Brian Nagele
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of the country’s oldest cities. About a quarter of a million people live in Richmond.
Thousands more visit annually to see civil war history and local attractions like exhibits at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Other venues that draw visitors include the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and children’s garden, the Virginia State Capitol and Governor’s mansion, and the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in the Old Stone house.
The city is a historic place for a family vacation, and it includes lots of fun activities for children to experience.
Furthermore, Richmond hosts a diverse culinary scene with eateries serving American classics and international favorites.
From oysters on the half-shell to seared steaks to sushi rolls, the restaurant scene in Richmond is fantastic for residents and visitors alike. Check out this comprehensive list of the best restaurants in Richmond!
Best Restaurants in Richmond
- Stella’s
- L’Opossum
- Perly’s
- Mama J’s Kitchen
- Can Can I’msserie
- Lunch Supper
- Lemaire
- Alewife
- Dinamo
- Restaurant Adarra
- The Roosevelt
- Edo’s Squid
- La Grotta Ristorante
- Joe’s Inn
- Peter Chang Richmond
- Rappahannock Restaurant
- Brenner Pyou’rengoven
- Lehja Restaurant
- Bookbinder’s Seafood & Steakhouse
- Belmont Food Shop
- Shagbark
- HeritageYou’llurant
- Julep’s New Southern Cuisine
Stella’s
1012 Lafayette St, Richmond, VA 23221
Phone: 804-358-2011
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Opened in 1983, Stella’s is in the Malvern Gardens district. It is a restaurant that serves contemporary Greek cuisine.
The eatery’s atmosphere is minimalist but welcoming with a large communal table. Stella’s is open between Monday and Friday for lunch and dinner and dinner on Saturday.
I enjoyed the feta phyllo with honey and lemon when I visited Stella’s. Other popular dishes include the lentil soup, the rack of lamb, and the pan-seared salmon.
Dips like hummus and tzatziki are available alongside any dish. If visiting for lunch, be sure to order a few meze items!
L’Opossum
626 China St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-918-6028
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L’Opossum is a lively yet cultured French restaurant serving classic dishes and craft cocktails. The eatery’s vibe is eclectic, and the space is filled with unique works of art.
It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm. L’Opossum is located by Gambles Hill Park in the Oregon Hill community.
My favorite menu item is the French onion dip gratine with a piece of pecan-currant rye bread as an appetizer and the filet mignon “swellington” with a pink peppercorn sauce.
I’d recommend the Tarte Tatin with buttermilk crème frâiche for dessert. The cocktails are great; try the Hooty Hoo or the French Tickler.
Perly’s
111 E Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-912-1560
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Perly’s is an innovative Jewish deli with a funky atmosphere and retro decorations. It is open from Wednesday through Sunday and is open in the Monroe Ward district.
Recently, the Washington Post reviewed the restaurant and praised its matzo ball soup. It’s a great place to enjoy classic deli favorites!
The potato latkes are delicious with apricot applesauce and chive sour cream. I enjoyed the Reuben with corned beef and Russian dressing.
Still, other popular menu items include tuna schmelt, the spiced beef brisket with caramelized onions, and the deli dogs with dijon mustard and sweet marinated onion.
Mama J’s Kitchen
415 N 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-825-7449
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Mama J’s Kitchen is located in Jackson Ward, near the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The kitchen serves flavorful Southern soul food.
The eatery has modern decor and offers guests a chill atmosphere to enjoy tasty food. The restaurant opens at 11:00 am daily.
Try some of Mama J’s favorite dishes like the catfish nuggets, the fried chicken, the macaroni and cheese, or the club sandwich.
I enjoyed the pork chops with fresh collard greens and cheese grits when I visited. For dessert, order the peach cobbler topped with ice cream! For a signature cocktail, I enjoyed Mama’s Pink Lemonade.
Can Can Brasserie
3120 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Phone: 804-358-7274
Can Can Brasserie is open in Carytown near the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The eatery is open between Wednesday and Sunday.
The Can Can Brasserie is a classic French bistro with a romantic and cozy setting highlighted by dark stained wood tables, decorative tiles, and accent mirrors.
Try the Duck Crêpes with duck confit, havarti, and black currant jam or the Croque Monsieur covered with mornay sauce.
