The rooms worth a reservation in Richmond, from neighbourhood bistros to the new classics.
The restaurants worth the trip in Richmond. bistros, neo-classics, neighbourhood favourites, and the rooms locals book first.
L'Opossum in Oregon Hill is David Shannon's quirky French-Southern fine-dining room. James Beard Best Chef Mid-Atlantic semifinalist (2016) and Southern Living's South's Best Restaurant (2018).
Signature: Snapper en croute, Foie gras, Tasting menu
Lemaire inside the Jefferson Hotel is named for Etienne Lemaire, Thomas Jefferson's maitre d'. Chef Patrick Willis since 2009; grande dame of RVA.
Signature: Virginia ham, She-crab soup, Tasting menu
Velma Johnson's soul food kitchen on 1st Street in Jackson Ward, opened 2009 by her son. Sunday-dinner Southern cooking in the Harlem of the South.
Signature: Fried catfish, Collard greens, Mac and cheese
Perly's on Grace Street is Richmond's daytime Jewish deli. House-cured pastrami and matzo ball soup; breakfast and lunch only, daily until 3 pm downtown.
Signature: Pastrami sandwich, Matzo ball soup, Latkes
Stella's on Lafayette has cooked the Dikos family Greek menu since the Lafayette opening in 2011 (the original Stella's debuted in 1983). Mid-week meze nights work through the by-the-glass Greek wine list.
Signature: Lamb shank, Spanakopita, Greek meze
Brittanny Anderson's Scott's Addition seafood room, opened September 2025 in the former Brenner Pass space. Casual Chesapeake fish-shack menu.
Signature: Crab cakes, Oyster stew, Fried fish plate
Brittanny Anderson's German-Austrian sister to Bar Buoy in Church Hill. House charcuterie, schnitzel and a German beer list, Tuesday to Sunday.
Signature: Schnitzel, Sausage plate, House charcuterie
The Roosevelt in Church Hill cooks Southern food under Leah Branch, a 2026 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic. Country ham biscuits, gravy.
Signature: Fried chicken, Country ham biscuit, Spoonbread
Tarrant's at 1 West Broad has run all-day food in a former pharmacy since 1996. Pizza-and-pasta menu is the Richmond downtown standard, kitchen open late.
Signature: Pizza, Pasta, Diner breakfast
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, cash.
Signature: Grilled calamari, Hand-cut pasta, Whole fish
Can Can in Carytown is the Left-Bank-style brasserie Richmond crosses town for. Mussels, frites, marble bar, with a deep Sunday brunch service.
Signature: Steak frites, Mussels, Sunday brunch
Rappahannock on Grace pours oysters from the Croxton family farm in Topping, Virginia. The Richmond outpost of the Virginia oyster-farming revival.
Signature: Olde Salt oysters, Rappahannock oysters, Crab cake
Dale Reitzer's Acacia Midtown at Libbie Mill is the third location of the modern-coastal room that began in Carytown in 1998. James Beard nominee.
Signature: Seared scallops, Coastal fish, Tasting menu
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 on Main has run 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 rolls, Vegan rolls
ZZQ in Scott's Addition runs central Texas brisket and ribs from a counter. Wednesday to Sunday until sold out, with mezcal cocktails alongside the meat.
Signature: Brisket, Pork ribs, Smoked sausage
The Continental on Grove Avenue is a Westhampton neighborhood spot for American food re-imagined. Sunday brunch is a fixture; the bar runs late.
Signature: Burger, Brunch plates, Cocktails
Sunny Baweja's Lehja runs upscale modern Indian at Short Pump. Two-time James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic; tandoor-driven menu.
Signature: Tandoori dishes, Lamb biryani, Chef's tasting
Adarra moved to the former Mamma Zu building on South Pine in Oregon Hill in December 2024. Randall and Lyne Doetzer's Basque and northern Spanish room with wood-fired txuleta and a natural-wine bar.
Signature: Pintxos, Wood-fired txuleta, Spanish wine
Croaker's Spot on Hull Street runs Black-owned soul-food and seafood since the 1990s. Generous Southern plates and fried-fish platters daily.
Signature: Fried whiting, Catfish, Mac and cheese
Sally Bell's Kitchen has sold box lunches since 1924, founded by Sarah Cabell Jones and Elizabeth Lee Milton. House-made cupcakes and deviled eggs daily.
Signature: Box lunch, Deviled eggs, Cupcakes