A Taste Of Manchester

Restaurants are more than what’s on the menu, a restaurant is the community it feeds. We had a lovely conversation with Pig & Brew founder Lamarr Johnson about the delicious and diverse dining scene here in Richmond’s Manchester neighborhood. Now seven years old, Pig & Brew caters to anyone with an empty stomach and a hankering for North Carolina-style pork barbecue. The restaurant is as easy to find as the red pig that hangs above the front door; just look for the swine sign. When you stop by, you’re likely to see a mix of locals who live and work in the area all coming together for a taste of comfort. Lamarr strives to create food and an atmosphere that “gives you that homey effect.” He wants his restaurant to be a place you can bring your friends, your kids, or your grandmother.

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“You can come in here with a suit, or you can come in here wearing basketball shorts.”

All that matters is that you’re hungry. But Lamarr’s influence in Manchester goes beyond Pig & Brew and his second eatery, Red Hibachi & Beer, just three blocks away. Lamarr is an active member of his community, serving on three local boards: Manchester Alliance, Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union, and New Life Community Center. He understands the importance of making his voice heard and maximizing his impact by donating time and money to the causes he cares about.

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“We have a nonprofit that we’ve started with a couple of our friends. Our proceeds go to that nonprofit to help generate opportunities for minorities and inner-city kids, which helps effectively most of Southside.”

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Manchester isn’t just Lamarr’s place of business, it’s his home, and he is doing everything in his power to uplift those around him with the means that he has because he sees the area’s possibility.

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“I think it could potentially be more like a historical Carytown with a little more cultural flavor.”

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Come for the barbecue and stay for the community – or come for the community and stay for the barbecue. Either way, you don’t want to skip the barbecue. The Burnt End Brisket Sandwich and homemade peach cobbler will have you sticking around for helping after helping.

With the right suggestion, you can find mind-blowing meals in any Richmond neighborhood and Manchester is certainly no exception. The dining scene here captures a range of tastes and cultures that demand you come back and try them all. Order Indian for lunch and soul food for dinner, then cap off the night with a cocktail. Manchester’s mouthwatering selection of restaurants allows you to indulge in fan favorites or explore something totally new. We’ve put together a hearty list of delicious restaurants in Manchester you need to check out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So, let’s take a look at the menu.

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Gold Lion Community Cafe, a “vegetarian cafe & bar with an Indian flare,” not only serves up a cool and cozy atmosphere, they also offer a delicious all-day breakfast. So if you’re craving a stack of fruity french toast when you get off of work, look no further. Also on the breakfast menu is their Medu Vada, a plate of lentil donuts promised to be “crispy on the outside, soft on the inside,” served with sambar and coconut chutney. You can also visit the Gold Lion Community Cafe for dinner and drinks Wednesday through Saturday.

Nestled on Hull Street and connected to Stella’s Grocery right next door, The Continental serves a weekend brunch worth gathering for. Get your friends together and delight in the savory-sweet combination of their chicken and waffles, or if you’re hungry for a creamy blend of textures, you should order the stuffed mushroom benedict. But any menu item pairs perfectly with one of their crushed ice vodka limeades, just the right balance of sweet and tart. The eclectic decor and cushy brown booths complete the diner-style feel of The Continental and ensure nothing less than a superb brunch experience.

With two floors and a lovely outdoor dining area, everything on the menu comes with a side of sunshine. Why work from home when you can join Zata’s wifi, open your laptop, and order a pastry or two? Better yet, enjoy a coffee and omelet while you catch up on emails. Stay long enough and you’ll need lunch, which luckily comes in spades at Café Zata. Each of their many sandwiches is named after an iconic place in Richmond – like The Hull Street and The Manchester – so you can explore the city and the menu at the same time.

Manchester’s “soul of seafood,” praises the vital importance of community and food’s role in bringing people together. Mr. Croaker, from whom the restaurant gets its namesake, made friends everywhere he traveled, with jazz musicians, poets, and everyone in between. And as they shared their art with him, he shared his, creating a rich legacy that would stand the test of time. This Richmond fixture’s brunch menu includes temptations like the Salmon Cake Breakfast and Creamy Parmesan Shrimp & Grits but stick around for their tasty midday main courses like their Famous Fried Fish Salad. Pull up a chair at Croaker’s Spot, and don’t be a stranger.

Pick your protein, pick your sauce, and grab a brew while you wait; Red Hibachi & Beer is your place for a quick and tasty meal on Hull Street. Their menu caters to all kinds of hibachi lovers, with your choice of salmon, chicken, steak and shrimp, and even a vegetarian option. Their range of sauces includes Yum Yum, Teriyaki, and Gochujang Hot, so you can satisfy every side of your palate. If their top-notch meats and super-fresh veggies weren’t enough to convince you, maybe their craft beer will. Come see what’s on draft or peruse their current wine selection. Whether you’re dining in, picking up, or getting delivery, you can always fit Red Hibachi & Beer into your schedule.

“We’re a full-service bar. The atmosphere is nice and mellow. I think it’s more family-oriented, but it also can be a nice place to grab a drink.”

From the mouth of the owner himself, Lamarr invites you to eat, drink, and be merry at Pig & Brew. With happy hour every day from 3-7 p.m., you’ll have a hard time deciding what you’re hungry for. Grab a plate of BBQ sliders and a Tito’s lemonade for just $12. Or try one of their main menu items like the beef brisket, veggie burger, or meat-lovers trio. Eat in or get it catered at your next gathering, but one bite and you’ll agree it’s some of the best barbecue in the city.

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We highlighted Legends Brewing Company in our previous blog and it’s always a treat, but right down the road stands the charming and spacious Basic City Beer Co. Park your car in the lot out front and stroll right in for a drink. Order a round of hoppy IPAs for the table or sip one of their lip-puckering sours for a taste that’ll keep you coming back. They host regular events like weekly trivia and a monthly makers market, so there’s always a reason to stop by. Pick a table by the bar, or venture down the hall to a second room with plush armchairs and a ping pong table.

You’ve never had a hotdog and beer like the ones at Benchtop Brewing’s Richmond tasting room. Their specialty dogs take flavorful components of other dishes and pile them onto a black Angus beef frank and bun for a taste you will unexpectedly love. Fun twists like the Bahn Mi Frank and Reuben Style Frank are just two examples of why this Frank-enstein philosophy is worth a try. Not only do the folks at Benchtop know their beer, but their drink menu features margaritas, seltzers, and even jello shots. Try your hand at trivia on Wednesdays, or join them for happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday for $1 off all drafts. Benchtop Brewing should be on everyone’s to-do list.

Ironclad Sports Bar & Grill is the perfect place to root for your favorite teams. Settle in to watch some Sunday football or take a long lunch during work for a score update. No matter what day you come by, they have daily happy hour deals from 3-7 p.m. that are always a home run. Serving all the classics you’d expect from a sports bar, like burgers, pizza, and wings, Ironclad’s menu is filled with tasty crowd-pleasers. Check out their Instagram highlights @ironcladrva for weekly specials, including $5 margaritas and $6 long islands. Sports fan or not, Ironclad is a winner

If you’ve been to any bar in the city, you’ll recognize the Belle Isle Moonshine label. It’s a Richmond-based alcohol brand that set out to make a name for itself as the first premium moonshine. Not only is the logo and brand name a nod to Richmond’s local riverside destination, but its tasting room is only a short walk from the island itself. A block off of Commerce Road on Everett Street, you can come by the distillery Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and order a flight of their delicious moonshines or infusions.

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There’s a lot to be said about the food here in Manchester, but why “say” when you can taste? Many more amazing restaurants were left off this list, and just reading about them will never do them justice. At the end of the day, dining is an experience. It’s the people who work there and the place itself that give every meal the potential to be the best one you’ve ever had. Your next favorite restaurant is here in Manchester, so what are you waiting for? Order up!

Looking for more restaurants in downtown Richmond? Check out our full list of restaurants.

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*Photos by Tj Ponds