My 80yo mother and I had dinner here while visiting from out of town in February and I was worried it might be too hipster for us, but it was fantastic! The service, the food, the ambiance are all 5-star!! We met the husband-wife owners (my mom has never met a stranger!) and we can't wait to visit again when they move to their new location (old mamma zu's space). A special night! read more

Had some amazing dishes from this small restaurant in Jackson ward! We got the skate which was so delicious we were almost licking the bowl. We also got the stuffed squid with hearty beans that tasted so homey and FULL of flavor. The atmosphere felt super classy and the staff were very attentive. They even showed us how to properly eat the skate haha. Would highly recommend! read more

Restaurant Adarra - Stuffed squid with beans - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We love(ed) Restaurant Adarra and were thrilled to check out the new space. We had a 5:15pm resi and were running 10 late so called to give them a heads-up only to be informed that they were going to give up our table. Thinking she just misheard us we reiterated that "we'll be there in just 10 min" but instead she doubled down. We ended up arriving at 5:22pm (7 min late) to a virtually empty restaurant but still the owner proceeded to seat us at the bar. The bartender was great until we shared our experience with him after which point things got even worse... He mentioned something about overhearing our phone call and that we were "30 min late"... Guessing he confused us for another party, I reiterated a few times that we were only 7 min late, but instead of apologizing he countered repeatedly with "You're focused on the wrong thing..." (whoah! weird af...) After a couple seconds of back and forth he tried deflecting with "Aren't you having a good time though?... (awkward...) Anyhow, after all this, the restaurant was still hardly full when we finished our meals and although they ended up comping our drinks, the damage was already done... Restaurant Adarra is/was one of our favorite restaurants in Richmond so I'll share a couple pieces of advice for management; 1) Consider establishing a grace period; 5-10min is pretty standard but that's your call, 2) If you're going to take a reservation deposit, list your grace period and late policy upfront so customers know what they're dealing with before booking (pretty sure you already do this but I don't believe it states 10min). 3) If/when customers call in late though, consider giving them the option to give up their table early; this is pretty standard, shows empathy yet feels fair and still holds guests accountable. Lastly there are plenty of amazing restaurants in Richmond committed to earning our loyalty, building community, and treating everyone like a valued customer... never lose sight of that and consider prioritizing the customer experience as you do your food... Food is just food if it's not prepared with love and enjoyed in the presence of good company... read more

First time at Adarra. Really classy/intimate atmosphere, lovely paintings on the walls, dim lighting. Plenty of small plates to choose from, waitress did a great job with her recommendations, explaining everything, and selling the specials. We got the squid ink, smoked beets, mackrel, tuna, jamon, and the special which was a lamb paella. Smoked beets - who knew you could do that - just such a unique and sweet flavor. The jamon really just melts in your mouth. The lamb paella was huge and filling, mushrooms really compliment the lamb. read more

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Outstanding in every way, from the first bite of chorizo to the last melty spoonful of hazelnut ice cream. Top-notch natural wines, thoughtfully-sourced ingredients, perfectly-cooked *everything*, and exceptional service in a super cozy space. Could not be happier with our experience at Adarra. read more

We're treated by a mean, rude lady who annoyed us and we almost walked out since the first impression was so bad. This lady was the only lady working and she had tattoos and a horrible attitude and demeanor. Very bad experience. We ignored her and ordered from another employee. The octopus, mussels and gnocchi were amazing. The chorizo was very good but a little overpriced. All in all a good experience minus that waitress. read more

My husband and I visited two years ago and had a wonderful dinner. We decided to go again recently and it was quite the opposite. We were one of the last reservations of the evening and felt rushed by management and our waiter. The food selection was minimal and the 'lamb special' had a distinct vinegar flavor that overpowered the taste and definitely not worth $52. There was only one choice for desserts also. The restaurant decor is pleasing but not worth the prices charged, food selection, and lackluster service. We will not be back. read more

We've been twice and both times the food was really good, and the wines were even better. The Tresbingia is so good I tried to buy it direct from the winery after my first visit. The service was also good, and the pace of the meal was really well timed. I took off one star simply due to consistency of the food. We went the first time and our favorite dish was the prawns served in a tangy Spanish broth. It was to die for. We order the prawns again when we went back, and they were prepared similarly, but the broth was not seasoned anywhere close to the first visit. This could have been intentional, but if that were the case the waiter could have told us that the preparation had changed. We will go back, regardless. I still put this on my top 10 RVA list. read more

This was meant to be a very delicious night out, which was surprisingly near tasteless. The service was decent, but the food was just not remarkable. I got the Roasted Olives, the Sardinas Escabeche, and the Octopus Stew... high hopes for each, all of which were dashed for a severe lack of amazement. How do restaurants get away with serving bland food while at the same time not providing salt & pepper at the table? The atmosphere is cozy, though. So, for that and the passable service, a star each. read more

I have eaten at this restaurant 4 times . The food is outstanding. It was one of my all time favorites. We usually sit at the bar. Unfortunately we had an unpleasant experience with the server at the bar I shall never forget. He was rude and snarky. His attitude was downright immature and unprofessional. We have not been back for a least 3 months. read more

Razor clams and prawns appetizers were world class and comparable to what you would get in Spain. Simplicity, taste and presentation were impressive. We ordered 5 plates and by the time the gnocchi came we were so full, but that dish was delicious as well full of mushrooms and very hearty, smoky and rustic. Also the. BREAD BREAD and BREAD. Great dining experience and service with all dishes being perfectly timed. I would be back again and again. read more

Run, don't walk to Adarra. Waited way too long to try but everything was perfect. Would recommend ordering a few dishes so best to go with someone to share. Service was good but bar was great as well. read more

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Nice ambiance, small space BUT great food and drinks! The ONLY downside is ...... sketchy neighborhood. read more

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We had a beautiful dinner while on a weekend trip to Richmond. Seating is incredibly limited in this intimate dining room, so reservations are a must. The dining room is dimly lit but does get noisy as tables are closely positioned to each other so maybe not the most romantic. Street parking is available but we walked from our hotel less than 1 mile away. The menu of tapas plates changes often so we asked for the specials that night and tried two (one a paella-type dish and one a roasted squash dish). We also ordered off the seasonal menu and had a total of 6 dishes to share between the 2 of us. We were incredibly hungry, but that amount of dishes was almost too much. Our waiter kept the plates coming as they were ready and made sure we had a steady stream of cocktails to go with them. My partner had several cocktails (on and off menu) with aquavit and loved them. The bartender made me one of THE best pisco sours I've ever had. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a gastronomic experience in Richmond! read more

Restaurant Adarra - Very cool, intimate vibe - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Loved our experience- Went for my man's birthday. We ordered Txipirones Rellenos (I hated, my partner liked) gnocchi for dinner (we both liked, but there was A LOT of mushrooms...), the selection of cheeses (which we both loved but came with only a little honey and peach jam) and navajas al natural (I liked, my partner disliked). Small plates/portions, very pricey food, very obscure descriptions on the menu. I asked a women server if we could have extra cheese on top of the gnocchi as when my partner visited Greece, he loved the way they prepared the cheese and was part of why we chose this restaurant and she said "let's just let the chef prepare it how is and if you still need something, we'll handle it then..." That was a polished way of saying no. Not only did we feel out of place not knowing much of what we ordered, not being able to pronounce a handful of things, but the one simple request I asked about got sharply turned down. So I paid for the $28 gnocchi and couldn't get some extra riccota. The ambience and experience was lovely, our male server was great and very classy with his wine selling especially, but we WILL NOT be going here again... read more

