Welcome to Richmond, VA
(aka RVA)
Here in RVA, The Agency is home to over 300 makers, thinkers, problem-solvers, dreamers, and believers. People whose jobs are just as interesting as they are, and every one of us is creative. We are in every walk of life and then some, and we’re better for it because we understand we need to have culture to impact it. This is a place where your talent will be celebrated and protected. We’ll fight for you the same way we fight invisibility; gloves off. We see you, and we welcome you! So while you’re here, we want to help guide you to some of our favorite and best-kept secret spots around the city. There is truly so much that makes Richmond great, and we want to make sure you fall in love with it as much as we are!
Where to Eat
LUNCH.SUPPER!
Many Richmonders opt for LUNCH.SUPPER! when they have out-of-town guests visiting because the menu focuses on classic Southern fare and American dishes in a homey and welcoming space (which makes it an excellent place to start!). Diners can sit inside the main restaurant (a rustic room adorned with quirky and ornate fixtures), on the spacious covered/heated patio, or next door at The Urban Roost, an adjoining space with a gas fireplace that also doubles as a private event area.
LUNCH.SUPPER! serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with their brunch menu available all day, every day. Menu items include chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, fried mac and cheese balls (pictured above), Southern-style charcuterie boards, boneless braised short ribs, shrimp and grits, and so much more.
Location: 1215 Summit Ave (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Perly’s
A popular pick from your fellow Martin Agency colleagues, Perly’s is a quintessential Richmond restaurant serving traditional Jewish cuisine with a modern spin. Every dish is made from scratch, including their famous matzo ball soup, potato and duck pierogies, and Jewish egg rolls, and their fish boards with bagels and cured meats are what brunch dreams are made of. With their Art-Deco interior and creative twists on classic dishes, this is a must-eat-here spot.
If that’s not convincing enough for you, Perly’s has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and was named one of America’s Best Jewish Delis by Food & Wine Magazine.
Location: 111 E Grace St (Downtown)
Hours: Found here
Union Market
This highly-rated neighborhood restaurant and market is always bustling,so you know it must be good (but spoiler alert, it’s great). Here you can take out housemade sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and sides, or dine in on their beautiful patio or in their cozy restaurant space complete with a bar! Their selection of craft beer and wine is impressive yet approachable, too.
On the other side, you can breeze through the market to pick up local, small-batch, premade foods and convenience items, including snacks, coffee, bread, produce, condiments, desserts, drinks, bath and body products, candles, gifts, and more.
Location: 2306 Jefferson Ave (Union Hill)
Hours: Found here
SNEAK PEEK >>
Keep Reading: 13 MUST-VISIT LOCAL MARKETS
Where to Drink
Roastology
This moody coffee shop and micro-roastery is full of rich wood and dark colors anchored by a gas fireplace and oversized seating, making it the perfect place to perch in the fall and winter especially. At the end of September, they released their Fall Equinox seasonal blend reminiscent of spiced sweet potato pie with hints of fresh, ripe plum and a syrupy, yet buttery, mouthfeel. Their suggestion: “Try sipping this coffee beside a crackling fire with freshly baked pie, or on a chilly, rainy morning with an intriguing book.” Say less.
In addition to custom blends available to sip in the shop or take home to brew yourself, Roastology offers creative lattes and espressos using flavors like cardamom, marzipan, fresh rosemary, cinnamon, cayenne, and more. Their café also offers pastries along with sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Look for their winter menu to drop in early December.
Location: 2701 W Cary St (The Fan)
Hours: Found here
SNEAK PEEK >>
Keep Reading: RICHMOND’S BEST COFFEE SHOPS, BY NEIGHBORHOOD
JewFro
Jewish food meets African flavors at JewFro, a culinary pop-up turned full-blown restaurant. Hoping to unite Black and Jewish communities, Owner William "Trey" Owens and Chef Ari Augenbaum offer unique twists on classics from both cuisines. And while many come for the food, they stay for the cocktails! Experienced mixologist and General Manager Paul Halstead oversees the beverage program, which features complex flavors often paired with magical flair. A cocktail menu staple, the Oshun's Potion, is a deep red color made with beet juice, coriander, and rosemary-infused tequila topped with a tableside smoke-inflated bubble begging to be popped.
