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    Helen's

    3.8 (297 reviews)
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    HELEN'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Helen's

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    Brussel Sprouts, Mussels, Sweet Potato
    Chvonne R.

    Cute spot and festively decorated for the holidays. Based on recommendations from the host we order the mussels, Brussels sprouts, sweet potato and meatball. 10/10 for both the Brussels sprouts and sweet potato. They hands down have the best Brussel sprouts in the city! The fried artichokes are a nice addition that I've never experienced. The sweet potato was delicious and sauce along with the pecans top tier. The meatball was cold not as exciting as the other items. The mussels are a required taste, lots of herbs and earthy taste. Not something in craving to have again. Overall a great culinary experience and the staff was really nice and attentive. Going back for the Brussels for sure.

    Helens Burger
    Emily S.

    It may seem silly to get a burger at a place with many more unique, interesting dishes... but get the burger. The flavor was amazing and I could eat those delicious caramelized onions on every dish ever. The drinks are also delightful and strong, but the prices are a little much. I love this spot and I wouldn't come *too* often for drinks just because of the prices, but it is a great place to treat yourself for a cute girls night.

    Dining with a view
    Ruchi D.

    Enjoyed the holiday spirit at Helen's. Food is delicious as always. I would definitely go back. The waitress was very accommodating.

    Steak and eggs with curried potatoes. Fire!
    Denise M.

    Friendly service, great vibe, excellent playlist and above all, fantastic food. My only suggestion would be to offer better hot sauce, one without sugar or xanthan gum, like Cholula. It was hard to decide between the steak and eggs and the full Irish breakfast......I went with the steak and eggs so I guess I'll have to come back ‍

    Brunch Menu
    Quantina T.

    Helen's is a quaint little restaurant nestled on Main Street in Richmond. They have American style food and are open for brunch on the weekends. During my recent visit, the restaurant was filled with very gaudy Christmas decor. I love the divey look and I get sucked into all of the decorations. My intent was to order biscuits and gravy, but they were sold out so I settled for the corned beef hash. I will say I was not disappointed. It was t your momma's canned corned beef. I loved their version and it was cooked with the right amount of crispiness. I would definitely recommend this divey spot for brunch. I haven't eaten here for dinner yet, but they are on my list.

    Vegetable hash
    Paige S.

    I came here with some friends for brunch and it was delicious!! I got the vegetable hash which had seasonal vegetables, curried potatoes, and toast. I added on some scrambled eggs for an extra $2. All in all it was a delicious meal. I thought the curried potatoes were amazing and such a great idea. The hash had cabbage or Brussel sprouts and carrots, and maybe some peppers. They also put fresh avocado slices on top!! I liked that it was all seasonal veggies for winter making it a tasty and hearty dish. In conclusion, this was an awesome place for vegetarians since they had plenty of plant based / veggie options and you could add eggs to them. My boyfriend got the pancakes and they were delicious. I definitely stole several bites. The other people with us got the shrimp and grits and said they were fantastic. I'll definitely have to come back here for sure to try some other stuff!

    a bar with people sitting at the bar

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    13 years ago

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    18 years ago

    One of my favorite bars. Thursday night can't be beat, $2 drinks all night. Gets completely packed, and is a great scene.

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    Page 8 of 8

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    Mama J's Kitchen

    Mama J's Kitchen

    4.3
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    We waited almost an hour to be seated. It was worth every minute. The mac & cheese, chicken and…read moregreens were out of this world.

    OMG !!!! If you want the cool trendy downtown RVA experience, with excellent food and service…read morepleeeeeeease go to Mama J's Kitchen. We were first greeted by the most personable, young man that truly made us feel welcome. That's there motto "Welcome Home" His name is EJ. You will know it's him. This restaurant is a cute neighborhood landmark. It's a little small but not tight or uncomfortable with a full bar for additional seating. Because it has that old school I know this food is going to be FIRE, it's Perfect. Soooooo, the music certainly fits this cool old school vibe. The menu was under a very clean glass table topper to view and order. Very big Plus, Sanitary !!!!! I ordered the Fried Chicken (2pcs white), corn muffin comes with the meal, candied yams and cabbage. My plate was BEAUTIFUL, pictures will confirm. The chicken was golden brown, crispy on outside, flavorful and moist on the inside. YES, like my mom's use to be. The yams were perfectly sweet and the caaaabage was delicious. Go early to avoid the crowds, because everyone wants this good food and hospitality. Ooooh Lord, I forgot our extremely attentive server Dana. He checked in while being super busy with other customers, making sure the glasses were refilled in a timely manner. He also offered to go drinks, and very nice to go containers. This review is long because it's accurate and I need to share my experience. Last but not least, the owner came by and asked how was everything with her warm, down home hospitality. She also ask that we visit next door, Mama J's Market, so we did. It was sooo cool. I felt like I was in Greenwich Village NYC. If the restaurant is too busy for you, there in the market you can order from the kiosk and a staff member will bring it to you. There are refrigerated food and meal options to grab and go. Snacks, drinks, a little fresh produce, household and personal items. The Perfect Neighborhood Market. If you want the Old Historic Jackson Ward feeling of community, come to Mama J's Kitchen and Market. Thank you !!!!!!!

