West End/Short Pump Guidebook
Food Scene
Richmond is a foodie city. Whatever you like, we've got it. If you don't see a recommendation for the kind of place you're looking for, just let me know.
Their chicken wings are crazy good! RoseMarie likes the spicy ones, and Luke likes the sweet garlic. Then we fight over who gets the last bite of the Salmon Avocado Ball.
Bonchon Richmond
8026 West Broad StreetTheir chicken wings are crazy good! RoseMarie likes the spicy ones, and Luke likes the sweet garlic. Then we fight over who gets the last bite of the Salmon Avocado Ball.
Vietnamese food with one of the most extensive list of beers on tap you will find anywhere. They actually have something for everyone!
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mekong Restaurant
6004 W Broad StVietnamese food with one of the most extensive list of beers on tap you will find anywhere. They actually have something for everyone!
Their pizza is amazing! Lots of other italian standards on the menu. Locally owned with great food.
Franco's Italian Restaurant
9010 Staples Mill RdTheir pizza is amazing! Lots of other italian standards on the menu. Locally owned with great food.
Don't be fooled by the unfancy airs of this little deli. The Greek owner has had this place for years and years, and he takes great pride in the quality fo the food. They are friendly and happy to let you try samples. Fair warning, they're delicious and you're going to want to get everything! Best hummus ever.
2M Mediterranean Market & Deli (+ Bakery and Catering)
7103 Staples Mill RdDon't be fooled by the unfancy airs of this little deli. The Greek owner has had this place for years and years, and he takes great pride in the quality fo the food. They are friendly and happy to let you try samples. Fair warning, they're delicious and you're going to want to get everything! Best hummus ever.
Local family owned chinese food restaurant. The fried eggplant is delicious. The Fish in Chili sauce is my favorite for its spicy goodness. Quiet atmosphere, polite service, and very good food.
Cheng Du Restaurant
9503 W Broad StLocal family owned chinese food restaurant. The fried eggplant is delicious. The Fish in Chili sauce is my favorite for its spicy goodness. Quiet atmosphere, polite service, and very good food.
Richmond is home to this upscale Chinese food restaurant started by the top chef it's named for. NOT to be confused with PF Changs! Peter Chang's is rapidly expanding their locations, but this little restaurant tucked away in a Walmart strip is where it started! Try the bubble scallion pancakes, the fried eggplant, and ANYTHING else. It's delicious and beautifully served. We often go with a big group and eat family style cause it's all just so good. Reservations for parties of 6 and larger only. It's very busy, but worth the wait.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Peter Chang
11408 W Broad StRichmond is home to this upscale Chinese food restaurant started by the top chef it's named for. NOT to be confused with PF Changs! Peter Chang's is rapidly expanding their locations, but this little restaurant tucked away in a Walmart strip is where it started! Try the bubble scallion pancakes, the fried eggplant, and ANYTHING else. It's delicious and beautifully served. We often go with a big group and eat family style cause it's all just so good. Reservations for parties of 6 and larger only. It's very busy, but worth the wait.
Really good food. They are somewhere between a restaurant and fast food. Mexican food with rotisserie chicken from their fire oven. Yucca fries, yum. If you try the tamal d'elote steamed, not fried, with the sour cream then please bring me one! Just kidding, sorta... :)
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chicken Fiesta
2311 W Broad StReally good food. They are somewhere between a restaurant and fast food. Mexican food with rotisserie chicken from their fire oven. Yucca fries, yum. If you try the tamal d'elote steamed, not fried, with the sour cream then please bring me one! Just kidding, sorta... :)
Their broth is ridiculously good. I don't know how they make it so magical, but that's the way it is. Local family-run business, with plain decor and excellent pho. They stop seating people a little while before closing, so go early or call in an order to go.
Pho 79
6909 Staples Mill RdTheir broth is ridiculously good. I don't know how they make it so magical, but that's the way it is. Local family-run business, with plain decor and excellent pho. They stop seating people a little while before closing, so go early or call in an order to go.
Upscale Indian Food. Delicious every time, but a little pricier than most. If you can, go for lunch. The prices are very reasonable, and they include multiple courses. Highly recommend.
