a regular named tj is a predator, be on the look out. food and service is fantastic, could do a better job keeping creeps out

Stopped by 821 Cafe with my family for brunch and had a great experience overall. The service really stood out, our waitress was friendly, attentive, and very helpful when it came to answering questions and helping us decide what to order. We all ordered hot chocolate, which was surprisingly good. I went with the french toast, eggs, and turkey sausage, everything was flavorful and well prepared. I also had a chance to try a few other dishes at the table, and everything I tasted was good. One thing I really appreciated is the variety on the menu. They offer a good amount of options, including vegan choices. My dad is vegan, so it's always a plus finding a brunch spot where we can go when he comes to visit. The restaurant itself is clean, colorful, and has a fun, welcoming atmosphere that makes it a great spot for a casual brunch with family or friends. Overall, I'd definitely recommend checking this place out if you're in the area, just a heads up, parking is not meter-based. You'll need to pay online, so plan accordingly. read more

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A friend of mine was visiting during their birthday, and we went here for a little birthday brunch before I headed to work. It was in the middle of the week that we went, and it wasn't too crowded, but there were plenty of dine in customers and takeaway customers. They have plenty of tables and chairs and a few booths, but I can see them getting quite busy on the weekends! Their menu is vegan friendly as well. We didn't have to wait too long for our food after placing our orders. We both ordered Night Owl cocktails and a Rueben Patty Melt sandwich with onion rings. The Night Owl cocktails were delicious and the Rueben was perfect! I greatly enjoyed it! My friend had ordered pancakes and an omelet (I've forgotten which one), and they enjoyed theirs as well. I remember stopping by for St. Patty's at one point, too, and we tried one of the drinks they had for a special, the Shamrock Mimosa, which is made up of Midori, pineapple and prosecco topped with a rainbow strip of sour gummy! It was pretty good! Overall, I've had really good experiences at 821 Cafe and would continue to support them! read more

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Visited on a busy weekend with about a 25-minute wait, which felt fair given how popular it is. The food made it worth it. When we sat down, I loved the fact there is local art on the walls as decor. As a vegetarian, I was impressed with the variety. I had the veggie country fried chicken and eggs. The patty was one of the best plant-based options I've had. The eggs, potatoes, and biscuit were all great, though the gravy could have been a bit creamier. The Nutella stuffed French toast was a highlight. It was rich and really good. The Big Breakfast was also a hit for others at the table, with crispy bacon and generous portions. Coffee was good, orange juice tasted fresh. Service was solid but could have been a bit more friendly. Overall, great spot with options for everyone. I would come back. read more

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Food is always great. Super vegan friendly menu! I wished some of the portions were a little bigger with certain items but great nonetheless. read more

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A top notch brunch at 821 cafe! My man and I were wanting to try this spot out on a Sunday morning and waited for about 20 or so minutes before some seats opened up at the counter. First & foremost: the Bloody Mary. This is what sent us out on our brunch quest and 821 did not disappoint. In fact I'd say it's one of the top 3 bloody's I've ever had in RVA. For food, I went basic with the pancake platter but every part of it was cooked to perfection. Eggs were buttery, pancakes fluffy, sausage absolute perfection. Shane got the smoked salmon BLT and was very pleased with this mashup of two of his favorites. Great portions and we both left in a bit of a food coma. Decor and details are adorable but no fuss. Service was quick. We'll be back! read more

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We arrived for a late brunch (11ish). Every table but one was full which was encouraging! The setting is casual, just off the VCU campus. There is bar seating and I noticed they were offering multiple takes on mimosas for a decent price. Local (probably VCU student) art was on the wall I was facing. Bathrooms were unisex and spacious and clean. Handicap entrance in the rear, several uneven steps in the front. Setting is a solid 3. Service was spotty. It was pretty clear our primary server was not happy that day. Several other servers did pick up some of the slack. But there was no check back on the meal, no offer to refill drinks, and no offer of take home containers until asked. Service is a 2 if I am being generous. Food was actually good for what it was. I got a brunch burger (burger, american cheese, bacon, hashbrown patty, mayo, and sunny side up egg) that was bang on. It turned into a knife and fork affair after two bites and 4 napkins. Flavor and cook was great! Wyfe got a traditional egg/sausage/home fries plate. Eggs were cooked perfectly, sausage was pretty good quality with a hint of sage. She also got an everything bagel, quite good. I think I know where they get them from, and if I am correct this is a good choice. We split a banana pancake that was fluffy and sweet. Perfect comfort food! Food was a 5, rated in the context of what the restaurant represents itself to be. So overall a 3, which means we will probably be back. There were some lunch items on the menu I definitely want to try! read more

