10/10, definitely recommend! I celebrated my birthday at MaryLou's Soul Dining Experience, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I ordered the Phantom Pasta, and it was absolutely delicious. It was packed with flavor, the chicken was cooked perfectly, the shrimp was seasoned really well, and they topped it with real crab meat! Everyone at the table enjoyed their meals, and after trying my friend's mac and cheese and collard greens, those were perfection too. The drinks were also delicious. A special shoutout to our server, Thomas. He was friendly, attentive, and on top of everything from start to finish. Our food and drinks came out quickly, and he made the entire experience even better. The food was so good that we literally came back the next day! After dinner, we went up to the rooftop. The drinks there were just as good, the music was on point, and the atmosphere was a whole vibe. It was the perfect way to end the evening. read more

Marylous Soul Dining Experience - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I'm not writing this review simply to complain, but rather to provide constructive feedback because I genuinely wanted to have a positive experience at this restaurant. Having recently moved to the area, I asked for recommendations for good soul food, and this establishment was suggested to me. While I was pleased with my entrée and enjoyed the food, unfortunately, the customer service did not meet my expectations. I strongly encourage management to invest in additional customer service training for their staff. Professionalism, courtesy, and hospitality go a long way, especially in the restaurant industry. Great food may bring customers through the door, but exceptional service is what keeps them coming back. I truly hope management takes this feedback seriously and makes the necessary improvements. I would love to support this establishment, but without better customer service, I would be hesitant to return. read more

My family was there this evening for a birthday party. My food was horrible I ordered a simple catfish platter with 2sides Mac and cheese and yams. Yams were ok but some pieces were tough. Mac and cheese was ok and fish seemed a tad bit old. We expected a better food I gad heard it was decent. They need to get some recipes from Sylvia up in Harlem. You have to make your customers want to come back. read more

Marylou's need to learn how to cook a group of us went there last night. The food was nasty and chicken was tough. Who in the hell has tough chicken. The kids had burgers they were greasy and oily dripping. What the hell the yams wasn't even done. Don't go there if you like this food you can't cook either. In the chair with these little baby steel hard behind seats I don't know who decorated that place, but it needs a makeover big time. read more

The restaurant is nestled in the Fan district. The decor and artwork created a nice southern vibe. Our meals took over an hour and 45 minutes. The service was incredibly slow! The crab dip and catfish were delicious! The crab dip had lots of lump crab meat. The catfish was well seasoned and tasted fresh. If service was better/quicker I would have given 5 stars. read more

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I love Marylou's for a rooftop vibe! The chicken makes the night even better each time! So much so i went twice in one week, the food came out fast & the bartenders were nice as always! read more

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Honey I'm Home pork chops were really tender, with a slight sweetness, but still savory thick cut pork chops. Almost did not need a knife. Really pretty decor. Greens, golds and black. For the ladies; enjoy the larger than life size picture in the bathroom. Surprise! Our waitress, (Kaden) was so friendly and bubbly. Enjoyed her enthusiasm. read more

Marylous Soul Dining Experience - Honey, I'm home pork chops. - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

The vibe of this restaurant was good. They had good music and a great area for a party. The rooftop was a nice place to go after dinner and the music was really good. I only ate sides because I am vegetarian. The broccolini was a little too salty, but the potato cake was delicious! I would eat that again. The staff that helped the party I was with was great! read more

Marylous Soul Dining Experience - Broccolini - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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This is a restaurant I want to try again because though I enjoyed my experience, the things I went to try they did not have at the time. I heard they have a great rooftop vibe on Sundays so that'll likely be the next thing I check out. The food I did order was a catfish dinner with macaroni and yams, my friend ordered lambchops and we enjoyed both. The macaroni I can say was a little oily and not exactly my preference visually but mixed with the yams it was pretty good. Though they did not have everything that we wanted, the service made up for it. We met one of the owners or maybe managers and they allowed us to sample some wines before we decided on a glass. read more

