Bamboo Cafe

Such a unique and old bar/restaurant. The atmosphere is really great, the menu is simple, the food is great. Nothing to complain about with this place. All-around a solid choice.

I have been going to this place since the '70's and it never dissapoints! A fun lively place, good vibe, and food is very good. A very popular small restaurant and bar in the fan district!

This is a really comfortable neighborhood corner bar. The glasses were frosty, the atmosphere is cozy, and there is a big TV for watching sports. There are only 3 taps so its not really a beer drinker's bar, and the appetizers were pretty good.

Classic RVA hangout from way back. Incredible food, strong cocktails, great people. Can't go wrong here!!

A cozy local bar with some great food, cheap beer, and lovely staff. The only issue is that it can get busy pretty quick, so finding a table can be a bit tough.

Bamboo first visit! The food was unexpected and delicious and with quick and friendly service. I recommend it and will return for more. This is a great spot to grab a beer and have great food with good people. Loved it!

Sandwiches were delicious. Fries were amazing. Great vibes.

Watched my gf open the box across from me after ordering togo from here and she immediately saw a hair cooked into her sub wrapping around the outside bread. She completely lost her appetite and didn't eat any of it. She was understandably upset after that but we ended up cooking dinner instead. I went back the next day with the food and receipt to explain I needed a refund for that part of the check and the person on staff rolled her eyes laughed and literally told me to "get out of here". I said "are you kidding me?" and she told me to go write a review on yelp. I asked to speak to another person or a manager, she walked away completely ignored me after that. It goes beyond customer service, at this point it's personal and a matter of respect. There's no way she would talk to me like that away from the safety of work and public. People like this are guaranteed to learn the hard way in life. Horrible business.

A very very old staple in RVA! Used to live on Mulberry and Main back in 2010 and would frequent this place throughout my years at VCU/living in The Fan. Strong pours, great service, laidback and storied. Used to have the latest last call as well back in the day. Recently popped in while in town and it felt like going back in time, in a good way. Never change!

I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to come here but I'm glad I finally did! Small dive bar with cold drink, delicious food & kind staff. We only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table on a busy Friday night. The roast beef French dip was delicious (and loaded with meat). Great ranch. Crispy calamari. Loved this place and will def be back.

Hey fellow Yelpers, Happy New Year and looking forward to another year of great food and fellowship with you all! First up @bamboocaferva bamboocaferva So now I know why they are always packed and for sometime now that's why we never got a chance to go but a couple weeks ago we saw our opportunity and so glad we went! There was a booth available and even with the growing crowd our waitress was top tier, she took time to give us her recommendations, paced our visit to ensure our food was piping hot! Cute little corner neighborhood style restaurant which is definitely a staple in the Fan. With that being said Mimi was on #carriebradshaw and ordered a Cosmopolitan (4/5), "big girl drink" that packed a punch, the vodka was definitely at the party, and to eat she ordered the special :Sea Bass with Fresno chili chimichurri over oven roasted potatoes (5/5) fish prepared and seasoned perfectly where the chimichurri was a perfect accompaniment and the potatoes were well seasoned and crisp. It came with your choice of starter and she chose the vegetable soup (2/5) it lacked salt but the veggies were tender. After some suggestions from our lovely waitress I opted for the steak and cheese (4/5) well seasoned and tender steak on an amazingly soft roll, good size overall a good sando and upgraded to the onion rings which are all the rave in the foodie groups and as an onion ring connoisseur I will definitely agree (5/5) perfectly seasoned and fried and the onion was not stringy and it remained in its batter after biting into them, I need more, . Righteous If you haven't gone yet: go! I will be back to try brunch. #foodielife #onionrings #seabass #steakandcheese #cheesesteak #chimichurri #rvafoodscene #latenight #dinnertime

Not only is Bamboo Cafe a great bar, the food is outstanding! It's my favorite place to get a steak in Richmond.