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So good! Such a cute vibe and aesthetic, wonderful and kind servers, and great food. I got the Bacon Kimchi Burger and was amazed by the quality of the beef and the combination of flavors. This place seems very experimental in its menu, and they do it well! read more

821 Café - Bacon Kimchi Burger - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Food was great and so was the service. I also appreciated the decorations . I'll be back.

I got the smoked salmon BLT with vegan bacon. SO GOOD. Service was good. Be warned the Bloody Mary is super garlicky that they make...I gave it to my boyfriend. I enjoyed my Aperol sparkler cocktail. Everyone enjoyed their meal! I though the ambiance was fun! The only complaint I have is the seats are wood and there were no cushions so sitting wasn't super comfy. read more

Breakfast options here were great. We were pleased with the food and service. The pancakes, rosemary potatoes, and French fries were the stand out. I wasn't a huge fan of the Philly that was recommended but otherwise it was good! read more

The restaurant is a good brunch meet up spot on the VCU campus area with plenty of street parking. The prices are reasonable and they have a good selection of traditional and vegan friendly food options. Great for meet up gatherings, but they have a small dining and bar area to eat at. Friendly staff service. read more

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The philly cheesesteak with fries was a good pick for lunch. The cheesesteak was great with proportions. I also got the hummus plate which was great for sharing between our party of four. They were very busy and got all of our orders right, the service was good for how busy they were. 821 is very cute and nestled near VCU campus, just be prepared for it to be loud during busy hours. read more

821 Café - cheesesteak and fries - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Lovely food and outdoor patio! I had the egg and cheese sandwich with a side of grits. Totally recommend this place; everyone was super sweet and accommodating! read more

821 Café - Diego mug! - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Late Sunday afternoon we were finally able to dine at @821cafe which is nestled near the heart of VCU. We've tried before but there was always a line out the door. Cute diner vibes, customer service was cool, our waitress was pleasant and made sure we had what we needed. My mom opted for the pancake breakfast with pork sausage patties and fried egg (4/5, solid breakfast everything served hot) and I opted for the club sandwich (decent deli meat, plentiful served on solid sourdough)sub'd onion rings (2.6/5 typical frozen beer battered ring for a $1 up charge). The massive sandwich was a bit dry for me so I asked for a side of mayo which I found on my tab was an additional $.75. Specialty sauces I totally get but jar mayo idk. If in the area it's worth a go. read more

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Obsessed is an understatement. This is the best little spot for both vegans and omnivores. For vegans and nonvegans alike, I would recommend the vegan wings first and foremost. They're wonderful little deep-fried vehicles for the sauce of your choosing (my favorite is the classic buffalo but they have a variety) complete with vegan ranch for dipping. The vegan chicken sandwich (buffalo for me as well) is another favorite. It has really funky vibes, a huge menu, and options for everyone. Breakfast all day too! Service and general experience has been quick and pleasant every time. read more

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The service was good. We asked for advice on certain items. The waitress had no opinion due to personal preference. You can hear the kitchen and staff from dining area. The atmosphere is giving RVA and it feels like a community cafe. The chef cares how the food comes out. It looks very appealing! Definitely would come back! read more

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Great service. Great food. Pay for street parking. Vegan pancakes were great! So fluffy and the vegan sausage was honestly the best breakfast sausage I've had. Hubby got the BBQ nachos and they were good. He said 7/10. Needed a spicy element like some pickled jalapenos and maybe some vegan sour cream on the side. The "nacho cheese" needed something, just couldn't put my finger on it. It is very sweet because of the bbq sauce that's why we think it needed some heat. The meat is seitan and was cooked perfectly! read more

821 Café - 7/10 vegan bbq nachos - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I had the pleasure of stopping here for lunch and it was worth the trip. Parking near VCU is possible nearby but certainly not like the suburbs. Atmosphere is eclectic and comfortable. Our server was just great and the menu indicates breakfast and lunch offerings including vegan options. I read they are open until 9pm so the6 have dinner choices too. I had a vegetarian club sandwich with fries, and the quality (ingredients and taste) and quantity was very good, better than I expected. Based on how busy the place is, they have been doing something right and hopefully they will continue to do so. Stop by when you are in the neighborhood. read more

We stopped by for lunch, if you are vegan or vegetarian, it's a good spot with options. Service was good, I got me the Ruben sandwich and that was ok, not what I expected. Kinda got grossed out I found a piece of hair in it but I know $hit happens but ugh. Overall it's ok, the hub got the chili burger and said it was ok, he said he didn't see anything on the menu he liked and figured the burger is less likely to mess up. He didn't want to pay 9 dollars for a cheese sandwich. read more

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Been a while since i visited 821 Cafe & today I decided to come in for lunch. I was immediately greeted and quickly placed my to go order. She made my drink right on the spot and the food was ready within minutes. I decided to get a Greek salad as I usually am here for the breakfast! They did not disappoint and the size was great for the price. I got the small portion(pictured below). It's very fulfilling, smells and tastes fresh! read more

821 Café - entrance - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Went for Brunch with my girls and DAMN did this not disappoint !! The main downside was the wait, but honestly, with how good the food is it kinda balances out ! The prices are also really good for how great the food was. It's also an amazing spot for vegan/vegetarians. So many options for us to choose from I was really excited ! We will be returning to try their dinner menu soon- and I'll be sure to snap some pics next visit ! read more

I was very impressed with this place. Quite possibly the best establishment for vegans in the city, with the bonus being you can bring in meat eaters too and seemingly everyone will enjoy themselves! I ordered the vegan chicken wings with Buffalo sauce for starters. They weren't the best mock chicken I've had (could have been a little crispier), but the general texture and flavor of the sauce and vegan ranch were all great. For main meal I had a gyro pita, which I ordered in no small part for the dish name reference, His Gyro Is Gone, His Hero Is Gone being an obscure d-beat, anarcho-punk band in the '90's. Good on you 821 Cafe. It was excellent. I chose the vegan chili as my side which was also very good. My wife got the tofu po boy and loved it as well. The interior is somewhere between colorful dive bar and American diner. We all thought it looked really cute. Finally, our server was very friendly. My only regret is I had this place starred on Google Maps for 2 years and I wish I'd come in sooner! We plan on coming back for breakfast sometime in the near future. read more

821 Café - His Gyro Is Gone and vegan chili - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

A VCU staple. I have been here so many times, can't believe I have never given a review before. I have never been for breakfast though! I ordered the vegan pancakes, tofu scramble, and the breakfast potatoes. Everything was amazing. Please keep in mind: it's tiny inside, they only have a few tables, and avoid peak times. read more

821 Café - Vegan pancakes, tofu scramble, breakfast potatoes - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Nice diner with all menu options available at breakfast. Several vegan menu options. Very friendly and helpful waitress. read more

821 Café - Coffee cup - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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we came here on a sunday around 12:45 (admittedly during Mother's Day) and waited 90 mins for a table for 2. the hostess initially told us it would be a 45 minute wait and took our name down without our number so we were forced to wait right outside of the restaurant instead of exploring the area. there's also no reservation system that I'm aware of. once we finally got inside, we noticed several parties that were called in 40 or so minutes before us were just now getting their food. thankfully, we were able to get our food quickly but it seemed like service was overall slow. I ordered the breakfast burrito with fruit and my friend got the vegan caesar with tofu and a side of onion rings. the onion rings were really delicious and the vegan caesar salad portion was huge (she ordered a large). the breakfast burrito was good as well. another thing to note is that there was a lot of artwork inside the restaurant and something I did notice was this "genocide joe" artwork on the wall right behind my friend. while normally I would agree with the message, the actual execution of the art with the Chinese character on the hat and the questionably small eyes definitely made me do a double take as a Chinese person myself. not to mention we found the art was done by a white man too! I would encourage the 821 cafe to consider taking down this particular piece and replacing it with art from a Palestinian artist instead. read more

