- but this was easily removed and the excess ignored. Even the highballs we ordered -- good bourbon on the rocks for me -- were generous pours and good quality stuff. Service was spot-on. Noise level is impossible, so it's not good for a quiet date night. But it is just the ticket for a nice sharable dinner. read more

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Such an amazing dining option, especially if you're going to go to a show at the Altria (we went before seeing Tina)! Clearly many people going to the show had the same idea as the restaurant was PACKED to the brim. We got a wide variety of food from the white pizza to the gnocchi (must get) to their tagliatelle (SO good) and one of their flat breads. I also had a cannoli at the end and it was delightful and my husband had their tiramisu and was obsessed. The restaurant itself is VERY tightly packed and loud, so if you're not looking for that kind of vibe, it might not be your cup of tea. Our seats were literally boxed in by the bar seats, but all of the restaurant patrons were so friendly and clearly used to this setup so it wasn't an issue as people just moved out of our way if we needed to get up. All in all, I highly recommend! read more

This gem of a little Italian, quasi, Russian boutique restaurant is situated across the street from the South end of the VCU Monroe campus and i easily walkable from areas surrounding the college. Quaint decor and a delightful staff are just the setting; the heart of the establishment is their cocktails and incredible food. If you're a chicken liver lover, then you will be in heaven with their offering; a stylish, and plentiful, presentation of six large slices of fresh crostini generously topped with the aforementioned whipped delight, will definitely please those looking for a unique way to start a meal. Beware though; after ordering and before appetizers arrive, you're presented with a warm loaf of their wonderful bread and olive oil which is very tempting to dive into should you not fully realize what is about to arrive. No kidding; both the bread and then the Chicken Liver Pate are wonderful and you will want to imbibe on both counts. Because it IS an Italian restaurant, we had to jump in on the Calamari Napolenta with the Squid Ink Fettucine. Oh what a wonderful red sauce, chock full of fresh and expertly cooked Calamari over that delicious pasta. I am mouth watering just remembering how wonderful this dish smelled (and then tasted), upon arrival. The specials (a whole Branzino or Beef Short Ribs) sounded wonderful, but we had our heart set on their highly praised standards. I just wish we lived closer to make a quick return to try their other delights and specials, but we only make it to Richmond a few times each year. We will, however, be back on our next trip! read more

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Very pleased. I had the squid-ink fettuccini; my wife had a mildly spicy seafood soup with couscous that was a special. We both loved it. They served a good red in tumblers (!) so the place was not pretentious. The place was crowded but service was good. I'd recommend a seat at the short side of the bar to get an awesome kitchen view. read more

We go to Dinamo for special occasions!! The Pasta and seafood dishes are so delicious that we ask for extra bread to sop up all the sauce! The tiramisu is the best I've ever had! The service is always exceptional! Our water glass is always refilled and the food is brought out fresh and hot! We are so grateful to have such a great restaurant nearby! Highly recommend this place! read more

Another visit, another unsurprisingly amazing meal. This place just seemingly doesn't miss the mark, continuously solidifying itself as my favorite Italian cuisine AND restaurant in Richmond. read more

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Good ambiance! Feels like we are in New York. Pasta and pizza. With many veggie options.

Thoroughly impressed with Dinamo! Went last night for a Galentines dinner because a friend recommended it. We started with the mussels in their garlic sauce which was SO good. Literally asked for more bread just to dip in the sauce. Wasn't an awful price point either at $17. We all ordered cocktails as well which were very strong but I enjoyed mine. I got the Mic Drop which was like an Old Fashioned. For my entree, I got the lasagna and woah. I've never had anything like it. It was super flavorful, rich and complex. There were peas in it which initially made me question the dish but everything tied together perfectly. The inside is really intimate, great for a date night but wouldn't suggest if you have a larger party bc there's not a ton of elbow room. Will definitely be back! read more

Dinamo - Mussels Marinara - Seafood Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Later night walk in and was promptly welcomed. Tiny, homey space. We sat adjacent to the open kitchen and watched Chef work. Amazing bread, beans, and half roasted chicken with some *dirty* tiramisu made the meal spectacular. Thanks Dinamo, will be back. read more

This place is AMAZING. Everything is delicious, including the drinks. The space has a intimate setting that's perfect for date nights or family get together. Service was solid, too. read more

