
L'Opossum
Playful yet sophisticated French cuisine meets eclectic art and craft cocktails in a joyful, unforgettable dining experience.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

L'Opossum

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Playful yet sophisticated French cuisine meets eclectic art and craft cocktails in a joyful, unforgettable dining experience.
Book Far in Advance
Reservations are highly sought after; plan to book more than a month ahead.
Bar Seating Recommended
Enjoy expertly crafted drinks and friendly service at the bar, often paired with dishes.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Modern French
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Beef Swellington
A truly standout dish, critics rave this is one of the best meat preparations they've ever tasted.

Eclectic & Art-Filled Ambiance
A playful, sophisticated space adorned with art, taxidermy, and unique decor creating a festive atmosphere.

Nostalgic & Joyful Flavors
Dishes evoke warmth and joy with harmonious flavors, offering innovative yet comforting culinary experiences.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Far in Advance
Reservations are highly sought after; plan to book more than a month ahead.
Bar Seating Recommended
Enjoy expertly crafted drinks and friendly service at the bar, often paired with dishes.
Don't Miss Specials
Inquire about unique menu offerings like black truffle services or duck confit specials.
Bette Davis Table
Request the Bette Davis table for a unique experience surrounded by sentimental items.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Far in Advance
Reservations are highly sought after; plan to book more than a month ahead.
Bar Seating Recommended
Enjoy expertly crafted drinks and friendly service at the bar, often paired with dishes.
Don't Miss Specials
Inquire about unique menu offerings like black truffle services or duck confit specials.
Bette Davis Table
Request the Bette Davis table for a unique experience surrounded by sentimental items.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
L'Opossum is celebrated for its inventive French cuisine, exceptional service, and uniquely artistic ambiance, making it a top choice for special occasions. While reservations are hard to come by, the dining experience is consistently described as memorable and exceeding expectations. The food is highlighted for its bold flavors and beautiful presentation, though some diners find the eclectic decor to be a strong element that might not appeal to everyone.
"We came here for our 10th anniversary...we had the escargot--which was fabulous--a bottle of wine, and ordered the Quail and Lamb Belly for entrees. For dessert we had some chocolate thing recommende that was excellent and something like an elevated apple pie which was also excellent. The vibe was cool w the music playing, and such an eclectic atmosphere. Service was outstanding at the bar. It's hard to get a reservation so plan more than a month in advance. 5 stars!"
Eric Bliss
"We visited for our anniversary. The hostess was very welcoming and wished us happy anniversary right away. We thankfully were seated at a booth which was lovely and we really preferred it rather than the row of tables down the middle. Our server was great and gave us a rose prosecco to celebrate. We started with the grilled Caesar which was excellent. I would love to try to recreate this at home because it was so good! For our main dish, my husband had the Morrocan chicken dish which had layers of flavor and was delicious. I had the fillet which was one of the best I have ever had. From the ambiance to the drinks to the food this was my favorite meal I have had in Richmond. It is worth the hype!"
Mary A
"I mean, it's L'Opossum, yeah? Perfect on many levels. Tonight, the salad was especially on point. Sounds weird, but the combo of flavors was kinda electrifying. Tuna, pork croquettes, and the swellington rounded out a great experience. Thank you."
April Haynes
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservations are highly recommended and should be made well in advance, often more than a month, due to high demand.
The Beef Swellington is frequently cited as a standout, along with Arctic char and Oysters Rockefeller. Innovative specials are also highly recommended.
Yes, the restaurant offers a variety of vegan choices on its menu, catering to different dietary needs.
The atmosphere is described as eclectic, art-filled, and festive, with unique decor and a sophisticated yet funky vibe.
Absolutely! L'Opossum is frequently chosen for anniversaries and special celebrations due to its memorable dining experience.
Yes, sitting at the bar is recommended for enjoying strong drinks and the friendly expertise of the bartenders.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The Best Restaurants in Richmond | Restaurants : Food Network
The scruffy Oregon hill location of L’Opossum belies chef-owner David Shannon’s luscious art-filled interior, including tabletops made from Andy Warhol’s Rorschach wallpaper. But it’s truly the food and clever menu descriptions that are art, like his Cocky Yet Classic and So Very Comfy-Cozy Coq au Vin and Filet Mignon of Beef "Swellington." Part opulence, part irreverence, this special spot is a refreshing addition to the upscale dining scene.
20 Best Restaurants in Richmond Will Surprise You
What is it: This award-winning restaurant is a little bit French and a lot of fun. Tucked away in the ramshackle Oregon Hill neighborhood, L’Opossum feels like your wacky great aunt’s dining room—complete with weird flea market art, taxidermied critters and a phallic stained glass window. Why go: Even thoughL’Opossum looks like a fun house, chef David Shannon’s culinary chops have placed it among the most respected restaurants in the region.
Best Restaurants in Richmond: Coolest, Hottest, Newest Places to Eat
2014 | Oregon HillHow can you not want to root for a restaurant that lists Fee Fi Foe, Fee Fi Faux Pho on its menu?. Or a filet mignon of beef ‘Swellington?. ’ Voted the best restaurant in the south by Southern Living Magazine in 2018, L’Opossum is a place that frequently leaves diners feeling like they’re -- in the words of David Shannon, the owner and chef -- “ somewhere else.
9 Things to Do in Richmond, Virginia
Seasonally inspired, chef-driven spots include the Roosevelt, Alewife, L’Opossum, Lehja, and Rappahannock. Or try unpretentious favorites such as the old-fashioned boxed lunch staple Sally Bell’s Kitchen, Southern-styled Lillie Pearl, and the wood-fired Sub Rosa Bakery, known for its fig and cheese croissants. Arguably, the most Richmond place of all is Gwar Bar.
One of the South's Best Food Towns
You have two tempting choices for dinner: Beeline just south to L’Opossum, an almost surreal exposition on joy authored by the chef David Shannon, equal parts flamboyant and familial—the ham biscuit comes topped with escargots. Shannon’s inventiveness breeds loyalty: The cast of regulars includes Richmonders who dine at the bar at least once a week in order to keep up with the takes on foie gras and oysters. Or you could travel seven miles northwest to Walter Bundy’s acclaimed Shagbark, where dinner means the likes of Foggy Ridge Cider–braised pork belly with apple and rutabaga mousse—edible convergences of past and present that taste very much like the future.
Where To Eat In Richmond, Virginia, Right Now
This formal-yet-funky fine dining restaurant essentially encapsulates the spirit of Richmond—it is artful and excellent, but it still doesn't take itself too seriously. L'Opossum's clever, elegant menu features playfully named dishes like "Les Escargots à la Ham Biscuit," which comes with a sweet garlic beurre blanc, and "A Brisk Fall Cookout in the Boneyard," which, according to the restaurant's menu, is "roasted rack of lamb atop a chimichurri sweet potato salad" served with "big round blackberry barbecue bordelaise." You're in for an adventure when you show up for a meal at L'Opossum. lopossum.com, 626 China St, Richmond, VA 23220
Best Restaurants in Richmond
Have a Franco-American experience at L'Opossum, [3] a restaurant that serves French cuisine and craft cocktails. Their menu consists of authentic French dishes with fun names like Baby Got Coulibiac, Coq au Morocco, Fee Fi Faux Pho, Swashbuckling Bundt Pirate Drenched in Hot Buttered Rum, and more. The artistic atmosphere paired with the outstanding service of the waitstaff make this one of the best restaurants in Richmond that many locals and tourists enjoy.
Best & Worst 2025: Food & Drink
Now in its 11th year in Oregon Hill, L’Opossum has dazzled guests from near and far with a French-inspired menu and seasonal specials, racking up accolades including “Best Chef in Virginia” by The Local Palate. L’O excels in every way, and chef-owner David Shannon says, “I consider all awards to be the result of my talented and dedicated team that makes L’Opossum everything I strive for it to be.
Discover the 12 best Restaurants in Richmond: A Gourmet's Handbook
Rating: 4.5/5Location: 626 China St Oregon Hill, Richmond, VA 23220-6217Timings: Tue-Sat 5:00 pm - 9:30 pmPrice: $$$$Must Try: Arctic char and crab cakesL'Opossumis among the best restaurants in Richmond VA. It is a harmonious blend of American and French cultures. The food is a blend of traditional and innovative. It is known for the best Arctic char and crab cakes, as they are just perfect.
50 + Fun Date Ideas in Richmond VA: Romantic things to do for Couples
L’Opossum Restaurant – This unassuming restaurant has been described as one of the best culinary experiences in RVA. The menu offers a fresh, sophisticated take on French cuisine paired with craft cocktails and specialty drinks. The eclectic, artsy space is small but friendly and inviting which adds to the overall experience of dining at L’Opossum.
Where to Eat in Richmond, Virginia
The first course at L’Opossum, James Beard-nominated David Shannon’s Oregon Hill extravaganza, is a visual feast since you eat with your eyes first. Just make sure your mouth is ready for what’s coming. You’ll want a full phone battery and an empty stomach to appreciate the spectacle and spectacular dining experience L’Opossum puts out.
4 of the Best French Restaurants in Richmond, VA
David Shannon’s L’opossum is one of the hottest restaurants in town. Locally, it won an Elby for Best Restaurant, and nationally, Conde Nast named it one of 10 unmissable restaurants in the American South. Funky decor greets you when you walk in, and playfully named dishes will stay with you long after you leave (in a good way).
Richmond Restaurants | Local Dining & Places to Eat
Sub Rosa Bakery, Mekong, Mama J’s Kitchen, L’Opossum, Peter Chang, Metzger Bar and Butchery, The Roosevelt, and Brenner Pass – they’re all James Beard Award nominated restaurants serving up one-of-a-kind experiences. In this flavored-packed region, the choices range from awesome food truck fare to white tablecloth chop houses.
Mood Mavens: How Restaurants Create the Atmosphere Richmond Diners Crave
At L’Opossum, David Shannon has never had to advertise for servers. “A good fit is a start,” he says of such longtime servers as Susan Worsham, who also worked for him at his now-closed restaurant Dogwood Grille & Spirits. “She dropped what she was doing to come here,” Shannon says.
The Complete Guide to Visiting Richmond, Virginia
L'Opossum is an eclectic restaurant in Richmond’s Oregon Hill neighborhood known for indulgent dishes that blend Southern flavors with French-inspired techniques. The colorful and quirky décor complements the innovative menu, which features seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Here's How to Have an Incredible Romantic Getaway in Richmond
For dinner, reserve a table à deux at L’Opossum, where the menu changes frequently but always offers playful spins on French cuisine, like escargots with ham biscuits, along with French wine (bien sûr!) and suggestive aperitifs like the vodka-and-Lillet-Blanc-based French Tickler.
The 100 best restaurants in Richmond in 2025
David Shannon continues to surprise and delight with his Oregon Hill gem. It is notoriously difficult to get a reservation, and you’ll find the tiny restaurant packed every day of the week. Perhaps it’s the wild and weird vibe: a little bit Twin Peaks, a little bit David Shannon.
Nice Restaurants In Richmond
If you’re searching for a truly unique experience, L’Opossum is a must-visit. This quirky French-inspired bistro presents a creative menu filled with playful dishes. The atmosphere is intimate and colorful, making it a delightful choice for date nights or celebrating milestones.
Highest-rated Restaurants in Richmond, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (322 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (5.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: French, American- Price: $$$$- Address: 626 China St Oregon Hill, Richmond, VA 23220-6217- Read more on Tripadvisor
Best Restaurants in Richmond, Virginia
The chef at L’ Opossum, David Shannon, was sous chef at the famed Inn at Little Washington, and he opened a fabulous hot spot here. It’s impossible to get a reservation even a month in advance. We end up going at 5 o’clock sometimes just to get in.
40 Date Ideas in Richmond, VA: Romantic Things To Do in Richmond
Here's another one of the most romantic things to do in Richmond for a dinner date!. If you want to have delicious, fancy food, you can go to L'Opossum together with your partner. This is a wonderful restaurant with incredible food!
Best Chinese Restaurants Near Me
If you’re looking to elevate your Chinese dining experience to new heights, L’opossum is the place to be. This upscale restaurant offers a fusion of French and Chinese flavors, resulting in an extraordinary culinary adventure.
32 Best & Fun Things to Do in Richmond (VA)
L’Opossum is one of the fascinating restaurants in entire Virginia. Here, there is a special menu made by chef David Shannon. You would enjoy the southern roots of Virginia and also be satisfied by the massive French presence.
23 Best Restaurants in Richmond
626 China St, Richmond, VA 23220Phone: 804-918-6028 Visit Website. A post shared by Eileen (@eileen_mellon). L’Opossum is a lively yet cultured French restaurant serving classic dishes and craft cocktails.
9 Cool Restaurants to Visit in Richmond
You’ll definitely have enough for leftovers if you choose to dine at L’Opossum. Image courtesy of Instagram. 626 China St | Oregon Hill | lopossum.com
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit