Food Scene
Richmond is a small city with a big-city palate. Over the past 10 years, the city has witnessed a restaurant renaissance much to the delight of area foodies. From Southern cuisine and fresh seafood to a menu of Mediterranean restaurants, we've got a little bit of everything, including a wealth of ethnic restaurants. Many restaurants capitalize on Richmond's proximity to small farms and the area's many farmers markets by featuring fresh, local—and tasty—ingredients.
New restaurants are opening all the time, taking the place of those that didn't strike the right chord with Richmonders. To read up on the latest trends and choose your dinner spot, check in with the reviewers from these local publications:
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Style Weekly runs a weekly Short List and publishes the annual State of the Plate report
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Richmond Magazine publishes monthly restaurant news and reports on the best new restaurants, while offering a searchable online dining guide
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The Richmond Times-Dispatch maintains an online database of Richmond restaurants
Doing Our Part
At the University of Richmond, we are doing our part to make the food scene even better by expanding our Culinary Arts Center in the region's West End. Richmond students, staff, faculty, and many community members enroll in one-time culinary arts courses that teach core cooking skills as well as full preparation of multi-course meals.
Farmers Markets
17th Street Farmers Market (downtown)
Mid-April through December
Thursdays 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Byrd House Market (downtown)
(804) 643-2717
May through October
Tuesdays 3:30–7 p.m.
The Market at St. Stephen's (closest to campus)
May through October
Saturdays 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
South of the James Market (southside)
May through November
Saturdays 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
West End Farmer's Market (far west end)
Late April through October
Wednesdays 3-7 p.m.
Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon
