Richmond's Best Coffee Spots, By Neighborhood

 

BY THE RVAX TEAM

 

Richmond is making itself known for many things, and excellent coffee is definitely near the top of the list. Every neighborhood seems to have a coffee shop, and many have fierce followings and diehard fans among Richmonders.

With so many local roasters, handcrafted specialty drink options, and stocked cafes around the city, you’re sure to find a sweet spot to stop in no matter where you find yourself around RVA — plus, we’re pointing you in the direction of the park nearest to your coffee shop of choice. Sit and sip a while!

 

 

Image Source: Coco + Hazel

 

Bon Air

Coco + Hazel

Perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up, Coco + Hazel serves coffee drinks (and coffee flights!) and sweet treats (like their Instagrammable specialty milkshakes).

Location: 2733 McRae Rd

Hours: Found here

Perk!

Perk! opened in early 2015 as an independent community cafe with a focus on locally sourced coffee and food in the Bon Air area.

Location: 2620 Buford Rd

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: Lewis G. Larus Park


 

Image Source: Sugar & Twine

 

Carytown

Can Can Brasserie

Can Can’s coffeehouse, Le Coin, is inspired by the window shops of Southern France, selling fresh bread, pastries, and sandwiches as a walk-up service.

Location: 3120 W Cary St

Hours: Found here

Capital One Cafe

Great place to work remotely. If you’re a Capital One card holder, enjoy 50% off your coffee every day.

Location: 2933 W Cary St

Hours: Found here

Minglewood Bake Shop

Local, storefront bakery offering 100% vegan options. Stop in for your morning cup of Joe and grab a pastry.

Location: 3337 W Cary St

Hours: Found here

Sugar & Twine

Local, storefront bakery with a homey vibe providing artisanal pastries (dairy-free and gluten-free options available), coffee, and custom-made cakes.

Location: 2928 W Cary St

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: William Byrd Park


 

Image Source: Riverbend Roastery

 

Church Hill

Fat Rabbit

Your must-visit spot for homemade Pop-Tarts (see: Hop-Tarts), coffee, and lots of other delish treats.

Location: 2025 Venable St

Hours: Found here

Honey Baked Bee

A gothic-inspired bakery offering caffeinated bevs and countless pastry options infused with Virginia honey.

Location: 2824 E Broad St

Hours: Found here

Riverbend Roastery

Located in the heart of Church Hill, Riverbend offers a full menu of drinks, baked goods, and food. 

Location: 2623 E Broad St

Hours: Found here

Sub Rosa Bakery

Local grains are house-ground and baked in wood ovens to make bread and pastry in an airy, rustic space.

Location: 620 N 25th St

Hours: Found here

FYI: Sub Rosa is currently closed and working to reopen in the fall.

Whisk

Snug, casual bakeshop for French-inspired pastries, bread, espresso, coffee, and sandwiches, plus wine.

Location: 2100 E Main St

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: Jefferson Park, Libby Hill Park, or Chimborazo Park


 

Image Source: Buna Kurs

 

Downtown

Birdie’s

Quaint cafe serving lattes, cappuccinos, pastries, and more.

Location: 305 W Broad St

Hours: Found here

Buna Kurs

Ethiopian cafe serving coffee, frappes, smoothies, breakfast food, baked goods, and more.

Location: 402 1/2 N 2nd St Suite A

Hours: Found here

Calyx Cafe

Where to go for a omakase-style experience sampling the beans of the day by way of guided tastings.

Location: 215 W Clay St

Hours: Found here

The Lab by Alchemy Coffee

Cozy, contemporary counter offering gourmet coffee options, baked goods, and desserts.

Location: 814 W Broad St

Hours: Found here

Le Cache Dulcet

Richmond’s first coffee-and-records shop.

Location: 109 E Broad St A

Hours: Found here

Lift Coffee Shop & Cafe

Cute, canopied cafe with sidewalk seats serving breakfast fare, sandwiches, salads, and box lunches.

Location: 218 W Broad St

Hours: Found here

Qahwah House

Open late-late and offering Yemeni coffee and pastries to go with it.

Location: 900 W Franklin St

Hours: Found here

Sefton Coffee Company

Homey, local outfit, open weekdays only, offering specialty coffee, tea drinks, and light bites.

Location: 24 N 8th St

Hours: Found here

Urban Farmhouse Market & Café 

Fresh roasts and local, organic brunch fare in a sunny cafe with high ceilings and cushy armchairs.

Location: 1217 E Cary St

Hours: Found here

Urban Hang Suite

Urban Hang Suite is Richmond's only Social Cafe nestled in the eclectic mix of the Arts District, Downtown, and Jackson Ward communities. The Urban Hang Suite is a place to create a new Richmond culture while connecting over coffee and conversations.

Location: 304 E Broad St

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: Gambles Hill Park, Brown’s Island, Monroe Park, or Abner Clay Park


 

Image Source: Abi’s Books & Brews

 

The Fan

Abi’s Books & Brews

A late-night spot for your caffeine fix and your next good read.

Location: 1212 1/2 W Cary St

Hours: Found here

Blanchard’s

These craft coffee roasters are a Richmond staple.

Location: 26 N Morris St

Hours: Found here

Rostov’s Coffee & Tea

Longtime nook serving coffee, tea, and pastries, plus a shop for freshly roasted beans and loose leaf teas.

Location: 1618 W Main St

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Sculpture Garden or Monroe Park


 

Image Source: Blanchard’s

 

Forest Hill

Blanchard’s

These craft coffee roasters are a Richmond staple.

Location: 4930 Forest Hill Ave C

Hours: Found here

Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream

Funky breakfast-through-dinner cafe serving simple American fare, desserts, and craft beer.

Location: 3600 Forest Hill Ave

Hours: Found here

WPA Bakery

Hip bakeshop in a historic building with pastries, cakes, and coffee, plus gluten-free and vegan options.

Location: 3414 Semmes Ave

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: Forest Hill Park


 
 

Manchester

Cafe Zata

With a dreamy patio outside and a cozy loft inside (perfect for working remotely!), Cafe Zata serves coffee, lunch, and breakfast all day.

Location: 700 Bainbridge St

Hours: Found here

Gold Lion Community Cafe

A vegetarian/vegan cafe serving coffee, breakfast, and lunch. 

Location: 1012 Hull St

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: Floodwall Park


 
 

Museum District

Best Café

This spacious, light-filled café inside the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts offers casual fare with gluten-free and vegan options.

Location: 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd

Hours: Found here

Blanchard’s

These craft coffee roasters are a Richmond staple.

Location: 3121 W Broad St

Hours: Found here

Reviresco Coffee Company

This small and charming coffee shop serves their own unique coffee blends. 

Location: 710 Lafayette St

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Sculpture Garden or Meadow Park


 

Image Source: The Smoky Mug

 

Northside

The Smoky Mug

Brookland Park Boulevard’s “Front Porch” coffee shop with outdoor seating and gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian food options available.

Location: 15 E Brookland Park Blvd

Hours: Found here

Stir Crazy Cafe

Stir Crazy Cafe was founded in 2002 to bring great coffee, food (sandwiches, salads, wraps, pastries, and more), and atmosphere to Richmond’s Northside neighborhood.

Location: 4015 MacArthur Ave

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: Bryan Park


 

Image Source: Roastology

 

Scott’s Addition

Afterglow Coffee Cooperative

This spot moved in to the Lamplighter Coffee Roasters former location on Summit Ave. The operation is owned by five previous Lamplighter employees, who saw an opportunity to “try something different” when COVID hit.

Location: 1719 Summit Ave

Hours: Found here

Grit Coffee

Great place to work remotely with your morning go-to order — there’s plenty of seating available. 

Location: 1621 Roseneath Rd

Hours: Found here

Roastology

A spot with a cult following — all the way to this new warehouse-like location in Scott’s — and house-roasted beans, sandwiches, and outdoor seating.

Location: 3015 W Clay St

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Sculpture Garden or PARK365


 

Image Source: Foxtail Coffee Co.

 

West End

Caffespresso

Offering coffee, paninis, salads, breakfast, wine, pizza, a market, and more, all with an Italian influence.

Location: 1127 Gaskins Rd

Hours: Found here

Grit Coffee

Another location for the Virginia-based coffee shop with the goal is to tell the story of the many hands and thoughtful acts that go into delivering their coffees, and to have a positive impact on the communities and countries from which they source.

Location: 409 Libbie Ave

Hours: Found here

Fairuz Cafe

Cozy space with long hours and Turkish coffee, snacks, and desserts.

Location: 11254 Patterson Ave

Hours: Found here

Foxtail Coffee Co.

A sleek, cozy coffee shop serving coffee, gelato, beer, wine, and more.

Location: 409 Libbie Ave

Hours: Found here

ShoreDog Cafe

ShoreDog offers a farm to table menu anchored by hand-crafted beverages and freshly caught seafood. From lattes made your way, to gourmet food, they want to bring the best of breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the West End. 

Location: 435-B N Ridge Rd

Hours: Found here

For a nearby spot to sit and sip, check out: Cheswick Park or Tuckahoe Public Park


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