Hard to believe the last time I was here was three or four years ago for brunch. That was before I was doing yelp reviews lol. I remember we enjoyed brunch, but I don't think there was anything that really blew us away. I do remember we were seated near the door and it was freezing! That unfortunately hasn't changed too much. I think it's hard to go here when the temperatures are cold. This time It was slightly better because we were seated to the right of the door if you're facing the restaurant near a window. Great view for people watching and nice little spot but the supposed heater that was next to our table didn't add too much heat. I couldn't take my coat off until we were eating our main courses but my husband seemed fine with it. The atmosphere is a modern botanical vibe and I think it plays more to its stellar drink lineup and tapas than it does a traditional three course meal. My Yelp buddy Lena was spot on about the drinks. My husband ordered a dance macabre (an Earl Grey infused scotch with pink peppercorn infused soju, Grand Marnier lavender, and orange & lemon bitters) and since I am more of a bourbon fan, I just ordered a Malbec but when I tasted my husband's DM I thought it was so good I had to order one for myself and gave my wine to someone else. I wasn't planning on having hard liquor that night, but it was so amazing. I really wanna go back another time just to have the drink. If you're not an Earl Gray fan though maybe u might want to pass, but my husband's not a tea person ordinarily and he couldn't stop raving, so it might be worth a shot The Tapas we ordered was very enjoyable: . Eggroll birria Whipped feta Fried zucchini Our mains were miss and hit. Our friends enjoyed the honey badger but my husband and I thought the solita double burger was not very good. Completely unseasoned so tasted like boring ground beef and overdone. The tomato jam and the aoli was only thing saving it and it needed way more of it. I got the grain bowl which was fine but nothing special. Would come back for drinks and tapas. The service on this night was great though. Small lag between drinks and apps but we didn't mind because we were killing time before VCU bball game. If you don't imbibe any spirits, it can be a reasonable tab as well. read more

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Bar Solita officially has my heart for brunch! The atmosphere in the Arts District is unmatched, and the service was top-tier. What I ordered: Steak Caesar Wrap: Seriously delicious. Espresso Martini: Perfectly balanced and a must-try. I've been sleeping on this place for too long, but it's definitely going into the regular rotation. Don't skip this one if you're looking for great vibes near Downtown Richmond! read more

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I've been to Bar Solita several times over the years. Brunch is great and I've been for Thanksgiving, as well. Recently, I went with a friend on a weeknight and were seated right away. We got some appetizers to share and there seemed to be no wrong choices. The fried zucchini were super crispy and the lemon aioli to dip was great, the birria egg rolls were very tasty, and the papas bravas were crunchy and delicious. They also have a selection of local beer and cider, as well as wine and cocktails. Service was pretty quick and our server was very friendly. It's also decorated so nicely for Christmas! read more

Walked in on a Monday evening. It was not busy at that time. Got seated right away. Bar Solita is spacious. It has a high ceiling and second floor. Our server Ben was attentive and checked in on us multiple times, making sure we got everything we needed. Food is 4/5. Chicken alfredo and chicken romesco were okay. Coffee and kahlua cheesecake was okay too but tasted a little weird to me. Overall, service and vibe were great. read more

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**Richmond Restaurant Week review** I have only had tapas and sandwiches at Bar Solita previously so it was nice to try their more sophisticated dishes. The restaurant itself is beautiful inside and perfect for a date night or grabbing drinks with friends. We did feel a bit rushed but that's understandable for restaurant week. The Cuban egg rolls were delicious and packed with flavor. The broth for the mussels was too runny and diluted for my liking but the mussels themselves were tender. The duck breast dish was pretty outstanding - the flavor profile was very autumnal. The shrimp scampi relied heavily on the sun-dried tomatoes for flavor. The desserts were both good - the cranberry mousse was more memorable. read more

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Small dining area but very comfortable and inviting environment. Food and drink menu is decent, prices are reasonable. Service was ok.

Bar Solita was conveniently located downstairs from our Airbnb. While always a plan for brunch, the proximity made it even better. 5 stars alone for great interior/décor and overall vibes. They had a variety menu for brunch, cocktails included. We ordered a bloody mary-spicy and with "the works" plus a "solita" mule with vodka, passionfruit, pineapple, and ginger beer. The bloody mary didn't feel totally tomato-ey and the color alone was way off...I don't know if that was due to the "spicy" or the "works". The solita mule was okay- definitely was just a poured over drinks, discovered upon first sip when you got all one juice and not a mixed drink. Nothing to blow us out of the water, for either. We ordered the huevos rancheros (over easy eggs, crumbled sausage, beans, avocado salsa, feta cheese and two fried corn tortillas). This was solid, in presentation, taste, and left me wishing it was an order of four fried tortillas to scoop my entire meal up with an accompanying crunch but I made sparse with my two. We got the Honey badger (roasted red pepper pesto, bacon, smoke gouda, spinach, hot honey, pickled fennel on ciabatta) and added on grilled chicken. This also came with fries. While I didn't try the honey badger, it looked amazing and from the empty plate and our dialogue, it was good. The fries were seasoned and thin- also good and made it a full meal. Because I love a little sweet with my savory, we threw in the side of two small pancakes, that were in fact...not that small. The pancakes were the size of a plate and while my preference is waffles (which based on another table-it's a solid one), I pleased the table with the flat round kind. Not my favorite- I felt like you could taste the buttermilk (?) or something of that like in them. They had a bit of a tang to them and a bubbly texture. It sorta did the job but next time I'd do waffle instead...unless it's the same batter and then I might skip all together tbh. Considered Mediterranean inspired when you google them, it wasn't necessarily felt at brunch but maybe it's a dinner thing (?), still to be determined. Almost 5 stars but the drinks (and the pancakes) left something to be desired, the service was spotty with our server forgetting our requests after the food hit our table and it didn't seem like we were the only ones with the issue. Would probably go back to try dinner, they have a ton of windows, and I can imagine the menu and vibe hit a little different. read more

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Went here before for brunch and loved it, went for a Tuesday night date night and it was really cute! Got lamb lollipops, crab stuffed mushrooms and birria egg rolls. The lamb was literally to die for, the best lamb I have ever had. Definitely will be coming back! read more

Bar Solita - Birria Eggrolls - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We came to Bar Solita on a Saturday night around 7. It wasn't super busy at the moment but the hostess made us sit at the bar anyway because there were "large groups coming in soon". There were 4 of us btw. The bar seating wasn't comfortable at all but at least they had TVs? Law & Order SVU was playing. Our bartender/server had major nervous energy but he was very sweet. It took him a minute to get through our orders. I ordered the Peach Daydream which I didn't love. It had a smoky taste to it. I drank it anyway. The crispy zucchini was more crispy than zucchini but fine. The Birria Eggroll and Double Burgers were very good though. My friends ordered the Alfredo, Ravioli and Salmon -- all seemingly good reviews. I spent about $100 for two of us so not bad! read more

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Okay so the first time I came here I would've given it a 4.2. Me and my friends were in town for a wedding and we had so many pitchers and shots!! The staff were super attentive and everything flowed.... This next experience was a little trickier however. I wish I could give half ratings because they deserve more than 3 , but not 4 lol. Let's start with the food... still bussin BUT we had an incident with the kitchen. It took the waited forever to come back to our table to put our food order in (basically finished a pitcher before then). We ordered 6 oxtail & grits and the waited came and said that the chef miscounted and there were NONE left apparently... at 12:15 pm lol.... We were all super sad and then changed our orders. He later comes back (once we told him to go back there and find at least one because our friend who is pregnant really wanted it) and said there are 3 available but I took one for the team and didn't ask for one and kept my shrimp and grits order. The difference between the oxtail & grits and shrimp & grits was NIGHT AND DAY! The portion size was basically double but whatever, the food was bussin still I guess lol I just wish I had more on my plate. Everyone enjoyed their food for the most part expect for one friend who changed his order to lamb and grits and they really under delivered lol. His lamb lollipops were even smaller than the ones seen in the photo smh. The manager took 25% off the bill though! So I guess that was a win lol Ambiance is great for brunch or even a date. This experience was a littler worse but I can't say that I wouldn't go back lol definitely just read more

Bar Solita - Shrimp & Grits... 4/5... could've given me more grits at least - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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solid experience. waiter was kind & attentive. the vibe is green, calming & fun. it was popping on saturday for brunch & ppl had that sh!t AWNNN. sliders were fresh. though the arugula / patty / aioli ratio was off. fries were amazing, though! especially dunked in a side of aioli. the brunch burrito was allegedly very good. aperol spritz was refreshing. read more

Bar Solita - Solita Burger Doubles - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Had the worst drink of my life here. It has olive oil infused gin and way too much campari and was just gross.

