Marylous Soul Dining Experience

Decided to finally try this spot out. Went with my fiance’ for a little date and we had a good time. Our waitress was nice, the food was good and the drinks were also good. It had rained later on while we were there, so going to the rooftop was out the question at first. We tried to go a second time when the rain stop and the Dj had finished setting up but the music was slow to start. We had already been there for a while so we expected a little something more upbeat. I kept yawning so we decided to head out. When we go back, we would probably just do the rooftop bar to get a better experience.

Don’t bother doing a reservation the places you reserve are not open. We drove an hour * and were confused upon arrival of where we were to sit. The staff don’t have very good attitudes. The air was broke so we were hot 🥵 trying to eat. I had the fish , macaroni and cheese , collards , and yams. My food was 9/10 Crab dip was flavorless and salty :/ taste like cream cheese and crab that’s it.

Mother’s Day Brunch. Our food was delicious. The portions were great. The drinks was on point. Overall we had a great experience. We will come back again maybe for Dinner.

I’ll start by saying it was a nice experience overall visiting this restaurant. We did not have a reservation we showed up and was told the only available seating was at the bar or rooftop both first come first serve. I am pregnant and wasn’t thrilled about either but we were accommodated and sat in the dining room area. The waitress was nice but the food took so long for a 2 top. Literally over 45mins- the waitress even commented on the wait time. The food was decent I felt maybe the kitchen was very busy. My plate of shrimp and grits did not come out as seen on many other platforms the taste was decent and different a bit spicy. Hubby got lamb chops and he felt that his meal was good but in his opinion not worth the price. Gratuity was added to the check not sure if that’s always the case but 20% for a two top was a bit much without given the heads up. Maybe we will try again in the future on a different day and timeframe.

My experience at MaryLou’s in Richmond was a tale of two extremes—what started out as an almost entirely negative visit turned into a surprisingly enjoyable evening, thanks to the encouragement of fellow patrons and the outstanding service and food that followed. When we first arrived, we were immediately met with a less than welcoming attitude from the host with the short haircut. Before we could even step inside and truly experience the restaurant, she spoke to my mother and me in a manner that was unnecessarily rude and condescending. It felt more like we were being reprimanded rather than greeted as paying customers. She told us that there were no reservations available until 5:30, only for us to check online and find a reservation for 5:00 with no problem. The discrepancy combined with her tone left a very sour first impression, and we seriously considered leaving altogether and writing this review from that perspective. However, as we stood outside debating whether to stay, some frequent customers on encouraged us to give it another shot. They spoke so highly of the food that we decided to give Marylou’s a second chance—and I’m truly glad we did. Once we were seated, the entire experience turned around. Our server, Fonta, was phenomenal. She was warm, attentive, and made sure we were well taken care of throughout the meal. Her professionalism and kindness completely contrasted the rocky start and helped redeem our visit. As for the food—it was absolutely worth the hype. Every dish we tried was full of bold, well-balanced flavors. Nothing was over- or under-seasoned, and it was clear the kitchen takes pride in what they serve. The quality and taste alone were enough to make us forget the unpleasant beginning. In short, while the initial encounter with the host nearly drove us away, the great food and exceptional service—especially from Fonta—ultimately made the experience a positive one. I sincerely hope Marylou’s takes the time to address the importance of customer service at the front door because the rest of the team and the kitchen are doing an excellent job.

The Auntie's Sangria was phenomenal! I'm a girl who usually doesn't order a menu created drink as some places it can be watered down, but this one hit the spot! The Shrimp & grits were great too! Well done Marylou's! De'Jour, our server, also was phenomenal! He was attentive & took care of me and my girls for our monthly brunch date.

