JewFro

This place was great, the chef talks to the guests and he is very friendly . The food was fantastic, and the prices were fare too. I had the prefixed menu that included 4 courses. The lamb chops were cooked so well and with a nice touch of a Mediterranean flavor. I would also recommend the ribeye steak. I would definitely come back!

We had an incredible New Year’s Eve dinner at Jewfro! The ambiance was warm and inviting, perfect for a special evening. The staff was attentive and ensured everything was perfect throughout the night. The food was absolutely wonderful – each of the five courses was thoughtfully prepared and bursting with flavor. We opted for the wine pairing, which perfectly complemented the meal. We also added an oyster course, and the wine pairing for it was included as a bonus. Standout dishes included the handmade Short Rib Agnolotti and the Southern Fried Duck. To top it off, dessert was a decadent Chocolate Glazed Éclair, the perfect ending to a memorable meal. We can’t wait to visit again!

This is one of my favorite spots in Richmond. The service is great. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. The food is amazing. And their happy hour has all of their drinks on special - even signature cocktails. You get their fab appetizers half off as well. The fresh baked challah is so good.

Before enjoying the food, I immediately loved the space. Painted ceiling on the first floor with a contemporary vibe, spiral staircase to upstairs, and tall ceiling with wooden rafters. If anyone if your dining party has issues walking, I would recommend requesting a table on the first floor - as someone who is not a master in heels, I found the spiral staircase a bit daunting. All of the appetizers - 5/5. We were there for restaurant week, so I’m not sure if the dishes are the same as a normal week, but my lamb was delicious. I’m not one to order chicken, but I would consider the chicken dish next time - my friend loved it. I found the salmon to be a bit bland, but it was still decent. The salmon is a good option if you want something on the lighter side. I would try anything on the menu - everything had a really interesting blend of spices and it was refreshing to see unique flavors and food combos when dining out. The milk tarte was the only thing I found to be lacking, so I would go with the chocolate option. It’s extremely rich, dense, and damn delicious! Friendly staff. Allow time to find parking. I’ll definitely go back!

I am not always into fusion cuisine Jewfro is the exception! Chef Ari successfully fuses flavors that you would not expect to work together and makes it work. The lamb was devine it was so good we went back the next night! We had the beef tenderloin equally devine. The cuisine is very satisfying without serving supersized portions. Chef prepared a platter of dips with house baked breads, I still dream about it! Desserts were also delicious. Had a very good bottle of wine and a great cocktail. A definite must try!

Great food, middling drinks, poor service, unacceptable wait times. We were really excited about the place, the menu for Richmond Restaurant Week looked great and the concept was awesome. We got in a couple minutes before our 6:45 reservation but it took them 10 minutes to get us sat. In that time multiple servers passed us by and saying someone would seat us shortly. This was weird because the restaurant was mostly empty at the time. From the time we got sat we waited another 10 or so minutes to have a server come take our order. I ordered the orange blossom spritzer and my mom ordered the smoked honey old fashioned. My drink was pretty good but the old fashioned was terrible; it tasted like watered down bourbon and that’s it. But the biggest problem with the drinks is that it took 45 MINUTES to get them. Maybe they were short-staffed… but that’s just not okay. There was someone behind the bar the whole time but it was just really, really slow. There seemed to be some strife betwixt the staff because from where we sat (close to the bar and kitchen), it sounded like people were getting pretty short with each other. Not quite yelling, but sort of curt and impolite. Not the best environment to wait for your food in! And boy did we wait. All told, the meal was over 100 MINUTES LONG. It took nearly an hour for us to get our main course, with huge chunks of time between appetizers, mains, and dessert. It was painful. I will say though: the appetizers were solid, the challah and accompanying spreads were delicious, and the mains and dessert were very, very good. We got the arugula fennel strawberry salad and the sambusas to start. Very tasty, not out of this world. But the mains were AWESOME. I got the rockfish and my mom ordered the scallops. Everything was perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked, just totally packed with flavor. And the desserts did not disappoint. The cake with tahini buttercream was delightful. The salty-sweet-savory buttercream was unlike anything I’ve had before in a dessert. The milk cake was the perfect texture too. Would absolutely get both again! It’s a shame the awesome food was so let down by the overall experience. After our meal I was left wondering if I’d come back. It was delicious but something has gotta change about the service/wait times. I don’t know, maybe they were just acutely short-staffed that day. But I wish JewFro’s team the best and I hope I could come back sometime and leave the much better review that their food deserves!

Lovely cocktails, beautifully presented food, grand spice combinations. Nice dinnerware I love the combination of Jewish and African dishes. Paul was very knowledgeable and informative. We went on a Thursday and it wasn't too busy at all.

By far my favorite restaurant. An incredibly innovative menu with unique ingredients resulting in one of the best meals you’ll ever have. I’ve made the 3 hour round trip from Charlottesville to Richmond on multiple occasions to eat here—that just tells you how good it is!

I felt like I had a Michelin level experience. Food was amazing. Great vibe from staff and location. Between 4 of us , we got everything on the menu and literally everything hit it out of the park.

I went to a Quoit Club event at the nearby Adam Craig house and admittedly, after two glasses of wine I wasn't wager to drive home and thought it the perfect opportunity to dine in the neighborhood. I admit, the name of the restaurant made me giggle so I had to check it. I am so happy I did! It was a quiet night and it was super chill. There was a couple seated nearby and two impressively well behaved little boys who I learned later belonged to one of the partners, seated downstairs. The bar tender was really nice and offered some great recommendations which I appreciated because I really wasn't sure what to make of the menu at first glance. It had been ages since I had challah so ordering that was a must. I do not recall what the two sauces were that came with it but he recommended mixing the two which I did. Perfection. The challah was sizeable and I should have only eaten a third, half at most, but I was weak and ate the entirety. Then came the gnocchi and scallops--neither were a main dish which was fine because I wanted to cruise the menu a bit. The gnocchi was in a pea puree which was decadent and delicious. The gnocchi was not the rubbery stuff you buy at Publix. It was tender o the inside, a tad crispy on the outside. I found myself making gnom, gnom, gnom noises like a complete goober. Oh well. The scallops had some sort of artichoke puree. Alas I did not take a photo of the menu or the food because I was too busy enjoying it. (These were small dishes that you eat slowly and savor.) The menu changes frequently (though you can count on the challah as far as I know). Both dishes were unlike anything I have had before and they were phenomenal. I took home the lemon and lavender tart where I could enjoy it and make weird noises in the privacy of my own home while watching another episode of Mobland. I am not at all pretentious. I love a good meal, especially when someone else cooks it and cleans up afterward. I like unpretentious meals. It's not likely you will see me at one of those Michelin restaurants where they serve you octopus gonads with an artful drizzle of bordelaise and a dollop of Wild Yak confit. You could serve an unpretentious meal to me on Chinette and hurl it across the room like a frisbee to me and I don't care, so long as it lands on the table intact I am a-okay. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. It was creative, delicious, made with care, but REAL food. I think you will enjoy it too.

We had a wonderful time having dinner at Jewfro tonight. Service was quick and the servers were all very attentive. It was a very chill spot. I started with the chilled basilla soup. This was fairly simple and allowed the flavor of the peas to be the focus with a bit of cool herbal notes in the background from the mint. The second dish I had was the dusted scallops. The scallops had a good cook and the star of this dish was definitely the jerusalem artichoke puree because of the texture and flavor it added. Next my entree was the tabil crusted hay smoked lamb loin. The lamb was cooked perfectly and I loved how it was complimented by the ras al hanout pea puree's sweetness and savoriness. The crispy jerusalem artichokes on the side of this were a nice addition as well. For dessert I had the orange blossom pavlova with sumac strawberries and pistachios. This dessert surprised me because it looked like something that would be soft and creamy, but it was crispy, airy, and light. It was sweet and melted in my mouth immediately. The combination of sumac with any type of berry is usually great and this was a perfect example of that. The good food and service here made this dinner a quality experience.

I was here for a birthday, and it was lovely! The steakhouse theme for the March menu was very delicious! All the flavors went absolutely lovely together, and for $65 it was a great dinner.

My husband and I had a date-night dinner at JewFro on Friday night before seeing Mamma Mia. I made a 5:30 reservation to give us ample time to make the show and they had us in and out without us feeling rushed. We found ample street parking within a half block of the restaurant on brightly-lit streets. Super easy! We were seated in the widow with a perfect view of the bustling shockoe bottom scene. The restaurant is festively decorated and filled up quickly with other eager diners. JewFro has changed up its regular African-Jewish fusion menu for a holiday-themed, four course, prix-fixe menu. It's $65 per person with small up-charges for premium items. We coordinated our selections for things that appealed to us both. First course: cranberry+fois (+5) and oysters "jungle bell" rock. The cranberry+fois was perfectly seared, melt-in-your-mouth fois gras on crispy toast points over a tart cranberry jam. My husband said he would eat a whole plate of it. The chef's thoughtful choices to provide texture and balanced flavors here were evident. The oysters Rockefeller were delicious--plump, meaty roasted oysters with a traditional Rockefeller preparation. For our second course we chose the grilled cheese and tomato soup and the duck tamale. The soup was rich and thick, garnished with a crispy and gooey cheddar and Camembert grilled cheese "ornament" which was the perfect complement to the smoky and intense tomato flavor. The tamale was a delicious combination of flavors with shredded duck encased in a pillowy masa accompanied by a persimmon salsa and poblano creama. When combined into one bite, it was a flavor explosion! Our third course included the scallop "snowman" and beef tenderloin. The presentation on the scallops was whimsical, with three large, perfectly-seared scallops served vertically on a stick to look like a snowman, nestled in a bed of grits made with lobster stock and Parmesan. Savory roasted carrots offered a pop of color and a needed foil to the richness of the dish. It was wonderful. The beef tenderloin was perfecly cooked and seasoned, served over a truffled sunchoke purée with crispy sautée green beans. Our meal concluded with the "build your own gingerbread house" for two (pictured below). This was so much fun and a perfect for date-night! Pre-cut and measured pieces of crispy and spicy gingerbread are served on a cutting board with marshmallows, gumdrops, sprinkles and cream cheese icing in a piping bag. We assembled our house using the icing ae "glue". It stood for about three seconds, but was fun to do. But we devoured the fallen house and had fun playing with the icing. My husband enjoyed his old fashioned made with brown sugar and I had a non-alcoholic cranberry-ginger spritz from the cocktail menu. I want to note that I appreciated the option to have several signature cocktails made without alcohol and that the one I chose came in a champagne flute. It was festive and sparkly and perfect for the season. Portion sizes for four courses were perfect and reminded me that I love to eat like this. We had a wide variety of food but in portions that didn't overhelem us. We left utterly satiated but not stuffed. Service was lovely, friendly and efficient with special attention paid to our time constraints. Chef Ari visited us a few times throughout the night which was a lovely touch. Dinner for two with a four course prix fixe menu including a $5 upcharge, one cocktail and one mocktail was $213 including tax and 20 percent gratitity. Decor and "make your own gingerbread house" dessert for two pictured below. -- at JewFro.

