Best Asian Restaurant
First place: Mekong, Richmond, MekongIsForBeerLovers.com, 804-288-8929
Everyone garnishes a bowl of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) a little differently. At Mekong, pho is served with a side of lime, bean sprouts and chili peppers, so you can create your own symphony of flavors. Get hands-on again with Mekong’s roll-your-own-spring-roll grilled platters. The restaurant also features an impressive 60 beers on tap and about 200 more in bottles for the true-brew connoisseur.
Second place: Fat Dragon, Richmond, FatDragonRVA.com, 804-354-9888
Third place: Peter Chang’s China Cafe, Richmond, PeterChangRVA.com, 804-364-1688
Best Bakery
First place: Westhampton Pastry Shop, Richmond, WesthamptonPastryShop.com, 804-282-4413
Westhampton Pastry, in business since 1952, does things the old-fashioned way, right down to its décor, and more importantly, its recipes. Pick up the popular melt-away coffee cake or glazed donuts for a weekend morning—arrive early to get them when they’re hot out of the oven.
Second place: Sub Rosa Bakery, Richmond, SubRosaBakery.com, 804-788-7672
Third place: Jean Jacques Bakery, Richmond, RichmondFrenchBakery.com, 804-355-0666
Best Bar
First place: Shoemakers, Lynchburg, CraddockTerryHotel.com, 434-455-1510
While you’re staying at the Craddock Terry Hotel, meet your dinner date for happy hour at Shoemakers for a wide selection of fine wine, beer and specialty cocktails, including a selection of martinis such as Shoemakers Classic served “moldy”—garnished with a splash of olive juice and a gorgonzola stuffed olive.
Second place: Latitude Seafood Company, Midlothian, LatitudeSeafoodCo.com, 804-379-8100
Third place: Mekong, Richmond, MekongIsForBeerLovers.com, 804-288-8929
Best Barbecue
First place: Buz and Ned’s, Richmond, BuzAndNeds.com, 804-355-6055
Pig out on award-winning barbecue sandwiches, brisket and baby back ribs along with classic homemade sides like fresh country greens, hush puppies and Cajun fried corn at this Richmond institution, featured on both Food Network’s Throwdown with Bobby Flay and Travel Channel’s Man v. Food.
Second place: Q Barbecue, MidlothianQBarbeque.com, 804-897-9007
Third place: Alamo BBQ, Richmond, AlamoBBQVa.com, 804-592-3138
Best Breakfast Restaurant
First place: Market at Main, Lynchburg, MarketAtMain.com, 434-847-9040
With an authentic 25-foot pressed tin ceiling and wooden floors hewn from the planks of an old Lynchburg tobacco warehouse, Market at Main may conjure the 1920s, but the menu is fresh and modern. Breakfast staples include a fried green tomato BLT, sweet potato pancakes, 6-ounce center cut steak and eggs, and Market’s riff on a classic: pulled pork Benedict.
Second place: Millie’s, Richmond, MilliesDiner.com, 804-643-5512
Third place: McLean’s, Richmond, McLeansRestaurant.com, 804-358-0369
Best Burger Joint
First place: Burger Bach, Richmond, BurgerBach.com, 804-359-1305
Just what is a “Bach” (pronounced “batch”)? It’s a New Zealand version of a beach house. Put “burger” in front of that and you have Richmond’s answer to a gourmet burger bar—one that serves organic grass-fed beef and lamb patties and unusual fresh-made dipping sauces like jalapeño remoulade.
Second place: Carytown Burgers & Fries, Richmond, CarytownBurgers.com, 804-358-5225
Third place: Citizen Burger Bar, Charlottesville, CitizenBurgerBar.com, 434-979-9944
Best Caterer
First place: Mosaic Catering + Events, Richmond, MosaicCateringEvents.com, 804-525-2190
After starting as a casual café 20 years ago, Mosaic has expanded to include a full-service catering and event planning business offering cuisine, light design and rentals. If the business has learned anything in the past two decades, it’s that the best things are often the simplest— to this day, its most popular dish is the signature smoked gouda pimento cheese.