Soul Food.. according to websters dictionary the definition is, a type of food southern black Americans typically eat. Keep that in mind. Saturday my best friend and I had a Galentines dinner date at Mary Lou’s located on Main Street. I found the Black Woman Owned restaurant from an Instagram post of their bartender Chaney making new cocktail called “Forever in Bloom”. I’m a sucker for a cocktail and beautiful stemware. His unforgettable personality from a 2 min post made me look up their menu which looked amazing. So we made reservations thru toast and Saturday were so excited. We were greeted by the most pleasant host. Not only keeping the restaurant organized, but gave suggestions, was keeping everything clean and pre bussing tables. Sims is absolutely amazing. They got us seated as soon as we arrived. The menu was great but we weren’t even prepared for the art work and jewel colored seats. The comfortable seating, immaculate restroom. Did I mention the stemware choices??? Cici was our server and is otherwise known as fluffy. Her personality is heavenly. It’s like sitting down with your homegirl to talk about good food. She gave us suggestions and helped us choose great drinks and food. I spotted the infamous Chaney from the IG post and told him he was the reason we made a reservation. I ordered an espresso martini with tequila, Brussels as my appetizer and Turkey Wings and Yams and Collards as my meal. TENDERRRRRRRR! My turkey wings were so flavorful and falling from the bones. The greens… the greens… let’s just say I drank the pot liquor. My yams were so delicious and melted in my mouth. Someone’s Granny is definitely in the kitchen throwing down! Chaney even dropped by our table to see how are drinks were. When we finished our meal we were so sad to leave this atmosphere with the great staff, food and the music was too tier. So we went and sat at the bar to have a drink made by the wonderful Chaney! His personality is truly infectious and whew can he make a drink! He made us strawberry Cosmos, Blackberry Burbon Smashes and lastly Green Teas. Mary Lou’s features recipes from her grandmother Ms Mary Lou. I know what Webster says, but soul food is not just a food black southerns eat. Soul food is comforting, it reminds you of home. It’s a safe place. It’s nourishing to the soul. Soul food is dinner at granny’s house after church on Sunday! Mary Lou’s is all of that and I can’t wait to return.

The chefs in the kitchen did their thing with our dishes! Delicious! We were served in a warm friendly and welcoming manner. We will return…. We could have been checked on while we ate and/or ask did we need more water. Other than that it was a phenomenal time!

Definitely a nice spot. Everything was above decent, food - Get them "Turkey Wings" lls, service (CREDIT TO THE MANAGER )/servers (especially the new ones), Drinks, Atmosphere, Rooftop, cute little Hookah girl on that roof (hustle & bustle ). The ONLY thing that needed a little improvement was that dam DJ. Smh. I mean R&B'd me to bed and death ‍. On that good ol Friday night. Mix it up or something sis next time PLEASE...

I've been to Mary Lou's plenty of times, but after my most recent visits, I won't be returning. The service and management just don't measure up and the food isn't strong enough to make up for it. The food is average at best. Nothing stands out, and for the price and atmosphere, you'd expect better. The drinks can be great, but that really depends on which bartender you get. The space itself is cute and well-designed, but unfortunately, looks aren't everything. At this point, the inconsistent service and underwhelming food just don't make it worth the trip.

We came here for brunch with reservations and were sat down right away and given water while we perused the menu. The ambiance of the restaurant is relaxed yet nice, like coming home for a family reunion. The brunch menu was limited but still we had a hard time deciding what to eat, it all looked so good. I eventually settled on the Crunchy Frosted Flake Encrusted French Toast with a side of bacon, since that would complement my apple cocktail I ordered, the Crimson Orchard. The music played and the vibe of the place felt like a mixture of my generation (I'm gen X/xennial) and some older stuff that added to the family reunion vibes. The food was amazing as the atmosphere and the drink was delicious as well. I will be coming back soon to try their dinner menu and other brunch items in the future. If you're in the Richmond area, stop in, you won't be disappointed.

This is a restaurant I want to try again because though I enjoyed my experience, the things I went to try they did not have at the time. I heard they have a great rooftop vibe on Sundays so that'll likely be the next thing I check out. The food I did order was a catfish dinner with macaroni and yams, my friend ordered lambchops and we enjoyed both. The macaroni I can say was a little oily and not exactly my preference visually but mixed with the yams it was pretty good. Though they did not have everything that we wanted, the service made up for it. We met one of the owners or maybe managers and they allowed us to sample some wines before we decided on a glass.