Restaurant Adarra - Razor Clams on left (Navajas al Natural) and Squid in olive oil on right (Txiperones Rellenos). - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Exceptional service and exceptional food. You can tell that the staff love the restaurant and that speaks volumes. I had probably the best mocktail I have ever had. I asked for Herbal and not too sweet. I was delivered a Thyme and Pineapple concoction that was just perfect. We got the Jamón, olives, gnocchi, and rabbit- all were superb. The mushroom sauce that came in the gnocchi and rabbit were similar, but different and delicious in their own way. Gnocchi were perfect pillows and rabbit just fell off the bone. We finished with the Raw Honey Panna Cotta that had wonderful flavor and fresh basil and peaches on top. Also delicious. My friend ordered a port and the server/FOH said that she thought the glass was one she brought that was her grandmother's, which was just cute and the perfect way to end the meal. It only took 7 months to try it out, but it was worth the wait. On my list of places to keep in mind and recommend when I have the chance. (Don't mind the photos, the restaurant was dark and I don't believe in using flash while in an intimate setting) read more

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Holy sh.... amazing. The small menu at first had question my decision to come here. I mean, i dont eat the infidel meat (pork lol), so that left 1/4 of the menu out. We asked our waiter what to get and he suggested the Shrimp as one of his favorites. We decided to also get the Gnocchi and their special which was softshell crabs. We got the crabs first. Amazing. 10/10. The 2 crabs were a cooked perfectly in this amazing lemon and something sauce. Ugh. I need it again.... The Gnocchi came next and damn, it was delicious. I said to myself, "Yashar. This is bangin'. Even if the shrimp sucks, ill give it 5 stars." I mean, how could it be better than the Crabs???!??! ..... ......... O. M. G. THE SHRIMP CAME. I DIED AND WAS BORN AGAIN. The sauce. The pepper. The flavor. I won't blaspheme the dish with my amateurish writing and dumb descriptions. Just get it. All in all, 10/10 x 3. Then, dessert. We got the smoked ice cream with olive oil, salt, a sweet sauce, and polenta cake. F$!# me. Another 10/10 This is now our go to spot. We drove here from Virginia Beach and to be honest, the 2 hr drive was worth it. Im sure the 420 hr drive back will be too. Salute to the chef(s)! read more

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Adarra's ambiance is amazing, it is on the dimmer side as well. It's small, very cozy and chic feel. You feel like in a movie. The food is great, they are sharable and one of my favorites was the razor clams. We arrived a little late but they accommodated us and we sat at the bar which ended up being my favorite spot. Overall it's a unique place and would definitely recommend it. read more

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Three of us walked in tonight, and had dinner at the bar. These were the only seats available as the reservations were full for the evening. The food was simply incredible. We had a razor clams in a tomato sauce that was so delicious we had to order more bread so that we didn't leave any of it behind. We had jamon that was aged 42 months and thinly sliced. Melted in the mouth. We had pinxtos - so good! We then tried three entrées, including the octopus, the gnocchi, and the garlic shrimp. All of them were outstanding. Finally, it didn't seem right, not to try dessert. We had the cheesecake, the chocolate, ice cream, and the rice pudding, and they were also different and special. We really had a truly delicious experience tonight. Hats off to the bartender, who explained everything as we ate and made wonderful recommendations. read more

"Happy Birthday Pops," Mr. RVA thought, peering out upon lush, green meadows, leading to the massive Mount of Horns, situated south of the city of San Sebastian. "Man, I wish you could see me now," the transcendental, melodic vibes, mixed with soft clinging silverware & laughter of patrons, comfortably bringing him back to his dining escapade of the evening. Nestled in the historically African-American district of Jackson Ward, lies Richmond's award winning restaurant. The glow of amber lights accentuated chestnut wood tables and exposed brick. The quaint, debonair locale has an air of exclusiveness, as one takes in the surrounding ambiance. Golden framed, scenic artwork captured the imagination of patrons, adding a distinct flare the the cozy atmosphere. The menu is enriched with tantalizingly delicious, Basque-inspired cuisine. This was curated by none other than husband & wife duo, House Manager/Owner Lyne Doetzer and Chef/Owner Randall Doetzer. One could bet, almost three years ago, at the genesis point, that they didn't imagine receiving accolades from Esquire Magazine, Forbes, Richmond Magazine, and the Gordinier List in the coming years. Ladies and Gentlemen of Discovering RVA, aurkezten dizut, The Noble, The Beautiful, Restaurant Adarra. @restaurantadarra . Tapas¹- Smoked Mussels~ Carefully, handpicked Mussels, smokey, cured Serrano Ham, White Beans, diced Leeks, swimming in a warm Saffron,Tomato-based Broth. . Tapas²- Txipirones Rellenos~ Baby Sea Squid, topped with zesty Chiles & resting on a bed of Olive Oil. . Tapas³- Shrimp~ Head-on jumbo Shrimp, in a savory, garlicky, Al Ajillo Sauce, topped with Herbs & fresh Parsley. . Wine Pairing- a glass of 2019 Albariño, Rego Do Sol , Rías Baixas, Spain. . Jake- Thank you for your hospitality, rapport, and recommendations. Much Obliged Good Sir. . Shout out to Carly and Diana. It was truly a pleasure meeting you Ladies & thank you for the follows. You know I kept looking at each dish received at your table. . Please, if you haven't already, follow me on my official Instgram page @Discoveringrva and take a journey with the Gentleman, "Mr. RVA" and uncover the hidden gems of our noteworthy city. . #discoveringrva . #804 #va #virginia #rva #richmond #richmondva #rvadine #rvaeats #Rvafood #food #foodies #foodshare #foodstagram #foodiesofinstagram #yummy #foodblog #foodblogger #foodlover #foodpost #foodography #delicious #delish #foodpic #eating #foodandwine #eeeeeats #foodiegram #igfood #forkyeah Carlie Diana guest read more

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Cute corner spot in Jackson Ward in the old Rogue Gentlemen space. Impressed with the service--fast and friendly. Not so impressed with the menu--they do not claim to be small plates, but they are. And not much variety at all--although the waitress convinced us to try the skate, and we were very glad we did, because it was delicious. I came not so hungry. Had I been hungrier, I would've left hungry. This is the kind of place you go to for drinks and a light appetizer. Not a meal. read more

Fantastic, cozy atmosphere with great twists on classic cocktails. We dined at the bar. It felt like we stumbled upon a secret. The staff was super attentive, chill, and knowledgable. I'll just say this: the stuffed squid special bumps Richmond up a few notches on the "best cities in the USA" list, in my humble opinion. read more

Fantastic addition to the RVA culinary scene. Dined here on their second night open. I always expect issues going this early after opening and only had one small blip with the reservation. After getting that settled, we dined at the bar which is a nice centerpiece of the quaint restaurant. About 10-12 can be seated at the bar and up to about 35-40 total in the restaurant. We enjoyed a couple of cocktails. Both well executed. Adarra's concept is centered around small plates, with just a few large plates on their menu (which will be seasonal). We ordered 5 small plates which seemed about right for 2. Warm olives with harissa and citrus was a nice start. That was followed by Iberico de Bellata Pata Negra (ham from Iberian pigs that feed on acorns only). Outstanding flavor and texture, as expected from this grade of ham. Next up was Octopus stew with chick peas and aioli. Very hearty, incredible flavor and texture, and a little heat. Well done. I wanted more. Roasted skate with smoked butter was served next. First time trying skate for me and it didn't disappoint. Nice crisp on the outside and a delicate fish inside (take caution with the little bones). Our last small plate was a gnocchi with a variety of mushrooms and ricotta in a light broth. Another well executed and flavorful dish and a great way to close our first meal here. Will return soon to try some of the other menu items. read more

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Ambiance is great. We sat at the bar since they were booked and we had no reservations. The bartender was amazing. One of the best I've ever had the privilege of being served by. But there was someone that was "testing" wines and was vulgar and loud. The clams for an appetizer were surprising. They tasted awfully similar to the clams in a can. I guess this was supposed to be a play on an old school snack. My wife had enjoyed clams, crackers and hot sauce as a kid. They gave chips instead. The check legit says "tinned clams". The entrees weren't bad at all. I had gnocchi and sly wife had the muscles. Great flavors and texture. Cooked perfectly. The cheesecake mousse with oil oil was weird but somehow tasted good all together. Ultimately this place is the typical Richmond personality an vibe. It's not a romantic candle lit dinner or a high end upscale place. But it's ok for a night out to talk and share a meal. read more