During Hanukkah (the Festival of Lights), look for JewFro's eight nights of specialty cocktails. Pictured above is the First Light cocktail made with lemon juice, cranberry syrup, allspice liquor, and rye whiskey served with a flaming cinnamon stick. And nothing says holidays more than Jingle Belle, their woke holiday pop-up bar that makes everyone’s spirits bright. JewFro is just half a mile from Martin Agency, so round up your work buds and get toasty — err, we mean, make a toast!
Location: 1721 E Franklin St (Downtown)
Hours: Found here
SNEAK PEEK >>
Keep Reading: 10 OF THE BEST SPOTS IN RICHMOND FOR CRAFT COCKTAILS
The Answer Brewpub
Founder and Chief Beer Officer An Bui has gained international recognition in his years spent working at his family-owned restaurant, Mekong, a beloved Vietnamese eatery in Near West End. Founded in 1995, Mekong flourished into an award-winning spot for beer enthusiasts because of its wide variety of rare and international beers and expansive food menu.
After years of spreading his passion for craft beer to the local community and throughout, An decided to take things a step further. On September 2, 2014, he opened the doors to The Answer Brewpub, his very own craft brewery. Featuring 56 taps, two bars, and an exceptional stage area for live music, The Answer has become another means of An’s continuous vision to expand the Richmond beer community.
Location: 6008 W Broad St (Near West End)
Hours: Found here
SNEAK PEEK >>
Keep Reading: 100+ FUN AND SOBER ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY RVA
What to See
Canal Walk Murals
With a mission to support arts education for children in the Richmond region, the RVA Street Art Festival was born, organizing community-based events to raise funds and awareness. Through this initiative, dozens of local, regional, and national artists regularly descend upon RVA to showcase their talent and revitalize areas of the city needing a splash of color and creativity.
This year, RVA Street Art hosted its fifth festival at the Power Plant building along the Haxall Canal, aka the Canal Walk Murals, a five-minute walk from Martin Agency's office. This was the first location for RVA Street Art Festival 10 years ago, and it quickly became the largest and most visited outdoor art gallery in the city. This year, we said goodbye to the old artwork and made space for 11 artists to create new murals (and street art like this piece by Knitorious M.E.G.)! Throw your coat on and stroll down to the canal to check out this stunning art for yourself.
Location: 1201 Haxall Pt (Downtown, Canal Walk)
T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
One of the most iconic and photographed views of Richmond is experienced on the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge. If you only had 24 hours in the city, this would be a must-do! Erected in 2016, the bridge links Brown’s Island and the Manchester neighborhood with stunning views of the city skyline, the rocky river, and the trees changing colors along the riverbanks. It’s also a perfect spot to catch a sunrise or sunset, watch for birds, and walk or bike. The bridge is wheelchair accessible, as well.
Location: Brown’s Island access at S 7th St (Downtown)
Learn More >>
Keep Reading: TOP 5 TRAILS TO EXPLORE WITHIN RICHMOND CITY LIMITS
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
This year, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture unveiled a $30+ million renovation and expansion, transforming nearly two-thirds of the 250,000-square-foot building — the most extensive transformation in their 200-year history. VMHC boasts a brand new two-story entrance atrium, an immersive orientation theater, approximately 50% more exhibition space for an array of innovative and mesmerizing exhibitions, a new research library, community meeting and gathering spaces, an enhanced green space, and a new café and museum store — among other amenities (if you can even believe it).
Not sure which exhibits to check out? Start with Our Commonwealth, an in-depth, multi-sensory journey of the landscapes, foodways, industries, and people of Virginia's five major regions. Then make your way over to Cheers, Virginia! — a boozy tour through our state’s beverage history where you can explore how makers connect with and represent the people, places, and history of the Commonwealth.
Location: 428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Museum District)
Hours: Found here
Learn More >>
Keep Reading: EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS: 23 HISTORICAL & CULTURAL SPOTS TO VISIT AROUND RICHMOND
What to Do
Explore Scott’s Addition
Scott’s Addition is Richmond’s beverage district with 15+ breweries, cideries, meaderies, distilleries, and a winery, in the walkable 20-square block! But this booming part of the city also offers several local restaurants, a growing number of shops, a rooftop bar, a boutique bowling alley, a cinema, a shuffleboard bar, a theater, and two arcade bars. If you’re looking to spend the day bouncing around to a bunch of local spots on foot, this is the place for you!
Breweries: Isley Brewing Company, Ardent Craft Ales, Three Notch’d Brewing Company, Väsen Brewing Company, Strangeways Brewing, Bingo Beer Co., Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Main Line Brewery, Castleburg Brewery and Taproom
Cideries: Blue Bee Cider, Buskey Cider
Meadery: Black Heath Meadery
Distilleries: Cirrus Vodka, Reservoir Distillery
Location: The neighborhood is bounded on the south by Broad Street, on the east by Arthur Ashe Boulevard, on the north by the railroad tracks, and on the west by I-195 (map here).
Keep Reading: RVA NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE: NORTHSIDE
Incanto: An Oasis of Lyrical Sculpture
at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Reflect on your life path, the bounty of the Earth, the spirit of transformation, and more at the world debut of the one-of-a-kind immersive outdoor exhibit, Incanto: An Oasis of Lyrical Sculputre, the newest outdoor exhibition at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
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The five intricately designed allegorical sculptures, accompanied by poetry, invite a journey of self-discovery and connection with others and the natural world. This is the premiere exhibition of New York City-based sculptor Kate Raudenbush, with poetry by Sha Michele in a friendship born from the legendary Burning Man community.
The exhibition runs through October 29. Experience, again and again, both from day to night and as the season changes from summer to fall
Tickets: This exhibition is included with garden admission (free for garden members!) Get yours here.
Location: 1800 Lakeside Ave (Lakeside)
Hours: Open daily 9 am - 5 pm with special extended evening hours until 9 pm Wednesday through Saturday.
Tour Art Galleries
Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU
VCU’s Institute for Contemporary Art features several rotating exhibits to open dialogue and collaboration across the region and worldwide. This non-collecting institution showcases an ever-changing slate of exhibitions, performances, films, and special programs that translate our world into every medium. Admission is free and open to all. See their current exhibitions here.
Location: 601 W Broad St (VCU)
Quirk Gallery
Quirk Gallery hosts exhibitions from established and emerging artists alike. Pay a visit to their gorgeous gallery space, and then head next door to Quirk Hotel for a drink at the café or lobby bar.
Location: 207 W Broad St (Jackson Ward)
Artspace Richmond
This artist-run space hosts eleven new exhibitions annually throughout its five gallery spaces.
Location: 0 E 4th St (Manchester)
Where to Meet
Join a Group
This rapidly-growing social group is for any Richmonder in their 20s or 30s who wants to make some new friends. Founder Samantha Lydard regularly organizes events and gatherings via Facebook and Meetup, so check ‘em out and RSVP “Yes!”
Established in 2017, this free fitness grassroots movement founded its 35th group right here in RVA. “JUST SHOW UP! It’s really that simple” is their motto as they welcome people of various ages, abilities, and fitness levels. Their free workouts on Wednesdays at 6 am at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts are designed to challenge and encourage constant progress and improvement at your own pace.
HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Engage)
If you are looking for a place to meet and build relationships with other young professionals, access a variety of professional development opportunities, and plug into ways to impact the Richmond community, HYPE is the organization for you.
Urban League Greater Richmond Young Professionals
Urban League Greater Richmond Young Professionals — also referred to as Richmond YP — is a volunteer auxiliary that welcomes young professionals between the ages of 21 and 45 to empower communities and change lives. The Richmond YP's mission is to support the Urban League Movement through volunteerism, philanthropy, and membership development that is focused on education, health, housing, jobs, and justice.
Attend an Event
CreativeMornings is a free, global, monthly breakfast lecture series that takes place in 220+ cities in 67 countries, with our very own chapter here in Richmond! Each chapter creates a unique experience and dialogue centered around the same theme. Local creatives are invited to speak each month with the flexibility to approach the theme entirely through their eyes.
The concept is simple: breakfast and a short talk on the first Friday of every month. The event is free of charge and open to anyone. The goal is to inspire one another, support each other, collaborate, and forge relationships.
Buckle up because this event series holds nothing back, and it’s hella motivating. Sure, anyone can share their success stories, but how about all the failures that led them there? FuckUp Nights is another global movement with a chapter right here in RVA where speakers share their stories of professional failure — think: businesses crashing, partnerships going up in flames, product recalls, going broke, and more. It’s real, raw, and a reminder that we are all doing our best, and sometimes an idea just doesn’t work out. Learn from fellow professionals and sympathize (or empathize) with them, and then get ready to hit the ground running.
Image: Unsplash
Volunteer
HandsOn Greater Richmond provides a link for individuals, families, teams, and corporate groups to join together and engage in meaningful volunteer opportunities within the Greater Richmond region. You can search for volunteer opportunities within the City of Richmond and the Richmond region based on your availability, skills, who you wish to serve, and activity type.