Soul Food.. according to websters dictionary the definition is, a type of food southern black Americans typically eat. Keep that in mind. Saturday my best friend and I had a Galentines dinner date at Mary Lou's located on Main Street. I found the Black Woman Owned restaurant from an Instagram post of their bartender Chaney making new cocktail called "Forever in Bloom". I'm a sucker for a cocktail and beautiful stemware. His unforgettable personality from a 2 min post made me look up their menu which looked amazing. So we made reservations thru toast and Saturday were so excited. We were greeted by the most pleasant host. Not only keeping the restaurant organized, but gave suggestions, was keeping everything clean and pre bussing tables. Sims is absolutely amazing. They got us seated as soon as we arrived. The menu was great but we weren't even prepared for the art work and jewel colored seats. The comfortable seating, immaculate restroom. Did I mention the stemware choices??? Cici was our server and is otherwise known as fluffy. Her personality is heavenly. It's like sitting down with your homegirl to talk about good food. She gave us suggestions and helped us choose great drinks and food. I spotted the infamous Chaney from the IG post and told him he was the reason we made a reservation. I ordered an espresso martini with tequila, Brussels as my appetizer and Turkey Wings and Yams and Collards as my meal. TENDERRRRRRRR! My turkey wings were so flavorful and falling from the bones. The greens... the greens... let's just say I drank the pot liquor. My yams were so delicious and melted in my mouth. Someone's Granny is definitely in the kitchen throwing down! Chaney even dropped by our table to see how our drinks were. When we finished our meal we were so sad to leave this atmosphere with the great staff, food and the music was top tier. So we went and sat at the bar to have a drink made by the wonderful Chaney! His personality is truly infectious and whew can he make a drink! He made us strawberry Cosmos, Blackberry Burbon Smashes and lastly Green Teas. Mary Lou's features recipes from her grandmother Ms Mary Lou. I know what Webster says, but soul food is not just a food black southerns eat. Soul food is comforting, it reminds you of home. It's a safe place. It's nourishing to the soul. Soul food is dinner at granny's house after church on Sunday! Mary Lou's is all of that and I can't wait to return.

The location & decor is nice but the overall experience needs a ton of work. First & foremost... We ordered 2 Big breakfast which comes with eggs, steak, potatoes, and biscuit.... When food arrived to the table (early reservation) they had already ran out of potatoes, they subbed our potatoes with F R U I T !!! There is no comparison... Then to top it off they charged us by charging $37 per meal, and as you can see on the menu it should be $32 ! THEN proceeded to add another charge for homefries & we did not even receive the ones in the actual meal so no way we ordered extra (?) The french toast arrived soaked in some type of fruity sauce. They did comp that meal as the person sent it back immediately & ordered ala carte instead. Please keep in mind they drizzle sauces all over the food*** The steak & eggs were good but the menu is extremely small, if you are a picky eater... try somewhere else for brunch. overall they overcharged $15+ tried to contact the # listed on TOAST and there website, called 5x over several days and no answer + voicemail is full. Extremely Poor customer service

Cool newish spot with amazing food. Came during brunch weekend and ordered quite a few things to try. Server was super friendly & really knowledgeable about the menu. The drinks come with cute inspirational quotes. And they taste good. The biscuits and gravy were so good & flavorful. But the shining star in my side was the shrimp and grits. That grit cake was delish and innovative. The shrimp and tomatoes yummy. The sauce - chefs kiss. On the flip side, the french toast was pretty bland. We opted for the regular one because we heard the crunchy one was hit or miss. May have to try that one next time. The only thing that could be worked on is wait times. It took about an hour to get our food, even though we suggested it could come out staggered. Apparently they had a rush, but I think because we sat outside it was easier to forget us. However, the food was definitely worth the wait.

