RVA Dining Guide: Where Richmond’s Business Owners Love to Eat
Richmond has earned its reputation as a haven for food lovers, attracting both visitors and locals to its diverse culinary scene. With countless exceptional eateries, deciding where to dine can be a delightful challenge. To make your choice a bit easier, we’ve asked local business owners—who are passionate supporters of fellow Richmond-owned businesses—to share their favorite RVA meals. Discover their top picks below and get inspired for your next dining adventure!
Jeff Plemons, The Flour Garden Bakery Jeff, the owner of The Flour Garden Bakery, loves the perfect combination of a hot dog from City Dogs, perfectly paired with a Falcon Smash IPA from Triple Crossing Brewery.
Christina Kern, Campfire & Co. Christina, co-founder of Campfire & Co., loves grabbing to go from the Fan’s 8 ½ to enjoy in Scuffletown Park.
Jaida Cureton, Jade Multicultural Salon Jaida, the master stylist and CEO of Jade Multicultural Salon, opts for the Shrimp Pesto at Grandstaff and Stein, Richmond’s own speakeasy located in Shockoe Bottom.
Meghan Brodie, The House Finch Meghan, owner and organizer at The House Finch, loves any of the orecchiette pasta offerings from Stella’s.
Lucy Trapp, Party Perfect Lucy, the owner of Party Perfect, can’t get enough of Hibachi Mobile, calling the mobile Japanese food peddler the best food truck.
Erin Keene, Second Bottle Wine Shop Erin, the owner of Second Bottle Wine Shop, looks forward to Focaccia Fridays at 8 ½ in Church Hill.
Allison Smith-Mackey, Pop of Confetti Allison, CEO and founder of Pop of Confetti, can’t pick just one, she loves both the Shrimp and Grits from Lillie Pearl on Grace Street and Crab Pizza at The Lilly Pad, the area’s only dining destination situated right on the river.
Noelle Parent, Blue Sage Bridal Noelle, owner of Blue Sage Bridal, enjoys a Sea Salt bagel with Salmon and Dill cream cheese from Chewy’s Bagels in Carytown.
Nicole Mason, Glean LLC and the Glean Network Nicole, CEO of Glean LLC, loves the Peach Cobbler at Lillie Pearl as a meal because why wait for the good stuff? But she also counts Mary Angela’s Pizzeria, Chef Mamusu’s Africanne on Main, and Jamaica House Oxtails as favorites.
Holly Peters, Papeterie Fine Stationery and Gifts Holly, owner of Papeterie Fine Stationery and Gifts, enjoys the comfort foods at The Savory Grain like Chicken Pot Pie and Tomato Pie.
Ashley Jefferson, Very Ashley Ashley, owner of Very Ashley, loves the macaroni and cheese found at many of The Lindsey Food Group restaurants, especially Lillie Pearl and ML Steak.
Thea Brown, World of Mirth Thea, owner of World of Mirth, enjoys the Lemongrass Tofu at Ginger Thai but (in true Richmond fashion) will always miss the fried chickpeas from Secco.
Chef Theresa Headen, Elegant Cuizines Restaurant Chef Theresa, the executive chef and owner of Elegant Cuizines on Grace Street, serves up clean, elevated West African fusion dishes. Her favorite? The vegan chicken made from oyster mushrooms.
Lester Johnson, Mama J’s Lester, owner and general manager of Mama J’s, enjoys a good burger from Carytown Burgers and Fries.
Jason St. Peter, Think Jason, creative director at Think, enjoys Carytown’s Zorch Pizza.
Sunny Goode, Lovevolve Sunny, founder of Lovevolve, savors Wild Mushroom Pasta at Enoteca Sogna in Bellevue.
Mark Brown & Christian Markow, Lost Office Collaborative Christian, co-founder of Lost Office Collaborative, is a big fan of the grilled chicken tacos from Chicken Fiesta and the Prince Edward Island Mussels at Helen’s, while fellow co-founder Mark appreciates anything at Blue Atlas.
