Great little neighborhood bar. We only tried food when we visited - the Ruben and Italian were both great. The price was reasonable

I absolutely adore the Cask Cafe! ***LOCATION*** The Cask Cafe is located in The Fan. It's down Robinson St not far from Pizza & Beer of Richmond. There is free street parking around and it's not too hard to find. It's also close to the 5 bus. ***EXPERIENCE*** I don't come here often, but when I do I adore it. They have the absolute best sausages in town. If you're going to get anything, order the panini with kielbasa and your pick of melted cheese. It's heaven. If you're a beer person, you're in for a treat. They have so many types to pick from. There is outdoor and indoor seating. When the weather is nice, they open the windows and let a great breeze in. The people who work here are really cool and kind. If you can't do a cheese dish, order the Full Cask, that way you can try another incredible sausage and an assortment of goodies. ***PRICE*** They have great prices here. It's affordable and worth it for their beer and sausages. ***BATHROOM*** They have single mixed gendered bathrooms here. ***CONCLUSION*** If you're looking for good beer, good food, and a good time The Cask Cafe is a great place for you. It's super casual and a wonderful, cozy spot. I highly recommend checking it out. read more

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Simply a wonderful experience. We came in looking for snacks and drinks, which is the primary output of this location. The menu is simple and affordable. I got the cheese with an English cheddar, and it was served with excellent toast and a grainy mustard. My friend got one of the baguette sandwiches, and it came with a great portion. We also loved the beers available, they had an earl gray one on tap that I've been searching for since trying at a different bar years ago! The service was great and fast as well. We sat ourselves after alerting the bar staff we'd come in, and they were really prompt and attentive. I also loved the atmosphere, quiet enough to have a full conversation but not so quiet you felt uncomfortable doing so. There is outdoor seating by the parking lot where folks came in to order at the bar, so that's certainly a great option for nice weather or for pet lovers. Overall really good affordable and simple food, coupled with a nice selection of beers. I can't wait to return here! read more

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Loved it! So glad I was able to stop by and enjoy a beer and their delicious Reuben, it was so good. The attention was really good, warm, and friendly. and the place is very spacious, cozy, and has English pub vibes! read more

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I stopped in here with my mom after a massage next door because we saw the sign for the soup of the day (rustic potato). As a soup lover I'm always looking for a good cup of soup that is fresh and homemade tasting, and in all the times I've driven down Robinson I didn't know this was there! Not only did I find great soup, I also learned that they make their own sausages as well. I went with the bratwurst as it's usually a favorite of mine. It was delicious, juicy, and so flavorful. The roll was nicely toasted, the sauerkraut had great flavor and I love that they served it with a whole grain mustard. With the soup I also added a 1/2 cheese panini, which was crispy on the outside and loaded with a very creamy cheese, though I forgot to ask which cheese they use. Maybe Brie? Usually I just drink water but I was offered a fruity San pellegrino drink which sounded refreshing. The gentlemen who helped us was very friendly and explained all the different offerings. The food came out quickly which is always nice. If you like an alcoholic beverage with your meal they had a nice list of beers and other offerings. I definitely want to come back and share a sausage and cheese board with some friends so I can try a few more different options. Great little spot for a quick and delicious lunch or dinner! read more

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We found this cute little cafe while walking around downtown Richmond. We noticed a few people eating outside, and their food looked delicious so we decided to give this place a try. We got seated and served right away. We split a light beer recommend by our waiter and it was perfect. We both had their soup of the day with 1/2 grilled cheese panini. Our order was perfect and hit the spot for a late lunch/early dinner. It's a super cute spot with good local beer and food made with care. Highly recommend! The patio was dog friendly. read more

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I loved this place! I will definitely be going back. The smoked Gouda cheese & Cajun sausage was amazing. Love the bread & oil. Presentation was so cute, I really enjoyed the "charcuterie board" feel. Wish there would have been more drink options other than beer. I didn't have a waitress, I was told to order from the bar which i did, the bartender brought my food out when it was ready. She was super friendly & helpful. I think she could tell I was a first timer lol. Will definitely be back to try some more items from the menu, everything looked amazing! read more

