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The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA

The Hard Shell - Downtown

4.8
4.8
1770 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a booking

2 people
10:30 pm
Booked 23 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for outdoor dining
Located in downtown Richmond's historic Shockoe Slip, The Hard Shell Restaurant is known to locals as one of the best seafood restaurants in town. With a new fresh look; The Hard Shell features sleek booths, lots of light and a vibrant city feel. The Hard Shell has Richmond's widest variety of fresh and local seafood. Menu items include signatures such as filet and lobster, shrimp and scallops, lump crab cakes. Patio request honored when possible but tables are first come, first served. Private dining & reservations are available. Dress is casual.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (804) 643-2333
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    The private dining room accommodates parties up to 50 guests. The Hard Shell offers custom menus and bar packages to suit every event. The private dining room is the perfect place for dinner programs, wedding functions or celebrations.
  • Area
    Richmond
  • Cross Street
    14th St
  • Parking details
    The Hard Shell validates parking after 5pm daily in the garage at the corner of 14th St. and Cary St. directly across from the restaurant.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,770 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Virginia

    Seafood

  • Richmond

    Best Service

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Hard Shell - Downtown is a seafood lover's paradise offering a delightful dining experience with "amazing" food and "superb" service. The friendly staff, including standout servers like Kristian and Malachi, enhance the welcoming atmosphere. While some dishes may vary in perfection, patrons frequently praise the "incredible" flavors and the restaurant's vibrant setting.

1,770 Reviews
  1. Marcia

    Richmond

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was superb and the service was outstanding.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Thomas

    Philadelphia

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service, delightful restaurant. Food was delicious. Definitely would recommend and go back. Yummy.

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  3. Del

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 24 November 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Rockfish was overcooked and the veggie medley wasn’t fresh. Crab soup was uneventful. Bacon on the salad wasn’t tasty.

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  4. Danielle

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Malaki was our server, and he was amazing! Service was outstanding, food was delicious and super fresh and overall ambiance was inviting! prices were reasonable compared to other like locations. Definitely would recommend in the future

    Is this helpful?

  5. Dennis

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was really delicious and service was fast, a bit too fast as I prefer a bit of time between courses and the salads came out before the appetizer which I wish was switched. Other than that the service was attentive and ambiance was perfect. Highly recommend, we will return!

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  6. Annie

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 13 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delightful. Great service. Great food. Great for a group.

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  7. Joshua

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Definitely had a great time. Will definitely return soon.

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  8. STEVE

    Philadelphia

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 4 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, service, atmosphere and value! ✅10/10!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Bill

    Richmond

    33 reviews

    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on 1 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and service was GREAT . We love this place. It is always easy to get in.

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  10. katy

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 27 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Went for restaurant week and the food was sooo good. Will definitely recommend. Ambiance and decor felt really nice

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Hard Shell - Downtown offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (804) 643-2333.

The Hard Shell - Downtown is rated 4.8 stars by 1770 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
10:30 pm
Booked 23 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Hard Shell - Downtown

1411 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    14th St
  • Area
    Richmond
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    The Hard Shell validates parking after 5pm daily in the garage at the corner of 14th St. and Cary St. directly across from the restaurant.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (804) 643-2333
  • Private party facilities
    The private dining room accommodates parties up to 50 guests. The Hard Shell offers custom menus and bar packages to suit every event. The private dining room is the perfect place for dinner programs, wedding functions or celebrations.
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