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One thing locals know for sure about brunch, Richmond style: it’s an art, and one that isn’t to be missed. When we travel, we’re always looking for places that serve great brunches or breakfast all day, and have noticed that there’s a density of these offerings in Richmond that just doesn’t exist elsewhere. On any given weekend day, there are tens of restaurants cooking up delicious brunch RVA style – from your classic eggs and bacon, to creative Benedicts, to innovative new takes on established brunch cocktails. And because there are so many places to enjoy the best meal of the day (we will fight the naysayers!) here, we decided that instead of looking for the best brunch in RVA, we’d look instead at the most unique, quintessential, best Richmond brunch restaurants by neighborhood. And then we added in a few extras because we couldn’t stand to see them off the list!

Richmond Brunch by neighborhood: The Fan

Helen’s

Helen’s has been a Richmond staple for almost a century. What started as a pharmacy around the turn of the 20th century then became a family-owned restaurant. The restaurant passed to the family’s most interested member, daughter Helen, and after her passing many decades later, it was renamed in her honor by her brother. Today, though this little hole in the wall diner is no longer owned by the original family, it has retained much of its original soda fountain charm (and fixtures – we love a tin ceiling!) and managed to stay relevant through all of the growth and development that Richmond has seen in the last several decades, including surviving the pandemic. Their menu has shifted a bit in the last couple of years (I’m still mourning the loss of their baguette French toast 😭) but this Richmond classic is still unmissable.

Bamboo Cafe

Bamboo lives on this list because it, too, is a fixture in the Fan, right up there with Curbside and Sidewalk Cafe. Its menu is short, sweet, and fairly basic, but just about every Richmonder we’ve ever spoken to agrees that the cocktails, ambiance, and staff make this spot a worthy of inclusion on the best brunch in RVA list. They also happen to serve a pretty late brunch, with the menu being available until 4pm, so if you got a rough start, or if you’re just looking for an extra serving of breakfast in the afternoon, Bamboo is your spot.

Richmond Brunch by neighborhood: Church Hill

Millie’s Diner

Millie’s is one of the most popular brunch spots in Richmond, and has been for as long as we can remember (literally, it’s as old as Luke!). Located in the historic Church Hill neighborhood, this cozy diner offers a delicious selection of breakfast and lunch dishes. From traditional eggs, bacon, and toast to unique creations like their famous Breakfast Burrito, Millie’s has something to satisfy everyone’s tastes. They also have a rotating selection of sweet and savory pastries, as well as signature cocktails, beer, and wine. The bagel with lox and cream cheese was delicious, and Luke enjoyed his benny, per usual. We even got to roll a D20 die a couple of times to choose a random shot 🤣 Beware though: if you don’t arrive fairly early, you’ll likely have to contend with quite a line!

Liberty Public House

Liberty Public House, located in Church Hill, is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious brunch. The restaurant offers a variety of classic brunch dishes, as well as unique items such as their signature Breakfast Burrito. All of their dishes are made with fresh, local ingredients and are sure to satisfy any brunch cravings. The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting, and the staff is friendly and attentive. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try their Bottomless Bloody Mary bar – offering all the fixings to create your own boozy masterpiece. Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast or a leisurely lunch, Liberty Public House may be a more recent addition to the best brunch in RVA list, but it perfectly exemplifies the vibe of the neighborhood and is fast on its way to becoming a modern classic.

418A North 25th St (Located in the ground floor of the East End Theater)
https://thelibertyrva.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thelibertyrva/

Richmond Brunch by neighborhood: Downtown/Monroe Ward

Tarrant’s

When you visit Tarrant’s, you feel a little like you’ve just stepped back in time. In 1905, the building was acquired by William Tarrant, who turned it into a drugstore that was run by him and then by his son up until 1987. The restaurant has we know it has been in this spot for 13 years, and has become a notable part of the food scene here. Many of the older features remain in the dining room and bar, and they help remind us what an ever-changing city Richmond is and has always been. On the menu, you’ll find everything from classics to newer takes on them – cheddar grits, to breakfast pizza, to traditional eggs Benedicts. We love Tarrant’s and don’t even mind driving from Southside to get there.

