Photo by Nick Dawson

This charming corner cafe located at Main and 17th Streets downtown holds a special place in my heart for a variety of reasons. I often find myself there in the presence of good company on special occasions, and it never seems to disappoint. As its name suggests, it’s a cafe designed with the original Viennese Cafe Gutenberg in mind. The place prides itself on delicious light fare, Illy coffee, and believe it or not, a solid wine and beer list.

If, like myself, you abstain from eating meats or fish, Gutenberg always has something on the menu suited to your dietary inclinations (including a surprisingly convincing mock-duck meal for brunch!). Not only that, but even a beer lover can geek out with a cheese plate and one of the bottled beers they have available. The beer section is split up from light to dark, a grave sin to the most ardent of beer nerd I’m sure, but there’s a rotating cast every so often; most recently, I’ve spotted Bell’s Porter, Saison Dupont, and Delirium Nocturnum to name a few, but have also seen Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen and Duchesse du Bourgogne in the past.

As for atmosphere, this place seems to nail it. Patrons are surrounded by books on both floors, which naturally ties in with the name and overall theme of the restaurant. And yes, the place can attract the too-cool-for-school crowd from time to time. But for the most part, this is a cafe with its eyes toward Europe, without the pretense and attitude of a locale that’s trying too hard. It’s not confused about its actual geographical position, and doesn’t make excuses or irrational claims about it either. On the whole, its staff and clientele reflect that exact mindset.

There are some places of business in Richmond that confuse themselves with others in New York, or Paris, or any other large city that people seem to, for some reason, saddle with a sassy panache. I feel that Cafe Gutenberg is one of the few that actually gets it right, and has some quality beer to show for it.