Anokha Cuisine of India
4015 Lauderdale DrUpscale Indian Food. Delicious every time, but a little pricier than most. If you can, go for lunch. The prices are very reasonable, and they include multiple courses. Highly recommend.
If you like thai food, you will LOVE this place. Family owned and operated, stylish modern decor, crazy-good food. The crispy basil duck is the best I've had anywhere. They make each dish with very fresh ingredients and always hit it out of the park. Friendly service. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
Sea By Thai
2452 Old Brick RdIf you like thai food, you will LOVE this place. Family owned and operated, stylish modern decor, crazy-good food. The crispy basil duck is the best I've had anywhere. They make each dish with very fresh ingredients and always hit it out of the park. Friendly service. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
Best ice cream around, and they are open late!!! We go way too often. The flavors change all the time, and picking the best one is always a challenge.
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gelati Celesti Ice Cream
1400 N Arthur Ashe BlvdBest ice cream around, and they are open late!!! We go way too often. The flavors change all the time, and picking the best one is always a challenge.
Beef burgers, lamb burgers, chicken burgers, veggie burgers. My favorite is either the Wellington or the Queenstown. The fries are awesome, and the fresh made aoilis and ketchup are mind-blowing good. Pesto aioli and garlic aioli are my favorites. Luke likes the fresh tzatziki or Chipotle Blueberry BBQ on his fries. They don't serve dessert, so you should probably go to Gelati Celesti afterwards. ;-)
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Burger Bach
2225 Old Brick RdBeef burgers, lamb burgers, chicken burgers, veggie burgers. My favorite is either the Wellington or the Queenstown. The fries are awesome, and the fresh made aoilis and ketchup are mind-blowing good. Pesto aioli and garlic aioli are my favorites. Luke likes the fresh tzatziki or Chipotle Blueberry BBQ on his fries. They don't serve dessert, so you should probably go to Gelati Celesti afterwards. ;-)
Parks & Nature
It's gorgeous. I love the butterfly exhibit and just walking around the grounds.
171 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
1800 Lakeside AveIt's gorgeous. I love the butterfly exhibit and just walking around the grounds.
Maymont Park is the BEST park in the city of Richmond. It's gigantic. It has a petting zoo, aquarium exhibit, historical home, bamboo forest, waterfalls, Japanese water garden with koi pond, Italian rose garden, a super cool birds of prey exhibit, buffalo, bears, and more.. It's a hit with locals and tourists alike. It is a hot spot for weddings, picnics, and play days. Free. (Donation recommended.)
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Maymont Children's Farm
1001 Spottswood RdMaymont Park is the BEST park in the city of Richmond. It's gigantic. It has a petting zoo, aquarium exhibit, historical home, bamboo forest, waterfalls, Japanese water garden with koi pond, Italian rose garden, a super cool birds of prey exhibit, buffalo, bears, and more.. It's a hit with locals and tourists alike. It is a hot spot for weddings, picnics, and play days. Free. (Donation recommended.)
Belle Isle is a favorite for the locals. Park under the train tracks by the Tredegar Museum, and walk across a suspension bridge. You will find an all natural island with hiking trails, climbing spots, and swimming holes in the James River. Have a picnic, scenic walk, and an outdoorsy good time. The sunset views from here of the city skyline are AMAZING.
276 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Belle Isle
1 Belle IsleBelle Isle is a favorite for the locals. Park under the train tracks by the Tredegar Museum, and walk across a suspension bridge. You will find an all natural island with hiking trails, climbing spots, and swimming holes in the James River. Have a picnic, scenic walk, and an outdoorsy good time. The sunset views from here of the city skyline are AMAZING.
Nice big park with lots of wooded and paved trails. The outer loop of these trails is around 2.2 miles. Multiple playgrounds and several shelters and picnic areas. Great place to walk the dog around the ponds. There are often pick up games at the basketball courts and/or soccer fields.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque y Centro Recreativo Deep Run
9900 Ridgefield PkwyNice big park with lots of wooded and paved trails. The outer loop of these trails is around 2.2 miles. Multiple playgrounds and several shelters and picnic areas. Great place to walk the dog around the ponds. There are often pick up games at the basketball courts and/or soccer fields.
Sightseeing
Canal Walk
1512 Canal WalkMonument Avenue East
Monument Avenue EastHistorical Statues. Nice for walks, long runs, Holiday light tours.
Shopping
Super fun shopping downtown! You will find high end and specialty boutiques beside thrift and consignment stores. Chocolatiers and bakeries, ice cream shops, salons, game shops, all sorts of stores for kids and grown-ups. Entertainment provided by the occasional street performer. It's great for low-key nightlife, and there's Farmers Market held here on the weekend mornings. Many great options for casual or nice places to eat. Grab a gyro at Greek on Cary, some frozen yogurt at Sweet Frog, or some sushi at Carytown Sushi. Then catch a movie or film festival at the Byrd Theatre.
307 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carytown
Super fun shopping downtown! You will find high end and specialty boutiques beside thrift and consignment stores. Chocolatiers and bakeries, ice cream shops, salons, game shops, all sorts of stores for kids and grown-ups. Entertainment provided by the occasional street performer. It's great for low-key nightlife, and there's Farmers Market held here on the weekend mornings. Many great options for casual or nice places to eat. Grab a gyro at Greek on Cary, some frozen yogurt at Sweet Frog, or some sushi at Carytown Sushi. Then catch a movie or film festival at the Byrd Theatre.
Nice fresh air mall with local and chains, stores and restaurants, upscale and casual shopping. Godiva store!!
76 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Short Pump Town Center
11800 West Broad StreetNice fresh air mall with local and chains, stores and restaurants, upscale and casual shopping. Godiva store!!
Entertainment & Activities
$4 movies! $4.50 for a big bucket of super buttery popcorn in an iconic and historical theatre. This is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. They do film festivals every so often as well, so check their website for the current showings. They have a live organist play before the weekend shows. They also have sensory friendly showings of kids movies.
156 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Byrd Theater
2908 W Cary St$4 movies! $4.50 for a big bucket of super buttery popcorn in an iconic and historical theatre. This is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. They do film festivals every so often as well, so check their website for the current showings. They have a live organist play before the weekend shows. They also have sensory friendly showings of kids movies.
Live comedy shows. Sign up for their email list to get free tickets. :)
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Richmond Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant
11800 W Broad StLive comedy shows. Sign up for their email list to get free tickets. :)
Escape Room RVA
7025 Three Chopt RdDave & Buster's
4001 Brownstone BlvdArcade games and food.
Local Drive In movie Spot. Inexpensive. Open during the warmer seasons (not winter). They have a playground and food. (You cannot bring your own food in.)
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Goochland Drive-In Theater
4344 Old Fredericksburg RdLocal Drive In movie Spot. Inexpensive. Open during the warmer seasons (not winter). They have a playground and food. (You cannot bring your own food in.)
Richmond Raceway
7433 Bell Creek RdRaces and shows.
Big movie theater with imax and 3D shows. The pizza place next door is awesome for a quick bite and they sell some less expensive candy for your movie!
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Regal Short Pump & IMAX
11650 W Broad StBig movie theater with imax and 3D shows. The pizza place next door is awesome for a quick bite and they sell some less expensive candy for your movie!
Regal West Tower Cinemas
8998 W Broad StMovie theater super close to Gelati Celesti and the Apartment listing.
Essentials
Kroger
1601 Willow Lawn DrWhole Foods Market
11173 W Broad StTrader Joe's
11331 W Broad StArts & Culture
Lots of great exhibits for the art lover! They also have a really nice happy hour!
494 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
200 N Arthur Ashe BlvdLots of great exhibits for the art lover! They also have a really nice happy hour!
Science museum and planetarium. One of my favorite spots as a kid and an adult. :)
132 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de Ciencias de Virginia
2500 W Broad StScience museum and planetarium. One of my favorite spots as a kid and an adult. :)
Museo Infantil de Richmond
2626 W Broad StEdgar Allan Poe Museum
1914 E Main StMuseo de la Guerra Civil Americana - Historic Tredegar
480 Tredegar StThe Valentine
1015 E Clay St