Love how cozy this place is! The burgers, bbq, and Mac and cheese are delicious! Definitely upgrade for sweet potato fries. The staff is friendly and welcoming. read more

This is my favorite bar in Richmond. I absolutely love this place. I've been going here for years. My parents have been going here for decades. They actually originally met in this bar in the late 70's. It's still the same. It's definitely a dive bar but it has great drinks and food. The menu hasn't changed in probably decades. They do have dinner specials every night. I look forward to seeing what new creation they have. They have an amazing happy hour 4-7pm every day for $2.50. Even when it's not happy hour a mixed drink is $4.50. The know how to make a drink too! They are very strong so- beware. My two favorite things on the menu are the vegetarian sub, they know how to make a great veggie sub! Most places think that all you have to do is put a bunch of veggies on a sub and it be great. Not The Bamboo, there's is well thought out and full of flavor. I think what makes it stand apart from others are the pepperoncini's and italian dressing. My other favorite thing to order is the Crispy Wasabi Tuna. AMAZING. The shitake salsa is incredible. If I'm there after 6pm I will order this every time. In the many years we've been going to this bar we've only had maybe one or two not so great meals. The service is always amazing. It's a great vibe in there too. You have the regulars who have been going there for decades and you have the younger crowd. Great mix. This place will get crowded and LOUD at night. The ONLY complaint I could think of is something they are currently fixing. The bathrooms were a bit outdated and gross for years. Last time I was there, they repainted, got a new toilet, a complete bathroom makeover. Well done! No complaints now! You have to try this place at least once. read more

Plan on waiting an hour plus for a drink or food. Also, be 40+ and maybe the waitress will pay attention to you. Food was amazing but service was god awful. P.s. Don't ask to split checks or the waitress will make you feel cheaper than dirt. read more

Nice people. Nice atmosphere. Nice cocktails. Yummy food. Quaint neighborhood joint. Authentic place with no frills.

after 3 and half years in richmond the worst service so far , when i walked first the server didn't ask me if i need help till i asked if there is available table , when i asked about the menu she gave it to me after about 10 minutes and didn't even hand it to me she just throw it on the table , when I finished eating she asked me immediately to leave the table .. ! read more

This may officially be my favorite bar in Richmond. It's divey as hell, dark and dank, and full of old cats that have probably called Bamboo their watering hole for decades and THAT makes it just amazing! Servers are super fun, no thrill drinks are poured super stiff, and it's just an all round cool vibe. Discovered their specials menu last time I was seated near the back and now I'm interested to actually explore their food offerings. But even if the food is terrible I will still give it a 5 star cause that's not why you come to a place like this anyway! read more

Ordered two filet mignons. Was cooked to perfection. Nice atmosphere although this place usually is packed to the rim. Luckily found a parking spot right out front. Server was nice and bartender was pretty dern cool. I don't come here as often as I should but I recommend you try it. read more

Fantastic service, responsive staff, great atmosphere, soothing lighting. The chicken soup was incredible. Highly recommended.

So honestly can't wait to try the food someday- the menu looks awesome. So right now it's not getting rated. I waited around standing there for a good bit at the entrance on a Sat afternoon and was completely Ignored. Not cool but okay... They were slammed, I get it. I mean - at least give me wink and a nod or some acknowledgement to let me know you see me. But... whatever.... I went to Helen's down the street And had an excellent meal, drinks and great service. read more

Good bar food, cool atmosphere. Service is usually good - avoid Friday-Sunday days as the waitress is very inattentive. She seems more into palling around with coworkers than providing food service, which is incredibly frustrating. I was there with my girlfriend last Friday and we had to wait a good five minutes before she greeted us (there was one other table seated in the restaurant). Then, it was five minutes before placing an order. Then after food, we wanted another beer each and a dessert. After about ten minutes of watching her stand with her back to us, either behind the bar or in the alcove between the bar and the kitchen, we decided that we just wanted to leave. Shame is, whatever we got was probably going to cost another 25 bucks or so, money the restaurant didn't make, and the waitress didn't get tipped on. If I see her working, I won't stay, because I know the experience will be grating. Fries with sandwiches are extra. read more