Second place: A Sharper Palate, Henrico, ASharperPalate.com, 804-553-0495
Third place: Groovin’ Gourmets, Richmond, GroovinGourmets.com, 804-868-8900
Best Chocolatier
First place: For the Love of Chocolate, Richmond, LovChoc.com, 804-359-5645
More than 80 jars of candy-by-the-pound line the walls of For the Love of Chocolate, with shelves and cases of candy, confections and baked goods that range from gourmet chocolates and fair trade chocolate bars to cookies, international candies, and even more unusual items like chocolate pasta and Italian absinthe candy.
Second place: Gearharts Fine Chocolates, Charlottesville, GearhartsChocolates.com, 434-972-9100
Third place: Cao Artisan Chocolates, Lynchburg, CaoArtisanChocolates.com, 434-847-2970
Best Dessert Menu
First place: Shyndigz, Richmond, Shyndigz.com, 804-938-3449
You may argue over where to go for dinner, but we bet you’ll agree that Shyndigz is the place for dessert. Towering slices of salted chocolate caramel cake, Butterfinger Wow pie, peanut butter pie, and pecan streusel bread pudding are some of the treats waiting for you to eat in, or carry out at the new Shyndigz 2go located a couple of doors down.
Second place: The Desserterie, Midlothian, TheDesserterie.com, 804-639-9940
Third place: The Cheesecake Factory, Richmond, TheCheesecakeFactory.com, 804-364-4300
Best Farmers’ Market
First place: South of the James Farmers’ Market, Richmond, GrowRVA.com, 804-814-2373
Running year-round in Forest Hill Park, this producer-only market offers goods ranging from local produce to hand-thrown pottery. While there, be sure to grab a latte at Alchemy Coffee’s trailer and a fresh-made sourdough donut from Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen, a popular food truck run by an Amish family.
Second place: Lynchburg Community Market, LynchburgCommunityMarket.com, 434-455-4485
Third place: St. Stephen’s Farmers’ Market, Richmond, SaintStephensRichmond.net, 804-288-2867
Best Food Truck
First place: Boka Tako Truck, Richmond, BokaTakoBar.com, 804-928-2652
Lunch at 9th and Cary streets wouldn’t be the same without the Boka Tako Truck. An RVA staple, the business comprises three trucks, two carts, two restaurants (Boka Grill and Boka Tako Bar) and a booming catering business. Wherever you find them, enjoy Boka’s gourmet braised beef brisket with crispy potato and chimichurri or kimchi and bulgogi tacos.
Second place: Goatocado, Richmond, Goatocado.com, 804-464-8226
Third place: Christopher’s Runaway Gourmay, Richmond, ChristophersRunawayGourmay.com, 804-400-3663
Best Gourmet Grocery Store
First place: Ellwood Thompson’s, Richmond, EllwoodThompsons.com, 804-359-7525
Ellwood Thompson’s offers a selection of locally sourced nutrient-dense prepared food and local beers on tap that you can either sit and sip in the Beet community space, or as you shop the store’s wide variety of organic and local produce. Free nutrition counseling sessions can be arranged with Ellwood’s resident health coach.
Second place: Fresh Market, Richmond, TheFreshMarket.com, 804-355-3190
Third place: Libbie Market, Richmond, LibbieMarket.com, 804-285-6414
Best Italian Restaurant
First place: Edo’s Squid, Richmond, 804-864-5488
Hidden on the second floor of a restaurant-heavy block near Virginia Commonwealth University is Edo’s Squid, a favorite Richmond stop for Italian cooking. Popular dishes include the rockfish, composed of a filet roasted in olive oil, salt and pepper; shrimp fra diavolo; and, of course, Edo’s fresh-never-frozen calamari.
Second place: Mamma Zu, Richmond, 804-788-4205
Third place: Azzuro, Richmond, Azzurros.com, 804-282-1509
Best Local Craft Brewery
First place: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Richmond, Hardywood.com, 804-420-2420
Since the beginning of Richmond’s craft beer craze, Hardywood has made a name for itself with quality beer brewing and community engagement. Hosting local Richmond bands, beer release parties, and music video screenings for Richmond film collective Good Day RVA, the brewery is a do-not-miss destination for anyone interested in creative brews and RVA’s diverse local culture.