My husband and I had dinner here on our last date night and oh my gosh was that a good idea! The cocktails were very fun and a little theatrical. Mine came with a purple syrup that was added at the table along with edible flowers, we saw another server bring out a cocktail smoker for another drink - so very fun! The wine and beer menu was pretty decent as well. We started off with the challah bread and dips which were delicious! I can't remember what the dips were exactly but I know one of them was a ham style, a butter style and a pesto style sauce and they were all tasty! For dinner my husband got lamb shanks made in a tajin which he was obsessed with. I had the peri peri chicken (was a little dry), it came with a coconut sauce and jollof Israeli couscous which was my highlight of the meal - everything was Delicious though! The service was nice and the owner was checking on tables and helping in the back and very clearly proud and passionate about his place which was amazing to see! Highly recommend!

JewFro has been on my list for months and I'm so glad I finally tried it! I always see the owner responding to reviews very receptively and open to feedback and accommodations. All the dishes were delicious and pretty new flavors for us. I love the glossary on the menu. The drinks are fun and on the stronger side. The challah and dips were so good, and would be even better if served warm. The peri peri chicken entree was massive and loaded with different flavors and textures. The gnocchi was a bit bleak in comparison as the portion was much smaller and there wasn't a texture differentiator in the dish. I also wish there were more than just two mushrooms. The sauce was amazing though. Reservations can be made on their website and are recommended since the restaurant is quaint. Overall, we enjoyed our date night!

I'd been dying to get to this place as I'd heard so much about it, and it did not disappoint! If you're tired of eating variations of the same, this place is a definite ℙ . The flavors are original, the presentation is on point, and all the staff were so knowledgeable and passionate about what they're doing. I absolutely love what they've done with the old Julep's spot. Inside, it feels like a , upscale version of a friend's dinner party- with a flair. Not a fluorescent bulb in sight, the restaurant has an intimate feel without the cramped elbow-to-elbow phenomena you sometimes experience in downtown spaces. The exposed wooden warehouse-esque beams are , but the often sweet but also savory old world flavors wafting out of the kitchen will transport you right out of the city. We started with the challah bread which was like a warm hug to the stomach (in the best way possible)- do not miss it. The accompanying sauces (Herb butter, ras el hanout orange marmalade, chermoula) were spectacular. Since we had never been, we also splurged and split an order of the Ṗuṁṗkiṅ ṗiėṙȯġiėṡ and ḣuṁṁuṡ ẇiṫḣ lȧṁḃ. The pierogies were amazing and buttery, while the hummus delivered a delightful crunch from the crispy chickpeas. We ended with an order of S H L I S H K A' S G N O C C H I . Pro tip: add the brisket! The breaded potato gnocchi was the perfect consistency, and was accompanied by mushroom and rested in berbere cream sauce (yes, it's as good as it sounds). My one warning about this place- ! Very generous, filling dishes that would be the perfect date night for a crisp fall evening We can't wait to go back to try for lunch.

Went there in the evening in the middle of the week. It was warm inside even though there were only very few people in the restaurant on a summer night. Got seated quickly and the server in training was nice. Their peri peri grilled chicken served with couscous and coconut sauce was okay and had a good portion size. Lamb loin felt too dry for my taste and not that flavorful. The ras el hanout pea puree that came with it gave the dish an interesting pungent woody yet sweet flavor. Portion size was small for me. Overall, the price did not align with the portion size and quality.

Food: All of it was killer. The lamb was excellent and cooked perfectly. The chocolate cardamom cake was better than I expected. It was so good I asked after dinner if it's a regular item. Service: Generally pretty quick and attentive. There was a bit of a wait in between a couple of our courses, but they were quite busy very early due to restaurant week. Our server was quick with an opinion when asked about dishes, something I always appreciate. Ambiance: Cute little restaurant with a nice aesthetic; I think the corner we were in under one of the speakers was a little louder than I prefer. The bathroom situation needs a little work. There's a paper towel tray with a roll of paper towels resting on top and a trash can the size you typically expect to be reserved for sanitary items. Overall a very pleasant experience and great food. We will definitely be back.

