17 of the best bar & restaurant patios in Richmond
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Who’s up for a patio party?
We’ve already published a guide to finding the right rooftop vibe for you in Richmond — so if you’re looking for an elevated outdoor drinking or dining option, we have you covered.
But if you’re looking to keep things ground-level, then this guide outlining Richmond’s top patios is for you.
Grab your patio-loving pals or pups, and head to one of these al fresco spots ASAP.
— contributions by Alicia Valenski, Bonnie Dunkel, and Kelsey Heintz
Open & Airy at Pinky’s
This spot has the classic Scott’s Addition industrial feel with a splash of Mediterranean inspiration. Enjoy the mouth-watering menu of tapas, mains, and sandwiches (or check in for brunch on the weekend), and relax on the open and airy — yet somewhat secluded — patio while you eat.
Address: 3015 Norfolk St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 11 am - 10 pm
Tropical Feels at Island Shrimp Co.
Both Island Shrimp Co. locations will transport you straight to paradise, but we’re particularly big fans of the new Rocketts Landing spot. Situated right on the James River, you can enjoy amazing views while sipping on their seemingly endless menu of beachy cocktails. Get to relaxing already — you’re OOO here.
Address: 11 Orleans St (Rocketts Landing)
Hours: Sunday - Saturday, 11 am - 10 pm
Canal Views (& People Watching) @ Casa Del Barco
The city’s historic Canal Walk stretches for about 1.25 miles along the James River and the Haxall and Kanawha canals — and Casa Del Barco’s Canal Walk location on 12th Street is perfectly situated for you to enjoy those waterfront views and plenty of people watching.
Plus, did you know they validate parking for up to 3 hours in the Troutman Sanders/Riverside on the James parking garage at 1001 Haxall Point? All you have to do is walk across the bridge or take the elevator to the lobby and walk across the canal bridge to Casa Del Barco’s front door. Just get a parking validation ticket from your server or the restaurant's host desk before you head out, and boom, you’re good.
Address: 320 S 12th St (Shockoe Bottom)
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 4 – 9 pm; Friday, 11 am – 11 pm; Saturday, 11 am – 12 pm; Sunday, 11 am – 9 pm
Reflecting Pool Views With A Side Of Culture @ VMFA
You have two dining options at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts:
The first is Amuse Restaurant, a fine-dining restaurant ft. upscale, seasonal dishes from Chef Greg Haley, which offers views of both the museum’s Robins Sculpture Garden and its Atrium.
The second is Best Café, which offers more casual fare (think a la carte items like soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as grab-and-go items), which also overlooks the Sculpture Garden and the reflecting pool.
Address: 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Museum District)
Hours: Saturday Tuesday, 10 am - 5 pm; Wednesday - Friday, 10 am - 9 pm
Dreamy Date Night Spot @ Sen Organic Small Plate
The only organic Vietnamese restaurant in Carytown, Sen Organic Small Plate uses local ingredients to bridge the gap between Vietnamese and French cuisine in an eclectic, cozy environment. This intimate patio, draped with string lights and greenery, would be perfect for date night!
Address: 2901 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Sunday - Monday & Wednesday - Thursday, 11 am - 9:15 pm; Closed Tuesday; Friday -Saturday, 11 am - 9:30 pm
Fun & Games With Ample Space @ Pizza & Beer of Richmond
Pizza & Beer of Richmond (also known as PBR… get it?) has a massive, almost 2,500 sq. ft. patio at the corner of West Cary and South Robinson streets — maybe one of the largest in the city. And in addition to ample seating, it also boasts a bocce ball court to enjoy between beers and slices of pizza.
Speaking of which, PBR also has 48 draft lines (with a focus on Virginia beers), wine by the glass, and a whole host of house cocktails, along with pizza made to perfection in a Marra Forni Italian wood-fired pizza oven. Who’s hungry?
Address: 2553 W Cary St (The Fan)
Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 11 am - 10 pm; Friday - Saturday, 11 am - 11 pm
James River Views @ Legend Brewing Company
This wouldn’t be a list of the city’s best patios if we didn’t include Legend Brewing Company’s legendary (sorry, had to) deck, boasting an ideal riverfront location with both water views and a skyline view. The patio / deck is huge, too, so rarely will you have to worry about snagging a table.
If you can get there around sunset, prepare to be astounded by the glittering city lights that await you once dusk hits.
Address: 321 W 7th St (Manchester)
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 11:30 am - 10 pm; Sunday, 11 am - 8 pm
Cozy & Casual @ Union Market
This neighborhood cafe and market in Union Hill is a local favorite for good reason. Aside from serving up a deli-style menu of sandwiches, soups, and salads, they’ve also got an in-house bar serving draft beer, cider, and wine — as well as a market-style side where you can find pre-packaged groceries, snacks, booze, and more.
You can make your selection, pay up front, then take your haul out to the patio, where space is used wisely to fit a surprising amount of seating for a relatively small and cozy setting. The umbrellas offer forgiving shade during the day, while the net of twinkling lights adds a romantic ambiance by nightfall.
Address: 2306 Jefferson Ave (Union Hill)
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 9 am – 9pm; Friday – Saturday, 9 am – 10 pm
Backyard Beer Garden Vibes @ Ardent Craft Ales
This taproom, beer garden, and production brewery in Scott’s Addition has a deceptively large patio — outside the deck you’re greeted with at the main entrance, there’s also a large mulched area with tables and umbrellas leading back to (usually) a food truck, typically with a covered tent in between.
