Edo's Squid
A beloved Richmond gem serving authentic Italian cuisine with a strong emphasis on seafood in a cozy, speakeasy-like atmosphere.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Edo's Squid
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved Richmond gem serving authentic Italian cuisine with a strong emphasis on seafood in a cozy, speakeasy-like atmosphere.
"You won't find a better Italian dining experience anywhere. Edo has been a Richmond gem for a long time."
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance, especially for larger parties, as seating is limited and the restaurant is popular.
Portion Control
Main dishes are generously sized; consider family-style sharing to enjoy a variety of flavors.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian, Seafood
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Italian & Seafood Delights
Experience a true taste of Italy with generous portions of classic dishes and outstanding seafood, creating a memorable culinary journey.
Cozy & Charming Speakeasy Ambiance
Discover a hidden gem with a unique, old-school charm, tucked away and offering an intimate dining experience.
Generous Portions & Shareable Plates
Indulge in hearty, large portions perfect for sharing, making it an ideal spot for family-style dining.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance, especially for larger parties, as seating is limited and the restaurant is popular.
Portion Control
Main dishes are generously sized; consider family-style sharing to enjoy a variety of flavors.
Embrace the Buzz
The intimate setting can be lively and loud; arrive early or during off-peak hours to avoid crowds.
Explore the Specials
Always check the handwritten specials board for unique and delicious seasonal offerings.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance, especially for larger parties, as seating is limited and the restaurant is popular.
Portion Control
Main dishes are generously sized; consider family-style sharing to enjoy a variety of flavors.
Embrace the Buzz
The intimate setting can be lively and loud; arrive early or during off-peak hours to avoid crowds.
Explore the Specials
Always check the handwritten specials board for unique and delicious seasonal offerings.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Edo's Squid is celebrated for its consistently delicious and authentic Italian cuisine, particularly its fresh seafood and generous portions that are perfect for sharing. Diners rave about the outstanding service and the cozy, old-school ambiance that transports them to Italy. However, the intimate space can get quite loud, and some have experienced slow service, which detracts from an otherwise exceptional dining experience.
"Awesome experience! Very large portions. Get ready for lots of garlic. House wine was well priced and a nice pour. Crowded but intimately so, but be careful if you can't stand loud noise or other humans very close to you. Lots of steps to get up to the restaurant. I was really into the old photos in the stairway!"
Ash Andrews
"EdoSquid is always a great choice — the food is consistently delicious. We always enjoy the broccoletti, and they have so many great seafood options, like the clam dishes, linguine and clams, halibut or rockfish with a side of pasta, and the Diablo shrimp or Diablo fish. Always a great meal!"
Fred B
"You won't find a better Italian dining experience anywhere. Edo has been a Richmond gem for a long time. Every time I've come here, the food has been exquisite. This time, the stand-out dish was the skatefish! I could have just ordered it as my main dish instead of an appetizer. The Monk fish Diablo was pretty tasty as well. We stopped in before going to see Mama Mia for a great dinner. It's kind of a hard find and looks like a bit of a dive, going up a long flight of steps, but once you walk in, it does have a bit of charm to it. There is a very small bar to the left and then sitting everywhere else. The seating is tight, so you will be close to other tables. Service is always top knotch! Great servers that will lead you through their specials. Always have specials on the walls. You can't go wrong with Edo's!"
Anthony Couillard
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for larger groups, as the restaurant has limited seating and is very popular.
The restaurant has a cozy, intimate, and old-school ambiance with exposed brick walls, reminiscent of an Italian speakeasy.
Yes, many diners note that the main dishes and appetizers come in generous portions, often suitable for sharing.
Absolutely! Edo's Squid is known for its strong seafood program, offering a variety of squid dishes and other fresh catches.
Diners often recommend the skatefish, mixed seafood pasta (with squid, mussels, clams, and fish), and various calamari preparations.
