How is Dino's Grotto restaurant rated?

Name: Dino's Grotto
Address: 1914 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, United States, 20001
Telephone: (202) 686-2966
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.4

Dino's Grotto

4.4

507 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Top Tags:

Dino's Grotto is a reflection of Chef/Owner Dean Gold’s passion for the simple foods he loves when dining at small, family~owned restaurants off the beaten path in Italy. Our cuisine has an Italian sensibility with foods simply prepared. Food made with ingredients that are responsibly farmed & fished, sustainable & traditional. Foods that reflect a culture, place & time. We support a small network of local family farms to provide as much of our produce & meat as possible. Our meats are local, our seafood sustainable, our produce at peak of season. Come taste the difference our passion makes!

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Italian, Wine Bar, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Hours of operation
Dinner Monday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Tuesday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Wednesday: Speakeasy Popup in the Grotto Bar Only {no reservations, regular menu not served} Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Friday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Sunday Dinner 4:00pm til 9:30pm Sunday Brunch: 12:00pm - 4:00pm;
Phone number
(202) 686-2966
Website
http://www.dinosgrotto.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Dean Gold
Private party facilities
Capacity: 76 seats total; bar area can accommodate 30 seated, 50 standing.We can accommodate parties from 8 to 16 for special dinners. We can design a menu and drinks to suit your needs. For larger groups, you can buy out either the Grotto Bar or the entire restaurant. There is no separate rental charge, just the food and beverage minimums.You can buy out the entire dining room as follows:Sunday: $3,500 | Monday-Thursday: $3,000 | Friday: $6,500 | Saturday: $7,000Dining Room Capacity is 53, 70 with rental tablesYou can buy out the Grotto Bar as follows:Sunday: $1,750 | Monday-Thursday: $1,500 | Friday: $3,000 | Saturday: $3,000Grotto Bar Seated Capacity is 25l Standing Capacity is 50Please note, these amounts are a food and beverage minimum and do not include tax or gratuity
Private party contact
Dean Gold : (202) 686-2966

Location
1914 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20001
Neighborhood
Shaw
Cross street
Between T & U Street NW
Parking details
There is street parking in the area, but please beware of signage in residential neighborhoods. Your best bets are 9th Street Northbound, T Street Eastbound, S Street, and Vermont Avenue southbound. There are pay lots: 7th & T, 8th Street North of V, and a new Valet parking facility at 8th & V. There is a pay lot in the alley next door to the Howard theater.
Public transit
Green Yellow Line: <br />Shaw Howard<br />or U Street Cardozo
Entertainment
None
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 507 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4

4.4 based on all time ratings

4.4Food
4.3Service
4Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

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FF
FlooterFoodie
Washington DC
11 reviews
2.0
11 reviews
Dined on January 28, 2019
overall2food2service2ambience2
Disappointed. We hadn’t been to Dino’s since it moved from Cleveland Park. When we were there we had an outstanding experience including a memorable burger we thought was like the best burger ever! Tonight’s burger was nothin like that fabulous creation. My friend had veal parmesan served oddly with root vegetables. The veal was ridiculously over cooked and the vegetables were not complementary. Other friend was very happy with her Wagyu beef. The two cocktails my friends had were overly sweetened and they would not have ordered them if the drink menu had mentioned simple syrup being the main ingredient.. Overall, not worth the battle of parking to go to Dino’s Grotto. I wish them well, however. I will always remember that fabulous experience I had previously in Cleveland Park.
AH
ArtH
Washington DC
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 27, 2019
overall5food5service4ambience5
Good food and service. Service was a tad bit slow but not disappointed at all.
LG
LizG
Washington DC
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on January 27, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Dino's Grotto is always a fantastic evening of awesome food, excellent wine, and wonderful service. They treated us extremely well for Restaurant Week (though I can honestly say I've never had a bad experience here). It was great to come with other folks so we could all share our food. Every dish at The Grotto is worth tasting, and the hardest part is always deciding what to get! Highly recommend for a date night, a celebration, or a casual evening with friends.
MF
MattF
Washington DC
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 27, 2019
overall4food5service3ambience5
Food was great, atmosphere was great but they need another server. Took about 20 minutes before we had our water.
VJ
VJPR
Washington DC
17 reviews
vip
2.0
17 reviews
Dined on January 26, 2019
overall2food2service1ambience2
Loud, ordinary food, expensive for what you got, service mediocre to poor. And don’t order the strawberry limoncello!
TL
TLP3
Washington DC
21 reviews
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on January 26, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience4
We always have a wonderful experience at Dino's Grotto! We really appreciate the extras, like the amuses bouche and the seasonal 'cello, and of course, the food we order is always delicious. The inclusion of orange wine on the menu is fun and different from other restaurants. This is my favorite Italian restaurant in the area!
M
Mistresskittie
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 21, 2019
overall4food4service5ambience5
Service was great. They didn't have enough bread for extra for the evening. The Brussel sprouts we ordered to have without pancetta was served with pancetta.
EI
ElizabethI
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 21, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
We loved our restaurant week meal at Dino's Grotto! Their menu had great choices (and they were accommodating for my no-dairy diet. The cozy restaurant is warm and welcoming, though a bit noisy when full. They brought us out homemade strawberry-chella after the meal which was a delightful addition to the already-enjoyable experience.
RV
RuVe
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 21, 2019
overall4food4service3ambience4
Overall, although the food was good, the service was subpar. I realize it was restaurant week, but it was at the tailend, which should mean they've got it together by then. Both with the appetizer and the main, they were missing one. Both times. I had to wait for my appetizer and my friend had to wait for her main. The food was good overall, but I can't get over how frantic the service was.
SZ
StephanieZ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 20, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Such amazing food and service, would definitely go again
A
Aubrey
Western NC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 20, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Their gluten-free pasta is amazing. Highly recommend the lobster pasta dish and the burrata!
KJ
KatherineJ
Charleston
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on January 20, 2019
overall1food1service1ambience1
The food was horrible. I had heard great things about this place and came on restaurant week (so maybe that's why). But it was not authentic Italian food at all. Every course was incredibly disappointing.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
21 reviews
4.0
21 reviews
Dined on January 19, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience2
The food and service were excellent, we came for restaurant week!! The atmosphere was not what I was expecting, it was a little less formal than you would, but overall still a great find.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on January 18, 2019
overall3food2service2ambience3
Not great value. I came for restaurant week - the amuse and the appetizers were actually very good, but the entree and dessert were horrendous. We were offered the wrong food 3 times - the third time prompting the waiter to roll his eyes at me for saying that wasn’t what I ordered. Not a great experience.
TH
TriciaH
New England
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 18, 2019
overall4food5service4ambience4
A great deal for restaurant week. Wonderful options for both meat lovers and vegetarians alike. Will definitely be back!
L
Lisa
San Diego
28 reviews
vip
4.0
28 reviews
Dined on January 12, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience3
Dino's is always an excellent Italian meal. The food is authentic, tasty and generouslly portioned. The Italian wines offered are diverse, offbeat and excellent. The place is space challenged, but comfortable when not too crowded. I preferred the old space on Connecticut Ave much more, but this is closer to home. The service is good to very good and always with a warm attitude. In this age, it is nice to go to a place that feels real and offers real cuisine at a good price. Thanks!
S
Stefan
Washington DC
8 reviews
1.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 10, 2019
overall1food1service2ambience2
Extermely disappointing- this is a much inferior restaurant to the Dino I used to know in Cleveland Avenue. We had booked for a group of six on a slow Wednesday, only to be told that the menu would be reduced. This was an understatement-essentially there was only pasta, and definitely not prepared by the A-team. From a reasonably good neighborhood restaurant, this place seems to have lowered its standards to its new surroundings. I felt embarrassed to have invited my friends there-will never come back.
