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The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA

The Hard Shell - Downtown

4.8
4.8
1767 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 20 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighbourhood gem
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 10:30–16:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–16:00 Happy Hour Mon–Fri 15:00–18:00 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 16:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00
  • 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 1,767 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
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Virginia

    Seafood

  • Richmond

    Best Service

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Hard Shell - Downtown offers a delightful dining experience with "delicious and beautifully plated" seafood and an "amazing service." Guests appreciate the lively ambiance, reasonable prices, and convenient parking. Highlights include a fantastic raw bar and a diverse cocktail menu. Ideal for special occasions or a fun night out.

1,767 Reviews
  1. Danielle

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    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

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  2. Dennis

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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!

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  6. 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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  7. 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

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  8. Timothy

    Richmond

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 27 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great. I really like the downtown location verses the Midlothian location.

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  9. Amy

    Washington DC

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on 26 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great restaurant week menu! Awesome time. It was our first time but we’ll be back.

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  10. Yasmonia

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Attended for Richmond restaurant week, I was very satisfied with the selection and options available.

    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 1767 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 20 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 10:30–16:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–16:00 Happy Hour Mon–Fri 15:00–18:00 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 16:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00
  • 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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