The Hanover tomato is the local-pride summer tomato, grown in the sandy loam soils of Hanover County north of Richmond. The variety appears at farmers markets through July and August.
Where to eat it: 3 restaurants across 1 city.
Hanover County, immediately north of Richmond, has the right combination of sandy-loam soil, drainage and summer heat to produce a tomato that locals defend with religious intensity. The Hanover tomato has no formal geographic designation but anchors weekend conversation at South of the James, the 17th Street Market and Birdhouse from July into early September. Restaurants from Lemaire to The Roosevelt feature it on tomato-season menus.
Tip from the editors. Never refrigerate a Hanover tomato. The cold destroys both texture and flavour. Eat at room temperature, on the day.
The Roosevelt in Church Hill opens for Sunday brunch under chef Leah Branch, 2026 James Beard semifinalist. Southern cuisine, biscuits, deep menu.
Order: Country ham biscuit with gravy.
Tip: Book the 11 am Sunday slot; the Roosevelt also runs an extended brunch sit-down upstairs.
Acacia Midtown at Libbie Mill is Dale Reitzer's third Acacia location. Multi-time James Beard nominee; modern coastal Virginia cooking, off-radar.
Order: Tasting menu.
Why locals love it: Tucked inside Libbie Mill's mixed-use complex; tourists searching downtown miss Dale Reitzer's modern-coastal room entirely.
Tip: Book directly via OpenTable; the bar accepts walk-ins on weeknights.
Lemaire inside the Jefferson Hotel is named for Etienne Lemaire, Thomas Jefferson's maitre d'. Patrick Willis runs the kitchen, the city's grande dame.
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