You know what, "The Boo" is just like your favorite pair of slippers. It is comfortable, the drinks are always poured very heavy and the cast of characters is like something from "Saturday Night Live" You like dark wood? Check Intimate surroundings?Check Character? Check A Place in Richmond's Bar and Restaurant History? Hell yeah! Not only does it have all this going on, the food is always consistently tasty, served quickly, and the nightly specials are always way more impressive than one would think a kitchen so small could turn out to such high standards. The crowd turns quickly so there is always something new to observe and it is sometimes just a great hideaway from all those things that have made "Modern America" so sterile and, well, just uninteresting in general. From the corner location at the top of the fan to the storied history, good eats and strong drinks, everyone needs to take a ride on "The Boo". read more

I realized I hadn't been here in a while, so I headed in for brunch last weekend. I loved the relaxed, homey vibe. It was perfect for brunch! We headed on in and settled down to wait for the rest of our party. As we waited, we watched the bartender write some specials on the board, and as we asked about some of them, she revealed that her son was the chef, and explained the names of some of the menu items. If you don't like eggs, this probably is NOT the place to come for brunch. An egg-hating friend of mine was pretty upset until she saw French toast on the specials menu. I am all about some protein-packed eggy goodness, though, so I was super happy. I got an omelet with mushrooms, feta and basil, which came with new potatoes and an English muffin. The omelet came out sized just right, not too big or too small, and it was filled with lots of salty, feta goodness. I also gobbled down my English muffin. Since I'm mildly attempting at getting thin, I skipped most of the potatoes. I did sneak a little bite or two. though, and they were perfectly cooked, salty and delicious. I wish I could have gobbled them down too. When the bill came, we didn't divide everything out exactly (there were 5 people) but we split the bill 5 ways. We each got a non-alcoholic drink and meal, and our bills came out to $9 each. Can't complain about that! I'll be back soon for brunchy goodness! read more

It's a dive bar with dive bar food, dive bar booze, and dive bar vibe. It's fantastic. The Boo is a small Fan staple and the atmosphere is incredibly homey and comfortable, making it a draw for the late night industry crowd and blue hair regulars alike. Get a beer and a shot (and a sandwich if you're hungry). It's cheap and the service is beyond fantastic. There's a reason the regulars are such loyal customers. read more

I went to Bamboo with a client this evening. I must admit I was a little nervous about the neighborhood at first, but what great architecture. The Cafe was very busy. A family walked in behind me that said they come here several nights a week. We got a small table and had amazing Ahi Tuna with just the right amount of wasabi, yumm. My client was VERY satisfied with his Fillet Mignon special, and his wife has the small pizza and raved about it. I would definitely go again... and again... read more

If this is the best reviewed place on the block: keep walking. Or go gnaw on a tree. 45 mins on a non-crowded night to get a truly awful grilled cheese. I didn't know it was possible to f up a grilled cheese. Seriously: add cheese, grill. There was a severe lack of both. But on the up side: nice ceiling tiles? read more

Do I even need to write a review? This is my favorite restaurant in the whole fan and I have the great fortune of being within walking distance! I have been coming every Sunday for brunch for almost a year. I believe they have the best barbecue in town! (Along with best pizza, best fries, best ranch, best chili, & best pies) Today my boyfriend and I had brunch. I ordered the Breakfast Pizza that is topped with cheddar, mozzarella, scrambled eggs, & bacon. I am a huge pizza fan but especially of their pizza. They typically use a spicy tomato sauce but not on the Breakfast. Or maybe I'm immune to it. I also ordered a cup of the Creamy Acorn Squash & Basil soup. (It came topped with goat cheese too!) I always order a cup of soup in the fall because they always have a great selection. They always have their Seafood Bisque & Chili which never disappoint. My boyfriend orders the French Toast with Bacon, we normally get french fries instead of home fries just because their fries are soooooo perfect. Our waitress confirms that he normally likes the fries instead because he forgot to order them. I know that Pointsettias have existed forever but Bamboo was the first place that I ever tried one. So much better than a mimosa. I get one every Sunday and a cup of coffee. Instead of trying new places for Sunday brunch, I would always rather come to Bamboo. I know that I will always get awesome food and friendly service. read more

So bad U can't even give it 1 star but it made me. 4 of us all got different things. 2 of us got sick in the night. One person sent back their roast beef sandwich it was so bad. My pizza was on a premade crust (they sell them at Walmart) that was like cardboard - everything slid off. Even the toppings spinach and cheese were tasteless. Why did we go there? Nostalgia. But it wasn't worth it. I don't remember having such bad food in a long time. There are too many other good places to eat in Richmond...DON'T GO TO BAMBOO. read more

