Best of Downtown Richmond 2026 Awards

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 Richmond's best restaurants, museums, parks, 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.

Venture Richmond's Awards & Recognitions | Downtown Winners: Richmond Magazine Awards | Virginia Living Awards | Style Weekly Awards

Venture Richmond's Awards and Recognitions in 2026

In 2026, 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.

Richmond Magazine’s Best Concert Series:

Friday Cheers (1st)

Richmond Magazine’s Best Music Festival:

Richmond Folk Festival (1st)

Richmond Magazine’s Best Nonmusic Festival or Event:

Dominion Energy Riverrock (3rd)

Virginia Living's Best Festival:

Richmond Folk Festival (2nd)

Style Weekly's Best Festival:

Richmond Folk Festival (1st)

Style Weekly's Best Outdoor Concert Series:

Richmond Folk Festival (2nd)

Style Weekly's Best Place to People Watch:

Friday Cheers (3rd)

Style Weekly's Best River Spot:

Brown's Island (3rd)

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(1) (2) (3) Friday Cheers, (4) (5) (6) Richmond Folk Festival

Richmond Magazine's Best & Worst 2026

Congratulations to the Richmond Magazine "Best and Worst" winners located in Downtown Richmond! Richmond Magazine has conducted these awards since 1987 and now has 192 categories.

Most Iconic Current Shop, Business, or Restaurant:

Stella's Grocery (1st)

The Jefferson Hotel (3rd)

Best Food Truck:

Christopher's Runaway Gourmay (2nd)

Best Steakhouse:

Bookbinder's (3rd)

Best Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant:

Gold Lion Community Cafe (2nd)

Best Thai:

The Patio Thai Restaurant (2nd)

Best Japanese Food And/Or Sushi:

Nami (Tie- 3rd)

Best Global Cuisine Not Mentioned Above:

Addis Ethiopian Restaurant (2nd)

Best Fine Dining:

Lemaire (2nd)

Best Specialty Market:

Stella's Grocery (2nd)

Best Local Brewery:

Triple Crossing (2nd)

Best Local Distillery:

Belle Isle Moonshine (2nd)

Best Place for a First-Time Richmond Visitor:

James River, Belle Isle (1st)

Best Restaurant or Food Spot to take Out-of- Towners:

The Tobacco Company Restaurant (3rd)

Best Family- Friendly Restaurant:

The Continental (3rd)

Best Place for a First Date:

Hotel Greene (3rd)

Best Rainy Day Activity:

Hotel Greene (3rd)

Best Gallery or Museum (Nonprofit):

The Valentine (2nd)

Best Family Entertainment:

Hotel Greene (1st)

Best Hiking or Biking Trail Within 30 Miles of Richmond:

Buttermilk Trail, James River Park System Trails (1st)

Virginia Capital Trail (2nd)

Best Local Walk or Run:

Richmond Marathon (Tie- 2nd)

Richmond Half- Marathon (3rd)

Best Local Comedy Show:

Coalition Theater (2nd)

Best Underrated Attraction or Hidden Gem:

James River Park System (2nd)

Best Racquet/ Paddle Sports Facility:

Padel Plant (1st)

Best Free Fun:

James River, Belle Isle (2nd)

Best Historical or History Related Attraction:

The Valentine (2nd)

The Poe Museum (3rd)

Best Live Music Venue in the City:

The National (1st)

Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront (2nd)

Best Dance Performance Series:

Richmond Ballet (1st)

Best Theater Event or Series:

Virginia Repertory Theater (2nd)

Best Concert Series:

Richmond Symphony (2nd)

Best Children's or Teens' Dance Classes:

Richmond Ballet (3rd)

Best Hotel:

The Jefferson Hotel (1st)

Quirk Hotel (2nd)

Graduate by Hilton Richmond (3rd)

Best Commercial Art Gallery:

1708 Gallery (3rd)

Best Consignment Shop:

Mattie's (1st)

Best Women's Clothing Store:

Mattie's (2nd)

Best Sporting Goods Store:

Trail Hut Gear Exchange (3rd)

Best Bookstore:

Fountain Bookstore (1st)

Best Hospital:

VCU Health (3rd)

Best Local Made Beauty, Wellness, or Self- Care Brand or Product

Adiva Naturals (2nd)

Best Law Firm:

McGuire Woods (3rd)

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(1) Kayaking on the James River, (2) Buttermilk Trail, James River Park System, (3) Virginia Capital Trail, (4) Richmond Marathon, (5) Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront, (6) Belle Isle

Virginia Living's Best of Central Virginia 2026

Congratulations to these Virginia Living "Best of" winners located in Downtown Richmond! This is the 14th edition of the Best of Virginia, which had 112 different categories and over 1,600 winners.

Best Coffee Shop or Roaster

Ironclad Coffee Roasters (3rd)

Best Outdoor Dining:

The Boathouse (2nd)

Best Pizzeria:

Bottoms Up Pizza (1st)

Best Seafood Restaurant:

The Boathouse (1st)

Best Steakhouse:

Bookbinder's Seafood & Steakhouse (2nd)

Best Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop:

Stella's Grocery (1st)

Best Distillery:

Belle Isle Moonshine (2nd)

Best Art Event:

RVA First Fridays (2nd)

Best Art Gallery:

Quirk Gallery (2nd)

Best Entertainment Center for Adults:

Hotel Greene (3rd)

Best Music Venue:

The National (2nd)

Best Performing Arts Company:

Richmond Ballet (1st)

Richmond Symphony (2nd)

Virginia Repertory Theatre (3rd)

Best Performing Arts Theater:

Carpenter Theatre (2nd)

Best Special Event Venue:

The Jefferson Hotel (2nd)

Best Historic Site:

The Jefferson Hotel (3rd)

Best Hotel:

The Jefferson Hotel (1st)

Quirk Hotel (2nd)

Best Bookstore:

Fountain Bookstore (1st)

Best Hospital:

VCU Medical Center (1st)

Best Law Firm:

McGuire Woods (2nd)

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Dominion Energy Center Carpenter Theater

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First Friday | Tours in Downtown Richmond

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Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Downtown Richmond

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(1) Carpenter Theater, (2) First Fridays in the Arts District, (3) The Boathouse, (4) Virginia Repertory Theater on Broad Street

Style Weekly's Best of Richmond 2026

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.

Indoor Music Venue

The National (1st)

Best Museum to Get Lost In:

The Valentine (3rd)

Best Community Art Space:

Studio Two Three (1st)

Gallery5 (2nd)

Best Dance Company

Richmond Ballet (1st)

Best Gallery or Exhibition Space

Gallery5 (1st)

1708 Gallery (2nd)