Richmond is unusually rich when it comes to dining, with a depth of chef‑driven kitchens, neighborhood bistros, and inventive new concepts that most cities its size simply don’t have. It’s easy for locals to take that for granted and forget just how many truly excellent options sit within a 10–15 minute drive in every direction. At Park 27, we don’t: we’re constantly trying new restaurants across the city, paying attention to what stands out for quality, service, and sense of place. This guide is our way of sharing those favorites so you can explore more of the incredible restaurant scene we’re lucky to call home.[park27]
The Fan & Museum District
- Beauvine Burger Concept – Artisan burgers, shakes, and cocktails with sidewalk seating on Main Street.
Website: beauvineburger.com - Kuba Kuba – Long‑time Cuban‑inspired neighborhood spot with hearty plates, brunch, and strong coffee.
Website: kubakuba.info - Garnett’s Café – Park Avenue sandwich and salad café with a “date night” special and classic Fan charm.
Website: garnettscafe.com - Joe’s Inn (The Fan) – Old‑school Fan café known for huge Italian‑American plates and late‑night comfort food near VCU.
Website: joesinn.com (“Joe’s Inn The Fan Richmond”). - Bamboo Café – Casual corner bar and grill that has been a Fan staple for decades.
Website: listing‑based; primary presence via maps/Yelp. - Bacchus – Small, intimate Fan restaurant with Italian‑leaning menu at Main & Meadow.
Website: orderbacchusonmain.com (current ordering site). - Dinamo – Intimate Italian/Mediterranean restaurant on West Cary Street with a changing menu and local feel.
Website: dinamorichmond.com - Belmont Food Shop – Museum District restaurant. Culinary Institute of America Trained Chef owner Mike Yavorsky Mike cooks for his neighbors. No Website or insta but is 100%!
- Belmont Butchery – Museum District boutique butcher shop with charcuterie and specialty meats.
Website: belmontbutchery.com - L’Opossum – Eclectic, fine‑dining New American in Oregon Hill, often used as a Fan/VCU‑adjacent special‑occasion choice.
Website: lopossum.com - Adarra – Basque‑inspired, wine‑driven restaurant with seasonal menus and serious sourcing.
Website: restaurantadarra.com
Carytown & Cary Street Corridor
- Can Can Brasserie – Classic French brasserie anchoring Cary Street, with sidewalk dining, pastries, and a strong bar program.
Website: cancanbrasserie.com - Burton’s Grill & Bar – American grill with gluten‑sensitive options and polished service in the Carytown area.
Website: burtonsgrill.com/location/richmond-va - Lolita’s – Mexican restaurant near Carytown offering elevated tacos, margaritas, and lively evening energy.
Website: primarily social/reservation platforms (search “Lolita’s RVA”).
Scott’s Addition & Nearby Upscale Cluster
- Lost Letter – Intimate Italian restaurant from the Longoven team with Piemonte‑inspired plates and candlelit interiors.
Website: lostletterrva.com - Lillian – Cozy small‑format restaurant with chef’s‑table energy, creative small plates, and strong cocktails.
Website: primarily via reservation platforms/social (“Lillian RVA”). - The Brooklyn – Wine‑ and cocktail‑focused late‑night bar with hearth‑driven snacks and pizzas.
Website: social/reservation presence (“The Brooklyn RVA”). - Kismet Modern Indian – Modern Indian with plated fare, curated wine, and cocktails; polished “night‑out” restaurant.
Website: kismetmodernindian.com - ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque – Destination Texas‑style barbecue with brisket, beef ribs, and a backyard “urban park” setting.
Website: zzqrva.com
Church Hill / Union Hill
- The Hill Café – Longtime neighborhood favorite with relaxed atmosphere, American fare, and a good patio.
Website: thehillcafe.com - Grisette – French‑leaning neighborhood bistro celebrating central Virginia’s bounty with steak frites, profiteroles, and a curated wine list.
Website: grisetterva.com - Blue Atlas – Chef‑driven, globally inspired restaurant in a converted school building near Libby Hill with strong vegetarian options.
Website: blueatlasrva.com - Union Market – Market‑café hybrid known for sandwiches with a twist, craft beer, and laid‑back front‑porch atmosphere.
Website: unionmarketrva.com - The Roosevelt – Pioneering Church Hill restaurant with Southern‑influenced menus and strong cocktail program.
Website: rooseveltrva.com - Alewife – Mid‑Atlantic seafood restaurant focused on Chesapeake‑inspired dishes and sustainability.
Website: alewiferva.com - Cobra Burger – Serious burger spot with creative builds and a strong local following.
Website: cobraburger.com[
Downtown / Arts District / Monroe Ward / Shockoe
- Chez Foushee – Intimate, French‑inspired restaurant in a historic Arts District building, excellent for special evenings.
Website: chezfoushee.com - Perly’s – Jewish deli‑style restaurant downtown with elevated takes on classics and a retro interior.
Website: perlysrichmond.com - PERLY’s / Perly’s – Same core recommendation; use the standardized “Perly’s” spelling in the guide.
- Lucky AF – Modern Asian fusion with sushi, cocktails, and high‑energy interiors in Shockoe/Bottom.
Website: luckyafrva.com - Old Original Bookbinder’s Seafood & Steakhouse – Polished steak and seafood in historic Tobacco Row with exposed brick and patio.
Website: bookbindersrichmond.com
Near West End – Libbie & Grove / Westhampton / Patterson
- Continental Westhampton – Retro‑style American restaurant and bar with big portions right on Grove Avenue.
Website: continentalwesthampton.com - Stella’s – Iconic Richmond Greek restaurant with mezze and modern entrees; reservation‑heavy weekends.
Website: stellasrichmond.com - Bar West – Libbie & Grove bar with cocktails and small plates.
Website: barwestrva.com - Jack Brown’s – Burger‑and‑beer joint on Libbie with a strong casual following.
Website: jackbrownsjoint.com - Cameo – Libbie‑area cocktail‑forward restaurant/bar with a stylish interior.
Website: cameorva.com - Palani Drive – Neighborhood spot for casual fare and drinks along Libbie/Grove.
Website: palanidrive.com - Taste – Specialty food shop and café offering sandwiches and gourmet snacks.
Website: tasteunlimited.com - Gelati Celesti – Local ice cream staple, often paired in Libbie & Grove recs.
Website: gelaticelesti.com - Pegasus Restaurant – Greek/Italian‑influenced neighborhood institution on Patterson.
Website: pegasusrva.com - Buckhead’s Chop House – Classic steakhouse with extensive wine list and private dining; Patterson Avenue.
Website: buckheads.com - Shagbark – Refined, Virginia‑sourced Southern‑influenced restaurant in Libbie Mill.
Website: shagbarkrva.com
West End / Parham Road & Three Chopt
- Bell Greek (Three Chopt) – Greek spot popular with West End residents, with multiple area locations.
Website: bellgreek.com - Thai Diner – Long‑standing Thai restaurant in the Westland shopping center, popular for takeout.
Website: listing‑based (“Thai Diner Richmond Westland”). - Capriccio’s – Italian restaurant off Three Chopt known for red‑sauce favorites and pizza.
Website: capricciosrva.com - El Paso – Mexican restaurant at Cox & Three Chopt for casual group meals.
Website: listing‑based (“El Paso Mexican Three Chopt Richmond”). - Kabob Place – Middle Eastern spot offering kabobs and Mediterranean plates.
Website: maps/listing presence (“Kabob Place Richmond”). - Shawarma Bistro – West End shawarma and kabob restaurant with quick‑service Mediterranean.
Website: maps/listing presence (“Shawarma Bistro Richmond”).
Short Pump & Far West End
- Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille – Upscale steakhouse in Short Pump with classic sides and business‑dinner appeal.
Website: perryssteakhouse.com/locations/va/richmond - Texas de Brazil – Brazilian steakhouse offering rodizio‑style all‑you‑can‑eat service.
Website: texasdebrazil.com/locations/richmond - Fogo de Chão – Brazilian churrascaria popular for large groups and special occasions.
Website: fogodechao.com/location/richmond - Maggiano’s Little Italy – Italian chain near Short Pump Town Center with large‑party capacity.
Website: maggianos.com - Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Wood‑fired American chain near the mall, strong for families and business dinners.
Website: firebirdsrestaurants.com - West Coast Provisions – Seafood‑driven Far West End restaurant known for oysters and cocktails.
Website: westcoastrichmond.com - Tazza Kitchen Short Pump – Wood‑fired, seasonal American restaurant near Short Pump Town Center.
Website: tazzakitchen.com/location/shortpump - Lehja – Award‑winning Indian restaurant often cited among Richmond’s best.
Website: lehja.com - Portico – River Road corridor restaurant with one of Richmond’s best patios and a relaxed, Italian‑leaning menu.
Website: porticorichmond.com
VMFA / Museum Campus
- Best Café (VMFA) – Casual museum café with coffee, light bites, and terrace seating.
Website: vmfa.museum/visit/dining - Amuse Restaurant (VMFA) – Reservation‑worthy museum restaurant offering refined dining steps from the galleries.
Website: vmfa.museum/visit/dining/amuse
Forest Hill / Southside
- Little Nickel – Forest Hill neighborhood spot with playful, tropical‑leaning comfort food and cocktails.
Website: littlenickelrva.com