Walked in to this dive bar with a New York City vibe. Surprisingly has extremely tasty food. Very competitive for taste given that many restaurant workers frequent. The sweet potato fries are the best I've ever had

My partner and I are regulars here. Living in the neighborhood, we often drop in for late-night bites, a drink, or a mellow date night. While it can get a bit busy at times, the wait is usually short, and we can almost always find a table. I have a hold a lot of reverence for the eclectic mix of people who make this their go-to spot. It's got that "dive" bar feel, but the menu is surprisingly upscale and well-thought-out, with prices that are really hard to beat. The well drinks and beers are always a good choice, with generous pours that keep us coming back night after night. It may not be as posh as The Jasper or other cocktail bars, but I'd argue it offers an even better experience, thanks to its laid-back, local atmosphere that's hard to find elsewhere in the city. I can't recommend this place enough--I probably visit more often than I should!

Bamboo Cafe is so perfectly Richmond. It has great food, great people, and a great atmosphere. ***LOCATION*** Located on Mulberry st and Main st. There is street parking out front and bike locks not too far. ***EXPERIENCE*** Every experience at Bamboo Cafe is a good one. As a friend of mine has said, it feels like a place people in the restaurant industry go to hang out (it has great vibes). It's cozy and retro. The food is really good here too. I highly recommend ordering the fries or the vegetarian mac and cheese. I'm picky with my mac and cheese and I like the way they do it here. It's a great spot for a Sunday night reset. Bring some friends, grab some drinks, and play some card games to set yourself up for a great week ahead. ***PRICE*** Things are $4-16 here, it's very cheap (and still tasty!) ***CONCLUSION*** This is a Richmond staple. Whether you're visiting, or trying to find more great places as a local, you won't want to miss this.

Absolutely fabulous Salad and Bloody Mary!!!! Mariam was absolutely wonderful!!! The atmosphere was as always uniquely RVA, The Fan

I could place to get a decent salad or sandwich. Very speakeasy like. It's a hole in the wall that probably hasn't been refurbished in many many years. But it has a lot of character and is a hangout for the locals.

Stumbled onto this great little pub bar. Solid food, good service, I would come here again.

Sometimes it can be endearing for your bartender to be a bit of a jerk. Not here. Big, old guy with the beard is a different level. He made my friends and I not want to order anything. One of my friends ordered an old fashioned and this dude acted like his world was falling apart. The rest of us got martinis and a similar response out of him. The only one he treated well was the one who ordered a canned cider. Genuinely ruined the whole experience. The lady who served us last time we went was incredibly friendly. But this time we had the unfortunate luck of having him. I've had bad service but this was a different level and I will never complain about anywhere else again. Think he was hammered too.

***My Favorites*** The absolute best vibes of anywhere in the world. Bamboo Cafe has a cozy local dive atmosphere with lots of regulars. There is classic bar food fare like sandwiches and burgers, but the rotating specials board shows surprising diversity and the food is quality. Drinks are reasonably priced and the staff is very friendly, and it really just feels like a second home. You will find me here most often on Sunday night playing cards over a plate of fries. It is my favorite place in Richmond and if you visit and don't get it that is your loss. What to order: burger, house sub, specials menu, Campari soda, well drinks

Bamboo is one my favorite spot in town. I literally waited a year before taking my boyfriend here to ensure he would stick around because I couldn't lose it if we broke up / got divorced. Now we have two pieces of art of the restaurant in our kitchen and are devastated that we moved to a neighborhood not within walking distance anymore to this Richmond staple. Everyone is so welcoming. It feels like a "Cheers," come as you are environment with a lot of locals who come regularly. The food is always spot on and consistently good. The specials genuinely feel special every week. Cris, Liz, Jen, Mike, Byron (Bryan?) and the rest of the staff are stand out service industry veterans. It shows in their connections with each person who walks under the red awning and little door to pop in and grab a bite or drink.

I can't rate the food because I chose not to order anything. I got to the store 15 minutes before closing and the host was irritated when I was about to order. Her attitude stunk because I guess she thought I shouldn't have come in so late. So I told her forget it, I'll buy my food somewhere else.

This is a true neighborhood bar. Definitely a dive, but great service and cheap drinks. I came here after work when another local joint was too crowded, and we ended up staying for hours. As soon as we walked in an older gentleman was saying a boisterous goodbye to his friends. He tottered outside and, too drunk to ride his bicycle, unsteadily leaned on it and walked home just around the corner. No one batted an eyelid, and we knew we were in the right place. It's definitely cozy and run down inside, but in the best way that local institutions often are. The set up is simple: one dark wood bar with stools, a narrow aisle, tables with checkered plastic cloths and seats with rips in the upholstery, and two single stall bathrooms that don't lock in the back. You could picture some crusty sailors feeling right at home here, but the crowd was surprisingly diverse. There were only two bartenders and one server working, but we were still greeted with a smile immediately and given menus. We didn't order food, but it looked and smelled really good. There's a small but decent beer selection and a full bar of spirits, and the server never once let us hit the bottom of our glasses before appearing and asking if we'd like another.