The restaurant is known to be lively and can get quite loud due to its intimate setting and hard surfaces, so it might not be ideal for a very quiet meal.
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A classic Italian meal can be had at Edo’s, where a table during prime dinner time can be hard to nab. Heaping plates of spaghetti alla puttanesca, grilled branzino, and seafood penne can easily be split into two meals, but the restaurant’s friendly atmosphere and flowing glasses of wine make diners want to kick back and stay awhile, almost as if you’re eating at a friend’s home. Like the child of an old-school osteria and an Italian speakeasy, Edo’s is hidden behind a staircase and unmarked door, but despite its entrance, there’s no pretension here; just like its ingredients, this spot knows how to keep it simple.
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As you climb the carpeted staircase to this beloved local haunt, you might wonder if you’re entering a broom closet or a speakeasy, but that’s all part of Edo’s charm. Even after decades in business, the Italian restaurant in the city’s Fan neighborhood hasn’t shaken its appeal as a hidden gem. Diners can share dishes like roasted red peppers with fresh mozzarella, crab spaghetti, and squid Napoletana selected from handwritten chalkboard menus.
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Walking up the narrow staircase, cozying up to a window seat along the exposed brick wall, sipping on Chianti from a juice glass as servers peel knobs of garlic at nearby tables — the setting screams Fellini movie, but it’s Richmond’s own Edo’s Squid. This Fan institution is old-school Italian in all the right ways. Always scout the specials list hanging on the wall, but never skip the scungilli or braised fennel.
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Rating: 4.0/5 Location: 411 N Harrison St, Richmond, VA 23220-3614Timings: Tue- Sat 4:00 pm - 9:00 pmPrice: $$ - $$$Must Try: Monkfish Fra Diavolo Edo' Squid presents a fusion of Italian food and seafood where it also offers vegetarian options. It is a cozy little restaurant with a bar at the entrance. Reservations are highly recommended for bigger parties.
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This iconic Richmond spot charms guests with its cozy ambiance and delectable offerings. You truly can’t go wrong with anything you order here, but the penne gorgonzola is my favorite!. Edo Squid’s inviting atmosphere creates the perfect setting for an intimate dining experience, where guests can savor each bite while surrounded by rustic charm.
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- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (366 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian, Seafood- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 411 N Harrison St, Richmond, VA 23220-3614- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: Homes for sale in Richmond at every price point
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Among Richmond’s Italian restaurants, Edo’s Squid brings the strongest seafood program. As the name implies, you’ll find lots of squid on the menu (fried, in a salad, or napoletana, among others), though the mixed seafood pasta is a crowd favorite. That’s squid, mussels, clams, and fish over penne or spaghetti!
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Enter a nondescript, converted Fan row house and climb the rather nondescript staircase. Open the door with the muffled cacophony of voices behind it and enter a portal to Italy. Since opening in the early 2000s, Edo’s Squid has focused on no-frills, authentic Italian cuisine.
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This hidden gem serves up some of the best Italian food in RVA. While you may feel like you are walking up the stairs into a broom closet, don’t be fooled. Once you try Edo’s Squid, you will fall in love with this rustic and romantic hole-in-the-wall restaurant.
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411 N Harrison St, Richmond, VA 23220Phone: 804-864-5488 Visit Website. A post shared by Edo’s Squid (@edossquid). Edo’s Squid is an Italian restaurant near Virginia Commonwealth University and the Institute for Contemporary Art.
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– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (361 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.0/5)– Type of cuisine: Italian, Seafood– Price: $$ – $$$– Address: 411 N Harrison St, Richmond, VA 23220-3614
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411 N Harrison St, Richmond, VA 23220 Website | Facebook | Photo: FB. Edo’s Squid serves delicious Italian food in a casual setting. Unsurprisingly, there are quite a few squid dishes to choose from.
Best Local Italian Restaurant
For the sixth year in a row and the seventh time ever, Edo’s Squid has been named Best Local Italian.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit