The Hard Shell

4.5 ( 1066 reviews )
Checking... 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM See Hours
$30–50
1411 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
+1 804-643-2333
At The Hard Shell, a gem located in Richmond, VA, seafood enthusiasts can indulge in an array of expertly crafted dishes that showcase the freshness and vibrancy of the ocean. Reviews from patrons often highlight not only the delicious food but also the inviting atmosphere and attentive service. Dominique Maddux-Jackson praised the perfectly cooked dishes and the lively ambiance, complemented by refreshing drinks like the Ginger Fig Mule. Andrew Clark celebrated a memorable birthday dining experience with delectable offerings, ranging from snow crab legs to the whole Maine lobster, all praised for their swift service and delightful flavors. MITEIGI0101 drove three hours to savor the culinary delights at The Hard Shell, particularly appreciating the freshness of the seafood during happy hour. Abrianna Cleckley shared her anniversary celebration, commending the warmth of the staff and a delightful dining atmosphere. With notable highlights like the 10 oz Steak Frites and tantalizing starters such as the Crab Dip and Fried Calamari, The Hard Shell emerges as a culinary destination that combines quality, creativity, and heartfelt service, making it an ideal choice for any special occasion or casual outing. Patrons leave with not just full stomachs but lasting memories, a true testament to the restaurant's commitment to excellence.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • From the business
    • Identifies as women-owned
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
  • Highlights
    • Has fast service
    • Has great beer selection
    • Serves great cocktails
    • Has great wine list
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves happy-hour food
    • Serves healthy options
    • Has private dining room
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Romantic
    • Trendy
    • Upmarket
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Good for groups
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Popular with tourists
  • Planning
    • Brunch reservations recommended
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
  • Children
    • High chairs available
    • Has kids' menu
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Paid parking lot
    • Plenty of parking

Reviews For The Hard Shell

Dominique Maddux-Jackson
May 6,2025
The food was cooked perfectly, the food was tender and very good and the drink was great (Ginger Fig Mule). Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff.
Andrew Clark
May 3,2025
Went with my girlfriend for her birthday and we had an amazing time! The service was great and the restaurant was super cute and comfortable. We started out with drinks and got the salt air margarita and strawberry limeade alongside some snow crab legs and raw oysters. We followed it up with the shrimp & scallops and the whole Maine lobster. The food was so delicious, everything came out fairly quickly and was wonderful. For dessert we got the cheesecake and Creme brulee. Overall I highly recommend going here for a date night if you haven’t been.
MITEIGI0101
May 3,2025
We drove 3 hours for this restaurant and can I say that it was so worth it! The family and I went during happy hour, so the prices were great. The food was amazing (I wish the tacos were a bit spicy, but that's just me), the seafood was fresh, and the combination of all the ingredients just went so well together. And the service was great too! Will definitely go here again during my next trip!
Abrianna Cleckley
Apr 6,2025
This is the first time I’ve ever felt inclined to leave a review. My boyfriend and I came to The Hardshell in celebration of our 1 year anniversary and let me just say.. it was wonderful!! The restaurant is beautiful, the staff is so welcoming, and the food!!! My server was Christian and he was absolutely delightful. Very attentive and ready to answer any questions we had. Props to the staff team and management for creating such an outstanding dining experience. 10/10 would absolutely recommend!
A S
Mar 30,2025
It was a beautiful day to enjoy some good food on the patio. Staff was super friendly and welcoming, food came out quickly. Enjoyable experience!
Paulo Eduardo da Silva
Mar 28,2025
This restaurant deserves its high score reviews. The service is really pleasant and friendly, while professional. The food is of great quality, good taste and in well sized portions. We would come back many times to this place if we lived in Richmond
Emily Weaver
Mar 27,2025
Fire Seriously, it's so good. We're from SC, in Richmond for a vacation. We wanted to find a restaurant within walking distance to our hotel, so we chose The Hard Shell. The brussel sprouts were amazing, the ribs delicious, the dungeness so good, the salmon incredible, and the carrot cake was phenomenal. Our boys loved their burger and chicken tenders. We wish we had a restaurant like this in our city. Great first impression of Richmond's food scene.
Rich Martin
Mar 24,2025
Love Hardshell. The food is always on point. This is my go to for oysters. Brought a friend here. We sat outside and really enjoyed our visit.

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