My favorite dish at Can Can Brasserie is the Grilled Strip Steak with braised onions, roasted garlic butter, and frites. Try the pistachio macaron or the lemon crepe for dessert!
Lunch Supper
1215 Summit Ave, Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-353-0111
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Lunch Supper is located in Scott’s Addition Historic District. The restaurant opened in 2012, and its aim is to serve creative Southern dishes in a casual atmosphere.
It is open Tuesday through Sunday, with earlier hours on the weekend for brunch. Contact the restaurant for more information about catering and private dining.
I enjoyed the fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese when I visited the eatery. I also enjoyed the hot chicken sandwich with cayenne butter.
Try the shrimp and grits topped with pork rinds or the fried chicken. I recommend ordering the chicken and waffles or the loaded pancakes with Nutella for brunch.
Lemaire
101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-649-4629
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Lemaire is located in Monroe Ward and is open between 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. The restaurant specializes in New American dishes and creative cocktails. Guests can make reservations online for breakfast, lunch, midday dining, and dinner.
For breakfast, try the Lemaire Breakfast Sandwich with eggs, bacon, and aged cheddar cheese on a croissant.
I enjoyed the crab cake sandwich on an English muffin for lunch, and for dinner, I would recommend the grass-fed beef tenderloin served with potato purée and broccolini.
The cocktail list is lengthy and diverse; try the Spiced Palms with bourbon, chai, lemon ginger beer.
Alewife
3120 E Marshall St, Richmond, VA 2322
Phone: 804-3426
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Alewife is in the Chimborazo community near the Richmond National Battlefield Park and Chimborazo Medical Museum.
The restaurant is bright with vast windows, wood tables, and light-colored walls. Alewife is open for dinner nightly and for brunch on Sunday and focuses on serving the freshest seafood.
Try the lobster salad with pickled mushroom for an appetizer. I enjoyed the scallops with honey nut squash for an entree and would also recommend swordfish chop with tomato braised greens. The dessert menu is great; try the banana pudding or the caramel bourbon sundae.
Dinamo
821 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-678-9706
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Near the Virginia Commonwealth University, Dinamo is an Italian eatery that serves pizzas, pasta, and seafood dishes.
It is open for dinner from Tuesday through Saturday. Parking is available on site, and guests can make reservations by calling the restaurant. Dinamo is a great place to enjoy dinner with family and friends.
The menu is filled with tasty options like eggplant and lentil flatbread and beet and fennel salad with feta. My favorite dish is roasted half chicken with polenta.
Other popular menu items include calamari with chard and mussels marinara. The mini cannoli and the gelato are delicious desserts.
Restaurant Adarra
618 N 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-477-3456
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Restaurant Adarra is situated in the Gilpin community. It is a cozy restaurant serving homestyle seafood dishes and hearty soups.
The restaurant is open from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Guests can make reservations online.
When I visited Restaurant Adarra, I enjoyed the Calamares en Salsa Americana and the Almejas al Natural.
While the seafood is the star of the show, the beverage menu is filled with tasty options. Try one of the draft beers like Oxbox “Luppalo” pilsner or the Urban Chestnut “Freigeist.” The panic buy cocktail with rum is also very tasty!
The Roosevelt
623 N 25th St, Richmond, VA 23223
Phone: 804-658-1935
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The Roosevelt is located near the Church Hill community by Jefferson Park. The kitchen prepares creative Southern Cuisine, and the bar has an extensive local Virginia wine selection. Mark W.
Herndon and Kendra Feather opened The Roosevelt in 2011, and it has won many culinary awards since.
My favorite dish at The Roosevelt is the roasted chicken with a sherry cream sauce. Other popular menu items include the crispy lamb belly, the buttermilk fried oysters, and the pear and sake cake.
Try The Seersucker cocktail with bourbon and sweet tea syrup or the Smoke Screen with mezcal and Campari.
Edo’s Squid
411 N Harrison St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-864-5488
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Edo’s Squid is an Italian restaurant near Virginia Commonwealth University and the Institute for Contemporary Art.
The restaurant is open every day between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Follow the restaurant on social media for specials, events, and other information.
