Wendy’s guidebook
Our Favorite Walkable Restaurants
This is mostly a dinner list. But Can Can is always good anytime. And there are a ton of affordable lunch spots in Carytown. Virginia Museum also has a nice little cafeteria.
Just blocks away. This place is the bomb. Pricey; where we go for anniversaries and when marriage equality became legal. Amazing food and wine, funky setting with cool booths, romantic; small patio. This food is so good. Fills up fast. Make a reservation for sure.
32 locals recommend
Helen’s Restaurant
2527 W Main StJust blocks away. This place is the bomb. Pricey; where we go for anniversaries and when marriage equality became legal. Amazing food and wine, funky setting with cool booths, romantic; small patio. This food is so good. Fills up fast. Make a reservation for sure.
In Carytown, close. Clean design, California, vegan options, hip, big patio.
70 locals recommend
The Daily Kitchen & Bar
2934 W Cary StIn Carytown, close. Clean design, California, vegan options, hip, big patio.
In Carytown. Fairly pricey. French, visually lovely inside, even waitstaff look cool, beet salad is to die for, morning brunch is nice too. Really nice place for brunch, lunch or dinner. Consistently good. Photographs well. Just pretty in there.
77 locals recommend
Can Can Brasserie
3120 W Cary StIn Carytown. Fairly pricey. French, visually lovely inside, even waitstaff look cool, beet salad is to die for, morning brunch is nice too. Really nice place for brunch, lunch or dinner. Consistently good. Photographs well. Just pretty in there.
In Carytown, walkable. Affordable good Greek food. Great for lunch or casual dinner.
7 locals recommend
Greek On Cary
3107 W Cary StIn Carytown, walkable. Affordable good Greek food. Great for lunch or casual dinner.
Not so walkable unless you want to stroll the Fan District (which I highly recommend). We are vegan/vegetarian but this is still one of our favorite places. It's sort of in a grotto, so romantic and chill. Incredibly affordable for a really good meal. Get whatever the waitstaff recommends. Very inclusive place.
38 locals recommend
Ipanema Cafe
917 W Grace StNot so walkable unless you want to stroll the Fan District (which I highly recommend). We are vegan/vegetarian but this is still one of our favorite places. It's sort of in a grotto, so romantic and chill. Incredibly affordable for a really good meal. Get whatever the waitstaff recommends. Very inclusive place.
Walkable. A top vegan place. Best for lunch (but not a quick one as their food isn't rushed). Delicious. Nearby. Affordable.
12 locals recommend
Fresca on Addison
22 S Addison StWalkable. A top vegan place. Best for lunch (but not a quick one as their food isn't rushed). Delicious. Nearby. Affordable.
The fru-fru fancy restaurant on the third-floor of the art museum. Great seasonal cocktails. Pricey.
17 locals recommend
Amuse
200 N Arthur Ashe BlvdThe fru-fru fancy restaurant on the third-floor of the art museum. Great seasonal cocktails. Pricey.
Insanely good cheap barbeque. It's not a pretty walk, but you can walk there. BBQ is legendary.
15 locals recommend
Buz and Ned's Real Barbecue- Boulevard
1119 N Arthur Ashe BlvdInsanely good cheap barbeque. It's not a pretty walk, but you can walk there. BBQ is legendary.
BEST SUSHI. In Museum District. Totally walkable. Get the Robinson Roll. They will make it without eel if you ask. Me-tah and Crystal are the wait staff. Teeny, adorable place with great sushi.
17 locals recommend
Akida Japanese Restaurant
606 N Sheppard StBEST SUSHI. In Museum District. Totally walkable. Get the Robinson Roll. They will make it without eel if you ask. Me-tah and Crystal are the wait staff. Teeny, adorable place with great sushi.
Walkable, super affordable, huge portions. Two people can split a baked spaghetti.
71 locals recommend
Joe's Inn the Fan
205 N Shields AveWalkable, super affordable, huge portions. Two people can split a baked spaghetti.
Amazing, relatively affordable Cuban food. Great for brunch. Plan to wait. Get whatever the waitstaff recommend. Things with huevos are amazing. Their legendary Tres Leche cake was featured on the Food Network as being world-class. https://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/tres-leches-cake-0165399
Get a limeade too. Fresh made.
99 locals recommend
Kuba Kuba
1601 Park AveAmazing, relatively affordable Cuban food. Great for brunch. Plan to wait. Get whatever the waitstaff recommend. Things with huevos are amazing. Their legendary Tres Leche cake was featured on the Food Network as being world-class. https://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/tres-leches-cake-0165399
Get a limeade too. Fresh made.
It took me living here 20 years to go to Commercial Taphouse and Grill because I'm not at all a beer person. But I ate there this week and, WOW, really quality Mexican food! The new, revised menu is "Traditional Mexican food and American Pub food created with love and meant to be enjoyed together." I had the carnitas bowl and it was amazing. Affordable. Stellar fries. And every beer imaginable on tap. I'll be going back with my family. It's definitely a dimly-lit pub atmosphere (if you have kids) but the food is great.
8 locals recommend
Commercial Taphouse and Grill
111 N Robinson StIt took me living here 20 years to go to Commercial Taphouse and Grill because I'm not at all a beer person. But I ate there this week and, WOW, really quality Mexican food! The new, revised menu is "Traditional Mexican food and American Pub food created with love and meant to be enjoyed together." I had the carnitas bowl and it was amazing. Affordable. Stellar fries. And every beer imaginable on tap. I'll be going back with my family. It's definitely a dimly-lit pub atmosphere (if you have kids) but the food is great.
Neighborhood Markets & Grocery Stores
Picture-perfect neighborhood market. Delightful and the walk there is even better. Avocados are always fresh. This is a mystery to us. Get the avocados here always.
19 locals recommend
Shields Market
206 N Shields AvePicture-perfect neighborhood market. Delightful and the walk there is even better. Avocados are always fresh. This is a mystery to us. Get the avocados here always.
Adorable market that wants to be Shield's Market when it grows up. If what you need isn't at Shield's try this place. It's just as close.
19 locals recommend
Strawberry Street Market
415 Strawberry StAdorable market that wants to be Shield's Market when it grows up. If what you need isn't at Shield's try this place. It's just as close.
The Fresh Market
10 N Nansemond StPricey great grocery story; high-end.
Huge, affordable groceries. I hate the parking lot with a passion. I shop here all the time. I sort of hate it. It will have anything you could ever want.
140 locals recommend
Kroger
1601 Willow Lawn DrHuge, affordable groceries. I hate the parking lot with a passion. I shop here all the time. I sort of hate it. It will have anything you could ever want.
A bit of a drive to an insane German grocery store with incredibly affordable prices and a great bakery. They play good music too. Mostly quality house brands.
9 locals recommend
Lidl
5110 S Laburnum AveA bit of a drive to an insane German grocery store with incredibly affordable prices and a great bakery. They play good music too. Mostly quality house brands.
Recreation & Parks
Stuff to see and do
Carytown
Richmond's SoHo. Blocks from here.
There's a 1-mile cinder vita course here I use regularly. Three lakes. Feed the geese. Strike out for Shields Lake and Swan Lake at sunset for a win. Rent paddleboats at Fountain Lake (the closest lake) during summer. Public tennis courts.
82 locals recommend
Byrd Park
600 Lakeview AveThere's a 1-mile cinder vita course here I use regularly. Three lakes. Feed the geese. Strike out for Shields Lake and Swan Lake at sunset for a win. Rent paddleboats at Fountain Lake (the closest lake) during summer. Public tennis courts.
Buttermilk Trail
Buttermilk TrailCool, easy urban hike along the James River.
Best public park in RVA. Best place to picnic. Lovely vistas. Richmond's Central Park. A gilded age mansion and its grounds gifted to the city. I became engaged in the Italian Garden. Japanese Garden requires a lot of steps; worth the trip. Bear habitat is among the best in any zoo anywhere. If you have kids, consider the Animal Farm entrance instead of Hampton Street. I wrote the website for Maymont almost 20 years ago. Little of that probably remains.
259 locals recommend
Maymont
1700 Hampton StBest public park in RVA. Best place to picnic. Lovely vistas. Richmond's Central Park. A gilded age mansion and its grounds gifted to the city. I became engaged in the Italian Garden. Japanese Garden requires a lot of steps; worth the trip. Bear habitat is among the best in any zoo anywhere. If you have kids, consider the Animal Farm entrance instead of Hampton Street. I wrote the website for Maymont almost 20 years ago. Little of that probably remains.
One of many legendary "pocket parks" in the Fan District alleys. This one is arguably the best. Get ice cream or a treat at the ice cream shop or market on adjacent Strawberry Street. Adorable slice of life in the Fan.
16 locals recommend
Scuffletown Park
418 Strawberry StOne of many legendary "pocket parks" in the Fan District alleys. This one is arguably the best. Get ice cream or a treat at the ice cream shop or market on adjacent Strawberry Street. Adorable slice of life in the Fan.
I put this here because it's your destination if you walk down Monument Avenue -- formerly the world's largest collection of 2nd place trophies. This statue is 1 mile from our house and has become a powerful symbol and community space since the Black Lives Matter movement transformed Monument Avenue. Take a walk down Monument and back.
10 locals recommend
Robert E Lee Memorial
I put this here because it's your destination if you walk down Monument Avenue -- formerly the world's largest collection of 2nd place trophies. This statue is 1 mile from our house and has become a powerful symbol and community space since the Black Lives Matter movement transformed Monument Avenue. Take a walk down Monument and back.
Park in the public lot, then take the scenic pedestrian bridge over the James River. Belle Isle is a fabulous loop walk. Wear grippy sandals or shoes to walk out among the rocks and the rapids. Don't swim in the rapid but there is a sandy beachy spot here you can wade into where the loop turns to come back. Some nice historic highlights (this island was a POW camp for Union soldiers during the Civil War, etc.)
276 locals recommend
Belle Isle
1 Belle IslePark in the public lot, then take the scenic pedestrian bridge over the James River. Belle Isle is a fabulous loop walk. Wear grippy sandals or shoes to walk out among the rocks and the rapids. Don't swim in the rapid but there is a sandy beachy spot here you can wade into where the loop turns to come back. Some nice historic highlights (this island was a POW camp for Union soldiers during the Civil War, etc.)
My husband is all about this bridge and takes visitors there. Walk over the James River with nice views of the city skyline. I don't think this experience tops Belle Isle, but he loves it. :)
43 locals recommend
T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
T Tyler Potterfield Memorial BridgeMy husband is all about this bridge and takes visitors there. Walk over the James River with nice views of the city skyline. I don't think this experience tops Belle Isle, but he loves it. :)
This is 20 miles from our apartment but a powerfully unique Civil War experience. The breastworks dug by Union and Confederate troops are still there, as if they just left. So many men died here and you can sense their ghosts. It's a lovely flat hike, shady in the summer. Signage shares historical events. This can be a short or long hike and options are clearly marked. Afterward, go to a local antique store where you can buy Civil War bullets by the handful.
Cold Harbor Battlefield Visitor Center
5515 Anderson Wright DrThis is 20 miles from our apartment but a powerfully unique Civil War experience. The breastworks dug by Union and Confederate troops are still there, as if they just left. So many men died here and you can sense their ghosts. It's a lovely flat hike, shady in the summer. Signage shares historical events. This can be a short or long hike and options are clearly marked. Afterward, go to a local antique store where you can buy Civil War bullets by the handful.
Favorite Museums, Culture & Entertainment
Incomplete list, but this is a start.
FREE, Open 365 days/year. A Top 10 Comprehensive Art Museum. Can't say enough good things. I've given tours here for 27 years. Ask me anything. Favorite galleries are American, Faberge, Impressionist (currently down). Special exhibitions have a cost.
494 locals recommend
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
200 N Arthur Ashe BlvdFREE, Open 365 days/year. A Top 10 Comprehensive Art Museum. Can't say enough good things. I've given tours here for 27 years. Ask me anything. Favorite galleries are American, Faberge, Impressionist (currently down). Special exhibitions have a cost.
Not free, but terrific exhibition about Virginia history and cool traveling exhibitions.
81 locals recommend
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
428 N Arthur Ashe BlvdNot free, but terrific exhibition about Virginia history and cool traveling exhibitions.
Great diversion if you have kids. Top location place to get a virus. :) Wash your hands before you leave and when you get home.
56 locals recommend
Children's Museum of Richmond
2626 W Broad StGreat diversion if you have kids. Top location place to get a virus. :) Wash your hands before you leave and when you get home.
Great museum for kids of all ages (i.e. adults). OmniMax theater if you want to get motion sickness during movies.
132 locals recommend
Science Museum of Virginia
2500 W Broad StGreat museum for kids of all ages (i.e. adults). OmniMax theater if you want to get motion sickness during movies.
Movieland at Boulevard Square
1301 N Arthur Ashe BlvdYou can actually walk to this. Nice movie theater.
BEST MOVIE THEATER EVER. Second-run movies in Carytown for $4. Sit in the middle for better seats. This is a landmark movie palace. This place is insanely awesome.
156 locals recommend
Byrd Theater
2908 W Cary StBEST MOVIE THEATER EVER. Second-run movies in Carytown for $4. Sit in the middle for better seats. This is a landmark movie palace. This place is insanely awesome.
VCU hired "star-chitect" Steven Holl to design its non-collecting art museum. Funky, progress, smart art.
44 locals recommend
Institute for Contemporary Art
601 W Broad StVCU hired "star-chitect" Steven Holl to design its non-collecting art museum. Funky, progress, smart art.
River City Roll
939 Myers StOverpriced hipster bowling, if you are into that. :)
Nearby coffee shops
Yummy, fattening biscuits. Neon sign says "Butter." Coffee is from Blanchard's and that is highly regarded but it always tastes burned to me. Homemade jams. Yummy specials. Caloric.
34 locals recommend
Early Bird Biscuit Co.
119 N Robinson StYummy, fattening biscuits. Neon sign says "Butter." Coffee is from Blanchard's and that is highly regarded but it always tastes burned to me. Homemade jams. Yummy specials. Caloric.
I know. I hate Starbucks too. But the coffee is the best within three blocks. It's so close.
69 locals recommend
Starbucks
400 N Robinson StI know. I hate Starbucks too. But the coffee is the best within three blocks. It's so close.
I hear this is great. I can never get a seat. Tiny place. Always packed. Carytown.
30 locals recommend
Sugar & Twine
2928 W Cary StI hear this is great. I can never get a seat. Tiny place. Always packed. Carytown.
Best choice for people who refuse to go to Starbucks. In the Museum District. Just cut through the parking lots between the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Historical Society (that has some new name I can't remember). You will pass two "Little Free Libraries."
37 locals recommend
Black Hand Coffee Co
3101 Patterson AveBest choice for people who refuse to go to Starbucks. In the Museum District. Just cut through the parking lots between the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Historical Society (that has some new name I can't remember). You will pass two "Little Free Libraries."