This was my second time dining at Restaurant Adarra. I saw the article in Esquire Magazine about "best news restaurants in the US" and wanted my parents to experience the wonderful dining experience they offer. We started with a bottle of red wine described exquisitely by the server. My mother and sister love white wine and the rest of us are red wine enthusiasts and the server was able to choose a wine that met all of our tastes. The cheeses we began with were distinct and ranged from mild to wild. We were enamored with the specials which were encompassing a lamb the restaurant acquired from Shenandoah and they were currently breaking it down. They offered lamb belly, a lamb rice dish which was served in a paella dish, and lamb pate. We LOVED the lamb rice dish. The flavor profile was spicy, vinegary, smooth and creamy. Truly delicious. I am a lover of pate and the lamb pate was also out of this world. Another stand out was the shrimp. Perfectly cooked and the sauce they were "swimming" in was outstanding. We were truly blown away by our dining experience and I was so glad Restaurant Adarra was able to accommodate us last minute before the holiday. You must give this restaurant a try. Restaurant Adarra and the Broken Tulip are hands down the best restaurants in Richmond. *they now have a heated outdoor patio. We sat outside at 7:15 and were warm enough to enjoy dinner* *masks are required if you leave your table, the restaurant is following COVID protocols. We felt safe* read more

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We had the most amazing time this evening at Adarra for my husband's birthday! They truly made this a special evening for him and we could not be hall Every dish is crafted with care and flavor. They are all small-medium sized plates, great for sharing so you get to try a variety of options. Great vibe and a great addition to RVA! read more

Restaurant Adarra - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

The menu at Restaurant Adarra pushed all my husband's buttons, so we came here for dinner. What a surprise -- everything we tried was very good! The tinned items were high quality, and we had several of those. The best thing we had by far was the gnocci with rabbit. So rich, so pillowy, so tender... We enjoyed the experience overall. read more

We had dinner and weren't sure what to expect. The service was great and each course was better than the ladt

Here's the scene: It's a first date. Every other restaurant we called was booked. It's cold AF outside. We're sitting outside. Sounds like the start to a terrible night, right? But oh no, my dear romantic reader. Have no fear. The night was saved in part by the remarkable menu, in part by a dazzling (2) bottles of wine and in part by great company. If I hadn't been shivering in between courses I can only imagine how much more enjoyable the night would have been. The lamb shoulder was so delicious that I asked for a box. Which I never do. This place rocks. The menu is dynamic and the food is delicious. Give it a try. Your taste buds will thank you. And me :) read more

The food and the service was excellent. The interesting dishes and the mix of textures and flavors were amazing. Will definitely be back. One of my new favorite places in Richmond. read more

Restaurant Adarra - PinxtosGildas - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Live down the street from here and it always looks busy so we decided to pop in to the bar. Menu is a bit on the smaller side but what we tried was good. Drink menu is also slightly smaller and limited but both the cocktails and wine that were recommend were delicious. This is definitely a special occasion spot in my opinion since the cost of your meal can get pricey read more

Delicious tinned fish. Yes you heard that right. Get the rabbit gnocchi. It blew my mind! Wouldn't return often. Too pricey for very small portions but overall sensational food and service in a lovely environment. read more

Our anticipation for a delightful evening there was an undeniable undercurrent of racial discrimination that overshadowed our hopes for a pleasant evening at Addara. at Addara was overshadowed by an undeniable undercurrent of racial discrimination. From prolonged wait times (we had a reservation for 6:45 and we were not seated until 7:15, plus a Caucasian couple came in after us and was seated immediately and then we overheard that their reservation was not until 7:30 pm) to the discernibly biased glances (the hostess was very rude and did not give any explanation why we were seated so late), the differential treatment was palpable (after being seated in the bar, not a table, the bartender did not set a table, did not give us a menu, did not offer us any drink, and did not acknowledge us, we left). In an era where we champion inclusivity, such experiences are not just disheartening but deeply alarming. With 20 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor, I've been trained to observe, understand, and empathize. Yet, that evening, it was I who was the subject of unwarranted scrutiny and prejudice. My expertise teaches me to seek understanding, but what occurred was unambiguously biased. I urge Adarra to reflect and rectify. Discrimination tarnishes not just those subjected to it, but our collective humanity. To future patrons, choose establishments that truly value every individual. In our journey toward unity, there's no space for such divisive behavior. read more

Racist management, racist bartender. Had a 6:45pm reservation and was still made to stand at the front entrance way past the reservation time. The female manager at this restaurant used the word "pissy" when explaining why my Asian husband and I (African-American) were denied seating at the bar nevertheless gave those same seats to a white older couple that did not have a reservation to sit at the bar. We were the ONLY minorities there.You tell me what that looks like? Minorities are not welcome, so don't spend your money here, go to Lillie Pearl instead. read more

Came in on a Thursday night and was able to get in right away. We had the chrysanthemum and cherry drink, rabbit gnocchi, stuffed squid and pawns. The atmosphere was romantic and cozy inside. Everything was delicious and would order everything again except the stuffed squid- it was over cooked and a bit chewy: I spent my 20s making stuffed squid at home so it was def less to desired. Everything else was very delicious! Would come back! read more

Wow. It's not often you go to a place where every dish is a hit. For anyone who is disgusted by the salty black anchovies you see on pizza, you must try their anchovies. You will have a whole new perspective. The roasted delicata, shrimp, octopus were all amazing. Pro tip: ask for more bread so you can slop up all the extra sauce. They also had a lamb mushroom special that was delectable. The service is fantastic and the space is intimate and cozy. I highly recommend going with a few people so you are able to taste it all. read more

Can't say enough how much we enjoyed this place! Set up like a classy cocktail bar with an amazing food menu, we were blown away. The drinks were potent yet delicious, the bartenders very knowledgeable and able to create drinks based on your liquor and flavor profile preference. The food was amazing! We had the soft shell crab and stuffed squid. When the crab came out I have to admit I was worried that I would not be impressed because I had not seen it prepared like that before but the flavors were amazing! Will def be back! read more

Small hidden gem in Richmond with thoughtful, unique food focusing on the Basque region of Spain. Menu has quite a bit of seafood and ham and if you're not into sardines then you may want to eat elsewhere. Cocktails were fresh and well made, wine list has great choices from Spain. Starters were tasty and flavorful-roasted almonds, olives, cheese board with local honey, toasted bread and house made grapefruit marmalade. Moved onto sardines, octopus, chorizo, mackerel much of it soaked in the delicious olive oil of the region. We continued with an extremely fresh tomato salad with basil and cucumber salad with thinly sliced Serrano ham. We reached fullness with the famous Guiso Gallego and the squid stuffed squid, great flavors! The finale of dessert was an extremely light cheesecake, blackberry sorbet and a coconut milk panna cotta. Service was attentive and friendly, we sat outside on the patio which was warm and delightful! A wonderful restaurant for a special occasion and for those looking for a change from the usual. read more

Absolutely amazing meal and wonderful, thoughtful service. Truly one of the best dining experiences & most unique dining experiences in Richmond. I would 150% recommend to anyone coming through RVA. Partner and I ordered the gnocchi, duck paella, and mussels and we could definitely taste the amount of love and attention that went into crafting each yummy plate. Wine selection is unrivaled in Richmond in terms of natural/biodynamic selection. That being said, we will definitely be back! read more

The food was ok, nothing really special, but it is not really an enjoyable experience. The place is really tiny, your eating in cramped spaces, it is loud so you can't really talk comfortably. The atmosphere is more like a nightclub. Even if there food was incredible, the environment is not. Maybe if they offered takeout it would reduce the overcrowding and noise in the place. read more