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The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA
The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA
The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA
The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA
The Hard Shell - Downtown, Richmond, VA

The Hard Shell - Downtown

4.7 (1827)
$31 to $50
Seafood
1411 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 6 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for business meals
Located in downtown Richmond's historic Shockoe Slip, The Hard Shell Restaurant is known to locals as one of the best seafood restaurants in town. With a new fresh look; The Hard Shell features sleek booths, lots of light and a vibrant city feel. The Hard Shell has Richmond's widest variety of fresh and local seafood. Menu items include signatures such as filet and lobster, shrimp and scallops, lump crab cakes. Patio requests honored when possible but tables are first come, first served. Happy hour is available at the bar and on the patio and is first come, first served. Private dining & reservations are available. Dress is casual.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    The private dining room accommodates parties up to 50 guests. The Hard Shell offers custom menus and bar packages to suit every event. The private dining room is the perfect place for dinner programs, wedding functions or celebrations.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Richmond
  • Cross street
    14th St
  • Parking details
    The Hard Shell validates parking after 5pm daily in the garage at the corner of 14th St. and Cary St. directly across from the restaurant.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,827 people are saying

The Hard Shell - Downtown reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Virginia

    Seafood

  • Richmond

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Hard Shell - Downtown offers a delightful seafood experience with a cozy atmosphere and exceptional service. Highlights include the "oysters Rockefeller" and "she crab soup," which are highly recommended. While some dishes have mixed reviews, the "ambiance and service" consistently impress guests. Frequent visitors appreciate the attentive staff and diverse menu offerings.
1,827 Reviews
  1. Georgia VIP

    Richmond13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    There were 4 of us and a baby, and the service couldn't have been better. even though we had been here before, we felt that the food presentation was exceptional. The oysters were the freshest, and the entrees were all very good.

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  2. Derek

    Caribbean4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    This restaurant was worth it. We were all from out of town so this restaurant was selected based on the reviews seen online. Our server gave spotty service based on what we saw around us. However, the food was outstanding. There was a nice casual vibe but nothing tacky. Overall we were happy and would return again.

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  3. Clyde

    Richmond12 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Not our typical experience. Had a reservation but had to wait 15 for a table —not a huge deal but then it took 45 minutes for our food. Waitress never checked on us after bringing drinks. When I asked about our appetizer she told us the kitchen was all backed up. We should have been told that to begin with. It was Mother’s Day but still, the kitchen should have been prepared. I almost wonder if she forgot to put on the appetizer order as everything came out at the same time. She also forgot my dessert. If you don’t have a great memory, wrote it down. My burger was overcooked as was my son’s crab Benedict. The coffee was good and so were the desserts. And the calamari when it finally came out was excellent. It was a$200 bill before tip and we expected more. Probably would not back.

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  4. gerimel

    Washington, D.C. Area4 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The crab dip appetizer is a must. That’s very good. The entrees is just ok for me. My family said the same thing. We’ve tasted better. The portion size for the tuna and rockfish was incredibly small for the prize I thought. The ambiance and the service though is great. Then we ordered key lime pie with no key lime in it 😂. It’s just sweet. I got 16oz ribeye steak with shrimp, mom got the tuna and hubby got the rockfish. I was thinking if I got the crabcake or the lobster tail if it’s any better. They were serving brunch menu as well and everyone else are ordering those. We ordered main entrees.

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  5. Emily

    Richmond1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great. This was my first time and will be back again!

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  6. Wendy

    Richmond11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Oysters Rockefeller was amazing! We want to go back to sample some other things.

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  7. Dawn

    Toronto4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent post grad celebration! Great food and service

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  8. Marcia VIP

    Richmond8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was delicious and the service was excellent.

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  9. Nick

    Richmond1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great setting, service and food for a business dinner with first time RVA visitors.

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  10. Holly VIP

    Oklahoma City190 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The restaurant was quite busy, but the service was excellent. The wedge salad was perfect with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and gardens. The pan seared scallops were delicious. The steamed seafood combo was yummy. It had clams, oysters, shrimp, crab legs, corn, and potatoes. This was our second visit.

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FAQs

The Hard Shell - Downtown offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (804) 643-2333.

The Hard Shell - Downtown is rated 4.7 stars by 1827 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Virginia
  4. Richmond
  5. Richmond

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 6 times today
Google Map for The Hard Shell - Downtown

1411 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Additional information

  • Cross street
    14th St
  • Neighborhood
    Richmond
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    The Hard Shell validates parking after 5pm daily in the garage at the corner of 14th St. and Cary St. directly across from the restaurant.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    The private dining room accommodates parties up to 50 guests. The Hard Shell offers custom menus and bar packages to suit every event. The private dining room is the perfect place for dinner programs, wedding functions or celebrations.
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