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Cafe Gutenberg - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Vegan American (New), Vegan [Edit]
1700 E Main StRichmond, VA 23223
(804) 497-5000
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
70 reviews for Cafe Gutenberg
Review Highlights
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"Great Illy coffee, fantastic food options, and a great wine..." In 5 reviews -
"This was hands down the best brunch I have ever had." In 20 reviews -
"The mock duck was perfectly fried and plenty spicy." In 2 reviews
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70 reviews in English
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Review from Aisa M.
6/2/2011
Strange as it sounds, I really only come here for the banoffi pie -- delicious fresh banana and toffee drizzled with chocolate nestled in a perfectly crumbly crust ... YUM. I crave this particular banoffi on occasion, and even have tried to find something to rival it on the other side of the pond in my temporary London abode, but none of the pies I've tasted there live up to this dream.
I like the European-style outdoor seating, complete with small tables (which our server apologized for -- but there is no need, really, it adds to the authenticity of the place, I guess). A lovely place to spend a sweltering early summer evening ... -
Review from Charles S.
La Jolla, CA
4/24/2011
We were looking for good food in a casual atmosphere close to the MCV hospital. Gutenberg filled the bill on all counts.
I started with a roasted beet salad with greens and pecans. Excellent. My wife had the mixed grill -- chicken satay, curry rubbed beef , and shrimp over spinach and flat bread. I had the flatiron steak over a warm spinach salad with house frites.
The service was excellent and personal, the ambience was relaxed, and the price was easy on the wallet. We'll be back.Listed in: Richmond
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Review from Jess H.
2/17/2011
THEY SERVE BRUNCH AT NIGHT.
Sorry, had to get that out of my system. I'm still raving about it. Yes indeedy, you can order off the brunch menu all frickin day long! Thank you, don't mind if we do...spinach quiche, please :) It was thick, smooth, and delicious...I'm talking about the quiche, you pervs.
We also got the honey truffle parmesan frites. They are very good, definitely a different taste than what you might be expecting, though, because the honey gives it a sweetness and then the parmesan takes it in a completely new direction altogether. But it's a good thing! You must try it! -
Review from Amanda H.
Wilmington, NC
1/5/2011
Hello, my name is Amanda H and I'm a Yelpaholic. It's been nearly five months since my last review and I'm.... OFFICIALLY FALLING OFF THE WAGON!!
That said....
I have to preface my review by admitting that I read nary a review regarding Cafe Gutenberg before dining there. In fact, it was by pure, dumb luck that Jeff and I landed there one recent dreary evening as we returned home from our holiday vacation. Now, thanks to this unexpected little gem, I think we'll be making Richmond's River District a regular pitstop between D.C. and home.
Certainly I need to give it a few more go's before its four stars are safe, but if my first meal was any indication, I think they're solid.
Let's start with the menu. Gutenberg's slogan reads, "Virginia grown and made with love," which sums up nicely what they're doing here. Not only has some imagination been thrown into this puppy, but so have a whole lot of regional and local ingredients. And while they do offer some fantastic vegetarian option, they take good care of the carnivores as well. For example, the flavor bomb of a lettuce wrap I ordered was offered in both a tofu and a pork version. Not much of a pig person myself, I sprung for the tofu (which, I might add, was so succulent and BBQ tangy with grill marks and everything that I momentarily forgot I'd gone veggie).
It seems the menu here is perpetually attempting to one-up itself. The cheddar frites sounded great, but then there were the sweet potato frites staring you in the eye, but.... WAIT.... truffle honey frites?!? My god, man, when does it stop?? (Approximately when we ordered two out of the three and called it a day.) Every time I looked back at the menu, I found something new and eye-catching.
Our server was a good sport and chuckled at how very (possibly overly, but whatever) enthusiastic I was about the place. He answered all my silly questions (including the difference between a Portland Redeye and a Richmond one - PBR vs. Wittmeier, apparently) and was quick, attentive and helpful. My espresso was piping hot with a nice crema on top and I seriously contemplated stuffing the cute Illy demitasse into my purse until I realized I would have to swipe at least three more to have a set... I mean .... stealing is wrong.
Anyway, I've now seen in the other reviews that not everyone shares my experience at CG, but I do think it's worth a) giving it a second chance if it's at all possible that your horrible, life shattering experience was possibly a fluke, or b) ignoring the naysayers and deciding for yourself. -
Review from tracy f.
Chicago, IL
4/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
On my first long weekend spent in Richmond, we ate at Cafe Gutenberg on three separate occasions. The first time I ate the vegan biscuits and gravy, I knew that this meal had changed me - I seriously believe it impacted the very core of my being. Eating that brunch made me a better person for having known that kind of incredible food exists.
We visited again this month, a year later, and I told one of the owners this while munching through the beyondabsofruckingamazing vegan corncakes. I don't get how food can be this good. -
Review from Kara R.
8/7/2010
I'm the typical Californian skeptic/snob about the produce on this coast. Cafe Gutenberg is actually pretty awesome. I have been here on two occasions now to escape the humidity and heat, and both times the service and food have been perfect.
They have a nice selection of cold drinks and are fast to refill water. D loved his Vietnamese-ish coffee and I have been getting lots of Italian Sodas. But the salads! They are delicious! And beautifully prepared! And fresh! And local! And they have truffle honey fries! And it's not too expensive!
This will definitely be a regular destination during my study abroad time for the next four years.Listed in: RVA Favorites
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Review from Robert H.
Richmond, VA
5/17/2011 6 Check-ins Here
First off if you want great service... go elsewhere. I love this place. The food=awesome atmosphere=even better.
I always get either the breakfast panini or the rueben.
Wanna try more but just get stuck wanting either so much. -
Review from Erik P.
Plainville, CT
9/11/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Vegan options=Good
running out of said vegan options = bad
indifferent waitstaff = bad
Visited on 2 occasions while in town. Both experiences let me down. The food was okay. Think I'll skip this one next time. -
Review from Annie W.
10/15/2010
Yelping while still at the restaurant, a first for me. But I'm already online and LOVING what I'm currently shoveling in my mouth.
Vegan Rooster Wings - I have no idea what I'm actually eating, but it is super tasty. Crisp thin pieces of deliciousness sitting on a bed of pickled, sliced vegetables (like the kind you'd find on a banh mi, which they also serve).
Vegan Ceasar Salad - Topped with perfectly grilled tofu (with grill marks!), the salad is a mix of iceberg lettuce, artichoke hearts, and grape tomatoes all covered in a lemon-caper dressing. nom.
Located right next to the 17th Street Farmers' Market, parking is street and not super crowded on a weekday lunch. Waitress is very friendly and has checked up on me about 4 times now. I must look distressed @_@
I wonder if they ever have anything in their refrigerated display case.. -
Review from Mark A.
8/12/2011 1 photo
I had the Gutenberger with truffle honey fries. The burger was excellent and one of the better gourmet ones I have had in a while. And the truffled fries were also great. I would give the place a 5 star but the server was not very timely and my order came out wrong. Hard to imagine as the place had just opened for lunch and we were only two tables he was serving. The atmosphere there in the bottom is nice and would definitely recommend.
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Review from Mike L.
A friend who lives in Richmond took me here for Brunch. They have a good selection of Vegan and non-vegan options. I got the Shockoe Scramble which was eggs with sausage, potatoes, spinach, bell peppers, cheddar, sour cream, and salsa. It was very well presented and quite large and filling. It seems like a more fancy restaurant but the prices are still fair.
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Review from Daniel P.
12/26/2008
This is one of those places that I remember for years and need to visit the next time I stumble into the city.
But I have a story.
The place was pretty much empty at 9:30pm on a Tuesday (they're open until 10pm for food, 11pm for desserts). My friend and I ordered, I got the winter radish salad with butter lettuce, endive, walnuts, raisins, and apple cider vinaigrette, and for dinner the risotto with asparagus, carrots, zucchini and green peas. Fucking delicious.
So when we had sat down, I immediately noticed our candle's wick was way low and gleaming up against the glass. I thought nothing of it. The meal was delicious, the Illy coffee smooth and strong and full.
Then CRACK. SHATTER. What the fuck?
"There's a piece of glass in my food."
"Shit. Let me get that."
