20+ of Our Favorite Patios in Richmond
BY THE RVAX TEAM
When you’re looking to keep your al fresco drinking and dining grounded, reference this roundup for some outdoor seating inspo.
Blue Atlas Restaurant & Market
When you’re looking for tapas but more, Blue Atlas has it — along with a view. The spot does its delicious thing on the grounds of a former school building, with a spacious grassy area up front for you to sip and snack on your order.
Location: 1000 Carlisle Ave # 200 (Fulton Hill)
Hours: Found here
Bingo Beer Co
Before or after you partake in the many arcade game happenings indoors at Bingo Beer Co, mosey outside to the beer garden for a round of eats and drinks. The spot has plenty of space for chit-chatting with a cold one — plus there are fire pits for when it happens to get a little cold while you’re enjoying that cold one.
Location: 2900 W Broad St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Jardin
By now, you know Jardin is one of our top spots in the city, but we might not yet have emphasized the patio itself enough. Take any bottle from the spot’s fantastic selection of “wine to drink now” and pop a squat out in the garden to sip on it leisurely as a sunny, warm day passes along in the background. And air-toast if you see Paige.
Location: 1520 W Main St Basement Suite 1 (The Fan)
Hours: Found here
Laura Lee’s
Cozy up with that comfort dish out on the patio. Laura Lee’s specializes in New American fare, like bolongnese and fried chicken sandwiches, and you can enjoy either (or more) outside in the fresh air, too, if you so choose.
Location: 3410 Semmes Ave (Woodland Heights)
Hours: Found here
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 dine.
Location: 3015 Norfolk St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Island Shrimp Co.
Island Shrimp Co.’s tropical feels will transport you straight to paradise. 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.
Location: 11 Orleans St (Rocketts Landing)
Hours: Found here
Casa Del Barco - Canal Walk
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 St is perfectly situated for you to enjoy those waterfront views and plenty of people watching.
Location: 320 S 12th St (Shockoe Bottom)
Hours: Found here
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Both of the VMFA’s dining options offer outdoor seating. When you sit outside at Amuse Restaurant you get views of the Robins Sculpture Garden with upscale, seasonal dishes; when you sit outside at Best Café, you can sit alongside the Garden’s reflecting pool while you dine on more casual fare, like soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as grab-and-go items.
Location: 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Museum District)
Hours: Found here
Sen Organic - Small Plate
This organic Vietnamese restaurant in Carytown uses local ingredients to bridge the gap between Vietnamese and French cuisine in an eclectic, cozy environment. Its intimate patio, draped with string lights and greenery, would be especially perfect for date night.
Location: 2901 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Found here
Pizza & Beer of Richmond - The Fan
Pizza & Beer of Richmond has a massive patio at the corner of W Cary St and S Robinson St and uses all that space to house a bocce ball court for you to enjoy between beers and pizza slices.
Location: 2553 W Cary St (The Fan)
Hours: Found here
Legend Brewing Co.
This wouldn’t be a roundup of some of the city’s best patios if we didn’t include Legend Brewing Company’s ~legendary~ deck, boasting both water views and a skyline view. This patio is huge, too, so rarely will you have to worry about snagging a table, but if you can get there around sunset, prepare to be astounded by the glittering city lights that await you once dusk hits.
Location: 321 W 7th St (Manchester)
Hours: Found here
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, it’s 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 number of tables and chairs 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.
Location: 2306 Jefferson Ave (Union Hill)
Hours: Found here
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.
Location: 3200 W Leigh St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Siné
Siné 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.
Location: 1327 E Cary St (Shockoe Slip)
Hours: Found here
The Lilly Pad
This hidden gem in Henrico overlooks the Kingsland Reach Marina for some of, as the crew there puts it, the “best sunsets in Richmond.” Check it out for a massive patio with gorgeous views and casual fare ranging from brick oven pizza to burger baskets to seafood and beyond.
Location: 9680 Osborne Turnpike (Henrico)
Hours: Found here
Brambly Park Winery
This two-acre urban winery, restaurant, and park in Scott’s Addition has SO much space to spread out while you sip or snack. Order, say, a glass of sauvignon blanc and truffle waffle fries (for starters) while you warm up with one of the outdoor games offered.
Location: 1708 Belleville St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
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, while their patio lines Cary St with plenty of covered umbrella seating.
Location: 3426 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Found here
Les Crepes Carytown
Say bonjour to this Parisian-style café offering over 40 varieties of sweet and savory crepes and glowing twinkle lights and a soothing fountain will make you feel like you’re enjoying your sweet treat(s) at a quaint outdoor café in Paris.
Location: 3325 W Cary St R (Carytown)
Hours: Found here
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 an outdoor seating experience for lunch and dinner or on Sunday morning for brunch.
Location: 12506 River Rd (Tuckahoe)
Hours: Found here
Hardywood
Both Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s locations are complete with space for live music, fire pits, plenty of seating, and outdoor bars, making them each a perfect spot to relax with a craft brew in hand.
Location: 2410 Ownby Ln (Scott’s Addition) and 820 Sanctuary Trail Dr (Tuckahoe)
Hours: Found here
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 the spot’s 1,800 square feet of outdoor space. Enjoy live music, delicious food and drinks, and plenty of tail-wagging at this spot.
Location: 939 Myers St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Looking for more out-and-about ideas?:
