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The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA
The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA
The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA
The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA
The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA

The Hard Shell - Downtown

4.7
4.7
1810 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Healthy
  • Neighborhood 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 requests honored when possible but tables are first come, first served. Happy hour is available at the bar and on the patio and is first come, first served. Private dining & reservations are available. Dress is casual.

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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 Daily 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
  • 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.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    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, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,810 people are saying

The Hard Shell - Downtown reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

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

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Virginia

    Seafood

  • Richmond

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Hard Shell - Downtown offers a "great atmosphere" with "fresh seafood" and "impeccable service." Diners rave about the diverse menu, highlighting the "delicious crab cakes" and "fantastic oysters." While some found the noise level high, the "friendly staff" and "superb dining experience" make it a top choice in Richmond.
1,810 Reviews
  1. Woodson VIP

    Richmond58 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Efficient service; good food. The waiter apologized for the delay in providing my appetizer and did not charge for it.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Denise

    Palm Springs7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We came in town from San Diego, this is the first restaurant we picked. I had the crab cake meal, daughter had steak. The meal was great , service great. We decided to go on our way out of town as well, the Parker rolls are a must!! Wish I got them the first time. I had shrimp pasta and daughter got hard pasta and crab dip. All amazing, of all the restaurants we ate at this weekend… we had by far the best service here !! Who ever owns this place , pat your staff on the back.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Tim

    San Diego3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and service was awesome. Would highly recommend to try it out.

    Is this helpful?

  4. TheresaR

    St. Louis5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love to visit the Hard Shell when we come into town. We’ve never had a bad meal and we’ve tried just about everything on the menu.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Foodiewannabe

    Tampa6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Impeccable service. Fresh seafood. Great atmosphere

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was wonderful nice atmosphere service and food was outstanding. Will definitely be back.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Kristy

    Baltimore3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We really enjoyed our food. The muscles were fantastic. Coctails were good and the food very fresh

    Is this helpful?

  8. Patrick

    Los Angeles694 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and great setting! Amazing service, too!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Patrick

    Richmond2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful experience! Server was excellent and the ambience was superb

    Is this helpful?

  10. Antionette

    Washington DC1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious and our server gave excellent service. I will be back again so hidden place. I’ve been here two years looking for excellent restaurants to attend. I recommend it to everyone. 

    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 4.7 stars by 1810 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
Google Map for The Hard Shell - Downtown

1411 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Additional information

  • Cross street
    14th St
  • Neighborhood
    Richmond
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 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, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • 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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