We had the pleasure of being a part of the Marylou's dining experience yesterday and it was superb. The overall ambiance was truly a vibe. The slow tunes, exquisite decor, and color patterns were aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, I did t take many pictures because I was overwhelmed with the food in a good way. The service was impeccable. I was running late to a dinner with my girls and I was truly welcomed from the time I entered and exited the building. The wait staff was very friendly and truly created a space for us. Our waitress or "vibe consultant" was extremely attentive and made us feel at home. Her recommendations were great. Now, let's talk about the FOOD! I am always very eerie of soul food because I come from a family of cooks, but MaryLous has the secret sauce. Our table tried the crab dip, corn bread skillet and lollipop lamb chops for an appetizer. The lamb chops were cooked to perfection they were very tender and moist. They weren't tough and they were seasoned to perfection. The cornbread was also very moist and flavorful. The crab dip was amazing! It actually had real crab and not just cream cheese. Inflation has not impacted the quality of food here at all. The main character of my night was the turkey wings. They were slow cooked and tender. They were falling off the bone, but firm. I asked for the recipe and our "vibe consultant" respectfully declined.. lol I would rate the turkey wings a 10/10! The sides were also very flavorful I had a chance to taste the collards and broccolini. I had a blueberry, Prosecco, mint drink (can't remember the name) and the bartender did his thing! It wasn't too sweet and it was very refreshing. I also had his signature lemon drop and I would say it is one of the best lemon drops I've had in Richmond! If you are in the mood for some "down home cooking" or soul food run to Marylou's!

Let me tell you, I consider myself a bit of a Yelp bourgeoisie--if a restaurant has less than 4 stars, I'll practically break a finger trying to scroll off the page to find somewhere else to eat. But this spot? It had only 3 stars, and I was ready to dismiss it until I actually tried the food. My whole perspective shifted, like a flat-earther discovering the world is round. Mind blown. Now, if I see a restaurant with 3 stars, I have to pause, dig deeper, and figure out why it might have low ratings.This place was fantastic! I ended up here as a plus-one for a friend's work outing and wasn't planning on ordering anything. But then, I tried a Brussel sprout, and I nearly marched into the kitchen to place my order--seriously, they were a 10/10, possibly the best I've ever had. The calamari? Spot on! Perfectly seasoned with a dipping sauce that took it to another level--because, let's be real, the sauce can make or break a dish. The crab cakes were so good that I had to double-check that I wasn't in Baltimore instead of Richmond. The ambiance was on point, the music was great, and the waitress was super friendly, showering us with compliments. Overall, I had an amazing time, and my stomach left very happy!

We celebrated my Mom-in-love's 89th Birthday here! The food was delicious: cornbread, crab dip, shrimp & grits, catfish, mac-n-cheese, collards, and short ribs. And I had to have a grit cake! Our waiter, DuJour, was patient and professional!! I've visited previously in groups and also just me and hubby. I appreciate consistency in cuisine! I want it to be very good every visit, every time! I was not disappointed. Val 2/23/25

The place seems new and the staff is working to keep up with orders. The place is close to the VCU campus. With a little more time and training I believe they will be hitting a nice stride!

waited 40 min just for our order to be taken....food came out and it was ok at best. I ordered the biscuits and gravy and asked for a poached egg and it was basically a hard boiled egg. My mom ordered the catch of the day and she said the catfish was very salty and her eggs tasted like nothing. The best thing there was their home fries. our server was nice but not attentive did not get my drink refilled once. Super unfortunate since i wanted to love this place. Might give the dinner menu a try.

This spot was a pleasant surprise. I spied it on a prior solo trip from DC and my bestie and I made the trek. We were specifically looking for good brunch at a spot that had tv's so we could watch the game. I recall seeing on their IG, that the bar had tv's. I expected a heavier crowd and was a tad worried cause we didn't have reservations. But our timing was perfect. We were seated immediately and had a great view of the tv's, as requested. We ordered French toast, avocado toast, shrimp and grits and steak and eggs. Oh and a side of collard greens. I was a bit unsure cause some reviews aren't the most favorable. I didn't prefer the avocado toast, but my bestie liked it. The collards were amazing, the cornflake crusted French toast was also good. I love their take on shrimp and grits, the grits are like a fried cake. The texture is yummy. The steak and eggs wasn't bad either. I prefer however a better grade steak, it was obvious that it was a lesser grade and honestly, tasted cheap. I love the ambience, very colorful and the spot is HUGE! Very deceiving from the outside. They have private dining rooms and a penthouse upstairs as well as patio w/ hookah. We tried to grab a table upon finishing our meal but the patio was full. And even w/ two private parties going on, we were not disturbed. It's like a HUGE old colonial house w/ just rooms everywhere. The service was great and everyone was really nice. The experience only could've made better had the tv's not gone out in the middle of the game ARGH! Something happened with the signal. And the drinks were just ok. Definitely look forward to returning soon. And I see they're opening a sister spot. Way to go!

So I really want to write a review about Mary Lou's. The food was really good. The atmosphere was really cute and our waiter was really nice. it seemed like a really friendly restaurant bar with a space that look like it could be great for event space! Dinner was lovely!

I went there for a graduation party and ordered my food at the same time as everyone else. It took 2 hours for my food to come and all I ordered was Mac and cheese. Do better.

Visited here for the first time a few weeks ago.. The ambiance and service was nice . Food was delicious drinks were good as well.

Food and ambience was on point. Service was slow to be empty. You might not want to go hungry. #MrsTateApproved

First off - this place is a hidden gem! You can't even tell all that it has to offer. From the bar side, to the eloquent seating, to the private rooms, to the wine room, to the outside eating areas and even the rooftop/penthouse portion! Too dope of a spot! Came here for a quick date night and turned into a while vibe. Chan (the owner) was there and came over to talk to us and tell us she'd been open since April. I love the decor! It's a whole vibe! The menu has so many great options we couldn't decide but I ended up going with the Brussel sprouts & the pasta. Too bomb! My other half got the baked chicken dinner. I wanted dessert but I was too stuffed. The drinks are bomb too. You can rent this place out for multiple things! I just love the decor throughout the entire building. The rooftop / penthouse has a totally different menu & offers hookah. We decided to go up there after we ate to check it out. Issa vibe! We'll definitely be back when we're in the RVA area. My lemon drops were banging & so was my sangria

Let me start by saying I really wanted to like this establishment- My husband and I are big on supporting black and women owned establishments Normally I read reviews, before going someplace new, but I didn't bother, because whenever I drive by on the weekends there were people coming and going. So, I was thinking it has to be worth it, because why else would everyone be going? Well, I guess they were thinking like me, don't know about them but I've never been disappointed enough to write a review. My husband and I wanted brunch, waited too late for that so we did an early dinner. Reserved for a 5pm slot (wasn't necessary). I informed the hostess we had a 5pm reservation and under what name to find it - the music was so loud - when she said "I can seat you, but I need to get more menus" I didn't hear a word, just saw her lips moving, she comes back to hostess stand - and with attitude says "I said... Now the service - just bad - the waitress didn't bother to ask if this was our first time, didn't suggest any dishes and didn't check on us after the meal was served. The food - I got turkey wings with mash potatoes (gritty) and collard greens (too much vinegar). My husband got fried catfish (had to be sent back, fried waaayy to hard). the broccolini was beautiful, but not cooked, and his mashed potatoes were the same as mine. To top it all off a 20% gratuity is adding; We tip, usually more than 20%, but if tipping where an option - this is one time we would Not have tipped. Needless to say, we will not be going back.

Everything about this place is amazing. The food. The drink. The service. The vibe.. definitely a 10/10 experience.. I will definitely be going back!! I choose the "Midnight Jewel " for my drink. It was really good. For appetizers my friend and I got the lollipop lamp chops and the deviled egg flight.. after eating the appetizers we couldn't wait for our entrees to get there. We both got the turkey wings. My friend got the garlic mashed potatoes and the broccoli for her sides. I got the collards greens and macaroni and cheese!! Let me tell you.. EVERYTHING was delicious..

I was excited to visit this new restaurant and I wasn't let down. The staff did a great job acknowledging everyone even while busy and I had a great server. The food and cocktails were great. I had turkey wings but also sampled the catfish which was great. Don't sleep on the cornbread. My only recommendation would be to dim the dining room lights; it's too bright especially with dining room Being visible from the street by passersby. The decor lends to a more intimate vibe.

Food and service was horrendous- I could never recommend going here again. The music was deafening and unbearable - we had to get out before we lost our hearing. Don't go

There was little to no AC. A balloon in the ceiling that was probably from the party before. My old fashioned was a swallow of drink. We had been seated for an hour with no silverware. We were told we could not change seats. We were supposed to have a private area but staff kept walking through our area as if they could not see all around. We were not given silverware until well AFTER our food came. Late notification on the candy nuts on the salad. Out of calamari and we had wee notified 20 minutes after ordering. Staff kept asking if everyone was done with their food instead of walking around to the tables. Someone in our party ordered and had not received it in 20 minutes.

I been here when they were about to switch to dinner.The bartender and our waiter were soooo nice and accommodating.I def have to come back

The food here is absolutely delicious! Ordered here for brunch for chicken and waffles once and last night we got the turkey wings with mac and cheese, collard greens, and crab dip. Great prices as well!

I recently attended a private party at MaryLou's this fall. The food was served buffet style: cheeseburger sliders, fried fish, mac & cheese, veggie & dip, chicken wings, corn bread, and an amazing Brussel sprout medly. EVERYTHING was delicious . I can't wait to go back as a regular customer.

Beautiful decor! These were some of the best turkey wings that I've ever eaten! I really enjoyed our meal, even though we were initially told that we could only order from the "small bites" menu. I'm glad that they were able to accommodate our turkey wing request. It was a Sunday evening and they ran out of several of the side dish options. Still, everything that we ordered was quite delicious. I look forward to returning during my next visit to Richmond.

The menu had few selections They was out of a lot of stuff. Rice was mushy Catfish was salty food and drinks took FOREVER TO ARRIVE TO THE TABLE !! 10 out 10 WOULD NOT RECOMMEND! They added gratuity to everyone's ticket even a party of over 5 guest. I WILL NOT BE VISITING THIS PLACE EVER AGAIN! If I would have known about all of this I would have skipped out on the birthday dinner If I could give it a 0 star I would

The service is IMPECCABLE! They have employed the nicest and most professional people ever! The atmosphere is beautiful, however the AC is a problem. We went twice and both times the AC was either off or not circulating. The food was very good the first time, unfortunately today, I can't say the same. They gave us Swai instead of Catfish, I brought it to the attention of the server, who apologized and confirmed with the chef that it wasn't catfish, as the menu stated. I suggest being upfront with patrons. This is an expensive establishment, your customers deserve to get they are paying for.

The food was not bad, I had the fish and Mac n cheese. The fried fish was PERFECT!! the Mac n cheese needed some work

My husband and I ate there one time and the food was okay. It wasn't spectacular but the wait staff was AWESOME! I wanted to give them a second chance so we decided we would do take-out. When I called to place the order, they add a SERVICE CHARGE (TIP) on take-out! I canceled the order IMMEDIATELY as I thought this was not appropriate when I was not being serviced by waitstaff. Her business practices concern me. I will not be patronizing this establishment again as long as this was in effect.

We really enjoyed our visit to Marylou's this time around. Our waitress was so attentive to our needs and the meal was excellent. We had catfish, mac&cheese and collard greens. The menu choices were limited but there were a few pescatarian options. They food was well seasoned and very tasty. It was a busy evening, so the noise level was high but we were seated in a quiet corner which was good. The restaurant's decor was nicely done which contributed to the upbeat vibes. I recommend you stop by, you won't be disappointed.

Over priced, small portions, bland food. Service okay but we were automatically charged 20% gratuity. Great ambiance, beautifully decorated.

I must say I am always ready to support black owned business whenever I can but I was disappointed today. I may try one more time to visit at dinner time to give another chance but I would like at least salt and pepper on the table, if I need it. There was none. The glasses for water were very small and no waffles were available... I wanted waffles and chicken. This was during brunch. There was another small party next to us but it took awhile to get our food, also. Our waitress was phenomenal! Why was gratuity already added for a party of 3!! Please do better.

We had dinner at Mary Lous and the food was really good. I had the fried shrimp, garlic mash potatoes and collard greens (cooked without meat) and my friend had the Turkey wings dinner and she said it was cooked to perfection. The skillet cornbread is a must have!! The service was great and we met the owner and she shared that the cornbread was her grandmother's recipe. It was a Saturday night and the atmosphere was very pleasant and it was a nice dining experience. I Will definitely go back again.

This place is so cute! Ambiance is darling for a date night or girls night out. Not a lot of space inside but there is outside seating but the lighting is not conducive. We were acknowledged and asked to have a seat, given menus and then we didn't see anyone for a while before we decided to leave. There was a big party and looked like only one server so it was a bit hectic. The menu didn't have a lot of the normally expected soul food items and why was the chicken Ken $30?! Anywho, nice place but some things need to be tweaked.