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Marylous Soul Dining Experience

3.5 (45 reviews)
Open 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
Updated 3 months ago

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MARYLOUS SOUL DINING EXPERIENCE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Happy hour specials
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Marylous Soul Dining Experience

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Dominique M.

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.

Broccolini
Kortni M.

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!

Menu
Autrelle J.

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.

Green Tea
megan d.

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.

Alicia R.

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

Turkey Wings
Kim H.

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!!

Belgian waffle
Nikki J.

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.

Restaurant area art.
Michael K.

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.

Chefs Catch of the Day Breakfast
Stephanie B.

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.

Turkey Wings, collards, broccolini
Quantina T.

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!

Fried Catfish

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

Finished appetizers
ShaYvonta B.

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!

Valencia A.

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

Fish, collards and Mac

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6 months ago

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Mary L.

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Mary L.

Thank you for visiting us Daphne. We appreciate you!

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

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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

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The food was not bad, I had the fish and Mac n cheese. The fried fish was PERFECT!! the Mac n cheese needed some work

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Mary L.

Thank you for the review Kam. We will surely triple check that Mac.

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Southern Kitchen - Catfish Bites

Southern Kitchen

4.0(573 reviews)
6.2 miStony Point
$$

Southern Kitchen is such a beautiful restaurant. The ambiance and decor are absolutely stunning,…read morebut what really stood out was the food and service -- both were top tier. Everything we ordered was delicious. We had the buffalo shrimp, collard green crab dip, fried okra, two cheeseburger kids meals, and the creole pasta, and every dish was flavorful and satisfying. The only challenge was trying to enjoy such a beautiful meal while managing our two hungry babies, but even that couldn't take away from the experience. My husband ordered the "Kitchen Stink" drink, which was way too strong for me, so I kept it simple with a champagne while relaxing and enjoying watching my husband and kids eat, listen to the music, and have a great time together.

We visited this restaurant for a graduation lunch following a ceremony at VCU, May 8, 2026, and…read morewhile the ambiance and décor were absolutely stunning, unfortunately our experience went downhill from there. Let's start with the positives -- the place is beautiful and clearly a well-chosen venue for a special occasion. Now, the food and service left a lot to be desired. My cousin's hamburger arrived completely plain -- no condiments whatsoever. She had to ask for mayo, ketchup, and other basics. There was also no salt and pepper on the table, so she requested it from a staff member who did not seem pleased and brought it over turned away from us with his hand covering the tops of the shakers -- not exactly a warm or sanitary impression. My husband and I both ordered the catfish. When his tartar sauce arrived (something he had to specifically request), he -- a former Navy cook -- was skeptical enough to ask if it was actually tartar sauce. That says a lot. My mac and cheese side was completely bland and flavorless. My husband also mentioned his lemonade tasted like straight syrup and had to dilute it with water. We also noticed in other reviews that cornbread is brought to the table -- we were never offered any. Sadly, about 12 hours later, both my husband and I are experiencing serious stomach issues. The restaurant is gorgeous and I wanted to love it, but between the bland food, the inattentive and at times unwelcoming service, and now feeling ill -- I don't think we'll be returning.

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Southern Kitchen - Dining room

Dining room

Southern Kitchen - Southern Rolls @Southern Kitchen

Southern Rolls @Southern Kitchen

Southern Kitchen - Catfish Bites; Blackened Catfish; Mac N Cheese × 2; Candied Yams; Cornbread Muffins

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Catfish Bites; Blackened Catfish; Mac N Cheese × 2; Candied Yams; Cornbread Muffins

Croaker's Spot

Croaker's Spot

3.9(952 reviews)
1.9 miManchester
$$

BRING YOUR WALLETS AND STRETCHY PANTS!…read more We went as a corporate outing group of 5. The front door is a little tight cause as a popular spot there's a bunch of foot traffic. The lady at the front door was a bit staticky but she got us sat fairly quickly so we could deal with that. Vibes are all wooden, but not creaky. Could be a cool date spot, it was very casual so we were able to be a bit boisterous. Good place to chat and blend in. Service was great and friendly and attentive. The waitress we had always made sure our cups were full and we had napkins and what we needed. We didn't get any alcohol, I got an Arnold Palmer, the wife got a midtown. They were both pretty good, I don't know what the difference was but they slapped. Free refills on sweet tea was dope too! The food came out pretty fast for the portions and quality. The wings are a must get, get the large and if you don't finish air fry them back home (reheat is good) (I would get sauce on the side, we did buffalo). We got like a desert style cornbread with syrup and powdered sugar, not normally my jams but totally delicious (my coworker ordered, I am not into sweets; still 10/10). I had 2 buffalo shrimp and they were also good, I didn't get a flick but that's a safe pick. The mains are pricey (typical soul food prices) but fire!!! Portions were good but the quality of goods and meat are awesome. I eat at a lot of places, the quality was really high here so I think the price tag was fair. My wife got the catfish, I got the stuffed salmon. For our sides we got the greens, cabbage, and the Mac & cheese. I had a couple of things I personally like that I feel would have enhanced the meal but the overall outlook is that this is the place to go. The greens were salty as heck and didn't have like a turkey neck or smoked anything in it, could be a regional preference but that was missing for me. The cabbage was also cooked really well and didn't require much but had no sparkle. Great texture but the flavor wasn't there, I'm also Caribbean so maybe what I like is different, the crunch with a kick would have gone far and maybe some salt from the greens in there. The Mac and cheese was good, I like a creamier one but this will suffice tbh. Overall I'm going to give them a 8.9/10. I could have gotten the wrong things or went on an off day but they certainly delivered and the service was GREAT. I would deff revisit, it's got a lot of charm and personality. The staff were amicable and the bathrooms were clean. I would recommend this spot if you're visiting Richmond!

Late to the party but here I BE! This little establishment with its wood floors, high booths and…read moreimpressive black art seems crowded and tight BUT...once you get IN? You absolutely get why. Getting in is the trick. There is no waiting area. The bar is small and fully stocked. It took my family about 45 minutes to be seated. The dining room, wood and walls covered in beautiful paintings of black artwork filled with families celebrating and enjoying huge plates of southern cuisine. Our server, LENA was very helpful and friendly. She made sure we knew what was what. She was Awesome. Okay now this FOOD! So much food and everything hot and fresh. You'll be tempted to order an appetizer. I observed the portions and decided I couldn't eat all that... in a week. Definitely getting the fried oysters next time though. The "Fish Boat" comes with 2, 3 or 4 pieces of whiting. It's fried and the onion and pepper "sauce" is a mustardy, vinegar concoction that compliments the fish perfectly. You have your choice of two sides. Typical southern specialties. Collard greens (no pork added) were delicious, with a little kick; Candied Yams and a BRICK OF CORNBREAD. Light, soft sweet cornbread... my goodness. I don't think I can do this food the proper justice it deserves in this review. The chicken strips; the Alfredo were just as good. Even their version of an Arnold Palmer, (The Uptown) was done right. It's worth the drive and definitely worth the calories. If you love southern food, seafood with an ample serving of back in the day hospitality, (it's on the PLATE) stop by and come hungry. My family said it tasted like Thanksgiving. Family cooking seasoned with love. That's exactly right. Oh! GET THE CAKE... for later

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Croaker's Spot
Croaker's Spot - Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes

Croaker's Spot

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Lunch. Supper! - The Last Stand

Lunch. Supper!

4.4(2.3k reviews)
1.5 miScott's Addition
$$

Haven't been here in quite some time; but glad that my husband and one of our friends Mom asked me…read moreto get out today. One of the best spots in downtown Richmond (Scott's addition area) for a small group to enjoy a great meal in a cozy setting! I finished off the salmon cake sandwich with french fries; as it was very delicious and filling. The hostess and wait staff were helpful and friendly during the whole experience.

Was passing through Richmond, and a lot of my friends recommended LUNCH.SUPPER! for brunch. My…read morepartner and I were seated promptly. Only street parking is available, but it wasn't too difficult to find a spot. The atmosphere: Very rustic vibe with some farmhouse-style decor. They have table, high-top, bar, and patio seating available. The food: I opted for the Chicken and Waffles with a side of cheese grits. I chose to make it hot for more spice. It's served with one whole waffle, two large pieces of fried chicken, and syrup on the side. The chicken was not seasoned as much as I hoped and wasn't as spicy as I expected, which was a bummer. The cheese grits were alright as well, but not as flavorful as I hoped. My partner ordered the Double Barrel Bowl, and he really enjoyed it. It was packed with pulled pork and was plentiful and filling. The service: Great and kind service from Mave (I believe that is her name but I'm not entirely sure). She informed us about the daily specials and was attentive throughout our visit.

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Lunch. Supper! - Inside

Inside

Lunch. Supper! - Pimento cheese & fried green tomatoes

Pimento cheese & fried green tomatoes

Lunch. Supper! - Even the water is cool!!

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Even the water is cool!!

Sugar's Crab Shack - Fresh fried oyster

Sugar's Crab Shack

4.3(223 reviews)
1.4 miVirginia Union
$$

Always the place for great fried fish. They have other options but for me the fish is it…read more My wife loves the onion rings and hush puppies. Good customer service Style as a take away but outside seating is available

I saw this place on tik tok and told myself I would stop by and visit the next time I was in…read moreRichmond. My son had a basketball tournament, and this was the perfect time to stop by. I pulled into the parking lot and this place has a unique setup. All the tables are outside similar to checkers. The place looks like it belongs in a dessert or South of the Boarder based on the color which is odd as well. They take your orders at the walk-up window. When I originally arrived, I didn't see much business but while I waited for my food the cars were pouring in left and right. My hopes for the food increased. There is a menu on the outside that is somewhat difficult to read and navigate. A ton of options with some whopping prices. I ended up ordering the 1 Snack and Fries. I wanted something good but also light as I had another place in Richmond I wanted to try. $14.99 seemed good until I saw this bogus, Local meals tax on top of the state sales tax. This caught me off guard. I ended up waiting in my car for about 20 minutes and later heard my name called over the microphone. The gentleman showed me the food, and it was 3 large pieces of fish. The fish was delicious. The fish was Cooked well, and I could taste the flavor. Way more than I expected. Tartar sauce elevated the flavor. The fires were piping hot and good as well. I wish I had some ketchup, but they were still good. I loved that they were salted but if I had high blood pressure I should have stayed away. You can see the salt on the fries. They were good to me. Overall if I were in Richmond again, I'd definitely stop. The food was good. I would definitely try more options. The customer service was good. The cashier and food distributor were on their A game. Outside could use some love and care but it is what it is.

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Sugar's Crab Shack - Where to order

Where to order

Sugar's Crab Shack
Sugar's Crab Shack - Ordering window

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Ordering window

Marylous Soul Dining Experience - soulfood - Updated May 2026

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