The best way to get to know a city is through it’s people….and food.  

This is going to be such a fun post for me to write.  So..a lot of people know this about me and I’m not sure if I should be proud or embarrassed..but I LOVE going out to eat.  I just so happen to live in a city that is perfect for this addiction!  Richmond has so many great restaurants so I thought I would put together a list of my top 50 (okay okay, 56)  local restaurants.  I am organizing this list by neighborhood and am giving my personal opinion and experience as if you just asked me what I think about that particular restaurant.  I also have tagged each restaurant’s website, so click on the name and check out the menu and hours!  I have personally eaten at all 56 of these restaurants (some more than others).   Next time you get stuck and don’t know where to eat, come on over to the blog and pick one of these amazing places!  PLEASE send me recommendations that I should try check out as well!

 More pictures down below!

Neighborhood: Scott’s Addition

1. Lunch/Supper– My favorite restaurant in Richmond.  Ask to sit outside, you will not be disappointed.  Chicken and waffles topped with syrup and bacon flavored butter, so stinkin good.  Go here for all your southern food, cocktail, and fun decor needs.

2. Tazza Kitchen- Tazza has locations in Short Pump and Scott’s Addition.  The one in Scott’s Addition has an awesome atmosphere with doors that open up to the main street.  You can walk here from your day of brewery hopping AND they have a happy hour on tacos…they are so good too.

3. Buzz and Ned’s- Thick barbecue, southern sides, and sweet tea on the patio facing broad. The end.

4. En Su Boca-Burritos that will last you three meals.  Strongest margaritas in town.  Go early because there’s always a wait, it’s that good.  Oh and for everyone that won’t go there because it used to be a porn shop…stay away, more food for me!

5. The Dairy Bar -Your local Denny’s.  Join the townies for some fresh biscuits and gravy, waffles, or grits!

6. Sabai- Has anyone actually gone here and gotten to sit at the booth with the swing table?!? Dieing to do this.  Swinging while I eat my amazing pad Thai?  Yes!

7. Lemon– The most authentic Indian food in town.  When you can’t read half the menu you know you are in good hands.

Neighborhood: Willow Lawn/West End

1. Beijing on Grove– Hands down, best place to take a date!  The atmosphere is great and the                                            meals are under $20.  Also- they have a deal for lunch where you can get a bento box with miso soup, salad, Chinese fusion entree, SO GOOD!

2. Jack Brown’s– A burger with mac n’ cheese on it?  What more can do I have to say.  I went to college in walking distance from a Jack Brown’s and moved to Richmond in walking distance- it was always meant to be.  The mystery is what is actually in the Jack Brown’s sauce?! Anyone know?  I could pour that on anything!  HUGE selection of beer and tons of events.

3. The Grill on Patterson– Best place to get your all American staples.  Think philly cheese steak (3 different styles..what), burgers stacked with toppings, appetizers everyone craves, etc.  They also are two-fold!! Brunch is amazing as well.

4. The Wine Loft– In the short pump area, I went hear for book club and it was great.  Nice appetizers and wine, comfy couches.  I would go here if you’re having a girls night or a work happy hour!

5. Mezeh– Also short pump area.  Think Chipotle but Mediterranean food and tonssss more toppings.  Be prepared to have tons of leftovers.  Oh and the tile in this place is beautiful.  Enjoy your bowl and flavored soda if you need something quick.

6. Toast– This is a good place to take your parents when they are in town.  They have a wide variety of food and it’s on the nice but not too expensive side.  Also serves a great brunch.

7. The Continental Westhampton– I have probably been here 15 times.  It is my go to for everything.  When a new friend is in town this is the first place I think to take them.  For brunch, they have this amazing veggie bowl with a egg on top, their cornbread is out of this world, their sandwiches are HUGE.  Also, they go all out and decorate for holidays, so fun!

8. Mekong– So many beer options.  Pick your favorite beer from a list of probably 50 or so and eat authentic pho or huge portions of orange chicken.  This is Vietnamese food that you won’t forget!

9. The Little Nickel– This new restaurant is actually in South Richmond across the river but it is SO worth the trek.  The whole restaurant is “vacation” themed.  Think flamingos on the wall, exotic mixed drinks, everything topped with grilled pineapple.  Try the loaded nachos or the lamb shank tacos…this is a must try!

Neighborhood: The Fan

1. Best Friends Forever– I was OBSESSED with Don’t Look Back which was a taco dive bar and unfortunately they had a kitchen fire.  This place is owned by the same people and has the SAME tacos that I loved so it’s a win!  Also, the decorations make you feel like you’re at summer camp which is the best.

2. 3 Monkey’s– Happy hour here is amazing!  The drinks are fruity and cheap and the apps are HUGE.  Go here and sit on the patio and enjoy!

3. Foo Dog– Asian style street food.  You can literally sit in a table that’s on a pedestal in the window.  The pho is amazing and atmosphere makes the food taste even better!

4. Mamma-Zu’s– Old- school Italian.  The dishes are huge!  Try the crab pasta or the broccolinni appetizer.  This is a staple around Richmond and has been around for a long try.  Everyone has to try it at least once!

5. Joe’s Inns– HUGE portions of pasta.  Yummy bread.  Retro bar vibe.  This is also a Richmond Italian staple.

6. Weezie’s Kitchen– One of the best brunch spots in Richmond.  Opens early on Saturday so if you’re like me and wake up early you have somewhere to go. Here you will find your typical omelettes, pancakes, coffee.  This is a perfect brunch spot to go after a wedding or after a night out.

7. The Daily– This is a great spot to go if you’re doing the whole 30 diet!! They have healthy options but they are tasty as well.  If you’re not on a diet, try their fig pizza, it’s amazing.  They also have a great patio and serve from a full bar for happy hour.  This is a favorite for sure.

8. Burger Bach– 10 different dipping sauces for your side of fries, the garlic aoli is hands down the best!  Austrailian style burgers with tons of toppings!  Locations in Short Pump and Carytown.

9. Mellow Mushroom– There are locations in Carytown and in Short Pump.  The pizza is unique and they have a big bar.  They are one of the only places in Richmond I can find Ace Pineapple Cider- try it if you are a cider person, it’s sooo good.

10. Nacho Mamma’s– Mexican with an outside patio on Cary!

11. Baker’s Crust– Brunch is best!  Locations in Carytown and Short Pump.  Menu wide enough to have something that everyone loves!

12. Social 52– Walk here after VMFA happy hour on Friday night, or ride the pedal bike here, so much fun. Happy hour everyday 4-7pm.  Go here to run into all your high school and college friends that you secretly try to avoid.  Huge bar and on Tuesdays you can build your own grilled cheese, so good!

13. Strawberry St. Cafe– Full salad bar for lunch.  In such a cute location.  Make sure you make a reservation.

14. Sticky Rice– Loaded tots, 90’s music, dancing on tables…oh and apparently they have sushi as well.  If you see a line at 10pm on Saturday nights on Cary, yep you’re at the right place.

15. Pit and the Peel– Acai bowls are the new thing!  My dream is to open up a self serve acai bowl restaurant but until that happens I will provide the Pit and the Peel with my life savings, ha!  Make this meal breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a snack.

16. Garnett’s Cafe– The cutest little sandwich shop in all of town.  They have so many options.  This is a good place to walk to after church and hang.

17. Star-lite– Go Thursday and get a half price burger, you won’t reget it.

18. Continental Divide– Tavern style Mexican.  Margarita happy hour.  Queso dip.

19. Comfort– Exactly what you think of when you think of comfort in general- mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, meatloaf, pork chops.

20. Sidewalk Cafe– “A sidewalk without a patio is like a city without a council.”  I love their motto.  Sit on the patio, watch crowd pass by and enjoy their huge menu of all american food.

21. Stella’s– You must have a reservation, it’s that popular!! This greek food will actually change your life.  Get a few entrees and a few small plates to share in order to taste the most food possible.

22. Boka Taco– Great taco options.  Small space but makes it feel cozy.

23. Shyndigz– Just dessert and drinks!! The dessert is huge and is DELICIOUS.  Don’t leave here without trying the fruit cake.  Also- there are to go options, don’t celebrate a birthday again without treating yourself!

24. North end Juice Co.- Walk up window to get all things acai bowl and avocado toast, so fun on a nice day!

Neighborhood: Church Hill

1. 23rd and Main– Great date night spot.  Quaint and they have a deal where you can get an appetizer, a salad, and a pizza for one price.  Pair it with some wine and your date will love you forever.

2. Alamo BBQ– Outdoor seating only.  Walk up to a shack and order your southern fixings.  The barbecue is Texas inspired!

3. The Hill Cafe– This is a great place to take a date in Church Hill!  Walk around libby hill park, experience the sunset up there, and then walk down the hill and enjoy some great american food.

Neighborhood: Downtown

1. Tarrant’s Cafe– A little pricey but can be worth it!  Go to Tarrant’s for a fun night out before a show downtown.  Make reservations because seats go fast in this place!

2. Graffiato– AMAZING pasta.  Dishes are a little small and pricey but totally worth it.  This is a fun place to dress up with a group of girls and go on a weekend.

3. Station 2– This building used to be a fire station, such a neat space.  Burgers are great and have tons of toppings.  They also have alcoholic shakes.  Enough said.

4. Grandstaff and Stein– A speakeasy downtown, make sure to look up the password on facebook before you arrive.  They make a smoked whiskey drink that they smoke right in front of you!! Apparently they have food as well, but lets be real the drinks are what’s amazing.

5. Goatacado– Started as a food truck, now is a restaurant AND sets up at the South of the James Farmer’s market.  Healthy bowl style meals that include so many fresh ingredients.

6. Kuba Kuba– Two locations- one in Tuckahoe and one in the fan.  They have paella that will feed you and your entire family for um a whole week, no lie.

7. Godfreys– Yes, I put a drag bar on my list of Richmond restaurants because it’s just that amazing.  You reserve a slot for brunch and then be prepared to be entertained.  The drag queens are world class and the drinks are even better.  Old bay bloody mary for only $5.

8. Kitchen 64– Right off of 64 (duh), this restaurant is easy to get here.  Go here before a flying squirrels game for a crabcake sandwich, you won’t be disappointed.

9. The Boathouse– Fancy restaurant on the James River, the view is amazing!! There is a 3 story wrap around balcony so you can enjoy your meal over the water.  Definitely worth going for an important occasion.

10. Casa Del Barco– Nice mexican food right on the James River!  If your party finishes a whole bottle of tequila you become famous and get the bottle on display- challenge accepted.  Also- flavored margaritas are on point.

11. Wong Gonzalez– Mexican/Asian fusion.  Think taco meat fried rice and general pso’s burrito.  Probably one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond.  They have a live DJ on the weekends and the food is surprisingly cheap.  The margaritas are sooo good here.

12. Bottom’s Up– Growing up in Mechanicsville, this is the only restaurant downtown my parents would bring us and for good reason.  The pizza is so thick and delicious.  They also have homemade dressings for their salads.  I have bought bottles of their house dressing.  I have probably been here for 15 of my 27 birthday dinners.

13. Secret Sandwich Society– Pimento cheese on any sandwich you want?! So many different combinations to try and the vibe is super cool here.  They also have huge amazing salads or your gluten free!

Enjoy some pictures from some of my favorite restaurants mentioned above!! PLEASE tell me what I left off and what I need to try, Richmond has so much to offer!!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Ashley