Second place: Ardent Craft Ales, Richmond, ArdentCraftAles.com, 804-359-1605
Third place: Devils Backbone, Roseland, DBBrewingCompany.com, 434-361-1001
Best Local Ice Cream Shop
First place: Gelati Celesti, Richmond, GelatiIceCream.com, 804-364-2100
This decadent, small-batch maker of “heavenly handmade ice cream” is opening a fourth location near Bow Tie Cinemas in Scott’s Addition, where it will offer popular flavors like creamy chocolate decadence and salted caramel. It’s one more good reason to take the day off and catch a flick.
Second place: Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream, Richmond, BevsIceCream.com, 804-204-2387
Third place: Carl’s, Fredericksburg, CarlsFrozenCustard.com
Best Locally-Owned Coffee Shop
First place: Lamplighter Roasting Company, Richmond, LamplighterCoffee.com, 804-728-2292
While enduring the summer heat, stop by one of Lamplighter’s three locations for a refreshing cold-brew coffee. Hungry? Popular sandwiches include the Quilt (a BLT made of woven bacon strips, red onion and mixed greens, topped with garlic aioli) and the Goat Herder’s Daughter (grilled leeks, asparagus, goat cheese and fennel on fluffy focaccia).
Second place: Black Hand Coffee, Richmond, BlackHandCoffeeCo.com, 804-855-0800
Third place: Brewed Awakening, Danville, BrewedAwakening.org, 434-483-2138
Best Local Sandwich Shop
First place: Coppola’s Deli, Richmond, CoppolasDeli.com, 804-359-6969
Serving Carytown since 1982, Coppola’s Deli aims to provide its customers with an authentic Italian deli experience—serving wine, cheese, deli meats, and sandwiches and subs, of course. Pop by for a cheesesteak, or, for the deli purist, the popular Industrial sub, a salami and Capicola ham sandwich topped with peppers and provolone on a fresh-baked roll.
Second place: Chiocca’s, Richmond, ChioccasDeli.com, 804-355-3228
Third place: Garnett’s, Richmond, GarnettsCafe.com, 804-367-7909
Best Mexican Restaurant
First place: Mexico Restaurant, Richmond, Mexico-Restaurant.com, 804-320-1069
Mexican food doesn’t have to be synonymous with unhealthy food, as the Garcia family well knows. Their restaurant offers authentic Mexican dishes with fresh ingredients, options for those with dietary restrictions, and unusual dishes like avocado fries—breaded and fried slices of avocado served with a white sauce.
Second place: Plaza Azteca, Richmond, PlazaAzteca.com, 804-888-9984
Third place: Pepe’s, Chesterfield, PepesVa.com, 804-272-0920
Best Outdoor Dining
First place: Shoemakers, Lynchburg, CraddockTerryHotel.com, 434-455-1510
Ideally situated on the James River, Shoemakers’ patio provides the perfect backdrop for a superb dining experience. The former tobacco warehouse, now part of the Craddock Terry Hotel, is in the heart of the city’s metropolitan dining scene, with masterfully crafted meals as well as its modern exposed brick interiors and convenience to the city’s Bluff Walk.
Second place: Portico, Richmond, PorticoRichmond.com, 804-784-4800
Third place: The Daily Kitchen and Bar, Richmond, TheDailyKitchenAndBar.com, 804-342-8990
Best Pizzeria
First place: Waterstone Fire Roasted Pizza, Lynchburg, CraddockTerryHotel.com, 434-455-1515
Pizza is usually the purview of more casual haunts, but Waterstone’s pizza serves up decidedly less humble pie. Its upscale gourmet version of the Italian classic is sophisticated and smart. Pair unusual pies like the lemon pepper chicken pizza with a gourmet appetizer for a full meal—and be sure to finish with the tiramisu.
Second place: Bottoms Up Pizza, Richmond, BottomsUpPizza.com, 804-644-4400
Third place: Belmont Pizza, Richmond, BelmontPizzeria.com, 804-888-9861
Best Place for Brunch
First place: Millie’s, Richmond, MilliesDiner.com, 804-643-5512
You wouldn’t expect a line out the door for a storefront as unassuming as Millie’s, but it’s worth the wait for soft scrambled eggs with lobster and hollandaise, and the diner’s open-faced frittata, a curried concoction called the Devil’s Mess. No worries if you’re feeling impatient—you can order one of Millie’s pint-size Bloody Mary’s or mimosas to enjoy while you wait.