Always a great vibe here. No gimmicks or trying to be trendy. Just great food, drinks, cozy, and great atmosphere. Great staff that has been there for years.

Came here with some friends last night for some late night food and some drinks. The place is nice and cozy which we like. Food was pretty good, got the Hot Italian sub and there was nothing to complain about. The reason my visit here was terrible was because the server we had. He was extremely rude and clearly drunk, which i understand it's a bar, but when we asked for prices of things he said things like "oh I don't fucking know like $6". He made creepy advances towards my friend touching her few times when he'd stop by the table. When I tried to place my order he was extremely rude and said "whoa how about you wait a second and not do that right now". Finally when we wanted to pay we asked to split the bill he looked at me tweaked out and said "Yeah I'm not doing that shit you can just send money to each other and do it on one card" to me this was extremely unprofessional and rude to say to customers. I understand it's a bar and just a casual spot but i still we should be treated with some decency and not be talked to in a disrespectful manner. Hopefully management can see this and make sure other folks don't get treated like this in the future.

Just moved to the neighborhood last week and decided to check out this place that's around the corner from me. I'm so glad I did! The bartender was super helpful and got me a table outside, and my server was really good, too. I had a glass of wine to start and then ordered the macaroni and cheese. Wow!! It was a huge portion and absolutely delicious...cheesy, creamy, with ham and just... amazing. It came with a roll as well as a side vegetable, and I ordered the Brussels sprouts. They seemed to be sautéed, rather than roasted, so they were a bit soggy and not the best I've had, but the Mac and cheese definitely made up for it. I ended up taking the leftover Mac and cheese home with me and had it for two more meals after my dinner there. What a great deal!

I can't stay away nor deny my heartfelt love for the Bamboo Cafe! You feel like the world is all okay in this lovely RVA staple. Order a drink, a special off the board and relax!

We stopped here for lunch with 6 kids ages 8-15. Everyone found something to eat and the server was very gracious with our special requests. Food and service was excellent.

I am blown away. I came here after going to Circuit and playing video games until 10pm. I didn't realize that this charming little bar in the fan would have AMAZING food too! The staff is very sweet and attentive and it's open late. It's a great spot to go to when you're not ready to call it a night with your pals. I went with a group of 5 and everyone ordered something different. I highly... HIGHLY recommend their Mac and cheese! They're known for it. It's absolutely insane! They use 4 different cheeses including Gouda and elbow noodles with bread crumbs on top. Everyone was eating off of my plate. My boyfriend had the French dipped sandwich with au jus and wouldn't share. Absolutely incredible. On a night that I didn't plan on eating, I'd be content just sitting at the bar and having a few drinks. Definitely my new favorite in the fan!

A glorious little dive bar with friendly service, surprisingly yummy food, and they pour a good drink! He might have to wait a bit for a seat, but it's worth it for the cozy ambiance.

Good vibe and service. It's small inside but we were seated right away. The nacho we got was average.

The service is great but this is mostly a pub with an okay menu. One of us had the Mac and cheese with ham although it was about 99 percent Mac and 1 percent ham and leeks. I had the ham sandwich which was way too salty. I don't know if that's how Smithfield ham is supposed to taste but it was way too much for my palate. Good fries and good servers. It's definitely a pub in an older building though. When I used the ladies soon, I saw a tiny mouse scurry into the wall.

Small Fan restaurant that I can't believe I've never been to before. Definitely a Cheers type place because everyone knows everyone. Be sure to time it right because there are maybe 10 tables total, so there is a potential for a bit of a wait. Drinks were nice and strong. Started dinner with the pork dumpling app which was very good. Cooked crispy the way I like. My friend and I both tried sandwiches. I had the burger special with Portobello, basil and roasted red pepper with a side of brussel sprouts. So good! I loved every bite. For dessert I had the key lime pie which was delicious and enough to share. Wait staff was nice and have us time to peruse the menu. Food came out piping hot and in a timely fashion. Definitely plan on visiting again!

