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Eat Local! The RVA Mag Guide to Supporting Restaurants During COVID-19

RVA Staff | April 1, 2020

Topics: 23rd and main, 3 monkeys, 3rd street diner, adarra, alewife, Ardent craft ales, bamboo, Bandito's, barrel thief wine, Belmont Butchery, belmont pizza, best restaurants richmond va, Black Hand Coffee, Blue Bee Cider, Boogaloo's, Brenner Pass, brunch, Burger Bach, Buskey Cider, buz and neds, can can, capital one cafe, Cary St. Cafe, Casa Del Barco, Citizen, citizen burger bar, Cobra Cabana, coronavirus, coronavirus richmond va, covid 19 richmond va, covid 19 rva, Crossroads, delivery groceries richmond va, delivery grocery richmond va, delivery restaurants richmond va, delivery richmond va, dogtown brewing, Dont Look Back, Dot's Back Inn, dutch and company, Final Gravity, fine creek, fuzzy cactus rva, fw sullivans rva, garden grove, garnetts, Growlers to go, Hardywood, helens richmond va, intermission beer, Ipanema Cafe, Isley, Jack Brown's, jack browns richmond, Joe's Inn, Kabana, L'opossum, Lady N'awlins, laura lees, Lickinghole Creek, little nickel, local restaurants, lulus, lunch and supper, mekong, mellow mushroom, Millie's, Mojo's, New York Deli, otooles, penny lane pub, perch rva, Perly's, Peter Chang's, peter changs richmond, piknik, Pop's Market on Grace, proper pie, rappahannock richmond va, rappahannock rva, restaurants, restaurants richmond va, River City Roll, roosevelt richmond va, Sabai, Secco Wine Bar, sidewalk cafe, social 52 richmond, southbound richmond va, starr hill richmond, stoplight gelato, Strangeways Brewing, sugar shack donuts, sullivans, tazza, The Answer, the daily, The Jasper, the treat shop, Tio Pablo, tje veil, to go restaurants richmond va, Triple Crossing Beer, Union Market, Väsen, where to eat richmond va, wpa bakery, ZZQ

The current situation may be tough on local business, but many restaurants in Richmond are opening up options for delivery and pickup orders to help get past the worst weeks of this pandemic. Here’s how you can help, while scoring delicious eats in the process!

While people are purchasing mass quantities of toilet paper, baby wipes, and frozen chicken, it can be tempting to lock yourself in your house and make meals with what you already have. But when you’re craving your favorite local dishes, restaurants in Richmond have a safe way to bring them to you: with pick-up and delivery, it’s still possible to enjoy the city’s best dining without the worry. Now more than ever, it’s time to support our local businesses however we can. 

We’ve gathered a list of Richmond restaurants that are open for business with new takeout and delivery options during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listings will be updated as more information becomes available. In addition to using these safe avenues to support local business, many locals are also purchasing gift cards to help restaurants through the closures. It’s a great way to show your support now — and still be able to go out to eat when life calms down. Many included have shortened their operating hours, so be sure to order within their updated time frames for pick-up and delivery. 

Check out your favorites here, and if you’re a local restaurant owner, reach out to us at [email protected] to have your spot added below. 

Last Updated 11 AM Tuesday, May 5. No longer being actively updated as of 6/1.

DELIVERY & CARRYOUT OPTIONS AVAILABLE
These establishments — listed in alphabetical order for easy searching — are continuing with, or even adding, carryout and delivery options. Specific details listed with each business.

8 1/2
Church Hill location open (one customer permitted inside at a time). delivery through Quickness. Fan location closed indefinitely.

821 Cafe
To-go orders and delivery available. Open Wednesday- Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-2pm. Menus for ordering options available here.

Ardent Craft Ales 
Curbside pickup and delivery available. 

Assante’s Pizza
Open regular hours (11am-3am) for takeout and delivery.

Barcode
Open regular hours. Takeout available, delivery through Grubhub.

Barrel Thief Wine Shop 
Pickup and delivery both available. 

Beauvine
Everyday 11am – 1am Takeout, Curbside, Delivery. Offering bottle beer, wine, and more. Call 804 -592-5592 to order.

Belmont Pizza 
Pickup and delivery both available. 

