Overview
Richmond is home to a diverse array of food choices, including popular ethnic restaurants, food carts, food trucks, and hole-in-the-wall establishments that you've heard about a dozen times but never taken the time to enjoy. The restaurant scene in Richmond is also constantly changing so word of mouth is frequently how you'll learn about some of the best restaurants! Hopefully you can add some of your personal favorites to the Wiki!!
What Richmond lacks in big city culinary sophistication, it makes up for in its food selection. Richmond is bursting at the seams with amazing places to eat, and restaurant week is bi-annual, so you have two chances a year to try something new that may normally be out of your price range. First things first, try to make it a mission to try all of the food carts at least once, and ask for their popular dishes, since some are unexpected and really great. Impanema (vegetarian), Edo’s Squid, and Elephant Thai are all located on the undergrad campus and are reasonably priced. Black Sheep has fantastic sandwiches and is also close to the undergrad campus. Hard Shell (seafood), Bistro Bobette (French), Kobe, and La Grotta (Italian) are all great places right down the hill from campus in Shockhoe Slip. Bookbinders (seafood), Juleps (southern cuisine) and Boathouse are all downtown and on the pricier end, but Juleps has to-die-for mint juleps (duh) and Boathouse has a beautiful view overlooking the James River. 3 Monkeys, Lady Nawlins, Social 52, Get In Here, Kuba Kuba, and Sticky Rice are some of the most popular places in the Fan area to eat. While Tarrants and Bistro 27 are a couple of blocks away from each other right on Broad Street. Millies is known for its amazing brunch, but is a tiny establishment so get there early to beat all the regulars. Finally, a brief Richmond restaurant guide would not be complete without a mention of the many cupcake stores in the RVA including Pearls and Carytown cupcakes.
What Richmond lacks in big city culinary sophistication, it makes up for in its food selection. Richmond is bursting at the seams with amazing places to eat, and restaurant week is bi-annual, so you have two chances a year to try something new that may normally be out of your price range. First things first, try to make it a mission to try all of the food carts at least once, and ask for their popular dishes, since some are unexpected and really great. Impanema (vegetarian), Edo’s Squid, and Elephant Thai are all located on the undergrad campus and are reasonably priced. Black Sheep has fantastic sandwiches and is also close to the undergrad campus. Hard Shell (seafood), Bistro Bobette (French), Kobe, and La Grotta (Italian) are all great places right down the hill from campus in Shockhoe Slip. Bookbinders (seafood), Juleps (southern cuisine) and Boathouse are all downtown and on the pricier end, but Juleps has to-die-for mint juleps (duh) and Boathouse has a beautiful view overlooking the James River. 3 Monkeys, Lady Nawlins, Social 52, Get In Here, Kuba Kuba, and Sticky Rice are some of the most popular places in the Fan area to eat. While Tarrants and Bistro 27 are a couple of blocks away from each other right on Broad Street. Millies is known for its amazing brunch, but is a tiny establishment so get there early to beat all the regulars. Finally, a brief Richmond restaurant guide would not be complete without a mention of the many cupcake stores in the RVA including Pearls and Carytown cupcakes.
Carts
There are many food carts at lunch on the MCV campus, the VCU campus, and the streets of Downtown Richmond. These mostly accept cards, except for Christopher's which is still cash-only.
Student interest groups frequently purchase bulk-orders for lunch lectures and other events from these vendors.
MCV Campus
Student interest groups frequently purchase bulk-orders for lunch lectures and other events from these vendors.
MCV Campus
- Thai Cabin
- Caribbean Grill
- Mike's
- Christie's New York
- Christopher's Runaway Gourmay
- Bombay Express
- Chef Kelly's Taqueria
- Toastie's
- Kenn-Tico
- More details about carts and such can be found here.
Trucks
The food truck craze has hit Richmond, and each year more seem to roam our streets. Annual fairs celebrate their presence and they can be found outside apartment complexes, museums, and workplaces. Check their Twitter feeds to find them! Most accept credit cards, but you may want to have cash on you just in case!
Trucks
Trucks
- Boka Tako Truck
- Dressed and Pressed
- Also, check out this link for more food trucks based in or that travel throughout Richmond.