Fun late night vibes, cute bar and also really tasty food. Ordered the ginger steak and mashed potatoes super good! Also a delicious side salad and ranch dressing

Great service and delicious food! I had the spicy chicken with fries. Definitely will be coming back.

Has orange. No birds. Mikey give Nim orange. Nim eat orange. Mikey give Nim Tums. Nim drink . Nim eat orange. Give Nim orange. Nim give stars. Orange.

Cute little dive bar where you can tell almost everyone is a regular! I came here after work on a Friday looking to get a couple drinks with some coworkers. We were told to find a table and the bartender/server came immediately and took our drink orders. When I tell you the drinks were strong, THEY WERE STRONNGGGGG (only $3 might I add.) I probably would have been okay with just one, but we were having a good time talking so we ordered a round of food and another drink. I can only speak on the fries since that's all I ate, but man those fries were good. They were perfectly crispy and golden brown. As we sat there talking, the place was getting more and more busier. It's not a big place so the amount of people definitely didn't go unnoticed. I enjoyed myself overall and see myself definitely coming back in the near future.

Bamboozled is the name and strong drinks is their game! Great place to go and unwind, have a drink and eat some great food. Their seafood bisque is delicious and their drinks are strong but tasty. Fun, local spot that always has someone hanging out outside or drinking at the bar.

We came to this place because the place we planned to go to was closed. This is a tiny older bar and if your coming to have a cocktail or beer then I am sure it's great. We ordered a steak sandwich which my husband really enjoyed and I tried a breakfast. I did not care for the breakfast but the home potatoes were ok, they were too greasy ant had lots of burnt bits but the texture was crunchy which I enjoyed. I ended up eating 1/2 and English muffin and some potatoes with ketchup, the bacon was cold and the eggs were sponge like and rubbery so I did not like them as I like fluffy scrambled eggs. Our waitress was delightful, very attentive and pleasant. If you happen to want a few beers and maybe some fries then I think this place could be a great fit.

Sidle up, snuggle, squeeze in. Get ready to get cozy at the intimately-sized Bamboo Cafe. This dark and cozy corner spot is great for a date or to come with friends - just keep in mind that available seating is limited! We didn't come to eat on my visit, but I could see that all the tables were full of dinner diners when we arrived. We got lucky and grabbed two open seats at the bar. The pours are strong and the prices are reasonable. Quality spirits selection and a few local drafts as well. Music is on point to boot.

Love how cozy this place is! The burgers, bbq, and Mac and cheese are delicious! Definitely upgrade for sweet potato fries. The staff is friendly and welcoming.

This is my favorite bar in Richmond. I absolutely love this place. I've been going here for years. My parents have been going here for decades. They actually originally met in this bar in the late 70's. It's still the same. It's definitely a dive bar but it has great drinks and food. The menu hasn't changed in probably decades. They do have dinner specials every night. I look forward to seeing what new creation they have. They have an amazing happy hour 4-7pm every day for $2.50. Even when it's not happy hour a mixed drink is $4.50. The know how to make a drink too! They are very strong so- beware. My two favorite things on the menu are the vegetarian sub, they know how to make a great veggie sub! Most places think that all you have to do is put a bunch of veggies on a sub and it be great. Not The Bamboo, there's is well thought out and full of flavor. I think what makes it stand apart from others are the pepperoncini's and italian dressing. My other favorite thing to order is the Crispy Wasabi Tuna. AMAZING. The shitake salsa is incredible. If I'm there after 6pm I will order this every time. In the many years we've been going to this bar we've only had maybe one or two not so great meals. The service is always amazing. It's a great vibe in there too. You have the regulars who have been going there for decades and you have the younger crowd. Great mix. This place will get crowded and LOUD at night. The ONLY complaint I could think of is something they are currently fixing. The bathrooms were a bit outdated and gross for years. Last time I was there, they repainted, got a new toilet, a complete bathroom makeover. Well done! No complaints now! You have to try this place at least once.

Plan on waiting an hour plus for a drink or food. Also, be 40+ and maybe the waitress will pay attention to you. Food was amazing but service was god awful. P.s. Don't ask to split checks or the waitress will make you feel cheaper than dirt.