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Soul Food.. according to websters dictionary the definition is, a type of food southern black Americans typically eat. Keep that in mind. Saturday my best friend and I had a Galentines dinner date at Mary Lou's located on Main Street. I found the Black Woman Owned restaurant from an Instagram post of their bartender Chaney making new cocktail called "Forever in Bloom". I'm a sucker for a cocktail and beautiful stemware. His unforgettable personality from a 2 min post made me look up their menu which looked amazing. So we made reservations thru toast and Saturday were so excited. We were greeted by the most pleasant host. Not only keeping the restaurant organized, but gave suggestions, was keeping everything clean and pre bussing tables. Sims is absolutely amazing. They got us seated as soon as we arrived. The menu was great but we weren't even prepared for the art work and jewel colored seats. The comfortable seating, immaculate restroom. Did I mention the stemware choices??? Cici was our server and is otherwise known as fluffy. Her personality is heavenly. It's like sitting down with your homegirl to talk about good food. She gave us suggestions and helped us choose great drinks and food. I spotted the infamous Chaney from the IG post and told him he was the reason we made a reservation. I ordered an espresso martini with tequila, Brussels as my appetizer and Turkey Wings and Yams and Collards as my meal. TENDERRRRRRRR! My turkey wings were so flavorful and falling from the bones. The greens... the greens... let's just say I drank the pot liquor. My yams were so delicious and melted in my mouth. Someone's Granny is definitely in the kitchen throwing down! Chaney even dropped by our table to see how our drinks were. When we finished our meal we were so sad to leave this atmosphere with the great staff, food and the music was top tier. So we went and sat at the bar to have a drink made by the wonderful Chaney! His personality is truly infectious and whew can he make a drink! He made us strawberry Cosmos, Blackberry Burbon Smashes and lastly Green Teas. Mary Lou's features recipes from her grandmother Ms Mary Lou. I know what Webster says, but soul food is not just a food black southerns eat. Soul food is comforting, it reminds you of home. It's a safe place. It's nourishing to the soul. Soul food is dinner at granny's house after church on Sunday! Mary Lou's is all of that and I can't wait to return. read more

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Ok so tried this place out solo. What food I ate was good I had the egg flight and crab dip. Then I did order and entree but it never came. So I had them cancel it and left. I think the service can use some work cause seems like everyone was waiting. read more

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The location & decor is nice but the overall experience needs a ton of work. First & foremost... We ordered 2 Big breakfast which comes with eggs, steak, potatoes, and biscuit.... When food arrived to the table (early reservation) they had already ran out of potatoes, they subbed our potatoes with F R U I T !!! There is no comparison... Then to top it off they charged us by charging $37 per meal, and as you can see on the menu it should be $32 ! THEN proceeded to add another charge for homefries & we did not even receive the ones in the actual meal so no way we ordered extra (?) The french toast arrived soaked in some type of fruity sauce. They did comp that meal as the person sent it back immediately & ordered ala carte instead. Please keep in mind they drizzle sauces all over the food*** The steak & eggs were good but the menu is extremely small, if you are a picky eater... try somewhere else for brunch. overall they overcharged $15+ tried to contact the # listed on TOAST and there website, called 5x over several days and no answer + voicemail is full. Extremely Poor customer service read more

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Cool newish spot with amazing food. Came during brunch weekend and ordered quite a few things to try. Server was super friendly & really knowledgeable about the menu. The drinks come with cute inspirational quotes. And they taste good. The biscuits and gravy were so good & flavorful. But the shining star in my side was the shrimp and grits. That grit cake was delish and innovative. The shrimp and tomatoes yummy. The sauce - chefs kiss. On the flip side, the french toast was pretty bland. We opted for the regular one because we heard the crunchy one was hit or miss. May have to try that one next time. The only thing that could be worked on is wait times. It took about an hour to get our food, even though we suggested it could come out staggered. Apparently they had a rush, but I think because we sat outside it was easier to forget us. However, the food was definitely worth the wait. read more

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The food was genuinely enjoyable and clearly prepared with care, offering flavors that made the meal worthwhile. Unfortunately, the service did not match the quality of the dishes. Staff seemed inattentive and slow to respond, which took away from the overall experience. The ambiance was also a challenge, as the environment was loud in a way that felt distracting rather than lively. While the kitchen delivered a good meal, the combination of poor service and overwhelming noise made it difficult to fully enjoy the visit read more

We came here for brunch with reservations and were sat down right away and given water while we perused the menu. The ambiance of the restaurant is relaxed yet nice, like coming home for a family reunion. The brunch menu was limited but still we had a hard time deciding what to eat, it all looked so good. I eventually settled on the Crunchy Frosted Flake Encrusted French Toast with a side of bacon, since that would complement my apple cocktail I ordered, the Crimson Orchard. The music played and the vibe of the place felt like a mixture of my generation (I'm gen X/xennial) and some older stuff that added to the family reunion vibes. The food was amazing as the atmosphere and the drink was delicious as well. I will be coming back soon to try their dinner menu and other brunch items in the future. If you're in the Richmond area, stop in, you won't be disappointed. read more

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I've been to Mary Lou's plenty of times, but after my most recent visits, I won't be returning. The service and management just don't measure up and the food isn't strong enough to make up for it. The food is average at best. Nothing stands out, and for the price and atmosphere, you'd expect better. The drinks can be great, but that really depends on which bartender you get. The space itself is cute and well-designed, but unfortunately, looks aren't everything. At this point, the inconsistent service and underwhelming food just don't make it worth the trip. read more

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Thomas our server knew his assignment & was phenomenal in every area! Whoever is in the kitchen I just want to give them a Big Hug cause babyyyyy the turkey wings & my hubby's (beef rubs) yes I had a sample taste was Scrumptious!!! We did wait a little bit for the food but when you Know you just Know-it's worth every second!! Atmosphere is another yas!!! We left marking our date to return! And we had to discuss who would drive; not due to alcohol....due to being as full as a baby with a full bottle!!! What you waiting for....get dressed and go eat!!! Ohhhh and don't let that tiny pan of cornbread fool you-HunTee!! read more

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Let me tell you, I consider myself a bit of a Yelp bourgeoisie--if a restaurant has less than 4 stars, I'll practically break a finger trying to scroll off the page to find somewhere else to eat. But this spot? It had only 3 stars, and I was ready to dismiss it until I actually tried the food. My whole perspective shifted, like a flat-earther discovering the world is round. Mind blown. Now, if I see a restaurant with 3 stars, I have to pause, dig deeper, and figure out why it might have low ratings.This place was fantastic! I ended up here as a plus-one for a friend's work outing and wasn't planning on ordering anything. But then, I tried a Brussel sprout, and I nearly marched into the kitchen to place my order--seriously, they were a 10/10, possibly the best I've ever had. The calamari? Spot on! Perfectly seasoned with a dipping sauce that took it to another level--because, let's be real, the sauce can make or break a dish. The crab cakes were so good that I had to double-check that I wasn't in Baltimore instead of Richmond. The ambiance was on point, the music was great, and the waitress was super friendly, showering us with compliments. Overall, I had an amazing time, and my stomach left very happy! read more

Marylous Soul Dining Experience - Finished appetizers - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We had the pleasure of being a part of the Marylou's dining experience yesterday and it was superb. The overall ambiance was truly a vibe. The slow tunes, exquisite decor, and color patterns were aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, I did t take many pictures because I was overwhelmed with the food in a good way. The service was impeccable. I was running late to a dinner with my girls and I was truly welcomed from the time I entered and exited the building. The wait staff was very friendly and truly created a space for us. Our waitress or "vibe consultant" was extremely attentive and made us feel at home. Her recommendations were great. Now, let's talk about the FOOD! I am always very eerie of soul food because I come from a family of cooks, but MaryLous has the secret sauce. Our table tried the crab dip, corn bread skillet and lollipop lamb chops for an appetizer. The lamb chops were cooked to perfection they were very tender and moist. They weren't tough and they were seasoned to perfection. The cornbread was also very moist and flavorful. The crab dip was amazing! It actually had real crab and not just cream cheese. Inflation has not impacted the quality of food here at all. The main character of my night was the turkey wings. They were slow cooked and tender. They were falling off the bone, but firm. I asked for the recipe and our "vibe consultant" respectfully declined.. lol I would rate the turkey wings a 10/10! The sides were also very flavorful I had a chance to taste the collards and broccolini. I had a blueberry, Prosecco, mint drink (can't remember the name) and the bartender did his thing! It wasn't too sweet and it was very refreshing. I also had his signature lemon drop and I would say it is one of the best lemon drops I've had in Richmond! If you are in the mood for some "down home cooking" or soul food run to Marylou's! read more