I enjoyed the broccoli rabe, garlic olive oil, and ricotta penne pasta. I’d also recommend ordering the shrimp Diavolo spaghetti.
The hanger steak and the duck breast are delicious entrees, but you must save room for the tiramisu for dessert! Edo’s Squid has all of your Italian favorites in one place!
La Grotta Ristorante
529 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-644-2466
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La Grotta Ristorante is a classy Italian restaurant with wood tables and white tablecloths. The restaurant is located in downtown Richmond and is open between Monday and Saturday.
Owner-Chef Antonio Capece has created a great menu filled with Northern Italy favorites. Visit the website for more information on private dining and reservations.
When I visited La Grotta Ristorante, I tried the Fettuccine alla Papalina with prosciutto in a tomato cream sauce.
Try either the Carpaccio di Manzo, thin-sliced raw beef tenderloin with lemon and capers or the calamari with marinara sauce and lemon for an appetizer. I also enjoyed trying the Bisteccadi Bufalo with gorgonzola and pistachio sauce.
Joe’s Inn
205 N Shields Ave, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-355-2282
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Joe’s Inn is a great place to enjoy a tasty meal with friends and family. First opened in 1952, the retro-style eatery still serves classic dishes to the folks in the Fan District in Richmond.
The restaurant is open daily with earlier opening hours on the weekends.
Start your meal with the hummus platter or the bruschetta. Try the Spaghetti a la Joe baked with provolone cheese and marinara sauce, the eggplant parmigiana, or the homemade vegetarian lasagna with squash, spinach, and peppers. The crab cake sandwich and the gyro are unexpected delights!
Peter Chang Richmond
2816 W Broad St A, Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-728-1820
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Peter Chang Richmond is open for lunch and dinner every day. It is located near the Richmond Children’s Museum.
The bar in the restaurant has a beautiful scale-pattern lining the bottom with comfortable round cushioned stools. Peter Chang is an awarded chef who the restaurant is named to honor.
When I visited Peter Chang Richmond, I tried the shrimp with green pepper and cilantro and General Tso’s chicken.
Other popular menu items include the orange chicken, the steamed vegetable dumplings, and the spring rolls. The lo mein and the fried rice are both tasty additions to any entree.
Rappahannock Restaurant
320 E Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-545-0565
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Rappahannock Restaurant is a chic seafood eatery with a raw oyster bar. The restaurant is open between 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm from Tuesday through Sunday.
Rappahannock Restaurant was named one of Esquire magazine’s “Best New Restaurants.” The restaurant also has California, Washington, DC, and South Carolina locations.
In Richmond, the Executive Chef is Zach Wingold, who has crafted a fantastic menu. Try the yellowfin tuna Crudo, the steamed oyster chowder, or the pan-seared scallop.
My favorite dish is the black pepper and cumin-crusted pork tenderloin with cornbread pudding. Finish your meal with the vanilla bean panna cotta.
Brenner Pass
3200 Rockbridge St #100, Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-658-9868
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Brenner Pass is a modern location that serves European cuisine alongside craft cocktails and hand-selected wines.
The restaurant is open for dinner service in Scott’s Additional Historic District between Tuesday and Saturday. The light wood and the white decor create a beautiful open space for dining.
Executive Chef Brittanny Anderson and Bar Director James Kohler work together to cultivate a unique experience.
Share the seafood tower with friends; it includes twelve oysters, six clams, four shrimp, rockfish tartare, and a calamari salad.
I enjoyed the lobster risotto, the creme brulee, and the Snow Bunny cocktail. It is a fun place to grab dinner and drinks with friends.
Longoven
2939 W Clay St, Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-308-3497
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Longoven is in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition neighborhood, and the kitchen focuses on creating a seasonal tasting menu.
The restaurant is open between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm between Wednesday and Saturday. You can make reservations online or learn more about private dining for groups.
The eight-course, small plates menu is filled with tasty bites like the poached lobster with fresh wasabi cream and a foie gras ganache with ginger oat granola and a ginger ale foam.
Try The Truthsayer, the restaurant’s version of a Manhattan. I also enjoyed the Penicillin and the Little Secrets cocktails.
Lehja Restaurant
11800 W Broad St Suite 910, Richmond, VA
Phone: 804-364-1111
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Located just off Interstate 64, Lehja Restaurant is owned and operated by Ashok K. Arora and Sandeep “Sunny” Baweja. It is open for lunch and dinner daily.
The restaurant is a modern Indian restaurant that offers stylish decor and outdoor seating. Happy hour extends on weekdays from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
When I visited Lehja Restaurant, I enjoyed the Coconut Curry Scallops with masala apples and the Tandoori Paneer Tikka.
Other popular menu items include the Tandoori Lamb Chops, the Deconstructed Butter Chicken, and the Saag Paneer. The menu is vegetarian-friendly and great for dining with children.
Bookbinder’s Seafood & Steakhouse
2306 E Cary St, Richmond
Phone: 804-643-6900
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Bookbinder’s Seafood & Steakhouse is located in Liberty Hill, Richmond, near the Virginia Holocaust Museum.
The restaurant is housed in a beautiful brick building, once a tobacco warehouse. Bookbinder’s does ask guests to adhere to a dress code of business casual. It won a 2020 Diner’s Choice Award from OpenTable.
Begin your meal with the Burgundy Escargot, then sample the shrimp bisque. I recommend trying the Sesame Crusted Yellowfin Tuna, the Kona Coffee Crusted Filet Mignon, or the Zucchini Linguine Puttanesca when selecting your entree. For a tasty glass of wine, try the Jadot Bourgogne Blanc, a Burgundy originating in France.
Belmont Food Shop
27 N Belmont Ave, Richmond, VA 23221
Phone: 804-358-7467
Belmont Food Shop is an intimate eatery where locals gather near Carytown by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
The restaurant is open for dinner between Thursday and Monday. The menu is written on a chalkboard by the bar and offers guests to try new American dishes that regularly rotate.
I enjoyed the beef cheek with parsnips and truffle. Other menu items include spiced duck, monkfish, and cured salmon.
The bar offers cocktails made to order and draft beers. The menu often takes on a French flair; you’re sure to have something new every time you visit the food shop.
Shagbark
4901 Libbie Mill E Blvd, Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-358-7424
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Shagbark serves New American cuisine with a Southern twist. The comfortable and contemporary restaurant is a great meeting place.
The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining from 5:00 pm to at least 9:00 pm daily. Follow the restaurant on social media for more information about events and specials.
When I visited Shagbark, I enjoyed the chicken-fried oysters and the flounder with spaghetti squash and pine nuts.
The Icelandic cod filet with Florida rock shrimp is a delicious international fusion of ingredients. Finish your meal with the banana and chocolate creme brulee.
Heritage Restaurant
1627 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone 804-353-4060
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Heritage Restaurant is only open for two days of the week, so be sure to make reservations to visit this memorable eatery.
Chef Joe Sparatta is an award-winning chef that oversees the menu and the kitchen at Heritage Restaurant. It is located in the Fan District near the Virginia Commonwealth University.
The menu is filled with creative New American dishes. I enjoyed the roasted beet salad, the halibut with grits and broccoli, and the banana pudding parfait.
The menu shifts weekly to reflect seasonal ingredients. Of the cocktails, I enjoyed both the Julius Caesar and the Sage Wisdom.
Julep’s New Southern Cuisine
420 E Grace St, Richmond, VA
Phone: 804-377-3968
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Julep’s New Southern Cuisine is in Downtown Richmond and is a woman-owned eatery. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Information about private parties is available on the restaurant’s website. The menu offers many gluten-free options for those with specific dietary needs.
I enjoyed the Fried Green Tomatoes with Julep’s Pimento Cheese! Other popular menu items include Sumac Dusted Scallops, Chipotle Deviled Eggs, and Julep’s Signature Shrimp and Grits.
If you are visiting Julep’s on a date, then you must order the Signature Bananas Foster served Table Side for Two that is made right in front of you!
Final Thoughts
Richmond is the capital city of Virginia and a large metropolis in the Mid-Atlantic area. Thousands of residents live in the area, and many more people visit annually.
The culinary scene in this traditionally southern town is robust, and each unique restaurant offers something special for guests. From tikka masala to fresh scallops, restaurants in the area are diverse and delicious.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