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    Seating
    Seating
    Pork Chops, Cabbage
    Pork Chops, Cabbage
    Exterior

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    Exterior
    Lunch. Supper!

    Lunch. Supper!

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    We're new to RVA, and really trying to support non-chain restaurants. Found Lunch. Supper! here on…read moreYelp. Our cocktails were delicious and so nicely prepared. Hubby had short ribs, Brussels and cheese grits. Kiddo had chicken and waffles with gravy, and I had the Barbecue Sundae. All three were so tasty! Each dish, whether main course or side was executed so beautifully. The collards on the sundae were the best I've ever had. If I could cook them like that, I'd have them more often. Our server was attentive and so so nice. The decor is adorable and the atmosphere was fantastic. Can't wait to go back!!

    My partner and I had dinner at Lunch. Supper! last Friday, and it absolutely lived up to the hype…read more The atmosphere is casual, welcoming, and lively without feeling overwhelming. The menu has so many tempting options that it was hard to choose, but we both landed on the Hot Chicken Sandwich with cayenne butter--and we're glad we did. It had the perfect amount of heat: enough to bring some spice without overpowering the flavor. On the side, I ordered the green beans after our bartender/server highly recommended them. Normally, green beans wouldn't be my first choice, but they were seasoned perfectly and ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the meal. My partner chose the mac and cheese, which was the superior side (although both were excellent). The service was friendly, attentive, and genuine throughout the evening. Despite arriving on a Friday night without a reservation, we had no trouble getting a table. They only accept reservations for parties of 5-8, so I'm glad we decided to take our chances. One of my favorite parts of the evening was chatting with another guest at the bar. He and his wife shared several entrées with their young son, and they couldn't stop raving about the short ribs--which their son happily claimed for himself by the end of the meal! They also highly recommended the salmon, so we've already got ideas for our next visit. The only real downside has nothing to do with the restaurant itself: parking in Scott's Addition can be a challenge. I'd recommend allowing yourself some extra time to find a spot or, even better, taking a rideshare so you can start enjoying your evening right away. Lunch. Supper! has earned its reputation as a longtime Richmond favorite. Great food, excellent service, and a relaxed atmosphere make this an easy five-star recommendation. We'll definitely be back.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Pimento cheese & fried green tomatoes
    Pimento cheese & fried green tomatoes
    Even the water is cool!!

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    Even the water is cool!!
    Southern Kitchen

    Southern Kitchen

    4.0
    (580 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$

    So while in Virginia, hubby and I decided to drive to Richmond to see the Black History Museum &…read moreCultural Center. Afterwards we went looking for some food!! Someone suggested a place called Mama J's but after reading the summary of reviews I decided to see if there was another place. And I came across Southern Kitchen and boy was I glad that I did!! This black owned restaurant was an excellent experience for hubby and I!!! But let me back up,,.when searching for another spot online...the visual esthetics of the menu caught my attention first!! I saw a crisp clean menu in white, green and black. It was easy to read, had everything laid out and dunno...maybe it appealed to my OCD with how organized it was but I liked it! And then the FOOD on the menu I told hubby..."no debate! We are going to Southern Kitchen"!! When we arrived we pulled up at a mall...at first we thought we were at the wrong place but when we turned the corner and saw the black and white awning...I said THERE IT IS!!! Lol!! We walked in and my heart said aaaaahhhhhhh!!!' it was beautifully decorated in...you guessed it black, white and green!! It matched the online menu....so cool!! The staff was courteous! The food was exceptional! And the music was SUCH a vibe!!! They have a bar area with high top tables, they have a dining area with tables and booths. They can accommodate small and large parties. They have a HUGE kitchen and they are very well staffed so our food didn't take long to get to us. Hubby ordered meatloaf, Mac n cheese, cabbage and sweet potatoes. I ordered salmon patties, collard greens and black eyed peas. Our server Nigela was so sweet! She took very good care of us and even chatted with us and told us that her grandmother was from SC (where we are from) I would definitely recommend this spot! Food was 10 out of 10! The sweet tea was that good "diabetical" tea and we got a cornbread basket...the portions were enough for me to take half of my plate with me because I was FULL!' Whenever I'm in Richmond again ...I will be back!! P.S. they have gluten free options but I was bad today...

    What an experience!! I absolutely love this restaurant. Saturday was my very first time visiting…read moreand I will be back. The food was outstanding. Everything we ordered was well seasoned and cooked to perfection. I ordered the turkey wings with collard greens and candied yams. The turkey wings were so tender and flavorful along with the collard greens. We also ordered fried pickles. They were very light, large, and well seasoned. They did not require any additional sauce really. My friends ordered meatloaf and Cajun pasta. Those items were delicious as well. The service was freaking impeccable. Our waiter was soooo polite, friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable on the menu. He allowed us to take our time ordering and made great suggestions. The hostess was very friendly and accommodating as well. The ambiance was amazing. The establishment was very clean, neat, and decorated very well. The establishment was fairly large however, it felt very cozy, and homey. I enjoyed our experience so much. Next time I am in Richmond this will be the first place I go to eat. I highly recommend if you are in the area. Cheers!

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Southern Rolls @Southern Kitchen
    Southern Rolls @Southern Kitchen
    Catfish Bites; Blackened Catfish; Mac N Cheese × 2; Candied Yams; Cornbread Muffins

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    Catfish Bites; Blackened Catfish; Mac N Cheese × 2; Candied Yams; Cornbread Muffins
    Croaker's Spot

    Croaker's Spot

    3.9
    (955 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    BRING YOUR WALLETS AND STRETCHY PANTS!…read more We went as a corporate outing group of 5. The front door is a little tight cause as a popular spot there's a bunch of foot traffic. The lady at the front door was a bit staticky but she got us sat fairly quickly so we could deal with that. Vibes are all wooden, but not creaky. Could be a cool date spot, it was very casual so we were able to be a bit boisterous. Good place to chat and blend in. Service was great and friendly and attentive. The waitress we had always made sure our cups were full and we had napkins and what we needed. We didn't get any alcohol, I got an Arnold Palmer, the wife got a midtown. They were both pretty good, I don't know what the difference was but they slapped. Free refills on sweet tea was dope too! The food came out pretty fast for the portions and quality. The wings are a must get, get the large and if you don't finish air fry them back home (reheat is good) (I would get sauce on the side, we did buffalo). We got like a desert style cornbread with syrup and powdered sugar, not normally my jams but totally delicious (my coworker ordered, I am not into sweets; still 10/10). I had 2 buffalo shrimp and they were also good, I didn't get a flick but that's a safe pick. The mains are pricey (typical soul food prices) but fire!!! Portions were good but the quality of goods and meat are awesome. I eat at a lot of places, the quality was really high here so I think the price tag was fair. My wife got the catfish, I got the stuffed salmon. For our sides we got the greens, cabbage, and the Mac & cheese. I had a couple of things I personally like that I feel would have enhanced the meal but the overall outlook is that this is the place to go. The greens were salty as heck and didn't have like a turkey neck or smoked anything in it, could be a regional preference but that was missing for me. The cabbage was also cooked really well and didn't require much but had no sparkle. Great texture but the flavor wasn't there, I'm also Caribbean so maybe what I like is different, the crunch with a kick would have gone far and maybe some salt from the greens in there. The Mac and cheese was good, I like a creamier one but this will suffice tbh. Overall I'm going to give them a 8.9/10. I could have gotten the wrong things or went on an off day but they certainly delivered and the service was GREAT. I would deff revisit, it's got a lot of charm and personality. The staff were amicable and the bathrooms were clean. I would recommend this spot if you're visiting Richmond!

    Late to the party but here I BE! This little establishment with its wood floors, high booths and…read moreimpressive black art seems crowded and tight BUT...once you get IN? You absolutely get why. Getting in is the trick. There is no waiting area. The bar is small and fully stocked. It took my family about 45 minutes to be seated. The dining room, wood and walls covered in beautiful paintings of black artwork filled with families celebrating and enjoying huge plates of southern cuisine. Our server, LENA was very helpful and friendly. She made sure we knew what was what. She was Awesome. Okay now this FOOD! So much food and everything hot and fresh. You'll be tempted to order an appetizer. I observed the portions and decided I couldn't eat all that... in a week. Definitely getting the fried oysters next time though. The "Fish Boat" comes with 2, 3 or 4 pieces of whiting. It's fried and the onion and pepper "sauce" is a mustardy, vinegar concoction that compliments the fish perfectly. You have your choice of two sides. Typical southern specialties. Collard greens (no pork added) were delicious, with a little kick; Candied Yams and a BRICK OF CORNBREAD. Light, soft sweet cornbread... my goodness. I don't think I can do this food the proper justice it deserves in this review. The chicken strips; the Alfredo were just as good. Even their version of an Arnold Palmer, (The Uptown) was done right. It's worth the drive and definitely worth the calories. If you love southern food, seafood with an ample serving of back in the day hospitality, (it's on the PLATE) stop by and come hungry. My family said it tasted like Thanksgiving. Family cooking seasoned with love. That's exactly right. Oh! GET THE CAKE... for later

    Photos
    Croaker's Spot
    Mashed potatoes
    Mashed potatoes
    Croaker's Spot

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    The Roosevelt

    The Roosevelt

    4.3
    (667 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$$

    As a relatively new DMV transplant exploring RVA, my friend Jackie and I have made it our mission…read morethis week to get out and experience the city. We landed on The Roosevelt, and I can confidently say it was one of the best meals I've had in Richmond. The restaurant was packed when we arrived, but we managed to snag two seats at the bar. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by a friendly and welcoming maître d', setting the tone for the evening. The bartenders were equally impressive eith one a true Chatty Cathy, the other more reserved, but both were masters of their craft, creating unique and distinctive cocktails with ease. We started with the cornbread and maple butter syrup. My only complaint? Can a girl get a little more butter? The cornbread itself was dense, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. Next came a small plate of squash served over sweet potato hummus. This dish completely surprised me. The flavor profile reminded me of Haitian cuisine, meaning it was warm, layered, slightly sweet, and carrying just enough heat to keep things interesting. It was creative, distinctive, and honestly one of the highlights of the meal. For our entrées, Jackie chose the steelhead trout while I opted for the scallops served pescatarian-style with ramp clam chowder. Let me tell you something: this was the first time in my life that I genuinely enjoyed clam chowder. The scallops were perfectly prepared, and the chowder elevated the entire dish. Every bite was exceptional. Of course, we couldn't leave without dessert. We shared the chocolate chess pie, and it was everything you want in a chocolate dessert, a dense, fudgy, rich, and utterly decadent. It was so good that I went home, climbed into bed, and happily surrendered to a food coma. What stood out most was that The Roosevelt delivered on every level: hospitality, atmosphere, creativity, and execution. The meal was worth every dime, and I will absolutely be bringing visiting friends and family here in the future. For anyone looking for an outstanding dining experience in Richmond, The Roosevelt has earned a permanent spot on my recommendation list.

    This was my sister's & my first visit to The Roosevelt & let me just start by saying this will…read moredefinitely not be my last time dining at this masterpiece of a restaurant. Each & every dish was a culinary creative canvas that enticed, tantalized & totally enthralled our palates. For my cocktail I ordered The Seersucker, which was made with my favorite bourbon Four Roses. The drink was velvety smooth & a soothing complement to my food. As our appetizers we ordered Cornbread, the BBQ Spiced Chicken Wings & the Chicken Fried Pig Ears. Everything was absolutely delightful. The pig ears were an especially nice surprise as they were melt in your mouth tender & full of flavor. There was a horseradish sauce accompanying the pig ears & the sauce was creamy & not overpowering with horseradish flavor[i don't even usually like horseradish but this dish truly gave me a new experience of that flavor]. I would definitely order the pig ears again. The Cornbread was cute & tasted like cornbread I grew up in the Country eating. I could eat a whole skillet of the cornbread. The chicken wings were tender & nicely seasoned. I really enjoyed the white BBQ that was drizzled over them. As our Entrees, we ordered 2 Catfish & 1 Flounder Catch of the Day. Both dishes were delicious. The fish was not overly seasoned, as I so often encountered with seafood dishes, both dishes allowed the diner to actually taste the depth & simplicity of the fish. Both dishes are also items I would order again. Our server was courteous, attentive & knowledgeable concerning menu item choices. When it was time for us to leave, as I think we stayed way past the dining allotment time, the hostess was very respectful in explaining to our table there was a reservation behind us. I appreciate that type of honesty & treatment in a dining facility. As mentioned so many times previously I will be returning to The Roosevelt. They have definitely made a fan out of me.

    Photos
    The restaurant's namesake!
    The restaurant's namesake!
    Cheerwine cake
    Cheerwine cake
    Ramp stuffed chicken

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    Ramp stuffed chicken

    Helen's - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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