Where to Sleep, Eat, Drink, and Shop in the Richmond Arts District

Where to Stay, Eat, Drink, + Shop in the Richmond Arts District

I’ve lived in many Richmond, VA neighborhoods during the past 15 years. It all started on the campus of the University of Richmond. After graduation, I moved into a house in the Three Chopt area before I made my way to Libbie Mill. I swung out west to Innsbrook for a few years and then made my way to my first apartment in the city at the intersection of Boulevard (Now Arthur Ashe Boulevard) and Grace Street. I spent many years there, followed by more than three years in Shockoe Slip and finally to my apartment today in the Arts District of Richmond, VA.

After more than 3 years in this neighborhood, I’ve decided it’s my favorite. The Arts District of Richmond is a walkable and well-rounded community with a little bit of everything to keep your home stocked, your closet fresh, and your palette appeased. In this neighborhood guide, I break down my favorite spots to stay, to indulge, to drink, and to shop. Whether you’re from out of town or ready for a staycation in your own city, I hope you come down and meet some of these inspiring, creative, wise, and wild business owners and their teams. They’ll brighten up your day just like they do mine every day.

Where to Stay in the Arts District

Let’s start with your sleeping arrangements. Quirk is the well-known pink paradise down the road. It is both an art gallery and hotel featuring a lobby, dining room, and rooftop serving a blend of coffee drinks, cocktails, and elevated small plates. A few blocks away, The Graduate (above) welcomes guests into its Arthur Ashe-themed boutique hotel, which also features a trendy lobby and rooftop bar. I also have to suggest my dad’s favorite, Linden Row. The rooms in the historic boutique hotel are large, and the hotel’s courtyard is one of the city’s best-kept secrets.

Some of the best brunch in Richmond VA

We can’t talk about Richmond if we don’t talk about brunch.

In the Arts District, you can go fancy and hit the Jefferson Hotel Champagne Brunch, a Richmond classic if you want to get dressed up and enjoy an ornate atmosphere.
Another Richmond classic : Perly’s. The Jewish delacatessen serves up flavor packed finds like the Bnny Godman (above), smoked beef sausage breakfast sammies, and other kosher creations. Go early! There was a line 9 a.m. before it even opened!
Pop-up bar Switch has leveled up in the arena. My friends and I recently went and ordered up the fluffiest pancakes I’ve ever seen, perfect omelets, avocado toast, shrimp and grits, and several specialty cocktails. We were properly buzzed and felt well taken care of. Around the room, you could see mimosa towers were a big hit.
For a quieter fine dining option for brunch, Max’s on Broad always delivers. I take my family here during their visits to Richmond, VA, as often as I can. Expect an extensive menu of rich french inspired options.

Where to Shop:

After a big breakfast, you’re ready for some shopping. There’s a well-rounded collection of shopping options here. We’ll start with your wardrobe. For high-end and eco-conscious finds, Verdalina delivers in stacks, shelves, racks, and rows. From nail polish to dresses, the corner store is a treasure chest of both up-and-coming and established slow-fashion and beauty brands. Next door, find affordable wardrobe staples, decor, gifts, and special occasion dresses at the popular M od & Soul. Though primarily a men’s consignment shop, A Man’s World features a tightly curated collection of women’s jewelry, coats, shoes, and clothing. Find labels like Stetson, Dior, and Coach here. For the kids, pop into the trendy and conscious Little Nomad children’s lifestyle and clothing store.

For the home, begin your foraging at 68 Home for colorful vintage home goods like rattan rocking chairs, velvet couches, colorful vintage dishes, wall decor, records, and more. In the back, there’s a collection of quality coats, frocks, and handbags. For more home goods, Shop Someday is a bonafide jungle. Snake plants, air plants, monsteras, and prayer-plants pray frame an extensive collection of vintage and French-inspired housewares, decor, kitchen utensils, books, and other accouterments. Circle Thrift & Art Space is a favorite of locals. Have fun digging through a rotating collection of record players, VHS films, books, furniture, and local art.

See more of my local home shopping recommendations.

For a Cup of Joe

Who knows how many times I’ve stepped into Lift Coffee Shop & Cafe. I was going here before I moved to the neighborhood. They create elevated lattes alongside more common breakfast and lunch items. My friends and I are obsessed with the Recovery Smoothie! They always carry gluten-free options for yours truly, as well. There’s a hidden courtyard in the back for a maximum chill time with friends and peers.

To Chill + Work

Meet me at Commonhouse! This four-story coworking space and social club will feed your aesthetic palette everywhere you turn. In addition, you can also feed your actual tummy here. The all-day menu is served around the club, and the restaurant serves up a creative yet straight-forward menu of craft cocktails and entrees featuring seasonal ingredients from local farmers and producers. I am so grateful this resource popped up in Jackson Ward. I love inviting my peers to network in the Fourth Floor Lounge, and I can get away from my own office in one of the many cozy corners. To visit, you can have a member meet you to walk you in or set up a tour. Learn more.

For Drinks and Apps

I couldn’t avoid writing about Happy Hour in this guide!

I’ll start with those I’ve already recommended: Commonhouse, Switch, Quirk, and Max’s are all go-to spots for cocktails and appetizers in the Arts District of Richmond.
The Byrd House at the Graduate Hotel is also a winner for fresh apps and cocktails! You can indulge even if you aren’t a guest at the hotel.
Wong Gonzalez is a fusion restaurant and bar with menu items like crab tacos, fresh guac, and tequila shrimp. The exciting cocktail list is always full of something fun to try. Tarrant’s serves up one of my favorite apps in the city: buffalo cauliflower. The full-service bar can make just about anything you imagine and select the perfect wine to pair with your food.
Jefferson Hotel’s Lemaire Restaurant has one of the best happy hours in town. Enjoy the decadent decor and take a trip back in time over elegant cocktails and world-class service.

For Dinner

While many of the options above offer dinner, I usually head to other spots for dinner. We’ll start with Saison. The corner spot feels like both a fine dining restaurant and a casual neighborhood hang out spot. The menu has items like smoked jalapeño and charred pineapple rub chicken wings and seasonal seafood in and sweet potato in a coconut-habanero broth. For exciting and flavor-packed pick-up options, we always head to J Kogi for kimbap and soup, Nu Vegan for satisfying vegan soul food, and Nama for creative Indian options.