Second place: The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond, JeffersonHotel.com, 804-788-8000
Third place: Market at Main, Lynchburg, MarketAtMain.com, 434-847-9040
Best Restaurant
First place: Shoemakers, Lynchburg, CraddockTerryHotel.com, 434-455-1510
Shoemakers was once the home of one of Lynchburg’s most successful shoe factories, but the restaurant’s current reputation for top notch surf and turf (and notable desserts) may well eclipse its prior fame. Shoemakers serves classic American cuisine, including filet and fish specialties like an eight-ounce filet mignon paired with either jumbo Cajun shrimp or a crab cake.
Second place: Vintage at the Inn at Willow Grove, Orange, InnAtWillowGrove.com, 540-317-1206
Third place: Stella’s, Richmond, StellasRichmond.com, 804-358-2011
Best Seafood Restaurant
First place: Shoemakers, Lynchburg, CraddockTerryHotel.com, 434-455-1510
Seafood and steak lovers alike are in luck on Friday and Saturday nights, when specials at Shoemakers often include a choice between elegantly served lobster and prime rib. That doesn’t mean it skimps during the week, either—the popular restaurant’s oven-roasted crab stuffed trout over asparagus risotto entrée and crispy calamari with lemon aioli will satisfy any day.
Second place: Rappahannock, Richmond, RROysters.com, 804-545-0565
Third place: Latitude Seafood Company, Midlothian, LatitudeSeafoodCo.com, 804-379-8100
Best Steakhouse
First place: Shoemakers, Lynchburg, CraddockTerryHotel.com, 434-455-1510
It’s clear that Shoemakers knows steaks—its house specialties include classic steak au poivre and filet mignon grilled to order. With any steak, enjoy a side of garlic and chive mashed potatoes, with the option of a drizzled béarnaise, fromage, or peppercorn sauce. Add a Caesar salad for an extra flavorful flourish.
Second place: Buckhead’s Chop House, Richmond, Buckheads.com, 804-750-2000
Third place: Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Richmond, SizzlingSteak.com, 804-378-0600
Best Wine Shop
First place: Total Wine & More, Richmond, TotalWine.com, 804-323-5866
The folks at Total Wine really do mean it when they say “total,” whether it’s in the shop’s selection or their knowledge of wines, beer and spirits. For those a little overwhelmed by the number of choices, the store offers weekly wine and beer tastings, plus wine and spirits classes to help you discover new favorites.
Second place: J. Emerson, Richmond, JEmersonFineWine.com, 804-285-8011
Third place: Barrel Thief Wine Shop & Café, Richmond, BarrelThiefWine.com, 804-612-9232
Best Winery
First place: Barboursville Vineyards, Barboursville, BBVWine.com, 540-832-3824
Barboursville Vineyards has received accolades for its high quality wines and for founder Gianni Zonin’s daring to produce such wine in Virginia, a feat unmatched even by founding father Thomas Jefferson, for whom the noted Octagon red is named. Enjoy Barboursville wine with dinner at the vineyard’s Palladio Restaurant, or stay for the weekend at its 1804 Inn.
Second place: Veritas, Afton, VeritasWines.com, 540-456-8000
Third place: Keswick Vineyards, KeswickVineyards.com, 434-244-3341
Most Creative Cocktail Menu
First place: The Rogue Gentlemen, Richmond, TheRogueGentlemen.com, 804-477-3456
You can’t get more creative than a customizable cocktail. Just choose two words (like “herbal” and “sweet”) and your favorite spirit, and a Rogue Gentlemen bartender will create a delicious quaff to your specifications. Prefer your drinks by-the-book (or menu)? The bar has a daring selection of drinks rotated seasonally, along with a selection of beer and wine.
Second place: Heritage, Richmond, HeritageRVA.com, 804-353-4060
Third place: The Roosevelt, Richmond, RooseveltRVA.com, 804-658-1935