The Cask Cafe - Cheese & Meat Board - Three Items - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Such a cool spot! They have three eating areas. An outdoor patio; and indoor area with a garage door that is open during warm weather; and then a fully indoor seating area. This place was so cool. I love the brick and old school feel. They have a good selection of beers on draft. For food, we got the select two cheese and meat board. The Cajun sausage was to die for - probably the best sausage I've ever had. For entrees, boyfriend got the pastrami Reuben and I got the Italian sub. Both were amazing. Between the two, I liked the Rueben most but the Italian sub was delicious too. They didn't skimp on the pastrami meat on the Reuben. Both sandwiches were sizable and filling, especially after the meat and cheese board app. Overall, this place was awesome with good food, drinks and super friendly staff. We'll definitely be back! read more

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I wanted to try something new while over in the fan and so glad I did. The parking was perfect on the afternoon and I love the idea of outdoor dining. I decided to eat inside to enjoy the ambiance of the establishment. I wax quickly greeted and chose to sit by the window to enjoy the breeze. I was presented with so many different choices of homemade sausages. I had to decline due to it being made of pork but loved the other food choices. I choose a turkey sandwich with Swiss cheese, greenery and a delicious mayo spread. The pastrami Reuben was also inviting and I'm told delicious. I love eating locally and learned that the bread was baked 6 blocks from this location. I love it! The bread was tasty and my turkey sandwich was 2 holds full. I'm not a poker player because my facial expression always gives it away. As our server came back to check on me, I guess my full mouth and bopping head displayed my satisfaction. I recommend this place for a great lunch spot. Oh, the lesson I learned today about beer. I didn't know the difference tween IPA or lagers. Just to let you know to the beer enthusiasts this is definitely your spot. There was a vast selection of beers and I was in total awe. Kudos to the staff of The Cask. I will be back ... read more

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I went here a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon. I live fairly close and have walked by it/driven by it many, many times, but finally decided to stop by and check it out. I'm so glad I did! It was fairly quiet, which I liked, because the bartender was free to make recommendations, answer questions and show me around a bit. I settled on the charcuterie board with two cheeses, plus it came with bread, olive oil for dipping, and a spicy mustard. I ended up getting a bottle of wine and taking it home with me since the prices were very good. It's a nice atmosphere, casual and easy-going. I sat at a table with what looked like an old church pew for a chair (it was along the wall). They have a decent outdoor seating area for when it gets warmer. This is a fun neighborhood spot in the Fan that I definitely recommend! read more

The Cask Cafe - Charcuterie board - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I had the hotdog thing which was ok. The bread itself was kind of hard and sharp which made it a little painful to eat. The barman was really helpful with beer selection however. read more

The Cask Cafe hasn't seen the last of me. Seriously: the little pub is adorable, chill, and so cozy. It's a great spot to visit on a chilly day in the thick of winter. I had first heard of it from my local beer-focused meetup group. I wasn't able to attend the gathering but did bookmark it. So, a few weeks later when deciding on a low-key locale, it came to mind first. Our group of three walked in and sat at a table near the bar. We mostly went to the bar to order items, but sometimes the owner would pop over and ask us if we needed refills too. Super casual atmosphere all around. I started with a local mead and selected two kinds of cheese​ (cheddar and manchego) plus the Käsekrainer sausage. My board came with bread and olive oil (delicious!), and each chunk of meat and cheese was huge. I legit boxed up leftovers. Their beer list is simple but sophisticated with some real winners mixed in. Lots of international imports, which is cool too. I grabbed a bottle of the Oud Geuze by Brouwerij Oud Beersel ($14) to share as my second choice, but now that I'm looking at the draft list on their website, I see others I definitely want to try too. [Too bad it's Dry January!] The Cask offers an awesome and long happy hour, plus growler hour and kick the keg nights. It's definitely worth a visit, and I can't wait to return in February. Or perhaps before. That cheese was really darn good. read more

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I understand we are in a pandemic, so I'm trying to give this place benefit of the doubt. For starters, there seemed to be only one employee working which is a shame on the restaurant considering he was caring for patrons both outside and inside at the same time! Aside from that, food was lame. I ordered the cheeseboard and got the "house sausage" (a whole bratwurst), two little chunks of cheese, and some bread slices served in a paper to-go container with a plastic spork. My glass of wine was also given to me in a plastic water cup. Food was decent but hard to eat considering cheddar is a hard cheese and I'm given a plastic utensil to try and cut it. Server was kind but due to be stretched between outside and inside didnt check on us. Thats not his fault at all. Overall, even post pandemic i wouldn't come back. read more

The Cask Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We had a beer and glass of wine. Soccer was on the TV and strangers were watching and chatting about it together. Small and friendly. read more

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I came here with a friend on a cold Friday night and the restaurant wasn't too busy. Initially, it was a bit awkward because no one acknowledged us about being seated or seating ourselves so we uncomfortably stood by the door until a customer at the bar spoke up. This place has a great vibe for a date night or relaxing evening with a small group of friends. I ordered a panini which was delicious, crunchy and filling! There were lots of options for cheese boards and other share-ables that sandwiches I wanted to try as well! I love beer and was very eager to check this place out because this seemed to be a big part of what they're all about however I was disappointed. Their menu was messily written in on a wall chalkboard and was so difficult to read from the tables that I had to walk over to see it. Additionally, there were no descriptions for the beers. I enjoy beer but am no connoisseur so I could only figure out what about a quarter of the beers on the menu were. I consulted with the waitress who recommended a Czech beer which ended up tasting like bud... turns out it was, indeed, the Czech version of bud. I do plan to give this place another try because the food is great!! Perhaps I'll google my beers before ordering next time. read more

Pretty good spot. Got drinks here. The seating isn't the stay a while kind but that's typical in Richmond. Would definitely come here again.

Great little spot that's tucked away from the busyness of cart street. Great beer selection served in glasses from that brand of beer, and a small but very tasty food menu. Wine is available too. Will come back! read more

The Cask Cafe - Ruben - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Nice little place off of Cary Street. Nice homemade sausages. The beer is cold and the service is excellent.

You would think that in a city so "fire" and "up and coming" that the service industry would be of a slightly higher caliber than what you get at Cask. With no happy hour and mid-shelf beers (Firestone Walker / Alewerks), it's hard to get excited about paying $7 for a pint of, well, basic IPA. I get it. The IPA scene is glutted with crap that tastes entirely the same unless you are in the PNW. Virginia beers, though creative, don't really rise to the level of anything memorable at the national or even regional level. Piedmont and Tidewater ain't hops country. There's a weird-ass single-file 10-person line that forms by the bar to get served. Bar staff offers no communication during this 10 minute wait as they routinely pour 3/4's pints that Richmonders, bless their hearts, don't say anything about even though they're being openly shanked. One bartender pours. The other just stares at the POS for some unseen reason. An unshaven manager (?) looks on with a dumb smile. Unless you are used to, say, waiting for a regional bus in upland Mexico, this wait is far, far too long. Recommendation to management: decide wtf you want to be. A "cask" bar as your name implies? (There isn't one in sight.) An alternative to Joe's or Helen's? A euro-themed gastropub in the middle of a city that is a cross between Greenwich, CT, Myrtle Beach and Anacostia? It's not really clear. But I predict you will do do fine. The preponderance of non-city and county folk excited about anything "crafty" will continue to flock to you and you will continue to charge them a premium. read more

The Cask is tucked in the Fan and is the perfect location for a group of friends to come together and enjoy good beer, and they're open late! The inside of The Cask actually reminds me of being in a small, homey European restaurant; nothing too special on the inside in terms of the decor but still welcoming. We came here on a cool summer night and sat next to the large windows that were lifted and it provided the perfect breeze throughout out our dinner. They have an extensive beer selection, but this wouldn't be my first choice if I were looking for wine. Their menu is limited but they have enough to choose from. I really enjoyed my reuben (I am a firm believer that sandwiches should be served with a side of chips but they only came with two small pickles which I'll settle for) and the cheeseboard. Unfortunately they were out of sausages for the day, which was a bummer. I wish the cheeses were a tad larger in portion, but that is almost to be expected of cheeseboards. read more

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Stopped in with a group of friends. Wasn't at all impressed w/ their menu, but they do have a great wheat beer. Very casual atmosphere and service. read more

Soft opening week was great! It was a lovely Sunday afternoon and we sat by the open air doors. Great atmosphere, beer choices, pub fare, service and music. We had the Sausage Plate and the Sausage Craft choices were great. I'm not a super fan of German food (colors are blah, flavors are typically meh, sauerkraut has never done it for me) but this was great! The sausage was very good, the bread was wonderfully robust, the potato salad was fresh with red potatoes and fresh herbs, the beer mustard is YUM but the big surprise for me was the (home made?) sauerkraut - I'm a convert and fan. The other food choices are great (see the photos), beer selection is wonderful, they do growlers and sell meats and cheeses by the pound as well as other market items (bottles of wine, chips, etc.). read more

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What a wonderful little spot for a small bite to eat and some amazing craft beers. Locally sourced sausages from Sausage Craft, cheeses, and sandwiches made on billy bread and that's about it for the food menu. Thoughtful and well curated beer selection. Space has a huge garage door which is going to be awesome in the summer. read more

The Cask Cafe - Menu as of 12-5-13. - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

First visit here! It was a little expensive but i got to try some wonderful brews. I didn't get any food. This place will so killer once the apartments next door open up. Staff was really friendly and able to give great beer suggestions. read more

I heard about The Cask from a bartender at another beer joint in Richmond. It is is an unusual space but really casual and comfortable. They have a nice assortment of craft beer and an interesting wine list. What I really like is that they are featuring food items from other local favorites, sausage from Sausage Craft and bakery products from Billy Bread and Flour Garden. A good place to start is the meat and cheese board. For $10 choose 3 items from and extensive list and it is accompanied by bread and olive oil. Great service, quality food and beverage are all reasons to stop by. read more

I really love coming here. It exudes comfort and authenticity. I confess that in my 10+ visits, I've never actually ordered food. I go for the beer. I usually go after work in Carytown on the weekends and have no weird feelings about coming solo. I LOVE the bartender who works weekend nights (wish I could remember her name). Beer and wine menu is really different and there's always something interesting to try. No TVs here, which I think adds to its authenticity. I find it easy to strike up a convo with other patrons when I stop in. read more

The Cask is a perfect place to come when you're not quite in the mood for a full meal in a crowded restaurant, but you also still wanna snack on something and indulge in some delicious craft beer. The Cask fulfills all of those requirements, and it quickly has evolved into my "lazy Saturday afternoon" hangout. The format here is simple: 1. A solid selection of great craft beer that you can't normally find around town (that's saying a lot for RVA). 2. Locally made Sausage Craft sausages paired with excellent cheeses. 3. Other finger foods to keep you occupied while you try all the excellent beer. The location is off the beaten path--so to speak--a little bit off of W Cary. It's still a fan location, but I like how it's not in the middle of all of the hustle and bustle of Carytown and W Main. The interior is a nicely finished wood look, a modest bar, and a decent amount of tables to accommodate most groups (I once saw a group of 15 show up, and they somehow sat them no problem). I love sitting by the window, especially when they have them open when the weather is nice. I also love love love the fact that they don't have a TV. Sometimes it's nice to get away from the noise, and The Cask is the perfect place for that. The beer selection isn't overwhelming, but they always have something solid on tap. They order a lot of small batch stuff that you probably won't find most other places, and it is really exciting to show up and see what they have going on tap that day. I have noticed that they have had a lot of dark beer selections, which is fine, but I found the amount of dark beer to be a bit much for those who aren't big dark beer fans. I also came during the winter months, which probably explains that trend. The food is good! I usually grab a beer and a sausage and cheese plate. It's $10, you choose your own sausage and cheeses, and it also comes with Billy Bread and olive oil. Definitely a good afternoon "snack", if you even want to call it that. The Saturday Nite Sausage is soooo good. They marinate it in Devil's Backbone Vienna Lager, and it has a perfect texture. Their Cheddar cheese is also fantastic. The service is solid. Every time I have gone, there has only been one server taking care of the whole place (it usually doesn't get that busy), but she never seems stressed, is friendly, and always takes great care of me. A perfect place for the afternoon beer and light bites, come here when you're in the mood for a relaxing environment and good conversation. A place to escape the crowds and chill, I would strongly recommend coming here. read more

This place is amazing, great beer selection and food selections pair perfectly. One of our favorite hidden gems. read more

The Cask Cafe - Awesome dinner and beer selection. - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

The menu is pretty simple and straightforward with sandwiches and beer and wine. Given the options, it read to me like people go here often once they have found their "go-to" dish. As newcomers, two of us were a little underwhelmed by the simplicity of the menu, but we got a sandwich and a cheese plate and one glass of each of the house red and white wine. First off, the house wines were not good at all. Neither of us liked them; we didn't even finish our glasses. Second, the cheese plate, while large portions of the cheeses were provided, was bland, boring, and lacking accoutrements. The sandwich was fine, but nothing special. Lastly, even though there weren't many other people in the place, it took a while for our items to come out and for us to get the bill when we were done. Based on other reviews, it looks like we missed the boat on what this place is known for - beer. Given the long menu of options here, I may be interested in revisiting. Plus, The Cask Cafe is open late throughout the week and on Sundays, a rarity in the Carytown / Southern Fan area. Bottom line: I think this place is hit or miss with the clientele. It is also clearly a beer-focused spot, not really food or wine. read more

This is a great little spot to get quality food and beer in Richmond. The beer selection is unique and amazing.

Slip into the Cask Cafe if you need a place for happy hour but don't wanna be messed with the crowds at other places around the city. My cousin and I split a bottle of wine for wine happy hour ($12 a bottle?!) and a small cheese/charcuterie board. The female bartender is super nice and has recommendations at the drop of a hat, should you need any. read more

My hubby and I love The Cask! It's a little gem on the outskirts of the Fan with amazing beer, cheese, and sausage! Also great service! read more

The Cask Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I never expected to fall in love with a sandwich. But fall I did- the Rueben panini was absolutely delightful. The buttery, crisp bread that surrounded the mild pastrami, smooth Gouda and perfect amount of sauerkraut was like a warm embrace from an old friend. Washed down with a respectable Czech Pilsner. Oh, baby. Friendly, familiar faces greet you on a Sunday afternoon. When the weather is good, the garage doors open for an al fresco feel. When it's hot and muggy out, the garage doors stay closed but let plenty of light in and help keep an open feel to the small establishment. I admit it, I returned for another afternoon delight session the following day. And then again the day after. read more

I really enjoy the addition of this simple pub in the fan. The food is semi-German themed: sausages, sauerkraut, red potato salad, cheese plates etc. They use local sausage makers, Billy bread (a personal Fan fan favorite) and other quality ingredients. The food is really delicious and a huge leap up from your typical pub fare. I would describe their draft drink menu which changes frequently as craft beers/ciders. The best part of this pub is that you get quality food and drink with a European flair without any fuss. The people who work there are very good at fully explaining anything on the menu and making excellent suggestions. It's a beer garden type of environment with garage door windows opening up providing an excellent porch feeling when the weather is nice. With all the new bars opening up in the fan, I would like NOT to recommend this place, because I'm planning on making it my new spot. It's a relaxed, local, non-commercial watering hole that offers quality food that's not offered anywhere else. read more

Great little hidden spot in Richmond! Came here for happy hour and was impressed with the beer menu. We got a few snacks as well like bread, olives, etc. Would come back the next time I'm in town! read more

The Cask Cafe seemed a little off the beaten path while still actually being super close to the action-- if that makes any sense. Definitely a hipster watering hole of craft beers, ciders, and meads, my parents, sister, boyfriend, and I stood out like a sore thumb. None the less, everyone was inviting and we didn't feel unwelcome. After a day of the Fan House Tour, we wanted something close by where we would receive our food relatively quickly. Cask was extremely affordable and fit the bill perfectly. The menu was very limited, as this is more of a bar/hangout than a restaurant, but the menu had enough to satisfy everyone in our group. Dad and boyfriend both had Reuben paninis ($7.50). Mom had the beef stew and a grilled cheese sandwich. Sister and I both had the 3 item Meat and Cheese board ($10) consisting of two sausages, a cheese, billy bread, and dipping olive oil. I was super satisfied with my choice. It was very filling, and the sausage was extremely tasty. I especially recommend the Saturday Night which is a sriracha and beer flavored sausage. The Kasekrainer with gruyere and bacon was good, but I would definitely go with Saturday Night if only choosing one. They don't have Coke or Pepsi products, or a full bar, but my mom enjoyed her Sprecher cola and the men enjoyed their beers. All of the items were either craft, or small batch, or locally sourced, or exuded some other attention to detail that made the prices seem like a bargain. Overall a great little neighborhood place to hangout and drink or a nice little spot for an affordable but thoughtful meal. read more

Came here for a midday snack and some beers and was very pleased. Ended up having some kielbasa and a cheese plate, the latter of which was pretty generously sized for what we paid. Kielbasa was tasty and all of their sausages were locally sourced. More importantly they had an amazing list of beers. Everything from pale ale to gueuze lambic and all reasonably priced. I want to say they had at least 16 items on tap covering a wide array of flavor profiles. If you're a big time beer person like me you won't be disappointed. Service was friendly. They were playing Philip Glass over the speakers which made for an interesting ambiance and I'll take that over most cafés music selections. Also they do meat and cheese to takeaway if you felt so inclined and a growler station which I'm sure I'll utilize one of these days. I'll definitely be coming back here again I only wish I still lived nearby. But if you're close you definitely need to try it. Especially now because it's somewhat off the beaten path so it wasn't as packed as I would have expected. You could easily get a light lunch and a beer here for $10-12 plus tip. But considering my wife and I ate a bunch and had three Belgian beers a $40 bill is nothing to be upset about either. read more

we didn't eat any food but, the food leaving the kitchen looked great. large sandwiches. the menu is small but tempting. stop in with my wife for a beer. nice, interesting selection of beers. friendly staff. I recommend read more

This is a small place with a bar and a separate room on South Robinson, just below Acacia. They have garage-style doors that will make this place perfect to frequent in the spring. They had a solid draft beer selection. I was not completely blown away because that is supposed to be their specialty, but it was good and had a couple of abnormal and pleasant surprises. Food-wise, they have cheeses, sausages, and some sandwiches and sides. We had a cheese and meat plate. It was a little underwhelming in size and food quality, but it was fairly reasonably priced. We also took a sausage sandwich home, which was a highlight, though they didn't send or offer any mustard or other toppings besides what was offered on the sandwich. I would say this is a place worth going to drink beer when the weather is nice and the windows are rolled up. They say that they will be offering their draft list online soon, which would be a big help. read more

Vegetarians, don't fear the sausage, we can come here too--the tempeh Reuben is among the best I've ever had (I find myself an unexpected connoisseur of this weird corner of the sandwich market.) Billy bread, smoked maasdam cheese (Gouda-like, but better), a delicate pickly kraut, and *not* a thick slop of thousand island dressing, grilled tight and crisp. It's delicious, sizable, and terrific with a beer. Cheese selection also very good. Salad generous and more thoughtfully constructed than you'd expect from a little bar. A modest but delicious and interesting draft beer list, and wines as well (I haven't tried the wine but this place has ties with the beloved and shuttered River City Cellars so I trust them.) They sell it for offsite consumption too. As everyone else has said, the interior is open and nice and especially pleasant when they roll up the glass garage doors on a good day. Panoramic views of the GRTC street art under a wide blue sky. So glad this place is here! A transformative presence on South Robinson. read more