Bam. I touched the piece of glass, immediately burned my fingers and recoiled, and while shaking the heat off, a drop of searing candle wax flew toward my eye. I ran to the bathroom and flushed it with ice water for minutes. The waiters scurried, frowned, worried silently about a lawsuit.
I came back to my table with a puffy eyelid and finished my fucking badass risotto. (You can't let that shit cool down...the cheese coagulates and things get ugly...)
Two minutes pass and the manager on shift comes over and informs us everything is on them. He apologizes profusely, asks if we're all right, and shakes his head about this being the second time they've witnessed the kamikaze candles.
They ended up offering us dessert for free too, so I got the Banaffi pie, and the other dude got the creme brulee. Both wonderful. We also had, by this witching hour, six cups of dark brew between us. Our check would have come to about $60. So out of sheer guilt for enjoying such an amazing meal, and because the staff handled it so well, we left an enormous tip and walked out into the street under a Southern moon.
(And saw a stripper coming from the gentleman's club down the block.)
(Just sayin'.) -
Review from Laura H.
Washington, DC
12/31/2008
4.5 stars. I came here to catch up with a friend from high school who I only see once a year, usually around christmas when we both stumble back into Richmond.
We came for lunch and coffee and the vibe and food were spot on. We both had the butternut squash soup and split a hummus plate. The menu was full of appetizing and healthy-ish options, which I found a welcome change from most of the chain restaurants near my parent's house. I also had an excellent americano.
To top it off this place actually has good service and a cool space. No less than three employees checked on us during the meal... and I was kind of hoping to watch them arm wrestle over the tip. Alas, it didn't happen... unless it was in the stock room.
Highly recommend and will likely be back when I find myself in Richmond. -
Review from Viv D.
Richmond, VA
4/21/2010
A most excellent Shockoe Bottom brunch/lunch spot with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients. They were out of the fried green tomatoes (and, sadly, quite a few other menu items) when we stopped by, but my Mock Duck Rooster sandwich was off-the-chain kind of good. The seitan was crispy, chewy, and had a perfect tangy-ness when dressed with the Sriracha. The pork Banh Mi sitting beside me also looked delicious.
My only suggestion would be to nix the meat from the local mushroom burger. Though I am a proud omnivore, the bacon and beef seem highly unnecessary. (And trust me, I love some bacon.) Maybe just double the oyster mushrooms? Or splice in some portabello? Either way, embrace the veg. -
Review from G M.
Ashburn, VA
3/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
My wife had reserved us a table for a Sunday lunch. My daughter at VCU is vegan so this seemed like a good place for her as well as for the rest us non-vegans.
The service was good - the variety of the menu was great and the food was very good (but stay away from the pork sandwich - it was not a highlight - in fact probably the only downside of the day).
The Sweet Potato Fries and beef satay are great and the ability to have brunch food or regular items for a Sunday lunch is great - and a nice beer and wine menu.
Definitely worth a trip and will be a place we will visit again. -
Review from Sweet T.
Carrboro, NC
7/31/2010
I hesitate to rate a place that I've only been to once but I'll allow this to serve as a review of that singular visit.
In summation I thought the food and decor were good but the service was lacking on that particular day. My wife, my queen, was also unhappy with the service but kept raving about the food. And so...4 stars for food, 2 stars for service equates to 3 stars.
Although we were seated and attended to right away, It took about 35 minutes to get a Local Mushroom Panini and Gulf Shrimp Nicoise Salad. Maybe that isn't exactly a travesty but at lunch it is much too slow. The poor guy next to us ordered a waffle (?!) that took even longer. It also took quite some time to get our check. I don't know what the problem was since the crowd was moderate.
My Panini was very decent, a bit bland, but well prepared. It came with a nice pile of extremely salty Salt & Pepper fries which had some strange texture to it, perhaps under a heat lamp too long. They would have been much too salty for many people but I didn't mind. The plate was certainly worth $7.95.
The Princess fell head over heels in love with her Nicoise Salad and pledged eternal allegiance to the Gutenbergs. She's a bit of a freak for a well-tossed salad. I tried some of the greens, ho hum, but the shrimp was indeed exceptional. Large and slightly charred on the grill they had a density of flavor that would not be denied. We've done much, much worse for $10.75.
I look forward to revising this rating, as I'm sure will be the case, once we've had another crack at it. -
Review from Kelly K.
Fairfax, VA
4/19/2011
The food was good, so don't get me wrong. It wasn't amazing, but for the price and the ingredients, it was a quality brunch. I liked the fact that they had vegan options so that was a plus. Also the outside seating is nice, especially during the warmer weather.
Mainly I'm giving this restaurant a bad review because the service was probably the worst I have experienced in a good long time. I don't consider myself to be extremely high maintenance when it comes to restaurant service, and as long as the order is correct and the waiter makes an attempt, I will generally be more than satisfied. However, the seating situation was very disorganized and the wait staff seemed to be apathetic to the customers. The person that took our order did not take the time to write down the exact items, and then brought back a completely different set of menu items almost an hour later. It would have been easy to look past this if there was at least an apology or some sort of compensation, but the waiter reacted by making as little contact with us
as possible from that point on. -
Review from Ginger W.
Richmond, VA
6/16/2010 1 photo
I love this place and am addicted to the pastries here, especially the fruit-filled turnovers. Add a nice cup of Illy coffee and I can relax and read the morning paper, pretending I'm in a Vienna coffeehouse. Although the name and the ambiance suggest Europe, the menu is definitely American, and includes a large selection of vegetarian and vegan options.
I go during the week, as it's jammed with brunchers on the weekends during the Farmer's Market. My sister and I eat lunch here now and then, but I'm a regular mid-morning or early afternoon visitor. I love the relaxed vibe, and you're welcome to sit and read or use the free Wi-Fi for as long as you like, without anyone trying to get you to either pay up or order something else.
Quiche and French toast are two of my breakfast favorites, along with the mixed scrambles, and I always take something from the bakery home for a treat later. -
Review from Michelle A.
Henrico, VA
6/9/2010
What sets Cafe Gutenberg apart?
It's one of the only places I know of where you can sit outside, enjoy an espresso or cup of coffee, and just people-watch. It feels decadent, relaxing, a little European... and aside from Can Can, I don't know of anywhere else where you can really do that.
And it doesn't hurt that they serve Illy :)
Inside is just as relaxing, with a melange of little tables, shelves filled with books... in general, the type of place where you could sit all day thinking about life. Poets and intellectuals, this is your place.
On the flip side, I took my mother and sister for lunch here, and they also loved it, but not because it was relaxing. We had the Gutenberger, which is a hamburger with cheddar, bacon and all the trimmings (Which was awesome- large, flavorful, well put together... definitely satisfied that burger craving)... and the Shrimp Nicoise salad (Also awesome, large grilled shrimp, light and refreshing lemon caper sauce that is salty but not thick or oily, plus crisp romaine...)... and my mother still asks me when we can go back.
For me the service has always been fine, some could see it as a little slow but with the relaxing atmosphere, do you really need to rush in and out? -
Review from Ken R.
Newport News, VA
8/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great eclectic little boutique diner that offers a slice of americana in a new and fresh way. The Vegan Biscuits and Gravy are quite simply amazing. ( coming from a non-vegan) Simple and understated, and never pretentious the dishes are well designed and satisfying. Some Fantastic Vegan options here without alienating the raging carnivore.
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Review from Julien W.
Alexandria, VA
3/24/2010
I gave up on this place after they basically ushered my girlfriend and I out. We were there for an hour enjoying drinks and stepped out for a cigarette when they cleared off two beers that were more than half full, had our bill waiting with the two beers on top of the bill, and didn't explain their actions.
I wouldn't recommend his place because they want to decide their customers and apparently we weren't the definition, despite being two 20-somethings, dressed nicely and polite to the wait-staff. I'll go around the corner to any other establishment. -
Review from Tracy L.
Arlington, VA
9/6/2010
I absolutely love the food at this little cafe!
I have to admit i wasn't expecting much in the beginning because I thought it's just one of those cute brunch spots.
But instead of getting a standard brunch plate, I decided to try their vegetarian dishes. And wow, I was definitely very pleased with what I had.
I started with their vegetarian rooster wings. I had no idea what they were made of but they were crispy, sweet and tasty. The pickled veggies also complemented the wings very well.
The next dish was tofu sliders. Now, that normally doesn't shout exciting to me but oh boy they were good! There were three little sliders with smoked tofu and some sort of sweet mustard sauce (?). I gobbled all of them quickly.
My boyfriend had their oyster bisque and he was also loving it. He had two rounds and wanted more.
Let me conclude the review this way: I'm still thinking about those wings and sliders right now. -
Review from Pat J.
Washington, DC
4/21/2010
Completely legit.
It's the most unassuming place on Main St. in Shocko Bottom. When we walked in, it was late at night and only two people were working the place.
We simply just ordered a slew of appetizers and an entree or so. Everything seemed to come up with a side of frites -completely okay. I would recommend the honey and truffle frites, different, but they grow on you quite quickly. You can also settle for the vermont cheddar frites as well.
My favorites of everything were the mock duck satay and the braised pork sliders. The mock duck was perfectly fried and plenty spicy.
The service was friendly and knowledgeable. The beer list was solid.
All this including outdoor seating and being open later made it the perfect place for the night. -
Review from Nick S.
Washington, DC
4/22/2008
My wife and I stopped here on our way back to DC a few weeks ago and loved the place.
First, the coffee and food was first rate - I had vegetarian biscuits and gravy and my wife had an omelet with asparagus, cheese, and other vegetables, and both were amazing. Next, the service was pretty quick and very friendly - both rarities in our native environment. Lastly, the actual space itself was inviting, well-decorated, and comfortable.
Final verdict: please, please consider opening a place in DC. We could use a restaurant like this in our neighborhood! -
Review from Eva H.
3/1/2010
We're out-of-towners who randomly stumbled into this place, and it's the place we keep talking about when we talk about Richmond food.
Service was impeccable, from the moment we arrived--they even let us sit down early when they were swamped and didn't know if they could serve us in a timely manner (they did).
Coffee? Delicious. Food? Oh my GOD good. The corncakes are little gifts from heaven we've been trying to replicate ever since (and if anyone has their recipe, please pass it along). The sausage was rave-worthy, and I am the queen of pig eatin'.
All in all, a perfect breakfast choice for us at an incredibly reasonable price. We left stuffed, happy, and pleasantly surprised that what looked like a coffee house was so much more. -
Review from Arthur F.
Chesterfield, VA
9/11/2010 1 photo
We arrived at Cafe Gutenberg on a beautiful Saturday September afternoon with great anticipation and left somewhat disappointed. Entering the Cafe is like taking a step into early 1900's of Richmond. The decorative ceilings and walls, still vibrant in spite of the wear and tear of the years, along with the wooden counter, were certainly appealing.
My son glanced about and made a decision on where he wanted to sit. The seater decided to mention that they had a greeter on weekends who seated, but that he would make an exception this time. Given that the business was ok, but not spectacular, was that proclamation really necessary?
After taking some time to review the menu, we settled in on fried sweet potatoes to start, my wife ordered the Gutenberger, my son a waffle, and I the bacon breakfast panini.
The sweet potato shoe string fries arrived a short time later. They were at best warm upon arrival. As for the taste, they had great spicing, but the strings themselves were without flavor. Why serve up this wonderful treat and then steal away all of their inherent flavor?
Twenty minutes after we finished the fries, the rest of our meal arrived. During the intervening period, we heard not a word from the wait team, although they seemed to have time to speak with each other and walked past us frequently enough. Anyway....
My panini was near perfect. The bread was pressed perfectly, the bacon and egg complemented each other well. If I had one comment, it was that the bacon was not noticeably crisp enough for me.
My son loved his waffle, which is typically served with fruit compost and whipped cream, but my son will only eat with syrup. He obviously enjoyed them, as it was a now you see it, now you don't performance.
My wife's Gutenburger was badly undercooked, which is puzzling in and of itself considering the wait, but still had good flavor. The bun was brown, but there wasn't any taste that offered one any idea of its origin.
The burger and panini came with shoe string fries. The salt and pepper combination on them was overwhelming, so I pretty much left them untouched, while my wife covered the miscue with ketchup. It must have worked, as she consumed them all.
The bill for the the meal and one coffee was 36 dollars, which would have been fair had the food and service been consistent. As delivered, it was not.
We may try the Cafe Gutenberg again sometime, but it will surely be after we have ventured elsewhere around Richmond. -
Review from Alexandria V.
Richmond, VA
3/7/2010
I've been to Gutenberg cafe several times, and now realize that I probably won't ever go again unless it's during happy hour and it is for their frites with honey-truffle dipping sauce. Unfortunately, a lot of the menu is overpriced for small ok-tasting portions. I think the staff is alright, but I think the atmosphere is awkward due to that it seems sort of empty nowadays. Are people, in general, catching on to the fact that Gutenberg is in line for some changes?
Don't get me wrong, the menu isn't bad. I like the lettuce wrap-spring roll with tofu, the Gutenberger, the frites, and the skewers. It's just not good enough... I can't really put my finger on it other than you pay a different price from what you actually get, the atmosphere isn't all too great, the service can be a bit awkward (don't you hate ordering meat with a vegan waiter and getting that kind of "oh, ew, meat" smirk?). You kind of get the impression that they are a business going under...
I suggest they change the menu around and lower the prices. -
Review from Tor B.
Saint Louis, MO
10/22/2007
Cafe Gutenberg, the great little cafe that's ahead of it's time.
I wish they were in The Fan. In my judgment, they'd do better there. I think Shockoe Slip is still a few years away from bring all that it can be.
They nailed the euro-atmosphere with a funky space, great coffee (Illy), and wonderful food.
I'll be back; (read that with an Austrian/Euro accent.) -
Review from t v.
Richmond, VA
2/16/2010
The food was pretty good, but not great for me. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, but I wouldn't be opposed to it if someone wanted to try it.
The fried green tomatoes were good, but compared to Millies it was just OK. Had some of the other small dishes too. I feel like they could utilize their space better too, a decent floor with a few tables scattered.
Seems like it would be a good study spot in less busy times. -
Review from Jeff L.
San Diego, CA
7/7/2009
Cafe Gutenberg provides a quaint atmosphere and menu options sure to please any palette, including vegan.
The veggie fondue was a pleasant departure from typical appetizers. The spring salad had a creamy yet light dressing that called you back for more. The Gutenburger was cooked perfectly, as were the accompanying fries. We went on half price wine night (Wednesday) as advertised on their homepage but were disappointed that only 1 red and 1 white were included in the special.
The wait staff was nice and polite. The walls of the cafe showcase local art which provides an opportunity for conversations with other patrons.
Overall, a lovely cafe that is sure to please. -
Review from Alexander D.
Richmond, VA
3/28/2009
I've been meaning to go here for a couple years now. I decided now was the perfect time, since they reopened a week ago after some renovations. It's a little out of the way, so I decided to go for brunch on a Saturday. I was worried they wouldn't live up to expectations, having been introduced to Avenue 805 a few weeks ago, which was one of the best experiences I've had for breakfast. I was not disappointed.
This was hands down the best brunch I have ever had. Period. I went with the Corncakes and Lox, which came with eggs, spinach, smoke salmon, and capers. There was nothing left on the plate by the time I was done. The eggs hold the distinction of being the best I've ever had, perfectly salted and fluffy, and the corncakes(sort of like a pancake made of cornbread) were delicious.
The coffee was great, and I wound up going through 4 cups by the time I had to leave. The ingredients were all fresh, which I can vouch for, given that the truck was there dropping off fresh vegetables when I arrived. Service was excellent, atmosphere was great, and prices were agreeable to my wallet.
In brief? Best $12 I've ever spent.
A word to out-of-towners; if you've never been to Shockoe Bottom, allot a bit of extra time to find parking, as it's a bit cramped at the best of times. And make sure you check out the farmers market next-door; I got some great apples there. -
Review from Ross M.
Arlington, VA
12/19/2010
Love this place. Great place to get a nice breakfast and relax. Menu changes, so keep a lookout for new stuff! Everything I have tried here is excellent.
Listed in: Best of Richmond, VA
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Review from Gw B.
Stafford, VA
Great food & equally fantastic service!
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Review from Gurkie C.
Fairfax, VA
12/9/2008
I went to Cafe Gutenberg on the strength of Yelp reviews and was pleasantly surprised to realize I had been there once before... 2 years ago when I was visiting my companies headquarters in Richmond.
They have a lot of vegetarian entrees on the menu, I think I had a soup and salad 2 years ago I remember liking the restaurant... This time I tried the Vegan Biscuits and Sausage Gravy, it came with hashbrowns on the side. As a vegetarian I have never really had anything to compare this to, but I will say it was really good. I enjoyed every bite, and for once actually finished everything on my plate.
My chai tea latte was also very good, I think they put a dash of sweet cinnamon on the top of the foam which was delicious!
The atmosphere is very charming, I think I would enjoy spending an evening with friends here. They have a large wine selection, books around and a very friendly feel... Small tables in larger spaces which make the place feel very open. -
Review from Cheryl L.
Northern, VA
6/25/2009 1 photo
The husband and I stumbled across this cafe on our way back to northern va. The food = deliciousness. Service = a bit slow. Not sure if slow service was a result of limited staff during Father's Day, but I ordered the corn cake with smoked salmon and cream cheese and spinach and capers. Not a fan of capers, but I brushed those to the side. I ate all my food (well, except for the entire pancake). The pancake was the entire size of the plate. I would definitely visit again.
By the way, the prices were good. The entrees and brunch are under 10 bucks and the entrees are less than $15 I think. -
Review from E G.
Washington, DC
6/30/2010
Absolutely delicious! This place has become a must for us whenever we're in town. Usually we end up here for brunch and are always floored by the endless choices. Vegetarian and vegan options are aplenty but carnivores will not go hungry either.
On a recent visit I tried the spinach and cheese quiche and loved it! The dough was soft and super tasty while the filling was very dense, full of cheese and not too eggy. We also got a side of the oyster mushrooms (YUMMM!) and the veggie biscuits and gravy (fantastic!). In the past I've also been known to put away their apple waffle a la mode but for once I restrained myself. And now I wish I didn't! -
Review from Ruby R.
Richmond, VA
8/9/2009
i'd been to cafe gutenberg a few years ago, but hadn't ever gone back until a wine tasting and art opening several weeks ago. It was much more to my liking than the old incarnation, and was a very very pleasant surprise for me.
The new owners and managers of this place have done an absolutely bang-up job with the new menu. The options are a lot more diverse, especially with the addition of a bunch of new vegan options!
i've had the banh mi tofu sandwich, and the vegan caesar salad, SO GOOD. the fries (or "frites") are really good, and the sea salt is a really interesting touch.
I'll definitely come back soon. -
Review from Mike Y.
Cary, NC
Updated - 10/23/2010
Just came back here again. I was really rushed to eat but the service was fast and the food was great. This time I had steak satay as an app and the beef was seasoned perfectly and moist. It was served with a light mint sauce the complimented the greens it came with nicely. Because I was in a rush I got a sando instead of a full entree. I had their Banh Mi with pork. The sandwich was really good and although not completely traditional, was extremely tasty nonetheless. As before, their fries were outstanding. I'd rank their frites in the top I've ever eaten.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/25/2009
The fries here are so good they call them frites because the word french fry just simply wouldn't do… Read more »
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Review from Katrina C.
Hampton, VA
3/21/2011
Vegan friendly, Awesome! I always enjoy finding places that caters to us non-meat eaters. We sat in the open main floor with plenty of sunlight coming through the windows. The place was pretty nice. It was clean and organized. Their paintings on the walls were interesting. Even more so, their menu was packed with some really nifty stuff. I ended up getting an omelette and a side of vegan sausage. The omelette was great, the sausage, not so much. Might just be the way the sausage was prepped not necessarily the cafe's doing. Their chocolate milk was amazing. I do remember raving about their hash cream design. Aside from that, this place is a great place to dine in with friends and enjoy a quick brunch! Will definitely come back to this one day.
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Review from Jon M.
Baltimore, MD
7/13/2009 1 photo
The Gutenberg has what a successful restaurants needs, good food and a wonderful atmosphere. The menu is simple, five entrees, it contained both conservative and adventurous fair.
The server was fast and courteous. And the server knew his food. The menu is a three star, but because of the service I give them a four.
Another great thing about this place is the beer. I really enjoyed their different flavors. This place is a great place to take friends so you can talk and enjoy the surroundings.
