Richmond City Guide
When you have children that move all over the place, you have the privilege of discovering new cities and falling in love with them! Our daughter Rebecca, got married recently and moved from Boston (which we loved) to Richmond, Virginia and we have absolutely loved getting to know Richmond! It’s a charming Southern city that’s just the right size at only about 59 square miles!
There is so much to explore in Richmond from an amazing food scene to some of the best shopping and cultural activities and be sure to take a drive down Monument Avenue which has been called one of the most beautiful streets in Richmond!! My daughter, Rebecca, helped me write this post and has visited most of the places included so you’re getting great first hand advice. The last time we were there, we ate dinner at Alewife, had wine and cheese at Jardin (both were fabulous) and Can Can Brasserie has been a longtime favorite! My best recommendation for Richmond…go hungry!
“Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is among America’s oldest major cities. Patrick Henry, a U.S. Founding Father, famously declared “Give me liberty or give me death” at its St. John's Church in 1775, leading to the Revolutionary War. The White House of the Confederacy, home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis during the Civil War, is now a museum in Court End, a neighborhood known for Federal-style mansions” ~ Google
Stay
The Jefferson Hotel
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Jefferson Hotel is among the most historic travel destinations in the country. This beautiful and grand hotel in the heart of Richmond is the epitome of southern hospitality. The architecture is stunning, the rooms are spacious and warm with a residential feel, and the staff is kind and helpful with any need you may have. This is the place to stay if you are looking for a luxury experience!
If you are staying over the weekend, be sure to check out the Champagne Brunch Buffet! Reservations go quickly so you’ll need to plan in advance but it’s well worth it!
The Quirk Hotel Richmond
Designed and built in 1916 by Starrett & van Vleck, this beautiful and historic building was once the home of an upscale department store. Beginning as the Quirk Gallery in 2005, owners Katie and Ted Ukrop wanted to channel Virginia's creative energy into a hub for local and regional artists. In 2015 the gallery owners expanded their vision into the Quick Hotel which has excellently preserved the architectural history of the space. The gallery is still there and and is accessible through the lobby.
The interior is designed with shades of pink and a quirky feel (hence the name) but offers an elevated stay and a playful and charming environment for locals and guests alike!
The lobby bar is charming with great cocktails and delicious food. They also have a lovely rooftop bar, open in the warmer months and live music most nights in the lobby. I highly recommend checking out this spot even if it's just for an afternoon cocktail or a coffee before a day of exploring!
Note: They let you bring your fur babies if you can’t bare to leave them at home!
The Boulevard Inn
If you are looking for a more intimate neighborhood stay, The Boulevard Inn is the perfect spot. This charming B&B in the beautiful fan district is a fabulous destination for a weekend getaway. The bed and breakfast is in an historical townhome built in 1914. The inn is owned by Mitch and Roni who had worked in hospitality for many years before opening the inn. They designed this beautiful space that pays homage to the history of the home but offers a comfortable and luxurious experience. Be sure to book in advance, with limited rooms and one of the few desirable stays in the fan neighborhood, availability goes quickly!
Eat
Alewife
This Church Hill seafood spot may be Richmond's best-kept secret. It was named as a Southern Living Magazine “South’s Best New Restaurant'“ 2022! The space is bright and fun and the service is professional but relaxed. The food is excellent and the wine is delicious and interesting, a great place to try something you have never had. Be sure to check this one out on your next visit to Richmond!
Grisette
Right across the street from Alewife, this warm and cozy French-inspired restaurant serves traditional French dishes but with a southern twist. The menu at Grisette changes frequently and they offer rotating glasses of wine from the bottle list! The cocktails are also delicious, this is a great spot or a meal or just for a drink! Last time we dined at Grisette, we had a carrot salad that was absolutely delicious!
Stella’s
This romantic and charming rustic greek restaurant is arguably the best spot to eat in Richmond. Stella’s was named after Stella Kafantaris who was born in Greece in 1942, and emigrated to the United States after an arranged marriage. The restaurant in her namesake opened doors in 1983 and offers critically acclaimed greek cuisine and remains one of the most sought out spots in the city! Stella herself still works in the kitchen crafting her famed recipes for the many guests that visit. This is a popular spot so be sure to book far in advance!
If you can’t get in, be sure to visit Stella’s Grocery located just across the street. they offer gourmet Greek products, delicious prepared food, baked goods, beer, wine, and more!
The Roosevelt
Located in Church Hill, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Richmond, The Roosevelt celebrates southern food in an untraditional way. With menu items such as fried catfish, sweet tea collard greens and duck gumbo there is something for everyone and it's all delicious!
Garnett’s Cafe
This charming and nostalgic spot in The Fan has great sandwiches, cakes, and pies! The restaurant is cute and cozy for dining in but they will also pack you a picnic basket to eat in the park across the street or go down to the James River to eat!. If you’re bougie on a budget they have a date night special for $33 that includes two menu items and a bottle of wine. You can’t beat that!
Edo’s Squid
Image from Trip Advisor
With close tables and New York City vibes, this charming no-frills spot has the best Italian food in the fan. The food is excellently seasoned, the wine is great and the portions are huge! Be sure to check out this hidden gem near the VCU campus. Note - when you go up the stairs you may think you are in the wrong spot!
Can Can Brasserie
This fun and authentic French bistro looks just like a cafe in Paris. Can Can Brasserie has a cozy inviting atmosphere with a great bar and serves delicious french classics for Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The restaurant is large with plenty of seating for a group or the perfect cozy date spot. When making a reservation, be sure to ask for a table in the window! Located in the heart of Carytown, among great local shops, the is a great place to stop in for a glass of wine or a bite to eat, or for a drink after shopping around town!
Perly's Restaurant & Deli
Perly’s - it’s yiddish for delicious! And delicious it is. This Jewish delicatessen serves traditional jewish food with a modern twist. I recommend going for brunch and if you like something sweet get the cinnamon babka french toast, it’s the chefs kiss! The latkes are also amazing and you can never go wrong with a bagel.
Drink
The Jasper
One of the few cocktail bars in the city, The Jasper is a Richmond gem. Named after Jasper Crouch, an iconic early 19th-century Richmond bartender, this spot is serious about cocktails and they make some damn good ones! Featured in magazines such as Garden and Gun, and Southern Living, this is a spot you don’t want to miss! It’s first come, first serve service, so I recommend arriving a little before 5 to be one of the first in!
This charming patio wine bar is a wine shop/ bar for the people! They have an excellent selection of ever-changing wines that you can purchase to take home or grab a glass and a cheese board and enjoy on the patio! This is one of my favorite spots in Richmond and you can bring your dog!
The Lobby Bar
Located inside the Quirk hotel, The Lobby Bar is a great stop for a cocktail before dinner. With plenty of seating in a beautiful environment, you won’t have to wait to enjoy a beautifully crafted beverage or a glass of wine.
Blanchard’s Coffee
Image from Daily Coffee News
Serving locally roasted coffee in several locations around the city, Blanchard’s is a great spot to grab a cup of joe! One thing I love about Blanchards is their commitment to sustainability. They use only compostable cups and garbage liners and these are picked up to be composted. You can read more about Blanchard’s here!
Shop
Lineage
Image from Lineage
This upscale boutique offers women apparel from high end luxury labels such as Veronica Beard, Nanuska, Golden Goose, and more! They also have a vintage collection with an excellent selection of preloved clothing and accessories. If you love fashion, don’t miss this spot! You’re sure to find something you can’t leave without.
Verdalina
Image from Visit Richmond VA
Verdalina carries beautifully curated, sustainable clothing for women. Located just a block from The Quirk Hotel, this elegant shop focuses on small-batch clothing with attention to detail in renewable materials. They carry unique, high-end lines that represent designers who have deliberately separated from fast fashion and disposable clothes. You may find your new favorite label here and you’ll feel great knowing it was made responsibly!
The Someday Shop
Image from The Richmond Magazine
Named after a “Someday” dream of the perfect shop, this lovely store offers a collection of small-batch goods, many of which are made by local artisans. From objects for the home to beautiful plants, this is a lovely spot to browse or take home a special piece for your home.
Emily Warden Designs
Image from Instagram
Emily Warden Designs is a local jeweler with handcrafted high-quality jewelry. They have stunning, unique pieces that will be treasured for years to come!
Experience
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Image from Arch Daily
The VMFA is a great place to visit when in Richmond. Conveniently located in the fan and is free to the public! The permanent collection is extensive with the largest public collection of Fabergé and Russian decorative arts in an American museum. The museum grounds are also a lovely spot for a walk or a picnic on the lawn.
Brown’s Island River Trails - Browns Island
Image from Venture Richmond
The James River runs right through downtown Richmond and the Brown’s Island River Trials follow its path. With beautiful walking trails, historical landmarks and a concert venue in the summer, this is an excellent way to take in the city!
The Byrd Theater
Image from Society of Architectural Historians
If you are looking for a way to spend an evening in Richmond the historical Byrd Theater is a great spot! Built in 1928, and celebrating 90+ years of exceptional cinematic experiences, the Byrd shows new and old movies all year long! It is particularly magical around the holidays, showing all the classics with a wonderful organ performance of traditional Christmas carols before the show. The perfect date night to get you in the Christmas spirit!
This city guide should keep you busy when visiting Richmond, but if you have other recommendations, I would love for you to leave them in the comments! Thanks so much for reading today!