Perly’s

Perly’s is a vibrant restaurant located in Richmond’s Monroe Ward neighborhood. This restaurant is a great spot for brunch, serving up a wide selection of dishes including breakfast classics and creative dishes alike. Their brunch menu features a variety of dishes such as their signature Fried Chicken and Waffles, Eggs Benedict, and Huevos Rancheros. The restaurant also offers a selection of delicious sides and desserts, as well as signature cocktails and craft beer. The atmosphere is lively and cheerful, and the staff is always friendly and welcoming. Whether you’re looking for a hearty brunch or a leisurely lunch, Perly’s is the perfect spot to be. From the delicious food and signature drinks to the lively atmosphere and friendly staff, Perly’s is sure to make your brunch experience an unforgettable one.

Richmond Brunch by neighborhood: Lakeside

SB’s Lakeside Love Shack

SB’s Lakeside Love Shack gives Fan vibes in Lakeside, with a dash of beach town chill thrown in for good measure. And you won’t find anything too shocking on their menu, which is often exactly what we want from brunch: reliable comfort and tastiness. But what SB’s also does is put special little twists on their dishes (and we’re not just talking about the fun names!). Even better? Breakfast is served all day until 2pm, when they close up for the day. So you can get a late start and still enjoy the French toast du jour, their weekly themed specials, or a particularly tasty breakfast sandwich.

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Hobnob

Hobnob is still fairly new to the Richmond restaurant scene, but it has fast become one of our favorite places to eat. The last time we were there, we split a dish of lemon curd fritters with a homemade strawberry jam topping, and then Luke ordered the chicken and waffles, and I got the asparagus quiche with fresh fruit and a side salad, plus a couple of tasty cocktails. It wasn’t super busy yet, so we had a nice, quiet brunch, which was a lovely way to start our day. We also took a minute to look over their dinner menu and were pleasantly surprised to see that their offerings are very accessible – nothing TOO crazy – but also just as elevated as their brunch. We can’t wait to go back!

Richmond Brunch by neighborhood: Scott’s Addition

Brunch Jr + Lunch.Supper!

Uniquely enough, Brunch Jr and Lunch.Supper! are two attached restaurants that pretty well function as one. The difference is that Brunch Jr is now focused solely on serving brunch foods, whereas its sister spot leans more heavily into bringing classic but elevated Southern dishes to the other meals of the day. Brunch Jr is a first come, first serve joint serving up an array of brunch-friendly sandwiches, as well as new spins on old classics like spiced cornflake-dusted French toast, and pork belly with collards. Though Brunch Jr has an outdoor area and bar, both Brunch Jr and Lunch.Supper! get packed quickly, since they’re both fairly small inside, so make sure you get there early, or that you’re flexible enough to sit outside or at the bar when something finally does open up.

Moore Street Cafe

While Brunch Jr might bring some new brunch hotness into Scott’s Addition, Moore St Cafe is THE spot for a classic, no frills, brunch-lover’s brunch. We’re talking dishes smothered in sausage gravy, stacks of pancakes, and omelets for days. And the French toast is chef’s kiss (yes, I talk about French toast a lot, okay?). The portion sizes are normal-to-large, the quality is consistent, the decor is a little kitschy in a nostalgic sort of way, and you feel like you’ve just walked into your neighborhood breakfast spot, even if you’re from a reasonable driving distance away. And over 1k glowing reviews on Google show that we’re not alone in our admiration for this Scott’s Addition staple!

Okay, we lied a little.

Best brunch in Richmond, unique offerings regardless of neighborhood

Luke and Meagan eating hand pies at Proper Pie
River-City-Food-Tours-New-Zealand-hand-pies-from-Proper-Pie

Proper Pie (Church Hill)

This is easily one of the best restaurants in Richmond, and it’s also one of the most unique. When the owners moved here from New Zealand, they lamented that hand pies like the ones they had at home weren’t available in RVA. So… they decided to make them. Every dish at Proper Pie is, in fact, a pie – savory hand pies, sweet traditional pies, you name it, they have it. And pertinent to this story is the fact that they also have delicious breakfast/brunch hand pies, complete with eggs, bacon, sausage, and more. They also offer gluten-friendly and vegan-friendly options, so you can still enjoy your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert without upsetting your very full stomach, and the hand pies all come in color-coded bags so you know which meat (or not meat) is which before you bite in. We’ve definitely been known to get their curry hand pies, chicken and leek, and a few others for brunch. And, another plus, you can pop across the street to a small park with plenty of benches to each your delicious meal with a dose of vitamin D.

