Mama J's Kitchen ★ 4.6
Velma Johnson's soul food kitchen on 1st Street in Jackson Ward, opened 2009. Sunday-dinner Southern cooking in the heart of Richmond's Harlem of the South.
Signature: Fried catfish, Collard greens
Bistros, trattorias, taverns and neighbourhood rooms: the mid-tier places where Richmond actually eats.
Where to eat well, no fuss
Perly's Restaurant and Delicatessen ★ 4.5
Perly's on Grace Street is Richmond's Jewish deli, with house-cured pastrami and matzo ball soup. Breakfast and lunch only, daily until 3 pm.
Signature: Pastrami sandwich, Matzo ball soup
Stella's ★ 4.5
Stella's on Lafayette in the Museum District has cooked Stella Dikos's family Greek menu since 2011. Meze nights, lamb shank and house wine.
Signature: Lamb shank, Spanakopita
Tarrant's Downtown Cafe ★ 4.2
Tarrant's at 1 West Broad has run all-day food in a former pharmacy since 1996. The pizza-and-pasta menu is the Richmond downtown standard, open late.
Signature: Pizza, Pasta
Joe's Inn ★ 4.2
Joe's Inn on Shields has been a Fan standard since 1952. Italian-Greek-American plates, oversized spaghetti and a regulars-heavy bar, daily until midnight.
Signature: Spaghetti a la Joe, Greek salad, Souvlaki
Sticky Rice ★ 4.2
Sticky Rice on West Main runs Asian-fusion sushi and a bucket-of-tots tradition since 1999. Open until 2 am daily, the late-night sit-down in the Fan.
Signature: Bucket of tots, Sushi, Vegan rolls
ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque ★ 4.6
ZZQ in Scott's Addition runs central Texas brisket and ribs from a counter. Wednesday to Sunday until sold out, with mezcal cocktails on the side.
Signature: Brisket, Pork ribs
Croaker's Spot ★ 4.3
Croaker's Spot on Hull Street runs Black-owned soul-food and seafood since the 1990s. Generous Southern plates and fried-fish platters across the river.
Signature: Fried whiting, Catfish
Sally Bell's Kitchen ★ 4.4
Sally Bell's Kitchen has sold box lunches since 1924, founded by Sarah Cabell Jones and Elizabeth Lee Milton. House-made cupcakes daily on Broad Street.
Signature: Box lunch, Deviled eggs
The Continental Westhampton ★ 4.3
The Continental on Grove Avenue is a long-running Westhampton neighborhood spot for American food re-imagined. Sunday brunch is a fixture; the bar runs late.
Signature: Burger, Brunch plates
Can Can Brasserie ★ 4.3
Can Can in Carytown is the Left-Bank-style brasserie Richmond crosses town for. Mussels, frites, marble bar, with Sunday brunch service deep in the room.
Signature: Mussels, Steak frites
Edo's Squid ★ 4.4
Edo's Squid runs Italian-seafood plates above a Fan corner store on Harrison. Ed Vasaio of the long-gone Mamma Zu opened it in 2013; no reservations.
Signature: Grilled calamari, Hand-cut pasta
Dinamo ★ 4.4
Dinamo on West Cary is Ed Vasaio's casual Italian room near the Altria Theatre. Pasta-driven menu, Tuesday to Saturday for dinner, reservations recommended.
Signature: Pasta, Seafood plates
Mary Angela's Pizzeria ★ 4.1
Mary Angela's on West Cary in Carytown has been Richmond's pizza-and-subs counter for decades. Family-owned, takeout-first, dine-in welcome.
Signature: Pizza, Subs
Bottoms Up Pizza ★ 4.2
Bottoms Up Pizza on Dock Street in Shockoe Bottom has been a Richmond delivery and dine-in standard since 1989. Canal-side patio is the draw.
Signature: Pizza, Calzones
Demi's Mediterranean Kitchen ★ 4.3
Demi's on MacArthur Avenue in north Richmond runs Greek and Lebanese plates. Falafel and hummus are the entry points; the lamb gyro is the stay-late order.
Signature: Falafel platter, Hummus, Lamb gyro
Don't Look Back ★ 4.2
Don't Look Back is the Scott's Addition taqueria in the former Triple billiards hall on West Broad. Made-to-order tacos, frito pie and a large bar program.
Signature: Tacos, Frito pie, Margaritas
Garnett's Cafe ★ 4.4
Garnett's Cafe on Park Avenue is the Fan neighborhood sandwich shop. Long-running daytime counter, made-to-order sandwiches and a strong salad menu.
Signature: Sandwiches, Salads
Galaxy Diner ★ 4.0
Galaxy Diner on West Cary in Carytown is the late-night diner with a chrome-and-vinyl room. Breakfast all day, burgers and milkshakes through midnight.
Signature: Breakfast all day, Burgers, Milkshakes