Erin Elizabeth
Although it sometimes gets overlooked for the neighboring Washington D.C., Virginia’s capital, Richmond, is full of entertainment, culture, and great places to eat.
Since it’s my hometown, I’ve had quite a bit of experience in putting all the best local restaurants to the test.
And when it comes to brunch, Richmond is the place to be. Whether you like protein at breakfast or prefer something on the sweeter side, the city is full of places ranging from super casual to elegant and refined.
No matter what you’re in the mood for when it comes to your next midday meal, I can help you find exactly what you need to satiate your cravings.
French toast, pancakes, eggs Benedict⸺you name it, and they’ll have it.
So next time you swing through Richmond, check out some of these amazing locations for the best brunch in Richmond.
Millie’s Diner
2603 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23223
Phone: 804-643-5512
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The term diner might conjure up thoughts of greasy dishes and undercooked eggs, but Millie’s Diner is here to set the record straight.
You’ll find artfully curated retro decor showing off the local flair and a thoughtful brunch menu to match.
Located on East Main near the James River and historic St. John’s church, Millie’s has consistently been named Richmond’s best brunch, and it won’t take long for you to see why.
From their signature frittata offerings called “messes” to heartier sandwiches, they’ve got it all. My personal favorite is the grilled croissant off the sides menu.
Sunday Champagne Brunch at the Jefferson Hotel
101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-788-8000
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I might be a bit partial, but it doesn’t get any fancier than the Jefferson Hotel. This place is chock-full of history, and it shows.
Opened in 1895, this five-star hotel puts historic architecture and decor on full display. Located in the heart of cultural downtown Richmond, it’s near VCU and Hollywood Cemetery.
If you want something fancy and elevated, perhaps for a special occasion, try out the Sunday champagne brunch served at the hotel.
With different stations for breakfast, lunch, dessert, and even seafood, nothing gets left out here. Of course, there’s plenty of champagne and mimosas to go around.
Because it’s such a popular destination, you should consider making reservations sometimes even a month before your trip, but trust me, it’ll be worth it!
821 Cafe
825 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-649-1042
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This adorable, inconspicuous little cafe is nestled on Cary Street, one of the best destinations for shopping and sight-seeing in downtown Richmond.
If you’re looking for a bite for brunch in a casual atmosphere, 821 Cafe is perfect.
Breakfast burritos and eggs of all forms are their best-sellers, and if you’re vegan, there’s even a tofu scramble and vegan sausage.
They also do French toast four ways, and each is an incredible, dense confection.
LuLu’s
21 N 17th St, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-343-9771
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If you’re a self-proclaimed foodie, Shockoe Bottom is another Richmond destination that can’t be missed.
Near the Edgar Allan Poe Museum and many other historical sites is Lulu’s.
They pride themselves on picture-perfect plates that are almost too pretty to eat. But, insider tip, definitely eat them!
Their brunch menu is full of thoughtfully curated good southern classics with a touch of refinement.
Try something out of the box, like the chicken and red velvet waffle, the lobster biscuit, or the shrimp and stone-ground pimento grits.
And, naturally, brunch necessitates dessert, too, so don’t forget to take a look at their sweets menu!
Bar Solita
123 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-308-3605
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A bar for brunch? Don’t mind if we do. Nestled in Richmond’s Arts District, Bar Solita is known for its luscious Mediterranean fare that puts you in a foodie paradise.
It’s brunch menu, though, isn’t limited to Greek cuisine but offers a wide range of dishes to suit anyone’s taste.
You’ll find Mexican-inspired fare, southern comfort food, artisan brunch pizzas, and, of course, waffles.
It wouldn’t be complete without their brunch drinks menu, which has a few stand-out offerings that artfully blend local coffee with spirits to help you start your day off on the right foot.
Can Can Brasserie
3120 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Phone: 804-358-7274
When you’re longing to travel to Paris but can’t quite make it happen, Can Can Brasserie is the perfect thing to hold you over, but it’s just as good as the real thing.
Imagine an impossibly chic little French bistro overlooking a bustling downtown spot, with open-air dining and a to-die-for Parisian je ne sais quois.
If you’re looking for authentic French food, this is it. From fresh beignets to quiche, scramble tartine, croque monsieur madame, and crepes and croissants of all kinds, Can Can is the best place to sit, enjoy a rich and authentic dish, and do a little people watching in the Parisian style, right from a Cary Street corner.
Helen’s Restaurant
2527 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-358-4370
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What started out as a pharmacy with a soda fountain in 1912 is now a swing-era-style dining destination offering Southern dishes with an innovative spin.
Its history is rich, from being a high-class inn to now being allegedly haunted by the daughter of the original owner.
The brunch menu is straightforward and in keeping with the lavish, moody environment. The avocado toast is popular, and the Irish breakfast is perfect if you want something more filling.
You can also order eggs benedict three ways and wash it all down with a bloody mary or irish coffee.
The Daily Kitchen & Bar
2934 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Phone: 804-342-8990
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With an ever-rotating fresh menu, the Daily is an icon of sustainable, organic, ethical, and local dining.
If you have any food concerns or stick to a special diet, this is a great place to check out, as they offer lots of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and even paleo options.
Only a few blocks from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, all of the Daily’s dishes feel like artwork themselves.
The wild mushroom frittata and quinoa bowl are some favorites, but you also can’t beat their crab cakes or their spicy avocado bowl.
521 Biscuits & Waffles
521 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-482-8924
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It just wouldn’t be the south without biscuits and waffles. Here, you’ll find plenty of both.