Went with some friends for drinks and light bites a couple years ago, and were severely disappointed. Checking in/asking for our table was awkward and almost if they weren't prepared. It took forever to order, longer for our drinks and food to arrive, and after not checking in on us I eventually had to flag down the bartender when we wanted another round of drinks. Everything was ok, mediocre at best, but not worth a return trip for me. I also don't understand the Jewish-African fusion aspect because it seemed mainly middle eastern and North African food to me. (Perly's is the best for true Jewish deli/restaurant in Richmond!)

It's a beautiful place with great service and an interesting and unique menu. The price amount of food is the problem. I went with a group of women for restaurant week. We all agreed we paid WAY too much for what we received. After we left we actually got something else to eat since we were still hungry.

Amazing fusion restaurant with delicious food and a fun vibe! It is a mix of Jewish and African flavors with unique and tasty flavors of comfort food with a twist. For example a warm bowl of matzo ball soup with duck and a dumpling made with Moroccan spices or a challah with dipping bowls of African herbs with oil and harissa butter. Amazing spot with lots of flair!

First time visiting Richmond, I am glad I found this little gem. It's amazing! The lamb chops were exceptional--perfectly cooked to a tender, juicy finish with a flavorful seasoning that had just the right balance of spice and richness. The raspberry crème brûlée was the perfect sweet ending--silky smooth with a crisp, caramelized top and a bright burst of tart raspberry that kept it from being overly sweet. I wish I can try more dishes. The staffs were very warm, personal, knowledgeable, and attentive without being intrusive. The overall hospitality made the dining experience even more enjoyable. The atmosphere at JewFro was unique and inviting, with a cozy yet stylish decor that blended cultural influences beautifully. Highly recommended!

My boyfriend and I went on a weekend away to Richmond and this was our first stop. I'd been before but I knew he'd love it. We sat at the bar as most tables were full. We ordered chicken livers, schnitzel skewers, beef tenderloin and fried rice. Each bite was bursting with unique flavor. Each component was so well thought out and intentional.

Okay this restaurant has been on my list for a WHILE after seeing people rave about it in a Facebook group. I popped in for happy hour because there were several appetizers I wanted to try and they are half off from 5-7 pm Monday through Friday at the bar only! To drink I had "The Fly Away" which was pretty good. The smoke fish was amazing and had a curry type flavor I really appreciated. The pita chips were perfectly soft and crisp (yes I know this is a contradiction). I'm not a fan of scallops but my dining partner enjoyed them a lot and could not stop talking about the pesto on top and the pureed carrots beneath. She also loved her NY steak. It was a little more than medium which is what she requested BUT the flavor was so good she didn't mind. I even loved it and I'm not a red meat eater! Will be back for dinner for sure!

First time here this week with my Dinner Club lady friends. Obviously it wasn't the best experience (see star rating) and I'll try keep it short as to the pros and cons - Pro - Our waitress Yawa was WONDERFUL! She was so patient, thoroughly explained the menu and allowed us to take our time, great personality. A real treat to share our experience with. The restaurant was basically empty so it wasn't loud (a Thursday night around 630). My friends and I were able to carry on a conversation without straining to hear each other. Mid - The food was ok. My friend and I shared the peanut soup. It was interesting to try but prob wouldn't order again due to personal preference. The table shared the hummus app. I felt it was dry and lacked in flavor for what I would expect at a nicer restaurant. For dinner I had the salmon with lubia. The bean stew (lubia) was VERY tasty. I really enjoyed the Moroccan spices. It was my fave part of the meal.The salmon was mostly good but became mushy towards the end of the cut. Not sure why as the ends are normally the crispier parts. Major Con - Our party was sat under the stairs right in front of a door. And my seat was directly in front of the door. I figured it was storage or something but no! It's the door that the staff uses to run food to the neighboring restaurant Sprezzina. The entire time I am having to scoot and lean forward so that the staff can carry a tray of food over my head. And I'm a petite person so idk how anyone could've sat there that was larger than me. I had my chair pulled up to the table to where I was touching knees with my friends. It was incredibly frustrating as it was not just a couple of times but throughout the entire meal there. My friends were annoyed on my behalf but looking around, we didnt see where else they would be able to place a larger party (5). Regardless, it is terribly, terribly poor planning to seat anyone in this area. Especially considering we had made our reservations two weeks in advance so it was not a "walk in" situation. And the restaurant was basically empty! If anything that area should be reserved for a 2-top. End rant!

When reviewing the Restaurant Week participants this place stood out and they did not disappoint! Friendly staff, great service, amazing cocktails and a tasty creative menu. The hostess greeted us with a smile and seated us promptly. Our server Kait was awesome, very friendly, made good suggestions and answered all our questions. Kait is definitely a great asset to this business.! The restaurant is softly lit, comfortable and relaxing with tables spaced nicely apart. All the food was so tasty with great plating and served perfectly. I can't wait to return and sample more of the menu. It's street parking so it might be tricky depending when you are visiting. We were able to park on the same block with no issues. All ordered from the restaurant week menu and all were prepared perfectly! *Zucchini- mint yogurt, lemon test, pine nuts *Patatas Bravas - dill, scallions,preserved lemons, garissa *Zatar Tenderloin - North Afrucan Spiced succotash, bulls blood, charred lime, crispy quinoa *Shilasska Gnocchi- potato Gnocchi, challah bread crumbs, berbere cream sauce, oyster mushrooms, brisket *Cardamom Chocolate Cake *South African Milk Tart Also the Elijah Ascension cocktail is amazing! -Butter fat washed Elijah Craig Bourbon, Cigar Syrup, Aromatic bitters. Smoked with cherry pipe tobacco

We stumbled in here by total accident, but I am so glad we ended up here. All the tables were reserved, so we were seated at the bar. We started with drinks - I got the Song of the Sea and it was delicious (butterfly pea syrup came with it to make it a gorgeous blueish/purple shade). We ordered a variety of dishes - the Challah was paired with three dipping sauces, all of which were amazing. Our favorite was the Chermoula dipping sauce! We also got lamb belly, gefilte fish crudo, and salmon bisque as appetizers. For the main course, we ordered the peri peri grilled chicken with a side of plantains. The bartenders and servers are so attentive and friendly. I will definitely be returning. The parking is just typical Richmond street parking, but took no time to find a spot.

I've always passed this place during my nightly escapades, but never thought to go in because I was unsure if this was my style of food. Well, my friend and I decided to give them a try after over-indulging in wine we needed some food and we were not disappointed. We started with the challah bread and dips. The bread was crusty on the outside and moist on the inside. We split a bottle of Rose' as if we needed more wine. LOL. Then we tried the braised short rib. OMG! The short rib was cooked to perfection. The meat was so tender it was falling off the bone. The overall ambience of the restaurant was very welcoming and modern. The bartenders were very knowledgeable and personable. I truly enjoyed my time at Jewfro and can't wait to try a few of their other dishes.

I've been wanting to try JewFro, and restaurant week seemed like the perfect time! This is such a cute space in Shockoe Bottom. We came early, but it sure filled up quickly! We were greeted promptly by a friendly and knowledgeable server. The restaurant week menu we were given was different than the one posted on the restaurant's website and Instagram page, but I was pleasantly surprised, as the actual menu offered more choices and was better accommodating to the dietary restrictions that come with pregnancy. We started with the Fresh Baked Challah. While all the dips were tasty, the harissa butter was to die for! My husband and I shared the Shlishkas Gnocchi and Crab Cake Krinkrindand appetizers, and both were delicious! For dinner, I had the Peri Peri Grilled Chicken. I really enjoyed this dish and the Jollof cous cous it was served with. For dessert, I was initially disappointed that they weren't serving the South African Milk Tart shown on the online Restaurant Week menu--until I tried the Chocolate Cardamom Cake! The cake was unbelievably flavorful and topped with heavenly dollops of super buttery buttercream. I will undoubtedly be craving this cake! We loved our dining experience at JewFro, and thoroughly enjoyed the unique concept and menu. We will definitely be back to try more from JewFro (and for more Chocolate Cardamom Cake)!

Let's start with service....hostess welcomed us immediately, was very friendly and seated us promptly Our server Kait was a rock star. Personable, knowledgeable and attentive. Kait answered all our questions, made recommendations and checked in through out our meal Courses were time well so we did not feel rushed or waiting The food--AMAZING!!!! So much flavor, fresh ingredients and unique combinations. We were not sure what to expect from Jewish-African fusion. It works! What we ate: *Zucchini- mint yogurt, lemon test, pine nuts *Patatas Bravas - dill, scallions,preserved lemons, harissa *Zatar Tenderloin - North Afrucan Spiced succotash, bulls blood, charred lime, crispy quinoa *Shilasska Gnocchi- potato Gnocchi, challah bread crumbs, berbere cream sauce, oyster mushrooms, brisket *Cardamom Chocolate Cake *South African Milk Tart We will ve back to try more!!!! A few other notes: Fun 70's vibe deco 2 floors Unique cocktail menu Interesting wines A few local brews Street parking My rating scale: +1 Service +1 Food~Taste/flavor/quality +1 Presentation +1 Atmosphere/vibe +1 Value

Finally made my way. I visited SoulTaco a few years back and JewFro has been on my radar for awhile. On a solo trip from DC prior to a show at the Altria, I got there right on time since I didn't have a reservation and read that can be an issue. I will say when I walked in, it was weird. I wasn't sure if they were even open cause there wasn't really anyone around and the response I got was a lil suspect. There was banging in the kitchen and when I took a seat at the bar, I was told the bartender would be back LOL! Even though they were open, it was probably about a 15 minute wait. So kinda awkward but he eventually returned and more customers started coming in. I ordered a couple things but hands down, the challah w/ the dips, is divine! I think I can make a meal off that alone. The cocktail was ok. But the menu is definitely intriguing and I love the fusion and creativity. I could legit see from the bar to the kitchen so I know they're putting in work which I appreciate. And once they get going, it really is a great vibe. The space is in Shockoe Bottom on a corner, and I love the surrounding neighborhood. There is a great Holiday menu right now and I hope to return soon.

LONG REVIEW ALERT - B/C IT WAS THAT AWESOME. So BOTTOM LINE: FOOD: A++ (everything is perfect, no misses) DRINKS: A++ (super creative & tasty) STAFF: A++ (ARI, JOE, KAIT & TREY = stellar) AMBIANCE: A++ GO HERE!!!! Let's talk about this place... first of all I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the staff & owners... how could every literally be so awesome?! Idk but they are! Backstory, I went to a tasting a their sister restaurant called Soul Taco, also located in Richmond. There I met the owners who were literally just mingling amongst the crowd and we struck up a convo about and travel... I literally was talking about Africa and he says "oh you like African food, I own a Jewish/African fusion restaurant" which I thought was a joke lol. Like who fuses these two cultures?! Uhm they did and it's AWESOME. So that same night, my friends and I set a date to hit up JewFro. The restaurant is 2 levels but quaint and YES you need reservations because they are booked and busy honey! I think I did remember seeing bar seating tho, so walk ins are welcomed... they welcome everyone here. Ok so anyways, what I liked was that the menu wasn't overwhelming with a bunch of stuff and I also liked that the menu didn't come off pretentious. I think because I've extensively traveled throughout Africa, it annoys me when someone tries too hard when it comes to African cuisine (restaurants). But y'all when I say I wanted to try EVERYTHING on the menu?! I meant EVERYTHING. Since I drove over an hour to dine here, I only had one drink and it was amazing. I had the "Why The Bats Fly At Night" which was a rum drink that included activated charcoal! How cool?! The drink was definitely tasty and I wanted another one but... responsibility am I right?! Lol. My friends had "The Song of the Sea" which was a pineapple infused mezcal drink that included butterfly pea (changes the drink color to purple w/o being overpoweringly sweet). The other had "The Lion and the Jakal" both were great, I had a sip. Next up is the food for starters we had the seasonal challah bread which came with 3 dipping sauces and our favorite was the Chermoula, which is a African inspired pesto of some sort which we just kept ordering more of. Literally like 3 and 4 more. THE CHALLAH IS SEASONAL, SO ORDER IT THIS TIME AND NOT NEXT TIME, BECAUSE YOU WILL MISS OUT AND IT'LL BE REGRETTABLE! Then we ordered the bagel lox and cream cheese soup.. it was divine. I had the shawarma Katan which was so perfectly seasoned and lastly my friend ordered the Brussels sprouts that were roasted on the stalk with pastrami and seasoned with some freaking awesome spices. So what I appreciate about this place is that the owners aren't above service and genuinely enjoy what they do. Since the place was busy, one of the owners ARI brought out our food. We didn't say "hey remember us from Soul Taco" because we're sure he meets so many ppl. But he remembered us from 2 months ago and literally stopped and talked to us, making us feel so welcome. And looked and me said "you're ordering the yassa tonight right (which is what we talked about 2 months ago). The fact that Ari took the time to greet us and speak to us about different upcoming ideas and concepts. We're like wow this is just epic customer service. One of the chefs in the back named Joe Camacho who also remembered us came out as well. Next thing we know they surprised us with these tastings (don't remember the name, I just know it was awesome & not on the menu). Customer Service at its finest! OK main courses of course I got the Yassa duck two ways, which is inspired by Senegalese yassa. And when I say the flavors were there, just YES. Just do it!! My other friend had the lamb shank tagine which was so dang good. I'd never had an acorn squash before and it was epic. The other got the shaliska gnocchi with the brisket... literally melted in your mouth goodness. I loved it here and we enjoyed our night here and will be back in 2 weeks.

Jewfro offers a rotating, unique menu of snacks, small plates, and mains, in the heart of Shockoe Bottom. I've been twice recently -- one time with a friend and once with a group of six -- and both were good experiences. For my first visit, we sat downstairs and both ordered the Fly Away vodka cocktail. I also had the brisket, and my friend had a celery root steak that looked incredible. I loved the brisket and will keep an eye on the menu for when it might return. More recently (two days ago), I split challah, pumpkin pirogies, and the kale and apple salad with a friend at the table. It ended up being the perfect amount of food for each of us. I personally wasn't a fan of either cocktail I ordered, but my friends got some cool looking ones that they enjoyed. One even had a big bubble form on it. I'd definitely go back sometime.

We ate here on a Saturday night with seven people with high expectations and we were not disappointed! The service was stellar and the restaurant was warm and inviting. The hummus with brisket starter was unbelievable. Highly recommend. The smoked whitefish dip was also amazing. They even served carrots stick for the gluten-free eaters. The halibut over spaghetti squash was flavorful and cooked perfectly and the duck breast was mouthwatering. We had many different cocktails and each one was delicious. If I had to make any complaints it would be that the Peri Peri chicken was slightly dry and the scallops were just a tad too salty. Don't let that stop you from going! The appetizers and cocktails stole the show but the entrées were also delicious & unique. Oh and definitely try the Potatas Bravas!

Unfortunately this wasn't a good experience. There was one waiter working all of the tables and hosting on a busy Friday night. For a very expensive dinner, the service was quite slow. It took over 45 minutes just to get our drinks. In regards to the food: The fois gras was bland, crab mac n cheese was overcooked with a surprising amount of shell mixed into the meat, and the scallops were undercooked with no flavor. The "pie" had nothing special to it and tasted stale. For small portions, an underwhelming atmosphere, and high prices per head, this was not a restaurant I would recommend or return to.

I was pleasantly surprised by JewFro! For my birthday dinner, my friends and I ordered the Smorgasbord ($100). The waiter said that the Smorgasbord is for three people. I really liked how the Smorgasbord had a little bit of everything (challah bread with dip, tenderloin, vegetables, grilled chicken, etc). The flavors were delicious, and the sides were not all the same (there was a beautiful combo of flavors). I really liked the chicken and tenderloin and corn side dish. I will definitely come again!

We had lunch at 11am, right after they opened, and everything was a little slow to arrive... However, once it did, everything killed: - I got a house-smoked pastrami reuben with zulu slaw - wife got a grilled chicken salad she loved - one kid got a steak sandwich, other got a schnitzel, they both loved them

Really fantastic food from start to finish. Great concept. We tried a good sampling of the menu and enjoyed everything: challah, latkes, schnitzel skewers, hummus, lamb, salmon, peri peri chicken, cardamom chocolate cake and milk tart. It was the first night of Restaurant Week so the place was very busy and lively. Our server was very friendly even if he was a little harried given how busy it was. I would definitely go back and highly recommend checking this place out.

Went for a birthday on Tuesday (half priced wine bottles!) and had the BEST food! The gnocchi was absolutely amazing, and so was the hummus and whitefish dip - three MUST try's on the menu! The service was awesome and just a great atmosphere all around!

This was the most delicious, delightful, and fun meals I have ever had. My wife and I decided to try this place on a whim and I am so glad we did. We walked in and the staff was friendly, greeted us promptly, and the waiter helped us with drink choices. I got Elijah's Accession and my wife got the Song of the Sea. Both drinks surprised us. They were smooth, new, and complex. We loved them. I probably should break down every food item but everything was so good. We had duck, chombra, challah, a trio of dips and not one if them disappointed. The staff even provided a taste of the gnocchi before our appetizers arrived. It was so good, we were worried we ordered the wrong things but everything about this place kept getting better and better. The one thing I will add was that we had desert, which was a South African milk tart with strawberry. I'm not one who normally enjoys sweets but you have to try this. It is light but every bite is so flavorful with many elements working together. It was splendid. You need to try this place. Take the risk. This is a place I will be visiting again and I will bring the family and friends. It is that good.

This was a surprise find for my wife and I, and it has turned out to be one of our favorite spots to visit when we go to Richmond, VA. The food is always awesome. The service has never missed a beat so far. And the ambiance is always pleasant and relaxing. We love this place and highly recommend. One warning, make a reservation, hard to get in if you don't.

Heard so many great things about JewFro and was excited to try this place for restaurant week. We started off with the lamb ribs for appetizer, which was delicious and tender. Next we got the honey Harissa chicken and za'atar tenderloin for main course, which they gave us a generous portion for the chicken. The chocolate cardamom cake was to die for the perfect balance of moist and sweet. The South African milk tart was good too not too sweet! Service was amazing and everything came out very fast. Will be back!!

Owner is super friendly and welcoming. Bartender was nice too and good cocktails. The berbere gnocchi was incredible. Would come back simply for that dish. The brisket served with the gnocchi however was shredded, which typically means dry. Not how I like my brisket, but to each their own. Worth trying for sure.

Loved the food and the atmosphere there were three of us we shared for apps the falafel, scallops and watermelon salad, for dinner we shared the smorgasbord platter which was delish. Service was awesome and we had a great time.

Amazing and unique spot! The menu is very unique, but everyone was delicious! Our group of 4 got the smorgasbord and everything was outstanding. It's a great way to sample the various things on the menu. The cocktails were all very good and the service was stellar. It's located in one of the oldest commercial buildings in the city. A great spot for something different.

I don't even know where to begin. The quality of my meal at JewFro has rendered me speechless! Here goes nothin'... We had a reservation but arrived early and were seated immediately. Having already studied the menu and other Yelp reviews, I was stressing out a little over blindly ordering the dish I hoped I'd love the most. After getting our lamb belly appetizer, full of flavors I'd never experienced, I realized that every dish here is probably the best choice. They can do no wrong. Best steak I've ever had, and I've had my share of good steak. Situated on a bowl of mashed potatoes and topped with, also, the best kale I've ever had. You see the trend here. The food is perfectly spiced and seasoned. I got a lot of heat without my mouth being on fire. I appreciate the inclusion of "zero proof" drinks on the menu. I tried the play on the Shirley Temple, bright and delicious. The star of the show was that steak though. Medium rare all the way, and with a really tasty char. Every mouthful of food at JewFro was exquisite.

Took too long to try this place but had been hearing it was good for a while. I thought the cultural combination of foods sounded interesting, but not appetizing. Boy, was I wrong. The service, to start, was exceptional. Hats off to the waiter, the chef, and the owner because everyone was phenomenal and executed their roles perfectly. My wife and I tried the challah, which was tasty but a lot of food for only two of us who also elected to order separate entrees. I ordered the peri peri chicken and it was cooked perfectly. The dish was flavorful and the chicken was not dry at all (which I find often at restaurants attempting to cook large pieces of chicken in an entree). My wife had a special, of which the name escapes me. It was a seafood type stew (lobster and crawfish) and seafood broth with grilled breads to dip. When I say the broth was tasty, shewwwwwww. We knew the chefs were special when discovered the broth packed soooo much flavor and was not just a tasteless, watery bath soaking the crawfish. The cocktails were also thoughtful and tasty. Enough booze, not too sweet, the flavors were balanced. All in all we know we are touch critics at restaurants and left very impressed. We will be back soon and often!