Nice people. Nice atmosphere. Nice cocktails. Yummy food. Quaint neighborhood joint. Authentic place with no frills.

after 3 and half years in richmond the worst service so far , when i walked first the server didn't ask me if i need help till i asked if there is available table , when i asked about the menu she gave it to me after about 10 minutes and didn't even hand it to me she just throw it on the table , when I finished eating she asked me immediately to leave the table .. !

This may officially be my favorite bar in Richmond. It's divey as hell, dark and dank, and full of old cats that have probably called Bamboo their watering hole for decades and THAT makes it just amazing! Servers are super fun, no thrill drinks are poured super stiff, and it's just an all round cool vibe. Discovered their specials menu last time I was seated near the back and now I'm interested to actually explore their food offerings. But even if the food is terrible I will still give it a 5 star cause that's not why you come to a place like this anyway!

Ordered two filet mignons. Was cooked to perfection. Nice atmosphere although this place usually is packed to the rim. Luckily found a parking spot right out front. Server was nice and bartender was pretty dern cool. I don't come here as often as I should but I recommend you try it.

Fantastic service, responsive staff, great atmosphere, soothing lighting. The chicken soup was incredible. Highly recommended.

So honestly can't wait to try the food someday- the menu looks awesome. So right now it's not getting rated. I waited around standing there for a good bit at the entrance on a Sat afternoon and was completely Ignored. Not cool but okay... They were slammed, I get it. I mean - at least give me wink and a nod or some acknowledgement to let me know you see me. But... whatever.... I went to Helen's down the street And had an excellent meal, drinks and great service.

It's a dive bar with dive bar food, dive bar booze, and dive bar vibe. It's fantastic. The Boo is a small Fan staple and the atmosphere is incredibly homey and comfortable, making it a draw for the late night industry crowd and blue hair regulars alike. Get a beer and a shot (and a sandwich if you're hungry). It's cheap and the service is beyond fantastic. There's a reason the regulars are such loyal customers.

So bad U can't even give it 1 star but it made me. 4 of us all got different things. 2 of us got sick in the night. One person sent back their roast beef sandwich it was so bad. My pizza was on a premade crust (they sell them at Walmart) that was like cardboard - everything slid off. Even the toppings spinach and cheese were tasteless. Why did we go there? Nostalgia. But it wasn't worth it. I don't remember having such bad food in a long time. There are too many other good places to eat in Richmond...DON'T GO TO BAMBOO.

***GAVE ME FOOD POISONING LAST NIGHT. drinks are great tho. But i woke up last night after eating their potato salad and tuna salad sandwich and was inn deep sweats and EXTREMELY nauseous. Do i need to go into anymore details on what happened next lol? still trying to recover, DO NOT EAT HERE ONLY DRINK HERE

Great dive bar indeed. But with much better food than you find in a bar. And the liquor is not left in the bottle when they make a drink.

We've been going here for more than 20 years. It's the place where everyone knows your name. Great drinks and food selection. You can go as you are and relax and have a great time.

Went to this location st about 140 AM knowing they would close soon but figured I could have 1 beer. Got a beer and a seat for about 5-7 minutes before the bartender came and said "i have to take you're beer." I understand he wants to get home but it was only 152 and you're schedule to close at 2. If they didn't want me to stay they shouldn't of sold me the beers. Literally my sis went to the bathroom and had 2 sips of her beer before they took it away at 1:52... if you close at 2 this shouldn't happen. Either don't sell the drinks that late and let people know or actually stay open till 2. I will never come back and will make sure people know that the bartenders they re are the absolute worst people that have walked this earth

Worst service I've ever experienced. The waitress yelled at my mother for ordering dinner at 5:58, when dinner service starts at 6. Then when I tried to order an appetizer she yanked the menu out of my hands and yelled at me saying she wouldn't take anymore dinner orders, before she even listened to my actual order. Food was fine.

The club sandwich is for the hungry man from Gargantua! It fills you up Mostly I take the second piece home in a box. Service is very nice but the bartenders are the gem of that place! They really make you feel that you deserve the service! A bit tight inside but the atmosphere is very lively even if you are there for the first time you will end up in a group conversation one way or the other! Drinks really affordable; food very cheap but sooo good!