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The Jefferson (Monroe Ward)

The Jefferson is a modern restaurant in Richmond’s Monroe Ward neighborhood. This chic spot offers a stellar buffet brunch featuring all your favorite breakfast dishes. The brunch menu also has a wide selection of creative cocktails, from mimosas to Bloody Marys and beyond. The atmosphere at The Jefferson does a great job of harkening back to the Gilded Age opulence it was built in, but with significantly fewer corsets and snobbery, and significantly more delicious food. Not only is the food flavorful and fresh, but the staff is friendly and helpful. Whether you’re looking for a unique brunch experience or just a place to enjoy a delicious, upscale meal, The Jefferson is the spot to be.

Godfrey’s (Monroe Ward)

First of all, we hope y’all know by now that if there are two things we love in life, it’s brunch and a good performance. And we love our local performers, whether they be drag, burlesque, or something else unique and beautiful. Which is why we think Godfrey’s RVA is the perfect place to enjoy a fabulous drag brunch Richmond VA style. While this isn’t San Francisco, New York, Key West, or any of the other metro hubs where the art of drag reigns supreme, it’s undeniable that Richmond does have its own drag scene, and it’s one you shouldn’t miss.

Located in the popular Monroe Ward neighborhood, Godfrey’s is a great spot to gather with friends and family for a special brunch. The brunch also features a bottomless mimosa option so you can enjoy a never-ending supply of bubbly. During the drag performance, you’ll be treated to a variety of musical numbers and acts. The performers are sure to keep you entertained and laughing throughout your meal.

Hotel Greene (Monroe Ward)

We walked past Hotel Greene several times before realizing that is not, in fact, a hotel. When you first walk inside, you’re greeted with a whole bunch of impressions at once – first, you think this looks almost like a train station, with its high, warehouse ceilings. Then, you see an unmistakable hotel check-in desk, and lobby-style seating. Once you finish your check in, you can’t help noticing a really lovely, Art Nouveau-styled bar just to your right. And finally, when you’re seated, you feel like you’re in something like a European cafe. The food is tasty and bright, the cocktails are solid, and the best part hasn’t even started yet. After you finish eating, you’ll be called up to the desk to pick out your putter and your ball, because you’re about to complete 18 holes of indoor mini-golf. And you’re more the welcome to not only bring your drink with you, but they make it easy to order refills as you make your way through this whimsical, artist-designed course. It’s almost disorienting when you walk outside and realize you’re still in the middle of the city!

Sub Rosa Bakery (Church Hill)

Richmond has a whole slew of delicious bakeries, many with different specialities, presentations, or settings. But Sub Rosa, in the heart of Church Hill, is utterly unique in that it’s the only bakery in Richmond where every pastry and every loaf of fresh bread is baked in a giant wood oven and using flour they mill themselves. Regardless, despite how different the methods may seem, Sub Rosa has one of the best croissants in Richmond – and, dare we say, one of the best croissants we’ve tasted outside of France. Their pain au chocolat is not to be missed, but neither are their fig and cheese pinwheels, or their cherry and pistachio pastries. Or any of their other treats, honestly. And you know Richmond agrees when, many days, Sub Rosa closes before their stated hours because they’ve completely sold out. The good news is you can order ahead if you can’t get there early. And even if you miss the pastry of your dreams, you can still enjoy a truly fabulous cup of locally-roasted coffee. Truly a win-win! Just keep an eye on their Instagram so you know what sort of selection and hours to expect.

Grandstaff and Stein (Shockoe/Church Hill)

In addition to French toast, one of my other main interests in life is 1920s/1930s fashion (vintage fashion, not vintage values! 💜) and there’s no place else in Richmond where these two things collide quite as beautifully as Grandstaff and Stein. If you follow their social media, you’ll get a new password every week. And if you say that password to the front desk clerk at the very innocuous-looking store at Grandstaff and Stein’s address, they’ll show you the secret way into their back-room speakeasy. Here they host burlesque brunches on Sundays, and serve up delicious cocktails and brunch items all weekend. And never fear – the style may be dark and richly Art Deco (which, to be honest, is probably what we – I mean “I” – like best out of everything about this place), but the menu is modern and delicious, and the service is great. This is a special brunch in Richmond that you won’t want to miss out on… it’s truly the bee’s knees!

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