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This place is a cute tiny cafe in the corner of Cary st. Right as we got there we got seated right away which was great and our waiter was decent. She was very helpful when it came to customer favs and her own since it was my friend and I's first time. The we ordered the nachos as an app, the banana nutella stuffed french toast, and the philly cheesesteak. The nachos were surprisingly massive! I loved the variety of toppings on it and the portion was great for the price. The philly cheesesteak and the french toast were the highlights of the place. The cheesesteak was so flavorful and juicy! The french toast was so soft and not overly sweet. Great time there just keep in mind you might have to wait a bit for the food depending on how many people there are. read more

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Completely blown away by the quality of their food. Our table of 6 had to wait 20mins but it was well worth it. From the lemon curd stuffed waffle - to the Philly cheese steak to the fresh battered onion rings - this spot knows how to serve up a dish! Don't expect your food to come out quick! It's clearly made fresh - and not prefabed like many joints with this vibe. Dive diner vibe with various bar specialties and mimosas with a kickass flare for good food. Highly recommend read more

Hip-chic and collegelike vibes. If I went to their university, I would come here every day. Makes quite the place to enjoy a home-cooked meal and study (not loud at all!). I got their veggie omelet with a side of their homemade biscuit and bacon. Boy! Their biscuit is so flaky and oh-so-scrumptious. Huge omelet too! Very filling and satisfying. My mom got their huevos omelet with turkey sausage and a side of one blueberry pancake. The turkey sausage was a-okay; I prefer real sausage or bacon over any of the turkey variations nowadays ha-ha. My dad got their big meaty breakfast and enjoyed it a lot! For drinks, my parents got their black coffee. I decided to be adventurous and pamper the inner child in me and ordered their hot chocolate. It was certainly NOT a mistake! :) I wish we could of tried their vegan chai french toast but we were all so satisfied. Next time, I hope! read more

821 Café - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

821 Cafe is a Richmond staple. When I first moved here, my boyfriend, his grandmother, and I used to come all the time. It's a very cute breakfast place with a good amount of vegan options. Service can be a little slow and short sometimes, but don't let that dissuade you from trying it. On my most recent trip, I came here for my vegan friend's birthday. They were so thoughtful and put a candle in her bloody mary! Three of us ordered the vegan breakfast sandwich. I did, however, get a regular biscuit with the vegan egg, vegan cheese, and vegan sausage. The regular biscuit was buttery and delicious. The vegan biscuit was just as good! I can say that any variation of breakfast sandwich here is a good idea. They feel like perfect sandwiches after a night out. We also tried the Nutella stuffed french toast. AMAZING! I loved it so much that I went to the store to buy Nutella the same day. It's simple, but so yummy. The vegan chai french toast is good too, but I'm team Nutella! 821 Cafe is classic in the best way. I think it's a part of why it's so popular. The food is alright for the most part. It gets extra points from me because they have a good amount of vegan options. It's a fun breakfast place to try. read more

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Delicious food / lots of vegan options / great atmosphere & staff. Cutest gumball machine w tiny toys. Huge clean restrooms. This place is a vibe. read more

They have lots of vegan/vegetarian options so I picked this place. I ordered for 18 and everyone was pleased with their food. The staff was nice. They ended up being out of one of their burgers so I tried to guess what replacement one of my employees would want. I guessed wrong and ended up eating an impossible burger. I eat meat so impossible burgers aren't my preference but this one was good! The place is small but welcoming. I wouldn't go with a large group but would totally suggest trying this place out. read more

Finally meal in Richmond and we picked this hidden gem of a restaurant. There was no seating available when we arrived, but it was barely a 5 min wait for an open table. I got the vegan burrito with vegan chorizo and a side of vegan pancake! The burrito was yummy on its own, but with the yellow bird jalapeño hot sauce they had on the counter it was delicious! My cousin got the biscuits and gravy and said it was yummy! Service was quick and staff was super friendly would highly recommend 821 Cafe for brunch! read more

Food was great, server was nice. But we arrived at 9:30am, waited till 9:54 to be sat (normal and fine) but the didn't receive our meal till 10:45. Looking around no one had gotten their meals either. read more

821 Café - banana pancakes and bacon - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Delicious food and cute ambiance. It's such a great place for a casual meal. I love 821 cafe! read more

821 Café - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Very convenient to VCU for a quick brunch/lunch! Small place, funky decorations with some interesting artwork hanging on walls for sale. Got table right away, friendly waitress brought menus and waters quickly. Lots of interesting choices to pick from! After we placed our orders we waited a bit longer than I expected since there were empty tables around but once food came it was all forgotten! Definitely have to try Nutella stuffed French toast that was so yummy! Bacon and Brie omelet - yummy, crispy chewy bacon pieces with melted Brie wrapped in thin egg omelet! I though it will be greasy but I was wrong! Comes with 2 sides I had turkey sausage and crispy potatoes! Large Greek salad - huge portion, fresh veggies and feta! Delish! Baked potato omelet was very tasty too, has smashed potato, cheese and bacon with sprinkled green onions and side of sour cream. Ordered it with biscuit that was huge and fluffy but maybe a bit dry. Will definitely come back when in the area, very charming spot. read more

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This place was recommended to us so we went & sat at the bar. Service was meh...... like everyone hated their job. The beverage we got was delicious!! We were there almost an hour before getting our food while people who got there after us had theirs. Probably won't be back & wouldn't send anyone I respect there either. read more

I loved the food here. Plenty of interesting vegan options. Service was also good despite being pretty hopping when we were there. The atmosphere was basically a trendy/hipster diner that catered to a slightly older demographic (30s-40s) read more

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Ironically 821 is located at 825 w Main Street. I should've asked about the name but didn't think to. Anyway, after checking the menu I was definitely excited there were SO many options and their potatoes featured my absolute favorite herb, ROSEMARY (more on that later)! You have to get here right at opening if you want to be seated immediately. It was not even 9:45 when I arrived (they opened at 9) and the house was PACKED and there were 3 parties ahead of mine. The wait was about 20 minutes and it honestly only made me anticipate the food more! I order a guava mimosa that was pretty good. Nice portion for the price $7. I had the French toast platter and my counterpart had the western omelet. We waited at least 30 minutes for our food which seemed like a long time since they were crowded but most tables already had food. The French toast was soggy and not my favorite, scrambled eggs a little too hard. My counterpart enjoyed the omelet but the potatoes are truly the star. Perfectly crisp and seasoned to perfection. I feel like the French toast could be improved if they cooked it for the same amount of time on both sides. I didn't get a pic but French toast was completely white on one side read more

821 Café - Western omelet with bacon and potatoes - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Cute, classic diner vibe with a homey feel, and great vegetarian/vegan options! Came here with a friend for weekend brunch and we shared the Vegan Breakfast Burrito and Lemon Curd French Toast. The burrito was more flavorful than I expected - hearty and filling, definitely spread the accompanying salsa on each bite for added deliciousness! The biscuit it came with was perfect and honestly I loved the simple bites of butter, Smucker's fruit jam, and the flaky biscuit. The star of the meal was the french toast - with the right amount of tang from the lemon, to the sweetness from the sugar, freshness from the fruit, and fluffy texture, it was a fave dish. Portions were pretty standard size, and I wish they had espresso coffee drink options, but all in all a good meal. Location is also great for walking around afterwards on a nice day! read more

821 Café - Vegan Burrito, Lemon French Toast - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia