Richmond, Virginia, is one of those places that won the location lottery: the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, which provides access to plenty of fresh produce, wineries, and seafood. Virginia’s capital is perfectly placed in the mid-Atlantic, serving as a crossroads for the many cultures that have settled on the east coast of the United States. All those factors give Richmond a deep, diverse culinary culture. Here are seven places to eat in Richmond that will have you booking your next trip.
Breakfast at Sub Rosa
I still remembered my first breakfast at Sub Rosa five years ago. Biting into the buttery, flaky crust of my chocolate croissant is one of my favorite food memories of that trip. Not only are the pastries beautiful, but they are so photogenic that a picture of their pastries still graces my business card. I recently returned to Sub Rosa and loved seeing the bakery still thriving. Order a few pastries and a coffee, and walk over to Jefferson Hill Park for some great views of Richmond. If you love freshly made pastries, make sure to add this to your list of places to eat in Richmond.
Sub Rosa, 620 N 25th St, Richmond, VA 23223, Website
Trip to Cuba at Kuba Kuba
If you’re in the Fan District and want a casual lunch, head to Kuba Kuba. This Cuban-owned restaurant is the perfect spot for Cuban classics such as Cuban sandwiches or Cuban roasted pork. Start lunch with a few starters. I recommend the empanadillas or the platanos. If they have maduros, the fried ripe plantains, you’re in for a treat. The portions are generous. We ended up taking half of our dishes home!
Kuba Kuba, 1601 Park Ave, Richmond, VA 23220, Website
Island Flavors at Perch RVA
Chef Mike Ledesma brings together his Filipino heritage, his love of Hawaiian food, and the produce of Virginia together at Perch RVA. This unique restaurant with a very instagrammable dining room is a must on your places to eat in Richmond list. Although the menu is seasonal, an item that never leaves the menu is the lumpias. I learned to make lumpias with Chef Ledesma during my visit to Richmond, and I fully understand why his guests beg him not to take them off the menu. These crispy egg rolls filled with ground pork and vegetables are a must-order. The restaurant’s centerpiece is a wood-fired oven where the Chef cooks whole fish Hawaiian style.
Perch RVA, 2918 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230, Website
Southern with a Twist at Lillie Pearl
If you’re looking for a place to eat in Richmond that exudes the flavors of the Mid-Atlantic, Lillie Pearl is it. A native of North Carolina, Chef Mike Lindsey merges the southern flavors with dishes he’s developed in his over two decades of being a chef throughout the United States. Named after Chef Lindsey’s grandmothers, the menu at Lillie Pearl centers on southern African American cuisine. Don’t leave without trying the fried chicken or the seared scallops with collard green risotto. Tip: make sure to get a reservation because the restaurant gets busy!
Lillie Pearl, 416 E Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219, Website
Soul Food Classics at Mama J’s
We got several recommendations for Mama J’s, so we had to try it out. Sadly, the restaurant only offered take-out but don’t take it off your places to eat in Richmond list. This Black family-owned restaurant offers southern staples such as fried chicken, crab cakes, and fried catfish. I ordered the fried catfish, which was phenomenal, extra crispy, and very generous portions.
Mama J’s, 415 N 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219, Website
Beers at Hardywood Park
One of the best-known craft beers of the Richmond area, Hardywood has grown exponentially during the past few years. Going to Hardywood Park has become an experience with ample outdoor space to have your pale ale under the Richmond sun. The Brewery usually has local food trucks at the park in case you get peckish while sampling beers. There is also a market where you can buy beers to go and other local merchandise. While there, we became acquainted with Nightingale Ice Cream. The decadent ice cream sandwiches are a must, especially during a hot RVA day.
Hardywood Park, 2410 Ownby Ln, Richmond, VA 23220, Website
Indian at Lehja
One of my favorite places to eat in Richmond is Lehja. My first time eating there was three years ago. It was one of those meals that you still think about years later. Chef and owner Sunny Baweja creates modern Indian dishes without compromising the authentic flavors. The menu offers the Indian menu classics such as Tandoori and Biryani, but it also has unique dishes like blue crab taka-tak and a deconstructed butter chicken. If you are a wine lover, Lehja is the place for you. Their 26-page wine list has every varietal you can imagine. The selection of Indian wines is the most notable. If you’re there, ask Chef Baweja for pairing suggestions.
Lehja, 11800 W Broad St Suite 910, Richmond, VA 23233, Website
Classic Italian at Gersi
We headed to Gersi at the recommendation of Chef Ledesma of Perch. This popular Brooklyn restaurant opened its second location in Richmond, serving northern Italian cuisine. We loved the cozy patio area, vintage plates, and friendly servers. The menu is ideal for pasta lovers like me. I loved the housemade rigatoni with rich ragu, and make sure you save room for dessert. The tiramisu is worth it!
Gersi RVA, 805 N Davis Ave, Richmond, VA 23220, Website
