A Day in Richmond
Scott's Addition Historic District
Home of the first apartment Will and Bryan shared together. Now the de facto home of the city's brewery culture. You might need to take a Lyft back to your hotel...
Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop
The only brewery in town with a rooftop bar.
The Veil Brewing Co. - Scott’s Addition
Renowned brewery known for its IPAs, and to a lesser extent for its gigantic taxidermy bear. Nokoribi, which is located inside, also sells Japanese-inspired street food.
Cochiloco | Scott's Addition
Vas a volverte loco por estos tacos.
Ardent Craft Ales
One of the longest-running breweries in the city. Plenty of outdoor space. If you get hungry, fantastic burgers are available at Eazzy Burger, and the most popular BBQ (and Will’s favorite) in town is available at ZZQ--both of which share a parking lot with Ardent.
Kismet Modern Indian RVA
This is a kind of Indian restaurant you have probably not seen before. They're not making your takeout staples; they're making the best Indian food in town.
Buskey Cider
Awesome little cider place in Scott's Addition. If you get hungry after a couple rounds, check out some birria tacos, dumplings, and nashville hot fries at the Kobop food truck which is permanently installed out back.
Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar
Go for the $6 happy hour negroni, stay for the chili dumplings.
River City Roll
Would you like to sit on an oversized leather couch and pick at nachos while you wait your turn to bowl? Of course you would.
Fanboy
Food, drinks, vibes all excellent. Very small, so reservations are a necessity if you want to go after dark. Try the chicken tikka dip or the mushroom cheesesteak.
Carytown
Any list you will ever see about what to do in Richmond will include coming to Carytown. One long street jam-packed with restaurants and boutiques and small businesses. If there are a few places that together embody the energy that makes people fall in love with Richmond, this is one of them.
Can Can Brasserie
When you return home, your friends who have been to Richmond or seen the CNN article are likely to ask you if you went here. Can Can is a cornerstone of the neighborhood, and was one of the first places Bryan ever went in Richmond, all the way back in 2009. Go for brunch and get the croque madame. They make you pay for bread service now, but if they've made fruit bread that day, it's worth the price.
The Jasper
Richmond has some competition these days for "best cocktail bar," but this place is still coming in first, and you'll understand why basically as soon as you sit down. Don't miss the daily happy hour from 5-7pm...but expect a line depending on when you go.
The Byrd Theatre
Another cornerstone of the neighborhood. The Byrd Theater is a single-screen art deco theater that plays second-run (and older) movies. Show up early to see Bob Gulledge emerge from the stage floor to play the Mighty Wurlitzer!
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Gorgeous and expansive museum. You will not want to leave Richmond without stopping by. See Kehinde Wiley's monumental "Rumours of War," or the permanent collection of Faberge eggs, or the Frida Kahlo exhibition. Hang around the sculpture garden with a glass of wine, or get a better view of the lawn from Amuse on the 3rd floor.
The Fan District
Large neighborhood between Scotts Addition and VCU. If you're interested in seeing evidence that Richmond was once the largest producer of wrought-iron in the country, take a stroll down one of the residential streets, or along Monument Avenue.
Maymont
Did you just eat a huge brunch and need to walk around a little bit? Are you tired of looking at buildings? Come here and walk around the grounds a little bit! See an old house! Byrd Park and the Carillon are also right next door and make for a good stroll.
Shyndigz
The dessert place to end all dessert places. Try the s'mores bar, the oatmeal creme pie, the cookies, the key lime pie, the fruit cake. Try any of it. They also sell savory food and booze...but let's get real.
Garnett's
Bryan's favorite sandwich shop by a mile. Super cozy; delicious and eminently affordable food; Benedictine spread. Don't miss it.
Jardin
Do you like wine? Do you like shockingly good marinated olives? Do you like a fun little patio? You will like it here. If you want to stick with the "wine bar" vibe, Celladora is right down the block and will make you a plated meal to go with your pet-nat.
Edo's Squid
If you're gonna have Italian in Richmond, this is the place to do it. Make a reservation or plan for a wait.
Hollywood Cemetery
You're in the mood for a walk, but you're in a bit of a Wednesday Addams mood. Perhaps a walk through a scenic cemetery with architecturally unique mausoleums and panoramic views of the James River would be up your alley?
Halal Munchies
Did you get a little too drunk and now it's like 11pm and you need to nosh? If what your heart desires is a clamshell takeout container jam-packed with an obscene amount of chicken/lamb, cucumber salad, seasoned basmati rice, and fries--this is the place for you.
Downtown & Shockoe Bottom
Home to historic Jackson Ward, once known as "Harlem of the South," the Grace Street corridor, the downtown core, Shockoe Slip, and Shockoe Bottom.
Lemaire
Fine dining restaurant in the historic and beautiful Jefferson Hotel. Check out the lounge from 4-7pm daily for a solid happy hour with food and drink specials.
Mama J's Kitchen
Culinary staple. Whatever else you get, don't miss the fried catfish.
Maggie L Walker National Historic Site
Historic home of Maggie Walker, the first Black millionaire in America. Self-guided and guided tours are both available.
Perly's
Jewish deli staples with a twist. Jewish egg roles! Reuben fries! Every dish you can think of that starts with a "sch"!
Belle Isle
One of the most beautiful places in Richmond. Park your car and take the suspension bridge across the river to Belle Isle to swim or hike the trail, check out the historic Tredegar Iron Works, or take the Potterfield Bridge over to Manchester.
Cafe Rustika
Come for the schnitzel. Stay for more schnitzel. You definitely can't go wrong eating more than one schnitzel before a night of dancing.
Lillie Pearl
North Carolina-inspired soul food. What else is there really to say?
Hotel Greene
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play mini-golf through a remote hotel somewhere in Eastern Europe while having champagne cocktails? Wonder no more!
Sefton Coffee Company
If you're staying in the downtown area and looking for great coffee and solid pastries/sandwiches, look no further.
Manchester and Forest Hills
Will and Bryan moved here in 2018--the variety of restaurants and outdoor activities in Manchester and the adjacent Forest Hills are not to be missed.
Little Nickel
Design-forward spot serving a combination of American classics and "vacation cuisine." Get your lumpia! Get your lamb cheesesteak! Get your poke and your peri-peri!
Forest Hill Park
If you can't go a couple days without playing tennis or pickleball, come here.
Buttermilk Trail
Start of the South Bank trail--see the spring where early settlers to Richmond would store their buttermilk! Also makes for great hiking or mountain biking!
Cafe Zata
When we were living in Manchester, this was the go-to for coffee and breakfast. Make sure to get the horseradish cheddar on your egg sandwich.
Basic City Beer Co. Southside RVA
There are breweries south of the River too! You may hear people recommend the original Richmond brewery, Legend, which is around the corner and boasts patio views of the James River--but the beer is better here.
Church Hill & Beyond
One of Richmond's most historic neighborhoods. See a reenactment of Patrick Henry's famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech, check out Chimborazo Park, or just walk through one of the oldest continuously occupied neighborhoods in the country.
Metzger Bar and Butchery
Excellent German food in a cozy, refined space. Come early to grab cocktails next door at the Pink Room.
The Emerald Lounge
Great spot for tiki cocktails/small plates. For something a little heartier, head around the corner to Slurp Ramen.
Liberty Public House
Bryan was served a cup of gravy here instead of cream of asparagus soup in 2019 and has not set foot inside since. However, many people love this place and maybe you will too.
Proper Pie Co.
New Zealand hand pies! New Zealand hand pies!
Libby Hill Park
Come see the view of the city that earned Richmond its name!
Grisette
The quality at this place is just generally off the charts, but if you come just for a glass of wine and a little charcuterie, you will NOT be disappointed.
Chimborazo Park
Home of the largest Civil War hospital, this is now just a gorgeous park at the very top of the hill.
Blue Atlas Restaurant and Market
The site of Will and Bryan's wedding ceremony. The view of the city alone is worth the visit, but the global menu and unique setting are really what makes it special.
Triple Crossing Beer - Fulton
This is the main taproom for Triple Crossing. They also make great pizza. What's not to love?