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We celebrated my Mom-in-love's 89th Birthday here! The food was delicious: cornbread, crab dip, shrimp & grits, catfish, mac-n-cheese, collards, and short ribs. And I had to have a grit cake! Our waiter, DuJour, was patient and professional!! I've visited previously in groups and also just me and hubby. I appreciate consistency in cuisine! I want it to be very good every visit, every time! I was not disappointed. Val 2/23/25 read more

Marylous Soul Dining Experience - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Food was great, the music and vibes were good. Server Thomas was very pleasant and the service was fast and professional. read more

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The place seems new and the staff is working to keep up with orders. The place is close to the VCU campus. With a little more time and training I believe they will be hitting a nice stride! read more

This spot is cool, it's always a lil nippy when I go in there. The service is cool and the food is cool... cool crowd at the bar if you catch it at the right time read more

I was really disappointed with my experience. The food was mediocre at best, and the service was honestly terrible. They were also out of several menu items, which was frustrating from the start. We weren't given silverware and had to get it ourselves. Our drinks were never brought out, and our waitress rarely came by to check on the table or see if we needed anything. To make matters worse, a 20% gratuity was automatically added for service that was far below acceptable. I understand busy nights happen, but basic customer service was completely lacking. Unfortunately, I won't be returning. read more

Definitely a nice spot. Everything was above decent, food - Get them "Turkey Wings" lls, service (CREDIT TO THE MANAGER )/servers (especially the new ones), Drinks, Atmosphere, Rooftop, cute little Hookah girl on that roof (hustle & bustle ). The ONLY thing that needed a little improvement was that dam DJ. Smh. I mean R&B'd me to bed and death ‍. On that good ol Friday night. Mix it up or something sis next time PLEASE... read more

So I really want to write a review about Mary Lou's. The food was really good. The atmosphere was really cute and our waiter was really nice. it seemed like a really friendly restaurant bar with a space that look like it could be great for event space! Dinner was lovely! read more

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waited 40 min just for our order to be taken....food came out and it was ok at best. I ordered the biscuits and gravy and asked for a poached egg and it was basically a hard boiled egg. My mom ordered the catch of the day and she said the catfish was very salty and her eggs tasted like nothing. The best thing there was their home fries. our server was nice but not attentive did not get my drink refilled once. Super unfortunate since i wanted to love this place. Might give the dinner menu a try. read more

Marylous Soul Dining Experience - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Visited here for the first time a few weeks ago.. The ambiance and service was nice . Food was delicious drinks were good as well. read more

Marylous Soul Dining Experience - Sd of bacon, hash bowl and Mule. - Soul Food Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

First off - this place is a hidden gem! You can't even tell all that it has to offer. From the bar side, to the eloquent seating, to the private rooms, to the wine room, to the outside eating areas and even the rooftop/penthouse portion! Too dope of a spot! Came here for a quick date night and turned into a while vibe. Chan (the owner) was there and came over to talk to us and tell us she'd been open since April. I love the decor! It's a whole vibe! The menu has so many great options we couldn't decide but I ended up going with the Brussel sprouts & the pasta. Too bomb! My other half got the baked chicken dinner. I wanted dessert but I was too stuffed. The drinks are bomb too. You can rent this place out for multiple things! I just love the decor throughout the entire building. The rooftop / penthouse has a totally different menu & offers hookah. We decided to go up there after we ate to check it out. Issa vibe! We'll definitely be back when we're in the RVA area. My lemon drops were banging & so was my sangria read more

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Food and ambience was on point. Service was slow to be empty. You might not want to go hungry. #MrsTateApproved

This spot was a pleasant surprise. I spied it on a prior solo trip from DC and my bestie and I made the trek. We were specifically looking for good brunch at a spot that had tv's so we could watch the game. I recall seeing on their IG, that the bar had tv's. I expected a heavier crowd and was a tad worried cause we didn't have reservations. But our timing was perfect. We were seated immediately and had a great view of the tv's, as requested. We ordered French toast, avocado toast, shrimp and grits and steak and eggs. Oh and a side of collard greens. I was a bit unsure cause some reviews aren't the most favorable. I didn't prefer the avocado toast, but my bestie liked it. The collards were amazing, the cornflake crusted French toast was also good. I love their take on shrimp and grits, the grits are like a fried cake. The texture is yummy. The steak and eggs wasn't bad either. I prefer however a better grade steak, it was obvious that it was a lesser grade and honestly, tasted cheap. I love the ambience, very colorful and the spot is HUGE! Very deceiving from the outside. They have private dining rooms and a penthouse upstairs as well as patio w/ hookah. We tried to grab a table upon finishing our meal but the patio was full. And even w/ two private parties going on, we were not disturbed. It's like a HUGE old colonial house w/ just rooms everywhere. The service was great and everyone was really nice. The experience only could've made better had the tv's not gone out in the middle of the game ARGH! Something happened with the signal. And the drinks were just ok. Definitely look forward to returning soon. And I see they're opening a sister spot. Way to go! read more

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There was little to no AC. A balloon in the ceiling that was probably from the party before. My old fashioned was a swallow of drink. We had been seated for an hour with no silverware. We were told we could not change seats. We were supposed to have a private area but staff kept walking through our area as if they could not see all around. We were not given silverware until well AFTER our food came. Late notification on the candy nuts on the salad. Out of calamari and we had wee notified 20 minutes after ordering. Staff kept asking if everyone was done with their food instead of walking around to the tables. Someone in our party ordered and had not received it in 20 minutes. read more

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Everything about this place is amazing. The food. The drink. The service. The vibe.. definitely a 10/10 experience.. I will definitely be going back!! I choose the "Midnight Jewel " for my drink. It was really good. For appetizers my friend and I got the lollipop lamp chops and the deviled egg flight.. after eating the appetizers we couldn't wait for our entrees to get there. We both got the turkey wings. My friend got the garlic mashed potatoes and the broccoli for her sides. I got the collards greens and macaroni and cheese!! Let me tell you.. EVERYTHING was delicious.. read more

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I was excited to visit this new restaurant and I wasn't let down. The staff did a great job acknowledging everyone even while busy and I had a great server. The food and cocktails were great. I had turkey wings but also sampled the catfish which was great. Don't sleep on the cornbread. My only recommendation would be to dim the dining room lights; it's too bright especially with dining room Being visible from the street by passersby. The decor lends to a more intimate vibe. read more

The food was very tasteful and our server ShaFonte gave you the best service Drinks 5 stars Thanks read more

I went there for a graduation party and ordered my food at the same time as everyone else. It took 2 hours for my food to come and all I ordered was Mac and cheese. Do better. read more

I been here when they were about to switch to dinner.The bartender and our waiter were soooo nice and accommodating.I def have to come back

Let me start by saying I really wanted to like this establishment- My husband and I are big on supporting black and women owned establishments Normally I read reviews, before going someplace new, but I didn't bother, because whenever I drive by on the weekends there were people coming and going. So, I was thinking it has to be worth it, because why else would everyone be going? Well, I guess they were thinking like me, don't know about them but I've never been disappointed enough to write a review. My husband and I wanted brunch, waited too late for that so we did an early dinner. Reserved for a 5pm slot (wasn't necessary). I informed the hostess we had a 5pm reservation and under what name to find it - the music was so loud - when she said "I can seat you, but I need to get more menus" I didn't hear a word, just saw her lips moving, she comes back to hostess stand - and with attitude says "I said... Now the service - just bad - the waitress didn't bother to ask if this was our first time, didn't suggest any dishes and didn't check on us after the meal was served. The food - I got turkey wings with mash potatoes (gritty) and collard greens (too much vinegar). My husband got fried catfish (had to be sent back, fried waaayy to hard). the broccolini was beautiful, but not cooked, and his mashed potatoes were the same as mine. To top it all off a 20% gratuity is adding; We tip, usually more than 20%, but if tipping where an option - this is one time we would Not have tipped. Needless to say, we will not be going back. read more

Food and service was horrendous- I could never recommend going here again. The music was deafening and unbearable - we had to get out before we lost our hearing. Don't go read more

I recently attended a private party at MaryLou's this fall. The food was served buffet style: cheeseburger sliders, fried fish, mac & cheese, veggie & dip, chicken wings, corn bread, and an amazing Brussel sprout medly. EVERYTHING was delicious . I can't wait to go back as a regular customer. read more