The Best of Downtown Richmond 2024

Discover the ultimate guide to the best of Downtown Richmond, where the city's top talents, businesses, and experiences have been rounded up by readers of three local publications. From culinary favorites and cultural hotspots to hidden gems and local icons, these winners represent the heartbeat of RVA. Whether you're a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, our list offers an insider's look at the very best that Downtown Richmond has to offer.

In 2024, Venture Richmond's dedication to enhancing the vitality of downtown has been widely recognized, with numerous awards from local publications. From best concert series to best festivals, these awards emphasize our commitment to making Downtown Richmond a vibrant, dynamic place to live, work, and explore.

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Richmond Magazine’s Best Concert Series:

Friday Cheers (1st place)

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Richmond Magazine’s Best Music Festival:

Richmond Folk Festival (1st place)

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Richmond Magazine's Best Non-traditional Place to Take in Art:

Riverfront Canal Walk (1st place)

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Richmond Magazine’s Best Live Music Venue Within City Limits:

Brown’s Island (3rd place)

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Richmond Magazine’s Best Nonmusic Festival or Event in the City:

Dominion Energy Riverrock (3rd place)

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Virginia Living's Best Festival:

Richmond Folk Festival (1st place)

Dominion Energy Riverrock (3rd place)

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Style Weekly's Best Outdoor Festival:

Richmond Folk Festival

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Style Weekly's Best Concert Series:

Friday Cheers

Congratulations to the Richmond Magazine "Best and Worst" winners located in Downtown Richmond! Richmond Magazine has conducted these awards since 1987 and now has 190 categories.

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Best Food Truck:

Christopher’s Runaway Gourmay (2nd place)

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Most Difficult Place to Make Reservations:

The Jefferson Hotel (3rd place)

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Best Family-Friendly Restaurant:

The Continental (3rd place tie)

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Best Tearoom or Tea Shop:

The Jefferson Hotel (2nd place)

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Best Sandwiches:

Secret Sandwich Society (3rd place)

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Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant:

Philly Vegan (3rd place)

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Best Pizza:

Bottoms Up (3rd place tie)

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Best Seafood:

The Hard Shell | Rappahannock (3rd place tie)

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Best Breakfast of Brunch:

Perly’s (3rd place)

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Best Local Brewery:

Triple Crossing Beer (3rd place)

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Best Hotel:

The Jefferson Hotel (1st place)

Quirk Hotel (2nd place)

Graduate Richmond (3rd place)

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Best Staycation Spot:

The Jefferson Hotel (1st place)

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Best Staycation Spot:

Linden Row Inn (3rd place)

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Best Historical or History Related Attraction:

The Poe Museum (2nd place)

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Best Live Music Venue in the City:

The National (1st place)

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Best Concert Series:

Richmond Symphony (2nd place)

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Best Dance Event or Series:

Richmond Ballet (1st place)

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Best Theater Event or Series:

Virginia Repertory Theatre (3rd place)

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Best Local Walk or Run:

Richmond Marathon (2nd place)

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Best Extreme Sports Venue:

Riverside Outfitters (3rd place)

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Best Place for a First Date:

Hotel Greene (3rd place)

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Best Local Comedy Show:

Coalition Theater (2nd place)

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Best Friends’-night out activity:

Hotel Greene (1st place)

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Best Free Fun:

Belle Isle/James River/James River Park System (2nd place)

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Best New Store:

Odd Bird (2nd place)

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Best Record Store:

Vinyl Conflict (3rd place)

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Best Locally Owned Bookstore:

Fountain Bookstore (1st place)

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Best Place to Buy a Suit:

707 Fine Clothing (2nd place tie)

Congratulations to these Virginia Living "Best of" winners located in Downtown Richmond! This is the 13th edition of the Best of Virginia, which had 106 different categories. There were nearly 1,600 winners with almost 600,000 votes from across the state.

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Best Food Truck:

Christopher’s Runaway Gourmay (2nd place)

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Best Outdoor Dining:

The Boathouse (2nd place)

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Best Pizzeria:

Bottoms Up (1st place)

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Best Seafood Restaurant:

Rappahannock (3rd place)

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Best Steakhouse:

The Tobacco Company (2nd place)

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Best Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop:

Stella’s Grocery (2nd place)

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Best Cocktails:

The Lobby Bar at the Quirk Hotel (3rd place)

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Best Distillery:

Belle Isle Moonshine (1st place)

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Best Art Event:

Richmond First Fridays (2nd place)

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Best Art Gallery:

Quirk Gallery (2nd place)

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Best Entertainment Center for Adults:

Hotel Greene (2nd place)

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Best Music Venue:

The National (2nd place)

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Best Performing Arts Company:

Richmond Ballet (1st place)

Richmond Symphony (2nd place)

Virginia Repertory Theatre (3rd place)

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Best Performing Arts Theater:

Carpenter Theatre (2nd place)

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Best Special Event Venue:

The Jefferson Hotel (2nd place)

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Best Hotel:

The Jefferson Hotel (1st place)

Quirk Hotel (2nd place)

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Best Bookstore:

Fountain Bookstore (3rd place)

Congratulations to these Style Weekly "Best of Richmond" winners located in Downtown Richmond! Style Weekly had readers nominate their favorites in February and then held the official vote in March, which received over 125,000 submissions.

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Most Anticipated New Concert Venue:

Riverfront Amphitheater

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Best New Screen:

Studio Two Three

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Best Dance Company:

Richmond Ballet

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Best Music Venue:

The National

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Best Undiscovered Breakfast Spot:

Wishbone Food Shop

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Best Brunch:

The Jefferson Hotel

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Best Seafood:

The Hard Shell

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Best Jamaican:

Jamaica House

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Best American:

Lillie Pearl

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Best Vegan:

Philly Vegan

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Best Takeout:

Stella’s Grocery

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Best Southern Food:

Mama J’s

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Best Martini:

Lillie Pearl

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Best Bloody Mary:

Perly’s

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Best Patio:

The Boathouse

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Best Rooftop Bar:

Quirk’s Q Rooftop Bar

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Best Little Debbie’s Dupe:

OMG OCP’s

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Best Place to Shop Where Unique Goods Reign Supreme:

Odd Bird

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Best Bookstore:

Fountain Bookstore