We started with the croquettes, which were fried to perfection. The potatoes were seasoned well and the sauce paired well with them. I ordered the Au Jew, which came with onions, peppers, grilled chicken, and lots of melted cheese. When I was about halfway through the sandwich, I bit into what seemed like a couple of small bones or pieces of a toothpick. Otherwise, my meal was perfect. I ordered the plantains for my side and they were sweet, but the glaze gave it a hint of spice. My date tried their [reuben] with fries. The sandwich was stacked with all the good stuff (meat and cheese lol). I also tried one of their cocktails (cannot remember the name and it's not on their main menu, sorry! but it was a specialty margarita I believe). When the drink came to our table, our server poured another spirit into it, which gave it a purple hue. It was sweet, but I could also taste the alcohol and other spirits. We were not just impressed but truly blown away with the service, ambiance, decor, presentation, and quality. The head chef/owner even came out to say hi and check on us, which was really sweet. They go above & beyond here and it shows! 10/10 would recommend it.

Visiting my friend from San Diego and she said we had to come here and I'm so glad we did!! We visited (unexpectedly) during restaurant week so we had a 3 course meal. Started with a potato/leek cold soup, tenderloin, and homemade twix bar. Everything was super good and I will definitely be returning next time I visit!!

Super good food and good vibes. Came for brunch with my sister, cousin, and friend, and was not disappointed. We were so excited to try Africa-Jewish food and were so conflicted on what to order since everything sounded amazing. We came for Sunday lunch after a big holiday, and we got lucky because it was quiet and "empty". We ordered the pumpkin pierogis, and they were so bomb that we were tempted to order more and lick that plate. We each go a different sandwich. I personally got the steak sandwich was super flavorful and the steak was beautifully cooked and seasoned. I got the plantains as the side and that complemented my sandwich well. Other honorable mentions were the Rueben (I need my own the next time I'm there) and Peri Peri Grilled Chicken. A good recommendation if you're up to trying something new and different. Don't be intimidated, the menu also has a cute little glossary to help you know more about the dish.

A wonderful welcome from Ari and all "welcome friends" and we certainly felt welcome from start to finish. Ordered a shirley temple, spicy mango soda and cardamom ginger for a zero spirit night and they were all heavenly. Arin tells us EVERYTHING is made fresh in house!!! And I'm in love with Jewfro. Grilled veggie skewers, grilled watermelon salad, lamb bells, and Moroccan carrot salad, I couldn't pick my favorite!!! Here's the smorgasbord ANNNNND WE'RE DONE, delicious!!!!!!! Ok, maybe just the strawberry shortcake??? The table decides on all 3 desserts, and they were all just as great! Love love love JEWFRO!!! Go there, you wont regret it!!

There is no other way to describe our first time in this restaurant than an amazing experience! I went with my family for lunch on a Saturday. I chose the pastrami sandwich with Kelewele plantain as a side and had Oshun's Potion for my cocktail. The presentation was mouthwatering! The pastrami was tender, flavorful, just perfect! I learned from the owner, Trey Owens, whom we had the pleasure of dining with, that the pastrami and corned beef are made on site and take days to perfect! The proof was absolutely evident in every delicious bite! Oshun's Potion was an amazing cocktail that embodied the essence of the Goddess herself! The flavor was a beautiful symphony to my tastebuds, melded together in such a way that I was reminded of refreshing Sorrel. I highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to my next experience of this beautiful fusion of culinary art.

I am so very in love with this restaurant. From the time we walked in until the time we left, the service was phenomenal. The FOOD though, holy hell was it exactly what I needed. We started with the Challah bread and 3 dips. I could have eaten the entire basket of Injera chips that came with the dips all by myself. The chips are salty, a little bit crunchy and soft at the same time. For the main course we did Shlishkas Gnocchi with brisket and Zigni Brisket. Holy hell were these both amazing. The brisket was extremely moist and the polenta and gnocchi were perfect compliments. This is the type of place that I will be a regular at. Feel good hearty food for when you need some comfort or the perfect food on a cold day. Can't wait to go back. Do not sleep on the bar options either. Oshuns potion with a smoke bubble was a hit. Not too sweet and fun to watch the smoke bubble hit the glass for some drama.

Wow! The food to value ratio here is excellent. The duck and chicken are beyond measure. Keep it coming. This place is great!

I would like to report a robbery! Like come on! I order something not included in the restaurant week pricing and you rob me?

Their food revived my pallet. The shareable family style platter pleased our party of four and the 1/2 priced wine selection after 6 on a Tuesday took the cake. Ambiance wasn't fine dining but the price point matched the food quality.

Yawa was an amazing server and explained the menu delightfully! This is our 2nd visit here, and I wish I lived in Richmond. My whole group talked about how if we lived here, we would be here every day. I wish I could come back one last time before I leave. Side note get the chocolate cake if Yawa says so!