Dinamo - Squid Ink Fettuccine w/ Calamari Napoletana - Seafood Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I enjoy spots like this... intimate holes in the wall with good food. How long has Dinamo been open now? Years, but this is the first time I've been. Why? Because the menu does not appeal to me at all. A friend selected this spot for us to get together, and I wasn't looking forward to it because I knew there was nothing on the menu that I wanted to try. Starting off, we tried to find a bold red, something we both like. We tried two as recommended, and neither were good. In fact, to me, they were both downright awful. Vinegar-y and tart. I skipped on wine altogether. I almost went safe and ordered pizza. I don't order pizza. I instead went a little less safe and got the rigatoni bolognese. We shared the Heart of Palm, Chickpeas & Flatbread appetizer, and he got the rockfish. The appetizer was delicious... the flatbread amazing! If the flatbread is that good, the pizza must really be great. My rigatoni was just okay. The rockfish was good. The chocolate torte for dessert was just okay. I don't think I will be a repeat customer at Dinamo... just too many other restaurants that I love more, but this is a solid choice if you see something on the menu you like, and very "Richmond." read more

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Clam Roasted Red Peppers w/ Bufala Mozzarella & Anchovy. Clam not on menu we just ordered it and both were delicious, the pesto gnocchi was also delicious Fish was over cooked and red pasta was also less to desired. read more

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Ok really nice spot near VCU. My daughter wanted to check it out. First parking is tough right on a busy street. On a Thursday though we found parking on Cary. Warning you have to pay off an app on your phone. I am old and old school so would have taken me days to figure out. Luckily with my daughter who understands that stuff and she entered on the app. Quick point. To the city of Richmond. Have an old peoples way to pay. I suggest 10 cents for two hours. I digress. We went in. Seemed hipster cool. I am not hipster cool so was apprehensive. They had a little bar like setup so we decided no wait let's sit there. This was a quick meal and the bar location did not disappoint. The cook was working hard and it was entertaining watching him work. Quick meal so we both got pizza. One white and one red. Both good and on my pizza scale would definitely get again and again. I am a pizza snob so it was very good. The bread to start was really good Really good. Did not try the other meals but when come back to dine will try the more "involved meals". Off my experience would absolutely recommend. read more

Bit of a disappointment last night. I wanted that awesome Chocolate Espresso Torte with Italian Cherries & Whipped Cream. I thought I might get some Pizza, too. So I parked in front of the store and called it in. I was told no Chocolate Espresso Torte with Italian Cherries & Whipped Cream. Bummer. That was my primary reason for going there. The man taking my order suggested Tiramisu. I reluctantly accepted. I had a 25 minute wait in front of the store, then went to the door, paid, and collected my food. At home, I ate 2 slices of Pizza. I've reviewed the Pizza before; no need to be redundant. On to the Tiramisu. OMG! It wasn't as good as the Chocolate Espresso Torte with Italian Cherries & Whipped Cream, but was unquestionably the best Tiramisu I could recall. I ate it gently with my own Coffee and Icewater. If you like Tiramisu, you owe it to yourself to go to Dinamo. Tiramisu on steroids! read more

Dinamo - Dinamo: Tiramisu ready to eat! - Seafood Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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My husband and I went with two other couples and everyone raved about their meal! The restaurant is quite small, so I highly recommend reservations. It is simple, not fancy. Perfect for a date night or night out with friends. Our server was attentive and kept the wine flowing! I didn't get pictures of everything but here's some of what the table had: - crostini with smoked whitefish (I don't eat seafood, but my husband said it might have been his favorite thing all night) - roasted red peppers with bufala mozzarella - incredibly tasty and fresh - swiss chard - we all wondered what was so special about swiss chard and why it was $17. then we took a bite and didn't wonder anymore. absolutely delicious. - ricotta gnocchi burro e parmigiano - this was my entree and it was amazing. when I took the first bite and it felt like the pillowy cloud of gnocchi melted in my mouth, I knew I had made a good choice. - calamari & shrimp with squid ink fettuccine - my husband's entree - tons of seafood! huge bowl of pasta - mussels marinara - my friend's entree - more mussels than you could imagine - red pizza - just before our entrees arrived, I want a little crazy and ordered a red pizza too (might have been the wine talking). shared with the table and we all said it was the best pizza we've ever had. zero regrets. read more

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Oh Gosh. Our family of 4 so wanted to love this place, but each of our dishes was way too salty. Even though we all drank tons of water at dinner and after dinner, we all awoke the next morning super dehydrated due to our meals. We won't be back, but the service was nice. read more

The food is amazing. It's an experience with a chef that is obviously passionate about his art. Highly recommend.

The waitress was so rude. We were here for the first time and she never told us we would be on one check. Then when we asked she snapped at us and told us that was not possible. We asked why she snapped again and took our cards! Food was amazing but would never return!!! read more

So good!! The restaurant is tiny, so definitely get there early and/or expect a wait but the wait in so worth it. I got the ricotta gnocchi and it was amazing. The other two I was with got the bolognese and it was also delicious. It was such a great little Italian find. The tiramisu was great way to end the meal. read more

Dinamo - Tiramisu - Seafood Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Reservation is a must, space is rather small. Food is delicious. We will certainly be back.