Brazen

My mother and I had an absolutely fantastic dinner at Brazen tonight. The food, service, and atmosphere were absolutely fantastic. They even made us custom cocktails and mocktails based on what we liked. Each food item was so delicious and full of flavor. We ordered the beets, braised short ribs, and scallops. Wouldn't change a thing. Can't wait to come back soon.

So so so good!!! The poutine was eaten too quickly to even get a picture. It was so good!! The short rib entree was absolutely delicious, as well as the baklava. I especially appreciated the mocktail options!! The staff were kind and the vibes were great! I will definitely be back!

Had a really delicious meal here. The entrees looked great but I was drawn to their unique handhelds. The appetizer were ok. The handhelds are very big. The panna cotta is a winner. Service was great but only gave them a four because they only had one server and the restaurant got busy. The bartender ended up taking our order and waiting on tables. This resulted in drinks taking long for the entire restaurant. Overall it is a solid 5. Easy street parking.

Gotta be my favorite meal of 2025. Me and my boy came in without knowing about the spot after driving around. Met Doug the owner as he was acting as a host. Restaurant was packed but thankfully he was nice enough to get us seats at the bar. The short rib is to die for. 10/10 would recommend.

Really enjoyed our food and drinks! The duck was very tasty. Shelby the bartender is friendly and knowledgeable. I will definitely be back again just for that reason. Hopefully we can learn his usual schedule so we can come back a day that he is working. The Summer Thunder drink is BOMB . COM. Do yourself a favor and try it 🙌🏻

Came here to say the braised pork shoulder is the best dish I’ve had in RVA since maybe 2023. Surreally complex, rich, and comforting. Service was friendly - we had read ahead of time this place was owned by a small group of friends, and it showed by the pride our server (one of the proprietors) had in the cocktail menu. We’ll 100% be back for that pork shoulder, the beef bourguignon fries, and hopefully a new dish they trot out by then.

Found this place by chance and it ended up being possibly a top 5 restaurant in all of Richmond. The food and drinks were top notch, as was the service. Really well made cocktails are standout here. The food is all filling and rich, don’t need much to be full and satisfied, great place to share an appetizer and entree with your significant other. We felt the quality and service made the price a value compared to most places and we will likely be regulars now.

Went for a work happy hour around 5:30, called ahead to see if they would have room for 10 of us and were very accommodating! Very cute space with live plants, nice lighting and not too loud. Could tell that the bar and food menus were well thought out and the people working there actually cared about what they were offering. We had intended to only pop in but we got several rounds and some of us even got food! They had vegan options for more than I expected. I ordered the frog in a boat and the homemade focaccia was sooo good. Can’t wait to plan a dinner date to go back and experience the rest of what they offer!

This review is only for the Helle Ringer (since I only tried this). It was so good! I came during lunch and ordered this yummy fried chicken sandwich with veggies and an additional side of fries. The flavors in this sandwich were so good, with the perfect amount of kick. I do wish I had a bigger cut of chicken in my sandwich because it was so tasty. The veggies were cooked to perfection. The space is really pretty. I love what they've done with the inside. The bar is lovely and so are the plants. They have indoor and outdoor seating. We were seated immediately and our server was really sweet. They have single stall restrooms here. As well as free street parking out front. I'm excited to come back to enjoy their cocktails and more food items!

Brazen's got a lot going for it. Ended up sitting outside on their patio, great for a nice night out. It is right by the road, so you'll catch some traffic noise here and there, but honestly, it didn't take away from the experience. Felt laid-back and chill overall. I went with the helle ringer chicken sandwich, and I wanted to love it but it just didn't hit like I hoped. It lacked that crispy bite I was looking for and was a bit under-seasoned for my taste. Not a total miss, just one of those meals where you wish it had one more pass before sending it out. A few small tweaks and it could've been a standout. Shoutout to our server, though. Super attentive, quick with the food, and checked in on us often without being overbearing. Service like that really makes a difference and kept the night feeling smooth. Brazen was a solid night out though. With a little more attention to the food, this spot could easily go from good to great. I'll definitely be back to give the menu another shot.

I came here with my boyfriend for a dinner date and we sat outside on the patio, which had a lovely atmosphere--perfect for a relaxed evening. I didn't try any cocktails, but I did have a glass of Chardonnay, and I was impressed with their wine selection. The one I chose was crisp, refreshing, and exactly what I was hoping for. I ordered the Oxbow sandwich, which I had high hopes for. While it was good, I felt it could've used a bit more flavor to really stand out. It just needed a little something extra to make it memorable. Our waitress was fantastic--super friendly, attentive, and helpful when it came to recommending items from the menu. Her service definitely made the experience more enjoyable. All in all, it was a pleasant night out. With a few small tweaks to the food, it could've been excellent. I'd still come back to try something new!

I have been here a few times. The server is always very friendly and everyone seems to know food very well. The dishes are unique and delicious By unique, this is what I mean. Sure, a lot of places have wings. But not like these. And not with the most awesome vegan green goddess dressing you could imagine. You might ask why you have vegan dressing with a meat dish. I don't know the answer to that, but it works. The poutine is to die for. The braised meat on top of it alone it's worthy of a Michelin star restaurant. It's a small menu, but there seems to be something for everyone. You have to try this place out.

Had a great early lunch here to celebrate my start of summer break! (Note: brunch is only served on Sunday) It was a beautiful day so we opted to sit outside but the interior is absolutely lovely! Our server was also incredibly sweet & attentive. We decided to split a bottle of Cava in the name of celebration! I chose the frog in the boat because I love a focaccia. It was so tasty albeit a bit of a challenge to eat! I also asked for a side of pasta salad that seemed to be tossed in some type of balsamic vinegar which was a nice riff on the classic. My friend was kind enough to share out a bite of her chicken sandwich, the Helle Ringer and mmm buddy was that some delicious, crispy chicken! Overall, a great new Fan spot and I'll happily return!

Loved everything about it. Great vibes and service. Creative menu and all 4 things we tried were amazing. Definitely will be back.

What a great find!! Driving down the road, I noticed the sign and looked up the restaurant. The following weekend we decided to come out with friends. The drinks were great! Get the Rose Collored Boy. We tried different things including the specials. They have vegan and gluten free options, but you can also add a protein to those. I thought the panna cotta was amazing We'll be back for sure.

Great new addition to the Richmond scene. I'll assume the cocktail menu will rotate over time but the Kinds of Kindness and the Firebird were both tasty and balanced. We shared the baked feta and added chicken which was delicious. With the chicken it was $30 but we both felt it was a good portion to share. We sat at the bar on a Friday night and there was plenty of room, bartender was very conversational when we asked about the cocktails and dishes. Decor and vibe is great for a casual date or small friend gathering. Will definitely go back.

Went after a work volunteer event. We were starving and Brazen delivered big time! We chose to sit outside on the patio. Brazen is so well designed! The color scheme makes it so cozy while still giving a fun night out vibe. Since it was such a nice day, we chose to sit outside on the patio. Three out of four of us got the Firebird cocktail which was amazing! Refreshing, slightly fruity with a little tartness from the pomegranate. The perfect amount of smokiness from someone who does not like Mezcal. Any restaurant with beets already wins in my book but Brazen did the beet appetizer really well. It's a cold dish with fennel and orange. Perfectly balanced. I got their version of a bahn mi. I probably wouldn't get it again but it was still good. Our server was attentive and fun! I will definitely be back to try more.

Farm to table and this place slaps. I enjoyed the Fried chicken sandwhich with some perfectly cooked asparagus. The chicken was crispy and flavorful, the toppings and sauce were crunchy, fresh, and zesty - delicious. I also enjoyed a draft pint to round out the meal.

Outstanding poutine, to die for brussel sprouts...good service! Beautiful modern space

The food was delicious, fresh and unique. The bar manger was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We had the house salad, braised beets, Thai curry mussels (special), slow-braised short rib (starter), seared Salmon entree (very generous portion). No dessert we were too full.

Food was delicious! First time trying Brazen. We thought the drinks were ok, lots of ice in them made for very small amount but typical for most Richmond cocktail bars. Service was fast and the wait staff was super helpful in recommending good plates. We all got something different but everything was good and fresh.

Absolutely delicious food!! The salmon was perfectly seasoned & the plate looked too pretty to eat. Chicken sandwich & fries were tasty too. Only rated 4 stars because the cocktails were limited in terms of flavored martinis. We enjoyed the lemon drop.

A great new hidden gem!! Went for drinks and fries (the dry rub on the fries is incredible). Fun and spacious inside with a large front patio. Jackson was a great bartender/server - we will definitely be back!

Amazing restaurant! Everything was delicious and flavorful! I took my daughter Cherise there today for her birthday lunch and we both loved it. And also the service was amazing our server Jon was very knowledgeable and went the extra mile to make us feel welcome! Love this establishment! The ambiance was relaxing and music was great. Please visit Brazen restaurant you will be amazed at the quality of food and preparation ! Cheryl Willoughby

We visited here on a Sunday evening and got a table right away. The space is simply decorated and somewhat small, but inviting, very clean, with small touches like hanging plants and modern colered-glass pitchers on the table adding to the atmosphere. An open feel results from the smart decision not to cram too many tables into the space. As far as the food is concerned, the menu has something to appeal to most anyone, while also avoiding the pitfall of trying to do too much. The main part of the dinner menu features sandwiches and entrees, ranging from creative twists on popular dishes, including a variety of sandwiches, as well as less common dishes like the roasted quail, which was what I got and was flavorful with the wild cherry and mushroom filling and was and well-cooked. My wife got the Oxbow sandwich, which she enjoyed as well (and it was huge). The cocktails were well balanced, unique, and thoughtful, including an extremely interesting and unusual (in a good way) mocktail that the bartender created for us using a number of ingredients, including house-made beet syrup. Finally, the service was friendly and very attentive, without being overbearing. Would highly recommend.

Great food and very friendly service. We tried Brqzen on a cool, rainy day in May - perfect weather for short ribs. The house and beet salads are fresh and delicious. All three of us had the short rib entree. Wow. The ribs were perfectly tender and subtly flavored. The accompanying risotto is legitimate risotto, not just the soggy rice that so often passes as risotto. My son and husbands loved the charred greens, but I thought they were a bit on the tart side. My husband has dietary restrictions so he asked for polenta instead of risotto and it was creamy and well- seasoned. We can't wait to return and try one of their sandwiches.

We had a great dinner at Brazen! Start with the short rib app - you won't regret it. The cocktails are inventive and delicious. I think what we appreciated most is how the menu is constructed to give you an amazing meal, whether you have a sandwich or an entree. You won't have a lesser experience because you order a lower priced item. We look forward to returning!

Food was awesome and service was friendly and efficient. The Helle Ringer and Brazen bowl with beef were favorites in our party!

Cute neighborhood place. Very interesting menu, very well prepared, and different from any other restaurant. The menu is limited but they do them very well. Server was very nice and very dedicated. We will definitely be back.

Just tried Brazen last night, with a critical crowd, and when I tell you - no notes. The interior design is original, a comfortable mix of coastal and urbane. The service was good. The food was delicious- with great attention to detail in seasoning each layer of the dishes and finishing with perfect accompanying flavors. It is small enough to feel intimate but they don't crowd the tables together which is so appreciated. My group was ultimately satisfied and all plates were borderline licked clean. I intend to come back again and again. Thank you for a delectable meal!

Amazing food! Perfect combination of fresh and well seasoned dishes. So many delicious options. I tried the Braised Beets and Slow Roasted Braised Short Rib appetizer which was so great that I had the dinner portion of it as well. Fun selection of cocktails! Friendly staff and nice ambience with an outdoor patio. Highly recommend it!

I had an amazing experience with such friendly staff! I tried the Firebird cocktail, and it was absolutely delicious. I also enjoyed the Base Camp chili wings, which were fantastic as well. I can't wait to come back again!

The best food and flavors I have had in Richmond. Server Ellen and Bartender Shelby were amazing both times I visited. The Frog in the Boat starter is divine. Definitely a Chef to trust. Able to make things dairy free/vegan (the dairy free butter is sinful!). I appreciate the atmosphere and outside tables are lovely too. 10/10

I want to like it more. I really do. But this reminds me that I should give every new restaurant time to get things running smoothly before I get my hopes entirely too high. To be clear, I'll be back in like 6 months as I really love the concept and the menu. It's just that the service and the deliverables came up short. Food alone would've been 4-stars- tasty, inventive, but certainly room for improvement. Service- holy cow- was like a 1. Inattentive and completely uninterested. Maybe my group didn't know a chef/owner or have some other inside track, but good grief. Me and some pals were there to have some drinks and spend some money and I don't exaggerate when I say the (2) rounds of drinks we had took minimum of 15-20 minutes to be delivered. And it's not a huge, bustling space. So that's my current take. Will hopefully revise upward whenever I come back for a (hopefully) better experience.

Learned about this new place via TikTok and decided to meet a friend who was in town from Europe. He always prefers a more upscale meal. I had a lovely custom cocktails the bartender made when I was describing what I wanted. Skipped appetizers because I was eyeing the desserts. Had the short ribs with risotto for dinner and they were outstanding. Had a sautéed greens that wasn't overpowering for me. My friend had the exact same dish so cant comment on their other entrees but the menu had a lot of options I wanted to try. Dessert was a nice size portion. I should have taken pictures. We had a lovely server and everyone seemed really nice. I was able to find side parking fairly easily with where on Cary st. I'm looking forward to taking my husband again. It's a great location for anyone going to the Altria theater.

Wonderful food. Husband and I got sandwiches (can't remeber the names) with mac and cheese and salad. Nothing was disappointing. Definitely recommend.

A solid chef-owned dining spot featuring modern classics. The best Mezcal cocktail in town! Great Fan vibe. Def recommend.

The food is amazing, don't sleep on the mussels! The grazen is an awesome play on a bahn mi. The cocktails are balanced and are thoughtful. The cherry fernet and coke is super crushable. Service is spot on and above and beyond. It's good vibes and a beautiful place.