Big Herm’s Kitchen
Open Mon-Fri 11am-6pm for takeout and delivery. Order by phone or through Chop Chop, QuicknessRVA, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and EatStreet. Catering orders available. People wishing to support the restaurant can also purchase gift certificates and merch including hoodies, skullcaps, and pajama day shirts.

Bingo Beer Co
Pickup and delivery both available. 12-8pm daily, offering three delivery zones (check them out here) within 12 miles of their location in Scott’s Addition. Order on their website or directly through the link here.

Bryant’s Cider
Open for takeout Fridays 6-8pm, and Saturday-Sunday 3-5pm. Curbside pickup available. Delivery available through website beginning April 1.

Burger Bach Carytown
Open Sunday-Thursday 12-8pm, Friday-Saturday 12-10pm. Delivery from the restaurant directly.

Burger Bach Midlothan, Short Pump, Charlottesville, Durham
12-8pm every day. Curbside carryout, online ordering, and delivery. DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats ordering available.

Buskey Cider 
Open Monday-Friday 3pm-7pm and Saturday-Sunday 12pm-7pm for to-go pickup and free delivery within 15 miles of cidery.

Buz & Ned’s 
Open 11:30am-2:30pm and again 4:30-8pm. Curbside pickup available at West Broad location, pickup from express window at Boulevard location. Delivery available from Grubhub and Postmates.

Cafe Zata
Takeout available, delivery options thru UberEats and Eat Street.

The Camel
Taking orders over the phone for takeout or curbside pickup. Delivery through GrubHub, UberEats, DoorDash and EatStreet. Full menu, growler fill ups, and packaged beer to-go available. New hours are from 3 – 10pm.

Capitol Waffle Shop
Open for takeout and delivery, Monday & Tuesday 9am-2pm, Wednesday through Sunday 9am-8pm.

Carytown Burgers & Fries
Open for takeout and delivery, including beer, at Carytown and Lakeside locations. Order through website.

Casa Del Barco 
Reopening downtown location Friday, March 27 for takeout and delivery. Open 12pm-9pm.

Casa Grande
Locations in Short Pump, on West Broad St near Parham Rd, and on Brook Rd near Virginia Center Commons, are currently open for takeout and delivery from 11am-10pm Mon-Thurs, 11am-11pm Fri-Sat, and 11am-9:30pm Sunday. Takeout orders can be placed through their website. Delivery available through DoorDash.

Casa Italiana
Open daily 11am-8pm for curbside pickup and delivery.

Cobra Cabana 
Pickup and delivery both available. 

Conch Republic Rocketts
Open for takeout from 11:30am-8:30pm, and for delivery from 11:30am-7:30pm. Employee delivery is available if you call the restaurant directly at (804)226-6242, or you can order through Uber Eats.

The Daily 
Open for carryout and delivery. Offering delivery through ChopChopRVA, from both Short Pump and Carytown locations. Hours generally 12-8pm but check Facebook for updates.

Diamond Billiards
Offering curbside delivery of our full menu Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00am-7:00pm. (804) 794-8787

En Su Boca
Open every day noon-midnight for takeout and delivery. Curbside pickup available. Offering bottle beer, wine, and House margarita mix. Call (804)359-0768 to order.

Garnett’s Cafe 
Takeout and delivery only. Order online at website.

The Grapevine
Open regular hours. Takeout and delivery available.

Growlers To Go 
Boulevard location open afternoons, Thursday through Sunday. Short Pump location open afternoons, Tuesday through Sunday. Limited taps available. Offering curbside pickup. Delivery available 3-8pm every day; order through website.

GWARBar
Open for takeout and delivery 11am-10pm. Beer and wine available for pickup.

Helen’s 
Open for takeout and delivery Tuesday-Saturday 5-9pm. Limited menu available, updated weekly. Call (804)358-4370 to order.

Home Sweet Home
Pickup and delivery both available. Call 804-355-9000 to order pickup, and delivery orders can be placed through Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash, and Chop Chop RVA.

Home Team Grill
Fan location: Takeout and delivery available through DoorDash and Grubhub. 12-7pm daily hours.
Twin Hickory location: Takeout with Curbside and delivery through Doordash. 11:30am-8pm daily hours.

