Travel back in time to 1932 when you step into downtown Richmond’s Hotel Greene, a “mini-golf” spot that, in addition to its 13-hole course, includes a restaurant and bar. Located in the former Hotel John Marshall space, guests can come and “check-in” for a game of mini-golf in the recreated hotel lobby. Owners Jim Gottier and Andrea Ball have continued their unconventional streak with Hotel Greene after opening Greenleaf’s Pool Room next door five years ago. Hotel Greene’s name comes with a long, fictional history going as far back as 1915 and engages guests by telling its story throughout the course. A game of golf costs $15 per person while brunch costs $20 per person for a round and a meal. Relax in the lobby with a variety of velvet sofas, bar stools, cafe tables, and lounge columns to choose from while waiting to play or simply sit and enjoy an adult beverage from the lobby bar. Richmond has always had a mysterious and romantic edge to it and Hotel Greene is the perfect setting to enjoy both.

Engage in Manchester’s growing food and beverage scene at Dogtown Brewing, one of Richmond’s newest additions, located at 1209 Hull Street. Choose from a collection of 20 rotating beers like Fetch!, a German-style Kolsch or the Manchester Standard, a Virginia Pale Ale. Not many breweries in Richmond come with a kitchen, but Dogtown is one of the few that do. Their food menu includes a mix of snacks ranging from spicy, salty, pickled, fermented, and meaty foods meant to complement the taste of selected beers. The beer hall also includes a rooftop bar with one of the best views of Richmond and a game room on the mezzanine. Large parties and celebrations can be hosted in the main restaurant or on the rooftop bar. Dogtown had their grand opening this past July and are excited to welcome the entire community of Richmond.

NAMA is Richmond’s newest Indian-inspired restaurant featuring Indian street food and small plates and located right next-door to their sister spot, SWITCH, Richmond’s first pop-up bar. The mind behind NAMA is the D.C. based LX Group, who also operate Kabana Rooftop and Belle. LX Group continues to grow its lifestyle and entertainment experience in Richmond with NAMA’s beautiful ambience that portrays traditional colors of Indian culture and brings a whimsical dining atmosphere to Broad Street. NAMA’s selection of small plates include lamb samosas, masala fries and sweet potato chaat. Their focus of small plates makes NAMA the best place for you and your friends to try a variety of dishes and enjoy as a group. NAMA allows diners to socialize with one another while trying a wide range of options, bringing a communal experience to the plate.

Step into an European-inspired villa at Adarra, a restaurant that serves tapas and exhibits an exceptional wine bar. Owners Randal and Lyne Doetzer, who are both level 2-certified sommeliers, have compiled a list of wine offerings from Austria, Sicily, Greece, and many other regions for customers to enjoy. Adarra’s name comes from a mountain in Spain and has brought in many other aspects from that region into the space. The Basque-inspired menu changes with the season and showcases small Virginia farmers and producers while displaying their hard work in the finished product and platings. Questions about food and drink are encouraged for customers and hoped for by waitstaff. Adarra is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4 to 11 p.m., and reservations can be made through their website.

Brewers Waffles are no ordinary breakfast treat. Owners Ajay Brewer, James Harris, and Chef Josh Reed have contributed to the growing neighborhood of Manchester by adding their new sweet and savory restaurant. The menu includes creative and signature waffle combinations that are named after Richmond public schools like The Carver, a combination of banana, chocolate mousse, nutella drizzle, and peanut brittle. Don’t have a big sweet tooth? Try a savory option like The Overby, a combination of bacon, egg, cheese sauce or hollandaise with chives. The menu also includes a build your own waffle section and Brewer’s milkshakes. An art gallery that neighbors the waffle shop works with the waffle joint to host events and create engaging experiences for the community. Brewers Waffles is open daily and is located at 1309 and 1311 Hull St.

Re:Union is a boutique and retail shop that includes many different, local products and brands to shop from all in one place. The flourishing creative space and boutique sells items ranging from art and plants to streetwear, accessories, and vintage pieces. There are a total of five brands that make up Re:Union – Mamersass, SlumberParty Apparel, Urban Traders, Humble, and LIVNG. Mamersass is a vintage boutique that upcycles unwanted denim textiles. LIVNG is a plant and streetwear shop that also sells vintage items. SlumberParty Apparel is an online streetwear apparel store. Urban Traders is a boutique-style retail shop that sells imported clothing from around the world. Humble is a local Richmond artist who paints and upcycles clothing. Re:Union has become a destination that has uplifted the culture of the arts along the Richmond Arts District and is located at 420 W Broad St.

Richmond will never get tired of pizza, especially with the owners of Belmont Pizzeria at the helm. Carmela’s is located in the heart of Shockoe Bottom at the newly renovated 17th Street Market! Carmela’s is a Sicilian-style pizzeria that serves brick-oven pizza, antipasti, salads, and desserts that are all made in-house. Co-owner Melinda Guevara has named the new restaurant after her grandmother, Carmela Nuara, after being inspired by her mother's multi-generational cooking. The menu ranges from the classic Margherita pizza to more specialty pizzas like the La Carmela, a pizza topped with parmesan creme, arugula, artichoke, garlic, onion, and lemon. Guests can enjoy Carmela’s Tuesday through Sunday located in the former Halligan Bar and Grill space on 3 N. 17th St.

Adding to the never-ending BBQ craze in Richmond is Stump's Pig & Pint. Located at 119 E. Leigh Street, Stump's adds itself to an already impressive list of restaurants along 2nd Street in the Historic Jackson Ward Neighborhood. The barbeque joint plans on becoming a staple of the neighborhood with their selection of homemade sauces and dressings, smoked meats, and made-from-scratch desserts. Make sure to be on the lookout for their surprise half-off meal deals and their pink pig mobile (you can't miss it) cruising along downtown.

Experience more than just wine and coffee at Bateau, one of Richmond’s newest restaurants is inspired by history. Bateau is the word for “boat” in French, which commemorates the bateaumen who transported goods throughout the James River in the 18th and 19th centuries and are honored by Owners Harry Watkins and Arvat McClaine. The selection of wines come from South Africa, Italy, France and African American vintners of California. Enjoy live jazz every Tuesday and Friday, or join in for History Happy Hour, a historian-led discussion that pairs education with food and wine. Located on the Canal Walk, Bateau has become an exceptional dining experience for the community.

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Written by Hannah Lee & Edited by Morgan Carey

Hannah is an intern at Venture Richmond & senior at VCU studying Public Relations.