Early risers and breakfast connoisseurs can rejoice knowing that there are plenty of breakfast options in Richmond, Virginia! Whether you’re looking for a quick meal on the go or a Sunday brunch spot for you and your friends, the options in RVA are unique and plentiful.
Check out one of these 15 best breakfast restaurants in the River City to curb your early morning cravings!
Healthy Breakfast in Richmond
If you’re looking for a light, healthy breakfast to fuel you up for the day ahead, Richmond has plenty of options for you! Curb those cravings but starting your day off with a meal from one of these three health-conscious spots:
The Pit and The Peel
This juice bar and bistro specializes in fresh squeezed juice, made-to-order smoothies, acai bowls, and healthy breakfast options.
My go-to order is an almond milk iced latte and their house acai bowl with banana, peanut butter, dark chocolate chips, granola, and chia seeds.
With four locations throughout the city and their Carytown location open seven days a week, you’re never far away from a quick, healthy meal.
North End Juice Company
This juice shop believes that “living happy, healthy and productive lives starts with quality food and whole ingredients.” Their menu consists of items like fresh pressed juices, wellness shots, smoothies, acai bowls, and carryout food options.
They have two locations in Richmond, but their Church Hill location is right next to 3S Yoga. If you’re looking for a refreshing, healthy meal option after your workout all you have to do is head next door!
My favorite is their vegan poke bowl – you won’t find anything else like it in the city! They also offer 1-3 day juice cleanse packages starting at $55.
Ellwood Thompson’s
If you’re looking for options for a healthy breakfast, you’ll want to check out this local grocery store.
Ellwood Thompson’s starts serving breakfast as early as 7am, seven days a week and offers options like vegan empanadas, breakfast bowls, and anti-inflammatory fresh pressed juices.
You can place an order at their made-to-order breakfast station, juice bar, or choose your own variety of items from their breakfast buffet.
The Best Bagel in Richmond
It might not be the same as New York, but Richmond can make a pretty mean bagel sandwich if you know where to look.
If you’re a fan of bagel sandwiches like I am, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by these three Richmond area bagel shops:
Nate’s Bagels
Nate’s Bagels is the number one spot in Richmond if you’re looking for a hot, fresh breakfast bagel.
They offer a variety of options like their Jersey Turnpike bagel with pork roll, fried egg, American cheese, salt, pepper, and ketchup or their New Virginny vegan bagel with housemade vegan sausage, local tomato jam, caramelized onions, and vegan cream cheese.
You can order up to one dozen freshly baked bagels to go and they’ll give you pointers on how to store the bagels to keep them fresh for days.
Bodo’s Bagels
Okay, so this shop isn’t technically located in Richmond, but it’s definitely worth the drive!
Bodo’s Bagels is a local chain in Charlottesville, VA that serves traditional New York style water bagels. The bagels are less than a dollar each and they have a variety of toppings you can choose from to B.Y.O.B. – Build Your Own Bagel.
You’ll always find a crowd of people at Bodo’s, but the line moves fast. Any time I drive past, I make sure to grab a couple bagels for the road.
Lamplighter Coffee Roasters
If you’re looking for great coffee and great food, Lamplighter Coffee Roasters has two locations in the city offering a unique variety of coffee and tea beverages as well as some delicious breakfast bagels.
Check out their Lox bagel or the Slammer, a vegan bagel sandwich topped with Tofutti cream cheese and maple sriracha glazed veggie sausage.
More coffee shops in Richmond, VA
Favorite Classic Breakfast in Richmond
I don’t know about you, but when I think of breakfast I think of small diners that always smell like fresh coffee and fresh food.
I can hear the white noise of bacon sizzling in the kitchen while customers talk with their friends and there’s something equally inviting and comforting about the atmosphere.
If you’re looking for a diner to spend a leisurely breakfast with your friends or family, check out one of these four diners and cafes.
821 Cafe
In my opinion, 821 Cafe is the number one spot for breakfast in Richmond! This contemporary diner has a huge selection of all of your breakfast favorites like omelets, french toast, and biscuits and gravy – including vegan and gluten-free options.
They also offer a large selection of mimosas and craft beer to start your day off right! The building is in a small corner spot adjacent to the VCU campus, so make sure you get there early to grab a table.
River City Diner
River City Diner is a popular, family-friendly restaurant that offers classic breakfast items like French toast, eggs and bacon, or corned beef hash.
This old-fashioned diner is open seven days a week starting at 8am on weekends and 9am on weekdays and always has fresh, delicious food.
Even better than the food is this diner’s commitment to honoring a welcoming atmosphere and sense of community through their fundraising events and positive, professional service.
Millie’s Diner
A Richmond staple since 1989, this unique diner offers classic breakfast options with an international twist.
The owner of Millie’s Diner grew up in the UK and his love for curry and Indian food has driven him to share these flavors with the world.
All of their breakfast options come with their spicy curry home fries and their “Millie’s Messes” feature a three-egg frittata mixed with your choice of meat and/or vegetables topped with cheese and their special curry sauce.
Best Biscuits in Richmond, VA
When thinking of breakfast in the south, the first thing that often comes to mind is biscuits. So it’s no surprise that Richmond has a number of breakfast restaurants centered around this southern breakfast staple.
Check out one of these three options to find Richmond’s best biscuits:
The Fancy Biscuit
As the name suggests, The Fancy Biscuit offers several types of biscuits including their signature savory or sweet biscuit meals, or their build your own biscuit option.
You’re going to need a drink to go with your meal, so why not wash your biscuits down with one of their popular mimosa flights? The flight comes with 4 different juice pairings including orange, pomegranate, raspberry sorbet, and mango passionfruit.
Depending on the time of day, you may have to wait a while to get a spot here, but sources say it’s worth it.
Early Bird Biscuit Company
This biscuit and pastry shop was inspired by a family recipe from the owner’s grandmother who knows that the secret to a good biscuit is lots of butter!
Early Bird Biscuit Company makes fresh, buttermilk biscuits daily starting at 7am and their two locations make it quick and easy to stop in for breakfast on your way to work.
On Saturdays, they offer breakfast all day with even more options including specialty omelets and chicken biscuits.
Salt and Forge
This gourmet restaurant serves hand-made breakfast biscuits like their Breakfast Croque Monsieur and their Asheville Chicken biscuit.
You won’t have to sacrifice quality for price at Salt and Forge because all of their breakfast biscuits are under $10.
They pride themselves on using locally sourced ingredients and adding their own special touch to their house made smoked meats, made from scratch jams and jellies, and blended salad dressings.
Best Brunch Spots in Richmond
If you’re looking for a refined dining experience for Sunday brunch with friends, Richmond has plenty of places for you to explore.
If you’re looking for quality food, a variety of cocktails, and a relaxed dining atmosphere, check out these three options for the best brunch in town:
The Daily Kitchen and Bar
This popular brunch spot is located in the heart of Carytown and their open air dining room and outdoor patio is the perfect spot for brunch with friends.
The Daily focuses on sustainable cooking using organic foods and locally sourced ingredients featuring a variety of vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and health-conscious options. Make sure you pair your meal with one of their specialty cocktails like the Watermelon Kombucha Martini or Peanut Butter Old-Fashioned.
There is often a waitlist at this restaurant, so make sure you get there early to put your name in!
BRUNCH
This restaurant wastes no time getting right to the point with their ode to one of everyone’s favorite meals of the day, brunch!
BRUNCH is located in The Fan district and the newly renovated building opened in 2019, quickly becoming a hotspot for brunch goers from all over the city. You can almost always expect a wait if you’re trying to get a table here, but it’s worth it to try their waffle flight or their breakfast charcuterie board.
Postbellum
Postbellum has created a uniquely designed menu inspired by postbellum cooking techniques, recipes, and styles.
This restaurant serves weekend brunch from 12pm-3:30pm every Saturday and Sunday and although the menu may be small, their meals are packed full of flavor and quality ingredients with vegan and gluten-free options available.
They offer a rooftop patio for outdoor dining and a full bar with plenty of specialty beer, cocktails, and more.
