Carytown is so fun! Based on my research I wanted to try this Spanish bar. We had just eaten a heavy lunch so the plan was for cocktails on the roof top patio. It was mid day so we were seated upstairs with no wait. Staff is super responsive and friendly. Outdoor seating was great with its view of the street below. Complimentary nuts and olives were given. Sangria was my drink of choice and it was delicious. I the drink was largely fresh made with their house wine and was so easy to drink. After a couple of glasses, I wanted to try their popular meat and cheese tray. I asked about a combo of both Spanish cheeses and meats. The sausages were excellent and the soft and hard cheese just added a nice touch to the snack. read more

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9/10 experience at Importante :) My mom and I went yesterday for tapas and it did not disappoint! We arrived around 3 PM and it was the perfect timing because around 3:15, the place was PACKED! We ordered sangria and the table red wine and both were delicious. The sangria rioja is a touch on the sweeter side, which I personally don't mind, but just be aware if that is not your thing! It did taste better once it was a little bit diluted. The rice dish (arroz meloso) was one of their brunch specials and it was FANTASTIC! It has shrimp, chorizo, and chicken, and the rice was cooked and flavored to perfection. It was like a mini paella and the portion was huge. Definitely big enough to share for two people! I even told the waitress they need to add this to their menu permanently and not just as a special. We also ordered the patatas bravas (the crispy potatoes with spicy sauce), and it quite literally transported me back to my time when I lived in Spain. It came with a side of garlic aioli which was divine...creamy, garlicky (but not TOO garlicky), and seasoned well. the red sauce on the potatoes was delicious and spicy, so beware if you are not fan of spicy food. We had a little mishap with another tapa (the pan iberico, which they have listed as a flatbread) which I unfortunately did not take a picture of and did not care for at all. They gave us the vegetarian version by mistake, but our waitress was awesome and she recognized the mistake right as it came to our table. We got the right one and it wasn't bad, but definitely wouldn't order again. That would be the only thing I would avoid from the menu, as it's not traditionally Spanish. It was like a mini pizza with chorizo and had manchego melted on top. I'm sure a lot of people would like it, but it just didn't make much sense to me! Atmosphere is warm and inviting, and I can't wait to go back for a wine tasting and more tapas. Try them out :) read more

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Great vibes for this tapas place. Literally right in the middle of Cary town in Richmond, Virginia not gonna lie. The food feels very authentic. No big dishes. Just straight up small little dishes for your drinks. The lavender drink was pretty bitter, but it did have a hint of lavender. I got the one with the clay jar with vodka and it was pretty good. read more

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I feel like this place has great potential!! The ambiance is 12/10 and the service is also great. If the food were better, this would become a gem. read more

They have a great happy hour! I really enjoyed my sangria, and it came with cheesy bread too. The owner was working, and was friendly + helpful. I ordered the ham + cheese croquets and they were delicious! read more

Importante Bodega Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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This was a really good choice for lunch ! Happy Hour all day Sunday !!! The margaritas are delicious and the wines are really good ! Service was VERY attentive, we kinda felt rushed... but she was very nice There was only 1 other person there so the ambiance felt nice and quiet. Everything we ordered was wonderful ! We plan to come back read more

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The place is pretty quiet on weeknights but the happy hour is well worth it! We enjoyed ourselves and maybe we will try more food items next time! read more

Importante Bodega Bar - Margarita and a Spritz - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I just moved into the city from the suburbs of it All! The vibe just driving up to Carry town reminded me so much of Denver 16th Street Mall area where I moved from. My 1st stop for a glass of wine and convo was here! The manager was so polite , inviting and a sailor from the Navy, who was stationed in the 757, but new to the area for about 1 year now! The vibe was nice, very clean and presentation of the appetizers I tried was GRAND!! Thursday nights they have a live DJ and great drink specials! I might attend this evening myself! What a great welcome to the town! read more

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We only stopped in for dessert BUT it was really good!!! This Catalan version tasted so good!!!! It was like eating a tasty cloud! The Old Fashion was made with Maker's Mark and it was so good!! We will be coming back soon!!! It's a nice laid back vibe, they have good music too! The staff was very friendly!! read more