***GAVE ME FOOD POISONING LAST NIGHT. drinks are great tho. But i woke up last night after eating their potato salad and tuna salad sandwich and was inn deep sweats and EXTREMELY nauseous. Do i need to go into anymore details on what happened next lol? still trying to recover, DO NOT EAT HERE ONLY DRINK HERE read more

I only go to Bamboo when I'm with a particular friend who LOVES this spot. I don't see what is so great about it. The food is forgettable, and the service is pretty bad. The location is great. The eclectic mix of young/old, white/black, blue collar/middle class is fun. That's about it. read more

Bamboo has always been a conundrum for me. You enter this tiny, dimly lit establishment that is always teeming and somehow even though it is lacking in square footage you feel like an outsider. It appears as if everyone here is always here. The same crowd mixed with young 20 something hipsters and older blue collar men and women. The service is never too great (you WILL wait for EVERYTHING). But the food is good, you can disappear in loud conversations with close friends and not feel as if the person next to you (even though you are practically touching elbows) is even paying attention to you. It also has STRONG drinks and a late last call. Highly suggest you pop in here on the tail end of your bar crawl down Main and Cary. read more

It's been a long, long time since I ate at Bamboo Cafe, and even longer since I circled Main looking for a parking spot late on a Friday night. I felt...so...wild for an old married lady. Anyway, two thumbs up to Bamboo Cafe for having real food late at night for hungry people, tasty beers and a booth to sit in. Extra points for us being able to have a conversation and actually hear each other. We'll definitely be back, although probably not quite that late. A lovely Fan neighborhood restaurant! read more

Diverse crowd, super pub feel, PBR on tap (boom), and good service. We happened to stop here while out and about and if I lived in this neighborhood, I'd likely be here with friends on an occasional weekday eve. My friends bloody Mary wasn't good. Seemed like 90% regulars, so that must be a great sign. read more

Great dive bar indeed. But with much better food than you find in a bar. And the liquor is not left in the bottle when they make a drink.

We've been going here for more than 20 years. It's the place where everyone knows your name. Great drinks and food selection. You can go as you are and relax and have a great time. read more

Went here for an early brunch on Sunday (read: breakfast) with a few friends. It's a cozy little dive, free from pretension or hipsters. In fact, the crowd skewed to middle-aged people. There was one waitress for the whole spot and she was way too busy to engage in the standard pleasantries. Still, she was precise and we didn't have to flag her down or anything. The breakfast menu was small and had your standard options: eggs, breakfast meat, and hash browns in various combinations. I'm pretty sure they didn't even have pancakes on the menu. My friend loves this place because they have an eggs benedict on the menu with country ham and a sauteed tomato. She says it's amazing, but it doesn't sound all that special to me. I ordered the sausage gravy over texas toast with eggs and hash. I was kind of appalled that they dared to serve sausage gravy when they don't serve biscuits, but I ended up liking the dish alright anyway. It's still better over biscuits, but I learned that toast is an okay substitution. One of my friends got the steak and eggs and that looked pretty solid too. I tasted the steak and that was delicious. Everyone agreed that the breakfast potatoes here rocked. They were chunky and soft but the skin was crispy and seasoned really well. I can't say that I'll come back here. There's so many other places that have more unique breakfast offerings that I'd have to try before coming back here or just making breakfast at home. Kudos to them for being open early though. read more

Bamboo Cafe - Breakfast Menu - American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Went to this location st about 140 AM knowing they would close soon but figured I could have 1 beer. Got a beer and a seat for about 5-7 minutes before the bartender came and said "i have to take you're beer." I understand he wants to get home but it was only 152 and you're schedule to close at 2. If they didn't want me to stay they shouldn't of sold me the beers. Literally my sis went to the bathroom and had 2 sips of her beer before they took it away at 1:52... if you close at 2 this shouldn't happen. Either don't sell the drinks that late and let people know or actually stay open till 2. I will never come back and will make sure people know that the bartenders they re are the absolute worst people that have walked this earth read more

We came to this place because the place we planned to go to was closed. This is a tiny older bar and if your coming to have a cocktail or beer then I am sure it's great. We ordered a steak sandwich which my husband really enjoyed and I tried a breakfast. I did not care for the breakfast but the home potatoes were ok, they were too greasy ant had lots of burnt bits but the texture was crunchy which I enjoyed. I ended up eating 1/2 and English muffin and some potatoes with ketchup, the bacon was cold and the eggs were sponge like and rubbery so I did not like them as I like fluffy scrambled eggs. Our waitress was delightful, very attentive and pleasant. If you happen to want a few beers and maybe some fries then I think this place could be a great fit. read more

Bamboo Cafe - Breakfast at bamboo cafe - American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Worst service I've ever experienced. The waitress yelled at my mother for ordering dinner at 5:58, when dinner service starts at 6. Then when I tried to order an appetizer she yanked the menu out of my hands and yelled at me saying she wouldn't take anymore dinner orders, before she even listened to my actual order. Food was fine. read more

The club sandwich is for the hungry man from Gargantua! It fills you up Mostly I take the second piece home in a box. Service is very nice but the bartenders are the gem of that place! They really make you feel that you deserve the service! A bit tight inside but the atmosphere is very lively even if you are there for the first time you will end up in a group conversation one way or the other! Drinks really affordable; food very cheap but sooo good! read more

Had the chance to pop into this cute little neighborhood restaurant Sat. nite. My friend and I took the last table in the place- you know, that weird little 2-top that basically sits out in the middle of the restaurant? :) My friend and I split the pork potstickers that are a special offering right now. And they were excellent! But $10 for a handful of potstickers? That seemed a little much for me, however delicious they may have been. My burger and fries was only $5.99! And I will tell you that my burger was one of the best I have had in town! And now Bamboo is going to come to mind anytime I'm craving a burger. Service was great, love the cozy interior of the place. Just can't believe I've overlooked it in the past and had never popped in. read more

Bamboo is an awesome neighborhood bar to drink, eat, and kick it with a few friends any night of the week. It's a cozy spot, so you are almost guaranteed to rub elbows with a couple friendly regulars. The drinks are poured strong, and the price is on point. I recommend the steak sandwich, and you can't go wrong with some shoe string fries. The staff and the daily patrons make this little Mulberry dive one of the fans best spots, flying perfectly under the mainstream radar. read more

Small corner joint with young demographic.... not friendly..... had to be demanding to get food or drink....

Horrible customer service. My boyfriend and I were in town for a wedding over New Years and we went to this cafe on New Year's Day for lunch after seeing it had been advertised as being open. We walked in and saw a table for two available so we stood by the end of the bar where the hostess/server was. She didn't look up from whatever she was doing (it looked like paperwork with a calculator/receipts) and said "I'm not taking tables right now" in a rude and rushed tone. We stood there a little confused as to what that meant (you're closed? you've stopped serving food? we will have to wait a little while for a table? bar seating only?). We hesitated and she again said "I'm not taking tables right now" as if we were idiots, without ever looking up at us or explaining any further. My boyfriend and I looked at each other like "uh ok" very confused and shocked at her rudeness and so we left. I've never experienced service like this before and I understand people can have bad days at work but this was so unnecessary. read more

I love you Bamboo, please don't ever change. Well, you could carry better wine and a couple nice beer options... but not if it makes you change, please don't ever change! read more

This is one of my favorite dive bars and has surprisingly good martinis, if you're feeling like more than just a draft beer. Delicious buttermilk pie and Brussels sprouts! read more

Good old Bamboo Cafe! You've never let me down. Food is great and the people are kind. After drinking in the fan the club sandwich and fries always hit the spot. Dark yet warm ambience. Old school richmond fan bar vibe. It's always on time. read more

Stopped in on a whim- greeted immediately with offer of a drink and menus. Told me specials would start in 15 minutes if I wanted to wait- that's pretty cool. Very simple menus for food and drink. Really neighborly in many ways. The two bartenders have both worked there over 12 years each. Small but my kind of place. Margarita Monday had a blueberry green tea and spicy apricot version for $5. Not bad at all. And they have Fernet, big plus. read more

Some places don't need to be more than 3-star, A-Ok places to please me. This is one of those places. It's a nice, predictable and dependable neighborhood bar/cafe. I love that you can order a salad with customizable toppings, including anchovies. They had somegood happy hour deals too. It's not an exciting place to go "out" at night, but rather a cozy place to meet up with some local friends for a bite and a drink. read more

Great drinks and super friendly service in a cool retro vibe. I love this place.

If you want to go get really drunk in Richmond, and you want to step up your game from hanging with the hobos at The Village, then the Bamboo should be your go-to watering hole. It is filled with other totally awesome drunks, and nobody is going to judge you for getting head-splittingly polluted on a Tuesday. Amen. read more