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    McLean's Restaurant

    3.5 (228 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    McLean's Restaurant Photos

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    MCLEAN'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - McLean's Restaurant

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    Inside
    Gregory F.

    Your grandparent's favorite RVA diner. Super unassuming from the outside and quite impressive on the inside! This place was much bigger than I expected it to be - plenty of seating and with an enormous menu. A bit pricier than I expected for your neighborhood diner-type food, but my friend really appreciated the smaller-size chicken and waffles, and I really enjoyed my simple breakfast sammy. Friendly staff that make you feel at-home. Overall would go again - especially based on location alone, it is so dang convenient!

    Harrison C.

    It's the perfect spot for a good old-fashioned greasy breakfast! You feel like you're entering a time capsule when you go there, but in the best way possible. The staff is very friendly, and you get your food so quickly. This past time I had the biscuit and gravy with home fries and neither disappointed. if you want food like your grandma made, go to McLean's!

    Breakfast Burrito
    J E.

    While staying in Scott's Addition, I stopped in here for breakfast on a weekday morning. The dining room there is quite large and I can see how they get very popular and crowded. The menu is loaded with all the typical breakfast usuals, nothing really stood out as being particularly special or homemade. I opted for their breakfast burrito and it was decent. The potatoes that came with it were very bland and basic. As for service, my server wasn't very attentive, he was more concerned with eating his breakfast. The other ladies working were helpful and attentive, keeping my coffee filled. The place did have a nice, family feel to it. I'm sure it's normally really spot-on, both service and food. One thing I didn't like was that they charge gratuity. Seems like there's a better way to do this (charge more for the food or don't do it at all).

    Heather M.

    Anywhere you and a friend can eat for less than 40$ leave a good tip and be stuffed with deliciousness is a win in my book! I had the hamburger steak with onions and gravy with collards and cornbread and Mac n cheese. Which was actually very flavorful despite the bland look My friend had the rockfish special with fried okra All of it was lip smacking good I also got to color:) The waitress was a sweetheart and very helpful We will be coming back for breakfast soon!

    Beef Liver and onions
    Lisa G.

    This is my first time in at McLean's since they extended their hours--even though I still made it in before the extended hours. Anyhow, I am a solid breakfast customer here, and was looking forward to trying the dinner food. My mom got the liver and onions with collard greens, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. She must've loved it since she ate almost every bite. I got the chicken fried chicken, mac and cheese, lima beans and roll. I enjoyed everything but the lima beans, which weren't cooked long enough and had very little seasoning. The mac and cheese was a little runny, but flavorful. And the chicken was on point, but could've used more gravy. Prices are great, and we'll definitely be back when in the mood for classic diner fare.

    Look at that moist cornbread!
    Crystal O.

    Parking- eek, 2 stars? Restaurant- yum!!! all the stars! We entered from the rear parking door and were sat right away- lunch rush in full swing, we ordered pretty quickly and drooled over the huge plates of wonderful smelling food passing by before ours arrived. My Barry Bird- turkey, bacon melt on fresh sourdough bread was simply a delight for the tastebuds- I remember just loving the bread! John ordered country fried steak with onion rings and apple sauce and the corn bread- good gracious, it was huge! You could tell this was the spot for locals- the servers knew customers by name! I love a place with return customers- it speaks volumes! Great prices, wonderful food, fantastic service! What more could you ask for! And the mayor was in about an hour before us!

    Coffee
    Lena M.

    What better place to come to after a night out than a diner like McLeans Restaurant. ***LOCATION*** I don't know how I never noticed this on Broad. My friends live right next to it so this is how it was brought to my attention. It's closer to the Scott's Addition side of Broad in an unassuming yellow building. ***EXPERIENCE*** This is the ultimate spot to come to for weekend diner food. Their brunch menu is great and there isn't a wait during normal high wait times on weekends. They were kind and quick about coffee refills. The service was wonderful. I tried their chocolate chip pancakes (very diner-like, but made me happy). Got scrambled eggs, bacon (on the crispier side), and home fries too. ***PRICE*** A great bang for your buck. Things range from $7-15 here. ***CONCLUSION*** If you want comfort/American food, this is your spot. It reminded me a lot of the diners we used to go to as teenagers on weekends and brought a beautiful sense of nostalgia. The food is what'd you'd expect from a diner, but enjoyable.

    Indoor dining room
    Emily S.

    First time at this place and it didn't disappoint. Saturday morning wait was very reasonable and service was awesome. The food was AMAZING and the mimosas were only $6. I can't believe I've never been here before, but I will absolutely be back very soon.

    Breakfast Burrito
    Alexandra L.

    Came here on a Wednesday morning and it was pretty full! Seems to be a popular local spot. The food was pretty good. I got the breakfast burrito, and while it was nothing exceptional, I would definitely get it again. The potatoes weren't great; they could use a bit of crispiness. The prices are decent and portions are pretty good. It is worth noting that they automatically add a 20% tip, but at least the service is great. My water never went below halfway and they were constantly asking to top off coffee. I would definitely be willing to revisit McLean's and try some of their other dishes.

    Looks like they converted a garage, complete with the door! Parking is actually in the back.

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    16 days ago

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    3 months ago

    Always delicious food and friendly service! I will be back and will recommend you to all my friends!

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    6 months ago

    Awesome. A great Go-To for Breakfast and the Friday fish fry is delicious!!! Wish they served Coke products.

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    2 years ago

    Not a fancy place. But when you need a meat and two sides, damn near perfect. The biscuits are very good.

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    Page 1 of 6

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    Perly's

    Perly's

    4.5
    (1.7k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Found this place through Guy's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives TV show. It's popular among locals for…read moresure. Before opening time, there was a line. Retro design from the 80s'. Booths and bar tables. Not sure if they take reservations. Street parking. They promoted POTATO & DUCK PIEROGIES on the show so I ordered it. Came in 3 with broth. Very flavorful and fulfilling. We also got cinnamon bagel with cream cheese, eggs and Reuben (I think). Fresh and good portion. Staff were friendly. She answered our questions patiently and she was very nice.

    This is one of the most sought after dining spot in downtown Richmond, VA. On Sunday morning, we…read morearrived at the location 10 minutes prior to opening at 9 am and there were already few people waiting outside. The staff opened the door right on time. The inside of the store was old school setup with booths and a huge full service bar. 15 minutes within opening, the restaurant was full in capacity. The menu had lots of exciting brunch dishes, appetizers, salads, soups and deli section as well. There were plenty of cocktails, beer and wines choices available too. Prices were decent. I picked the Jewish Sailor that was a combo of toast with pastrami and beef sausage with red onion and mustard. When the dish came, it looked so scrumptious. Loved the flavor of the pastrami, the crunchy sausages, crispy toast bread, coleslaw all of it. I also got to try the pierogis that were delicious as well. The service was good overall. Our waitress was attentive, while managing several tables at the same time. The dishes came out quickly despite being busy. Overall the experience lived up to the expectations.

    Photos
    Reception area
    Reception area
    The most delicious corned beef hash with hollandaise sauce and side salad.
    The most delicious corned beef hash with hollandaise sauce and side salad.
    Decor

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    Decor
    Lillie Pearl

    Lillie Pearl

    4.5
    (755 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    One of the best restaurants I've visited. Ambiance was nice, seated right away, music was great (if…read moreyou're into 90s r&b), service was outstanding, and the food was some of the best I've had. I had the sweet potato cornbread, crispy salmon, with a side of collards. My wife had the oysters (with a really tasty hot sauce) and the crab cake (no filler). Everything was savory and light, cooked to perfection. We were both stuffed as we walked away from this gem!

    I finally got to the new location of Lillie Pearl. The location is great. Right at the triangle…read morewhere the Maggie L Walker stature stands on Broad St. It's open and airy with two levels of seating a a nice bar. We were there late Saturday night(8:30pm). The server, Briana, was one of the best I've had in a very long time. Personable, great smile, friendly, and knew her stuff. We ordered the brussel sprouts- they were great with a nice heat from the sauce. We had the crispy skin salmon, which came with a nice fresh salad, The skin was amazingly crispy and the flesh was flavorful. I asked Briana to surprise me with something good and boy did she deliver. It was their porkchop served over some super tasty mashed potatoes. Note that this is not how they are usually served, it was Briana's favorite way to eat this dish so she made the decision for me. The porkchop was very very good. Nice grill marks, onions, and a very nice cream-based sauce. This was so so good. They are doing great food at this new location and I will be back again.

    Photos
    Top floor decor and portrait wall
    Top floor decor and portrait wall
    Roasted Heirloom Baby Carrots Dinner
    Roasted Heirloom Baby Carrots Dinner
    First floor dining

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    First floor dining
    Tarrant's Cafe

    Tarrant's Cafe

    3.9
    (965 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    Lovely spot to come for a casual dinner! We stopped by before going to see a show at The Coalition…read moreTheater across the street. Their menu has a little bit of everything, which is nice. You can almost surely find something you'll enjoy even if you're picky. Reasonable prices depending on what you get. Three of us for dinner, with 2 drinks but no apps or dessert, was $88 before tip. That is hard to beat in the city for good portions and tasty food.

    Street parking on a Thursday around 8 o'clock was not as difficult as I thought it would be. There…read morewas one open space waiting for our arrival. Upon entering, I was reminded of a 1950s pharmacy by the humongous "Prescriptions" sign hanging above the bar, and the antique furniture, bar, and barstools splayed throughout Tarrant's. There was a solid crowd at the bar; it's clear there is a regular crowd that sits and hangs out here. We were promptly seated by a young blonde woman in the dining section (behind the bar). Our server, Nadia, was an enchanting brunette, training another young server, Sierra. She took our drink orders and gave us plenty of time to review the menu, checking in after a few minutes to see if we were ready. We finally decided, my partner ordered the 10" Bianca White (pizza), and I chose the Sailor Sandwich. Unfortunately, the sailor was not in the cards for me, and Nadia suggested the Reuben as they were similar. They brought out breadsticks while we waited, and the food arrived within 10-15 minutes. I was pleased with the atmosphere, the old-fashioned chandeliers, the large mirror, the floral paintings, and the rustic frames, all of which added to the restaurant's stated aesthetic. The pizza was hot and savory, while the Reuben had buttery toast, crispy corned beef, and a light smattering of sauerkraut (TBH, I didn't even notice the sauerkraut). For dessert, we indulged in the upside-down walnut apple pie, served with vanilla ice cream, all made from scratch, and beautifully delicate. Our time at Tarrant's Cafe seemed like a stroll into the past; the only indication of modernity was the ordering kiosk used by the staff. We truly enjoyed our time and had deeply meaningful conversations without enduring the hustle and bustle or the rowdy cacophony of an intense crowd.

    Photos
    Tarrant's ambiance and atmosphere
    Tarrant's ambiance and atmosphere
    Tarrant's Cafe
    Wednesday evening

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    Wednesday evening
    The Jefferson Hotel

    The Jefferson Hotel

    4.2
    (379 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$

    We stayed at this historic hotel for a couple of nights and really enjoyed the experience…read more Beautifully restored over the years, the hotel has a timeless elegance and regal charm that makes you feel like you've stepped back in history. The hotel is also home to an excellent restaurant that serves a fantastic weekend brunch along with a refined upscale dinner menu, making it worth visiting even if you're not staying overnight. We booked a suite, and it was incredibly spacious, with a full kitchen, separate living room, bedroom, dressing area, and a large bathroom. Although the rooms looked a little dated in the photos, they were much nicer in person. Everything was clean and comfortable, the bed was great, and the room temperature stayed perfect throughout our stay. If you enjoy historic hotels, this one is definitely worth experiencing. Knowing that many U.S. presidents and celebrities have stayed here adds to its unique charm and makes the stay feel even more special