Importante Bodega Bar - Catalan crème brûlée and old fashion - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I stopped by on a Friday evening recently and sat at the bar with a friend. I took one glance at the menu and said, "Oh a sangria sounds good" and the bartender who happened to be standing nearby asked, "Do you want that?" and I said, "Yeah." It was a delightful drink, not too sweet but floral. I enjoyed it very much. For food, I ordered the ham and bechamel croquettes and the chorizo spread with manchego from their tapas menu. I liked both of them, but especially the latter. I'd order that again for sure. We eventually went upstairs and joined our large party of eight. They have a nice enclosed upstairs in addition to the bar downstairs, so the bar is bigger than you might think at first glance. I'd definitely return if I'm in the mood for Spanish tapas or a nice cocktail in Carytown. read more

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The restaurant was cool, comfortable and the service was great! The food was average, not good and the fish dish was so weird and almost gross. 1st dish was potatoes bravas and salted fish. The fish was spongy & had a very weird not good taste and did not look good. I tired it and my eyes were not lying to me. It was not good at all unfortunately. The potatoes were potatoes. Nothing special. Siracha squired on top with a seasoned mayo. The potatoes were not even crispy! I have made better crispy potatoes at home!!! I sent back the fish and got the ham and béchamel croquettes. They came and I was so hopeful that they would be stellar cause they looked good! Fail unfortunately. I don't think there was any ham in it. All I tasted was mushy béchamel and cheese! The best part of the food was the free nuts and olives. Maybe my standards are too high but this food was just so average to bad. My happy hour red was good and as I said my server was really sweet and tried her best to make my experience enjoyable after I sent back the fish. I really appreciate her kindness and service. read more

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Hole in the wall tapas bar in Carytown featuring a robust wine list. They have multiple levels and a rooftop! Great service

This place has been a staple ever since I found it nestled in carytown. Food is AMAZING, drinks are DELICIOUS, and the staff including (bar manager & server Lou) are the nicest! read more

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Had such an amazing time here. They also have a rooftop. I will say a good chunk of their menu had pork in it but they did have non pork options. Their sangria was delicious. What was really unfortunate is that the octopus was good and flavorful but over salted. It began to hurt the inside of our mouths. The mash potato's were super garlicky as well. I don't usually like mash potato's but these got it. We also had a cod tapa which wasn't all that impressive but the cheese bread was amazing. The service was alright. The waiter kept saying "homeboy" to my boyfriend. For context he is a black man and we didn't see him calling anyone else that. We didn't think he meant it with ill intent but we definitely think there was some ignorance behind it. Overall I'd probably come back here again as the rooftop was a vibe and there are a few more tapas I'd like to try. read more

Importante Bodega Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I took a chance while out strolling through Carytown. It's is a quaint space with a very nice vibe. I was in my own accord and Turku only wanted a Sunday afternoon sip. When the bartender shared that their brunch is until 4pm, I was intrigued. I ordered a mimosas with passion fruit and mango. It was good. They have tapas and small plates versions of their main dishes. I ordered their shrimp in garlic sauce (Gambas Al Ajillo) tapas serving and it was filling and delicious. I couldn't order more even if I wanted. They provided mixed nuts and pickled peppers and veggies before each meal. A great snack. I will definitely go back as there are other items that I would like to try. read more

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Went for happy hour and will be back. It's a great place for small plates and drink with friends. Can't wait to try the wine tasting. Service was quick and friendly. They made suggestions and kept the drinks flowing. What more could you want? read more

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This place was so good, I went twice within two weeks... that almost never happens!!! My last awesome new restaurant was when Uliveto opened. And before that it was Fall Line, this has to be the best new spot in 2024! Such a great experience... we really needed an awesome Spanish tapas place, definitely comparable to tapas places in Washington DC! It's two levels with a rooftop so definitely plenty of space. I had a chance to sit outside on the rooftop area one evening and it was absolutely perfect weather, company, food and drink! Both times I went I had two other friends that came with me. It was nice since we were able to get a few of the tapas sizes to try. I had the following during both visits: octopus (must try with the mashed potatoes on the bottom, so tender and flavorful), cheese and. Charcuterie board (great for sharing, I loved these mini baguettes crispies that came with it), gambas al ajillio ( so good, both times after the fact wished we got the larger size vs tapas, so good, the bread can be used to sop up the sauce it comes in). On separate occasions I tried that patatas bravas (they give you a lot of it, I think I've had better but portion size is great) , potatoes with chorizo (I think I like the bravas better as this was surprisingly bland), the eggplant (this was surprisingly tasty and the cheese on it was great), the chorizo spread and manchego cheeses melted on bread (also another surprise winner, so good and flavorful), lastly we tried the cod croquettes (I've had better croquettes but not bad, I would try the other ones). I was sad that they did t have the dates and prosciutto, I definitely want to try that next time I visit. First time I went we had their house red wine which was slightly chilled and delish, so good we each bought a bottle to take home at 50% off! Onmy second visit I got a cocktail with Prosecco forgot the name but highly recommend it, so refreshing and not overly sweet All I've got to say is I can't wait to go back again soon!!! read more

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This is such a cute place! My parents and I stopped in here for an early light dinner and it was perfect. We got the Spanish omelette to share - our first time ever eating one but it wont be the last. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful. Would love to come back when I have more time to relax and enjoy the wine! read more

Odd, disappointing dinner. We walked into a perfectly clean restaurant, and waited to be greeted, even though the place was empty of other customers. That was just the beginning of a somewhat baffling experience. We tried ordering several tapas, but they were out of a lot of basic things, like the pan tumaco, bread with tomato. They did have pan tumaco with tomato and Serrano. They also didn't have one of the salads, but had a different one with the same ingredients. The Spanish tortilla was the most disappointing thing, though. The potatoes were in chunks, not sliced, and the texture was mealy. It looked baked, not fried as it should have been. The restaurant claims to be a tapas bar, but everything was served on huge plates, that were too big for two to fit on a table. The gambas (shrimp) in garlicky olive oil were the best part of the meal, and the bread was fresh and delicious. This restaurant is two years old, and seems like more of a hobby than a true Spanish restaurant. read more

Not so importante at all i'm afraid :-( We had a few cocktails and some tapas. Cocktails were ok but nothing to write home about. The "tapas" were all bread with different toppings. Maybe we ordered the wrong items? Either way we left without ordering togo entrees in fear of more dissapointment.. We hope they reach their full potential one day. read more

My friend and I had a wonderful time at Importante. We went for a happy hour vibe and ended up spending hours here. The wine is great. The charcuterie was wonderful. We got one of the potato apps and it was spicy but delicious. Our waitress was top notch (very attentive) and the bartender was extremely knowledgeable after asking a ton of questions. There's a lot of cool stuff to try here and a lot of new flavors that I haven't really found in RVA. This place is great. We will be back for sure. read more

An excellent addition to Carytown. Great host/family (owners from Spain) vibe, generous happy hour including complimentary pinchos, perfect lighting... I'm a huge fan. read more

Great place to eat! Food was terrific, as was the staff and ambiance! Very knowledgeable and friendly.

Nice bar. The food is lackluster. I hate olives but the olives and peanuts were the best thing. We had the garlic shrimp (gambas ajillo) which wasn't bad. We had empanada de chorizo Iberian & manchego and flatbread (pan iberico). I feel like I bit into gobs of cheese. My friend loved it. Felt more Italian. I won't return. read more

Remember, this is a tapas place. You don't go for tapas if you're very hungry, unless you are willing to order and pay for several items. The food was good, good quality. Unfortunately, they were out of the rice dishes by the time we got there. We will have to go another time to try them. The place is small, so it is smart to plan ahead if you want to go there. I wish the decor and music had a greater Spanish vibe. I noticed that they some wine tasting nights, which might be cool to do. All in all, it not the best tapas place I've been to. Not the worst either. I would go back to try other dishes (like the rice); but so far, I don't expect it to become one of my favorite spots in town. read more

We had a Spanish-time 2 pm lunch there today and were impressed. A well-appointed 3-level restaurant in Carytown (top floor is an outdoor patio and awning) with authentic tapas offerings and a creative cocktail list. Tapas are fairly large and just $7.50 (we had a to die for shrimp with garlic in oil, decent potato omelette, and yummy, plump ham croquettes, very similar to what you'd get in a Spanish taberna. Finished with a large slice of an okay flan, and with cocktails and tip got out quite satisfied for less than $80. Service was excellent, by a fellow who plays flamenco guitar there on Thursday evenings. We will be back! read more

