Richmond, Virginia, is a mid-Atlantic state that is known for its glorious charm, great food, amazing history, and appealing hospitality. Richmond, Virginia, has an interesting yet attractive combination of big city features, and activities but with a small-town feel.
Downtown Richmond Restaurants
When you head downtown you immediately notice the restaurants in downtown Richmond are in plenty and of an upscale scale. There are some real high-class options to choose from. So, if you like to step out in uptown style, you’ll fit right into downtown.
Be sure to get a feel for the unspoken dress code before you head out. There are a number of places you may not feel comfortable to be totally casual if you happen to show up in a T-shirt and jeans.
You can experience a wide variety of food types like fancy pizza with pork and figs, prosciutto, and Gorgonzola.
There are places that offer good old fashion Southern food, but with an upscale restaurant environment. You can have pickled okra, cured duck breast, green beans, red beans, and rice. Mmm, mmm good.
Lastly, there is the Rappahannock Restaurant, which is a classy establishment. It is an oyster farm to table eatery, with accompanying craft beers and wines.
Restaurants in West End Richmond
Restaurants on the west end part of Richmond offer a lot of choices that are quick eats, which means lots of fast food. There are some traditional sit-down eateries, but fast food abounds.
In that area it seems to be that Asian Food has quite a bit of options, the most somewhat upscale option might be P.F. Chang’s. The rest are more local options. You can also get sushi bowls, enjoy pasta, and soup at specialty restaurants.
Restaurants Near Richmond Airport
Boarding your flight with a satisfied belly makes a trip that much more bearable. If you are not one who likes to buy food at the airport, or on the actual airline here are some options of restaurants near the Richmond airport.
There are plenty of sit-down restaurants that serve up classic seafood cuisine, German cuisine, Caribbean and African cuisine fusion, traditional steak houses, and breweries.
Naturally, to go to places like these you have to carve plenty of time out. If you prefer something quick and on the go, there's plenty of traditional fast-food restaurants around.
Richmond Road Restaurants
There’s quite a stream of restaurants down Richmond Road all the way from Tano, all the way down to near Williamsburg. There’s a wonderful cluster of restaurants to choose from. Bars and grills, steak houses, smokehouses, and a traditional American restaurant can be found.
One lovely option for breakfast or brunch is Honey Butter’s Kitchen. Serving up delicious pastries, wraps, and traditional brunch options. As you continue along the road you’ll take note of traditional Mexican restaurants, an oyster house, and Italian restaurants.
Don't forget to explore Richmond Road restaurants.
Seafood Restaurants
Seafood restaurants in Richmond, Virginia, or anywhere for that matter can be pretty fun. Why? There can be loads of variety with how things are served including fish entrees. You can have soul food options that are served with cornbread. That is over on Hull Street.
There are crab shacks and seafood bars.
If you prefer to have your steak and seafood together there’s Bookbinders Seafood and Steakhouse restaurant over on Cary Street.
Italian Restaurants
Italian restaurants are pretty prolific in Richmond. There are options that are great for a date night or for a whole family to enjoy together. There are some well-rounded places that provide pizza, pasta, and seafood.
Mexican Restaurants in Richmond
Over on Broad Street Plaza Azteca serves tableside guacamole! Who can say no to that? There are plenty of other traditional-style, sit-downs, and quick eats. You can also find Tex-Mex specialties over on Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
Aside from that, there are tons of Mexican restaurants to explore.
Chinese Restaurants
Just because the name is so funny it should be shared, Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar is a highly rated restaurant on North Arthur Ashe Boulevard. The cool thing about this restaurant is that they offer farm to table foods. That is quite different from most Chinese restaurants.
However, right now they are only offering no contact delivery and curbside pickup. All I know you’ll find mostly traditional Asian cuisine, with some serving up Cantonese options from the Hong Kong region.
Indian Restaurants
There’s a decent amount of Indian restaurants in the Richmond Virginia area. Some even offer an assortment of snacks, along with their drinks and entrees. You will discover lunch buffets, with some places serving wine and beer in a café atmosphere.
Japanese Restaurants
There are plenty of Japanese Asian restaurants just east of the Maymont area. Some have a bar where you can go and choose the types of sushi that you want.
Others allow you to enjoy steaks and other Japanese entrees besides sushi. One fun place on Main Street might be Sumo San restaurant. They have quirky and cool decorations but serve up amazing sake and cocktails, along with a sushi bar.
Vegan Restaurants Richmond
Vegetarians and vegans, you can enjoy a well-rounded menu, and live music with a patio setting at Ipanema Cafe over on Grace Street. Some vegan restaurants know how to step up their game on every front.
In addition, there are Italian-based options Ethiopian cuisine, Vietnamese food, and traditional pizza, and Asian options as well.
Greek Restaurants
There’s an abundance of Greek restaurants to choose from that for the most part have great ratings. Some serve modern Greek fare and incorporate small plate menu options.
There are some that definitely stick to the old and authentic way of cooking Greek food. Some specialize in gyros.
Vietnamese Restaurants
Vietnamese food is another Southeast Asian cuisine. There are surprisingly a lot of Vietnamese restaurants in Richmond. There are some that are set up more like a café and offer classic noodle soup, rice dishes, and of course stir fry.
Over on Rigsby Road, you’ll find a few of those options. Also, there are some choices that offer organic small plate Vietnamese cuisine.
Vegetarian Restaurants Richmond, VA
One fun thing to look for in options for vegetarian restaurants is to spot out places that offer locally grown food. Typically, the cuisine has a more dynamic taste and often more healthy!
Some offer pizza and provide a café like space, with patio seating. Stella’s offers a rather large menu with delicious options, one thing to note they don’t provide delivery.
Korean Restaurants
Korean restaurants and Korean barbecue especially, tend to be a favorite of many. So you best believe there are tons of options to choose from. At Korean Garden, Korean barbecue options are cooked right at the table for great entertainment. They also offer wine. Of course, there are traditional noodle-type Korean restaurants available.
Jamaican Restaurants
The Jamaican restaurants in Richmond are kind of spread out in a sparse manner. However, there are some great options. There are some that specialize in grilled foods like jerk chicken and other specialties common to Jamaica. There’s even a Jamaican restaurant, takeout restaurant, and market where you can actually shop for Jamaican goods.
French Restaurants
If you want a little taste of France you can always go to one of their French restaurants. There’s one option on Cary Street that offers traditional French cuisine and of course wine, but the ambiance is quite attractive with their abstract art.
Naturally, we can’t forget about crêpes whether savory or desert types there’s plenty to go around.
Soul Food Restaurants
Soul food restaurants are for when you are ready to get down and take care of your hunger pains. A restaurant on Parker Street offers a wonderful spread of food like crab cakes, collard greens with a folksy setting.
Some options have seafood-focused menu options while providing Southern foods, side dishes. Mama J's Kitchen offers a full bar of soul food and Southern food but in a modern-style café with a really relaxing vibe.
BBQ Restaurants Richmond
There’s nothing like wonderful smoked or charcoal-grilled barbecue cuisine with finger-licking barbecue sauce. BBQ restaurants are always for the win!
Luckily for you, there are many options available in Richmond. Some offer a more Texas flair with pulled pork and brisket offerings. Some offer the most basic and traditional barbecue options like beef ribs, pork ribs, and vegetables, but the taste is memorable.
Alamo Barbecue on Jefferson Avenue specializes in lovely Texas-style barbecue but also serves tacos.
Ethiopian Restaurants
Ethiopian restaurants are not in abundance in the Richmond area, but you do have three options available. One is over in the Commons shopping center and the others are spread about. Popular Ethiopian cuisines are veggies, flatbread, and curry gravies over meat.
Steak Restaurants in Richmond, VA
Steak restaurants and steak lovers go hand in hand. For steak lovers, there's a new steak restaurant that you could eat out every day in Richmond because there are so many.
If you are into knowing that your meat is quality, Buckhead's offers aged cuts of meat and fine wine.
Thai Restaurants
Thai restaurants are certainly popular in the Richmond area. Some are on the traditional side and no real frills but definitely delicious foods.
There are some that have a modern café feel with a seasonal menu. A common Asian menu option is Thai noodles with peanut sauce and your choice of meat being shrimp, beef, or pork.
German Restaurants
German restaurants in Richmond can range from casual style to bar style. Either way, you will be impressed by the food. All the while enjoying a European flair atmosphere or a rustic feel, depending on the restaurant you choose.
It may never have crossed your mind to have breakfast at a German restaurant, but one popular option is an egg Benedict pretzel, with Germans famous mustard beer cheese poured on top. That can be found over on 23rd Street.
New Restaurants Richmond, VA
New restaurants in Richmond have a decent variety from Asian fusion, to burgers, fried chicken, pizza, Mexican food, and a steakhouse. Literally, pretty much every type of cuisine that one can crave there’s a new restaurant to check out.
A new restaurant to check out on Main Street called Belle serves a variety of southern good eats.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants
Dog-friendly restaurants seem to offer quite a wide variety of cuisine and are spread out over the Richmond area. From pizza to burgers, cocktail bars, an Irish pub. and barbecue joints on and on. There is no shortage of great dog-friendly eateries. Carytown Burgers and Fries have great reviews for food and allowance for bringing your pet pooch.
Nice Restaurants
If you’re ready for some nice restaurants and fine dining, they are literally all over Richmond.
In the Jefferson Hotel, you can find some great American style restaurants that are more on the upscale side. You can also discover modern French restaurants, museum-type eateries that provide craft cocktails.
If you’re looking for a beautiful view the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing is a great rated and a fancy option for having a nice view and lovely atmosphere.
Michelin Star Restaurants
Michelin star restaurants is a guide online where you can look up the top-rated restaurants in whatever area you are visiting. It will only pull up the best.
So, if there’s one night out where you want the best of the best, Michelin star restaurants can produce the results for you.
Romantic Restaurants
Over on Brooke Road is a nice place to spot out some romantic restaurants for dinner. There are lovely views all around Brooke Road and over on Broad Street. Either of those areas will provide for an overall romantic feel.
Enjoy the eatery serving up tantalizing Belgian cuisine and New American cuisine with an upscale atmosphere. Let me expose the secret, it's Heritage restaurant. Heritage has an amazing well-known chef with an award-winning bartender. They know how to have their guests experience fine dining.
Family-Friendly Restaurants
Family-friendly restaurants are scattered throughout the Richmond area offering café style to sit down at an old-school restaurant. Looking through the reviews of family-friendly restaurants, it seems like you can’t go wrong. The service appears to be on point and the food is delicious.
Southern Food restaurants offer a great Sunday brunch for the whole family to enjoy. They have a pleasant kid-friendly environment. The Dairy Bar Diner has a great kids menu and allows curbside pick up.
Fun Restaurants
Honestly, fun restaurants in Richmond Virginia tend to fall in the same category as family-friendly. The Little Nickel is a great and unique option that combines a fusion of Hawaiian, Filipino and Mediterranean food served with tropical drinks. It is described as a lively and inviting atmosphere.
What Are the Must-Try Restaurants in Richmond?
Dinamo. The cuisine is for those who don’t mind a little bit of Italian and a little bit of Jewish eats fused up together. The dishes are simple, rustic, and have a lot of veggie-heavy options. All of their ingredients are fresh. So fresh that they don’t even have a walk-in refrigerator.
Full Kee. This is not your average Chinese restaurant. They cook up authentic meals right out of China. Options include chow mein, lo mein, and fried rice, which are what they are best known for. One, the up-and-coming favorite is the deep-fried soft shell crab.
How Many Restaurants are in Richmond?
There are over 700 restaurants in the Richmond area.
Even if you did nothing else, but eat your way through Richmond, Virginia, you will have had a glorious time! However, we do encourage you to experience the attractions and history that Richmond has to offer.