Address: 3200 W Leigh St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 12 – 8 pm; Friday – Saturday, 12 – 10 pm; Sunday, 12 – 8 pm
Nightlife & City Lights @ Siné
Siné (pronounced “Shin-áy”) Irish Pub and Restaurant in Shockoe Bottom has one of the largest late-night patios in the city, where you can find some of the most authentic Irish fare not just in Richmond, but in the state. Pair that with the massive outdoor dining and drinking area with views of the city lit up at night, and you’ve got a recipe for a good time.
And don’t sleep on their happy hour — Monday through Friday, from 3 to 7 pm, you can get 1/2 off all appetizers; $3 domestic drafts and rail drinks; $4 Fireball, Jager, and Truly and/or White Claw hard seltzers; $5 craft beers; and $6 Moscow Mules, house mojitos, vodka Red Bulls, and craft beer flights.
Address: 1327 E Cary St (Shockoe Slip)
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 12 pm – 1 am; Friday, 12 pm – 2 am; Saturday, 11 am – 2 am; Sunday, 11 am – 1 am
Sunsets & Marina Views @ Lilly Pad Cafe
This hidden gem in Henrico overlooks the Kingsland Reach Marina for some of the self-proclaimed “best sunsets in Richmond.”
The folks over at The Lilly Pad recently underwent huge renovations to make their kitchen and bar areas better than ever, without losing the unique charm and appeal of their space — which, as they put it in their Instagram bio, is like “a little slice of paradise.”
Check ‘em out for a massive patio with gorgeous views and casual fare ranging from brick oven pizza to burger baskets to seafood and beyond.
Address: 9680 Osborne Turnpike, Henrico (Henrico County)
Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 4 - 9 pm; Friday, 4 pm – 9 pm; Saturday, 12 - 11 pm; Sunday, 12 - 9 pm
Wine & Wide Open Spaces @ Brambly Park Winery
Yep, that was an old-school country song reference.
But seriously: Brambly Park is a 2-acre urban winery, restaurant, and park in Scott’s Addition, and they’ve got SO much space to spread out while you sip or snack!
You can learn more about Brambly Park here, including more details about their wine (and other beverage) offerings, outdoor food menu, outdoor game selection, and more.
Address: 1708 Belleville St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 4 – 10 pm; Friday, 3 – 10 pm; Saturday – Sunday, 11 am – 10 pm
Casual in Carytown @ Burger Bach
After you’ve worked up an appetite shopping around Carytown, duck into Burger Bach, a New-Zealand style gastropub with an expansive outdoor patio. All of their burgers are made with 100% all-natural, grass-fed beef from New Zealand, and they have nearly 20 delicious burgers to choose from. Their patio lines Cary Street and has plenty of covered umbrella seating
Don’t miss their weekly specials: Wine Wednesday (1/2 off all wine bottles), Local Tuesday ($3 local craft beers), and Sunday Funday ($3 mimosas and $5 bloody marys).
Address: 3426 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 am – 9 pm; Friday - Saturday, 11:30 am – 10 pm
Sweets & Parisian Style @ Les Crepes Carytown
Say bonjour to Les Crepes, a Parisian-style café offering over 40 varieties of sweet and savory crepes. In addition to crepes, they also boast a full beer, wine, and cocktail menu. Their glowing twinkle lights and soothing fountain will make you feel like you’re enjoying your crepe at a quaint café in Paris.
View their current crepe and drink offerings here.
Address: 3325 W Cary St R (Carytown)
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 11 am – 9 pm; Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm
Rustic Cottage Vibes @ Portico Restaurant
Surrounded by a fragrant herb and flower garden, the stone terrace at Portico Restaurant will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the European countryside. Their stacked stone fireplace and flickering candles create the perfect ambiance for enjoying their Italian inspired menu and curated wine list.
Visit them daily for lunch and dinner or on Sunday morning for brunch.
Address: 12506 River Rd (Tuckahoe)
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 11:30 am – 2 pm, 4:30 – 9 pm; Sunday, 11 am – 2 pm, 4:30 – 9 pm
Live Music, Beer, Pizza & Fire Pits @ Hardywood
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery recently renovated the beer garden at their Scott’s Addition location and boy, did they kill it! Complete with a live music stage, fire pits, plenty of seating, and an indoor/outdoor bar, this is the perfect spot to relax with a craft brew in hand.
Give them a follow on Instagram to keep up with their live music schedule, events, food trucks, and beer releases.
Address: 2410 Ownby Ln (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 2 – 9 pm; Friday, 2 – 10 pm; Saturday, 12 – 10 pm; Sunday, 12 – 9 pm
Pups on Patios @ River City Roll
Looking for an outdoor patio that both you and your pup will love? Head over to Tommie’s Patio at River City Roll! Named in memory of a beloved local dog, four-legged friends are always welcome on their 1,800 SF patio. Enjoy live music, delicious food and drink, and plenty of dog-watching at this spot.
While you’re there, don’t forget to order a TOMMIETAIL cocktail. A portion of the proceeds are donated to Richmond Animal Care and Control in Tommie’s honor.
Address: 939 Myers St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 5 – 10 pm; Friday, 5pm – 12 am; Saturday, 12 pm – 12 am; Sunday, 12 – 9 pm
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