Richmond, VA Restaurants

Food is an important part of Richmond’s unique culture, and local restaurants have a flavor all their own. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly diner or a posh, trendy sushi bar, Richmond has the variety to satisfy every taste bud.

American

For those looking to stay within their comfort zone, Richmond has several restaurants which specialize in American cuisine. One such restaurant is Hard Shell, which offers succulent crab, lobster, shrimp, crawfish, clams, and oysters. Tuesday through Saturday evenings, diners can sway their forks to the rhythm of live blues, jazz and soul. Lemaire, located inside The Jefferson Hotel, brings Southern comfort food to the next level using local and organic Virginia ingredients. For steaks and ambience, Richmond residents favor the dining room at Buckhead’s and Sam Miller’s Warehouse.

Breakfast and Brunch

First thing in the morning, no one wants to hunt for the perfect Belgian waffles. Thankfully, Richmond’s array of fantastic breakfast joints eliminate any stress. For a unique brunch experience, check out Millie’s Diner, whose spicy omelets are Richmond favorites. Perly’s is the ideal location for all health conscious vegetarians with its menu of meat-free sandwiches and soups. For quick, freshly-baked pastries and steaming hot espresso, Bev’s is the only place to go. Family-friendly, diner atmospheres can be found at Liberty Valence, Joe’s Inn, and 3rd Street Diner.

Desserts and Coffee

For a break from shopping in Richmond’s eclectic downtown or for somewhere to meet up with girlfriends for desserts and coffee, Richmond residents rave about Bakers Crust Bread Market and Shockoe Espresso and Roastery. At Bakers Crust, bread and pastries are baked fresh daily; if you’re looking to splurge, the rich desserts are sinfully delicious. At Shockoe Espresso and Roastery, coffee is roasted on-premises, ensuring customers the freshest-brewed coffee in Richmond.

International

Customers looking to satisfy more daring cravings should sample Richmond’s award-winning international cuisine. For martinis, international and New American cuisine, Richmonders rave about Patina Grill’s first-class service. Spicy international fare is available at Europa, a Mediterranean café and tapas bar. Those looking for a more lively atmosphere head to Havana ’59, where Cuban food, Latino music, and trendy warehouse atmosphere draw in customers.

Italian

Those looking for noteworthy Italian cuisine head straight to Amici Ristorante, where candles and fresh, authentic Italian make for the perfect night out. For rich food, an extensive wine list, and sinful desserts, La Grotta serves Italian in an comfortable, old-world style dining room. For those seeking casual simplicity, Mamma Zu’s menu is fit for those on a budget.

Lunch

For a speedy, inexpensive lunch break, Richmonders head to several notable diner-style establishments, especially vegetarian-friendly Perly’s and ice cream shop The Dairy Bar. Richmond’s best pizza can be found at Mary Angela’s Pizzeria, where New York-style slices are served up fresh, and at Bottoms Up Pizza, where an extensive list of gourmet toppings is available. For hand-pulled, sliced, and chopped barbeque, head to Double T’s BBQ Carytown, where barbeque is made sweet, tangy, or spicy.

Take Out

Many of Richmond’s favorite restaurants and diners offer options for those looking to order in. Both Mary Angela’s Pizzeria and Bottoms Up Pizza offer take-out options for their pizza, as do Perly’s, Bev’s, The Dairy Bar, and Double T’s BBQ. For international take-out, Patina Grill offers a range of international and New American menu options.