Citizen

All about this place. The biscuits are fucking incredible. Period. Masala potatoes, cabbage slaw with Indian spices, the grits — all amazing. Bf had the disco eggs and they were delicious too. But I just want to never eat anyone else’s biscuits ever again

Cute little place and great food. Very friendly, helpful staff. Nice menu selection and delivered to table very quickly, it was scarfed down almost as quickly, but still took my time to enjoy every bite!

Outstanding breakfast. Wife had Huevos Rancheros and a side of grits. I had the Disco Eggs with a side of jerk collards. My dish was spicy, I nice jumpstart to the morning. The collards are tender and spicy. The chutney that’s served with the Disco eggs is delicious and fresh. Coffee is great. The place is clean. The front door was open so a fresh breeze was permeating through the restaurant. Staff is friendly.
The lunch menu looked great but we were only in town for a couple days so we weren’t able to try it.

Great lunch place. Came here several times with friends and between the 3 of us, I think we’ve managed to try everything on the menu. While some of the sandwiches were not to my liking due to their ingredients, I can appreciate the creative risks this restaurant takes! Overall, both the quality and variety impressed me and I would definitely recommend a visit!

A great lunch option in downtown Richmond. The menu is exciting, with tons of both healthy and unhealthy options. It filled up very quickly at lunch time, and seems to be a staple for many of the regulars working in the area.
I ordered the black bean papusas, which came with a spicy jalapeño sauce, and a side of the curried squash soup. Both items were very flavorful, came out quickly, and reasonably priced. The service was very attentive, and I was able to get in and out of there in about 30 minutes. I would definitely recommend Citizen for a lunch that’s a little bit different from the usual sandwich or salad place. Enjoy!

As a person who grew up in the middle east developing very high standards of falafel, I must admit I was impressed by Citizen’s falafel sandwich. Literally the best falafel I’ve had in the US, hands down.
As for the sides, my favorites are lentils with feta, and potato masala. I generally don’t eat grits, but theirs is amazing !
Definitely, my favorite lunch sport in RVA.

PUPUSAS! This is one of my favorite lunch spots. The staff is amazing and the food is clearly made with fresh ingredients. I was so happy to find out they now have happy hour and dinner!

This is a review based on two lunch visits to Citizen. I am currently dealing with some medical dietary restrictions, I liked Citizen the first time I visited because the server worked with me to leave some items off the mixed green salad. The first visit was good except service was slow, I chalked that up to the busy lunch rush.
Today I went for lunch to order the same salad (to go) since I know they could accommodate. First I asked for no pistachios on the mixed green salad, the women at the take out counter said they need to update the chalk board because it is now served with cashews. No big deal, I can’t have cashews so I asked to leave them off. I am also unable to have the dressing so I said no dressing and asked if I could have oil and vinegar on the side (they did this the first visit). The lady working take out said «we can not do oil and vinegar because they (referencing the kitchen staff) would have to go to the back to get it and they are too busy.» I was shocked and stared at her with a blank look. I’ve worked in the service industry for 10 years and I would never tell a guest their staff is too busy to accommodate a request. Also from working in the service industry, I know how annoying it is to have guests make a million changes to a menu item, which is why I kept it simple, no nuts, no dressing (that is not difficult). I asked for some lemon so I could at least add some flavor to the salad. When I left and got to my destination to eat I opened the salad to notice there were strawberries instead of oranges. I guess that goes back to updating the chalk board and menu. Well I can’t have strawberries either… so I lettuce with lemon juice, fennel, green onions, and goat cheese. The goat cheese was good, but not for $ 10. I won’t be visiting again.

I recently went to Citizen for a work lunch and it was the PERFECT choice; there is enough selection to appease most palates, and just enough quirk to be interesting but not so much that picky eaters are put off. And the food is delicious. Really some nice, interesting combinations that spice things up from boring regulars. I had the seared plantain sandwich and the grits — YUM. So filling, fresh, and tasty.
The second thing that really sold me is the atmosphere and décor. This place epitomizes the up-​and-​coming, modern, kinda hipster, Americana vibe that is downtown Richmond. That enough descriptors for ya? It was an odd mix of hipsters, business folk, and casual customers in here. Important to note that it was pretty packed at lunchtime so plan accordingly if you want to head here!
Folks in my party commented that this was a great place and they would return. I will be doing the same!

Excellent restaurant but can be very crowded at lunch.
They also serve breakfast and now dinner Thursday-​Saturday
I had the shrimp PO boy and it was very good along with the potato Marsala.
Food came very quickly and service was excellent.
I will return… Especially if I have a late lunch to avoid the crowd.

Had omelette with cheese, ham, and spinach. The area allows you to watch your meal being prepared and interaction with the employees behind the counter. When I saw a local farm truck delivering the cheese and eggs for my omelette that not only proved their ‘locally sourced’ motto, but made for an awesome breakfast. I wish I could stay in Richmond for lunch or dinner at this place cause I could imagine what that would taste like if breakfast is this good.

When I see restaurants on Unilocal that have five stars on average, I am immediately a little suspicious. Surely a restaurant can’t make everyone happy all the time. Well, Citizen proved me wrong and I am so so glad they did. They topped off a wonderful first weekend in Richmond with some of the most amazing food I’ve ever had, friendly service, and an awesome ambiance with an exposed kitchen that left me wanting to go back the next day (Sunday, when they’re closed).
The menu changes frequently from what I understand, and is very dependent on what the chef/​owner wants to make and what can be bought locally. I had the mofango, a first for me, and it was absolutely to die for. It was a vegan/​gluten free dish and I am an avid meat and dairy eater so the fact that I was about to lick my plate clean says volumes. The $ 5 wine was also a nice touch and really tied the meal together nicely.
But let me tell you about the dessert. I was so incredibly impressed with its creativity and flavor that I left wondering where restaurants like this are in DC. I don’t even think describing the combination of chocolate, candied fennel, and apricots can do the dish justice so just go to their Facebook page and check it out yourself. And then go to Citizen the absolute next chance you get!

I almost freaked out when I thought this place closed. Thank God! It just moved down the block and it looks great guys! The staff is so friendly and down to earth. Super relaxed environment. The huevos rancheros and the pupusas are where it’s at. Everything is good here tho. I have to stop at this pace every time I visit the city… GO!

The food here was amazing! Came here with my family and I thought everything we ordered was delicious and unique.
We came on a Friday night around 6 pm, and there was ample seating, I think because they just recently opened the restaurant up for dinner.
We were very excited to try the Mofongo, because my brother-​in-​law is Puerto Rican. I learned that Mofongo, which is fried mashed plantain is not commonly found at restaurants around here, so he was so excited! I was warned that I might not like it the first time I tried it, but I absolutely loved it. I love plantain, love fried things :), and love garlic, which it was mixed with. We ate our dinner family-​style, so this thing was gone pretty quickly. Just makes you want more!
We also had tofu étouffée. Étouffée, I learned, is usually shellfish over rice in a Cajun/​Creole style. This one we had was topped with tofu. My sister and bro in law usually eats pretty healthy, so the tofu and quinoa combo was perfect for us. It also reminded me of a jambalaya in the way the sauce covers the quinoa, I loved that.
Also had the pulled pork torta, also good.
They didn’t have a dessert menu, but our server let us know about the two dessert dishes they were offering that night. Both sounded good, so we got both! One was (I think) a greek yogurt with pureed kiwi sauce, a pureed mango, topped with raspberries, blueberries, and these thin dessert bread sticks. This was great.
The other was some kind of a brownie with mango sauce on the side and candied… something (refer to picture). Tasted kind of like licorice, kind of like celery. The texture was weird so I just sucked on it for taste and left it on the side. This was interesting. not sure if I would get this again, but I liked the concept.
Overall, I thought all their dishes and desserts exhibited a high quality thoughfulness, which made dinner that day feel like such a treat. I feel like I fell in love with this place. Definitely recommend, and be bringing back my friends!

This was an unexpected stop for me while I was in Downtown Richmond. I walk inside and was immediate drawn to the local ingredients and decided to get the omelette w/​everything but pork, masala potatoes, toast and a coffee. Everything was unbelievably tasteful down to the toast and butter! The customer service was great too. I’ll be returning!

Just wow. The Disco Eggs. Are. Everything. Read Nicole T’s review about this place having a creative take on breakfast was right on. Def coming back to try more.

I feel like a fool for walking past the new storefront for so long and letting droves of business people deter me from stopping in. I ordered the pupusas and lentils for a side. I felt like I was back home in the DC metro area after taking one bite. Phenomenal! Also super affordable and made vey quickly. I got my food to go but the space looks awesome. I can’t wait to go back and try more!

Everyone try them! Its got a fresh open décor. The food just as it says is fresh and organic i can taste it. It has got a bit of an eclectic taste in each entry of the menu, but that’s what got me excited to eat here. It had an open kitchen and counter so you can watch as your
being prepped. Will definitely make it back here next time I’m in town will make a beeline for here.

I love breakfast here. The eggs are delicious, the collard greens are amazing, and everything here tastes homemade and homegrown. I could eat here every day.

Citizen is consistently amazing and delicious! The team of people who work there are so nice and the food is some of the best I have ever had in the Richmond area. I have tried almost everything on the menu and I have never been disappointed. The menu is absolutely unique and they only use locally sourced ingredients… I would recommend this place to everyone.

Everyone. Go try them for dinner. I have been a loyal fan of their breakfast and lunch but the dinner is awesome. For lunch I usually have the pepusas (tortillas made with black beans and cheese inside– Latin American cuisine), the turkey gyro or the chicken curry puff (pastry with chicken, veggies and curry inside). All are delicious and full of flavor, everything blends well together. For breakfast I get the pressed bolio roll with egg and a curry slaw. Delicious! Flavors you never would think to put together, they work!
Now back to my dinner comment. My husband and I had the mandarin orange and seared goat cheese salad over mixed greens. It has pistachios and picked onions. The seared goat cheese was perfect and complemented the salad well. Rather I should say everything compliments each other well.
I had the shrimp po boy for dinner, the shrimp is not fried but sautéed with peppers and onions in a creole sauce and served on a French roll. It comes with seasoned potato cubes. All in all exceeded expectations and a great price too! Also great portion size. What a sandwich. Better than any other po boy sandwich I’ve had.
My husband got the grilled monkfish with beets and spinach. This dish is unique and blends great flavors together. A must try. The monkfish is tender but chewy, similar to lobster or a tuna steak. The beets add a little bit of sweetness to the dish.
Glasses of wine or sparking are $ 5.00. I repeat $ 5.00. Not sure why you’re still reading this post. Go to citizen for dinner!!!

Fellow Celiacs! I have severe intolerance and had a safe and delicious experience. Cool little place with more GF options than I am accustomed to having. We are traveling and saw that it was a block from our hotel. Had breakfast and it was so fantastic that I made my husband go back for lunch which was even better. Farm to table ingredients. Friendly wait staff.

Fantastic breakfast place. Clean. Well organized. Great small menu with nothing to risk. All of the selections are well thought out and done with the perfect amount of seasoning. Recommend Disco Eggs and absolutely any of their wonderfully prepared sides. Well done!

Fantastic food-​hand stuffed lamb sausage and perfectly sautéed greens. I live in Portland, OR where foodies breed and this place could definitely run with the big dogs there. Great service, friendly southern hospitality, fun and relaxed environment and delicious food, you can’t ask for more. Must try! Will be back next time I’m in Richmond.

Excellent breakfast! Super friendly service and fantastic food.
It’s hard to imagine a «creative «breakfast. After all, there seem to be only a limited number of ways to cook bacon, eggs, and potatoes. But Citizen has found a way to make extremely creative and super delicious breakfast foods. Definitely try the huevos rancheros with bacon — it is the BEST huevos rancheros I have ever had! The «Disco Eggs» are literally like a dance party in your mouth. The masala potatoes are an awesome variation on the usual side of potatoes.
Overall, this place is awesome. It’s mostly for hipsters and yuppies but they were super accommodating when we came for breakfast with our baby. They also prepared an entire pot of decaf coffee just for me when they didn’t have any on hand.

I had the best omlette I’ve had in years! The grits we’re a little undercooked, but that’s okay. Service and atmosphere were great!

This is a really cool place with a particular spin on breakfast. Unfortunately, it isn’t what we were looking for, being more in the mood for a hearty diner breakfast between 9 hour driving trips. The food is elevated, tasty and exciting. My order for bacon was somehow integrated into my meal, so I didn’t get a sense of whether their bacon was itself good. If you want scrambled eggs and bacon, check out someplace else.

I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience here. The atmosphere is really cozy and adorable, and very clean. My server was very friendly and attentive, excellent service. I came here for breakfast, which didn’t disappoint. The coffee is very good, nice and smooth — and comes with an adorable mini milk bottle with cream. The OJ is definitely freshly squeezed, it tastes amazing. I got the egg sandwich with bacon and it was very flavorful. And the price is incredibly cheap! $ 6.50 for my entire meal. So worth it, I highly recommend this place.

There seems to be a lot of hype around Citizen, and a lot of people are excited about their new location. I’d never been to either, so I had high hopes!
The new location is quaint and trendy, with lots of tables quite close together. I can see how sitting this close to other parties may bother some, but everyone around us was super friendly so I can’t complain.
The service was very speedy despite it being a crowded lunch hour. I had my coffee within minutes and our lunch came within ten minutes. I had the thai turkey gyro (very flavorful and unique) and the grits as a side.
Overall, it was an amazing lunch made with fresh ingredients and served up quick! A great lunch spot for people who work in the bottom and downtown!

Found this new, clean & trendy spot just up the hill from Shockoe Bottom. Breakfast all day, friendly, reasonable. Went for the Huervos Ranchos and in Richmond so GRITS! Perfect, so much better than chain food.

I am so happy this place opened up. I’ve eaten there quite a few times now and have enjoyed every thing I have ordered. Not a single complaint! None of the same ol same ol that u can get everywhere else. I’m not much of a writer so im not going to try and be creativity descriptive, but just wanted to say super awesome lunches. Just had the butternut squash sandwich with celery root slaw… who knew it could be so delish!!! I highly recommend this place.

This place is cute, trendy, and has surprisingly reasonable prices for the portions you receive. Parking (we used paid street parking) could be better. The egg sliders were delicious and had a fun cabbage slaw that improves them significantly. Don’t miss out on the grits!

I loved the food at the old Citizen, and now I love the food at the new Citizen … along with the service, and the setting! Had lunch there the other day with a friend, and the food was up to, and even beyond, its previous level of awesome. Chimichurri chicken salad FTW. My companion had a tomato sandwich that looked superb — I didn’t get offered any, since he seemed pretty protective of his lunch, which tells me that it tasted even better than it looked.
What a treat for both sides of the relationship — Citizen gets even more foot-​traffic potential, and more people get to sample the super goodness that is every bit of the Citizen menu. Everybody wins =)