Richmond, Virginia

Richmond's dining scene is a rapidly evolving assortment of restaurants featuring everything from the trendiest epicurean delights to authentic international cuisine to traditional southern fare. As the downtown neighborhoods are renovated, more and more places are opening up to accommodate hungry Richmonders and visitors—especially those looking for something a little different. Additionally, the outlying suburbs are no longer areas where chains and fast food places reign. All sorts of eateries—from fine dining to casual pubs—have sprung up.

Downtown

The busy downtown area is home to several places to grab a quick bite on a lunch hour or for entertaining that important business client. Lemaire , at the magnificent Jefferson Hotel , is the ultimate dining experience—superb new southern cuisine in elegant surroundings. Europa Mediterranean Cafe offers everything from sandwiches and salads to more substantial entrees and is a fun place to stop after a long day for some sangria and tapas. Fast becoming a Richmond favorite is Casablanca, with its decor reminiscent of Rick's Cafe from the classic movie and innovative dishes named after the film's stars. For a casual relaxed atmosphere, the Penny Lane Pub serves up traditional pub fare and plenty of beer on tap to go with it. If you're out late and need something to eat, stop by the Third Street Diner . This 24-hour diner is famous for breakfast which is available anytime.

Shockoe Bottom

This is the place to be for Richmond nightlife. On Friday and Saturday nights many places have live music—from jazz to reggae to rock and roll. Havana '59 is a popular club serving up Cuban food and a Latin beat with plenty of outdoor seating for the warmer months. Cobblestone Brewery has Jamaican/Cajun fusion food and several microbrews including their own. Awful Arthur's and the Surf Rider Grill specialize in seafood but both have plenty of pasta and meat dishes as well, and for contemporary cuisine, None Such Place is a romantic restaurant with dark wood and candlelight.

Shockoe Slip

Many of Richmond's best restaurants can be found in this trendy warehouse district. The dining room at the historic Berkeley Hotel is known for their excellent food, impeccable service and serene atmosphere—the perfect spot for a special occasion. Sam Miller's Warehouse is one of the original establishments in this area and has remained popular for its prime rib and seafood and for the live music playing on weekends. The Tobacco Company is a local favorite. Three stories of artifacts and antiques surround diners as they enjoy traditional American fare in the renovated warehouse.

The Fan

The elegant Fan District with its stunning architecture and tree-lined streets is home to several great neighborhood restaurants. The opera-themed Caffe di Pagliacci presents homemade Italian specialties in a cozy dining room. Avalon and the Strawberry Street Cafe are casual bistro-style places great for a Saturday lunch or a weeknight dinner. But it is not all about food in the more laid-back Fan neighborhood—there are several places to hear live music including New-Orleans jazz and zydeco at Gumbo Ya Ya and rhythm and blues in Bogart's Back Room.

Carytown

Eateries like Farouk's House of India and Chopstix Vietnamese restaurant are fine examples of the diversity of this eclectic neighborhood. For wonderful breads and pastries, stop by Baker's Crust Bread Market—a fashionable bistro with a creperie—or visit Coppola's deli for hearty sandwiches. Richmond's finest Italian restaurant is located here as well; Amici Ristorante has received accolades from Bon Appetit and Southern Living magazines. After dinner, relax with a coffee at Coffee & Co. or one of the many sidewalk cafes along Cary Street.

Richmond's restaurant scene is continually growing to meet the needs and adventurous tastebuds of its population. While there is not the huge club presence like in larger cities, many places attract live bands to suit a variety of music tastes. Take a look at the Weekend section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch which comes out on Thursdays or pick up a free copy of Punchline.

With its colonial and Civil War history and modern-day museums and parks, Richmond is a city with much to offer the visitor. Many sections are easily walkable, but a car is necessary to reach some of the outlying areas. The city and surrounding area is easy to navigate and most attractions are well-marked. The Historic Downtown Richmond Ticket is a great deal for those who wish to visit several places of interest. They are available at many museums and visitors centers.

Tour One: Downtown Richmond

Begin at Capitol Square with the magnificent Virginia State Capitol , the oldest legislative house in the Western Hemisphere. In the enclosed park is the Executive Mansion , home to the Governor of Virginia and the Old Bell Tower which houses a tourist center where information on Richmond and Virginia can be obtained. The Old City Hall with its Victorian-Gothic exterior, is located at the northern entrance to the square.

One block up is Broad St. Turn right and then left on 13th St. to visit the Museum and White House of the Confederacy . A block west from here is the Valentine Museum with exhibits on the almost 400-year-old history of Richmond. The nearby John Marshall House –at 8th and Marshall Sts. has been restored to its original condition and contains memorabilia from the great Chief Justice who lived here until 1835. Head south on 8th St. to the corner of Grace St. to visit St. Paul's Episcopal Church , where Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, and Robert E. Lee, worshipped. Shockoe Slip - a restored warehouse district – is not far if a stop for a bite to eat or a little shopping is in order.

Tour Two: Church Hill and Eastern Richmond

Perhaps the most famous landmark in this area is St. John's Church where Patrick Henry delivered his famous line, "...give me liberty or give me death...," declaring his commitment to the cause of freedom from Great Britain. Eight blocks east of the church is one of the Richmond National Battlefield Park visitor centers. Housed in what was originally the Chimborazo Hospital for Confederate soldiers, it now contains exhibits, a bookstore and a film on the history of the battles around Richmond. Loop back towards downtown and make a stop at the Farmers Market – one of the oldest in the country dating back to 1740.

Tour Three: West Richmond

Jackson Ward, a thriving African-American community since the Civil War, is a good place for a walking tour. The neighborhood has the largest collection of castiron work outside of New Orleans. Be sure to visit the Maggie L. Walker residence, home of the first female bank owner, and the statue honoring Bill Bojangles Robinson. The Hippodrome Theater was host to many renowned performers from Jackson Ward including Lena Horne and Billie Holiday. Take Monument Avenue west, passing by the statues for which the street is named. Five Civil War heroes and local tennis legend, Arthur Ashe, are memorialized here. Carytown , with shops and restaurants, is not far away. Just take Malvern Avenue south to Cary Street.

Tour Four: Richmond Riverfront

Along the James River are two lovely homes: Victorian Maymont with its beautiful gardens and wildlife park, and the Tudor-style Agecroft Hall , built in 15th-century England and shipped across the Atlantic. Both houses have magnificent views of the river. Nearby is Hollywood Cemetery , final resting place of many historic figures including two presidents of the United States: James Monroe and John Tyler. Jefferson Davis, the only President of the Confederate States, is buried here along with one of his generals, J.E.B. Stuart and 1800 soldiers.

Tour Five: Colonial Heritage

Traveling southeast from Richmond, along the James River, are several 18th-century plantation homes open to the public. Among them are Evelynton , Berkeley , Sherwood Forest and Shirley Plantation . The plantation road leads directly into Colonial Williamsburg , the restored original capital of Virginia. Costumed guides lend an air of authenticity as visitors step back in time to the late 1700s. Jamestown is nearby with its replica of the fort that was built here in 1607 when the first settlers arrived in North America. Yorktown , site of the Revolutionary War victory, is also worth a visit.

If you would rather go with a guide, Historic Richmond Tours offers basic downtown tours as well as themed tours, which take in the battlefield, Hollywood Cemetery or the Church Hill district. Living History Associates lead walking tours with costumed guides and are also available for private tours.