m
mariam
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience4
I love Dino’s Grotto, We have been going to their restaurant for years. They do have amazing food and great service. Very friendly.
FJ
FJCT
New York Area
21 reviews
4.0
21 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2018
overall4food3service4ambience4
We appreciated the great service on New Years Eve, thanking the employees for a nice experience.
d
debo
Washington DC
50 reviews
4.0
50 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2018
overall4food5service4ambience4
Absolutely outstanding! Fantastic food and one of the finest wine lists in Washington.
DC
DCDiner
Washington DC
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Dino's special Dinner with Frank was over the top! Delicious food, great service. We had a great time, thanks!
JG
JohnG
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great Service and food! Our server was helpful, had great wine recommendations, and the food was fantastic! This is definitely going to be one of our go-to spots from now on.
DL
DavidaLoca
Washington DC
19 reviews
vip
4.0
19 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2018
overall4food5service5ambience4
The food and service were excellent and we will definitely be back. However, a member of our party spotted an old strip of fly paper dangling behind a curtain and it changed the mood at the table a bit.
TW
TristaW
Washington DC
23 reviews
4.0
23 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience4
We aren't often in this part of town, so we forget about this restaurant. We always enjoy our meals here. It can be crowded and loud, but the house-made pastas are excellent and the service friendly without being overbearing. If we lived or worked nearby we'd be regulars.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 27, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
I often go to Dino and happily eat at the bar. But this time, I had a friend from put of town visiting, and o was super happy to share the great food and service with them.
CS
ChelseaS
Washington DC
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 25, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Dino's is our go-to spot for any and every occasion! We love the warm hospitality (feels like family!), fresh, locally sourced food (the menu is always adapting to what's in season) and the extensive wine list. My husband has several allergies: gluten, soy, dairy and eggs - and Dino's is always able to accommodate him with a wide variety of options. We love to come back frequently because the seasonal menu is always changing, but we can also always rely on some of our classic favorites like duck lasagna. Two of our favorite occasions at the Grotto are Christmas Eve and truffle season!
DC
DCinDC
Washington DC
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 24, 2018
overall4food3service5ambience5
Feast of Seven Fishes dinner started with fried cod that was unremarkable. A salad of seafood featured scallops so small they appeared to be chickpeas. No unique flavor. Pan-fried sardines were similarly nondescript. Meal picked up when a tomato-saffron seafood stew appeared, alongside a grilled branzino. Great ambience, location, service and value - so perhaps it would be best to revisit this joint on a night that's not a set menu.
KJ
KhaliJ
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 24, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
We went to Dino’s Grotto for the feast of the seven fishes on Christmas Eve. The meal was great. I can’t wait to go again next year.
G
Glenda
Washington DC
31 reviews
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on December 21, 2018
overall5food5service4ambience5
Great italian food - an amazing variety of pastas! Love the truffle add on option!
PR
PatriciaR
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 16, 2018
overall5food5service4ambience5
The Feast of the 7 Fishes is a traditional family outing and Dino's Grotto did not disappoint. The food was delicious and I loved the suggested winesA!
W
Wonderful
Washington DC
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on December 16, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was excellent as was the service. The Duck dish was terrific!
LS
LS2012
Washington DC
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 15, 2018
overall4food4service5ambience5
Dino's Grotto was great! We had the crab balls, which were small but very good, and the lobster pasta and Garlic Lover's Basil & Walnut Pesto. The lobster pasta was amazing and I would go back just for that! Service was good and the staff was friendly.
EW
EricaW
Washington DC
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2018
overall3food3service3ambience4
The pasta is ok but it is in a cozy little room that has good wintery vibes. The wine list is pretty big and we had a very good but not super expensive bottle of red wine.
V
Visitor
Washington DC
55 reviews
vip
4.0
55 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience4
Have meant to try Dino’s for years, finally did, was excellent and will be back. Pasta perfect. Fish (mahi mahi) superb if a bit small. Wines by 8oz glass quite nice. Service warm and welcoming.
HL
HarlanL
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent food.
KM
KristynM
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service. We shared the hannakah meal and every food dish was delicious! The restaurant was clean and inviting.
KM
KarenM
Washington DC
6 reviews
vip
2.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 2, 2018
overall2food2service4ambience1
New location definitely a downgrade in numerous ways but still charge tons of money. Menu resembled menu from old location but food was using cheap ingredients, was prepared badly, tried to cover up a lot with overuse of salt, and in some instances was literally inedible. Ambiance was like an old kitchen with formica counters and vinyl floors before you remodel. Definitely not worth the money charged. What happened. Too bad.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 2, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was wonderful!
RM
RachelM
Washington DC
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 2, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our bartender downstairs was really attentive, and the noise level was much better too; it was quieter than upstairs in the crowded dining room.
TA
TAGis
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 1, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
A friend suggested this restaurant. It was nothing short of amazing. This is the closest I've had to authentic Italian vibes and cuisine in the states.

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Dino's Grotto is rated 4.4 stars by 507 OpenTable diners.