Yummy birria eggrolls and im Mexican. So I approve. Also delicious double burgers ! Good service too read more

Bar Solita - Birria Eggrolls - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Start your experience with one of the unique drinks that Bar Solita offers and pair it with one of the many tapas options. Our group shared the crispy brussel sprouts and birria egg rolls and paired them with perfectly blended old fashioned cocktails. The restaurant was busy but not overly crowded. The friendly service was ok, but we had several lapses in taking in orders for drinks, apps and entrees. Not a big deal, we were busy catching up with our friends. Everyone enjoyed their entrees! The chicken romesco was done perfectly with a tangy pine nut tomato sauce and subtle smokey flavor. The four cheese ravioli had wonderfully balanced flavor. The honey badger that my wife ordered was ok, but would be better served with fresh greens. Bar Solita is a great place for young, old, large and small groups. The sound level is under control - it was easy to carry on a conversation. There was quite a variety of clientele - a great cross section of what we love about RVA! There is a small parking lot behind and on street parking. This is the second time we visited Bar Solita I highly recommend this RVA tradition. We will be back! read more

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Food was on point! Our server Carson was patient and awesome! The ambiance was great!

The staff was very friendly and accommodating! Very yummy cocktails! We came here for a late night drink and had a great experience! read more

Bar Solita - Atmosphere - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Drinks were amazing! Food was subpar! Pasta Arribiata- watery, canned tomatoes, no spice Caesar salad- soggy croutons, tiny portion, $12...looked more like a side. Waitstaff was kind! read more

Fav brunch spot in town- I've never had a bad meal or drink with chipotle aoli and breakfast sliders that are a deal and beyond read more

Bar Solita - Slider French Fries - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Nice staff but my friends and I left feeling like the food and drinks weren't that great. All of my food lacked salt, the caesar salad was not good, one of my friend's chicken sandwiches was rubbery, and the breakfast empanadas weren't worth it. It was also freezing in the restaurant! read more

One star for the decor and great music. The food is such a let down from my first visit some time ago. I ordered the arugula salad with steak. The arugula was spoiled and tasted sour. The steak was bland and burnt to a crisp. Tossing the salad in the dressing makes a big difference but regardless, if the base is spoiled it's already ruined. I ordered a Paloma that had zero grapefruit juice. One of the main ingredients. It was tequila & Jarritos. The taste was almost putrid. The space is beautiful but it's empty because the food menu is bland and lackluster, leaving so much to be desired. Sincerely disappointed. read more

Bar Solita - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Wonderfully designed, bright and open space. Service was attentive and friendly, and the food was outstanding. Beware, though. The menu isn't exactly honest about portion sizes. The "tapas" items are definitely full-size appetizers, and the "two small" burgers are bigger than most regular-size fast food burgers. Don't over order like we did. Or do over-order and have awesome leftovers to take home. The portion sizes make the prices a bargain! The whipped feta, birria eggrolls, papas bravas and burgers were all excellent. Creative cocktail menu, too. And killer happy hour food/drink specials. We'll definitely be back! read more

Went to Bar Solita for dinner and drinks with workmates after a business meeting. Unfortunately, it did not appear that the restaurant had enough servers for the number of large groups that showed up on a Monday night. I counted at least four large groups, including our group. This meant that our server had to run around a lot, and it took a little longer than I would expect for drink orders. Speaking of drink orders, we were surprised when we asked for Woodford Bourbon, and they were essentially out of what many would call a "staple" bourbon. The food was tasty and overall, our experience was not unpleasant. Maybe I will try Bar Solita again on a future business trip. read more

I've been to Bar Solita a few times but this most recent time wasn't all that good. I went for brunch with a party of 10, restaurant was moderately busy which does explain why the service was pretty slow. The drinks were pretty good, I had the Richmond express which is like an expresso martini. On another note the food was only mediocre, didn't come out hot and was only barely lukewarm. I wouldn't recommend Bar Solita for the food, only for drinks and a nice hang out. read more

This review is based off of one visit. We went for brunch. The place was very cute. I would definitely recommend making a reservation as this place seems pretty popular. With that being said, service is not fast. Our waiter was nice but didn't have the bandwidth to be super attentive based on the amount of people who had to serve. We got the breakfast empanadas and they were good. Probably not filling for the super hungry. I do wish they were a tad more toasty? I guess. The shrimp and grits were bland, at least on this day. The lamb lollipops were dry and overcooked-the sauce that came with them made them tolerable. Eggs and potatoes were good. Mimosa pitcher was $30 and was fine-they have different juice options. Ultimately, I'd like to give them another try. I'd love for the food to be as good as the aesthetic. read more

Bar Solita - Breakfast Empanadas - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Positive: service was professional and friendly, cocktails delicious Negative: wife and I both found the food to be bland and uninspired. They ask if you want your steak "pink or no pink" which to me indicates a lack of ability to cook a steak to the proper temperature. Wife ordered "pink" and steak was medium well. Did not enjoy the empanadas or churro. We sat outdoors which was a mistake. It's like sitting on the side of a highway but with more homeless people. If you go, definitely do inside. We didn't as it was mostly empty. It's expensive for the quality. Dinner for two with two drinks each after tip is $170. Summary: It's BAR solita. I don't hesitate to recommend for a cocktail but can't recommend the food. read more

Bar Solita was only okay for dinner. I came in with a large group and the staff was able to accommodate us well, however they don't allow splitting checks for large groups. I ordered the Greek salmon for dinner. The salmon itself was yummy, however I was underwhelmed by the couscous and broccolini. I don't think that this dish is worth the $28 tbh. My friends and I did appreciate the wine Wednesday deal (50% of bottles of wine). read more

Bar Solita - Greek Salmon - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We went there for brunch. Really great service, the food was also very good. I liked that they had vegan/vegetarian options as well as gluten-free. My only complaint was how cold it was in the restaurant. read more

Bar Solita - Huevos rancheros (sub tofu for sausage) and Old Bay Chicken biscuit. - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

The girls and I came here for birthday brunch on a Saturday. We did the mimosa flight ($32)which consists of a bottle of champagne and your pick of 4 different juices they offer! It was 4 of us and we did end up adding another bottle but we were celebrating so don't judge The ambience itself was stunning, the food and drinks were good as well! Only downfall for me was the bathrooms are down a flight of stairs so definitely don't wait until the last min to go lol. I recommend going early to avoid the crowds but all in all good service and would definitely go again read more

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Eh. Bar solita is an average if not forgettable spot for brunch and cocktails. I wouldn't make an attempt to come back but it does the job for what it's worth. The restaurant is able to accommodate larger groups but keep in mind their service is friendly but not speedy or very well planned. So you might have a few different people serving you and missing items like we did. The brunch itself lacks inspiration. I had a breakfast wrap with steak. Extremely boring both in the presentation and flavor. Edible, but not memorable. I don't drink often so can't speak to the cocktails but nearly everyone else here was. If you're looking for a spot for brunch and cocktails, the interior is trendy and prob great for pics even if the food leaves something to be desired. 3/5 overall as it met expectations. read more

Everything we ordered was great. Super fun cocktails that tied in to the play we were going to across the street. Yummy brussel sprouts as an appetizer and we had the bowls which were fresh and tasty. We ended our visit with Flourless Chocolate Cake! It was amazing. Our server, Grayson, was fantastic. He was cheerful, pleasant and knew all about the menu. He was a wonderful example of great customer service. Definitely recommend a visit here. read more

Second time at Bar Solita in the last month and it's becoming one of my favorite places to get brunch!! First off, always make a reservation if you don't want to wait 40+ minutes. Both time I went on a Sunday and it is packed up in there. I had a reservation so the wait wasn't too long! The service from both the host & waiter was pleasant and super nice. The aesthetics of this place is very cute and vibrant. Now, let's talk food. Their brunch menu along with drink menu is extensive and has something for everyone. We ordered the chicken and waffles, the western omelette and the 2 eggs breakfast platter. Portions were amazing. The flavors on my chicken and waffles was everything. The harissa honey will have you addicted and that paired with the waffles was to die for. The slight spicy from the harissa with the sweetness of the syrup onto the waffle really is a 10/10 for me. The chorizo in the western omelette gave the best flavor profile. Chorizo and eggs is always yes please for me. The eggs platter is for the egg lovers who wasn't a little bit of everything. Overall, such good food & service despite them being so busy. They were great! read more

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Nice variety of choices with a range of price points. They have both inside and outside seating when The weather allows. I fully enjoyed the Brussel Sprouts. The Buffalo Chicken Pizza seemed like it had too much creamy sauce and not enough chicken and cheese. Taste was good read more

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I came here with an old friend and this was such a lovely experience! Our server was Ben and he was so attentive and didn't rush us at all. He informed me that the kitchen made the wrong pizza for me and he brought me bread and fries to snack on until it was ready! I got the house rosé and it was tasty and a great price for happy hour. I loved my pizza - it was so creative with the roasted pumpkin seeds, Brussel sprouts, onions, and butternut squash. It was so unique so I was pleasantly surprised since I love veggies. As a vegetarian, this was a great spot since there's many veggie packed options. Lastly the interior was so cute and well designed!! I loved the booths, big windows, and the decor. The only downside I can think of - was finding parking around dinner time lol. read more

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Pretty good food and spacious location / nice decor! BRUNCH - Tried the Basil Pesto pizza and it was quite good! Would get this again. Very crowded spot for weekend brunch for sure but they always have lots of seating. DINNER - Tried the "Vegiterranean" Nachos and the broccoli + ricotta empanadas. Empanadas were melty and good but nothing super memorable. Nachos were yummy - thick pita style chips topped with Greek-style ingredients like feta, olives, red onions, hummus on the aide, etc. I felt the flavor was great and we enjoyed bites piled with all the fixings but the toppings themselves weren't well-distributed so you had to construct your own perfect bite. Overall not a bad experience and the menu is huge with plenty of vegetarian options, so only if there's something I see I REALLY want to try, I'd come back. read more

Bar Solita - Vegiterranean Nachos - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Birria egg rolls! Get them! Those were the best damn egg rolls I've ever had. Perfect blend of sweet and savory. Crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. Perfection. The brussel sprouts and fried zucchini were also stars in my book. We loved their happy hour and will definitely be back! read more

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Their Happy Hour makes me happy. You can get a $7 cocktail at this trendy spot. Bar Solita is extremely aesthetically pleasing. If you want a place with stunning natural lighting and great interior design, this is the place for you. However, Bar Solita stops here for me. It photographs really well, but the food leaves me wanting more. I've tried their brunch and quite a few appetizers and they've all left me either wanting more flavor or less of a prominent flavor. That's why I think this place is perfect for drinks. You can still enjoy the beauty of this place, but with tasty drinks instead. Do know that their happy hour offers some appetizers for $5-10 if you are looking for food. Although the waiters are usually kind, the service can be inconsistent (yes another argument from me on why going at a less busy time for a great happy hour deal is better). read more

Bar Solita - Inside - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

First time ! Loveeee the design and decor. Very amusing to the eye . Gives me Miami vibes . Bartender was super efficient and had some great suggestions . I had the Ex Rancheros . DEF ate tooo fast not many vegan options though. Now my drink ohhhomgoodness !!!! ‍ read more

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My friends and I (party of 6) recently visited Bar Solita after the Monument Avenue 10K we had had the reservation for weeks and were very excited to go! Now I know that it was a busy time and perhaps they were understaffed however, it took 20 minutes for us to be greeted and another 10 to even receive waters. We put our food and drink order at the same time and after 44 minutes passed with no drinks or food we decided to ask for a manager. The manager was very friendly and apologetic and offered us a round of shots however not everyone in our party was pleased with this as not everyone drank. I will say the food albeit very small portions was pretty tasty the service just left a bad taste in our mouth. I hope to be back soon, perhaps on a slower day to really give it a chance. The restaurant itself is beautiful! read more

Bar Solita - Empanadas - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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went for their Thanksgiving meal. it was great! Delicious food and great service. our waiter consistently checked in on us and always did so with a smile. chill vibe and it was quiet when we went - 12 pm. bathrooms were clean too which I appreciated. thank you bar solita for serving us on this holiday. read more

The food has improved drastically, this was probably the best experience I've had here. The service has also improved, our waitress was fantastic and attentive. My husband and I came for happy hour before a show at the Dominion center, about a 10 minute walk there. We ordered the brussels sprouts and the fried zucchini and both were delicious, crispy and seasoned well. The prosciutto caprese sandwich was great too! The only thing that was confusing was why they didn't use mozzarella slices and opted to use ciliegine..it wouldn't stay in the sandwich. We got a Paloma and a Manhattan to drink, both were a little lackluster but then again, we got them on happy hour read more

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