I really love that we have authentic Spanish food here in RVA again. This intimate space serves a variety of tapas with ingredients imported from Spain. Offerings include chorizo (sausage), jamon (ham), cheeses, and wonderful dates,As well, patatas ala Riojana (potatoes simmered in a delicious broth served with toasted bread) and a torta which is an egg/potato bake. A sangria, when if ordered with prosecco is quite decadent as the tiny prosecco bottle is upside down in the glass. Wine flights are generous with four Spanish tastings which are reasonably priced. Ratings: 1) ambiance - cute but very cramped. my friend and I could hardly move in our seats. I'd say seating is very tight. Not a place for kids at all, and certainly larger parties would find it challenging. But cozy and bar seating also available. 2) taste/menu - authentic. I am not Spanish but I am Latina, and know enough to understand that this is the real deal. The owners and/or proprietors circulated and spoke with customers, are from Spain, and are involved in creating an true Spanish experience for customers. Dishes, while small, are flavorful. Hot and cold tapas available. Sharing is encouraged and recommended. 3) price - reasonable. Unfortunately I was limited by my dietary issues. I have a gluten issue and a few allergies. I was however able to find things to eat and did not ask for accommodations, but I think it might be challenging for someone with a big appetite to feel satisfied if you are used to eating a hearty meal and also have restrictions. Don't come with the "let's chow down" mindset. Rather, understand this is culturally unique and an experience. 4) service - here is where I do offer some strong constructive feedback. From the start, our server seemed somewhat annoyed. We waited a very long time to be acknowledged. Then when he came over - he said "can I help you?" and it was very awkward. How does one respond to that in a restaurant? "Yes, thank you. We are happy to be here. Can you let us know about the menu?" Just odd." This unusual friction continued throughout the meal and each time we attempted to engage he seemed in a hurry and we never felt like he was interested in checking to see if we needed anything or if we liked our food. It was as if we were bothering him which should never be the way a customer feels. Lastly, when we were finished - and we waited again a very long time - nobody brought our check until we asked multiple people because our server had vanished. Most unfortunate. I am going to say that clearly they are ironing out the wrinkles. Here is to a great future. Lovely food, great concept, lackluster service. Still give it a 4 b/c it is unique and not just another brewery or sandwich shop. We have plenty of those already. The special offerings alone deserves accolades and for this, I am willing to endure a little bit of curmudgeon-y waitstaff, but not too much. Let me not forget there is also a wine tasting offered. I'm coming back for a second visit and certainly a third as Ibérico ham is a true culinary jewel. Salud! read more

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My girlfriend and I have been here 2 weeks in a row because we love the service and the great vibes. The bartenders are outstanding and create unique and delicious cocktails. You have to try the empanadas, better than any we've had before. Our favorite weekly stop! Emilio is fantastic! read more

10/10. My favorite place in town and the best staff in Carytown! Drinks were great and always perfectly timed. Food was delicious!

Importante is a great place to grab drinks and food! My partner and I went and shared the Iberico meats and cheese board, patatas bravos, and the mussels! Everything was really tasty, the only thing that wasn't my favorite was the mussels. They had a slightly odd flavor that wasn't my jam. The service was very attentive and friendly. It is very cozy on the inside with nice decor and a really pretty bar. The drinks were delicious! read more

Importante Bodega Bar - Clarified Negroni and the rioja sangria - Wine Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Thought I reviewed this place already. Oops. Easy 10/10. The owners are wonderful people. The food is outstanding. Awesome space. It does get loud. The food is outstanding. The drinks are outstanding. Did I mention the food is outstanding. read more

A fantastic restaurant and we are repeat customers. The staff is great and provide superb service with a smile. Food, wine and drinks are all exceptional. We went to Barcelona on vacation and discovered we had a restaurant here in Richmond as good as any we found in Spain. Highly recommended! read more

What a fun spot! Great bartenders, great front of house, and delish food. Would really recommend the gambas and the tortilla española. Gambas weren't much to look at but that sauce - DANG! Also, I heard tell of there Sunday happy hour: 11:00-7:00 (what a deal). read more

Great food , friendly and knowledgeable staff. Perfect ambiance for an intimate atmosphere. The food and wine have no issue teleporting you straight to Spain I love it . read more

Amazing tapas and the best service! Lance, Trent and Bryan were so helpful and attentive. Will definitely be coming back.

Our first time here! Lou was incredible! We popped in to grab a quick bite and drink while walking around Carytown and it didn't disappoint! Will definitely be going back asap to explore more of the menu! read more

Food was awesome, small plate style served well for a small chat session. House Red was good. Great service from Faith, very friendly and good conversation. Ambiance was good. read more

Call me sentimental, but this is as close to my youth (when I frequently traveled to Madrid) that I can get. Missing is the clouds of cigarette smoke and paper napkins all over the floor, but otherwise the food takes me right back to barrio Usera. Highly recommend those who want a Spanish experience or just want good food. read more

What a great tapas place! Was not expecting to find a very authentic Spanish spot on Cary. Great selection of meats, cheeses, and booze. Great service as well. Reminds me of being in Madrid! Great interior as well. read more

Service was great here, but we were very disappointed in the tortilla. A good tortilla is crucial for a tapas place, and we've had many. This was the worst one we've had, with too much potato, dry, under-seasoned. read more