    This review is for the tea only!…read more The ambiance of the Jefferson Hotel already makes this tea stellar- the mezzanine balcony where it's served is absolutely gorgeous. There are two tea blends that are custom to the hotel, the Jefferson blend and the Richmond blend- we tried the Richmond blend, which was very spice-forward and flavorful. The savory tier was pretty standard- we really liked the cucumber and chicken salad sandwiches, the sweet potato biscuit was a little dry and we didn't love the spinach wrap. The tea breads were our favorite from the sweets! We had a strawberry lemon bread and a chocolate bread, they were a little different from what you usually get at tea. There were also some small patisserie treats, like a chocolate covered strawberry and mixed berry cookie. You could add on seasonal cocktail options- we tried and really liked an old fashioned and a summer mimosa. We did a prepaid Tock reservation, which came out to about $60 per person after tax and gratuity. I think the price is very reasonable for what you get, especially in such a lovely environment.

    Photos
    Us at afternoon tea all dressed up. Photo taken by my boyfriend.
    Us at afternoon tea all dressed up. Photo taken by my boyfriend.
    Sunday Champagne Brunch
    Sunday Champagne Brunch
    Getting ready for the brunch buffet

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    Getting ready for the brunch buffet
    Lulu's

    Lulu's

    3.9
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    I was meeting a couple friends for brunch, and so we didn't all get there at the same time. The…read morehost was kind enough to still seat me at a table good for 3 while I wait for my friends even though they actually had quite a full house. So I really appreciated that. Our waiter was also actually quite patient (there was a bit of a wait until my friends got there; I'm sorry!). They had a dj the morning I was there, and I really liked the vibe. Their menu have more than enough options for brunch and drinks. I hope they extend their menu for more lunch items than brunch/breakfast items though! Once everyone was there, we finally ordered! I ordered a bacon cheeseburger with the side of Lulu's house potatoes and a pomegranate mule. The pomegranate mule was quite strong, and I enjoyed it so much I ordered another one. LOL. The bacon cheeseburger was exactly as I requested. I have no notes. Overall, wonderful experience and would definitely recommend.

    To start the food here was relatively good…read more The Chicken & Biscuit was quite tasty itself - the eggs were cooked well tastes great- the potatoes... The potatoes are a no everyone agreed the potatoes are too seasoned had this unnecessary spice to them and lacks flavor at the same time - we were not fan, another table recommended we not get the potatoes or ask for them to be a more crispy to disguise the spice. Even took it home and crisped it more, long story short the potatoes are not going to be that lightly salted flavor you'd expect, just over seasoned. The sausage gravy tasted great. The biscuit is absolute perfection! (10 out of 10 for Biscuit and Chicken) (3 out of 10 for potatoes) (9 out of 10 for eggs) Unfortunately as far as the Red Velvet waffles they are most likely waffles with red food coloring - tasted nothing like red velvet. (4 out of 10 for the waffles) The French Toast was okay- the strawberry puree was delicious. (3 out of 10 for French toast) The music in here is a vibe loved the selection - kept my group grooving. Not sure if they are always packed but there was a festival going on outside. They squeezed 7 of us at a 6 top booth. It was tight but worked. Also this location is not very spacious keep that in mind. Our server started off pretty good until the end. She was very loud- louder than the music. No discretion- announced the details of a remaining balance of someone in our group , loudly. Left a sour taste in our mouth as this was not the most professional route to inform a guest of something of that nature. Then proceed to give an attitude upon being compensated .. The situation was however de-escalated. Maybe work on delivery of uncomfortable information.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    French Toast Bacon
    French Toast Bacon
    Bloody Mary

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    Bloody Mary

    McLean's Restaurant - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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