India K’Raja
Takeout and delivery available.

Isley Brewing Company 
To-go orders, delivery within 10 miles of brewery. 

Izzy’s Kitchen
Open for pickup from 11am-3pm and 5-7:30pm. Curbside pickup available. Delivery available through Chop Chop RVA.

Julep’s New Southern Cuisine
Opening for takeout and delivery with updated menu starting Tuesday, March 24. Hours will be 11am-5pm Monday-Saturday. Delivery available within 10 mile radius.

La Bamba Mexican Restaurant
To-go orders available including beer. Use parking lot and call to notify staff of your arrival. Delivery available through EatStreet.

Latitude Seafood Co.
Both locations open for carryout and delivery. Stony Point location open from 12-8pm, Westchester Commons from 4-8pm. Delivery available directly or through ChowNow, Grubhub, and Doordash.

Legend Brewing Co.
Open 12-8pm daily with to-go craft beer and food specials. Curbside pickup available, free delivery to Manchester and Forest Hill areas. Menu on website; call (804)232-3446 to order.

Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery 
Open Monday-Friday 2-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 12-7pm. Drive-thru curbside pickup, delivery, and shipping throughout Virginia and some other states (check website for info on shipping out of state).

The Local Eatery And Pub
Open for curbside pickup and delivery 12-7pm seven days a week. Limited menu viewable on facebook page. Call (804)358-1862 to place an order.

Luther Burger
Open for takeout and delivery. Curbside pickup available. Hours and menu subject to change, check Facebook for current info.

Maldini’s
Open regular hours; 11am-10pm Sunday-Thursday, 11am-11pm Friday-Saturday. Curbside takeout, family-style dining options available as well as regular menu. Delivery in-house or through Uber Eats, Doordash, and Slice.

Mama J’s Kitchen
Carryout and delivery available; call or order through website in advance for carryout. Delivery available through Doordash and Postmates.

McCormack’s Whisky Grill
Open daily from 11:30am-9pm for takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery. Limited menu — check Facebook for available options.

Mellow Mushroom 
All local locations open 11am-8pm for takeout and curbside pickup. Delivery orders available online only.

Mojo’s 
Pickup and delivery both available. Employee support fund at GoFundMe.

Nama
Open for carryout and delivery Tuesday-Sunday 4-9pm. Two deals available that donate 15 percent of proceeds to Richmond Animal League.

Piccola Italy
Takeout available strictly from takeout window on Harrison St. side of building. Delivery continues with usual hours and ordering process. Call 804-355-3111 to place all orders until further notice.

PikNik 
Open 3-9pm daily for takeout and delivery. To order, call (804)729-4693.

Pizza Express Westend
Open for curbside pickup and no-contact delivery, Sunday-Thursday 10:30am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 10:30am-11pm.

Postbellum
Open 4pm-9pm Wednesday-Sunday for takeout. Curbside service available. Limited menu available for delivery through Uber Eats and Doordash.

Rappahannock RVA 
Open 12-8pm daily for takeout and delivery. Call (804)545-0565 or order online through Grubhub.

Root Stock Provisions
Open for takeout Thursday-Sunday 8am-2pm. Delivery available through Uber Eats.

Roots Natural Kitchen
Open normal hours, for takeout only. Delivery available through third party delivery apps (Uber Eats, Doordash, Postmates).

SB’s Lakeside Love Shack
Delivery and takeout available.

Sedona Taphouse
Curbside pickup and delivery available. Bottled and canned beer, and wine served at 50% off to residents and businesses within a 5-mile radius of Glen Allen and Midlothian locations. $5 delivery fee. Family Meal Deal with two flat iron steaks, with two sides each and a bottle of wine for under $40. Monday-Thursday and Sunday 11am-8:30pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm.

Soul Taco
Both locations, Jackson Ward and Shockoe Slip, open for takeout. Orders can be placed through their website, or by calling in. Delivery available through Quickness, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates, and Grubhub. Cocktails and meal kits available; check their Instagram or Facebook for current info on types of kits and times available.

Station 2
Open 11am-midnight for takeout and delivery. Parking lot pickup available, delivery available through Uber Eats.

Sticky Rice
Open daily for takeout and delivery 11am-9pm. Curbside pickup available. Delivery available through Quickness.

Strangeways Brewing 
To-go beer orders only. Open 2-7 Monday through Friday, 12-7 Saturday, 2-6 Sunday. Curbside pickup available at both Dabney Rd and Scott’s Addition locations. Dabney Rd location also doing delivery Monday-Saturday. Order before 5pm for deliveries between 5 and 7pm that evening.

Sugar Shack Donuts 
Lombardy St and Parham Rd locations open for takeout and delivery 7am-2pm. Delivery via Grubhub and Uber Eats.

Switch
Wine, beer, and merch only. Open Tuesday-Sunday 1-9pm for takeout. Delivery from 4-9pm.

TGI Fridays
Five local locations accepting orders for takeout and delivery. Hours and ordering info through website.

Toast
Carryout and delivery available. Curbside pickup available by request. Delivery handled through Uber Eats and Grubhub.

Triple Crossing Beer 
Offering to-go and delivery options for beers. 

Union Market 
Dining room and bar temporarily closed, but full menu available to-go. Can be ordered online from UberEats (delivery fees have been waived for independent restaurants), or call in for pick up or for delivery through Quickness RVA. If you’re in the delivery zone for Quickness RVA, they can also deliver items from the market, including essentials, snacks, beer and wine. The market side of the business will remain open for shopping needs. 

Upper Shirley Vineyards
This Charles City-based winery is offering delivery to Richmond Tuesday through Friday, and curbside pickup at the winery from 12-3pm. To order, email [email protected] For directions, check their website.

The Veil 
Open for takeout 1-7pm Monday-Friday and 12-6pm Saturday-Sunday. Delivery available ($40 minimum) by emailing [email protected] Orders placed by 12 noon will receive same day delivery by 6pm; orders after 12 noon will be delivered the next day.

Weezie’s Kitchen
Open for takeout and delivery. Brunch menu available daily, all day. Hours are 12am-10pm daily. Delivery available through Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Doordash.

CARRY-OUT RESTAURANTS
These places are operating mainly on a takeaway basis, some with limited hours and/or menus. If you are making a to-go order, check on order-ahead options — they’re a good time-saver when available. This list is long, so again, they’re in alphabetical order for easy scrollability.

Alewife 
To-go only. 

The Answer Brewpub 
12-5pm Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday. A list of items available for purchase is available on The Answer’s Instagram. 

Baked RVA
This food truck is on the corner of 10th and Leigh streets in front of Barnes & Noble Monday through Friday from 7am-11pm, offering takeout pastries and baked goods.

Barrio Taqueria & Tequila
Limited menu with pick-up only via online ordering. Delivery coming soon. They were closed all last week, so check Facebook for updates on whether they’ve reopened.

Belmont Butchery 
Pickup available. Limit 3 customers inside butchery at a time.

Black Hand Coffee Company 
Open for takeout. Brookland Park location from 7am-1pm, Patterson Ave location 8am-2pm. Offering mobile order pick-up on the Cloosiv app. The instructions for this are on their Instagram: “Simply download the Cloosiv app, enter your info, allow your location to be shared with the app and you’re good to go.” 

Blue Bee Cider 
Curbside pickup available. 

Brenner Pass 
Curbside pickup available. 

Can Can Brasserie 
To-go only options available. 

Center of the Universe Brewing
To-go sales only with adjusted taproom hours. Curbside pickup available, park alongside the front curb and proceed to the front door. Patrons will stay outside, and COTU team will deliver orders to the front. All tips received will benefit the front staff during closures. 10% off all case purchases and a buy $50 worth of COTU gift cards and get $10 free promotion. Growlers can be filled (only with the purchase of a new growler). Kegs are available, ordering via email at [email protected] for availability and pricing. Gift cards are available here.

Chez Foushee
Offering curbside pickup between 4 and 6 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Preparing a set amount of food nightly; order by midnight the night before to avoid sellouts.

Chiocca’s
Open for takeout 12-8pm daily.

Commercial Taphouse
Open for takeout orders Friday through Sunday, and on Cinco De Mayo. Orders can be placed by phone beginning at 2pm and picked up at the restaurant between 5 and 8pm. See their Instagram for specific daily details.

Curbside Cafe
Full menu available for takeout 11am-10pm.

Diamond Billiards
Full menu available for curbside pickup Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm.

Dot’s Back Inn 
Open for takeout 11am-8pm daily. Limited menu available for curbside pickup.

Dutch and Company 
To-go orders available at website. Back door dogs available every Saturday.

Early Bird Biscuit Co
Takeout available at both locations.

Fallout
Open for takeout with curbside pickup, 6pm-midnight daily. No membership required. Call (804)343-3688 to order.

Final Gravity Brewing Co. 
To-go options available. 

Fine Creek Brewing Company 
To-go beers available for pickup. 

Galaxy Diner
Open for takeout 12-8pm. Working on setting up delivery — check back!

Garden Grove Brewing & Urban Winery 
Curbside pickup available. 

Gelati Celesti
Takeout is available with limited flavors posted on their website. Call order hotline at (804)200-0600 from 11am-8pm to place orders.

Hardywood 
Offering to-go orders of beers 2-7pm Tuesday through Friday, and 11am-4pm Saturday and Sunday. Place orders here.

Intermission Beer Company 
Curbside pickup available. 

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Bar 
Open 11am-10pm for takeout and delivery only. Curbside pickup available. Order through website.

Joe’s Inn 
Takeout available for curbside pickup only. Call (804)355-2282 to order.

Laura Lee’s 
Open for takeout 12-8pm. Order online through website.

New York Deli 
Open 11am-7pm for takeout. Offering online ordering through the Toast Takeout app, or call 804-358-DELI. For extra support, check out the “New York Deli employee relief fund” on GoFundMe with 100% going directly to the staff, set up by Trent Hazelwood.

North End Juice Co
Open for carryout only. Food industry folks who’ve lost income are offered a 20 percent discount and a free wellness shot.

O’Tooles 
Takeout only at both locations, Forest Hill and Midlothian. 

Oak And Apple
Open for takeout Thursday-Sunday 5-10pm. Curbside pickup available.

Perch RVA
Open 12-8pm. Take-out meals available with wine; order via Toast or by phone at (804)669-3344. Menus will be posted daily. 

Peter Chang
Takeout only. 

Proper Pie 
Takeout only. Limit of 5 customers in store at a time. 

The Red Door Restaurant
Open 11am-5pm Monday-Friday for, as their email to us put it, “to-go and double parking.”

River City Roll 
Open for takeout with curbside pickup 12-7pm daily.

The Roosevelt 
Open for takeout — order online from noon to 8pm at Upserve. Check Facebook for current menu and hours.

Rostov’s Coffee & Tea
Pick-up services from front and back doors, customers can call ahead to order (preferred payment via credit card over the phone when ordering). Walk-up ordering available. Pounds of coffee and bags of tea for sale, no brewed beverages during this time. “Joe-to-Go” available (8 cups of brewed coffee) if ordered when calling ahead, and cold brew concentrate pick-ups are available as well. All pens, credit card terminals, door handles, flat surfaces and more are sterilized regularly.

Sabai 
5pm-10:30pm. Offering take-out services only, curb-side pick-up is also available if preferred. 

Secco Wine Bar 
Online ordering and curbside delivery. “Secco Supper To-Go” includes two appetizers, two share plates, one dessert and one bottle of wine, tax and gratuity for $78.48. Menu and wine list available on Facebook. Offering pickup on cheese/charcuterie boards and will add more a la carte and retail wine options for pickup. 

Sidewalk Cafe
Offering curbside pickup of to-go orders from 11am – 6pm.

Southbound 
Takeout only. 

Social 52 
Takeout only. 

Starr Hill Richmond Beer Hall & Rooftop 
To-go beers available from the brewery. 

Stoplight Gelato and Cafe
Takeout only. 

Superstars Pizza
Open 11am-7pm daily for curbside pickup. Order at this link.

Tazza Kitchen 
Curbside takeout and drive-through pick-ups. 

The Treat Shop 
Curbside takeout available Monday-Saturday 9am – 7pm. All menu items except donuts will be available.

Väsen Brewing Company 
To-go only beer orders; crowler fills available. 

Wooden Spoon Cafe
Open for curbside pickup Monday-Friday 11am-6pm, and during Saturday brunch hours 11am-2pm.

WPA Bakery 
Takeout orders only. 

DIRECT DELIVERY 
These places are doing delivery only, either through particular apps or directly by the staff. We’ll give specifics in the listings (once again, alphabetical to aid in your search), as well as info on hour reductions.

Adarra 
Wine delivery available. Deliveries made Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoons. Email [email protected] to order.

Everyday Gourmet
This local catering company that also offers a weekly meal delivery service called WellFed. During social distancing, they’ll be doing contactless delivery through all of Richmond and their local communities including (but not limited to) Midlothian, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville, Ashland, Chesterfield, Goochland, Manakin Sabot. Low delivery fees (capped at $10 at the furthest distance). Delivering Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Offers bulk, family-sized selections, a breakfast menu, and freezer-friendly meals, along with special meals for the various diets of people in the area.

King Of Pops
King Of Pops are doing deliveries; an employee will bring pops to your door. Order by noon for same day delivery. Orders can be placed at kingofpopsstore.com

CLOSED


The following restaurants have closed their doors — most temporarily, a few permanently. This means total loss of income for these establishments — and all of their employees. Keep in mind that if/when these places return, they are going to need your help in a big way. We will list reopen dates when available.

23rd and Main 
Closed until further notice. 

3 Monkeys 
Closed indefinitely. 

3rd Street Diner 
Closed until further notice.

Bandito’s 
Closed temporarily. 

Bamboo 
Closed until further notice.

Boogaloos 
Closed until further notice.

Brunch 
Closed until further notice.

Capital One Cafe 
All locations closed temporarily. ATMs in vestibules are still open, ATMs located within cafe are closed.

Cary St. Cafe 
Closed until further notice. 

Citizen
Permanently closed.

Citizen Burger Bar 
Not to be confused with Citizen, above. Closed temporarily.

Crossroads RVA 
Closed indefinitely. Donate to Staff Relief Fund at GoFundMe.

Dogtown Brewing 
Closed indefinitely. 

Don’t Look Back 
Both locations temporarily closed.  Support the staff by joining the Don’t Look Back Club, which donates all profits directly to the staff during closures. Perks from DLB Club last an entire year after re-opening, with discounts and special items for all members.

F.W. Sullivan’s 
Closed for the foreseeable future. 

Fuzzy Cactus 
Closed for the foreseeable future. Events and shows cancelled through April.

Ipanema Cafe 
Closed temporarily — “on hiatus” in their words. 

The Jasper 
Closed for the foreseeable future. 

Kabana 
Closed temporarily. 

Lady N’awlins 
Closed temporarily. 

Little Nickel 
Closed temporarily. 

L’Opossum 
Closed indefinitely. Support fund for employees available on GoFundMe.

Lulu’s 
Closed until further notice.  

Lunch & Supper 
Closed temporarily.

Mekong Restaurant 
Closed temporarily. 

Millie’s Diner 
Closed until further notice. 

Penny Lane Pub 
Closed for “at least two weeks.” Check back at the beginning of April for updates.

Perly’s 
Closed temporarily. 

Pop’s Market on Grace 
Closed temporarily. 

Tio Pablo 
Closed until further notice. 

Do you need to update any of these listings, or add one from your restaurant? Email us: [email protected] We will update listings as soon as possible.

Richmond Restaurant Romance: Ideal First-Date Spots For Any Budget

Sarah Lucchesi | June 13, 2019

Topics: Carytown Sushi, Charm School, Comfort, First-date spots, Garnett's Cafe, Kitchen 64, Nate's Bagels, Pop's Market on Grace, Postbellum, Pupatella, richmond restaurants, Shyndigz

With beautiful weather and longer evenings upon us, the urge to find that summer romance (and a restaurant with outdoor patio seating) has never been stronger. Whether you’re still in school and rolling pennies to take out that girl from your BIO101 class, you’re working a 9 to 5 and can’t believe that guy from the office even agreed to go out with you, or you’ve run out of places to take your Tinder matches — there’s a spot in RVA for you. The awkwardness that comes along with a first date is somewhat inevitable, but here’s a rundown of some lovely places that will help take the edge off.

1. Garnett’s Cafe $

Picture this: You’re whisked away for a lunch date. You arrive at a charming café on a street corner and take a seat by the window to look over the menu. You and your date admire the classic décor and order a few sandwiches and sides, and then with a smile the waitress brings your meal out to you in a fully prepared picnic basket, so you can enjoy it in the park across the street. You and your date are able to munch on your meal and peacefully people-watch on Park Avenue, a perfect alternative pastime to get to know one another without having to play the “So, where are you from,” game. Garnett’s is a timeless and wholesome option that is sure to impress.

If a lunch date doesn’t fit your schedule, they offer an amazing date night special every evening after 6pm, featuring any two menu items and a bottle of wine or pitcher of beer for $30. If all goes well and you and your honey are craving something sweet, I’d encourage you to stick around and try a slice of one of Garnett’s homemade cakes or pies — especially if it’s the Hummingbird cake. Thank me later.

2. Nate’s Bagels $

Not everyone wants to sit down for a full-course meal on a first date, and it’s no secret that coffee & bagels are a universal language. Located on the corner of W. Cary Street and S. Allen Avenue, Nate’s Bagels has just celebrated their first birthday and is now happily serving fresh bagels, croissants, and sandwiches piled high with your favorite breakfast fixins’. They offer your usual bagels with seasonal spreads for $5, and the most expensive breakfast sandwich on the menu (Lox w/the works) is only $9, so you won’t be burning a bagel-sized hole in your wallet at this joint.

Order at the counter, find a table along the wall to sit across from your date, and sip some cold brew or freshly squeezed OJ. I’d go with the cold brew — after one cup of that stuff you could have a conversation with a brick wall. Nate’s is definitely a laid-back alternative to a whole evening ordeal. And I mean hey, it is a first date — if you share breakfast and it goes badly, at least you’ve got the whole day ahead of you to hunt down your next prospect.

3. Shyndigz $

I’m sure by know we’ve all heard of the larger-than-life desserts prepared fresh at Shyndigz Café, but did you know that on Wednesdays you can enjoy two delectable dishes AND get a bottle of wine to share for only $20? That’s right — and yes, of course it’s acceptable to skip dinner and head straight for dessert. With a low-lit dining area featuring all the aesthetically pleasing twinkle lights one could ask for, along with a patio filled with manicured plants and flowers, you can practically smell love in the air — or is that the buttercream?

Photo via Charm School/Facebook

4. Charm School $

With dessert on the brain, I had to mention the adorable ice cream parlor on W Broad St. that offers ever-changing flavors accommodating to any dietary restrictions out there (lactose intolerant folks welcome). Charm School is a wonderfully quiet place to have a cone and a conversation. It’s especially great for those casual situations where you don’t know if you’re really on a date-date, but you’re out of the house with another person so you can just eat ice cream and figure it out as you go. Not only will the smell of freshly-made waffle cones lure you in, Charm School will also toast a dollop of marshmallow fluff atop your scoops right before your eyes. C’mon, who doesn’t love a first-date goodnight kiss that tastes like ice cream?

5. Pupatella, a Neapolitan pizzeria $$

This brick-oven pizza place has a foolproof first date experience waiting inside. It’s a counter-style restaurant, so you and your crush can look over the menu before ordering at the register, then choose to sit wherever you’d like. All the pies are personal size, about 12 inches apiece, and are made fresh to order, with a lengthy list of possible ingredients, from your typical red sauce Margherita pizza to a decadent Burrata pizza with cherry tomatoes and an olive oil base. The only problem you’ll have with the menu is deciding which pizza to eat now and which to come back and get tomorrow.

There’s a full beer and wine list, featuring local beers on draft and wines ranging from your typical prosecco to too-Italian-to-attempt-pronunciation. If you know your date is a regular wino, I’d encourage you to order two pizzas, which will get you $10 off any bottle of your choice.

6. Pop’s Market on Grace $$

Pop’s Market is an ideal spot for the indecisive, offering numerous flavor-filled and homemade options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The counter-style joint, located blocks away from The National and the Richmond Ballet, serves up everything from deli sandwich classics featuring freshly-made bread to indulgent pastas & steak. Whether you’d like to split an Cuban sandwich and some hummus for a $15 lunch, or share a tapas board and try the Hanger Steak or Seared Scallops for a hearty $40 dinner, you’re sure to find something both you and your date will enjoy at Pop’s.

The open, inviting dining space is a refreshing change of pace from some upscale and intimidating restaurants where you might find similar meals. With a quiet and calm atmosphere, you can sit along the counter by the windows lit with twinkly string lights, or share a table and watch the kitchen doors in hopes that you’ll soon see your food round the corner.

Photo via Carytown Sushi/Facebook

7.     Carytown Sushi $($)

Sushi is a risky first date, as it’s one of those foods you either love or loathe, but this seeming hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant offers a deal that’s too good to pass up. Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 5-7pm, they offer half-off select rolls, including favorites like the California Roll, their signature Richmond Roll, the Sweet Potato Roll, and many more. You could pick three rolls off that menu for a whopping total of approximately $8. They also offer a full drink menu and PBR’s for only $1.

Of course, you can always go the high-roller route & order their beautifully stacked Chef Special rolls and a couple of Sake bombs; I suppose it depends on how much you like your date. The location couldn’t better, as it’s right across from the Byrd Theatre (much cheaper than a Regal Cinema), and along the Carytown strip of shops, which is perfect for an evening stroll with someone you barely know.

Photo via Kitchen 64/Facebook

8. Kitchen64 $$$

With lively menu and equally lively staff, Kitchen64 is a place you just can’t go wrong. In the Northside off Boulevard is this hidden gem serving up an array of foods you’ll drool over just reading about. Chesapeake Crab Chips, Greek Nachos, and Fried Green Tomatoes are just a few of their numerous appetizers to prepare you for the burger, seafood platter, or lamb chop entrée that await you.

The average cost for a decadent entrée or chef special is about $18, so while it’s not the cheapest option, the food is well worth the cost and sure to satisfy. A friendly ambiance with wide open dining space and a full bar provides just enough excitement to keep the date from going silent. With its close proximity to the Diamond and the Boulevard Square Movieland, your evening doesn’t have to end with dinner — but based on how full you’ll be, you may have to call it a night.

9. Comfort $$$

A southern-inspired simplistic menu featuring made-from-scratch meals in a homey and warm-feeling restaurant; what a perfect way to spend an evening. Order a drink from the “Hello, I’m Dolly” cocktail menu and peruse the delectable small plates and classics of southern cuisine that Comfort has to offer. Pulled pork, fried catfish, and sirloin are just a few of the favorites off the menu, and they all come with your choice of two sides. Really though, there’s only one choice to be made… because if you went to Comfort and didn’t experience their mac and cheese, you truly didn’t go at all.

Their classic entrées will run you about $20 each, but the best part of this place is that 100% of their net profits go to Feedmore, VA’s core hunger-relief organization. You can enjoy a nice dinner, get to know a special someone, and help feed children, all in one outing.

Photo via Postbellum/Facebook

10.  Postbellum $$$

This restaurant needs no description, just two words: Rooftop. Seating.

Everyday from 3:30pm til 2am (weather permitting), you can enjoy craft cocktails like the purple nurple or sunset punch, along with unique shareables that feature grilled quail and potato gnocchi, as well as entrees like honey butter fried chicken and even vegan chickpea fritters. For an app and two entrées you’re looking at about a $50-60 bill, but you can eat on a roof overlooking W. Main Street, which is like the adult version of eating a turkey leg on a ferris wheel. So, it’s money well spent.  

RVA businesses highlighted in NY Times’ ’36 Hours in Richmond, Virginia’

Amy David | September 29, 2016

Topics: belle isle, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Blue bones vintage, Brewer's Cafe, Huguenot Flatwater Park, james river, John Marshall House, Ledbury, Libby hill park, New york times, Pony Pasture, Pop's Market on Grace, rva businesses, Steady Sounds, Stella's, Sugar Shack Donus, Supper, Tarrants Cafe, The Veil Brewing Co., vmfa

We love when our local restaurants, shops, parks and businesses get noticed by others. More and more people are finding out something that we’ve known for a long time: Richmond is pretty sweet.
[Read more…] about RVA businesses highlighted in NY Times’ ’36 Hours in Richmond, Virginia’

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