Nestled between the Monroe Ward and Shockoe Slip, you might miss 521 if you’re not looking for it. But you definitely should be looking for it!
Their brunch menu is built on these comfort food staples, but the offerings are anything but ordinary.
The beaut is a sustainable and spicy take on a breakfast sandwich, while the lemon poppyseed waffles topped with blackberries will make you forget you’re eating breakfast altogether.
They also serve specialty coffee from local Richmond roaster Ironclad Coffee, which is a treat in and of itself.
The Sidewalk Cafe
2101 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-358-0645
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For unique and thoughtful fare, visit the Sidewalk Cafe in the Fan District near the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.
You can’t miss the huge mural on the side of the building. Culture and art are built into lots of things in this city, and this cafe is one of them.
Saturday and Sunday brunch includes tasty offerings like Cajun hash and eggs, eastern or western omelet, and Greek omelet over pita.
You’ll also find customizable and classic options like pancakes and waffles as well as French toast. The atmosphere is cozy and artistic, and the food is highly memorable.
Heritage Restaurant
1627 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-353-4060
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Located near VCU and the Birdhouse Farmers Market, Heritage offers a truly elevated gourmet dining experience on a smaller scale during its brunch hours.
With exposed brick walls and a welcoming but chic environment, you’ll feel right at home.
Its brunch menu includes innovative takes like duck hash and challah toast, and you’ll also find fun favorites like the big hot mess (which has a vegan counterpart) and the ramen bowl.
The cocktail list is also extensive, creative, and cheeky, bound to suit any connoisseur.
Perch
2918 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-669-3344
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Located in the Scott’s Addition Historic District near the Children’s Museum of Richmond and the Science Museum of Virginia, this airy, open, sleek eatery merges traditional Virginian fare with Pacific flavor.
You won’t want to miss dinner at Perch, but brunch is also a sure bet. You’ll find traditional Pacific favorites like lumpia, Filipino bento, and adobo hash.
There are also other classic breakfast dishes, including omelets and French toast as well as artisanal salad and sandwich offerings.
Don’t leave without checking out their dessert menu; the mahalo halo is a super memorable and sweet way to end the meal.
Early Bird Biscuit Co. The Fan
119 N Robinson St, Richmond, VA 23228
Phone: 804-335-4570
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The early bird is supposed to get the worm, but if that sounds like a gross breakfast, then try out Early Bird Biscuit Co. instead.
Located in the Fan District near several art and architecture museums, Early Bird is out to make biscuits cool again.
Nearly everything on the brunch menu is built from biscuits, including their Early Bird chicken salad, their specialty peanut butter and jelly, their biscuits n’crazy (gravy), and their biscuit of the day.
You can also build your own biscuit brunch or choose from a menu of other delicious baked goods including macaroons and oatmeal cream pies. Blanchard’s coffee, an incredible local brand, is served as well.
Bamboo Cafe
1 S Mulberry St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-353-1609
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This cafe in the Museum District is one of the ultimate brunch locations you’ll find in Richmond. They’re so dedicated to it that they serve it until 4 p.m.!
So if you’re struggling to get out of bed, you still have a chance to grab a delicious brunch meal even late.
You can build your own omelet or enjoy eggs a la carte or eggs blackstone. There are also plenty of sandwiches, appetizers, subs, and kaisers to enjoy right up until 6 p.m.
The roast beef au jus is out of this world, and the cucumber melt is also highly memorable.
The Fancy Biscuit
1831 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-938-3449
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There are lots of biscuits to be had in Richmond, but these are fancy.
The Fancy Biscuit in Carytown offers incredible and elevated Southern staples paired with great community and hospitality as well as ethically sourced, fresh, and often local ingredients.
You can build your own biscuit several ways and enjoy quiche or a classic Southern favorite, tomato pie.
You’ll also find a great selection of amazing homemade jams, if that’s what butters your biscuit, or fresh, homemade gravies for a heartier meal.
The Fancy Biscuit is connected to another Richmond favorite, Shyndigz, which offers an incredible array of from-scratch desserts that may also be appropriate for brunch depending on your mood.
City Diner
2237 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-254-1974
A local favorite, this comfortable and welcoming, down-home diner is located on West Broad Street in the Museum District near Monument Ave.
It offers a bustling, warm, homey atmosphere and lots of great brunch dishes to choose from.
Try out some Southern favorites like creamed chipped beef or a meat lover’s omelet. The strawberry and broad breakfast refers to a well-known intersection in downtown Richmond, while the big Bill’s scrapple and eggs includes another southern classic.
There are lots of other options too, including French toast, waffles, salmon cakes, and even pigs in a blanket.
Best Brunch in Richmond
- Millie’s Diner
- Sunday Champagne Brunch At The Jefferson Hotel
- 821 Cafe
- LuLu’s
- Bar Solita
- Can Can Brasserie
- Helen’s Restaurant
- The Daily Kitchen & Bar
- 521 Biscuits & Waffles
- The Sidewalk Cafe
- Heritage Restaurant
- Perch
- Early Bird Biscuit Co. The Fan
- Bamboo Cafe
- The Fancy Biscuit
- City Diner
Final Thoughts
I may be a little partial, but Richmond is an incredible place to see the historic sites and enjoy cuisine of all styles.
Although brunch can seem like a difficult meal to get too creative with, the amazing chefs and establishments in Richmond have done a great job offering up truly innovative dishes in unique, inspiring, and artistic environments. So next time you’re in the area, check out these spots for the best brunch in Richmond.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!
